Australia news live: Greens push Labor to block Rinehart coal seam gas expansion; veteran suicide rates ‘a national tragedy’

Covid outbreaks in aged care down for first time since mid June

Christopher Knaus

Christopher Knaus

The latest data on Covid-related deaths in aged care makes for grim reading.

In the week to 5 August, there were 165 new deaths reported by aged care providers. The week prior, the number of deaths was 176, by far the worst since the January Omicron wave, according to a Guardian analysis.

But there are some encouraging signs.

The number of active outbreaks in aged care has dropped to 952 in the most recent data. That’s down from 1,064 and 1,013 in the two weeks prior. In fact, it’s the first time the number of active outbreaks have fallen since mid-June.

The number of resident and staff cases associated with active outbreaks has also dropped for the first time in more than a month. There were 14,554 resident cases and 7,170 staff cases associated with active outbreaks in the week to 5 August. That’s down from 15,072 residents and 8,190 staff in the week prior.

Updated at 00.23 EDT

Key events

More reaction to death of Paul Green

Members of parliament have also posted tributes to Paul Green on social media following his shock death.

Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook paid tribute to the 49-year-old as a “tenacious little halfback” and “great competitor”.

Devastating news about Paul Green, a gutsy and much-admired Queenslander gone too soon, thinking especially of his loved ones at such a horribly sad time #auspol https://t.co/BDPBsyZBWs

— Jim Chalmers MP (@JEChalmers) August 11, 2022

Shocking news re the passing of Paul Green. An incredible player and coach. Thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children.

— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) August 11, 2022

Updated at 00.14 EDT

South Australia records one Covid death

South Australia Health has released today’s Covid update.

There have been 1,919 new cases recorded and one further death.

There are 269 people being treated in hospital with the virus including seven in ICU.

Parramatta Eels post tribute to Paul Green, who has died at 49

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Eel #646 Paul Green. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues for their loss 🙏

Rest in Peace to a great man, player & coach 💙 pic.twitter.com/4NdGKPqrVY

— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) August 11, 2022

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Eel #646 Paul Green. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues for their loss.

Rest in Peace to a great man, player & coach.

The former Queensland State of Origin coach represented the Cronulla Sharks, North Queensland Cowboys, Sydney Roosters, the Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels during his time as player.

Vale Paul Green.

The Rugby League community has lost a legendary player and coach today.

Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and the countless fans who loved him. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/dUeUc4sPEL

— NRL (@NRL) August 11, 2022

Updated at 23.59 EDT

Union CPSU welcomes recommendations from veterans’ suicide royal commission

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which represents members in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA), has welcomed today’s royal commission into defence and veteran suicide interim report and its recommendations.

CPSU members in the DVA said the report highlighted the understaffing and underfunding of the past federal government which had hindered the department’s ability to deliver the comprehensive support veterans needed.

They welcomed four specific recommendations: eliminating the claims backlog, improving the administration of the claims system, for the department to provide advice on its funding needs and removing the DVA average staffing level cap.

CPSU deputy president Brooke Muscat said the report highlighted the “shocking backlogs and barriers” veterans faced when seeking help.

For years, the Coalition government ignored the warnings of our members in DVA about the risk to the mental health and lives of veterans caused by understaffing, delays, and veterans’ claim backlogs.

This report makes clear that there is no benefit from policies such as the staffing cap. It costs the taxpayer more, decreases secure employment, and increases backlogs and delays.

CPSU members welcome today’s recommendations and call on the government to immediately accept them. DVA workers are committed to helping veterans and their families navigate the department to access the services they deserve, but government policy has been a clear roadblock.

The union said the federal government’s election commitment of transferring 1,000 labour hire contractors to permanent employment at DVA and creating an additional 500 jobs would “go a long way” to addressing problems, but wouldn’t fix everything.

Updated at 23.48 EDT

Greens call on Labor to rule out any expansion of Senex gas venture

The Greens have urged environment minister Tanya Plibersek against approving billionaire miner Gina Rinehart’s proposed expansion of a coal seam gas project in Queensland.

According to reports today, South Korean steelmaker Posco will partner with Rinehart to lift production at the Senex venture in the Surat Basin, with work set to begin in coming weeks.

The plan still needs approval from Plibersek.

Environment spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said any expanded or new coal or gas projects would “blow” Labor’s 43% emissions reduction target.

Approving more coal and gas in the midst of a climate crisis is reckless and dangerous. Minister Plibersek should rule this one out too.

It is clear we need a climate trigger in our environment laws to require the minister to consider the impact the emissions from the project will have on the climate crisis. The comments from the resources minister backing in the future of coal and gas are a very worrying sign.

If the Albanese Labor government is truly committed to tackling the climate crisis, then making sure they, and the government that comes next, don’t approve projects that make it worse is a must.

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

Last week, Plibersek said she intended to block a coalmine project backed by mining billionaire Clive Palmer that would have dug for the fossil fuel just 10km from Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef coastline. It was her first decision in her new portfolio.

Updated at 23.44 EDT

NSW weather warning for sheep graziers

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning to sheep graziers in parts of New South Wales and Canberra for unfavourable weather as a cold front moves in ahead of the weekend.

A strong marine wind warning is also active for the Eden Coast.

The BoM:

Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, rain and showers and north-westerly winds are expected during Thursday and Friday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the Southern Tablelands, South-west Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Australian Capital Territory forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

Updated at 23.25 EDT

SA taskforce to examine firefighters responding to emergencies

Hopping over to South Australia, and the state’s premier, Peter Malinauskas, has announced a taskforce to look into firefighters responding to medical emergencies.

It comes after a man died from cardiac arrest on Monday night while waiting 42 minutes for an ambulance. The family of the South Australian man have labelled the state’s health system “broken”.

Updated at 23.15 EDT

Thanks to the ripper Royce Kurmelovs for keeping us abreast of today’s news. I’ll be with you for the rest of the afternoon.

Updated at 23.08 EDT

Shocked and saddened to hear of Paul Green’s death. Deepest condolences to his friends and family.

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) August 11, 2022

Josh Butler

Josh Butler

Veterans minister stops short of endorsing royal commission recommendations on immunity and privilege

Veterans minister Matt Keogh has acknowledged concerns had been raised by the royal commission about access to information from government departments, but stopped short of immediately endorsing the interim report’s recommendations to reform parliamentary privilege and public interest immunity claims.

Commissioner Nick Kaldas told Radio National this morning that he was “still awaiting some things to be resolved”, noting “a number of problem areas we’re trying to navigate … privacy, national security issues”.

Veterans affairs minister Matt Keogh speaks to the media on Thursday, 11 August, 2022.
Veterans affairs minister Matt Keogh speaks to the media on Thursday, 11 August, 2022. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Kaldas has previously said the royal commission had found some relevant information “difficult to obtain”. When asked if that information had been more forthcoming in recent months, Kaldas replied: “not as yet”.
The interim report said it had been “constrained – unreasonably so” by parliamentary privilege and public interest immunity claims in its investigations, as well as raising serious concerns about a lack of legal protections for sources to engage with the royal commission.

The report said previous related investigations had been conducted by the Australian National Audit Office and various parliamentary committees, but that parliamentary privilege “presented a barrier to the royal commission making full use of, or fully reviewing, these reports”.

It recommended the government make changes to public interest immunity claims, introduce exemptions for parliamentary privilege for future royal commissions, as well as provide further legal protections for serving members of the ADF who wish to engage with the commission.

Keogh acknowledged concerns but said he had “not formed a view” on the recommendations about immunity and privilege.

The minister said it was “vitally important” the royal commission get the information it requested, but flagged administrative difficulties in sourcing and providing some information. Keogh noted more than 500,000 people in Australia today had served in the defence force, and that not all records were digitised for easy access.

Updated at 00.02 EDT