For all that our world may have changed over the past three weeks, Newspoll has not: The Australian reports the latest result has Labor’s lead steady at 51-49. There has, however, been primary vote movement in favour of the major parties, with both up by two points: the Coalition to 40%, Labor to 36%. The Greens are down one to 12%, One Nation unchanged on 4% and others down three to 8%.
As with Essential Research, Scott Morrison has recovered somewhat from his post-bushfire slump, with his approval rating up three to 41% and disapproval down five to 53%. He now holds a 42-38 lead over Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister, who led 41-40 last time. Albanese’s net rating has also improved, his approval rating up one to 40% (The Australian report says down three, but I believe it has its wires crossed from the preferred prime minister movement) and disapproval down four to 40%.
In other findings, 75% support the government’s decision to abandon a budget surplus in favour of economic stimulus; 51% believe the federal government has managed preparedness for the crisis well; 66% are satisfied with federal and state government efforts to inform the public about the virus; but only 47% feel the same way about managing its economic impact.
UPDATE: The Australian’s reportage rather downplays the fact, but the poll found only 33% were satisfied with the economic response of governments (the question emphasised “both federal and state”) to the coronavirus outbreak, with 47% dissatisfied. The 75% rating in favour of stimulus did not relate specifically to the government’s policy, but to the general notion that “the Morrison government should provide a stimulus package to safeguard the economy”, with only 14% favouring the alternative option that it “should prioritise its promise to deliver a budget surplus”.
For the other questions, 76% of respondents were worried about the economic impact of the outbreak, versus only 20% for confident; 51% were worried, and 47% confident, about the preparedness of the public health system, for which 51% were satisified with the federal and state government response and 33% dissatisfied; and 63% were confident, and 35% worried, about “the amount of information available to Australians about how to protect themselves”, for which 65% were satisfied and 28% dissatisfied with the federal and state government response.
The poll was conducted Wednesday to Saturday from a sample of 1501.
Hmmm.
Douglas and Milko @ #960 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 8:27 am
whom. As if 95% of the population would even recognise the word.
Yesterday morning crowds of 499 were fine.
Last night Colbeck gets challenged: Why not 500, why not 100, why not 5?
Today Cabinet is to discuss the 500 number.
In less than a week we have had three changes decided and/or ‘discussed’.
1. It was good/not good for Morrison to go to the footy.
2. It was OK to shake hands it was not OK to shake hands.
3. It is OK to mill around with 499 others… watch this space.
Why would you ‘discuss it’? If they are religiously following the CMO advice, as they repeatedly state they are doing, then there is no need for a ‘discussion’. Just do it. Whatever it is.
If the advice is not black and white but in terms of probability then…
They should publish the advice.
phoenixRED @ #994 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 7:17 am
Bbbbbbut, doesn’t he personally understand the situation as well as, if not better than, the experts?
Victoria @ #970 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 8:39 am
They are just BB’s heroes looking after themselves at the expense of everyone else. Be prepared by taking more than your fair share.
‘It’s Time says:
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 10:29 am
Victoria @ #970 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 8:39 am
Fess
The panic buying has annoyed the crap out of me.
I didn’t expect Australians to be that idiotic
They are just BB’s heroes looking after themselves at the expense of everyone else. Be prepared by taking more than your fair share.’
During every war and/or famine there is hoarding, speculation, a black market and extortion. When your prime minister and your government are crooked, why would you expect anything better?
Barney in Tanjung Bunga @ #1004 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 10:28 am
Mike Moore’s next documentary really just writes itself doesn’t it?
Maude Lynne: “edit: But I do think short-sellers are a curse and should be banned from trading.”
I agree. It shouldn’t be difficult for the ASX to do this: indeed, it really ought to be made illegal.
It was astonishing to find out yesterday that UniSuper has been engaging in the practice of lending its shares to short-sellers. There has been a lot of inquiring into super funds lately, but I don’t think Haynes or any of the other inquirers have picked this problem up. I think a thorough investigation of the trading practices of all super funds is now warranted: I cannot conceive of a legitimate justification for jeopardising members’ funds in this way.
Lizzie:
This leads to the incredibly complicated pun(e), supposedly sourced from The King’s School, Parramatta, wherein the Head Master says to the Assembled Boys:
“Remember boys, it’s not who you know, it’s whom you know”…
lizzie @ #992 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 9:16 am
One of the few politically uncorrupted institutions left in government. But it seems a little outside its remit.
MB
Agreed!
It distorts the market in ways that are not in the best interests of investors or traders.
Barney in Tanjung Bunga @ #1004 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 9:28 am
Well if Jared is the expert then it’s an even money bet to jump that low hurdle.
It’s pretty obvious they are simply following what the US does.
I recall that short-selling was banned for a while during the GFC. Basically, it’s gambling with money you don’t have.
Our granddaughter in England has a fever, sore throat and cough. The family of 5 is now in isolation for 14 days. Fingers crossed.
It’s Time says:
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 10:45 am
One of the few politically uncorrupted institutions left in government. But it seems a little outside its remit.
—————
https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/How-we-can-help/australian-federal-police
The Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman can investigate complaints about:
the actions of Australian Federal Police members (including ACT Policing)
the policies, practices and procedures of the Australian Federal Police
The Great Toilet Paper Panic of 2020!!
When i was a child visiting my Grandmothers’s property meant visiting the “long drop” toilet about a 100 yards from the house.
A bit scary at night time!
Beside the toilet was a pile of neat squares of newspaper. They were a bit rough and 1 ply was sufficient but the sufficed.
Why is having soft toilet paper such a priority?
Who would have thought that toilet paper would become the “talisman” of our society? Or is it now called “bathroom” paper to protect septic victorian sensibilities ?
On second thoughts it raises interesting possibilities as an eloquent talisman ……. thoughts to ponder in isolation ….
The thinking behind the UK’s ‘lock up the vulnerable” and let the rest catch it approach.
Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237385-why-is-the-uk-approach-to-coronavirus-so-different-to-other-countries/#ixzz6Gtox7kYp
If Peter Dutton is allowing journalists into his home, isn’t he violating quarantine orders?
“During every war and/or famine there is hoarding, speculation, a black market and extortion. When your prime minister and your government are crooked, why would you expect anything better?”
Of course,in past wars such behaviours were soon made illegal with severe penalties for anyone breaking those laws. But that required competent government.
Said earlier (D&M)
+1
1st world figjam
This statement will receive cheers from some posters here over the last few days 🙂
Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237544-who-expert-we-need-more-testing-to-beat-coronavirus/#ixzz6GtrKUhZ2
I just checked and my Superannuation’s value has dropped 1.5% in the past week!!
Speaking of competent government, one of the things Trump has been heavily criticised for is the failure of the US CDC to supply a reliable test kit for Covid19. The first kits supplied to State medical agencies were faulty and testing could only occur back in Atlanta, leading to a disastrously low testing rate in the USA.
This is yet another example of Trump’s choices of people for key rolls coming back to bite him.
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/13/opinions/trumps-terrible-choice-for-cdc-redfield-garrett/index.html
Plenty of comments on the c19 symptom table have already pointed out how not very helpful it is. I note too that if sneezing is not a symptom of c19 (nor of flu), then what is the point of face masks in public? All I can think of is that it stops people touching their face as often and might stop the odd person spitting.
If Superannuation declines at 1.5% a week, does that mean, at that rate, in not much more than a year it will have all disappeared without withdrawing anything?
Probably a good idea …
France saying they’ll spend whatever it takes, starting with 300 b euro.
I’m guessing we won’t be hearing about government debt for awhile.
FMD
Morrison must have learned that it is safer in the ACT than it is Sydney. He is shifting to Australia’s answer to Waikiki – the Lodge.
Victoria @ #970 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 8:39 am
The panic buying has annoyed the crap out of me.
I didn’t expect Australians to be that idiotic
It was obvious what was coming. People have to eat, the distribution system was going to be stressed. Weeks ago I suggested panic buy early and often. That puts less strain on the distribution system, but oh no, you want to complain you had no warning.
Now you left to rely on home delivery which I believe has been cancelled.
Don’t blame others.
‘Socrates says:
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 11:03 am
“During every war and/or famine there is hoarding, speculation, a black market and extortion. When your prime minister and your government are crooked, why would you expect anything better?”
Of course,in past wars such behaviours were soon made illegal with severe penalties for anyone breaking those laws. But that required competent government.’
Lamp posts and walls also had a role to play in some circumstances.
poroti says:
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 11:05 am
This statement will receive cheers from some posters here over the last few days
The WHO’s assistant director general , epidemiologist Bruce Aylward, says effective quarantine is essential for tackling the coronavirus, but this cannot happen without extensive testing for covid-19
Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237544-who-expert-we-need-more-testing-to-beat-coronavirus/#ixzz6GtrKUhZ2
Can’t control what you can’t measure.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/mar/16/not-fit-for-purpose-uk-medics-condemn-covid-19-protection
Like our own Tories, in the UK they have completely botched it. They have almost no protective gear for HCWs…the people who will be most scarce and valuable in coming months will have practically no PPE…personal protective equipment…Tories/bone heads
E. G. Theodore @ #1009 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 10:42 am
Or:
Knock Knock
{please, someone bite}
i have a son who has spent the last 5 yrs working to get to an advertising agency in new york saved
up approx 40k to fund a 3 month stay to look for work,left on Jan 1 this year ,2 months later he got his senior position at a large ad agency,on over 200k a year .
had to leave to usa and apply for work visa ,for the last 2 weeks he’s been down in babardos enjoying holiday ,he is now on his way to JFK to start work his brief the NBA finals.
14 day internment at his apartment ,then work from home until told to come to work.
over 2k employees from firm working from home.
needless to say family worried .
daughter in singapore teaching gets temp checked twice a day.
wife and i both nurses having to front work each day,not knowing who’s walking in.
banished from seeing grand children at present,and were both over 60 with underlining health conditions.
oh its great to be alive
stay calm everyone
cheers
Will Morrison’s children be flown to Sydney and back, daily, at taxpayer expense, to attend school in Sydney?
Rakali
One of my childish enjoyments was reading the bits of newspaper cut up for toilet paper and trying to work out what the bigger story was. This was in the country and over the old shit thunderbox complete with resident Blue-tongued lizard.
The answer to your particular question is that newspaper sheets will clog your flush toilet.
Scott @ #1016 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 9:53 am
I would have thought investigating the practices and procedures of one case may be a long bow.
COVID-19 scam messages targeting Australians
https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert-service/covid-19-scam-messages-targeting-australians
Do we know how the virus travelled in London?
No. Some have suggested that frequent flying of people in a richer borough in London or recent ski holidays to Italy may have increased the incidence in Kensington and Chelsea, but this is speculation.
The UK has stopped testing people who do not need hospitalisation. This has been very controversial as it prevents the behaviour mapping…..
The Tories in the UK have stopped testing people!
Insane
Absolutely fucking insane
MrMoney
Lots of worries piling up right there.
I appreciate your front line work.
Thank you.
Player One @ #1027 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 10:12 am
This is certainly a government who couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time.
‘Steve777 says:
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at 10:50 am
I recall that short-selling was banned for a while during the GFC. Basically, it’s gambling with money you don’t have.’
Not strictly true, I believe. You can short the market while still having enough in the kitty to cover your losses if your bet goes pear-shaped. How many people have enough to cover their bets and how many do not, I don’t know.
I may be wrong.
autocrat @ #1034 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 11:17 am
I’ll bite – who’s there? 🙂
I’m not super impressed with the way Pence is handling the US Virus Crisis.
He needs to lift his game.
Remember back in the 80s golden staph was everywhere was costing govt.and hospitals a fortune,
So how did they fix it , they stopped testing for it,and then found no one had it.
Problem solved.
lizzie @ #1041 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 11:20 am
This is also a function of shelves in Sunbury being stripped bare by people coming from closer to Melbourne, so Sunbury people are heading out to Gisborne on reports of stock there and so on.
It’s Time
We have one set of our family in home isolation pending a Virus test and another locked up behind Metro Manila borders.
I dare say that over the next 12 months this sort of situation will replicate for all of us several times.
Rakali @ #1026 Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 – 8:11 am
No, next week it would be 1.5% of a smaller amount and so on and so.