Good evening, and welcome to our daily roundup of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in Australia. This is Josh Taylor bringing you the main stories on Thursday 23 April.
Ruby Princess cruise ship departs Australia
The Ruby Princess has departed Port Kembla on the New South Wales south coast bound for Manila in the Philippines with 370 crew on board.
The ship’s arrival in Sydney – first on 8 March and then again on 18 March – is linked to more than 600 cases of coronavirus and 21 of its former passengers have died.
The debacle surrounding the ship is the subject of a special inquiry. About 10% of Australia’s cases of the virus have been linked to the ship.
Half a million jobseeker applications and $3.8bn out of super
The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, said 456,000 Australians applied for early access to their superannuation, totalling $3.8bn. The average withdrawal is around $8,000 and people can access up to $10,000 this financial year, and another $10,000 in the next financial year.
The big four banks have also promised to fast track loans for businesses waiting for jobkeeper payments to arrive so they can keep paying their employees until then.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said 587,686 applications for jobseeker applications had been processed by Services Australia, which is more than the organisation usually does in a year.
Australia pushing for greater scrutiny of wet markets
Australia wants international inspectors to go in and investigate that health and safety standards are being adhered to. The agriculture minister, David Littleproud, said we must learn from this pandemic.
“There are risks with wildlife wet markets and they could be as big a risk to our agricultural industries as they can be to public health, so we have to understand them better.”
Fourth Newmarch resident dies
The operator of the Newmarch House aged care facility in western Sydney, Anglicare, says the 79-year-old resident had tested positive for Covid-19 and died very early this morning. She had multiple serious health issues, the organisation said.
The facility has had 44 confirmed cases of coronavirus – 29 residents and 15 staff. The federal government has stepped in to support the centre amid concerns about staffing shortages with 55 staff forced to isolate.
Law enforcement doesn’t get access to app data
Amid ongoing privacy concerns about the government’s coronavirus contact tracing app, the attorney general, Christian Porter, has confirmed regulations will be put in place preventing state and federal law enforcement agencies, or any government agency other than health authorities, accessing the data.
Australia in talks with New Zealand to open up travel
International travel will be the last restriction eased in Australia, health officials say, but there is discussion between Australia and New Zealand to potentially allow travel between the two countries before that.
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Billionaire Kerry Stokes granted exemption from 14-day quarantine
The media mogul Kerry Stokes and his wife were allowed to avoid mandatory hotel quarantine on medical grounds when they arrived in Western Australia by private jet two weeks ago, and instead spent 14 days holed up in their Perth mansion.
What you need to know: get the most important information from some of our key explainers
Australia’s coronavirus lockdown rules explained: can I still visit my partner and other questions
Coronavirus Australia maps and cases: live numbers and statistics
Australia’s strict new coronavirus social distancing rules explained: state by state guidelines
Virgin Australia: what does voluntary administration mean and how will it affect you?
Jobkeeper payment: check your eligibility. Here’s everything you need to know to register
Free childcare: what do the Australian government’s coronavirus changes mean for my family?
Am I eligible for the jobkeeper payment? Here’s everything you need to know to register
Groceries, telehealth and pharmaceuticals: how older Australians can get help at home
Have I already had coronavirus? How would I know and what should I do?
Dangerous cures and viral hoaxes: common coronavirus myths busted
How ventilators work and why they are so important in saving people with coronavirus
Looking for more coverage? Read the latest news from across the Guardian’s global network.
