Good evening, here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic in Australia. This is Calla Wahlquist and it is Wednesday 13 May.
Josh Frydenberg tests negative to Covid-19
The federal treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, tested negative to Covid-19 after succumbing to a coughing fit in parliament on Tuesday. He said he was tested on Tuesday night, “out of an abundance of caution”, and was back in parliament after he received a negative result early Wednesday morning.
Coronavirus advisor paid $267,345
The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet has corrected evidence that Scott Morrison’s handpicked Covid-19 coordination adviser, the former Fortescue Metals chief executive Nev Power, is being paid $500,000 for six months’ work.
In a statement issued late on Wednesday, Morrison’s department said Power would be paid $267,345 to cover his expenses as chair of the National Covid-19 Coordination Commission – not $500,000.
Power’s remuneration was revealed at a hearing of the Senate inquiry into the management of the coronavirus crisis, where senators focused on whether there were proper processes in place for members of the NCCC to declare any conflicts of interest, given that many are company directors.
Queensland government to bid for Virgin Australia
The Queensland state government will bid for Virgin Australia, the new treasurer, Cameron Dick, has announced.
In a statement, the treasurer said he has appointed Queensland Investment Corporation, a government-owned investment company, to pursue a bid that could include a “direct equity stake” in the airline.
“We have the opportunity to retain not only head office and crew staff in Queensland, but also to grow jobs in the repairs, maintenance and overhaul sector and support both direct and indirect jobs in our tourism sector,” Dick said.
“We saw the punishing increase to the cost of flights after the Ansett collapse, and this government will not stand by and let that happen again.
Conspiracy undermines confidence in 5G
A committee established to examine plans for the construction of Australia’s 5G network, which is being completed by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, has received hundreds of submissions from members of the public concerned about perceived health issues associated with 5G. A report issued by the committee said community confidence had been “shaken by extensive misinformation preying on the fears of the public spread via the internet, and presented as facts, particularly through social media”. “The committee has been assured that 5G is safe,” it said.
The report was completed in March, before misinformation began spreading online claiming that 5G was either responsible for the coronavirus or for “poisoning cells” that created the virus.
‘Healing church’ fined $150,000
The Australian drugs regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, has fined an Australian chapter of the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing more than $150,000 for selling and promoting a solution containing industrial bleach as an alleged cure for coronavirus. The church’s US leader, Mark Grenon, wrote to Donald Trump days before the US president claimed disinfectant could be a coronavirus cure.
Twiggy’s tests are not being used
Coronavirus tests brought to Australia by the mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest at a cost of $200m to the Australian taxpayer are not being used by most state and territory governments and have instead been sent to the national medical stockpile. Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have told Guardian Australia they do not use the type of tests purchased by Forrest, and the WA health department said they weren’t needed. Victoria was the only state to confirm it used the type of tests Forrest acquired.
The Fortescue Metals chairman is the former boss of the National Covid-19 Coordination Commission chairman Nev Power.
Parliament should return, says Greens
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The Greens have called for the federal parliament to return to its regular sitting schedule, saying the response to the coronavirus crisis requires “full parliamentary oversight”. Parliament was adjourned until August at the last emergency sitting, and the leader of the House, Christian Porter, said a revised sitting calendar was being worked on to bring parliament back before August but had not yet been released.
Death of another Ruby Princess passenger brings Australia’s toll to 98
An 81-year-old woman who was a passenger on the Ruby Princess has died in NSW overnight. She is the 22nd person to die in connection to the Ruby Princess outbreak, and the 98th person to die in Australia after testing positive to Covid-19.
Australia records 13 new Covid-19 cases
Australia recorded 13 new cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, seven in Victoria and six in NSW. That brings the national total to 6,975, of which just 700 are still sick and 50 remain in hospital.
The deputy federal chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, said all Australian jurisdictions had now signed up to the Covidsafe app but he was not aware that the app had been used to actually trace any contacts to date.
What you need to know: get the most important information from some of our key explainers
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Coronavirus Australia maps and cases: live numbers and statistics
Australia’s strict new coronavirus social distancing rules explained: state by state guidelines
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
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