Labor leader Anthony Albanese has announced major changes to his shadow cabinet, promising jobs, jobs and more jobs and strong action on climate change. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
Labor leader Anthony Albanese has announced major changes to his shadow cabinet, promising jobs, jobs and more jobs and strong action on climate change. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
Virgin Australia has cut another 350 jobs, this time at its head office in Brisbane, the Australian Services Union says.
It comes on top of more than 3000 sackings at the airline since it was bought by US investment group Bain Capital last year after going into administration due to the coronavirus crisis.
In a statement, the ASU blamed the latest cuts on the Morrison government and called on it to urgently extend the jobkeeper subsidy for the aviation sector beyond its expiry date in March.
“If the Federal Government had extended JobKeeper by now, these workers would still be employed today – instead they’re hunting for work at the toughest time possible,” the union’s national secretary, Robert Potter, said.
“11,000 jobs have already been lost in the airlines sector and each day the Government delays its decision on whether to extend JobKeeper is costing more and more jobs, with a massive human cost to workers and their families.
“If the Government continues to refuse to extend JobKeeper, industries like aviation are going to continue to bleed jobs and when skilled people leave, they are hard to get back.”
He said the decision was “incredibly disappointing” and slammed Virgin management for failing to properly consult with its workforce over the cuts.
The vice-chancellor of the University of New South Wales will resign at the start of next year.
In a statement released today, Prof Ian Jacobs said he was leaving the job for family reasons, due to the health of his mother and his wife’s parents.
Jacobs will stay in the role for the rest of this year, but will leave in January 2022. He has been the university’s vice-chancellor since 2015.
Jacobs said he made a “difficult and emotional” decision to move to the UK to be closer to his parents and his wife’s parents, after the recent death of his father. “2020 was a difficult year for all of us, requiring many, including me, to make difficult choices,” he wrote in a message to students and staff.
In 2019, my wife Chris and I became concerned about the health of our parents in the UK. We were able to manage the situation at that time because we were able to visit the UK several times a year and knew we could get back within 48 hours in an emergency.
Unfortunately, my Dad became ill and died in July 2020. Because of the pandemic I was unable to travel to the UK for his funeral and have been unable to spend time with my Mum and family over this difficult time.
At the same time Chris’ parents are also in need of increased support. These circumstances are similar to those experienced by millions during the last year and they inevitably lead to re-evaluation of longstanding plans.”
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called the government’s timing of the release of the Samuel review of Australia’s environmental laws “pathetic and cynical”.
Hanson-Young tweeted that the review was a “scathing assessment” and called on the government to introduce stronger laws to protect the environment.
Government has finally released the Samuel Review into Australia’s Environment Laws.
It is a scathing assessment and shows we need urgent action to protect nature before we loose our native wildlife and species for good.
South Australia has also recorded another day of zero cases and zero cases acquired in hotel quarantine. The state also has zero patients current in hospital.
The independent Advisory Committee for Vaccines (ACV) will meet on Wednesday to provide formal advice on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
Chair, Allen Cheng, today told the Senate Covid committee that the ACV would then pass its final advice on to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), where a senior medical officer would provide final approval.
The ACV, which comprises 10 vaccine experts, provides independent advice to the TGA, focusing on issues relating to the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines.
The Australian government has already ordered 53m doses of the jab, with approval expected soon.
More reactions to Albanese’s cabinet reshuffle, this time from senator Murray Watt:
Excited to add new role of Shadow Minister for Qld Resources in @AlboMP Shadow Ministry. Keen to champion one of Qld’s most important industries and the hardworking people who drive it. pic.twitter.com/zbKjMSgCYp
Airlines are moving to add more flights to Queensland in light of the decision to lift border restrictions from next week.
Queensland will reopen to Sydneysiders on Monday. A Virgin Australia spokeswoman has told the Sydney Morning Herald the decision comes at a “much-needed time” for the industry.
The announcement provides a boost of confidence for thousands of our people who’ve been looking forward to returning to work, as well as for travellers who want to do business, reconnect with loved ones, family and friends.
We are reviewing our schedules and are focused on adding more Queensland services from early February.”
More reactions to Albanese’s reshuffle, with newly appointed shadow minister for climate change and energy, Chris Bowen, releasing a statement, welcoming his new appointment and calling the Morrison government “hapless”:
With more than two million Australians unemployed or underemployed, the choice is clear to me and I’m delighted to be appointed as the shadow minister for climate change and energy.
In contrast, this hapless government has offered 22 energy policies in eight years – wrecking business confidence and slashing jobs.
Scott Morrison and his embattled energy minister remain isolated on net-zero by 2050 – from our major trading partners, our leading businesses, and even our Liberal states.
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