Boom Radio: Morning News Update
Blayne Treadgold
31 March 2020
9:00am
PM announces ‘Job Keeper’ Stimulus
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a $130 Billion dollar ‘job keeper’ stimulus package for employers in order to keep approximately six million Australians employed during the coronavirus economic downturn.
“This is about keeping the connection between the employer and the employee and keeping people in their jobs even though the business they work for may go into hibernation and close down for six months,” Mr Morrison said.
The package is the third round of stimulus, and the biggest by the Morrison government bringing the total stimulus spend to $320 billion.
Cruise Passengers arrive on Rottnest
Two hundred Western Australian travellers from the Vasco da Gama cruise liner have arrived on Rottnest Island to commence their 14-day isolation.
Whilst the WA travellers will stay in chalets and units on the popular holiday island, other travellers including New Zealand travellers have been flown home, while Australians from interstate were taken to city hotels to self-isolate.
Premier Mark McGowan was pleased the Rottnest plan came together.
“It was just a week ago that we first raised the prospect of Rottnest being used as a dedicated self-isolation island,” he said.
The West Australian team, including the Rottnest Island Authority, have been in overdrive to have the island vacated and prepared for the WA passengers,” Mr McGowan said.
He also reinforced the regulations of self-isolation and social distancing for travellers on the island.
“The social isolation principle applies on Rottnest,” he said. “So you stay in your unit, you can stay in your courtyard, that’s it. No visits to the beach.”
WA Travel Restrictions to kick in tonight.
Travel restrictions will apply from midnight tonight for people travelling between WA regions under new state government measures to stop the spread of the COVID19 coronavirus.
In a statement from the Premier’s office, Western Australians will not be permitted to leave their regional boundary. Police have the power to enforce these restrictions if necessary, and fines of up to $50,000 can be issued
“These are extraordinary times, and we have a responsibility to implement extraordinary measures to protect Western Australians, and stop the spread of COVID-19,” Mr McGowan said.”It is absolutely vital that Western Australians abide by these restrictions, to help protect themselves, their family and the wider community.”
The Good News: Sir Elton rallies ‘A-listers’ for COVID19 concert
Sir Elton John has rallied some of the biggest names in music to perform live from their homes in a televised concert to raise money for the coronavirus relief effort.
The living room concert saw performances from A-listers including Billie Eilish, the Backstreet Boys, Alicia Keys, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato and Mariah Carey.
The concert was streamed on Iheartradio and watched by millions on FOX TV US.
