Domestic Politics
Victoria announced that it is entering ‘stage three’ of coronavirus restrictions, after confirming 56 new cases, bringing the Australian state's total to 821. Premier Daniel Andrews said that residents face fines of $1600 and above should they fail to limit their gatherings to two people. Residents are only allowed to leave the house to work or study, exercise, or get essential, food, supplies, and medical care. [ABC News]
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is setting up a website where New Zealanders can report any stores that are 'price-gauging', saying that businesses must have a good reason to increase prices. [NZ Herald]
International Relations
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand is recalling all of its troops from Camp Taji in Iraq, where 45 Kiwi personnel were stationed. The camp was recently the target of a rocket attack. Defense Minister Ron Mark said that after contributing towards training 47,000 ISF personnel, New Zealand believes that that the Iraqi government and coalition forces are now adequately prepared to defeat ISIS in the area. [Stuff]
Economy
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a plan to “hibernate” Australian businesses during the coronavirus crisis. Details of the plan have not yet been released, but Morrison hinted that it will focus on debt relief, rental subsidies or waivers, and wage subsidies. [news.com.au]
Australia’s Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, announced that businesses will be provided with a wage subsidy of $1500 per employee to help businesses cover their costs and to help citizens keep their jobs during this crisis. [ABC News]
Health
The number of coronavirus cases in Australia went past 4100, with 18 deaths. [news.com.au]
Australia's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Paul Kelly, said that there has been a decrease in the number of new coronavirus cases every day. However, he urged caution, saying, “This is not the time to take the foot off the break.” [9 News]
New Zealand now has 589 coronavirus cases, with 1 death. 63 patients have thus far recovered from the virus. [Newsroom]
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Australia and New Zealand in Review: March 30, 2020
Read more about the latest events from Australia and New Zealand.
March 30, 2020
