Business as unusual

A DEBTOR OPTION

The Victorian government has received a mixed response to its $3 billion business package, with both The Age and the Herald Sun ($) reporting that while the package is cautiously welcomed, there are also fears that a $1.7 billion payroll tax deferral will simply delay the pain.

The package includes more than $1.1 billion in cash grants for small and medium-sized businesses and a $251 million Licensed Venue Fund set to offer grants of up to $30,000 for the hospitality sector; a further announcement relating to sole traders is expected in the coming days.

With Melbourne’s curfew moved to 9pm from today, The Australian ($) reports that the chiefs of CSL, BHP and Wesfarmers have called for the government to lift the “wartime” policy.

PS: On the systemic front, the ABC reports that Dan Andrews has confirmed he will front the hotel quarantine inquiry, while The Saturday Paper reveals how Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton admitted in a private briefing that the state’s contract tracing system was bogged down by a combination of outdated technologies and a “hotchpotch of public and private providers”.

AN UPDATE ON POLICE

The ABC reports that swarms of police dressed in riot gear reportedly arrested 74 people at yesterday’s anti-lockdown protests in Melbourne, including an alleged “agitator” who remains in custody.

In other very normal news, a Wallan woman who filmed an officer yanking her out of her car at a COVID-19 checkpoint will be charged with assaulting police, while The Guardian reports that a Queensland officer is being investigated after wearing what appears to be a “thin blue line” flag patch to a Black Lives Matter rally — the flag is associated with far-right extremism.

PS: As Business Insider reports, Donald Trump has described the fatal shooting of an alleged Antifa-linked murder suspect by US Marshals as an act of “retribution”. One witness to the fatal shooting alleges officers did not try to arrest the suspect before opening fire.

GOT MONEY FOR GAS?

According to both The Australian ($) and The Conversation, Scott Morrison and Energy Minister Angus Taylor will today announce a $211 million fuel security package including new domestic diesel storage facilities, changes to create a minimum onshore stockholding, and support for local refineries.

The plan is their first of several energy announcements as part of a gas-focused economic recovery — global warming and modelling of what Australia will actually need be damned.

PS: In other political news, The Guardian reports that the Greens could back Morrison’s plan to make Facebook and Google pay for news if it includes the ABC and SBS.

SYDNEY COULD UNDO LOCKOUT LAWS

Finally, The Daily Telegraph ($) reports that the NSW government will today unveil their 24-Hour Economy Strategy, which envisions more accessible accessible late night transport, longer opening hours and fewer restrictions on live events in Sydney.

The announcement comes as the state government continues to deal with the fallout from the state Nationals’ failed attempt to split the government but keep their cabinet roles, with Police Minister David Elliott calling John Barilaro’s position untenable and Labor leader Jodi McKay set to introduce a vote of no confidence tomorrow.