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“I was wrong”: Dominic Perrottet admits Catholic faith played a role in gambling reform


<p>Dominic Perrottet has changed his tune. After reflecting on his decision to implement a new gambling policy, he admits his Catholic faith played a role.</p> <p>Last week ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis made a comment claiming the premier’s “conservative Catholic gut” was linked to his decision to implement cashless poker machines across all venues in NSW. As a result, the ClubsNSW board decided to fire Landis.<br />Perrottet responded to the comment and claimed his views were “not informed by the fact that I’m Catholic.”</p> <p>Since then, Perrottet has changed his mind. He admitted that the decision was influenced by his Catholic faith. “Certainly my upbringing and my faith has had an impact,” the premier said.<br />“I don’t think that is something I should be ashamed of.”</p> <p>When asked why this policy is such a priority for him, he reflected on his time as NSW treasurer, “We were receiving revenue and profit from people’s misery.”</p> <p>Perrottet has been the state’s premier since October 2021, dealing with the state opening up after COVID and the Omnicron wave. “I haven't got everything right in the time I've been in politics, but you learn from it,” he said.</p> <p>“Politics is not easy. It's difficult and there will always be the external events and mistakes get made.”</p> <p>If Perrottet is re-elected this year, the gambling law overhaul will begin early next year with the roll-out of cashless poker machines.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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"This is about looking after the vulnerable": Major gambling reform unveiled

<p>NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet plans to spend $340 million to overhaul the NSW gambling industry in what he describes as the largest social, community and law enforcement reforms in the state’s history.</p> <p>In order to stop problem gambling and eliminate money laundering in pubs and clubs, NSW is set to roll out cashless poker machines.</p> <p>There will be an introduction of mandatory cashless gambling across all venues in NSW. Any new machines purchased are required to be cashless and the roll out of the digital machines will begin early next year.</p> <p>The plan is for poker machines in NSW to be entirely cashless by 2028. It is an enormous transition. “I’ll work to ensure no-one is left behind, that no jobs are lost,” Perrottet said.</p> <p>The plan will provide no-interest loans for small and medium venues to assist them with the roll out of the cashless technology. It also provides a one-off $50,000 “diversification” grant for venues to invest in new income.</p> <p>Gamblers will also be able to set a daily limit for themselves, which will be locked for seven days in order to stop spending more than planned, and they will only be able to use money from their personal bank account; credit cards will no longer be accepted.</p> <p>“Today, we fix money laundering, we fix problem gambling and we support pubs and clubs across New South Wales,” Perrottet said.</p> <p>The reform is the result of a report released by the NSW Police Commission which had recommended many of the changes in attempt to stop money laundering.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty </em></p>

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“It was a terrible mistake”: NSW premier admits to wearing Nazi costume

<p>NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has admitted in a televised press conference that he dressed up in a Nazi uniform at his 21st “fancy dress” themed birthday party.</p> <p>During the press conference, Mr Perrottet said he chose to make the public admission after being called by a colleague two days ago who said they knew about the costume.</p> <p>“When it was raised to me two days ago, I realised I needed to tell the truth and not someone else,” he told reporters.</p> <p>Mr Perrottet also revealed that no-one else at the party wore Nazi garb, and that his mother and father – who also attended the party – told him the next day that his choice of costume was “in poor taste”.</p> <p>In an interview with 2GB’s Chris O’Keefe on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Perrottet clarified he did not dress up as Adolf Hitler and did not wear a fake moustache.</p> <p>Mr Perrottet said that he was unaware whether any images existed of him wearing the costume, but that he wanted to address the “massive mistake”.</p> <p>He said he was “deeply ashamed” of the decision and apologised for the hurt it would cause the wider community: “I wish I could go back in time and do that day again.”</p> <p>The premier admitted he studied World War II history in school and had Jewish friends at 21 but says he was “naive” and did not realise the gravity of his actions.</p> <p>“It was a terrible mistake at that age in my life, I just did not understand the gravity and the hurt of what that uniform means to people not just in our state but around the country and around the world,” he continued.</p> <p>Mr Perrottet said he had considered addressing the incident several times in the past and was aware that it was important the revelation came from him to apologise for “the hurt and the pain this is going to cause”.</p> <p>“When it was raised with me I didn’t want this difficult truth of a grave and terrible mistake that I made at my 21st birthday party to be told by someone else,” he said.</p> <p>“I have grappled with this. It has been something that’s personally anguished me.”</p> <p>In response, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies posted a statement on their Facebook page and said they hoped the incident would “serve as a lesson” and reminder of the “abhorrent nature of the Nazi regime”. They also said Nazi symbolism should “not to be taken lightly and dressing as a Nazi is not a joke”.</p> <p>“We appreciate that the Premier personally reached out to the Jewish community this afternoon to express his deep and sincere regret about his poor choice of costume as a young man,” the post reads.</p> <p>“The Premier has been a staunch supporter and friend of the NSW Jewish community throughout his time in public life. In particular, as Treasurer, he ensured the Sydney Jewish Museum received funding to ensure that it could continue educating the community about the Holocaust and the horrors of the Nazi era.</p> <p>“The Premier has acknowledged this, recognising that wearing the costume was offensive and will distress many in our community.”</p> <p>The premier has also said he has spoken with Jewish leaders and would continue to apologise to the community.</p> <p>“I’ve become a very passionate supporter of the Jewish community,” he said.</p> <p>The revelation comes just months after Mr Perrottet spoke out strongly against a group of soccer fans who were spotted throwing Nazi salutes at the Australia Cup final, saying there should be lifetime bans for the act.</p> <p>“What we saw the other day was terrible. It was absolutely horrendous,” he said in October.</p> <p>“It has no place, not just at sporting games, but anywhere in our state.”</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p> <p> </p>

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Julie Bishop discusses the power of fashion in a male-dominated government

<p>After a long career in law and politics, Julie Bishop is no stranger to being a woman in a male-dominated workplace. </p> <p>Throughout her time in parliament, Julie was told by "an older white male" within her party to dress more like a Minister for Aging should, to "drop the corporate look" in favour of "cardigans", and was mockingly dubbed the Minister for Fashion while Foreign Minister.</p> <p>"I had forged a career in law at a time when there were very few women in senior ranks and so I was accustomed to being in a very male dominated profession, so I didn't ever see my career through a gender lens," Bishop tells <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/julie-bishop-interview-breaking-barriers-australian-fashion-diplomacy-politics-of-dress-exclusive/cfb790bf-e447-48d3-bb73-a1a22c6c531d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a> in London.</p> <p>"It was the norm to me, but over time, I did find the different standard, somewhat frustrating, but I knew why that happened because all the conventions and protocols and attitudes in parliament were established at a time when there were no women in parliament and it takes a long time to change people's attitudes."</p> <p>As Julie forged her own way through the walls of Parliament House and demanded respect from her male colleagues, she found a way to harness her love of fashion to make a political statement. </p> <p>Following in the footsteps of Madeleine Albright, the first female US Secretary of State – a woman Bishop says she "admired enormously" – she tried her hand at "brooch diplomacy" for a while "but I found that the use of colour was even more powerful".</p> <p>Bishop began to help drive the fashion industry contributing approximately $13 billion to the Australian economy at the time, with the invaluable help of <em>Vogue Australia</em> editor Edwina McCann. </p> <p>"I have come to accept that there are different standards applied to female politicians as opposed to male politicians but I use that, I think, to the advantage of Australia," she tells 9Honey.</p> <p>"I was representing Australia overseas. So I deliberately chose Australian fashions that were notable and appropriate to send a message that necessarily meant that there would be media focus on my clothes, so I could hardly complain about it.</p> <p> </p> <p>"But there were times when my promotion of Australian fashion was the subject of criticism. I believe that came about because of ignorance."</p> <p>"My critics ridiculed me by calling me the Minister for Fashion [but] little did they realise that I absolutely revelled in that and wore it as a badge of honour."</p> <p> </p> <p>"I felt vindicated every time a young designer said to me, 'Julie, when you wear one of my outfits on the world stage, I've made it. Suddenly the orders come in. Suddenly, people want to know me.' That was my vindication."</p> <p><em>Image credits: 9Honey</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Male artists dominate galleries. Our research explored if it’s because ‘women don’t paint very well’ – or just discrimination

<p>In the art world, there is a gaping gender imbalance when it comes to male and female artists.</p> <p>In the National Gallery of Australia, <a href="https://nga.gov.au/knowmyname/about/">only 25%</a> of the Australian art collection is work by women. </p> <p>This is far better than the international standard where <a href="https://nmwa.org/support/advocacy/get-facts/">roughly 90%</a> of all artworks exhibited in major collections are by men. The <a href="https://www.artsy.net/artwork/georgia-okeeffe-jimson-weed-slash-white-flower-no-1">most expensive</a> painting by a female artist – Georgia O’Keeffe’s Jimson Weed/White Flower No. 1 – does not even rank among the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_expensive_paintings#List_of_highest_prices_paid">100 most expensive paintings</a> ever sold. </p> <p>Why is women’s art valued so much less than art by men?</p> <p>Some economists <a href="https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2005/02/why_do_women_su.html">have suggested</a> the greater burden of child rearing and other domestic duties means women have had fewer opportunities to succeed in the art world.</p> <p>Others have blamed the “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/report-names-laggers-as-women-artists-win-parity-20191029-p534vy.html">quality</a>” of women’s art. In 2013, German painter <a href="https://observer.com/2013/01/georg-baselitz-says-women-dont-paint-very-well/">Georg Baselitz said</a> “Women don’t paint very well. It’s a fact. The market doesn’t lie.”</p> <p>We wanted to know: is work by women generally valued differently to work by men because it is of a lower artistic quality, or is it just discrimination?</p> <h2>Which painting do you like better?</h2> <p>In <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167268122002669?dgcid=author">our new research</a> we showed average Americans pairs of paintings, painted between 1625 and 1979, side by side. Each of the pairs are similar in style, motif and period, but one work was by a male artist and the other by a female artist.</p> <p>Participants were in two groups. One group saw the artists’ names and the other didn’t. We wanted to see whether more people among those who saw artist names preferred the male painting.</p> <p>If seeing the names – and thereby inferring artist gender – causes more people to prefer male paintings, then there is gender discrimination.</p> <p>Before we tell you the results, think about what you would have expected. And <a href="https://rmit.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e4JBs0wxKeftYF0">take a look</a> at our actual painting pairs and see if you can guess which is the male one (hint: you can’t).</p> <p>We were pleasantly surprised to find our participants did not give a hoot about artist gender. In both groups, 54% preferred the painting from a woman.</p> <p>We repeated this experiment, this time rewarding participants if they could accurately guess the preferences of others – the people in the first experiment. </p> <p>Again, 54% of the people in each group picked the female paintings.</p> <h2>Which painting do you think is worth more?</h2> <p>Next we wanted to find out if people picked male paintings for reasons other than personal taste. Art isn’t just bought and sold on aesthetic value: it is a speculative market, where art is treated as an investment.</p> <p>We conducted two more experiments. In one, participants were rewarded if they picked the more expensive painting. In the other, they were rewarded to pick the one painted by the more famous artist.</p> <p>Gender discrimination emerged in both these experiments. When asked to predict the value of and creator fame of paintings, people suddenly swung towards picking male artists. Preference for female paintings fell by 10% and 9% in these two new experiments.</p> <p>Gender discrimination in art comes not from personal aesthetic preference – Baselitz’ argument that women “don’t paint very well” – but people thinking paintings are more valuable and famous when painted by male artists.</p> <h2>A question of fame</h2> <p>In our fifth experiment, we again rewarded participants who could correctly guess which painting would be preferred by others. This time everyone saw the names of the artists. But only one group was told which of the two artists was objectively more famous – the male artist in 90% of cases.</p> <p>The group with that information was 14% more likely to pick male paintings. People used fame information to predict the painting others liked better.</p> <p>If women artists were discriminated against just because of their gender we would have seen a higher premium put on the male artists even in questions of aesthetics.</p> <p>Here, discrimination only occured when our participants were asked to assign a monetary value to the art works, or when they were given information about the level of fame of the painter. </p> <p>This means our art appreciators discriminated not on gender, but on something closely associated with gender: fame.</p> <p>And because male artists have, historically, been given <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1574067606010234">more opportunities</a> to become artists – and therefore become famous – artwork by men is perceived as having a higher value.</p> <p>Policy is slowly starting to recognise and target institutional factors that perpetuate male dominance because of historical notions of fame, like the National Gallery of Australia’s <a href="https://knowmyname.nga.gov.au/">Know my Name</a> initiative. </p> <p>Discrimination in the arts exists, but it often comes from people’s beliefs about what others care to discriminate about. The task ahead is to change perceptions of people and institutions who do not discriminate – but merely conform to others’ discrimination.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/male-artists-dominate-galleries-our-research-explored-if-its-because-women-dont-paint-very-well-or-just-discrimination-189221" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Art

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“We will miss you brother”: Kiwi soldier killed in Ukraine identified

<p dir="ltr">A New Zealand soldier who died in Ukraine fighting alongside other foreign troops in the International Legion has been remembered by fellow soldiers as “strong, hardcore and handsome”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Corporal Dominic Abelen was fighting on the frontline in the east of Ukraine while on leave away from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and not on active duty, as reported by the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/russia-ukraine-war-off-duty-new-zealand-soldier-dominic-abelen-killed-in-ukraine/M45ZWJEZ47I2Z5XD4Q44KNJFD4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 30-year-old soldier was based at Burnham Military Camp, outside Christchurch, with the Royal New Zealand Regiment’s 2nd/1st Battalion.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At this early stage, there is still more information to be gathered in order to understand the circumstances fully,” the NZDF said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brigadier Rose King, the Acting Chief of Army, said <a href="https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/further-details-released-on-nzdf-soldier-reportedly-killed-in-ukraine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a statement</a> that their efforts would be concentrated on supporting Abelen’s family and NZDF personnel.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Any loss of one of our whānau (‘family’) is deeply felt across the New Zealand Defence Force. We are concentrating our efforts on supporting Corporal Abelen’s loved ones and our personnel as they grieve,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">His family have requested not to be approached by the media, with his father, Bryce, sharing a statement with the NZDF.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dominic was in the New Zealand Army for 10 years but never got to fight for his country,” Bryce said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He didn't tell us he was going to Ukraine until he was there. He knew we would talk him out of it. He also knew the risks of going there but still went to fight for them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That is Dominic, always thinking of helping others.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We understand why he went and hold no grudge against the NZ or Ukraine Army and fully support what he did.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dominic loved being in the army, the life-long friends he made there.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There has been relentless support from half the Burnham Military Camp that knew him, as well as personnel from overseas.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A kind, gentle man with the most infectious smile that you couldn't help but smile back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He had a love of the outdoors and did a lot of tramping. He spent his holidays travelling around New Zealand and the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm extremely proud of my children and especially Dominic for standing up and doing what he thought was right. He leaves a massive hole in all our hearts.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Abelen’s siblings describing him as “the most amazing human being”, the “buffest” member of their family, and that he had “the biggest heart to match”.</p> <p dir="ltr">A former NZDF soldier who is also fighting with Ukraine’s International Legion paid tribute to his fallen comrade, describing him as “a warrior until the end”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The bro was anything but scenery. Strong, hardcore, handsome but extremely humble,” he wrote online.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Best believe he died doing what he loved and was extremely good at.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We will miss you brother. So much. You have left a hole that we are feeling and we could never hope to fill.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Sources have since told the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/russia-ukraine-war-off-duty-new-zealand-soldier-dominic-abelen-killed-fighting-re-taking-trench-in-ukraine/26EVXCDFPOAROXLSARVPKIZSQU/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald</a></em> that Abelen was involved in a joint operation to retake the frontline of a trench network and was instantly killed in a firefight during a dawn assault.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another American fighter is also said to have died.</p> <p dir="ltr">Defence Minister Peeni Henare expressed his condolences to Abelen’s family, friends, and colleagues.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have been advised the New Zealand Army are supporting the soldier’s family through this difficult time,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tenby Powell, the former commanding officer of the NZDF who is currently in Ukraine undertaking humanitarian work, said he was asked by Abelen’s family to bring him home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though he didn’t go into the details surrounding the soldier’s death, he told Today FM that the family were distraught.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a very sad day here in Ukraine, not just for New Zealanders but for everyone,” Powell said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve talked to a family member they have asked me and I have agreed to go and get him. We need to do this in a very respectful and expedient manner. I have given the family my assurances that he will be well looked after all the way back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The critically-important thing is to ensure that he is recovered and brought back in a way where he is looked after for the entire trip back to New Zealand.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Powell intended to drape the New Zealand flag over the coffin for the trip home and ensure that Abelen had all the care a person serving in the defence force warranted.</p> <p dir="ltr">Abelen would be taken first through Warsaw, then Ukraine and on to New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are determined to bring him out. He will come out and he will be looked after all the way,” Powell said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The soldier’s passing comes after the New Zealand government announced that a further 120 NZDF personnel would be sent to Britain to help train Ukrainian soldiers, on top of the 30 personnel deployed in May.</p> <p dir="ltr">"New Zealand has been clear that we will continue to answer the call of Ukraine for practical support as they defend their homeland and people against Russia's unjustified invasion," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on August 15.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We know that one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now, is to train its soldiers, and New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call."</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-936352a7-7fff-fcbe-1d7f-0f92419aff13"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: NZDF</em></p>

Caring

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New Zealand dominates Traveller’s Choice Awards

<p dir="ltr">New Zealand has beaten Australia in TripAdvisor’s annual Traveller’s Choice list across several adventurous categories, with Queenstown taking out the top spot for the Pacific.</p><p dir="ltr">The annual list is compiled using reviews and ratings on the TripAdvisor website, and 2021’s results showed it was the year for short getaways and outdoor destinations.</p><p dir="ltr">Auckland ranked as the third most popular destination in the Pacific, following behind scenic balloon tours by Lake Wakatipu and jet skiing in Bora Bora in first and second place.</p><p dir="ltr">As for the best overall experiences, Rotorua came in first and fourth for white water rafting and ziplining respectively, followed by quad bike tours on Kangaroo Island in second place, and a discovery tour on Queensland’s Magnetic Island coming in third. </p><p dir="ltr">Though New Zealand took out the top spots, Australia had six “best destinations” in the top 10 over their Kiwi neighbour’s three.</p><p dir="ltr"><strong>Top 10 Popular Destinations in the South Pacific</strong></p><p dir="ltr">1. Queenstown – New Zealand</p><p dir="ltr">2. Bora Bora – French Polynesia</p><p dir="ltr">3. Auckland – New Zealand</p><p dir="ltr">4. Gold Coast – Australia</p><p dir="ltr">5. Hobart – Australia</p><p dir="ltr">6. Sydney – Australia</p><p dir="ltr">7. Port Douglas – Australia</p><p dir="ltr">8. Cairns – Australia</p><p dir="ltr">9. Melbourne – Australia</p><p dir="ltr">10. Rotorua – New Zealand</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-67978a44-7fff-7bde-be38-e2ffc87116fa"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @queenstownnz (Instagram)</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Alan Jones’ new online show crashes minutes into premiere

<p dir="ltr">Alan Jones' newest venture, an online show called<span> </span><em>Direct to the People,<span> </span></em>premiered on Monday night, although not without a few technical hiccups.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jones<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/alan-jones-announces-pioneering-new-career-move" target="_blank">revealed just last week</a><span> </span>that he had signed with Australian Digital Holdings to produce a digital TV show, describing it as the “tomorrow of media”. The news came just over a month after his<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/i-ain-t-going-away-alan-jones-hosts-final-sky-news-show" target="_blank">final show on Sky News</a><span> </span>aired following the network’s decision to not renew his contract.</p> <p dir="ltr">For his return to the screen, Jones was set to interview NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet. Unfortunately, just minutes into the 8 pm premiere, Jones’ website went down, and the video feed crashed on all platforms. Blaming excessive traffic, producers rescheduled for 8.30pm, at which point the show resumed. Producers have claimed there were “hundreds of thousands” of people attempting to tune in, which is what caused the crash. At the time the stream went down, there were 1322 viewers on YouTube and over 1600 likes on the video on Facebook.</p> <p dir="ltr">During their interview, Jones congratulated Perrottet for his commitment to “freedom of speech”, saying, We’ve lost the quintessential Australian characteristics of optimism, fun...offering one’s own opinion without the fear of being cancelled.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Jones also criticised lockdowns and mask mandates, which he argued had more of a negative impact than COVID-19 itself. Perrottet stated that decisions made by himself and his government had not always been the right ones, while acknowledging that Australia has continued to enjoy the benefits of comparatively low case numbers, adding that with vaccination rates increasing, it made sense to relax restrictions.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Premier said, “There are still so many commentators, politicians and members of the public who would still prefer us to be locked down in circumstances where there is no need. My focus is not on the case numbers, it’s on the ICU and hospital presentations. Coming out every day and saying ‘here are the case numbers’ can instil fear in the community.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Queensland Senator Matt Canavan also made an appearance on the program, discussing his push to increase Australia’s domestic manufacturing capabilities and to implement nuclear energy.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Matt King/Getty Images</em></p>

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Deputy PM tests positive for Covid, Premier and PM monitoring for symptoms

<p>Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has tested positive for Covid-19, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Dominic Perrottet have been advised to monitor for symptoms. </p> <p>Barnaby Joyce tested positive for the virus after traveling to Washington DC for work relating to the government's plan for new regulations on social media. </p> <p>Speaking with ABC Radio New England, the Deputy PM said he chose to get tested after experiencing mild symptoms. </p> <p class="_1HzXw">"Look, obviously [I am] very frustrated I'm going to be locked up in a room by myself for 10 days, but that's part of the process," he said.</p> <p class="_1HzXw">"It's probably developing, I'm probably very much in the early stages — but I'm more worried about being in a room by myself to be honest."</p> <p class="_1HzXw">Barnaby's positive result comes just hours after Scott Morrison and Dominic Perrottet were told to monitor for Covid symptoms, after the Bathurst 1000 Supercar races were listed as an exposure site. </p> <p class="_1HzXw">The Prime Minister and NSW Premier were among thousands of people at Mount Panorama for the Great Race on Sunday, where there has been at least three positive cases.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“I was informed early this afternoon that I’m not a close contact,” Mr Perrottet said on Wednesday.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“But obviously, for those people who have been to Bathurst and have symptoms, they need to get tested. And, if there is advice from NSW Health, then they need to follow that advice.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><span>The McPhillamy Park Campground, The Paddock Campground, Harris Park, Merchandise Alley, National Motor Racing Museum, and Inside Chase viewing area have all been listed as venues of concern.</span></p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><span>Barnaby Joyce, Scott Morrison and Dominic Perrottet are all fully vaccinated against Covid-19. </span></p> <p class="_1HzXw"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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The funniest reactions to Perrottet’s baby announcement

<p dir="ltr">Newly-minted NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Sunday night that he and his wife Helen are expecting their seventh child, a girl, due next year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Posting to Facebook, Perrottet wrote, “Exciting family news.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our family photo wall is going to need another frame! Helen and I are thrilled to announce we have a little girl due next year.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With five sisters already, William is looking on the bright side - more bench depth on the family basketball team.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In addition to well wishes, many people saw the opportunity to rib the Premier about the number of children he and his wife have had.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Waiting for Josh Frydenberg to ask Dan Andrews why he only has 3 kids when Dom Perrottet is about to have 7</p> — Thor (@thunderson23) <a href="https://twitter.com/thunderson23/status/1449697699960279049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Some social media users pointed out how different the response might be if the Premier were a woman; anyone who remembers the commentary around Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s marital and parental status will understand that frustration.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">So, if Dominic Perrottet was a woman, we'd be questioning how he was going to run a state with a new bub...let alone having 7 young kids total...<br /><br />Amirite?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManPinions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ManPinions</a></p> — No one, because nobody cares (@gabs247) <a href="https://twitter.com/gabs247/status/1449867186999201795?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">One Facebook commenter wrote, “How is he going to balance a newborn and his job as Premier? Why didn’t he think this through before signing up? Wow, journalists should have asked him if he was planning on having a baby whilst in office, then no one would have chosen him as premier. Silly little boy, keep your legs closed.” while another said, “Trying to have it all, I see. Maybe he should take a break from his job to focus better on his family”.</p> <p dir="ltr">While some saw the opportunity for political humour and ran with it…</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Atleast in 19 years time he’ll be able to use his children for all the branch stacking 😂</p> — Patrick Malone (@pattymalone2000) <a href="https://twitter.com/pattymalone2000/status/1449668654128267271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Dominic Perrottet has announced his wife is pregnant with their seventh child. <br /><br />He is a Liberal but his wife has always been in Labour.<br />🤔🤔🤔🥴🥴🥴🥴</p> — Barry Mulligan (@BazzaCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BazzaCC/status/1449867488104050689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">...others seized their chance to be a bit more crude.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">He doesn’t put the Dom in condom</p> — BEERBOY-182 🍹 (@beerboy182) <a href="https://twitter.com/beerboy182/status/1449679608668852225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Perrottet and his wife already have six children - five girls and one boy. When asked earlier this month how he would juggle being Premier with family responsibilities, he acknowledged it would be demanding, and that finding a balance was a struggle for every working parent. He added, “Ultimately, what I might lose in time, I gain in perspective”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Dominic Perrottet/Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Hold your horses! Scott Morrison reins in Perrottet

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dampened plans to open New South Wales “to the world”, after NSW Premier Dominic Perrotet made a surprising announcement on Friday morning.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Perrotet shared that fully-vaccinated tourists and Australians looking to enter the state would no longer need to complete hotel quarantine from November 1.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, arrivals must have had jabs of an approved vaccine and received negative COVID test results on departure and arrival.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This decision is a big one, but it is the right one,” Perrotet said during Friday’s press conference.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We need to rejoin the world. We can’t live here in a hermit kingdom. We want people back.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, his plans to reopen the state were squashed by the Prime Minister later that afternoon.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Morrison confirmed that only Australian citizens, residents, and their immediate families would be allowed to skip hotel quarantine initially.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I want to stress that, for the other states and territories and I have advised the premiers and chief ministers to this end, it is about Australian residents and citizens first,” </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/prime-minister-blocks-nsw-plan-to-welcome-back-tourists-to-sydney-but-quarantine-will-lifted-for-australian-citizens--c-4244707" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">he said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Commonwealth Government has made no decision to allow other visa holders … to come to Australia under these arrangements.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They are decisions for the Commonwealth Government and when we are in a position to make that decision down the track, obviously in New South Wales, they will be able to do so if they are vaccinated without having to quarantine.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following Mr Perrotet’s announcements, sources from the Federal Government told </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> they were “surprised” and insisted that the decision was up to the Commonwealth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“NSW don’t choose how we open up the borders and to whom,” </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10094509/NSWs-international-border-announcement-sparks-confusion-no-word-Scott-Morrison.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">one source said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The airline industry was also taken aback by the announcement, with airlines proceeding to try and fill 6,000 seats on weekly flights to Sydney.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An industry source told </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guardian Australia</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">: “We’ve been caught by surprise on this, we’ve had zero consultation it was happening today.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Perrotet also encouraged returning Australians to stop by Sydney, saying he could not control the quarantine requirements of other states and territories.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If you’re a returning Australian and you want to come here, stay in New South Wales and stay in Sydney,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Have a great time and spend up big.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Australia is expected to reopen once 80 percent of over-16s have been fully vaccinated, according to the national reopening plan that all states and territories agreed to in August.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This would trigger a “gradual opening of inward and outward travel with safe countries”, rather than an immediate reopening to vaccinated people from any country.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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Ben Fordham blasts deputy premier over broken promises

<p>Radio host Ben Fordham has blasted the NSW deputy premier Paul Toole over sudden changes to travel restrictions. </p> <p>On Thursday, the newly formed state crisis cabinet backflipped on their plan to allow Sydneysiders to travel to regional parts of NSW once the 80 percent vaccine milestone was met. </p> <p>Appearing on Ben's 2GB morning show on Friday, Mr Toole confirmed that the date has been changed to November 1st. </p> <p>The sudden change has sparked outrage, as families and friends across the state are desperate to be reunited with their loved ones. </p> <p>“I know it’s frustrating and I know it’s not an easy decision being made, but we have a responsibility to keep our regional communities safe,” Mr Toole said.</p> <p>Ben argued that “people have had all the time in the world to get vaccinated”.</p> <p>“Why does it matter when we’ve hit 80 per cent?” he asked.</p> <p>“It’s the quicker the better. I don’t know how many broken promises there are on regional travel. I can’t keep up.”</p> <p>Allowing Sydneysiders to visit other NSW regions was originally promised when the state achieved the 70 percent milestone, but then was pushed back to 80 percent. </p> <p><span>NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on Thursday argued that the state achieved the 80 per cent target far earlier than anticipated, which had sparked concerns among regional leaders as rural NSW communities catch up to vaccine rates.</span></p> <p>Mr Toole echoed those comments on Friday.</p> <p>“We achieved that target of 80 per cent vaccination quicker than we thought. We thought it would still be a couple of weeks away,” Mr Toole said, before later arguing that the road map had been a clear path.</p> <p>Fordham argued that the people of NSW felt “dudded” by the decision and pushed Mr Toole to confess to breaking a promise.</p> <p>“Do you agree that it’s a broken promise?” he asked.</p> <p>Mr Toole tried to argue that there had been changes to the road map, but Fordham pushed him again.</p> <p>“Do you agree that it’s a broken promise? Yes or no?"</p> <p><span>“I actually think the road map we’ve put forward has had plenty of changes all the way through,” Mr Toole said.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">What a joke. Absolutely pathetic. First they said 70% there would be travel between regional and greater Sydney, then they said 80% and now they move it back a week every day. People who aren’t vaccinated by now probably aren’t getting vaccinated.</p> — Luke Jarvis (@lukethorotek) <a href="https://twitter.com/lukethorotek/status/1448754140818010138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span>At Friday's NSW Covid-19 press </span>conference, premier Dom Perrottet also announced new <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/regional-travel-pushed-back-to-november-1/news-story/b34dbba46b81e2247950318960111666" target="_blank">changes to the roadmap as of November 1st</a>. </p> <p>From that date, international travellers entering New South Wales will not be required to quarantine in hotels upon entry, as Dom declared hotel quarantine "a thing of the past".</p> <p>In addition to these changes, returning travellers also won't be required to complete any home quarantine before they can explore the state. </p> <p>These new restrictions are only in place for those who are fully vaccinated, until the state opens up for everyone in December. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 2GB</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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White male artists dominate US galleries

<p>The walls of art galleries in the US are hung, almost to the exclusion of all else, with the works of white men.</p> <p>That’s the conclusion of a team of statisticians and art historians, <a rel="noopener" href="https://doi.org/%2010.1371/journal.pone.0212852" target="_blank">published</a> in the journal PLOS One.</p> <p><span>The researchers, led by Chad Topaz from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Williams College in Massachusetts, US, examined the public online catalogues of 18 major US museums and extracted records for 9000 named artists.</span></p> <p>These were then given over to a crowdsourcing platform, and with the help of the many people thereon the majority of the artists were successfully identified and biographies built.</p> <p>“Overall,” the authors report, “we find that 85% of artists are white and 87% are men.”</p> <p>Topaz and colleagues position their work in the context of previous studies that have examined diversity in museum and gallery staff, as well as visitor profiles.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://mellon.org/programs/arts-and-cultural-heritage/art-history-conservation-museums/demographic-survey/" target="_blank">One study</a>, for instance, found that 72% of members of the US Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) identified as white. The same study found that while 60% of museum staff are female, women occupy only 43% of senior positions.</p> <p><span>Other studies have looked at visitors, and identified communities to target through outreach programs in attempts to increase diversity.</span></p> <p>The present work, though, is the first to study diversity among the artists represented.</p> <p>“If museums find knowledge of staff and visitor demographics important for programming decisions,” the authors write, “one might ask if demographics of the artists are important for collection decisions.”</p> <p>They cite “anecdotal evidence” that in the field of contemporary American art some collections are being actively augmented to rectify diversity imbalance, with the welcome effect that “it is now not unusual for these museums to compete with each other for major works of African American art”.</p> <p>However, the big picture – no pun intended – remains overwhelmingly coloured by men who are white.</p> <p>“With respect to gender, our overall pool of individual, identifiable artists across all museums consists of 12.6% women,” the authors report.</p> <p>“With respect to ethnicity, the pool is 85.4% white, 9.0% Asian, 2.8% Hispanic/Latinx, 1.2% Black/African American, and 1.5% other ethnicities.”</p> <p>Introducing greater diversity, however, is perhaps not as difficult as some might imagine.</p> <p>“We find that the relationship between museum collection mission and artist diversity is weak, suggesting that a museum wishing to increase diversity might do so without changing its emphases on specific time periods and regions,” the researchers conclude.</p> <p>They also admit that their analysis is constrained by a couple of limitations. First, a small proportion of artists identified could not be satisfactorily identified by gender or ethnicity. Second, artworks made by more than one artist were not included, and, third, many works of art – those from the Graeco-Roman period, for instance – are not assigned to identifiable individuals.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/society/white-male-artists-dominate-us-gallery-collections/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Andrew Masterson. </em></p>

Art

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Perrottet criticised for failing to provide Auslan interpreters

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dominic Perrottet is facing criticism after it was pointed out he has made multiple appearances in his official capacity as Premier of NSW without making use of an Auslan interpreter for deaf and hard-of-hearing members of the community. This includes Monday’s ‘Freedom Day’ press conference from Watson’s Pub in Moore Park.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The absence of an interpreter was first noted by deaf activist Sherrie Beaver on Twitter, who said a source had told her Perrottet had cancelled Auslan interpreters for all NSW press conferences. She also stressed the importance of COVID-19 information being readily accessible to all, writing, “By being able to access information about changing COVID-19 restrictions in Auslan, Deaf people will be able to acclimate to the new COVID normal. Without access to information in Auslan, how will they be able to adjust life post-lockdown? Huge impact on their mental health!”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">With Sydney exiting lockdown today, I have noticed there wasn't an Auslan interpreter present at this morning's presser with <a href="https://twitter.com/Dom_Perrottet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dom_Perrottet</a> - same for the last few days. Source tells me Perrottet cancelled Auslan interpreters for all NSW press conferences.</p> — Sherrie Beaver (@isigniwander) <a href="https://twitter.com/isigniwander/status/1447363711161622531?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Speaking to the Australian, Beaver said, “Having Auslan interpreters present at press conferences gives deaf people access to important information, so they are able to make informed decisions and lead full lives, especially during the pandemic and being able to adhere to changing Covid-19 restrictions. Captions are not wholly reliable due to several reasons, but mainly technical because captions can fail and often lags. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Deaf people are often not familiar with jargons and terminology used in pressers, which is another reason why Auslan interpreters are important.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Auslan is its own language with its own jargon and slang, and its grammar and vocabulary are quite different from English. According to the 2016 census, there are 10,000 native speakers in Australia, with many more speaking it as a second language. While not all deaf or hard-of-hearing people speak Auslan, providing an interpreter at government press conferences for those who do is an important way to ensure they feel like included and respected members of the community, and to ensure they have access to the same information at the same time as everyone else.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An ABC journalist then reached out to NSW Health, and was told by a spokesperson that as NSW starts to return to normal, there will be a range of media events, some of which may include the services of an Auslan interpreter, and some which may not. The spokesperson emphasised that when Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant would be speaking, an Auslan interpreter would always be requested.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">"NSW Health will also request an Auslan interpreter at any press conference where the Chief Health Officer or Deputy is providing a public health update."</p> — Celina Edmonds (@celina_edmonds) <a href="https://twitter.com/celina_edmonds/status/1447458472270856198?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The group Australian Lawyers for Human Rights echoed Beaver’s sentiments, tweeting, “COVID-19 Press conferences are a fundamental source of information in an ever-shifting environment. Failure to provide real-time information in an accessible manner violates the human rights of people with disability”. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">COVID-19 Press conferences are a fundamental source of information in an ever-shifting environment. Failure to provide real-time information in an accessible manner violates the human rights of people with disability<a href="https://t.co/kkLFkKLwRj">https://t.co/kkLFkKLwRj</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nswpol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nswpol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/deafaustralia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@deafaustralia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DeafAustNSW?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeafAustNSW</a></p> — Aus Law Human Rights (@AusLawyersHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/AusLawyersHR/status/1447443106572357636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In addition to not using Auslan interpreters at media events on Sunday and Monday, Perrottet did not utilise the services of one at an event on Tuesday morning about his government’s plan to support small businesses impacted by lockdowns.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images</span></em></p>

Hearing

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Perrottet declares lockdowns "a thing of the past"

<p dir="ltr">New NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has declared lockdowns a thing of the past, as residents take full advantage of stay-at-home orders being lifted on ‘Freedom Day’, after 106 days in lockdown, almost 63,000 COVID-19 cases and 431 deaths.</p> <p dir="ltr">This means that cafes, restaurants, gyms, pools, non-essential retail, hairdressers and beauticians are now open to those who are fully vaccinated, and people will be allowed to travel outside their 5km radius or LGA.</p> <p dir="ltr">About the lifting of lockdown restrictions, Perrottet told Sunrise on Monday, “It is a major step and there’s going to be challenges as we go through this period. I think we are the first state in the country that’s got this system in place as we open up, so I just ask everybody to be patient, treat everyone with kindness and respect, you will have a lot of young people pulling beers, serving tables.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There will be challenges here as we work through it, but I think everybody across the state is pretty excited for what’s been a long 100 days.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Perrottet said the ending of lockdown was the result of the “efforts of everyone across NSW”, with the state hitting 70% double-dose vaccinated last week, and 90% single-dose over the weekend.</p> <p>“We set out from the start with vaccination being key to us opening up, and to be on track with everybody making those efforts to get the second dose for the 90 per cent of people who’ve already gone down that path, then I don’t believe we need to go backwards,” Perrottet said.</p> <p>“We followed the federal government’s national plan and that means at times there may be the need for targeted restrictions on certain places, there may be cases with a school or certain local areas that we might need to target some restrictions if case numbers increase at certain times, but in terms of statewide lockdowns I think they will be a thing of the past.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Many are anxious about restrictions easing, including hospitality workers who will be required to check people’s vaccination statuses until December 1st when the same rules will apply regardless of whether someone has been vaccinated or not.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lucy, a 34-year-old bartender,<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/nsw-leads-country-out-of-pandemic-as-lockdown-ends-for-vaccinated-residents-c-4200596" target="_blank">told AAP</a>, “a lot of people are angry about having to get vaccinated and I worry they will try to make a point at the door.” Her workplace is not hiring a security guard to conduct vaccination status checks in order to cut costs after months without trading.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others with concerns include frontline healthcare workers like<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/nsw-paramedic-reacts-to-freedom-day-she-says-scariest-part-of-covid-pandemic-still-to-come-c-4200578" target="_blank">Alex</a>, who started working as a paramedic last month. She told AAP, “This is the scariest part of the pandemic so far. Everyone’s so f***ing terrified, all of us in the southwest.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Look at London - hundreds of people are dying a week and they’re just going about it like there’s no problem. I don’t think Australia is ready for that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Around<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-11/freedom-day-nsw-economy-life-post-covid-lockdown/100523102" target="_blank">90% of the UK population</a><span> </span>over the age of 16 has received one dose of the vaccine, and about 80% have received both – NSW is expected to reach similar numbers within the next two weeks. Despite this, cases in the UK are currently at over 40,000 per day, largely driven by a spread amongst unvaccinated children. The relatively low rates of hospitalisation and deaths, however, suggest that the vaccine is doing its job.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images</em></p>

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NSW Deputy Premier counters claims road map changes weren’t endorsed

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Paul Toole, New South Wales’ new Deputy Premier, has hit back at claims that chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant did not endorse changes made to the state’s road map out of lockdown.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Toole argued against claims that Dr Chant didn’t support </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/major-relief-dom-outlines-massive-changes-to-nsw-roadmap" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Premier Dominic Perrottet’s changes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to mask rules, caps on gatherings, and a fast-tracked return to face-to-face schooling.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Appearing on </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sunrise</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on Friday, Mr Toole </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/world/coronavirus/australia/australia-covid-news-live-restrictions-lockdown-and-cases/news-story/b4a97b9f7558c21d673e46e2673a9bae" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">told Natalie Barr</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, “no, that’s not the case”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was endorsed by Kerry Chant and it was endorsed by NSW Health,” he continued.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We had a crisis cabinet the day before and Kerry Chant was in that meeting. We don’t make decisions without the support of NSW Health and Dr Kerry Chant.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The clarification comes as other health experts express concerns over the changes, with worries that the state could be put at risk.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Omar Khorshid, president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), said he was “very concerned” about the change to NSW’s approach and the “potential sidelining of public health advice”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Khorshid said the absence of Dr Chant when the changes were announced and the renaming of the Crisis Cabinet as the Economic Recovery Committee suggests that health advice will “no longer guide the NSW government”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The ultimate outcomes of opening too fast or too early will be avoidable deaths and the reintroduction of lockdowns and other restrictions - things no-one NSW wants to see,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/nsw-deputy-premier-hits-back-at-claims-chief-health-officer-didnt-endorse-changes-c-4179043" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If the NSW ‘Covid and Economy Recovery Committee’ moves to open the economy faster than is advised by health experts and the modelling, they will ultimately be held accountable for the impacts of those decisions, including potentially excess deaths, overwhelmed hospitals and the economic catastrophe that would accompany further lockdowns.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mr Toole acknowledged the concerns of health experts, arguing the decision will have to balance safety and the economy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think it’s important we get the balance right between keeping people safe but also opening up the economy,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We have always said there is going to be an increase in cases. We’re going to have to live with the virus.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s going to be part of our community and part of society, but we still need to make sure we’re not complacent, we’re following the rules.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I know people are looking forward to starting to see some freedoms again on Monday October 11.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Khorshid said the AMA is “concerned” about the change in leadership after </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/no-option-bombshell-gladys-resignation-amid-anti-corruption-probe" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gladys Berejiklian stepped down as premier</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> last week, saying the “decisions taken in NSW” may “signal a very different approach”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The AMA supports opening-up, but it must be done wisely and cautiously, with the ability to pause and assess the impact of lifting restrictions, before moving to the next stage,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“To do otherwise risks far too much.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images, @paultoolemp / Instagram</span></em></p>

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"He's not allowed": Why Kyle has banned Perrottet from coming on the show

<p>Just hours after Dominic Perrottet landed the top job of NSW premier, radio host Kyle Sandilands banned him from the KIIS FM show. </p> <p>While Kyle and co-host Jackie O were speaking with a celebrity psychic live on air, Kyle made the bold claims about the new premier. </p> <p>The trio were discussing widespread concerns about the premier's conservative views, with psychic Georgina Walker calling him a "strong leader", before predicting it is unlikely he will be popular within the state. </p> <p>During the segment, Kyle announced he didn't like Perrottet's "vibe".</p> <p><span>“Oh this guy’s gotta go, he’s never allowed on the show guys, just so you know,” he told listeners.</span></p> <p>“He’s not allowed, I don’t want that rubbish.”</p> <p>Ms Walker said the new Premier would “reform quite hard”.</p> <p>“I do tend to think his own personal ideology could see some significant changes in the laws to come,” she told the radio hosts.</p> <p>“I think he will be a really good leader, but I think he will ruffle a lot of feathers in regard to his strong religious belief centres."</p> <p>“He’s not into gay marriage (and) he doesn’t believe in abortion.”</p> <p>“What do you get when you look at that man’s photo?” Sandilands asked Ms Walker.</p> <p>Georgina said he would be a strong leader and would not be “soft” or as “supportive” as Gladys Berejiklian when it came to certain social issues.</p> <p>“If you look at things that Gladys was soft on or was supportive (of), you’re not going to get that from him,” Ms Walker said.</p> <p>“It’s going to be tough when he’s made up his mind. But I do tend to think there’s no other person who can do what he needs to do, but he won’t be that popular.”</p> <p>Georgina Walker also made some surprising predictions about the future of Gladys Berejiklian. </p> <p><span>“I think she’ll get out of it (ICAC investigation) and I think she will go into federal politics.”</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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"Major relief": Dom outlines massive changes to NSW roadmap

<p>Just days after being appointed as NSW premier, Dominic Perrottet has made major changes to the state's roadmap to freedom after over 100 days in lockdown. </p> <p>The big changes include an increase in the number of people allowed to gather together outside and a doubling in the household visitor cap, as NSW prepared for "freedom day" on Monday. </p> <p>Many NSW school children will be able to return to the classroom earlier than expected, as face-to-face learning will resume on October 25th. </p> <div class="block-content"> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>Students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 students will still return on October 18th, as students in year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 will return a week earlier than expected, joining years 2, 6 and 11 on October 25th.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>"That's great for kids. It's a major relief for parents and their sanity and I think this is an important decision today and I want to thank all the teachers who are are there getting vaccinated to ensure that we can open our schools as safely as possible," Mr Perrottet said.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>Restrictions for gatherings will also be more relaxed than Gladys Berejiklian's plans, with up to 10 visitors, not counting children 12 and under, will be allowed to a in homes, instead of five.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>The cap on outdoor gathering has been raised from 20 to 30 people, while funerals and weddings are able to have 100 guests rather than 50.</p> </div> <p>Indoor swimming pools were originality remaining closed until December 1st, but will now be open for <span>swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming, and rehab activities.</span></p> </div> <div class="block-content"> <p>Deputy Premier Stuart Ayres has announced workers in regional areas can return to their job from Monday if they have had at least one vaccine dose.</p> </div> <div class="block-content">"They'll be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second," he said.<br /><span></span></div> <div class="block-content"> <div class="block-content"> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>"This has been done because in some areas it was difficult to be able to get vaccines."</p> </div> </div> <div class="block-content"> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>This will include regional areas outside the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Shellharbour and Wollongong.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>Other changes have been made for when the state reaches the 80 percent double dose mark, which Mr Perrottet predicted would be "in a couple of weeks".</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>Once this milestone is reached, people will be able to have up to 20 visitors in their home (excluding children aged 12 and under), while up to 50 people will be allowed to gather outdoors.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>Masks will no longer be required in office buildings, and up to 3,000 people will be allowed to attend controlled and ticketed outdoor events.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>In addition to this, nightclubs will reopen for seated drinking only, as Mr Perrottet wished to offer some normality for young people.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <div class="block-content"> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>"Young people have done it pretty tough during this period of time," he said.</p> </div> </div> <div class="block-content"> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>"This is, for many, the best years of their life, at 18, 19, and they haven't been go out, go clubbing and doing that.</p> </div> </div> <div class="block-content"> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>"I want to thank them. And we'll get those clubs open as quickly as possible."  </p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p>Mr Perrottet had already confirmed no extra changes will be made ahead of "freedom day" on Monday, when pubs, restaurants and shops will open, along with an easing of other restrictions.</p> </div> <div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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Dominic Perrottet is the new Premier of NSW

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has won a NSW Liberal party room vote for the position of party leader, making him the next Premier of New South Wales. Perrottet won with 39 votes to Planning Minister Rob Stokes’ five, and Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres was elected unopposed as deputy Liberal leader.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The vote followed Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation as party leader on Friday, which itself followed the announcement of an ICAC investigation into the question of whether Berejiklian breached public trust during her secret relationship with former MP Daryl Maguire. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Perottet will be the 46th Premier of NSW, and the fourth Liberal Premier since 2011, succeeding Barry O’Farrell, Mike Baird, and Gladys Berejiklian. Perrottet is from the right-wing of the Liberal Party, and has been endorsed by </span><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/the-best-person-john-howard-backs-dominic-perrottet-for-nsw-premier-20211002-p58wnz.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">former Prime Minister John Howard</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Perrottet represents the electoral district of Epping, which includes the suburbs of Beecroft, Cheltenham, Cherrybrook, North Epping, as well as parts of Epping, Carlingford, Castle Hill, Dural, Eastwood, Pennant Hills and West Pennant Hills. Perottet himself was raised in West Pennant Hills and went to school in Dural and Castle Hill before attending the University of Sydney, where he was active in student politics.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Perrottet is a devout Catholic, and has said of his religious views, “I think having a Christian faith is part of who I am and inspires me to make a difference wherever I go.” In 2019, he was the most senior member of the NSW government to oppose the decriminalisation of abortion. Despite this, reports have suggested he will support a conscience vote on the issue of voluntary assisted dying.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the days leading up to Tuesday’s party room vote, a </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/04/conservative-warrior-economic-reformer-premier-meet-dominic-perrottet-nsws-likely-next-leader"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2016 Facebook post Perrottet made</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> following the successful election of Donald Trump was widely circulated. In the post, Perrottet welcomed Trump’s win as “a victory for people who have been taken for granted by the elites”, going on to write, “If you support stronger borders, you are not a racist. If you want a plebiscite on same-sex marriage, you are not a homophobe.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite this, in a speech given later that year, he also criticised what he identified as the failure of mainstream political parties to stop the rise of populists like Trump. He criticised the Republican Party for embracing an “elite big business agenda” that had “shut out their base” and failed to respond to the “growing disillusionment around them”. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Bianca De Marchi - Pool/Getty Images</span></em></p>

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First look at Aussie actress playing Princess Di

<p>Fans of the Netflix hit show The<em> Crown</em> have been treated with a first look at Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki in her role as Princess Diana in the show's upcoming season. </p> <p>Debicki will be starring the show's fifth season alongside Dominic West, who will be playing Prince Charles.</p> <p>Netflix shared exclusive images of the two new cast members on their Instagram today, sending fans of the show into a frenzy.</p> <p><span>"Our new Prince Charles (Dominic West) and Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki)," the caption read on Netflix's official Instagram account.</span></p> <p><span><img style="width: 500px; height: 244.7833065810594px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843250/screen-shot-2021-08-18-at-30021-pm.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e01e6f7cab7a431e96718e67e74f3953" /></span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram @netflix</em></p> <p>Production of the highly-anticipated new season began last month in the UK, as fans of the show are counting down to the release which has been pushed back due to the pandemic.</p> <p>Season five is reported to be focusing ion the royal couple in the earl 1990s, beginning when their marriage became turbulent before their separation. </p> <p><em>The Crown</em> has become known for recasting actors for different seasons as a way to age the characters accordingly, without having to rely on prosthetics and heavy makeup. </p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 244.74959612277866px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843251/screen-shot-2021-08-18-at-30038-pm.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b1c478472f5243f6a362c68cd450bdf8" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram @netflix</em></p> <p><span>Diana and Charles will be played by Debicki and West in season five, who respectively succeed Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor in the roles.</span></p> <p><span>Emma Corrin and Josh O'Connor scored Emmy nominations for their portrayal of the royal, leaving very big shoes to fill for the newly cast actors. </span></p> <p><span>The release date for <em>The Crown</em> season five is still unknown. </span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram @netflix</em></p>

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