Joe Biden Pride Month Biden:  Well, my name is Joe Biden.  I’m Jill Biden’s husband.   Ashton, thank you.  You seemed awfully comfortable up here.  You were awfully comfortable up here.  I don’t know.  I — I’m not sure I’ll be around, but, you know — (laughter) — if you’re here, just don’t pretend you don’t know me.  Okay?  Your story, your leadership, and your mom is an inspiration.  (Applause.)  Your mom.  If my mother were here, she’d look at you and say, “Honey, God love you, dear.”  God love you — what you do, what you did, what you continue to do. I want to thank Secretary — well, first of all, I want to say to Chasten: Belated happy birthday, Chasten. (Applause.)  If you could hear us inside, we were singing happy birthday to him.  We got a bunch of cupcakes, but not enough for everybody.  (Laughter.)  But — and, Mr. Secretary, thank you.  You are — you’re the best, man. Look, our prese...

Sydney Circular Quay Holiday Destination Photo by Blow the Truth The NSW Government announced major grants packages and changes to the Dine & Discover program to help tens of thousands of small businesses and people across NSW impacted by the current COVID-19 restrictions. The package includes grants of between $5000 and $10,000 for small businesses, payroll tax deferrals for all employers, an extension of the Dine & Discover program to 31 August and the ability for people to use Dine & Discover vouchers for takeaway delivered directly to their home by the venue itself. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the centrepiece of the package was the small business support grants which will help businesses by alleviating cashflow constraints while trading is restricted. This can be used for business expenses such as rent, utilities and wages, for which no other government support is available. “We always said we will do whatever it takes to support businesses and keep people in jo...

Aboriginal Boomerang I mage by  OpenClipart-Vectors  from  Pixabay   The Palaszczuk Government is providing more than $207,000 to help fund arts and cultural projects in nine First Nations communities. In announcing the latest round of funding for the Indigenous Regional Arts Development Fund (IRADF) 2020-2021, Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said funded projects were helping to share stories and culture through various arts forms, including visual arts, music and dance. “These nine projects will make a significant contribution in preserving and sharing the knowledge and cultures of Traditional Owners in Queensland and support employment opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers,” Minister Enoch said. “Supporting jobs is a key priority as we deliver our plan for economic recovery, and these projects are ensuring vibrant arts and cultural experiences, which are vital in truth-telling of our nation’s history, are shared in all areas of Queensland.” S...

Woolworths Supermarket Photo by Blow the Truth The Queensland Government has taken steps to ensure supermarket shelves remain stocked. Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles said there was no need for panic buying following yesterday’s announcement of a lockdown in parts of Queensland.  “The Queensland Government is taking measures to address planning conditions that restrict operating hours of loading docks and distribution centres supplying supermarkets,” Mr Miles said. “This will ensure drivers and retailers can work around the clock to deliver essentials to Queenslanders. “We are not running out of products, but need to get products to supermarket shelves as quickly as possible. “I want to thank our retailers and delivery drivers ensuring we can all get our hands on essentials. “I also want to urge Queenslanders not to panic buy.  “We’ve done this before, we have been through lockdowns and restrictions and togeth...

Sleepy Joe Biden Joe Biden:  Love you back.  (Applause.)  Well, look, that old — I — you’re — by the way, you’re in the midst of the — you’re in the presence of a — one hell of an individual.  I want you all to know about.  Not me.  (Laughter.)  He’s always there when people need help, and he particularly focuses on people who are left behind: Reverend Barber.  (Applause.)  Thanks for all you do, Rev.  I've, I thank you for that introduction, you know, and for everything you’re doing. You know, I — I think — I thank you everyone here at the Green Road Community Center for hosting us.  Governor Cooper, my good friend.  A great governor.  But the most important thing: He’s a man of enormous integrity, and — no, he really is.  (Applause.)  You’re doing an incredible job; I’m lucky to have you as a partner, Gov.  And as we — as we move along here.  √ Look, you know, the main thing I want to do is start off ...

  Media coverage of the first few days of the COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak in New South Wales has been markedly different from that of the most recent lockdown in Victoria. The most noticeable difference is that the media focus in New South Wales has been primarily informational: the growth and spread of cases; the lockdown rules. The political element has been secondary: should the lockdown have been imposed sooner and harder? By contrast, when Victoria entered its fourth lockdown a month ago, the media focus was primarily political: what is wrong with Victoria that it always seems to be where lockdowns happen? Information took second place. Some of the reasons for this difference are obvious. There was understandable exasperation among Victorians that they always seemed to be on the receiving end of lockdowns. Also, the media conferences in Victoria had already become increasingly politicised over the course of the long lockdown in 2020, exemplified by the appearances ...

A three-day lockdown will come into force from 6pm Tuesday 29 June, covering 11 local government areas (LGAs) in South East Queensland in addition to the Townsville LGA, including Magnetic Island and Palm Island. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the lockdown was necessary to tackle emerging COVID-19 community transmission in Queensland. “With the new Delta strain now in the Queensland community, we can’t afford to take any chances,” the Premier said. “This highly infectious strain means that a three-day lockdown in South East Queensland, Townsville and Palm Island is our only choice. “I’m asking all Queenslanders and all visitors to these affected areas to abide by the lockdown – this is absolutely vital to keep us all safe. “We’ve shown that we can do this before, and we can do it again. “Community spread is being seen across Australia, with returning residents and visitors bringing the Delta strain to our shores. “I’m calling on the Federal Government to immediately massively reduc...