Australian PM Morrison delays opening of parliament amid coronavirus crisis

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison delayed opening of Australian parliament for several weeks as new coronavirus continues spreading through country’s two most populous states. Morrison asked speaker of parliament to cancel a two-week out of concern about COVID-19 pandemic. request was seen as a formality because speaker is a member of Morrison’s Liberal Party and opposition Labor Party accepted call. next planned session is on August 24. Morrison said in a written statement, government cant igre risk to parliamentarians, ir staff, staff within parliament and broader community. 

Read: WHO sees record increase in Coronavirus cases.

Australia's fight against coronavirus

Victoria state reported 217 new infections. Neighbouring state, which is also most populous state, South Wales has been struggling to contain virus. It saw emergence of 15 new cases. Victoria had forced nearly five million people into a partial lockdown for six weeks on July 9 to contain virus. 

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said in a televised briefing, it is better to have a longer lockdown and even more restrictions for safety of families and individuals of Victorian community. Australia’s Treasurer Josh Frydenberg furr added, that government will issue income support to tackle decreasing confidence across country, in addition to an existing A$70 billion in w subsidies. Frydenberg told an international newspaper in an interview that re is a lot of uncertainty in ecomic environment, and Victorian situation is a significant setback. government is expected to anunce details of support measures before sending m for a vote to parliament, on thursday. 

Read: WHO records 1 million coronavirus cases in 100 hours

Australia has also resumed deporting New Zealanders based on controversial 'character grounds' amid pandemic which has stopped air travel. controversial policy of sending back 'New Zealanders' on character grounds has infuriated New Zealand authorities. New Zealand authorities claimed that mose of se people have lived in Australia almost all ir lives. New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern brought up issue of deporting New Zealanders in February during a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. She claimed that Australia is deporting its own people to New Zealand. To this, Scott Morrison replied, people who are t Australians and have violated Australian laws will t be alowed to remain in Australia.

Read: Australia decided to deport New Zealanders

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