Received

Details
Category: Received
Hits: 93

The Victorian government has swatted away calls to wind back COVID-19 isolation rules for close contacts without the backing of health experts.

Innovation, Medical Research and Digital Economy Minister Jaala Pulford on Monday dismissed a renewed push for the state to dump mandatory seven-day quarantine for close contacts of positive cases.

Richmond AFL coach Damien Hardwick made a direct plea to Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday after livewire Sydney Stack was withdrawn from the Tigers' VFL side because of the edict.

"If we could just get rid of the close contact rule, Dan, that would be terrific," he said after his AFL team suffered a 33-point loss to St Kilda.

"(It would) make everyone's life a hell of a lot easier."

Hardwick's stance is at odds with the AFL, which reiterated it would be led by state governments on COVID-19 protocols.

While conceding Mr Hardwick was entitled to his view, Ms Pulford said the government would continue to rely on the advice of health experts.

"There's a lot of (COVID-19) about in the community at the moment," she told reporters on Monday.

"To prematurely make these changes isn't without risks to the health system. It's not without risks to the health of the people in our community."

Speaking from Clayton in Melbourne's southeast, Prime Minister Scott Morrison reiterated his belief week-long isolation is now "redundant" for close contacts.

"Ultimately that is a decision for the premier. It is premiers who decide to shut cities down or open them up, not the Commonwealth government," he said.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee last week flagged quarantine for close contacts could be replaced with other measures following the peak of the current sub-variant Omicron wave.

It warned "removing quarantine at this time may lead to higher caseloads and a reduced capacity for the health system to provide some acute and elective services".

Prior to the recommendation, Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy also criticised close contact isolation rules after he was forced into seven-day quarantine following a positive test for his nine-year-old son.

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said he is yet to test positive and set return to parliament on Tuesday.

She said the Andrews government should listen to health experts but not "outsource" its decision-making to them.

"That's how we've got to being the longest locked down city in the world. That's why we've got a shadow lockdown going on at the moment," she said.

"This is an issue that Daniel Andrews and others need to look at. It's having massive impacts on our community, families, business and Victoria's ability to rebuild."

After testing positive a week ago, Mr Andrews was freed from isolation on Monday but opted to work from home.

Victoria recorded 10,011 new COVID-19 cases and one death on Monday, with 305 patients in hospital including 17 in intensive care.

© AAP 2022

Details
Category: Received
Hits: 93

Australia's capacity and status as a trusted supplier of the world's critical minerals is getting a $1.25 billion boost.

The federal loan approved on Monday for Australian company Iluka Resources will be used to build Australia's first integrated rare earths refinery in Western Australia.

The refinery will produce praseodymium, dysprosium, neodymium and terbium, which are critical for electric vehicles, clean energy generation, advanced electronics, and medical and defence technologies.

"Rare earths are among the key building blocks of an electrified economy, " Iluka managing director Tom O'Leary said in a statement to the ASX.

Minister for Trade and Investment Dan Tehan said the $1.25 billion loan would promote Australia as a reliable and trusted supplier of the oxides.

Iluka has been progressing its diversification into rare earths at Eneabba in Western Australia and Wimmera in western Victoria for several years.

Mr O'Leary said the continued transition of the global economy and the increasing policy push on critical minerals and their supply chains led the mineral sands company to adapt and accelerate its plans.

Shares in ASX-listed Iluka were up 55 cents at $12.07 in afternoon trade.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt said the project would help Australia increase its sovereign critical minerals processing capacity, potentially underpinning new industries and applications.

"The facility could supply up to nine per cent of the global rare earth oxide market when it comes online," Mr Pitt said.

"It will initially use the Eneabba Stockpile - one of the highest-grade sources of rare earth elements in the world."

The loan will be administered by Export Finance Australia and is the third project funded under the Critical Minerals Facility.

Mr O'Leary said the "risk-sharing" arrangement with the federal government has helped the company to make its final investment decision.

The latest quarterly report from the Office of the Chief Economist tipped resources and energy export earnings to surge to a record $425 billion for 2021-22, up 12 per cent on projections issued three months ago.

Coal becomes only the second Australian commodity after iron ore to break through the $100 billion annual export mark.

"Critical global shortages in energy and resource commodities have led to record prices for many of our commodities," Mr Pitt said.

The combined export earnings for lithium, nickel and copper will likely exceed $23 billion in 2021-22, which would be an increase of 38 per cent on the 2020-21 earnings.

"These forecasts again confirm just how important Australia's resources and energy sector is to the nation's economic and energy security," the minister said.

Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association CEO Andrew McConville said the industry announced investments of more than $27 billion last year in new supply, technology and decarbonisation initiatives.

"The return on our previous investments is clear to see," Mr McConville said.

© AAP 2022

Details
Category: Received
Hits: 89

* ALBUM OF THE YEAR

"We Are" -- Jon Batiste

* RECORD OF THE YEAR

"Leave The Door Open" -- Silk Sonic

* SONG OF THE YEAR

"Leave The Door Open" -- Silk Sonic

* BEST NEW ARTIST

Olivia Rodrigo

* BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

"Kiss Me More" - Doja Cat Featuring SZA

* BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

"Sour" -- Olivia Rodrigo

* BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

"Making A Fire" - Foo Fighters

* BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

"Family Ties" -- Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar

* BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

"Starting Over" - Chris Stapleton

* BEST MUSIC FILM

"Summer Of Soul" -- Various Artists

© RAW 2022

Details
Category: Received
Hits: 99

Clips of Taylor Hawkins have headlined the in memoriam section of the Grammys as the Foo Fighters paid tribute to "the best drummer in the world".

It comes just over a week after the death of Hawkins was announced on social media while the band was on tour in South America.

The Foo Fighters earlier won all three Grammy Awards they were nominated for this year: best rock performance, best rock song and best rock album for their latest offering Medicine at Midnight.

Footage of performances and backstage moments with the late drummer were set to the band's song My Hero, though Hawkins did not perform on the original recording of the song.

Frontman Dave Grohl was heard to say "he's the best drummer in the world, we love him so much".

An audio clip of Hawkins said: "I realised to be a good drummer you need to be an actor."

Following the news, Foo Fighters cancelled all upcoming tour dates as well as their performance at the Grammys on Sunday and their awards were collected by presenter Jimmy Jam.

Oscar-winning singer and fellow Grammy nominee Billie Eilish performed at the ceremony wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Hawkins on the front.

Hawkins had played in the band fronted by former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl for more than two decades alongside Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee.

He joined Foo Fighters in 1997 after previously touring with Alanis Morrissette. Hawkins also starred with the band in their recently released film, Studio 666.

Hawkins's death prompted scores of tributes from other famous artists, including Sir Paul McCartney who described him as a "true Rock and Roll hero".

Foo Fighters won best rock performance for Making A Fire and best rock song for Waiting On A War, which features on their latest album.

© PAA 2022