The 9pm Four-Phase Year Two Custard Duck

A deserted King Street, Newtown, Sydney, photographed during what would normally be the evening rush hour on Monday 28 June 2021. (Photo: David Olsen)

More than a year into Australia’s COVID-19 pandemic response, Prime Minister Scott Morrison finally produces a plan that includes vaccinating people — with no targets and no deadlines.

In this episode also hear about Labor’s bold and exciting plan, we hear some great advice from the NSW health minister, and we hear a few thoughts about critical race theory.

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This episode it’s thanks to Bren Carruthers, Chris Scobell, Chrissie M, Kimberley Heitman, Pete Lawler, Peter Sweatman, Phil Kernick, Sebastian Tauchmann, Shane O’Neill, and two people who choose to remain anonymous — that’s including people who tipped me for The 8pm Quiz — plus all the people who supported The 9pm More Autumn Series 2021 crowdfunding campaign.

CONVERSATION TOPICS: Phillip Merrick, plus one person who chooses to remain anonymous.

THREE TRIGGER WORDS: Adam Baxter, Sheepie, and three people who choose to remain anonymous.

ONE TRIGGER WORD: Bede Kelleher, Bic Smith, David King, Frank Filippone, Gavin C, Jonathan Ferguson, Joop de Wit, Mark Newton, Michael Cowley, Mick Fong, Ric Hayman, Ross Nye, and four people who choose to remain anonymous.

FOOT SOLDIERS FOR MEDIA FREEDOM who gave a SLIGHTLY LESS BASIC TIP: David Heath, Errol Cavit, Garth Kidd, Katrina Szetey, Kimberley Heitman, Matt Bowden, Paris Lord, Peter Blakeley, Peter McCrudden, Ruben Schade, Susan Rankin, Tim Johns, and one person who chooses to remain anonymous.

MEDIA FREEDOM CITIZENS who contributed a BASIC TIP: Bob Ogden, Brenton Realph, Chris Scobell, Jason Anderson, Jason Anderson, Karletta A, Kate Carruthers, and one person who chooses to remain anonymous.

And another eight people chose to have no reward, even though some of them were the most generous of all.

Thanks also to Peter Lieverdink for the gin.

Episode Links

  • An "eye of fire" has boiled to the surface in the Gulf of Mexico after an undersea gas pipeline ruptured.
  • The Canadian town of Lytton has been burned to the ground in extreme wildfires that have been raging across the province of British Columbia as Canada experiences an unprecedented heatwave with temperatures reaching a rare high of 49.6 degree celcius.
  • These are the big takeaways from the prime minister’s press conference
  • CNBC.com's space reporter Michael Sheetz reports on the space race and the difference between SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin.
  • This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the Astra-Zeneca vaccine, previously only available for people over 60, could now be accessed by anyone. The announcement led to significant pushback, particularly from the Queensland government, who are still advising younger Australians to avoid AstraZeneca. Today, Rachel Withers on what's behind the government decision making on vaccine eligibility.
  • On Monday, chief health officers urged Scott Morrison to drop the AstraZeneca vaccine entirely. Instead, he broadened its usage.
  • National Cabinet agreed to formulate a national plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response from its current pre vaccination settings, focussing on continued suppression of community transmission, to post vaccination settings focussed on prevention of serious illness, hospitalisation and fatality, and the public health management of other infectious diseases.
  • Imagine announcing, 18 months into a pandemic, "phase one" of your "new deal" is an intention to vaccinate the population.
  • The only thing National Cabinet actually did today is reduce the international arrivals quota. The rest of the presser was about what they might do, in future, if they make a series of decisions that have not yet been made. It is imaginary. There remains, at this point, no plan.
  • An alternative "National Plan to transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response".
  • A three-step pathway for easing restrictions.
  • [12 July 2020] It’s Day 117 of Stilgherrian’s coronavirus isolation. The borders with Victoria are now closed. Was opening up COVID-19 restrictions a mistake? There’s also an update on the mysterious R S Archer.
  • One year ago, nine public housing towers in Melbourne were locked down as a second wave of Covid-19 loomed. An investigation by the Victorian ombudsman has found the government’s directive went against advice from public health officials.
  • Actress Rebel Wilson has faced criticism after she publicly slammed Sydney’s latest lockdown, saying “you can’t keep locking down as a strategy”.
  • Comedian Rove McManus says "the Maginot Line could have worked with more manpower." Host Daryl Somers declares "Pope is not God's sovereign, it is by faith alone that the Christian is saved."
  • The achievable aim is to turn COVID-19 into the common cold. Then the zero spread goal is entirely unnecessary. But for that we need vaccines in arms in huge numbers fast. The US and UK data are showing the way towards far less impact. We’ve being left behind, knotted in fear.
  • Google's mobility data shows roughly the same magnitude drop in movement towards retail and recreation between NSW and Vic, @LaTrioli. WRT driving, Apple's data shows the same drop for NSW vs Vic and Syd vs Mel.
  • Should NSW have locked down a few days earlier? It’s hard to say, but will be important to evaluate when things settle.
  • Two owners of a café in Jindabyne have been arrested for refusing to wear face masks, and a further 78 people have been issued fines as police crack down on public health order breaches.
  • Forty years today since the first media article on the disease that would become known as #AIDS.
  • [3 July 1981, the first news story about what would become known as HIV/AIDS] Outbreak Occurs Among Men in New York and California — 8 Died Inside 2 Years.
  • Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO): "I've heard many say the United States is, indeed, built on oppression and remains a systematically, systemically racist place. All I can say, Mr. President, is that is not the America I see and that’s not the America that I know."
  • Pat Robertson says critical race theory is "a monstrous evil" that is urging people of color to "rise up and overtake their oppressors" so that once they've "gotten the whip handle," they'll then "instruct their white neighbors how to behave."
  • Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson (born March 22, 1930) is an American media mogul, televangelist, political commentator, former Republican presidential candidate, and former Southern Baptist minister. Robertson advocates a conservative Christian ideology and is known for his past activities in Republican party politics. He is associated with the Charismatic Movement within Protestant evangelicalism. He serves as chancellor and CEO of Regent University and chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). He appears daily on The 700 Club, CBN's flagship television program.
  • Critical race theory (CRT) is an academic movement of civil-rights scholars and activists in the United States who seek to critically examine U.S. law as it intersects with issues of race in the U.S. and to challenge mainstream American liberal approaches to racial justice. CRT examines social, cultural and legal issues as they relate to race and racism in the United States and, more recently, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
  • you’re not teaching my kid critical race theory
  • Starr filed suit against the company in 2019, objecting to the name of the penis rings. In his complaint, Starr claimed the brand was “identical in appearance, sound, connotation and pronunciation” to his own name. "Consumers will likely believe that Opposer's [Starr's] newest venture is sex toys — and this is an association that Opposer does not want."
  • Before Twitter was a thing, this happened. The Frederick Hornet, September 27, 1803.
  • 'It's not illegal so I'll keep doing it' isn't good enough. During a pandemic, law enforcement agencies need to kick their data addiction and politicians need the spine to intervene.
  • [8 June 2019] New documents show the clearest picture yet of Scott Morrison’s dismissal at Tourism Australia, including scathing correspondence from Fran Bailey. By Karen Middleton.
  • Getting through this crisis can’t just be about going back to the way things were in 2019, with millions of Australians looking for work or more hours. I want us to have the courage to build an even stronger future. One where the economy works for people, not the other way around. Australians want leadership – and Labor is ready to lead.
  • "Today I’m announcing that a Labor Government I lead will commission a Full Employment White Paper. It will draw together experts from across government, industry and the union movement to set out a plan for how we will reduce unemployment and underemployment." - @AlboMP
  • Just read this out at the pub. The whole place is going crazy. Everyone chanting “White paper! White paper!”
  • I'm not expecting anything revolutionary from the ALP, but something better than a second edition of a document from 75 years ago would be nice.
  • The White Paper Full Employment in Australia, published in 1945, was the defining document of the official economic policy in Australia until 1975. For the first time, the Australian government accepted an obligation to guarantee full employment and to intervene as necessary to implement that guarantee. The preparation of the paper was ordered by The Australian Labor Party Prime Minister John Curtin and his Employment Minister John Dedman and undertaken by a group of economists headed by H.C. Coombs.
  • China’s ruling communist party celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding on 1 July 2021. Not only is it the world’s largest political party, with over 90 million members, it is also the richest, presiding over an economy en route to surpass that of the US.
  • I’ve just realised that Australia is run by Colonel Cargill from Joseph Heller’s “Catch 22.” It all fits.
  • Scott Morrison's once-deft political touch has deserted him. Even as despised as he is, Dutton is now the only option in a bad bunch to lead.
  • A classic dry gin with a delightfully native Australian twist! Distilled with Victorian Bergamot Lime, Tasmanian Lavender and a bouquet of native botanicals, including cinnamon myrtle, anise myrtle, and pepperberry leaf. DISCOUNT: 14% off for 14 days using coupon 14DAYS, although only 7 days remain.

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Series Credits