26 June 2020 / COVID-19

National Cabinet Meeting Update

The Prime Minister just spoke to the media following today’s National Cabinet Meeting:

  • Nat Cab met again today after a fortnight.
  • 1 million cases a week around the world.
  • Australia remains on track with flat curve despite localised outbreaks in Victoria. Nat Cab staying firm on the 3 Step Plan.
  • Outbreaks will happen, and Victoria is a reminder of that - what matters is the response. Australian public should be reassured by such a strong response which is brought to the homes of the affected areas.
  • Smaller venues which are under 100m2 are now able to have 1 person per 2m2. Previously it was 4m2.
  • A roadmap is being developed for the entertainment industry to allow for better planning – 3, 6,9 and 12 month intervals.
  • A public health workforce resource is being organised to move around the country as outbreaks occur to help with testing and tracing.
  • 14 day quarantine will stay at 14 days.
  • PM and Treasurer meeting with CEOs of all major banks to discuss broadly where everything is at, including talking about loan deferrals and approvals for HomeBuilder
  • Cybersecurity also a main agenda right now
  • Today is CMO’s last day as CMO, will move into Secretary of Department of Health role. Deputy is taking over.

CMO

  • Virus accelerating around the world, fortunate being an island but we will remain at risk from virus via people returning home from overseas
  • Hotel quarantine is not going to be perfect and can’t be absolutely sure every case is detected
  • What is happening in Victoria is exactly what was modelled and planned for and it is being handled by the public health response – go to area, test, isolate and quarantine
  • Likelihood of outbreaks remains high, and we will likely see this in other parts of the country too
  • Testing of those in hotel quarantine will take place during quarantine and before they leave quarantine. It is a burden but it is helping keep it contained / Australians from risk.
  • Collective achievement by group, great result for Australia, everyone has worked very well together with best experts and govt has taken advice which has made our response successful

Responses to questions from media

  • Panic buying is not necessary, outbreaks will happen and it does not mean there is a problem, Australians should have confidence in the public health response
  • All states to reopen in July (except WA). Possibility of states being opened fully but quarantining people from hotspots which PM is in full support of. PM said this was a much better, tailored way of handling the situation than broad state border closures.
  • Music events are being brought considered in stadiums so social distancing can be observed but music festivals are likely to remain off the cards for a little while longer.
  • Unlikely for international travel return for some time – could be late next year, but it is very uncertain as to when so no point speculating.

Other Recent Activities

View all activities
9 April / Quality Alert
Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone

Engineered stone ban effective 1 July 2024

ALL engineered stone, regardless of the silica content percentage, is banned.

Alternative products must be considered and implemented on all projects.

In October last year Hutchies noted that the industry was shifting away from engineered stone due to the risks of respirable crystalline silica, which can cause silicosis and other silica related diseases.

On this basis, Hutchies proactively took a position to ban all engineered stone on our projects, regardless of silica content percentages, from 1 July 2024.

In December last year, we then had confirmation that following an Industrial Relations Ministers meeting, State and Commonwealth Leaders had agreed to ban engineered stone products.

Some at Hutchies have noted that the State and Federal communications concerning the ban have included transition periods as well as exemptions for some engineered stone with low (under 1%) silica content.

For clarity, there has been no change to Hutchies' position following these communications – Hutchies will not be using engineered stone that contains any percentage of silica on our projects from 1 July 2024.

Actions

To mitigate the impact of potential delays and variations, the best approach is to inform clients of the pending ban and to propose and seek approval for an alternative product.

Similarly, ensure all future estimates have the stone specification qualified and priced accordingly.

Refer to Hutchies' Stone Product & Suitability for Use List on the Document Library.

More information

If you need additional support, please contact:

Design — Michael Lawlor / Ogi Latinovic
Work Health & Safety — Jimmy Andersen
Industrial Relations — Ben Young
Other — Russell Fryer

View More
4 March / Meetings
All Company Update / March 2024

Thanks for participating in Hutchies' All Company Update.

A copy of the presentation slides is available to download below.

View More