Andrea Leong | Politician
Andrea Leong
Phone: +61 490 134 827
Reviews
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25.01.2022 An article in The Conversation this morning notes: "It is a pity [Victoria's COVID] roadmap doesn’t align more closely with the latest science." Indeed. At least it is easier to update an existing plan than to implement one where none exists, and I'll be watching closely to see if that happens.... Victoria has been hit hard by poor planning, poor communication and poor trainingwhich happened in other statescombined with spreading events which did not happen in other states. The current state of affairs continues to highlight the need for better pandemic preparedness and evidence-backed responses. -- Image and quote from the article: https://theconversation.com/victoria-now-has-a-good-roadmap
25.01.2022 Australians are dealing with confusing messaging around COVID-19 vaccination, but the Science Party's stance is clear: We support making a vaccine freely available, and oppose coercive measures such as linking COVID-19 vaccination to income support, especially in the early stages of the rollout. The economic cost of providing an effective vaccine to every Australian is almost certainly less than the cost of managing a suppression strategy (or, worse, not managing it).... We support "No Jab, No Pay/Play" (https://www.scienceparty.org.au/children_deserve_vaccines) but unlike childhood vaccines, any COVID-19 vaccine will be barely out of trial stages. When it arrives, I will be lining up for the vaccine, and encourage everyone who can to do so as well.
24.01.2022 If you're a Science Party member, you should have an email from the party about checking your contact details. If not, check spam, and if it's still not there, get in touch (with a Facebook message or to [email protected]) and we'll get it sorted. Why are we doing this? In order to have our party name printed on the ballot, we need to stay registered with the The Australian Electoral Commission. The AEC checks in between each federal election that all registered parties have at least 500 members (unless the party has an elected member in parliament, in which case they're exempt from the membership check, but that bias in our democracy is another story).
21.01.2022 Got my flu shot on my birthday because that's what passes for a party during lockdown. Experts recommend getting yours as soon as possible this year. Call ahead or book online at your GP or pharmacy to protect yourself and others.
21.01.2022 You've got to be kidding. "But Transport Minister Andrew Constance said [mask] laws [on NSW public transport] would be unnecessary, as 98 per cent of services were now complying with physical distancing guidelines introduced at the start of the month." This guy has never been on a Sydney bus. The passenger limit on Sydney buses has been increased from 12 to 24 (one person per double seat). This violates authorities' own magic 1.5-metre rule! ... I'm lucky (?) to be working odd hours at the moment so I avoid peak hour (?), but my 5.30am bus borders on the 24-person limit. Drivers aren't maliciously herding people onto buses -- just like before the pandemic, overcrowding is a result of too few services, and drivers are reluctant to leave people on the side of the road. Sydney's situation is precarious, with low-level community transmission liable to start a second wave the moment it intersects with a super-spreading event. If the NSW government can mandate a passenger limit per bus, it can mandate masks on public transport. Until then, be an early adopter and wear a mask in enclosed spaces with other people. Let's throw everything we have at this pandemic. -- Quote from the article: https://www.abc.net.au//sydney-news-morning-brief/12505462
21.01.2022 Only an inclusive pandemic response can be effective. We can only control an infection if everyone, regardless of income, has access to: - healthcare, so people can get tested - income support, so people don't work when they're sick... - childcare The Australian government's response has been acceptable for most Australians, but leaves some stranded. And rather than being swift and decisive, the response was rolled out gradually, waiting until public support for each next step was certain. The result was confusion rather than confidence. Tonight we'll talk about how we can be better prepared for the next pandemic (and we will see more pandemics this century than we did last century) and how we can build a better future as we overcome COVID-19. I want to hear your creative solutions for a more resilient economy and society. If you can't make it tonight, send me a message with your ideas!
19.01.2022 What's happening with JobKeeper? We'll find out after this weekend's by-election! However: "Among the changes under consideration is an extension to those in need and the ending of JobKeeper for those that no longer require the support." That's one thing, not two, but sure, it seems reasonable to continue the payment only for those whose income is still reduced. The article goes on:... "This could be an extension for the regions, more support for airlines and a removal of the scheme for geographic areas that have recovered more quickly." ... Arts and hospitality workers in the cities: let me know if your income has returned to normal?! (Not that many of you were eligible for JobKeeper anyway, because of the arbitrary requirement for casual workers to have been with their employer for at least a year.) Surely we can assess individuals' claims properly. What happened to the extra 5,000 Centerlink staff Scotty wanted to hire? We had Robodebt; why can't we have Robocredit? These crisis policies are intended to placate the majority with something just good enough, but our coalition government has no idea how to genuinely support people on the basis of need. -- Photo of people queuing at a Centrelink office and quotes from the article: https://www.smh.com.au//jobkeeper-plan-to-be-kept-secret-u
17.01.2022 Australia keeps on digging up and selling that special dirt as steelmakers in three countries compete to provide green steel. One high point in this article is the comment from CSIRO research scientist Keith Vining, pointing out that Australia could better refine its iron ore before shipping it overseas (more on that here: https://www.csiro.au//Issue-21/Reducing-emissions-from-iron). Doing so would increase Australia's carbon emissions but reduce overall carbon emissions as...sociated with steelmaking, making it the environmentally responsible thing to do, while increasing the value of our export product. (Also: jobs.) -- Image (iron ore trains) from the article: https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/decarbonised-steelmaking
16.01.2022 "Herd immunity without a vaccine" is a dangerous idea that seems to be gaining traction, thanks to some high-profile commentators jumping on board. Herd immunity without a vaccine means 2 in 3* people (16,000,000 Australians) have to get the disease. That's genocidal. A recent opinion piece (by a Professor of Social Interventions and Policy) that somehow got published in the Sydney Morning Herald asserted that Australia could achieve herd immunity without a vaccine in less th...an 85 weeks. The author might or might not have done the sums. This scenario requires an average of at least 200,000 Australians to be infected every week, but also (I assume) slowing the infection rate if hospitals get close to capacity. Even if we think that's a good idea, we'd need to put effort into maintaining this infection rate as we approached herd immunity. COVID parties! Australia can suppress if not eliminate the virus. It will pop up again, but if we invest in producing more test kits, we can shut down local outbreaks by testing everyone with a vague connection to each known case. The enemy is not invisible, nor does it strike at random. We just need specialised equipment to see it. Test, test, and test some more, and keep on testing. -- *The percentage needed for herd immunity varies depending on how infectious the disease is. Most estimates for COVID-19 are between 60% and 70%, although some estimates are higher.
14.01.2022 Our government's response to Australians losing their jobs is as disorganised as it is insincere. This is how a system handles a crisis when it was always designed to do the bare minimum rather than provide genuine security for citizens. One thing that has to come out of this crisis is deep changes to our systems so they benefit the people. Join today to make sure things get better than they were before: http://scienceparty.org.au/join --... Image: notices from the Services Australia facebook page (www.facebook.com/pg/ServicesAustralia) To paraphrase: Week 1: Lost your job? Call us! We know the phones are busy, but keep trying! Week 2: Okay, the phones are so busy that you don't have to call to report your income of zero dollars. Just don't worry about it. Week 3.1: Everything's back to normal and functioning properly, so you have to call to report your zero income. Week 3.2: Stop calling us, especially if you are either an existing or a prospective recipient. Week 3.3: Talk to your boss or get onto the app, okay? STOP CALLING US! Week 4: Hope you didn't make a claim online, we'll probably reject it lol.
14.01.2022 Wow, the government just invented TAFE! The latest JobFaker package to keep unemployment figures looking lower than they really are is a one-off injection of funds into vocational training rather than a long-term commitment to the sector. The next challenge is to make sure providers are properly regulated to avoid people getting ripped off with substandard training courses.... -- Image: "Government announces $2.5 billion package to support training and apprenticeships" from: https://theconversation.com/government-announces-2-5-billio TL;DR: - $1.5 billion in federal funding to extend and expand the apprentice wage subsidy program - $365 million has already been paid out under this program - $1 billion "JobTrainer" program (funded 50-50 by federal government and the states) - JobTrainer will consist of free or low cost courses in areas identified by the National Skills Commission in consultation with the states
13.01.2022 EDIT: the Sydney protest organisers successfully appealed the Supreme Court's ruling, rendering the Sydney protest lawful shortly before the start time. -- The Science Party demands action to address over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in incarceration, and support for real and lasting community-led changes.... Today's protests come at a unique time when we have a chance to protest injustices in our own system and march in solidarity with the USA Black Lives Matters movement. But we are also at a critical point in a public health crisis where we could either eliminate COVID-19 from Australia or see a second wave of cases. If you're attending today's protests (https://www.theguardian.com//sydney-black-lives-matter-ral) make sure you know where you stand legally (e.g. Adelaide's event has a specific exemption from rules around gatherings, while Sydney's is unlawful). Don't go if you have a fever or cough. If you go, wear a mask properly (https://www.cdc.gov//prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wear-clot) and in addition to handwashing and keeping physical distance from others. If you develop symptoms at any time, call a COVID-19 clinic (https://www.health.gov.au//coronavirus-covid-19-gp-respira). If you are conflicted about today's protests because of public health concerns, promote Black voices online, today and year-round (https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au//there-/15913656009926). Commit to joining Invasion Day marches and other Indigenous-led actions. Consider donating to the cause if you are in a position to do so (https://www.popsugar.com.au//where-to-donate-to-support-in). Today will not be the single moment that ends systemic injustice. It's a process, and we have far to go.
13.01.2022 The Science Party formally announced its support for establishing an Australian Centres for Disease Control earlier this year! The Australian Medical Association has long supported this innovation and will today make the recommendation to a senate inquiry (https://thenewdaily.com.au//sydney-school-coronavirus-inq/). Also in the news: Lane Cove West Public School is closed after a student tested positive for COVID-19. The NSW Government advises that only students who are unw...ell need to be tested (https://education.nsw.gov.au//lane-cove-west-public-school). This complacency is unbelievable when we were so close to ending community transmission. We know that people can spread the virus a day or two before symptoms appear. Every student, parent and teacher at the school should get tested. This is the kind of advice that an Australian Centres for Disease Control would give. It's the advice already given by the Kirby Institute, a world-class infectious diseases research institute (https://kirby.unsw.edu.au//get-top-coronavirus-we-also-nee). -- Image: "Immediately once the current situation is resolved, establish an Australian Centres for Disease Control to coordinate the scientific and medical responses associated with similar events (the model may be determined by parliamentary inquiry or other means, but the organisation must be established)" from the blog post: https://www.scienceparty.org.au/coronavirus_recommendations
13.01.2022 As the pandemic lockdowns grind on, the ecofascist cry of "the earth is healing, we are the virus" has subsided. But its little cousin "the drop in greenhouse gas emissions is a silver lining" has appeared. It's not a silver lining, its a cruel reminder that economic activity in 2020 relies on pollution. At the start of 2020, many of us were discovering more sustainable ways to live. A few months into the year, COVID-safe living rightly became our main concern. The ways we ad...just our lives to avoid transmitting a virus involves using more resources, and those resources are not sustainable. Food takeaways and grocery and retail deliveries have surged, and commuters are driving to avoid public transport. And Australia's private vehicles run on particularly dirty fuel (https://www.smh.com.au//our-dirty-fuel-is-a-bigger-killer-). If there is any silver lining here, it is that clean energy is not a technological problem. While we will of course continue to innovate, we already have the ability to electrify just about everything, and to produce that electricity cleanly. Australia's COVID recovery is not gas-powered. Carbon capture must be used in addition to a clean energy transformation, not instead of it. At the next election, give your vote to a candidate who takes climate change seriously. If your vision of a clean energy transformation looks like 800% renewables, small modular reactors and fusion research, vote Science. https://www.scienceparty.org.au/
12.01.2022 30 March: 'Health authorities say they will release coronavirus modelling' (https://www.canberratimes.com.au//health-authorities-to-r/) 1 April: 'Australian officials again refuse to release coronavirus modelling' (https://www.theguardian.com//australian-officials-again-re) Why?... [Deputy chief medical officer, Professor Paul] Kelly said transparency could be very important but modelling could be misinterpreted and had to be presented in a way that was useful." Professor Kelly, that sounds a lot like, "We haven't got a handle on our public health campaign and messaging, so no one gets to see the modelling." These are the assumptions on which we are basing a slowdown of the economy to save lives. All Australians deserve access to this information. Some people will misinterpret it, but any scientist knows that putting your data out into the world for it to be picked apart can only make it stronger. Give us the numbers.
11.01.2022 Legalise it. U-235 blaze it. https://arstechnica.com//first-modular-nuclear-reactor-de/
09.01.2022 If you've had, or will have, a COVID-19 test this week, thank you! The public's initiative in getting tested has been phenomenal. Please don't be alarmed if your results take a bit longer than usual to arrive an outage in electronic medical records across NSW Health yesterday is causing delays of a day or two. Regardless of the cause, this disruption highlights the importance of resilient systems. Having plans in place to deal with the worst case doesn't seem necessary, unt...il suddenly it is. -- Photo from the article: https://www.smh.com.au//nsw-hospitals-electronic-systems-a
07.01.2022 At our last Science Party meeting, I mentioned that we hadn't heard much from the National Covid-19 Coordination Commission, the hand-picked taskforce that would "anticipate and mitigate the economic and social effects" of the pandemic. Sure, it lacks social sector and small business representatives, but maybe they'll come up with something brilliant! (https://www.pm.gov.au//national-covid-19-coordination-comm) Now we have a leaked report from the commission that champions ...natural gas as the key to Australia's recovery (https://www.theguardian.com//leaked-covid-19-commission-re). The report calls for government investment in gas projects and "removal of regulatory barriers" rolling back protections against the environmental harms of these projects. That on its own is disappointing, when this continent has abundant non-fossil resources for producing clean electricity. The kicker is that the chairman of the commission also happens to be the deputy chairman of a gas exploration company (but don't worry, he's stepping down: https://www.theguardian.com//covid-commission-boss-nev-pow). As we get on top of COVID-19 infections, we can reinvigorate Australia's economy, but fossil fuels are the wrong technology in a world already suffering the effects of climate change. Just six months ago, the government accepted the Chief Scientist's National Hydrogen Strategy. NSW is pushing ahead with renewable energy zones and Tasmania is assessing sites for pumped hydro. There is so much we can do while keeping the carbon in the ground.
06.01.2022 Forget productivity memes. Our situation right now is deeply abnormal and, unlike those who spend time in orbit or Antarctica, we didn't sign up for it. After the initial anxiety (panic buying) and the optimistic settling-in period (online courses! 30-day iso challenge!) comes the fidgety 'third quarter'. --... "The uncertain duration of COVID restrictions could stretch the 'third-quarter period' over many months. Rather than a set amount of time, it's a state of anticipation. [...] Though there's no national dataset of arguments between friends, Dr Norris says that if it existed, it would be registering a big spike." -- Anecdotally, a neighbour in my apartment block knocked on doors this morning to ask if anyone thought the bicycle downstairs was a trip hazard. I haven't noticed a bicycle. On the weekend (such as it was), several neighbours reached a consensus yelled angrily between balconies: our trombone-playing neighbour needed to pipe down. We've been so good to each other by staying home whenever possible for the last 36 days. The next few weeks might be the hardest to push through, as we watch the new cases dwindle and think, "How much longer?" If you're doing well, that's fantastic. But if the disruption is taking a toll, know that that's normal. The particular weirdness of right now has a name: the third quarter. -- Image from the article: https://www.abc.net.au//coronavirus-covid19-isola/12190270
06.01.2022 Tomorrow, independent MP Zali Steggall will introduce the Climate Change Bill to parliament. It includes: - A Net Zero emissions target by 2050 - Risk assessments and adaptation plans - Technology readiness assessment... - An independent advisory commission (IAC) Now, the Science Party has a target for net zero by 2040, but in truth the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions between now and then is more important than the deadline. That said, this bill is about taking climate change seriously and taking steps to mitigate the risks and address the causes. Add your name here to show your support: https://join.climateactnow.com.au/ #ClimateActNow
05.01.2022 Parliament is being suspended again, right when we need transparency around new policies and legislation to deal with a situation we've never faced before (https://www.sbs.com.au//scott-morrison-says-federal-parlia). Why can't our elected representatives meet online, like the rest of us have been doing for the past several months? Is this an admission that our national "broadband" network isn't good enough? Or is it an admission that our current politicians aren't good enough? (When parliament was first suspended in March, there was discussion about whether it would be unconstitutional to hold sittings online. Anne Twomey, Professor of Constitutional Law, suggests it could be fine: https://theconversation.com/a-virtual-australian-parliament.)
03.01.2022 Rio Tinto apologised for the distress caused when they destroyed the 46,000-year-old Juukan Gorge caves, but they made clear they weren't sorry for doing it. A leaked recording reveals that Rio Tinto's management is confident the company has quiet support from "political leaders of both sides" (https://www.afr.com//secret-recording-rio-tinto-not-sorry-). Well, they don't have my support.... If they're right to be so confident, it will be interesting to follow the senate inquiry into the incident. At the very least we can hope the relevant laws will be updated to prevent similar failures in the future. -- The photo is from this article that includes more on the significance of the caves: https://www.abc.net.au//wa-heritage-destroyed-by-/12305298
02.01.2022 Read and listen to the stories from #MelbourneLockdown. The fact that authorities considered a #HardLockdown necessary in the #MelbourneTowers and nowhere else highlights inequality and lack of minimum standards in living conditions. It should never have gotten to the point where it was unsafe to live in public housing during a pandemic. https://twitter.com/andivivienne/status/1279733764424298502 https://twitter.com/amona_hassab/status/1279717028199202817... https://twitter.com/youthconnect/status/1280491466377187329 https://twitter.com/joshuabadge/status/1281036768398110721 https://www.theguardian.com//it-was-a-shock-to-see-police- https://www.abc.net.au//law-report-with-damien-ca/12428588
