I'm pleased to announce that after extensive discussion between the Department of Health and the Department of Elf, Santa will be permitted entry to Victoria this Christmas.
Mr Claus and nine reindeer have passed all the necessary tests, and will follow strict instructions to only deliver presents to very good Victorian children.
I just got off a call to deliver the good news, and outline the minimum distance and density requirements for Santa and his little helpers.
Mr Claus agreed that the only thing he and his team will be spreading this Christmas is fun, joy – and a bit of spirit too.
And he confirmed that for the first time in our state's history, every Victorian child will make it onto the nice list this year.
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From Madrid to Mumbai, Michigan to Melbourne – the pandemic has laid bare the true cost of insecure work.
With no leave entitlements to fall back on, too many people have been forced into an impossible situation with impossible decisions.
Going to work ill or an empty bank account. The safety of your community or feeding your family. Your health or your rent.
Insecure workers shouldered the burden – but everyone paid the price. And pandemic or not, the principle's the same: no one should be put in this position.
That's why we're stepping in where no one else has.
Our Secure Work Pilot Scheme will provide up to five days of sick or carer's pay for casual and insecure workers in industries where it's needed most – and creating a safety net for those without one.
And you can't wash your hands and protect yourself if you don't have access to soap and water.
This pandemic has laid bare some of the deepest inequalities in our society – not least the need for secure housing.
That's why back in April we made crisis accommodation in vacant hotels available to Victorians experiencing homelessness – so that everyone had somewhere warm to rest and stay safe.
And it's why today we announced a $150 million package to support them to move from that temporary solution into long-term housing.
Of the 3,810 Victorians who tested positive for coronavirus over the past three weeks, almost 90 per cent kept going about their business after they began to show symptoms.
That's 3,400 people who kept going to work.
Kept going to the supermarket. Kept caring for loved ones.
Then, after having a test, 53 per cent did not isolate at home while they waited for the results.
That means 2,056 people carried on as usual – despite being concerned enough or sick enough to go and get tested.
This is not about apportioning blame or pointing the finger.