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Australia is not stepping back from its push for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it would be a "sensible course of action" to investigate how the coronavirus pandemic began — a view which has angered China in recent days.
It was one of many topics covered by Mr Morrison during a press conference on Wednesday, as the national death toll climbed to 89.
PM continues calls for independent inquiry
A day after the Chinese ambassador to Australia warned of an economic backlash, Mr Morrison again called for an independent inquiry into the origins of COVID-19.
The disease. which was first detected in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has killed more than 200,000 people worldwide.
Mr Morrison said the world needed to learn from the outbreak, and an independent inquiry was needed.
"It would seem entirely reasonable and sensible that the world would want to have an independent assessment of how this all occurred, so we can learn the lessons and prevent it from happening again," he said.
"I think it is a fairly obvious and common sense suggestion, that I believe there will be support for."
On Wednesday Chinese ambassador Jingye Cheng raised the threat of a consumer boycott of Australian goods if Australia pushed ahead with calls for an inquiry.
800,000 JobSeeker claims have been processed
There have now been 800,000 claims for the JobSeeker allowance — something that Mr Morrison said highlighted the "heavy blow" coronavirus had dealt to the economy.
The measure, along with the JobKeeper payments to help businesses keep employees on their books — will be in place until the end of September.
Mr Morrison said it was important to process the payments quickly but added that the real success would be seen when those who were receiving them were able to get back to work.
"That's what our objective is, that's what we're focused on, that's what our road ahead is about," he said.
However, extending the measures beyond the September deadline is not on the cards.
Mr Morrison said the budget, delayed until October, would be the next step to help those out of work.
"These emergency measures come at a great cost, and clearly that level of cost is not sustainable beyond what we have flagged," he said.
"The budget supports essential services. It's all about jobs, it's all about services going forward."
The economy needs to be 'self-sufficient'
The "road back" for the economy requires Australia to be as self-sufficient as possible.
The Prime Minister was asked about Australia's dependency on China, and if this needed to be re-modelled in the future.
"I think Australia should always seek to be having an economy that is as self-sufficient as possible, and to be that, it has to be competitive,' Mr Morrison said.
"Australians will find markets, as we have been [doing] now for a long time, all around the world, and for many years now our markets have been diversified."
However Mr Morrison did state the importance of the nation's relationship with China.
"Our relationship with China is a mutually beneficial one," he said.
"It is a comprehensive strategic partnership, and we will continue to pursue that partnership, respecting China's sovereignty, and their independence. And its success will continue to depend on that being returned."
Aussies are asking for mental health support
There have been 1 million telehealth calls relating to mental health since mid-March.
Mental health was a major area of concern at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, when social distancing and isolation began.
A $74 million package for mental health was announced on March 29.
Standing alongside the PM, the CEO of the National Mental Health Commission, Christine Morgan, told reporters more people were reaching out for help.
"Beyond Blue has seen a 40 per cent increase in contact being made to it, [compared to] this time last year," she said.
"What we are seeing with respect to those calls is an increase in the distress levels and an increase in the anxiety levels and in the complexity of what people are feeling."
Lifting restrictions 'not too far away'
The Federal Government is not far off easing restrictions.
"It is important to understand that on the road back, when we get to that COVID-19-safe environment, where we can ease the restrictions, [that] is not too far away," Mr Morrison said.
Some states and territories are lifting a few of their own restrictions, something which has been welcomed by the Federal Government.
"That demonstrates to Australians that there is a dividend for them, for the way that they have been conducting themselves."
New Zealand could soon be on the departure board
International travel was all but ruled out by Mr Morrison for the foreseeable future.
While Australia seems to be on top of the coronavirus pandemic, the Prime Minister told reporters: "I can’t see international travel happening any time soon — can't see that. The risks there are obvious."
However, it might be possible to travel to New Zealand, which eased its own coronavirus restrictions this week.
"The only exception, as I have flagged, is potentially with New Zealand, and we have had some good discussions about that," the PM said.
"But I look forward to the time when Australians can travel again within Australia."
Speaking of New Zealand travel, the Warriors are still in limbo.
A major hurdle as the National Rugby League looks to restart its season on May 28 is whether or not the New Zealand Warriors will be allowed to enter the country.
Mr Morrison said that decision had not been made.
"The Commonwealth has made no decision about the access by the Warriors into Australia. That hasn't happened," he said.
A test of the Government's popularity could come soon
The ill health of Federal Labor MP Mike Kelly is expected to result in his resignation within days.
Mr Kelly, who is the member for the southern NSW bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro, is battling a chronic illness which dates back to his time in the Australian Defence Force.
The Prime Minister highlighted Mr Kelly's service.
"He's served his country in uniform, he's served his country in the parliament, and if that indeed is the decision he makes I wish him all the best and I thank him for his service in both of those respects."
A resignation would trigger a by-election in the marginal seat.
This could be a test of Government's popularity, after COVID-19 and the summer of extreme bushfires.
"The Liberal Party will contest the seat as I'm sure the National Party will contest the seat," Mr Morrison said.
"We are showing, I think, the leadership through this crisis that Australians are seeking from the Government. And importantly we are focused on what success looks like for our country."
