NewsChat on Weekend Today
2 October 2022
BELINDA RUSSELL: All right, let's bring in Victorian Senator Jane Hume, Jane, it's all been quite confusing, isn't it? Because, you know, different state to state you know, now isolation has been scrapped, but now schools in Victoria don't have to wear masks. Have you found that confusing?
JANE HUME: I don't know about confusing but certainly I think we need to trust that the best medical advice has gone into making these decisions. You know, I'm a Liberal Senator, and liberals very much believe in individual choice and personal responsibility and, and so I think people will make the best decisions that are for them, that are for their families and that are for their communities. You know, if you're on a tram, and you're worried about getting COVID put a mask on. If you're sick yourself, put a mask on so that you're protecting other people, but it shouldn't be compulsory, governments shouldn't be constantly telling you what to do and how to live your life.
BELINDA RUSSELL: That's true, but I guess you're relying on people to do the right thing.
JANE HUME: I think most people do the right thing. You know, I think most people do care for their families and their communities and they want to look after their own health too, but at the same time, because along with things, it's time to stop those isolation rules, stop those COVID payments and get back to normal life.
BELINDA RUSSELL: Yeah, I’m with you there. Alright, in other news, it's been revealed Melbourne is the new retirement home of Australia. I don't believe it. Once the nightlife capital of the country now. Melburnians are embracing early dinners and bedtime, some restaurants even shifting their meal covers to 4pm. Wendy, I was in Melbourne last week, every night of the week. It was bustling. And this is not the Melbourne though we all know and well.
WENDY KINGSTON: I know the sophistication is out the window finally Melbourne is now embracing what we all have been doing as parents and going to dinner at 4pm shock horror. I'm just kind of wondering now when I'm supposed to take my children to dinner though because obviously, as parents and you would know that Belinda with multiple children, you want to beat the beat the rush so if if everybody in Melbourne is now going early, we're going to have to go a whole lot earlier otherwise we're going to have to go home and make a double dinner for our kids. But yeah, it's the new post COVID trend apparently.
BELINDA RUSSELL: Yeah, and you need to make sure you book as well, Senator. I mean, you're there what's the feeling like. Do you, have you changed your eating out time to a bit earlier and your bedtime a little bit earlier as well. Or late night rager?
JANE HUME: Yeah, that's me. You can tell can't you, that I go clubbing? No. I'm wrapped that we're talking about this actually. I went out to dinner to a very nice restaurant, on Friday night and I had a 5:40pm reservation. By 7:30, I was done and dusted, and home for Gardening Australia which was lovely. That's my idea of a really good night out. But look, the most important thing about this is I think that restaurants themselves are pivoting to cope with coming back to life after lock downs, and particularly in Melbourne. You know it was only a year ago that we were locked down here. It's quite extraordinary when you think about it that way. But also because you know the cost of doing business is going sky high. It's going right through the roof. I spoke to one restaurant owner who was telling me that the cost of frozen chips has gone up 30% just since the beginning of the year. And of course for these guys, they've got to find ways to make their businesses work. So opening up earlier and doing those two shifts is a really good way of going about it. I love seeing businesses pivot to suit the circumstances.
BELINDA RUSSELL: Yeah, as you said, it's just good to see everyone out and about again. All right. It's the day of the NRL’s big dance here in Sydney. The Parramatta Eels taking on the Penrith Panthers at 7:30 tonight Wendy, who's your pick?
WENDY KINGSTON: Strength of the animal Belinda and that's how I'm coming second in the family tipping competition at the moment. My pick obviously, panther is stronger than an eel so I'm going the Panthers.
BELINDA RUSSELL: Love it. Jane, we know that you're from Melbourne and prefer AFL but it's really not going to take much to you know beat last weekend's performance right?
JANE HUME: Well, in my mind too much football is barely enough and but I am you're right I am. I'm a St Kilda supporter. We are very much the underdog. So I'm definitely backing the Eels this time around. That and the fact that they have a really creepy mascot, which I think is fantastic. Bring it on. Go Eels.
BELINDA RUSSELL: I love it. I love that you know the vote is for the creepy mascot. All right ladies. Thank you so much for your time.