THIS extended Parliamentary term has been one of the most turbulent Parliamentary sessions ever witnessed. It started in the midst of the Brexit storm, with Government, woefully underprepared, ripping us out of the EU; I resisted. Simultaneously, Coronavirus, as we then called it, was detected in the UK, in York. That weekend, the media swirled around the city and I spoke with every agency while learning of the safety precautions needed. The following days were filled with meetings with Ministers and officials, and questions in the House; images of Hazmat suites filled our screens. With February’s floods, the first of four within the year, York turned to another crisis. As we battled the elements, the prevalence of Covid-19started to rise. I had my first taste of isolation following a meeting with the Mental Health Minister and it wasn’t long before the nation followed.
BBC News
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media captionGyms say the sector has been decimated by lockdown
The delay to reopening gyms and leisure centres in Wales is short-sighted and irresponsible , gym owners have said.
Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities will be able to reopen from 10 May, including individual or one-to-one training, but not exercise classes.
But gyms are angry and disappointed and a body representing the sector said the decision doesn t stack up .
First Minister Mark Drakeford said any suggestion the decision was not based on science was completely untrue .
The Welsh government has announced a series of dates for the further easing of lockdown in Wales, including that pubs, restaurants and cafes could reopen outdoors on 16 April, and indoors after 17 May, provided cases remain low.
Sacking of former staffer in WA Deputy Premier Roger Cook s electorate office to be investigated
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Health Minister Roger Cook says his electorate office has a positive culture of inclusiveness .
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A workplace dispute involving a former staff member of WA Deputy Premier Roger Cook will be investigated by the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission, after the sacked employee claimed there was a toxic culture in the office.
Key points:
She alleges there was unbearable toxicity within the electorate office
Mr Cook says his office has a positive culture and fosters inclusiveness
Sanja Spasojevic worked for nine years in Mr Cook s electoral office in Kwinana, in Perth s south, before being sacked.
we were deeply touched by the level of difficulty these families go through trying to care for their loved ones. certainly they feel they re not getting any help from anyone. what does the government have to see about this, david? reporter: i put that question to the government. in fact, to the minister in charge of mental health, and the mental health minister said in fact, this is a high priority for them. that they are focusing on these families. but in fact, the realty is only less than 1% of the mental health budget it s less than 1% of the health budget in total. and a leading psychiatrist told us that it s really not a high priority. and in fact, if you talk to ngos who work in this field, and there are few of them, they say that these people are generally completely abandoned by government. they go to the hospitals time after time, and they really get no help. they get turned away or they re