Simon Thomsen

Simon is editor of Startup Daily.

He was previously Associate Editor of Business Insider Australia and before that a full-time restaurant critic, editor of The Good Food Guide, and a newspaper proprietor, having spent more than 25 years in journalism and publishing.

He chaired industry lobby group Australian Business Ltd's (now the NSW Business Chamber) environment committee during the Kyoto agreement era.

News & Analysis

A new Australian coronavirus app now has the latest information and advice for everyone

- March 29, 2020 < 1 MIN READ

The Morrison Government has launched Coronavirus Australia, a new app for official COVID-19 information, as well as a Whatsapp feature, partnering with Facebook and Atlassian to produce it. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the launch of the app during a $1.1 billion commitment to additional telehealth, mental health, domestic violence and emergency relief services on… Read more »

News & Analysis

Atlassian joins coronavirus fight as $1.1 billion goes to mental health, domestic violence and emergency food

- March 29, 2020 4 MIN READ

$669m is for telehealth – online consultations with GPs and other health services $74m is for mental health amid concerns about the impact of self-isolation $150m is for domestic and family violence support following a 75% spike in online searches A new government app offers advice, the latest news and other support $200 is for… Read more »

News & Analysis

Australia quarantines citizens returning from overseas in hotels, sends in troops and prepares to ‘hibernate’ small business

- March 27, 2020 4 MIN READ

People arriving in Australia from midnight March 30 will be forced to quarantine in designated hotels in the capital cities The Army will be sent to assist local police in ensuring quarantine measures are observed More economic stimulus is coming, including plans to ‘hibernate’ businesses to emerge from the shutdown State and territory leaders are… Read more »

News & Analysis

ECONOMIC HIBERNATION: Morrison government looks at 6-month mortgage repayments holiday, rent, utilities and small business relief

- March 27, 2020 2 MIN READ

The Australian government is considering putting businesses into an economic ‘hibernation’ to ensure that they aren’t left with debts and are able to resume ‘business as usual’ as soon as the coronavirus crisis is over. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told the ABC the government was looking for a “fair and equitable” way to share the… Read more »

News & Analysis

Pharmacy tech startup MedAdvisor is launching home delivery – and its shares are soaring

- March 26, 2020 2 MIN READ

 ASX-listed MedAdvisor has fast-tracked plans to launch an “Uber” for pharmacy delivery services as part of the company’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.  MedAdvisor (ASX: MDR) shares have soared more than 25% today on the news to close at 42 cents, with the company’s CEO, Robert Read, saying they’d skip a pilot phase and go… Read more »

News & Analysis

Two charts from an education startup that show the dramatic shift to online learning for schools

- March 26, 2020 3 MIN READ

  The parents of Australian children have ignored the pleadings of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Chief Medical Officer and increasingly withdrew their children from school over the past week. Even before the Victorian government announced it would end its first term early and the NSW Premier urged parents to keep their kids at home… Read more »

News & Analysis

Scott Morrison abandons 30-minute haircut rule – and hairdressers are even more outraged

- March 26, 2020 3 MIN READ

  The Australian government has scrapped a decision to limit hairdresser appointments to just 30 minutes, just 24 hours after the new rules were announced, despite the industry saying it would rather be shut down. On Tuesday night, the National Cabinet, made up of the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders announced the new… Read more »

News & Analysis

In NSW, you can now be fined $1000 for standing too close to someone

- March 25, 2020 2 MIN READ

  NSW residents will cop a $1,000 on-the-spot fines for failing to observe social distancing laws, and corporations, $5000, under new powers introduced by the state government. Police are urging people to dob in individuals or businesses breaking COVID-19-related directions to Crime Stoppers. The NSW Public Order and Riot Squad will be especially equipped with face… Read more »

News & Analysis

Stage 3 shutdowns are coming, Victorian premier warns

- March 25, 2020 2 MIN READ

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has warned that stricter lockdown measures will be coming to his state, less that 12 hours after Prime Minister Scott Morrison banned international travel, property auctions, food courts and limited weddings to five people, among a range of increased isolation measures. While the federal government has begun incrementally increasing restrictions every… Read more »

News & Analysis

NO MORE HOUSE AUCTIONS: Australia’s shutdown continues as government adds new bans and limits on public gatherings

- March 25, 2020 6 MIN READ

NEW LAWS FROM MIDNIGHT, MARCH 25 BANNED International travel (except for essential workers) Real estate auctions, open houses, and other auctions Food courts in shopping centres, except for takeaways (shopping centres remain open) Wellness and yoga centres, barre and spin facilities Indoor and outdoor play centres, youth centres and swimming pools Social sporting activities Spas,… Read more »

News & Analysis

Victorian schools close and police will enforce lockdowns as NSW Premier tells parents to keep their children at home

- March 23, 2020 4 MIN READ

Victorian schools will start holidays on Mar 24, until Apr 14 NSW is advising parents to keep children at home, but is keeping schools open for essential workers  Venues such as clubs, pubs, cinemas, gyms and places of worship will close from noon today Restaurants and cafes can serve takeaway only Western Australia, South Australia… Read more »