Here is a wrap of the day:

-- COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations continue to fall, as all states and territories (other than WA) reporting active cases and acute illness are rapidly plunging. Health officials said this may change as schools return from the summer break.

-- NSW is expecting a 4 per centage point hit to state growth from the omicron wave.

-- Federal ministers defended the government’s response to the pandemic, arguing the world-leading health and economic response would be acknowledged when voters go to the polls, expected in autumn.

-- National Party deputy leader David Littleproud said the government was getting “a kick in the rear end” as new polling showed primary support for the government had collapsed, with Labor now enjoying a 12 per cent two-party advantage.

-- The electoral commissioner Tom Rogers is predicting delays in the upcoming election voting and counts.

-- Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said tough decisions had to be made about extending pandemic support, as the Coalition NSW government continued to express frustration at the lack of Commonwealth support for a business support package.

-- NSW is offering a $500 voucher for child care support.

-- Victoria is likely to wind back QR checkins for low-risk settings, as part of review of the contact tracing system, but with work-from-home controls expected to remain.

-- Former judge and corruption buster Tony Fitzgerald is to lead an inquiry into Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission.

-- Plans for a $1.6 billion new north-south runway at Melbourne’s airport predict a 40 per cent lift in the capacity of the 24 hour airport when the runway opens in 2026. The runway has to be approved by the federal government.