Coronavirus Australia live news: Premiers’ warning on ‘Invasion Day’ rallies; Scott Morrison, Annastacia Palaszczuk at odds over camps
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has joined her Victorian counterpart in issuing a stern message as thousands of protesters prepare to march across the country on Australia Day.
- Leaders’ warning on ‘Invasion Day’ protests
- PM, Palaszczuk at odds over camps
- Nation adds 50,000 jobs in December
- Djokovic’s letter to Australia
- Confusion over tennis hotel costs
- Alarm over mining camp lockdown
- PM seals deal for gas-led recovery
Welcome to live coverage of Australia’s response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has joined her Victorian counterpart in issuing a stern message as thousands of protesters prepare to march across the country on Australia Day. Scott Morrison has criticised a plan by the Palaszczuk government to use regional workers camps to house international arrivals in quarantine. Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen to 6.6 per cent, meeting expectations as the economy added 50,000 jobs through the final weeks of the year. Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says the new figures indicate government assistance measures during the pandemic are working.
Joseph Lam 9.50pm: Thanathorn faces lese majeste over vaccine criticism
The man who ran against the Thai junta is now facing “politically motivated” charges over criticising the Kingdom’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy.
Thailand is set to produce 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine with local company Siam Bioscience, which is under full control by the Kingdom.
The government acused former Opposition leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit of defaming the monarchy and commiting computer crimes after he criticised Thailand’s reliance on a single manufacturer to produce the vaccine. He is accused of breaking section 112 of royal defamation law.
“I believe all the cases against me, not only this one, are politically motivated,” said Thanathorn on Thursday.
“It’s because we challenge the status quo, we challenge the establishment.”
“Imagine this, I’m 42, before I did politics for two years, 40 years of my life I’ve never been charged, I’ve never been prosecuted, not even one case, not even one case.
“I started politics two years ago, I don’t know, I have countless cases against me.”
WATCH: @Thanathorn_FWP remains defiant after hit with #lesemajeste suit for criticizing govt’s #COVID19 vaccine policy and relying on one company linked to the monarchy. He says charges are “politically motivatedâ€.
— Saksith Saiyasombut (@SaksithCNA) January 21, 2021
Here’s my short @ChannelNewsAsia report. pic.twitter.com/5YGtkR8e8y
If found guilty Thanathorn could face up to a 15-year imprisonment.
Read more: Adrenaline junkie tycoon Thanathorn takes on Thai junta
Joseph Lam 9.15pm: Bangladesh next in India’s ‘free’ jab line
Bangladesh was ‘gifted’ two million COVID-19 vaccinations from India on Thursday, the third South Asian nation to receive a supply from New Delhi.
The Bangladesh government said it plans to start inoculating its 168 million people with India’s Covishield vaccine, made with AstraZeneca and Oxford and produced locally at the Serum Institute, as early as next week.
Bangladesh Health Minister Zahid Maleque said his country will buy an extra 30 million doses of the vaccine, received in monthly consignments of five million.
About 600 doctors and nurses will be vaccinated early next week before a nationwide rollout begins in early February.
With AFP
Read more: India greenlights world’s largest vaccine drive
Joseph Lam 8.45pm: Central Shanghai shut down over new cases
A neighbourhood in China’s most populous city is being evacuated after three new cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Thursday.
It is not yet clear how many people have been moved from the area in downtown Shanghai which has since had some roads sealed off.
Two cases are hospital staff and neighbours and a third is contact of the staff.
Authorities were seen disinfecting buses before residents were ferried to a nearby hotel, an AFP reporter said.
The news arrives after Beijing authorities locked down 1.6 million on Wednesday after the Chinese capital recorded seven new cases, two of which were linked to the highly-infectious UK variant of COVID-19.
China has reported 5,000 COVID-19 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
With AFP
Read more: China kept silent over infected worker: Pompeo
Cliona O’Dowd 8.15pm: 2020 super winners shrug off Covid turmoil
Australia’s best-performing superannuation fund shrugged off the turmoil that gripped markets early in 2020 to finish out the year with an impressive 9.6 per cent return, according to research house SuperRatings.
The near-10 per cent return achieved by Suncorp’s Multi-Manager Growth Fund was well ahead of the median super fund return of 3.3 per cent for the year.
Coming in second place was Australian Ethical’s balanced option, which returned 8 per cent, and Vision SS, which delivered a 6.2 per cent return for members in its balanced option.
Read the full story here.
Melissa Yeo, David Ross 7.30pm: Liquidators called in at soup dumpling specialists
Two of Sydney’s most popular up-market restaurant chains Lotus Dining and Din Tai Fung have collapsed.
Greengate Advisory liquidator Patrick Loi has been appointed on Thursday after the collapse of the Lotus restaurant chain after a year where Covid lockdowns have smashed the hospitality and dining industry.
The seven restaurants in the Lotus Dining Group include its latest site at Sydney’s Barangaroo, as well as its 270-seat designer restaurant at The Galeries.
Lotus temporarily closed all its restaurants in March at the height of the pandemic as the state government shuttered businesses across Sydney.
Greengate Advisory has been contacted for comment. Calls to the Lotus were not answered on Thursday.
While Covid-linked lockdowns hit the restaurant industry earlier this year, border closures following the NSW Covid outbreak are crunching the sector. Figures compiled by the Tourism & Transport forum show border closures over summer have cost tourism businesses nearly $7bn in just five weeks during what is usually the industry’s busiest trading period.
Read the full story here.
Joseph Lam 7pm: US Covid death toll surpasses that of WWII troops
COVID-19 deaths in the US have reached a grim new milestone surpassing the country’s troop fatalities in World War II, with US President Joe Biden warning the worst is yet to come.
On Wednesday the US recorded 405,400 virus-related deaths, one death more than the total number of troops whose lives were lost in WWII, A Johns Hopkins University tracker showed.
US Covid-19 deaths surpass American troop fatalities in World War II.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 21, 2021
New US President Joe Biden warns the worst is yet to comehttps://t.co/sswnR8nc73 pic.twitter.com/BNuPJ7DUHg
The US remains the worst-hit country in the world, accounting for about a fifth of the world’s two million COVID-19 deaths.
President Biden warned that the US is set to fare far worse in coming months.
“We need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We’re entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus,” Mr Biden said at his inauguration, where those in attendance wore face masks and social distancing was enforced.
The announcement came as the WHO confirmed that the virus variant first detected in Britain had spread to more than 60 countries, while one that emerged in South Africa has made it to 23.
With AFP
Read more: Trump backers undone by US Covid crisis, election fail
Joseph Lam 6.40pm: Cannabis, ice, permits found at Vic checkpoint
A NSW man has had his license suspended and faces a $500 fine after he was found with what is believed to be cannabis and ice at a border checkpoint in Victoria.
State Highway Patrol members got more than they bargained for after noticing a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside a vehicle they stopped at a border checkpoint this morning.
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) January 21, 2021
🔗 https://t.co/7IANcZDEv2 pic.twitter.com/7tl9L55Tzm
About 7am on Thursday police stopped a vehicle at a Barmah border checkpoint to see if the driver had a registered travel permit.
A strong smell wafting out of the vehicle led police to believe the driver, 30, from Moama in NSW, was travelling with far more than a permit.
A quick search found a valid permit among what is believed to be cannabis and ice. The man later tested positive to a drug test.
Police said the man faces a $496 fine and a six-month suspension for drug driving. He was also issued defect notices for several faults on the vehicle.
Read more: Dan’s great wall of Melbourne goes up
Rebecca Urban 6.19pm: Barty ’caught breaking strict COVID-19 rules’
World number one tennis champion Ash Barty was forced to apologise on Thursday, after she was spotted shopping in Melbourne without a mask in an apparent breach of the state’s ongoing coronavirus regulations.
Sky News reported that the Australian tennis star was at a Coles supermarket in Prahran in the city’s inner east at the time. Despite Victoria recording no new COVID-19 cases in more than a fortnight, the state continues to require masks be worn in certain indoor settings, including inside shopping centres, indoor markets and large retail stores, such as supermarkets.
Barty’s manager reportedly issued a statement, describing her actions as “an innocent mistake” and said the 24-year old would work harder to better comply with coronavirus regulations.
The mishap comes as Barty called on her international colleagues, who have been complaining about Victoria’s quarantine requirements and conditions, to put matters into perspective, insisting that the health of Victorians should be a priority.
Barty, who has not played a competitive match since she was a semi-finalist in Qatar last February, will travel to Adelaide for an exhibition match next week to kick off her campaign leading into next month’s Australian Open.
Stephen Rice 5.56pm: Leaders issue warning on ‘Invasion Day’ rallies
Thousands of protesters plan to march in “Invasion Day” rallies across the country on Australia Day, with police warning they will not tolerate any anti-social or criminal behaviour and will take action to ensure COVID rules are not broken.
More than 5000 people are expected to take part in an “Invasion Day” rally in Sydney’s Domain on Australia Day before marching through the city as part of the global Black Lives Matter protests.
Under current COVID rules a maximum of 500 people are permitted to attend an outdoor protest, with the one person per two square metres rules also applying.
As NSW recorded its fourth day free from community transmission, Premier Gladys Berejiklian told The Australian: “I understand people feel strongly about these issues, but the NSW health orders are in place this year for a reason, and people must respect them.
“In the interests of public health, the police will take any necessary steps to make sure the rules are not broken.”
NSW Police have not received any notice from organisers for an authorised protest at The Domain on Australian Day.
In a Facebook post, organisers declared that January 26 “marks 233 years since British imperialism invaded Gadigal lands to begin a colonial occupation that created Australia”.
“The oppression facing First Nations communities is too urgent not to proceed with a mass protest demanding change, even if it breaches the regulations,” organisers said.
“If the NSW government can facilitate 10,000 people attending the cricket they can ensure our rally proceeds safely without police harassment.”
However, the protest would be a COVID safe event, with strict safety protocols, the organisers said.
“We request you do not attend if you have any cold or flu like symptoms, wear a mask and practice social distancing.”
In Melbourne protesters are planning to gather on the steps of Parliament House at a rally hosted by Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance (WAR). More than 4600 people have expressed interest in going on Facebook, with WAR claiming it had a COVID safety plan in place.
But Premier Daniel Andrews issued a stern warning to those planning to attend that with Victoria recording its 15th straight day without any new locally acquired coronavirus cases, saying “now is not the time to protest”.
“We‘ve built something precious and unique … Victorians have through their sacrifice and their commitment and their compassion for each other,” Mr Andrews said.
“We have to safeguard that. And the best way to do that is to follow the rules and to be absolutely vigilant. That’s the most important thing.”
Mr Andrews is already under significant pressure with 10 cases of coronavirus in hotel quarantine linked to the Australian Open, and would be significantly embarrassed by a repeat of the Black Lives Matter protest last year.
That protest on the weekend of June 6-7 last year took place just over a week before the first day Victoria recorded double-digit new cases – 12 on June 15 – leading into the state’s second COVID wave.
Victorian Police will have a strong presence at the rally on Australia Day to ensure compliance with health orders.
“As always, police will not tolerate any anti-social or criminal behaviour from any sector of the community,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
“Anyone looking to attend an event to cause trouble can expect a firm response from police; you will be arrested and held to account if you commit a crime.”
In other states, 2600 people have expressed interest in a protest rally at Forrest Place in Perth, while 1800 plan to walk in a “Survival Day” march in Victoria Square, in Adelaide. A rally is also planned for Queens Gardens in Brisbane.
READ MORE: Andrews urges Australia Day protests not to go ahead
Fin McHugh 5.35pm: New rules for flights begin on Friday
Returning travellers must test negative to COVID-19 and wear a mask on their flight from tomorrow.
The measures were announced after an emergency meeting of national cabinet on January 6, but Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed they will come into effect on Friday.
Mr Hunt told reporters on Thursday he was “apologetic” about any inconveniences to travellers, but said they were necessary to neuter the threat of highly contagious new COVID-19 strains.
“We have to be ever-vigilant and responding to international events as they occur,” he said.
“These (measures) will be challenging for many people and I am apologetic that we need to put in place these restrictions.
“But those global comparisons of the success at home (to) the agonising challenge abroad, (and) the fact that we have new, more virulent strains emerging around the world, remind us of precisely why we have been able to keep Australians safe.”
Mr Hunt signed the Biosecurity Act orders on Thursday, with tests to be required within 72 hours of departure.
Aircrew are also obligated wear masks on flights, and take a COVID-19 test every seven days or on arrival in Australia.
NCA Newswire 5.08pm: ‘Not the time’: Premier’s protest warning
Daniel Andrews has issued a stern warning to Victorians not to attend any upcoming anti-Australia Day rallies.
Thousands are expected to gather at the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne for an “Invasion Day” protest on January 26.
But the Premier warned “now is not the time to protest”.
While rally organisers are encouraging COVID-safe measures, nearly 5000 people have expressed their interest in swarming the top end of Spring Street at about 10.30am next Tuesday.
“We invite you to stand with us to abolish Australia Day. Today is a day of mourning for our people and marks a day of resistance against the British invasion,” rally organisers posted.
They also mentioned COVID marshals would be in attendance.
It comes after Victoria recorded its 15th straight day without any new locally acquired coronavirus cases.
Joseph Lam 4.44pm: Bhutan pauses vaccine rollout
Bhutan has paused the rollout of 150,000 COVID-19 vaccines it was “gifted” from India yesterday, saying that the Himalayan kingdom would wait until “inauspicious month” ended before beginning vaccinations.
The announcement has attracted criticism after officials had previously said the country would vaccinate its entire population within seven days.
“Once we have the required number of doses, our plan is to vaccinate the entire population … in one week,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement on Monday.
It was “important we roll out the nationwide vaccination on an auspicious date”, it read.
A follow-up statement announced the pause.
“Upon consulting with Zhung Dratshang (the Commission for Monastic Affairs), we were informed of Dana (inauspicious month) which falls between February 14 and March 13. We will wait until the period is over,” it read.
Bhutan barred foreign tourists from entering the country in March after infection numbers rose sharply. It has recorded a single death out of a population of about 750,000 people.
With AFP
READ MORE: India out to vaccinate 300,000 people a day
Anton Nilsson 4.15pm: School testing site shut for deep clean
A public school in Western Sydney has undergone a deep clean ahead of the start of the school year, after the pop-up testing clinic hosted on its grounds was shut down.
Incredible images show workers in hazmat suits disinfecting surfaces at Berala Public School on Thursday morning.
Disinfectant was sprayed on to playground equipment, walls and classroom desks in the major operation to get the school ready for the return of its students on January 29.
Joseph Lam 3.40pm: Police urge vigilance, Covid-safe Australia Day
NSW Police are calling on residents to obey public health orders, drive responsibly and look after each other this Australia Day as a new operation looks to double penalise drivers who break road rules.
From midnight Friday police will roll out Operation Australia Day 2021 which will see motorists lose double demerit points for speeding, mobile phone use, motorcycle helmet and seatbelt offences.
Police Minister David Elliott MP said while this year’s celebration will be different to past years, the community should still come together in the spirit of mateship.
“Over the Australia Day weekend I urge people to celebrate safely – abide by the public health orders and the road rules,” he said.
“If you plan on having a drink – do so responsibly.”
The call for vigilance comes after a number of lives have already been lost this year said Acting Assistant Commissioner Stephen Hegarty.
“Australia Day is about mateship, camaraderie, and looking out for each other. We want to see that on our roads,” he said.
“It’s been a tough 12 months for everyone and sometimes drivers can forget that in each and every vehicle is a loved one, a mate, a mother, a father, child or a sibling.
“Police will be doing everything in their power to work with the community in ensuring that motorists and their families arrive at their destination safely and enjoy this upcoming Australia Day holiday.”
READ MORE: Australia Day long weekend crackdown
Charlie Peel 2.45pm: PM, Palaszczuk at odds over camps for arrivals
Scott Morrison says the Palaszczuk government’s proposal to use regional workers camps to house international arrivals in quarantine has concerned locals, including the city’s Labor mayor, who see it as “dumping” a Brisbane problem on the north.
Speaking in Gladstone on Thursday morning, ahead of a meeting with Annastacia Palaszczuk on Friday to discuss the idea, Mr Morrison said the Queensland government would need to get “locals on board”.
The frontrunner for the government’s proposal is a mining camp in Calliope, near Gladstone.
The prime minister suggested the central Queensland city would need to gain some benefit out of the situation, which could be through allowing additional intake of seasonal workers from overseas to fill job shortages in the agriculture sector.
“I haven’t seen the proposal yet, I’m not even sure it’s come forward to the federal government,” Mr Morrison said at a press conference.
“I spoke to the Labor mayor (Matt Burnett) here last night, he hasn’t seen a proposal yet either.
“I spoke to a lot of people overnight as well and I think there are clear concerns here in Gladstone for a lot of quite sensible reasons.
“For something like that to even be considered I think the premier would have to get the local Labor mayor on board for a start, and I don’t think that’s happening at this point.”
Mr Morrison said locals were worried the virus could spread from the quarantine camp and affect workers in the region’s resources industry.
The idea of using the camps for quarantine came after a cleaner at a Brisbane hotel being used to house international arrivals was infected with COVID-19, prompting a three-day lockdown of the city.
READ the full story here.
Adeshola Ore 1.25pm: JobKeeper and JobTrainer are working: Cash
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says the latest labour market figures show Australia’s labour market continued to recover at the end of 2020.
Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 6.6 per cent in December, meeting expectations as the economy added 50,000 jobs through the final weeks of the year.
Senator Cash said Australia was heading towards record levels of labour participation in March 2020.
“These figures show that our policies like Jobkeeper and JobTrainer are working, keeping more Australians in work and skilling them for the future,” she said.
“Last year was extremely challenging for families, households, businesses and jobs, but what today’s data shows, as it did for November is the resilience of our economy.”
READ MORE: Australia’s jobless rate falls to 6.6pc
Adeshola Ore 1.10pm: New rules for international travellers
International travellers arriving in Australia will be required to get tested for COVID three days before departing, under new laws that will come into effect from tomorrow.
Health Minister Greg Hunt also announced that masks would be compulsory on international flights arriving in Australia.
Mr Hunt said the protocols would be “difficult and challenging” for many people but were necessary to keep Australians safe from more contagious strains of the virus that have emerged abroad.
“We have to be ever-vigilant and respond to international events as they occur,” he said.
READ MORE: Snap decisions leave $7bn bite in tourism
Adeshola Ore 1.00pm: Boost to Covid workforce
Health Minister Greg Hunt says at least 500 additional employees will be added to Australia’s COVID vaccine workforce.
Mr Hunt said the additional workers would assist in Indigenous communities and aged care facilities.
“This is on top of hospital staff, our cornerstone general practices, state vaccination clinics, the work of, in particular, the Commonwealth vaccination clinics and Indigenous or Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations, he said.
Mr Hunt said Australia has secured 140 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and would not pre-empt any additional purchases given the highly competitive global market for the jabs.
READ MORE: Wards deserted from here to maternity
Adeshola Ore 12.33pm: Morrison slams CA over Australia Day
Scott Morrison has criticised Cricket Australia for not using the term “Australia Day” in its Big Bash League.
Three Big Bash clubs will wear Indigenous jerseys and Cricket Australia will drop the term “Australia Day” to spark conversations about the day’s history.
Mr Morrison said Australia had never been a country that “airbrushed” its history and its relationship with Indigenous Australians.
“The apologies that have been put into place shows that we’re prepared to deal with our past, but more importantly we don’t allow it to get in the way of our future and we’ve got to always remain focused on that,” he told reporters in Queensland.
“We are such a blessed country. We are such a country that is enabled to achieve things that are the envy of the rest of the world and we want to keep doing that.”
READ MORE: PM slams Cricket Australia
Jess Malcolm 12.20pm: SA raises cap on visitors to homes to 200
The South Australian government is raising its cap on visitors to the home from 50 to 200 as of midnight tonight as the state recorded another day free from COVID-19.
The state recorded two new infections, both thought to be old infections and both already in hotel quarantine.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said gatherings between 50 and 200 would need to have COVID-19 safe plans, and $1000 fines would be given out to people if they exceeded the cap.
“Between 50 and 200, residents would need to have a COVID-safe plan in place, they would need to appoint a COVID marshal for their function, they would need to keep a guest list and they would also need to use a QR scanner.”
However, health authorities said it would be “very rare” for people to exceed the cap.
Health authorities also flagged its border restrictions will be released on January 31, pending no new locally acquired infections in NSW.
They also said all travel restrictions with NSW remain in place for now due to South Australia’s vulnerability with “the most relaxed restrictions in the country”.
South Australia currently has just five active cases of COVID-19.
READ MORE: Overseas travel ban makes tropics outlook grim
Adeshola Ore 12.08pm: Concerns over regional Queensland quarantine: PM
Scott Morrison says legitimate concerns remain about the proposal by Queensland Premier Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to use mining camps to quarantine overseas arrivals.
Ms Palaszczuk has suggested a process which would operate similar to the Northern Territory’s Howard Springs facility. She said she would raise the matter with the national cabinet which will meet tomorrow.
Mr Morrison said no plan had been presented to the federal government.
“I spoke to a lot of people overnight and I think there are clear concerns here in Gladstone for a lot of quite sensible reasons,” he told reporters in Queensland where he is touring the west and northwestern parts of the state.
“I think there are concerns here that people don’t want to see Brisbane’s problems dumped on the north. You hear that a bit.”
READ MORE: Wards deserted from here to maternity
Adeshola Ore 11.44am: World is watching new gas deal: Resources Minister
Resources Minister Keith Pitt says the world will be watching Australia’s new gas deal that will guarantee domestic supply at lower prices.
On Wednesday, the Morrison government signed a two-year deal with large east-coast LNG exporters to offer uncontracted gas first to Australian companies, in a bid to keep prices down and lower costs for manufacturers as part of the government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
“We know the world is watching Australia very closely,” he told reporters in Yarwun, Queensland where he was visiting an oil refinery with Scott Morrison.
“I want to ensure we continue to deliver Australia’s gas and resources for Australian users and maintain our reputation internationally as a reliable supplier of energy and resources right around the world.”
READ MORE: PM’s gas-fired Covid recovery
Cliona O’Dowd 11.33am: Nation adds 50,000 jobs in December
Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 6.6 per cent in December, meeting expectations as the economy added 50,000 jobs through the final weeks of the year.
The 0.2 per cent drop from November’s unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent saw the number of people employed across the nation rise to 12,910,800, according to the seasonally adjusted figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The decline in the unemployment rate was slightly better than the market’s forecast of a 0.1 per cent fall, but the number of jobs added was in line with expectations.
While the number of employed workers increased on the month prior, it is still down 63,900, or 0.5 per cent, on the same time last year.
The number of full-time workers climbed by 35,700 in the month, alongside a 14,300 rise in part-time jobs.
The participation rate, meanwhile, rose to a record 66.2 per cent, up from 66.1 per cent in November.
The underemployment rate, which takes account of workers who are employed but want to work more hours, declined to 8.5 per cent in December, down from November’s 9.4 per cent.
The drop in the unemployment rate, which is now at its lowest level since April last year, comes as businesses adjust to the lower JobKeeper rate that kicked in at the start of this month.
From January 4, JobKeeper payments for employees working 20 hours or more a week were cut from $1200 a fortnight to $1000.
Meanwhile, for workers employed for less than 20 hours a week, the payment was slashed from $750 to $650.
Despite concern from some industry groups about the looming loss of support, Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week reaffirmed that the JobKeeper program will come to an end on March 28 as he said the economy couldn’t run on government money forever.
But he has left the door open for further support for the sectors that are yet to recover from the pandemic.
Read more in the Trading Day blog
Adeshola Ore 11.16am: Australia-US alliance ‘more important than ever’: PM
Scott Morrison has declared Australia’s current alliance with the US more important than ever after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office in Washington DC this morning (AEDT).
The Prime Minister said the relationship between the two allies was more important than “anytime since the end of the Second World War”.
“I appreciate the very warm sentiment we’re already getting back from the Biden administration and the many challenges we have to work together, both within our alliance and more broadly in multilateral forums,” Mr Morrison told reporters in Queensland on Thursday.
Anthony Albanese has accused Mr Morrison of pandering to Donald Trump during his presidency and eroding Australia’s relationship with the US.
READ MORE: Can Biden avoid Obama’s big mistake?
Jess Malcolm 11.11am: NSW records zero local cases, testing numbers hit by ‘IT issue’
NSW has recorded its fourth day free from community transmission, following 12,213 tests reported to 8pm last night.
This is a significant drop in the previous day’s testing rates of 19,959 due to 6000 tests not included due to a “minor IT issue”.
NSW recorded zero new locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) January 21, 2021
There were five cases recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,895. pic.twitter.com/RghhsdJXxM
NSW Health says these figures will be counted in tomorrow’s numbers, and clarified that there were no delays in reporting test results to these individuals who had been tested.
There were five cases recorded in returned travellers who are all in hotel quarantine.
People in Sydney’s northern beaches are urged to be on high alert after sewage surveillance overnight detected fragments of the virus at a treatment plant in Warriewood.
There were also fragments found at Berala and Glenfield in Sydney’s southwest.
“While this likely reflects known recently confirmed cases in these areas, everyone living or working there should monitor for symptoms and get tested and isolate immediately if they appear,” NSW Health said.
READ MORE: NSW restrictions could ease within days
Jess Malcolm 11.06am: Andrews confirms funding arrangement for tennis quarantine
Premier Daniel Andrews has again confirmed today that his government will not foot the bill for quarantine for tennis players.
“We are not paying for hotel quarantine,” Mr Andrews said.
“There are some other costs that we are assisting in the meeting because of the rescheduling of the tournament and the specific COVID nature of the tournament, it’s obviously very different.”
This comes after there was confusion yesterday over comments made from Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley which contradicted what the Andrews government had said.
Tennis Australia clarified the comments yesterday afternoon, saying it will fund the quarantine program.
READ MORE: TA to foot $40m quarantine bill
Adeshola Ore 11.02am: Morrison defends no price controls in gas deal
Scott Morrison has defended not implementing price controls in the government’s new two-year gas deal which it says will boost Australia’s recovery from COVID.
On Wednesday, the federal government signed a two-year deal with large east-coast LNG exporters to offer uncontracted gas first to Australian companies. It says the deal will keep gas prices down and lower costs for manufacturers post the pandemic.
The Prime Minister said the deal would be driven by market forces and ensure that Australian manufacturers and users had access to cheaper gas that reflects the competitive global market.
“No doubt there will be energy companies and others who will want to set a floor on that price and they’ll want government control and all these things to shore up their position. But that’s not what this is about,” the Prime Minister told 4RO radio on Thursday.
“There’s a strong market for gas around the world and Australian gas users, particularly manufacturers, should get the benefit of that competition and the lower prices that come with that.”
“This is about removing those obstacles out of the way to make sure that gas can flow to Australian businesses and create Australian jobs.”
READ MORE: PM’s gas-fired COVID recovery plan
Jess Malcolm 10.56am: Announcement ‘soon’ on fruit picking arrangements
Premier Daniel Andrews said the Victorian government will not be able to get the necessary 25,000 workers who are critical to pick fruit for the state’s agricultural industry.
Mr Andrews said the government has been working with state and federal governments on this issue, and will be able to make an announcement “quite soon”.
While he said good news is on the way, quarantine issues mean it is too challenging to get the required number.
“I think we’ve come up with a plan that’s very good, but I don’t think we can get 25,000 people here,” Mr Andrews said.
“Any quarantine arrangements have to be safe. It’s not a value judgement, it’s a fact.
“It’s not possible to have tens of thousands of seasonal workers at this time. All of us have to adjust, do things differently.”
Mr Andrews said he is open to setting up a quarantine arrangement with people from Pacific Island nations, however flagged their status would need to change from orange to green for it to go ahead.
“Pacific Island nations are orange at the moment because of the mere fact that their testing rates are low.
“We have an arrangement with New Zealand at the moment which is working well.”
READ MORE: Aussies choose savings over love
Jess Malcolm 10.16am: Queensland to relax restrictions on Friday
Queensland Health authorities will relax a host of its restrictions tomorrow as the state records no new cases of community transmission, following 7410 tests in the past 24 hours.
At 1am on Friday morning, Queensland residents will be able to have 50 people to their homes, as well as 100 people can gather in public spaces.
Regulations in pubs, clubs, hotels will go back to a two square metre rule. Weddings will be able to have 200 people, with dancing allowed. Funerals will also be able to have a maximum of 200 people.
“This is wonderful news today and can I sincerely thank the people of greater Brisbane in those local government areas of Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and Moreton, you have done an absolutely terrific job,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Mandatory mask wearing will also be removed, except in airports and on aeroplanes as mandated by the national cabinet.
However, Ms Palaszczuk encouraged people to still wear them in crowded areas such as public transport or shopping centres.
The roadmap for all Queenslanders 👇 #covid19 pic.twitter.com/NdJMmmaDNA
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) January 20, 2021
“I think there would be a lot of other places around the world that would be very envious of the lifestyle that we have here in Queensland. I want to preserve that lifestyle for many years to come,” she said.
READ MORE: Brisbane’s COVID restrictions to ease
Adeshola Ore 10:05am: Morrison flags increased tourism support
Scott Morrison has flagged stepping up financial support for the tourism sector, as the industry grapples with the likelihood of international borders remaining closed throughout this year.
The travel industry is in talks with the Morrison government on a limited extension of JobKeeper after March 28. The hospitality sector is also consulting with Treasury about ongoing financial assistance for accommodation and food services businesses once the $90bn pandemic wage subsidy scheme ends at the end of March.
The Prime Minister has not ruled out offering further taxpayer support for the travel sector.
“We’re going to take it step by step. We’ve demonstrated we’ve been prepared to step up when targeted, proportionate support is needed,” he told 4RO radio on Thursday.
“We’ve done that in the past and I think our track record speaks for itself.”
Border closures imposed by some premiers have cost tourism businesses nearly $7bn in just five weeks during what is usually the industry’s peak trading period.
READ MORE: Missing dividends start to hurt
AFP 9.55am: Dutch set for first curfew to curb coronavirus
The Netherlands plans to impose a nationwide curfew for the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
The country will also ban flights from Britain, South Africa and South America from January 23 as concern mounts about the spread of COVID-19 variants, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told a press conference.
The curfew — from 8:30pm to 4:30am — is set to start “in the next few days” after it gets MPs’ approval and will last until February 10.
“It is a severe measure. Nobody wants a curfew. Nobody is applauding this,” the Prime Minister said.
“Of course, we can’t and don’t want to take such a drastic step without the approval of parliament. If there is sufficient support only then we will take a definitive decision.”
Rutte and his cabinet resigned on Friday over a scandal involving child tax benefits, but they will continue to govern until elections in mid-March.
READ MORE: Frydenberg must take the lead
Ben Wilmot 9.20am: Vicinity Centres takes $570m hit on mall
Shopping centre owner Vicinity Centres has taken a $570m hit on the value of its mall portfolio with most of the pain coming at its CBD complexes.
The company was hit by a net valuation decline of 4 per cent over the last half on its 60 directly-owned retail properties.
Vicinity CEO Grant Kelley blamed the pandemic and warned that its effects were ongoing for shopping centres, given the risk of more outbreaks.
“COVID-19 impacted the global economy materially in 2020, the effects of which continue to be felt into 2021,” he said.
“Our CBD centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, however, continued to be impacted by the current low levels of tourism and office occupancy,” Mr Kelley said.
But the more non-discretionary retail focused neighbourhood and sub regional centres have had more resilient valuations generally, while providing a higher income yield.
The company said across the portfolio, outside of CBD locations, customer activity was returning to near pre-COVID levels.
In December 2020, centre visitation across Vicinity’s portfolio averaged 88.4 per cent of the prior year.
READ MORE: Report confirms suspicion’s on China Covid response
Jess Malcolm 8.40am: Tech giants offer with vaccine rollout
Tech giant Amazon has offered to help President Joe Biden in his election promise to get 100 million Americans vaccinated against COVID-19 in the next 100 days.
Chief of Amazon’s worldwide consumer business Dave Clark sent a letter to Mr Biden urging that its workers get vaccinated as early as possible and offering to put the company’s resources to work in the broader vaccination effort.
Amazon is the second largest employer in the US with more than 800,000 employees, most of whom are “essential workers” who can’t do their jobs from home.
“We are committed to assisting your administration’s vaccination efforts as we work together to protect our employees and continue to provide essential services during the pandemic,” Mr Clark said.
“We are prepared to move quickly once vaccines are available,” he said.
“Our scale allows us to make a meaningful impact immediately in the fight against COVID-19, and we stand ready to assist you in this effort.”
The e-commerce giant has seen business boom during the pandemic with more people staying home to avoid the risk of getting COVID-19 resorted to shopping online and having items delivered.
Uber also offered logistical assistance just last month. Chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi US states to make sure rideshare drivers get quick access to COVID-19 vaccines so they can help with broader distribution plans. — with AFP
READ MORE: Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid relief plan
Adeshola Ore 8.27am: Scott Morrison congratulates Biden, Harris
Scott Morrison has congratulated President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on social media after they were sworn into office in Washington DC this morning.
During his inaugural speech this morning, President Biden repeated his message of unity and hope.
Congratulations to President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris on your inauguration.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 20, 2021
The Australia-US Alliance has never been more important. I wish you both every success for your time in office and look forward to working closely with your new administration.
On Twitter, the Prime Minister said Australia’s alliance with the US had “never been more important.”
“I wish you both every success for your time in office and look forward to working closely with your new administration,” he wrote.
Anthony Albanese has tweeted an image congratulating President Biden.
Congratulations, President Biden. pic.twitter.com/FbpWQhyLr4
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 20, 2021
READ MORE: ‘This is Democracy’s Day’: Biden sworn in as President
Jess Malcolm 8.15am: ‘Don’t panic’, everyone will get vaccine: WHO
The World Health Organisation says nobody should panic about getting a vaccine: all who want one will get one.
The WHO’s assistant director-general Mariangela Simao said the UN health agency was working towards ensuring access to coronavirus jabs all around the world.
“No one needs to panic, because you’re going to get a vaccine,” said Ms Simao, the assistant DG for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals.
“We’ve been working very hard to ensure that all countries, all populations, do have the opportunity to access these vaccines,” she told a WHO social media live event.
So far worldwide more than 51 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been given out, with more than 50 countries starting vaccination campaigns.
Of the 50 countries, 40 of them are high income states.
The WHO co-led Covax facility, a globally-pooled vaccine procurement and distribution effort, has struck agreements with five manufacturers for two billion vaccine doses.
It aims to secure vaccines for 20 per cent of the population in each participating country by the end of the year, with funding covered for the 92 lower and lower-middle income economies involved.
“We are expecting to have the first doses reaching countries at the end of February,” Ms Simao said.
READ MORE: Legal experts says employers can require staff to vaccinate
Remy Varga 8.15am: Vic extends zero local cases run to 15 days
Victoria has recorded 15 consecutive days of zero locally acquired cases as well as one case acquired overseas.
There are currently 34 active cases in the state.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is due to front the media at 10.15am.
Yesterday there were 0 locally acquired cases reported, and 1 in hotel quarantine. It has been 15 days since the last locally acquired case. Thank you for getting tested - 20,070 test results were received.
— VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) January 20, 2021
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/WXYW0LGG5s
Adeshola Ore 8.10am: He’s just wrong: Albanese returns fire on Fitzgibbon
Anthony Albanese has defended his leadership challenges after a poll revealing the ALP could lose two seats in its political heartland prompted a union official to call for a new leader.
The Australian has reported that a union-commissioned poll revealed the ALP faces the loss of two seats in the Hunter Valley the next election. Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon has warned the party is going backwards and is running out of time to recalibrate its narrative before the next election, which could be called this year.
“He’s wrong … He sits on the back bench. He’s just wrong,” The Opposition Leader told the ABC.
“The fact is we’ve gone forward since the last election as all the figures show.”
READ MORE: Albo laughs down challenge
Adeshola Ore 7.55am: Albanese doubles down on Morrison-Trump criticism
Anthony Albanese has doubled down on his criticism of Scott Morrison’s relationship with Donald Trump, saying the Prime Minister must be prepared to call out attacks on democracy.
Scott Morrison has accused Labor of replacing foreign policy with personal attacks after Anthony Albanese ramped up attempts to link the Prime Minister with Donald Trump and his tumultuous four-year rule.
The Opposition Leader said Mr Morrison had a duty to condemn Mr Trump for inciting this month’s deadly US Capitol riots.
“It shouldn’t have been beyond the wit for Scott Morrison to call out President Trump’s actions. We need to be the ally that the United States needs,” he told the ABC.
“What that means is friends are prepared to call out issues where they need to be called out.”
READ MORE: Biden sworn in as president
Jess Malcolm 7.40am: Border closures a $7bn hit on tourism sector
The Australian tourism industry says it is on track to lose nearly $7 billion in domestic visitor spending in what is usually the busiest trading period because of COVID-19 related border closures.
The Tourism and Transport Forum is calling on the federal government to provide more financial support when JobKeeper ends in March.
New modelling published in the Australian today predicts there will be 318,000 job losses across the tourism, transport and hospitality sectors in April to September if JobKeeper ends.
TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said pandemic related border closures was the number one cause of the industry’s suffering.
“It’s the uncertainty around the border closures and the actuality of the border closures, combined with the manifest loss of confidence reflected in Australian travellers,” Ms Osmond told the Australian.
“Maybe four to five months ago there was enormous pent-up demand. People wanted to travel, they were desperate to see friends and family, but the borders have made that virtually impossible. I’m not sure that demand exists (anymore) — their confidence is significantly rattled.
READ the full story here.
Jess Malcolm 7.25am: ‘Bloody ungrateful’: Lambie slams CA for dropping ‘Australia Day’
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has slammed a Cricket Australia decision to use the words “January 26” instead of Australia Day this weekend at its Big Bash, calling for unity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Calling the members of Cricket Australia “bloody ungrateful”, Ms Lambie said people should be focused on jobs and economic recovery during the pandemic.
“Honestly, you know what, we’ve been through hell the last 12 months with COVID, we don’t know where we’re going in the next 12 months,” Ms Lambie said on Today. “You’d think if a country were going to be united right now it would be this nation.”
“I have to ask how bloody ungrateful are people making decisions on the cricket board. We’ve got a lot more bigger things to worry about this year, getting on our feet, getting the economy ticking over again and making sure people aren’t going to end up homeless because there aren’t enough jobs.”
“Why do we do this every year to ourselves and it gives us a chance to reflect on the things we have done wrong in history and make sure we don’t bloody do them again.”
READ MORE: Australia Day proposal slammed
Jess Malcolm 7.20am: Berejiklian reignites push for NZ travel bubble
Gladys Berejiklian has reignited the push for a travel bubble with New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, calling on the federal government to reconsider its international border closures with low risk countries.
This comes after Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said international border closures would be “one of the last things to change” even after the vaccine roll out, suggesting Australians may not be able to travel until 2022.
“There is no reason why we shouldn’t aim to travel to New Zealand or some of the Pacific Islands well within the next 12 months,” the NSW Premier told The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday.
Professor Kelly said Australia was in “close discussions” with New Zealand, and that authorities are constantly reviewing the health risk of neighbouring countries in the Pacific.
NSW recorded its third consecutive day free from community transmission on Wednesday, triggering Ms Berejiklian to flag easing of restrictions next week if testing rates remain high, and case numbers low.
READ MORE: Overseas ban makes tropics look grim
Courtney Walsh 7am: Wounded Djokovic taken aback by backlash
After significant public backlash, a wounded Novak Djokovic has clarified the intent behind a list of requests he sent to Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley.
The world No 1 was widely criticised after writing to Tiley asking for a change in conditions for those forced to endure a strict lockdown prior to the Australian Open.
Among the eight-time Australian Open’s suggestions was to source private houses with courts to enable those deemed close contacts of COVID-19 carriers to quarantine safely while still being allowed to train.
Other requests included asking for better food and for training equipment to be delivered to the 72 players who are now unable to train until quarantine ends.
But not everyone was critical of Djokovic. Tiley dismissed suggestions Djokovic had demanded changes.
Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said there was nothing wrong with the 17-time major winner advocating on behalf of his peers.
Djokovic, who heads the Professional Tennis Players Association, said he was taken aback by the backlash.
Djokovic said he fully understood how difficult it is to organise events safely in a pandemic. An event he arranged in Croatia and Serbia in June ended in disarray when several players tested positive to COVID-19.
But he believes the criticism of players has been unfair.
Djokovic said the requests, which were categorised as demands, were passed on via email during a chat with Tiley.
The 33-year-old is in quarantine in Adelaide ahead of an exhibition including the worlds biggest tennis names, including world No 1 Ash Barty, who is training in Melbourne.
READ MORE: Mixed double-up over tennis quarantine bill
Jess Malcolm 6.45am: ‘Intentions misconstrued’: Djokovic’s letter to Australia
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic has responded to criticism of his list of demands he sent to Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley, saying his intentions were “misconstrued”.
In a lengthy statement he posted on Twitter late on Wednesday night, Mr Djokovic said he was trying to use his voice to help other players in hard lockdown after speaking with other players and hearing their suggestions.
“My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful,” Mr Djokovic said. “This couldn’t be farther from the truth.”
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 20, 2021
“Not every act is taken at its face value and at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people’s struggles. However, I always choose to do something and be of service despite the challenging consequences and misunderstandings.”
The Australian Open tournament has been engulfed in criticism in recent days with tennis players criticised for complaining about quarantine arrangements. Mr Djokovic said he was “sorry that it has come to that”, and thanked Tennis Australia and the Australian government for taking a risk to host the tournament.
“Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak, and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine. I am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are.”
There are now a total of ten cases associated with the tournament, with three of those set to be announced in today’s Victorian numbers.
READ MORE: Report confirms suspicions on China’s COVID response
Jess Malcolm 6.20am: Hospitals a ‘war zone’: second deadliest day in UK
The UK has recorded its second deadliest day in a row, with the government’s chief scientific adviser saying some British hospitals resembled a “war zone”.
The emergence of a new strain is hammering the country, recording another 1820 deaths from COVID breaking Tuesday’s record daily toll and taking the total number of deaths to 93,290.
Britain’s mortality rate has risen nearly 15 per cent over the past week, as surging infection rates throughout December have now fed into increasing hospital admissions and deaths.
The sobering situation is heaping fresh pressure on overstretched health services and overwrought medical staff.
“When you go into a hospital, this is very, very bad at the moment with enormous pressure and in some cases it looks like a war zone in terms of the things that people are having to deal with,” Vallance told Sky News.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has faced persistent criticism over his handling of the crisis, called the latest figures “appalling” and braced Britons for further bad news.
“There will be more to come because what we’re seeing is the result of the wave of the new variant that we saw just before Christmas,” he said.
New cases have begun to fall after weeks of rises, with the number of fresh infections recorded over the last seven days down nearly a quarter.
But both Mr Johnson and Mr Vallance insisted Wednesday that the eventual easing of restrictions would not be swift.
READ MORE: Snap decisions leave $7bn bite in tourism
Rachel Baxendale 4.55am: Tennis Australia clarifies it is paying quarantine bill
Tennis Australia has been forced to clarify that it is paying for the quarantining of Australian Open players and their teams, following contradictory statements on Wednesday from chief executive Craig Tiley and Victorian Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville.
However, both TA and the Andrews government confirmed the cash-strapped organisation was receiving substantial taxpayer funds to host the grand slam event, which begins on February 8.
The clarification followed a morning radio interview, during which Mr Tiley told 3AW that taxpayers’ money would be used to pay for quarantine. “The quarantining costs are new costs. The state government is supporting and assisting that,” he said.
A short time later, Ms Neville said that was not the case. “I did see Craig Tiley’s comments … but I want to be very clear that hotel quarantine for the Australian Open is fully funded by Tennis Australia,” Ms Neville said, adding: “I have triple-confirmed that again today.”
Ms Neville said the state government did provide funding for the Australian Open “as an event, which we do with all major events, but that is separate to the hotel quarantine program, which is completely funded by … Tennis Australia”.
Read the full story here.
Charlie Peel 4.45am: Local alarm at mining camp lockdown plans
Scott Morrison last night met with Gladstone mayor Matt Burnett over concerns about the Palaszczuk government’s proposed use of a mining camp to house returned overseas arrivals.
The Homeground mining camp in Calliope near the central Queensland coast has firmed as the first choice for a dedicated international quarantine facility to replace the use of hotels.
In a letter to the Prime Minister and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, the Gladstone Regional Council has raised 12 concerns about the proposal, outlining fears it could lead to local outbreaks and impact on the region’s vital resources industry.
Read the full story, by Charlie Peel and Michael McKenna, here.
Perry Williams 4.30am: PM seals deal for gas-fired COVID-19 recovery
Scott Morrison has struck a two-year deal with large east-coast LNG exporters to offer uncontracted gas first to Australian companies, in a bid to keep prices down and lower costs for manufacturers as part of the government’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
But the deal, signed on Wednesday night in Gladstone by the Prime Minister and Queensland’s three LNG producers, avoided formal price controls, which some big manufacturers had pushed for but were strenuously resisted by the LNG industry.
“Gas is critical to our economic recovery and this agreement ensures Australian businesses and families have the gas supply they need at the cheapest possible price,” Mr Morrison said. “This is about making Australia’s gas work for all Australians, while also supporting economic growth and backing important regional jobs in our expanding LNG sector.”
Read the full story here.
Historic arms museum in fight for its life
A small band of never-say-die volunteers is battling to save one of Australia’s most important firearms museums.
‘Ideological’ curriculum ‘impossible to teach’
Analysis of the national school curriculum outlines how school maths teachers are expected to incorporate Indigenous dance in lessons, with principals warning subjects are being over-complicated.