Coronavirus: Mask mandate, new venue alerts as NSW cluster grows by 10, hitting 21
Greater Sydney has so far avoided another lockdown, despite the NSW Covid-19 case numbers ballooning to 21, new exposure sites and a sewage alert for 21,500 residents.
- New Sydney exposure sites, sewage alert
- NSW cluster grows by 10
- It’s official: Joyce sworn in
- ‘Border acceptance may turn to anger’
- States, feds row over Pfizer supply
Welcome to our live coverage of the latest political headlines from Canberra, as well as updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
There are new Sydney exposure sites and the cluster of Covid-19 cases in NSW has grown by 10, as an urgent investigation is launched into how a pupil from a Sydney school became infected.
Accompanied by his partner Vikki Campion and their two young boys, Barnaby Joyce has been sworn in as deputy prime minister at Government House. Meanwhile Queensland Liberal MP Warren Entsch says he hopes his colleagues who oppose a net zero by 2050 ambition will “over time” come onboard, as the new Nationals leader creates a climate change policy split in the Coalition.
The head of the International Air Transport Association has slammed “repressive restrictions” on Australians in the pandemic and warned acceptance could soon turn to anger the longer borders remained closed.
Rhiannon Down 11.20pm: Flights added to exposure list
International flights between Sydney and Wellington, a Bondi restaurant and a supermarket have been added to NSW’s list of exposure venues.
Passengers onboard Qantas flight QF163 departing Sydney on June 18 at 7.05pm and arriving in Wellington on June 19 at 12.12am and Air New Zealand flight NZ247 departing Wellington at 10.13am and arriving in Sydney at 11.33am have been identified as close contacts.
Diners at Totti’s Bondi and the Royal Bondi as well as the Spring Farm Woolworths on Richardson Road have also been added to the list.
The full list of time periods for the exposure sites and health orders have been provided by NSW Health in the following tweet:
âš ï¸PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT – FLIGHTS AND VENUES OF CONCERNâš ï¸
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 22, 2021
NSW Health has been notified of flights and venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/OILyWdEOKb
Yoni Bashan10.45pm:State economy shakes off Covid
Sydney’s booming property market and a stunning turnaround in unemployment rates have put NSW on a recovery trajectory from the Covid-19 pandemic, but Treasury officials warn that the state’s success remains dependant on the reopening of international borders and no further restrictions being imposed across the business sector.
Seven months after delivering a budget that warned of surging unemployment rates and unprecedented levels of debt, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said on Tuesday that economic activity had revived to its pre-pandemic levels and appeared to be exceeding expectations in some areas.
Household spending had rebounded by 15 per cent since the height of the pandemic, while housing investments were up 18 per cent, he said. The state was tracking towards full employment by 2024-25, and business confidence had reached record levels, surpassing that of all other states and territories.
Pointing to the state’s far more robust financial position, Mr Perrottet said not only had every job lost during the pandemic been restored, but an additional 36,000 positions had been created.
“We are back to growth, and back on track – and it is no accident,” Mr Perrottet said, crediting the government’s stimulus measures and its health system with accelerating the recovery and keeping the state open.
“Today, other governments are raising taxes and cutting wages, sacrificing growth to save their budgets,” he said.
“In NSW we do not have to make that choice.”
Rhiannon Down 9.59pm: Victoria lists seven NSW areas as red zones
Victorian health authorities have listed seven NSW LGAs as red zones, in a tightening of border restrictions that bars millions of Sydneysiders from entering Victoria.
The restrictions for anyone who has been in the city of Sydney, Waverley, Woollahra, Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West and Randwick LGAs will come into effect at 1am on Wednesday.
“If you are a Victorian resident and have been in a red zone (other than for transit), you can obtain a red zone permit to enter Victoria — but you will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days,” the Victorian Department of Health said in a post on social media.
“If you are a non-Victorian resident and you have been in a red zone (other than for transit), you cannot obtain a permit and you cannot enter Victoria.
“You must have a valid permit, exception or exemption to enter Victoria. If you try to enter Victoria at a land border from a red zone without a permit, you will be sent back.”
Wollongong has been designated as an orange zone and travellers from the region will be required to isolate on arrival.
The Chief Health Officer has declared the following NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) as red zones under Victoria’s travel permit system, effective at 1:00am 23 June:
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) June 22, 2021
•City of Sydney
•Waverley
•Woollahra
•Bayside
•Canada Bay
•Inner West
•Randwick
[1/10]
Greg Brown9pm: ARENA expansion push ends
The Morrison government’s new regulation to expand the remit of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency has been expunged by the Senate.
The reform, which would allow ARENA to invest in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and electric car infrastructure, was disallowed by the upper House of Parliament with the support of Labor, the Greens and the crossbench.
AFP 8.30pm:India tests drone flights for vaccine deliveries
An aviation firm has carried out the first tests in India of longer-range drone deliveries, as hopes grow that they could deliver medicines as well as Covid-19 vaccines to remote areas.
Greater use of drones could be a game-changer for medical services in the South Asian nation’s hard-to-reach rural areas where healthcare is limited and roads often poor, experts say.
Throttle Aerospace Systems is among 20 organisations granted permits by the government since May to conduct experimental flights beyond the current limit of 450m.
Two drones — one that can carry up to 1kg for 20km or nearly an hour, and another that can lift two kilos for 15km — were tested on Monday in the southern state of Karnataka.
“Medicines was the payload here and... 2.5km were covered in seven minutes and it delivered the medicines at the designated point and the drone returned,” Throttle’s co-founder, Sebastian Anto, said at the test site in the southern state of Karnataka.
The government this month also invited bids from drone operators to help set up a pilot project for the delivering of medical supplies as it seeks to bolster its faltering coronavirus vaccination drive.
The closing date for expressions of interest was Tuesday, although the government has yet to announce when such projects would become operational.
The epidemiology chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Samiran Panda, told The Hindu daily newspaper that the technology could help vaccinate priority groups in hard-to-reach places.
“We need smart vaccination instead of mass vaccination to stem an epidemic,” he said.
Rhiannon Down 7.50pm: Melbourne restrictions to ease
Melbourne’s Covid-19 restrictions will be eased further on Wednesday, with caps on hospitality venues, weddings and funerals due to be lifted to 300 people.
Gatherings in the home will also be increased from the current limit of two visitors, while outdoor gatherings will be lifted to 50 people, according to The Herald Sun.
Office capacities will also be lifted to 75 per cent and crowds will return to major sporting events, though masks will remain mandatory indoors.
The reports come as Victoria recorded zero local cases today, just weeks after the state emerged from a two week lockdown.
Rhiannon Down 7.30pm: Bondi mysteries sparked NZ pause
New Zealand’s COVID-19 Response Minister, Chris Hipkins, says several “unknowns” surrounding the Bondi outbreak triggered the pause on the travel bubble with NSW.
“This decision follows a public health assessment today which determined that while the overall risk to public health in New Zealand currently remains low, there are still several unknowns, including a case that was infectious while in the Sydney community and a primary school age child with no clear link established at present,” he said on Tuesday night.
“The government is taking a precautionary approach and will review the decision to pause again on Thursday.”
Mr Hipkins added that the travel ban did not apply to any returning travellers from Norfolk Island.
Rhiannon Down 7pm: New Zealand halts NSW travel bubble
New Zealand has paused its quarantine-free travel arrangement with NSW from midnight, as the state battles a fresh Covid-19 outbreak that grew by 10 cases on Tuesday.
The Trans-Tasman bubble between NSW and New Zealand will be suspended for 72 hours, according to the New Zealand government.
Anyone who has visited an exposure site in Victoria, NSW, Queensland or ACT is barred from entering New Zealand until at least 14 days have elapsed.
It comes as New Zealand moved to resume free travel with Victoria from midnight.
Under the updated travel restrictions Victorians will no longer be required to take a test prior to boarding or to spend two weeks in quarantine before arriving in New Zealand.
Quarantine-Free Travel from New South Wales to New Zealand will be paused for 72 hours from 11.59pm tonight (New Zealand time). As with previous pauses, it will be under constant review. pic.twitter.com/yLDTmYi3uY
— Unite against COVID-19 (@covid19nz) June 22, 2021
Rhiannon Down 6.20pm:Rush to testing sites after Bondi Junction order
Lines at Covid-19 testing sites have ballooned after thousands of shoppers at Westfield’s Bondi Junction ordered to attend.
Anyone who visited the multi-story shopping centre in eastern Sydney, including the carpark, between Sunday, June 12, and last Friday have descended on testing sites across the city.
Images shared on social media showed lines of cars banked up at a Bondi Beach testing site, as thousands of locals race to follow heath orders issued on Tuesday.
Good to see big queues at the Bondi testing clinic. It's been like this since this morning's announcement. pic.twitter.com/TdsCYOYQlx
— DJ Dan Murphy (@DJDanMurphy) June 22, 2021
It comes as NSW residents return to mandatory masks indoors from 4pm on Tuesday, as health authorities attempt to contain the outbreak focused in Sydney’s east, which grew to include 10 new cases today.
Face masks are now mandatory in public indoor spaces across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour including retail spaces, theatres and aged care facilities as well as for frontline hospitality staff.
Visited Westfield Bondi Junction (inc car park) any day from 12-18 June? You must get tested for COVID-19!
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 22, 2021
We have increased testing capacity within the Eastern Suburbs. Find your nearest clinic: https://t.co/LmeATIQK4Zpic.twitter.com/hBSRozJkHJ
Rhiannon Down 5.50pm:New Sydney exposure sites added, sewage detection alert
A Thai restaurant, CBD bank branch and coffee chain have been added to NSW’s list of exposure sites, after the state recorded 10 local cases today.
Diners in the outdoor area at the Wallabies Thai Restaurant have been put on high alert after they become close contacts during the exposure window on Saturday night, while those who were seated indoors are casual contacts.
Anyone who visited the Chanel fragrance and beauty store at Westfield’s Bondi Junction and the Level 2 of the ANZ branch at Martin Place during the exposure window have also been designated as close contacts.
The Starbucks at Bondi Junction and Level 1 of the same ANZ branch have also been listed as exposure windows with any visitors during the time frame identified as casual contacts.
Shoppers at Mascot Central Shopping Precinct anytime between Friday June 18 and Tuesday June 22 have also been asked to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they appear.
The full list and time periods for the exposure sites have been shared by NSW Health.
âš ï¸PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT – NEW VENUES AND SEWAGEâš ï¸
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 22, 2021
NSW Health has been notified of new venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/Jz4BoJ1jCh
NSW Health has also raised the alarm after viral fragments were detected in the Lough Park sewage network in Sydney’s east and Brooklyn catchment north of Sydney.
The Lough Park catchment emcompasses about 21,500 residents and includes Clovelly, Waverley, Randwick, Centennial Park, Queens Park, Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bellevue Hill, Double Bay and Woollahra.
The Brooklyn catchment area included 1000 people across Dangar Island, Cowan, Brooklyn, Mooney Mooney and Cheerio Point, with any residents experiencing symptoms in either area urged to get tested.
“NSW Health is asking everyone in these areas to be especially vigilant in monitoring for symptoms, and if they appear, get tested and isolate immediately until a negative result is received,” the department said.
“Anyone with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms is urged to immediately come forward for testing and isolate until a negative result is received.”
Rhiannon Down5.25pm:Barnaby no barrier to net zero emissions: Sharma
Liberal MP Dave Sharma has denied that Barnaby Joyce seizing the Nationals leadership will change the government’s pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“I don’t think it changes much in that regard,” he told the ABC.
“I’m certainly personally committed to seeing net zero by 2050. The Prime Minister is as soon as possible, and preferably by 2050.
“As Barnaby said, he is there as the leader of a party and he will need to consult his party room.
“We all get a voice and a say in this. It means no one individual will triumph in a democracy such as ours.”
Mr Sharma said despite Mr Joyce’s past opposition to the net zero emissions goals, any decision would be one made by the party and guided by its constituents.
“From what I know of the new Deputy Prime Minister from what I’ve heard him say publicly on this, I think he appreciates that a transition is underway,” he said.
“And he’s keen to make sure that the communities he represents and the communities the National Party represents are both sheltered from the impacts of that and potential beneficiaries of it and I think that’s the right way to be thinking about this.”
READ MORE: Nats leader refuses to beat around the bush
Rhiannon Down5.10pm:Vaccine rollout a ‘race’ for ‘woefully unprepared’ population
Infectious disease expert Mary-Louise McLaws has described the vaccine rollout as a “race” saying that the population remained woefully unprotected as the virus threatens to spread across Sydney.
“With Pfizer, one shot plus 21 days after your first dose, you will only get a vaccine efficacy of about 33 per cent,” Professor McLaws told the ABC.
“That will increase of course after your second shot to about 88 per cent but most people haven’t had that second shot.
“With AstraZeneca, again you are about 33 per cent vaccine efficacy with the first shot plus 21 days and when you get the second shot, that will increase to about 66 per cent, but that doesn’t really start to happen until at least 14 days after the second dose, both with Pfizer and AstraZeneca.”
Professor McLaws, who is a member of the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 response team, said the focus should be moved to vaccinating younger people to prevent the spread of the virus.
“So you really do need to vaccinate as many people as possible and certainly, the 20 to 39 year olds who are mostly, sadly, the inadvertent transmitters, because they get most of the infection,” she said.
“They are about 40 per cent of all infections and then the next group after them is either 40 to 60-year-olds at about 24 per cent of caseload, so really, you are going to have to prioritise.
“After of course those who are looking after the disabled at home and those that are frontline workers, they are the group that 20 to 39-year-olds, that really will stop the spread, and then go back and do your 40 to 60-year-olds with Pfizer when you have enough.”
READ MORE:PM needs a jab on vaccine rollout
Rhiannon Down4.20pm:Uniting party Joyce’s first challenge: Chester
Veteran’s Affairs Minister Darren Chester says though he did not support Monday’s leadership spill he would be loyal to returned Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce.
“I believed there was no reason for a spill and the right time to do this is after an election which is the normal process for Nationals,” he told Sky News.
“The party room voted, there was a democratic process, and he now has to do what he said he was going to do. He has to unite the party like he said he was going to do so that will be the first challenge.”
Mr Chester said he would always support the incumbent leader, but would be loyal to Mr Joyce now he had assumed the leadership.
“My track record in terms of supporting leaders is impeccable,” he said.
“I supported Warren Truss for his entire leadership and Barnaby Joyce and Micahel McCormack for their entire leaderships.
“I have always supported leaders when they are elected by our party room, the challenge for us is to unite.
“Those that chose to end Michael McCormack’s leadership should show the same level of dignity and respect as he showed to them.”
READ MORE:Barnaby’s a serial plotter, but you have to admire him
Rhiannon Down3.45pm:Covid vaccine rollout closes in on 7 million
The nation’s vaccination rollout has surpassed 6.7 million jabs, after an additional 128,643 doses were put into arms in the past 24 hours.
This includes 2,731,089 vaccines which were administered through the states and territory health systems, with the remainder being administered through the federal system, according to the latest Department of Health figures.
An additional 57,816 jabs were delivered to the primary care sector, bringing its total to 3,571,994 doses.
Meanwhile, some 1,737 jabs were administered to those in aged and disability care, bringing the sector’s total to 416,292.
The vaccine rollout has hit further road bumps today after it was revealed the Victorian and Queensland governments would be putting the brakes on administering jabs due to a shortage of Pfizer jabs by about 40,000 doses per week.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also expressed concern, saying her government was “limited in that we can’t control supply”, hinting at similar challenges to delivery.
Despite the supply issues the federal government has spruiked a new record after it delivered more than 1.2 million doses in a week through its Vaccine Operations Centre, adding that 10,335,042 doses had been delivered to vaccination sites in total.
Adeshola Ore3.09pm:Albanese again questions Coalition’s focus
Anthony Albanese has attempted to suspend standing orders in the lower house, accusing the Morrison government of focusing on their own jobs.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who on Monday toppled former Nationals leader Michael McCormack in a spill, led the government in the chamber during question time.
The Opposition Leader said the government needed to “focus on the needs of Australians and not their own jobs.” He said the government had “two jobs this year” – running the vaccine rollout and establishing a national quarantine system.
“The incoming Deputy Prime Minister has been focusing on his own job,” he said.
READ MORE: Property clampdown could hit NSW budget
Adeshola Ore2.41pm:‘As a father of daughters’: Joyce’s women’s defence
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says “as a father of four daughters” he has a “vested interest” in the success of women in agriculture, as he addresses concerns about his reputation among females within his party and the broader community. .
During question time on Tuesday, Opposition agriculture spokeswoman Julie Collins drew on concerns raised by Australian Women in Agriculture about the reinstatement of Mr Joyce highlighting the Nationals were “still not listening to women”. The leader of The Nationals in Western Australia Mia Davies also said she was disappointed to see Mr Joyce return as leader of the federal arm of the party and to the role of deputy prime minister.
“In his capacity for Minister for Regional Development what does the Deputy Prime Minister to say to women in agriculture?” Ms Collins asked.
Mr Joyce said agriculture businesses were always a “partnership” where the family unit was “instrumental” in its success.
“As a father of four daughters, ... I have an incredible vested interest in making sure women in agriculture and every section of society have the best opportunity in the safest environment they could possibly live in,” he said.
Mr Joyce’s resignation from Nationals leader in 2018 followed revelations of his affair with a former staffer and a separate sexual misconduct allegation from former WA Rural Woman of the Year Catherine Marriott.
An investigation into that allegation by the NSW National Party found there was insufficient evidence to support Ms Marriott’s complaint.
READ MORE: Joyce’s accuser a leader in farming sector
Adeshola Ore2.16pm:Joyce leads government in question time
Question time has kicked off in the lower house, with Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce leading the government in the chamber.
Scott Morrison is attending question time via web camera this week as he self-isolates in the Lodge following his recent overseas trip to the G7 summit.
Mr Joyce, who was sworn in as Nationals Leader and deputy prime minister this morning, took a swipe at Anthony Albanese, saying he was under “a little bit of pressure himself.”
“I am your biggest supporter. We need you there. We are a big supporter of you, because you are going so very, very well,” he said.
Mr Joyce told parliament during his time on the backbench he had several conversations with people in the Labor Party who had “interesting” points to make about the Opposition Leader.
Mr Albanese accused Mr Joyce of being self-serving in his leadership ambitions.
Greg Brown1.58pm:Liberal Senator slams colleagues for ‘mansplaining’
Liberal senator Hollie Hughes has slammed male Coalition MPs for “mansplaining” amid concerns within the partyroom that extra money for childcare was “outsourcing parenting”.
The intervention from Senator Hughes - where she said “thanks to the boys for mansplaining” - led to jeers within the partyroom, while Liberal MP Jason Falinski abruptly left the meeting in anger, according to partyroom sources.
Liberal senator Gerard Rennick, Nationals senator Matt Canavan and Nationals MP George Christensen raised concerns about legislation announced before the budget pumping an extra $1.7bn in childcare.
The MPs argued there should instead be higher family support payments and tax breaks for parents, saying specifying funding for childcare could be a disincentive for parents to stay at home.
Liberal MP Jason Falinski asked whether there would be extra childcare spaces allocated for the increase in funding or whether there would be structural reform, receiving an answer of “no” to both questions.
Nationals senator Perin Davey raised concern about Mr Christiensen’s claim the package was “outsourcing parenting”.
Liberal MP Celia Hammond said mothers should be encouraged to go back into the workforce.
Sources said Senator Hughes intervened to say she wanted to “tell the men in the room what it is like to raise a kid”.
“She basically accused men of not looking after their children,” one source said.
Adeshola Ore1.38pm:McCormack tells colleagues to promote Coalition unity
Ousted Nationals leader Michael McCormack has told his colleagues they must harness the parliamentary winter break to promote the Coalition’s unity and strength.
The government held its first joint partyroom meeting on Tuesday morning - the first since Barnaby Joyce was re-elected as Nationals leader on Monday following a leadership spill. Parliament will rise on Thursday and return again in August.
Mr McCormack said at the end of the five-week break the government would be judged on “what we say and do,” according to a party spokesman. He said what MPs said over the recess would impact electorates from inner-city Melbourne to regional Queensland.
He added that the Coalition’s discipline would be tested and said MPs needed to sell the budget to Australians.
He also warned colleagues to not talk about themselves, but to sell the Coalition’s unity and strength.
He congratulated Mr Joyce and thanked his colleagues for their support.
Max Maddison 1.24pm: Unify and adapt: Joyce’s party room message
New Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has told a joint party room meeting the Coalition needs to unify, and has warned a changing world paradigm will present Australians with an unprecedented challenge the government needs to address.
In his first address as deputy prime minister, Mr Joyce thanked the deposed Michael McCormack for his “outstanding efforts and strengths”, according to a Coalition spokesman.
He also warned his colleagues they needed to adapt to a changing world.
A Liberal party spokesman said Mr Joyce said the rise of a new super power, ostensibly a reference to the rise of China, was presenting “different ways of seeing the world” and laying down a challenge for the government.
Consequently, he said they needed to ensure voters decided the Coalition, not Labor, were the party so that “our children and grandchildren” had the capacity to be who they wanted to be.
He lastly said he’d set his course on the “next six months” to serve the party and the nation.
READ MORE: ‘Death knell of the Australian Club’
Adeshola Ore1.17pm:Next election within year, PM tells Coalition MPs
Scott Morrison has urged his Coalition colleagues to “stay focused on what matters”, warning that a failure to do so will see the “reins of government” handed to the opposition.
The Coalition held their joint partyroom meeting on Tuesday morning – the first since Barnaby Joyce was re-elected as Nationals leader on Monday.
During the meeting, Mr Morrison told his colleagues that the next election would be “within a year” and said the Coalition would move on from the leadership spill, according to a party spokesman.
He attended the meeting via web camera from the Lodge where he is isolating following his overseas trip to the G7 summit.
Mr Morrison said if the Coalition failed to focus on what mattered, the “reins of government” would be handed to Labor who he said were “not fit to hold them.”
He also warned it was no time for individual agendas, according to a party spokesman.
He said he had already had some positive discussions with Mr Joyce in the past twenty-four hours.
Mr Morrison acknowledged the recent events could be viewed as disruptive but said all MPs understood the complexities of the political environment.
He also thanked Michael McCormack for his time as deputy prime minister and paid tribute to his “moving” performance in Question Time on Monday where he had his last stint in the prime minister’s chair. He said Mr McCormack’s performance would play an important role in the healing process that now needed to occur after the change of leader.
During Monday’s question time, Mr McCormack sat in the prime minister’s chair in parliament just hours after he was dumped as deputy prime minister.
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Jess Malcolm1.13pm:Tens of thousands not booking in for second Pfizer jab
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has urged Victorians to come forward to get their second dose of Pfizer, amid concern there are still “tens of thousands” of people who have not booked in.
Professor Sutton said last week there were 50,000 people who were able to receive their second dose, but only 30,000 people booked.
“The job is not finished and we need you to do it one more time,” he said.
“The first dose of Pfizer provides 60 to 70 per cent of protection but two doses finishes the job and gets 95 per cent and higher protection from severe illness and death with the second dose, so it is important to get the follow-up dose.”
This week, there should be 95,000 people eligible to receive their second dose of Pfizer, but so far only 50,000 bookings have been made.
“There are tens of thousands of slots left in the booking system, so please go to it. It is straightforward, especially if you have booked the first dose already, to complete the job and get the full protection from the vaccine.”
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Jess Malcolm 12.52pm:NSW deficit halves as property market soars
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has announced that the deficit has halved to $7.9 billion thanks to a soaring property market which has delivered strong stamp duty revenue for the state’s coffers.
While handing down his fifth budget to NSW Parliament, Mr Perrottet said the state is forecast to be back in the black by 2024-25.
The Treasurer said the strength in the state’s economy is as a result of the public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The three core objectives for this year’s budget are keeping NSW safe, accelerating the Covid recovery and bolstering the state’s financial position.
Mr Perrottet said his budget gets the state “dressed for success”, hitting out at other states for raising taxes in their recovery.
“This is the budget for prosperity, and the next decade of delivery has already begun,” Mr Perrotet said.
“This has fuelled confidence, spurred recovery, ignited our economy and secured our finances.”
“The NSW government is in control of our budget and control of our destiny.”
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Patrick Commins12.29pm:Hospitality jobs hammered in latest lockdown
Victoria’s fourth lockdown triggered a 10 per cent plunge in hospitality jobs, according to new data from the ABS.
The number of weekly payroll jobs in Victoria dropped by 2.1 per cent over the fortnight to June, as the state’s fourth lockdown triggered a 10 per cent plunge in accommodation and food service roles, and an 8 per cent fall in arts and recreation jobs.
The latest Australian Taxation Office payrolls figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, showed jobs nationally fell by 0.9 per cent, with the latest fortnight of data partly overlapping with the first nine days of lockdown, ABS head of labour statistics Bjorn Jervis said.
“Almost every industry in Victoria saw a fall in payroll jobs during this period.” Mr Jervis said.
“While the fall in payroll jobs is generally greatest in the state or territory of the lockdown, restrictions that affect interstate travel may also contribute to falls in payroll jobs in the accommodation and food services industry in other states and territories,” he said, including a 3.5 per cent drop in Tasmanian hospitality jobs.
READ the full story here
Jess Malcolm12.16pm:Urgent probe into unlinked case in school child
Health authorities have raised concern that the latest unlinked case is among a primary school child, given the transmissibility of the Delta variant and its propensity to spread among children.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said that while it is too early to tell the extent of transmission, the virus is more transmissible among children.
“I think we know it is more transmissible overall and that means it is more transmissible among children,” Dr Chant said.
“Let’s get to the facts about how the transmission occurred in this case. As I said, this is the first case where we need to get a bit more information.
“We are going out very quickly with information and thank you to the community for those QR codes, the quicker we can get the people who are close contacts we can actually get them isolating before transmission has occurred.”
Dr Chant refused to answer who exactly would be tested in the school community, but conceded some children may not have to be tested depending on their movements within the grounds.
“I leave it in the hands of the principal who is best positioned to and the public health authorities there that are working with the principal who knows the layouts, who know the way the children move, who know which playgrounds children are permitted to play on,” Dr Chant said.
“Each school is different and can I just thank the way we have worked throughout this pandemic with the schools and the cooperation we have received from them.”
READ MORE:Palaszczuk issues new Sydney travel warning
Yoni Bashan 12.11pm:NSW stages dramatic economic recovery
A booming Sydney property market and a spectacular turnaround in unemployment rates have seen NSW stage a dramatic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, slashing its previous catastrophic debt forecasts as it claws back a budget surplus by 2025.
Seven months after delivering a pandemic budget filled with dire predictions and crisis measures to insulate the state from disaster, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet on Tuesday said economic activity had defied expectations and had not only returned to its pre-Covid levels but exceeded it.
Household spending has rebounded by 15 per cent since the depths of the downturn, business confidence has reached record highs, and every job lost as a result of the pandemic had been restored — along with 36,000 additional positions. Dwelling investments, which drove a sharp rise in stamp duty collections, had jumped 18 per cent.
But the budget papers also carry a cautionary warning that its optimistic visions would depend on the stability of the housing market, the reopening of international borders by mid-2022, and that jobs growth would continue through remote working trends borne out of the pandemic.
“We are back to growth, and back on track – and it is no accident,” Mr Perrottet said, crediting the government’s stimulus measures and its “gold-standard” health system with accelerating the state’s recovery.’’
READ the full story here
Jess Malcolm11.58am:Mandatory QR check-in for all NSW retail outlets
Gladys Berejiklian has flagged mandatory QR check in-codes for all retail outlets to be enforced in the future.
The NSW Premier said residents of the state must adjust to small changes in order to be able to keep Sydney open.
“There are categories that need to have QR codes including nail and beauty salons, but we are in the process of extending it to all retail outlets,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I think that is the first in Australia. As we have done during the pandemic, whenever we have to be flexible and adaptable and adjust we have.
“While we do have this current outbreak we have managed to keep everything open and that is our intention if we want to do this for the duration of the pandemic. We’re going to have to adjust and make sure that things like retail outlets do have that compulsory QR code.”
Health Minister Brad Hazzard urged people to use check-ins, after noticing a lack of compliance in the Sydney CBD.
“In my wandering around the city I’ve noticed a bit of apathy,” Mr Hazzard said.
“Some of the restaurants and cafes aren’t asking people to use the QR codes. While individuals are not using them. We really need to take this particular virus and its variant extremely seriously.”
READ MORE: Rinehart sparks up marijuana interest
Adeshola Ore11.50am:China’s rise at heart of Joyce’s net zero position
New Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says his position on net zero is not based on a “mathematical equation” but on ensuring Australia is as “powerful as possible” amid China’s rising power.
Mr Joyce’s return to leader of the Nationals sets up a division on climate change policies within the Coalition. He was elected as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister on Monday after a leadership spill saw Michael McCormack ousted from the job.
He told ABC New England that the greatest moral challenge for Australia was dealing with the “superpower in our backyard.”
“It’s not about some sort of mathematical equation of, you know, where we end up where we end up with regards to carbon, it’s where we end up in regards to being as powerful as possible as quickly as possible,” he said.
“Any decision, any economic policy will be looked at in a cold and clinical light of where does it leave our nation.”
READ MORE: Creighton – Wuhan lab leak dismissal driven by politics
Jess Malcolm11.43am: Mask mandate extended as Bondi cases spike
Greater Sydney has so far avoided another lockdown, despite the state recording 10 new locally acquired cases linked to the Bondi cluster.
Health authorities are only investigating two of the new cases, with the rest of them recorded as household contacts of previous cases.
Gladys Berejiklian said the current policy settings are “proportionate” but has extended mask wearing restrictions in certain settings.
All of Sydney, Wollongong and Shellharbour must now wear a mask indoors for shopping, events and in hospitality venues.
“It is only when you are eating or drinking indoors at a venue that you can’t or shouldn’t wear a mask,” the Premier said.
“In every other circumstance, if you live or are in Sydney, you must wear a mask for another week beyond Wednesday midnight.”
Authorities are racing to find the link between a new case in a child from an eastern suburbs primary school who tested positive overnight in the Bondi cluster.
Saint Charles Primary School in Waverley has been put on high alert after being exposed to the new case.
As the news is still unfolding, authorities say they will develop a testing plan for the school community and staff and family are being directed to follow advice from NSW Health and the school.
Health authorities are also requiring the school to undergo a deep clean.
“I urge parents to wait for instructions from the school because we are keen to make sure that students and parents have access to testing and we want to make sure there isn’t a rush with all parents descending on the school at the same time,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We want to make sure that that is managed in a good way and we thank the school already for starting the communication.”
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant refused to speculate on how the child contracted the virus, but all methods of investigation are ongoing.
The Waverley primary school is in the proximity of Westfield Bondi Junction, which Dr Chant said is pleasing.
Lydia Lynch11.33am: Queensland needs more vaccine as demand ‘skyrockets’
Queensland may have to stop administering first doses of coronavirus vaccines by the end of next month to ensure it has enough stock for second jabs.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says there was concern among state leaders about the supply of Pfizer vaccine.
“We are seeing our vaccination rates skyrocket here in Queensland and what we need from the federal government is constant supply,” she said.
“The last quarter of the year is when those large volumes will come on, up until then it is going to be a bit of a stretch.
“We have to make sure now that we have [a stockpile for] second doses, we were told initially that the Commonwealth had the second doses.
“The rules keep changing and we are trying to keep up.”
Jess Malcolm11.26am: Westfield alert expanded amid fleeting contact fears
NSW Health has drastically expanded its advice for people who visited Westfield Bondi Junction (including the car park) to an entire week, amid concern for virus’s rapid transmission between shoppers through ‘fleeting’ contact.
Anyone who visited between June 12 and June 18 is now being asked to get tested for Covid-19.
Only people with symptoms and those who have been to a specific exposure venue at the listed times need to test and isolate.
However, anyone who does not have symptoms and has not been to a specific exposure venue at the listed times should get tested but does not need to isolate.
These people are also being strongly urged to avoid gatherings, minimise movement and work from home where possible
Jess Malcolm 11.04am:NSW local virus cases rise by 10
NSW has recorded five new locally acquired cases of Covid-19, two of which were announced yesterday morning.
There have also been seven new locally acquired cases overnight which will be included in tomorrow’s numbers.
The cluster has therefore grown by 10 cases – three which were recorded 3 before 8pm last night, and another seven after the 8pm cut-off for daily numbers
This brings the total number of cases associated with the Bondi cluster up to 21.
Of the three further cases in today’s numbers, one is a woman in her 60s from the Illawarra who is a close contact of a previously reported case and has been already in isolation.
BREAKING: Ten new cases of Covid in NSW. @9NewsAUShttps://t.co/Cf8INbzeB9
— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) June 22, 2021
Another is a woman in her 40s from Sydney’s northern suburbs who is a close contact of a previously reported case.
The third case is a woman in her 20s from the eastern suburbs. Health authorities say she is “linked” to the Bondi cluster, but urgent investigations are still underway to determine the source.
Of the seven new cases announced tomorrow, six of them are household contacts of previous cases.
There is also one case of a child who attends a primary school in the eastern suburbs. The link of this case to the Bondi cluster is yet to be revealed.
There were 28,645 tests conducted in the past 24 hours.
Gladys Berejiklian is expected to address the media at 11.30am where she will likely extend restrictions to extend past Wednesday night.
Jess Malcolm 10.57am: 98pc of Victorian virus case close contacts cleared
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said 98 per cent of close primary contacts have been cleared in the various outbreaks across Melbourne.
Professor Sutton said the overwhelming majority of tests have returned a negative result for the Whittlesea, Port Melbourne and West Melbourne outbreaks.
“We are doing a round of testing of residents in the lower risk townhouses, and those results
should be through the course of today,” Professor Sutton said.
“We thank them for everything that they are doing, setting aside their lives to keep us safe, just as we thank the 10,000 others who have done the same as primary close contacts.
Professor Sutton also reiterated that people from Sydney living in ‘orange’ local government areas under the state’s traffic light permit system should consider non-essential travel to Melbourne.
Health authorities said testing rates in Victoria must rise to ensure there is no virus being passed on undetected within the community.
There were just 13,176 tests conducted yesterday.
“That has come down from the very high numbers that we had in weeks previously, but the message is still the same: if you have any symptoms at all, even the mildest of symptoms, please come forward and get tested,” Professor Sutton said.
“That will allow us to find any possible virus that is still out there.”
READ MORE: PM needs a jab on vaccine rollout
Lydia Lynch 10.41am:Queensland records one new local virus case
A new local Covid-19 case has been detected in Queensland.
A man tested positive after coming into contact with an international flight crew member who tested positive at the weekend.
Tuesday 22 June – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) June 22, 2021
Three new cases were recorded. One locally acquired and detected in home quarantine, two overseas acquired and detected in hotel quarantine.#covid19pic.twitter.com/QzPnwCFD6e
While unknowingly infectious, the cabin crew member visited the DFO shopping centre near Brisbane Airport and the Portuguese Family Centre in the south-west suburb of Ellen Grove.
Health authorities authorities believe Tuesday’s new case was infected at the family centre.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new case tested positive while already in quarantine.
Melbourne travellers will be allowed into Queensland from Friday.
Ms Palaszczuk said her state would revoke Greater Melbourne hotspot status at 1am on Friday.
She said authorities were keeping a close eye on community spread in NSW and advised Queenslanders not to travel to Sydney.
READ MORE: Sloan – Return to high migrant intake is a wages killer
Jess Malcolm10.12am:SA loosens restrictions on Melburnians
South Australia has decided to open its borders to Greater Melbourne this Friday, after a decision was made in a Covid committee meeting this morning.
State coordination and Police commissioner Grant Stevens said from 12.01am this Friday, people from Melbourne will be able to travel into the state but need to isolate until they receive a negative test.
They will also need to undergo testing on day three and day five.
Late on Sunday night, South Australia imposed bans on travellers from Sydney amid the growing Bondi cluster.
From midnight last night, travellers who have been in Woollahra, Canada Bay, Randwick and the City of Sydney within the past 14 days are required to self quarantine until they take a Covid test, and be re-tested on days five and 13.
READ MORE: Bitcoin slides as China intensifies crackdown
Adeshola Ore10.06am:Entsch to advocate for net zero by 2050
Queensland Liberal MP Warren Entsch says he hopes his colleagues who oppose a net zero by 2050 ambition will “over time” come onboard, as Barnaby Joyce’s return to Nationals leader creates a climate change policy split in the Coalition.
Mr Joyce, who was elected as Nationals leader in a spill on Monday, will demand greater control over future climate change policy. Scott Morrison and Mr Joyce will negotiate terms for a new agreement this week, with the Nationals expected to focus on clearer language on net-zero emissions and coal-fired power, as well as commitments on boosting regional infrastructure, water security and decentralisation.
Mr Entsch said he would advocate “very strongly” on reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.
“My commitment is absolutely 100 per cent to get to net zero,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“These decisions will be made within the National Party but that doesn’t mean in any way it’s going to compromise my view and I’ll continue to pursue it and push it very, very hard.”
“I would hope and expect that over time that our colleagues will see the same position.”
READ MORE: Joyce returns in power play over carbon policy
Jess Malcolm10.00am:NT revokes Greater Melbourne travel restrictions
The Northern Territory has revoked its travel restrictions from greater Melbourne overnight, meaning some travellers from the city do not have to quarantine on arrival to the top end.
But some restrictions are still in place for anyone who has visited a Tier 1 exposure site since June 7, as per Victoria’s traffic light system.
Anyone who has been to one of these sites must go into mandatory quarantine for 14 days since the time of first exposure.
“Anyone currently in mandatory supervised quarantine from Greater Melbourne, who was in a Tier 1 exposure site at the relevant time since 7 June 2021 must remain in quarantine until 14 days have passed from the time the person was in the Tier 1 Exposure site,” the statement read.
“Anyone who arrived in the Northern Territory after 12.01am on 7 June 2021 who has visited any of the Tier 1 public exposure sites as stipulated by Victorian health authorities at the specified dates and times must enter mandatory supervised quarantine at their first port of arrival.”
Northern Territory Health are still urging anyone who has been in Melbourne to check the updated list of exposure sites daily to make sure they comply.
The territory’s Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie said he has assessed the situation and decided greater Melbourne no longer poses a risk to the Northern Territory.
“I have been monitoring Greater Melbourne closely and taken into consideration the scientific evidence, data and epidemiology,” Dr Heggie said.
“I have also reviewed the dates listed for the COVID-19 public exposure sites as well as mystery cases and monitored the extent of community transmission.”
“It has now been 28 days since the last mystery case in Victoria and I am confident that the outbreak in that state has now been brought under control.”
READ MORE: ‘Boost land supply before borders reopen’
Paul Garvey9.50am: Backlash over axed renewables plan
A massive $US36bn ($48bn) wind and solar farm in the Pilbara is in limbo after federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley used rarely exercised powers to knock back the development plan.
The Asian Renewable Energy project, which would cover an area 10 times the size of Singapore, was rejected on concerns the facilities and brine from a desalination plant would pose a “catastrophic” risk to one of the world’s most important migratory bird habitats.
The minister found the development and associated construction of a new permanent town of some 8000 people would affect the feeding areas of birds such as the critically endangered Great Knot and Eastern Curlew.
The decision drew a backlash from environmental groups, who said the decision reflected the federal government’s lack of support for renewable energy.
The project was designed to include 1753 wind turbines and up to 10,800 megawatts of solar capacity, spread over a total area of more than 660,000 hectares. The proponents originally planned to run an undersea electrical cable from the project all the way to Singapore, but have since pivoted to using the energy to crack hydrogen and produce ammonia for export around the world.
The federal government had previously signed off on the original plans and granted the massive proposal “major project status” last October. But it was the ammonia component that prompted Ms Ley to reject the amended plans, finding it would have a “clearly unacceptable” impact on the surrounding bird habitat.
Jess Malcolm 9.20am: Snap lockdown ‘a good idea’ for Sydney
Prominent epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws says a three-day city-wide lockdown would be “a good idea” if case numbers continue to rise in Sydney, warning the virus has already escaped.
Speaking to Today, Professor McLaws also urged the NSW government to impose mask wearing across Greater Sydney.
“The numbers are going up,” she said. “The numbers will continue to go up. If they go up any further through the household contacts potentially causing further infection, it might be a good idea to have a three-day stay home-order.”
“Today they’ll probably have a good idea at how many household contacts could possibly have caused more infections.”
Professor McLaws also said the Pfizer vaccine should be given to 20 to 39-year-olds as a priority, being the age group most likely to acquire and transmit the virus.
“It’s really a no-brainer,’’ she said. “That’s where you get the most effect by starting to vaccinate that younger group and then you vaccinate backwards to the 59-year-olds.”
READ MORE: States, feds in row over Pfizer supply
Max Maddison9.10am: Minister trying to have UNESCO reef listing corrected
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley says UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has “singled out” Australia in its “flawed” recommendation to list the Great Barrier Reef as “in danger”, and says it is not a forum to express views about climate change.
In a joint call to UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay with Foreign Minister Marise Payne, Ms Ley said she used “very strong” words, particularly as it appeared the organisation was “making a statement” on the Paris Accord and climate.
“For us to be singled out in a way that completely distorts the normal process was something we were very strong about,” Ms Ley told ABC Morning News on Tuesday.
“I recognise climate change is the biggest threat to the reef, and the European countries take a different view than we do, but this is not the forum in which to express that view.”
She denied the decision was a result of the Morrison government’s lack of formal commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, and said she was seeking to have the draft decision “corrected”.
“If UNESCO wants to break faith with us and its own processes, that is very much a matter for them, but it is very much a matter for me to stand up for the people of the reef,” she said.
READ MORE: China-led ‘ambush’ on health of the reef
Jess Malcolm 9.03am:Victoria records zero local virus cases
Victoria has recorded no new locally acquired cases of Covid-19, following over 13,000 tests.
There were two new cases acquired in hotel quarantine.
Yesterday, the state administered 15,339 vaccines.
Reported yesterday: no new local cases and 2 new cases acquired overseas (currently in HQ).
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) June 21, 2021
- 15,339 vaccine doses were administered
- 13,176 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/DeVjBRCilK
There are currently 51 active cases in the state.
Given the low case numbers, the Victorian government is expected to ease restrictions in the coming days.
READ MORE: Tourism demands clarity on border
Adeshola Ore 8.59am: Albanese unworried by Joyce affect on regional seats
Anthony Albanese has downplayed concerns that Barnaby Joyce’s return to Nationals’ leader will see the Coalition retain key seats in Queensland at the next federal election.
Mr Joyce was elected as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister on Monday after a leadership spill saw Michael McCormack ousted from the job.
The Opposition Leader said Mr Joyce was a “failed former Deputy Prime Minister.”
“He failed last time we had the job. We know how this movie ends because we’ve seen it,” he told the ABC.
“We will continue to put forward our strong arguments for regional development.”
Mr Albanese said Labor was committed to lowering energy prices and boosting manufacturing.
“If you talk about Central Queensland, I’ve visited the Rio Tinto aluminium refinery there at Gladstone, one of the biggest employers in Gladstone, a critical facility.”
READ MORE: Shanahan – Seamless transition bodes well for new team
Adeshola Ore8.40am:It’s official: Barnaby Joyce sworn in as deputy PM
Barnaby Joyce has been sworn in as deputy prime minister and leader of the Nationals at Government House in Canberra by Governor-General David Hurley.
A day after Mr Joyce was returned to the role of deputy prime minister and Nationals leader, following a successful leadership spill, he was accompanied by his partner Vikki Campion and their two young boys at the brief ceremony early this morning.
Scott Morrison attended the ceremony via web camera, as he completes his quarantine in the Lodge following his overseas trip for the G7 summit.
Mr Joyce was also sworn in as the minister for infrastructure, transport and regional development - picking up former leader Michael McCormack’s old portfolio.
Mr Morrison congratulated Mr Joyce and said he looked forward to working with the new Nationals leader.
Deputy leader David Littleproud and Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie also attended the ceremony.
READ MORE: Editorial – Back to the future with Barnaby Joyce
Max Maddison8.38am:No evidence Nats will have women issue: Canavan
Nationals Senator Matt Canavan says there’s not a “lot of quantitative evidence” that the party will have a women issue under leader Barnaby Joyce.
Mr Joyce was returned to the deputy prime ministership after a spill prompted by Senator Canavan, but some National women, including the leader of The Nationals in Western Australia, Mia Davies, have said his return represents a problem for the party.
But Senator Canavan rejected that analysis, saying that Mr Joyce had been returned with a “massive majority” at the last election, despite half of his electorate in New England being women.
“There’s not a lot of quantitative evidence for this notwithstanding that people are going to have their own views about Barnaby. He is someone that people like or dislike but at least you know he’s an authentic individual … and you never will be left wondering what his views are,” Senator Canavan told Sky News on Tuesday morning.
The Queensland Senator also said more needed to be known about the costs of adapting to climate change before The Nationals lent their support to any net zero targets.
“I think a lot of discussion is incredibly vague and not very well specified. It’s very easy for us to say, ‘yeah, let’s go for net zero emissions’ – that’d be great. Preferably I’d like to lose another five kilos,” he said.
READ MORE: Three years of ‘Barnaby policy’ will be put to bed
Jess Malcolm8.12am:Nationals ‘still not listening to women’
Australian Women in Agriculture founding member Alana Johnson said the reinstatement of Barnaby Joyce is an example that the Nationals are “still not listening to women”.
Ms Johnson told the ABC she was one of many rural women who are not supportive of the new leader.
“Why would you create a revolving door and bring back one of the most difficult people that women had an issue with?” Ms Johnson asked on RN Breakfast.
“It’s only through gender equality and equal representation that we’re going to end up with those fundamental changes in parliament.”
“That’s what the Nats are so poor at. Their candidate pipeline makes it so difficult for women to get through.”
READ MORE: WA Nationals leader lashes out at Joyce change
Adeshola Ore8.06am: Net zero by 2050 is government’s position, minister insists
Environment Minister Sussan Ley has insisted that the preference to reach net zero by 2050 is the “government’s position”, despite Barnaby Joyce’s return to leader of the Nationals’ casting doubt over the ambition.
Mr Joyce, who was elected as Nationals leader in a spill on Monday, will demand greater control over future climate change policy. Scott Morrison and Mr Joyce will negotiate terms for a new agreement this week, with the Nationals expected to focus on clearer language on net-zero emissions and coal-fired power, as well as commitments on boosting regional infrastructure, water security and decentralisation.
But Ms Ley said the Prime Minister had made it “very clear” that he wants to reach carbon neutrality as soon as possible.
“That’s a government position,” she told the ABC.
“As Environment Minister my position is that we reach net zero as soon as possible and I don’t think anyone in the government would disagree.”
READ MORE: Bramston – Joyce’s rash quest for leadership a Nationals disaster
Jess Malcolm7.45am:New Zealand-Victoria travel bubble resumes
The New Zealand travel bubble will resume at midnight tonight, after it was temporarily paused amid the latest Covid-19 outbreak in Victoria.
Following an assessment, New Zealand public health officials have deemed the public health risk from Victoria is low, the travel pause will be lifted at 11.59 on 22 June. From this time, quarantine-free travel flights between New Zealand and Victoria can resume. pic.twitter.com/kO2WAbUOvf
— Unite against COVID-19 (@covid19nz) June 21, 2021
Quarantine-free travel will resume between New Zealand and Victoria at 11.59pm after Victorian health officials determined widespread community transmission was “unlikely” and NZ public health officials deemed the risk low.
“Travellers will no longer be required to have a pre-departure test,” NZ Health authorities said.
“However, all travellers are encouraged to continue monitoring for symptoms and checking the Victorian Health website for any updated locations of interest.”
“Those in New Zealand who have recently been in Victoria, New South Wales or Queensland are advised to get tested if they develop symptoms.”
READ MORE: Lockdown strips $120m from battling economy
Jess Malcolm7.31am:Get on with climate debate, Nationals told
NSW Transport minister Andrew Constance has pleaded with the Nationals to support action on climate change, amid concern the return of Barnaby Joyce as the party’s leader could impact climate debate in Australia.
Mr Constance said the country would be better served by “coming together” and “getting on with it”, claiming NSW is leading the way on renewable energy, electric vehicles and green technologies.
“I would plead with the Nats to make sure that we move this way because there are great jobs for regional people off the back of it, and I don’t think our country can afford, particularly in the middle of a pandemic, arguments amongst politicians when it comes to climate change,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“In a state like New South Wales, we are just getting on with it, and I think that those
people in Canberra need to understand that the states will get on, as we’ve done in New South Wales, leading the way in terms of electric vehicles, the electrification of transport, looking at how we can drive our renewable energy sources, and looking to new technologies like hydro power.”
READ MORE: Nationals’ seat saver fights alongside popular PM
Jess Malcolm7.20am:NSW still in a ‘danger period’, minister says
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the state is still in a “danger period” with its unfolding Bondi cluster, urging people to wear masks and follow public health advice.
Masks are now mandatory on public transport in Sydney, Wollongong and Shellharbour, as well as indoor in seven local government areas.
While the rules are only in place until Wednesday night, Mr Constance forecasted they will be extended.
“We’re clearly in a danger period and I think when you hear the health minister say there is a clear and present danger, he hasn’t done that lightly, and we have seen as a result of the Delta strain, and courtesy of the CCTV, someone actually walk through the breathing space of another individual in a fleeting moment and actually catch the virus,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“That’s why it is really important people follow the health requirements when it comes to mask-wearing around our community.”
Mr Constance also called out to residents of Sydney’s western suburbs to get tested after bus routes were added to the exposure list.
“We’ve seen overnight more buses, particularly in the Northmead, Parramatta, Newtown, the Baulkham Hills area added to that list, so everybody needs to look at the NSW Health website, check for the bus routes that have now been identified potentially for close contacts and make sure you follow the advice.”
READ MORE:Wuhan lab leak dismissal driven by politics
Jess Malcolm7.10am:Joyce move a ‘restoration, not a revolution’: Canavan
Queensland Senator Matt Canavan has called the return of Barnaby Joyce as the leader of the Nationals party a “restoration, not a revolution”.
Speaking to Today, Mr Canavan said the National Party now has an experienced “loud, leading voice” which will be good for rural Australians.
“I do think there are a whole lot of Australians out there who feel ignored, who feel their views are derided sometimes and Barnaby is their voice,” he said.
“He is their voice down here in Canberra because he doesn’t care what people think of him down here.
“He fights for the issues that matter to those people, the defence of their job, the industries, the communities.”
When asked about the new leader’s stance towards climate change targets, Mr Canavan said climate was a “long standing” National Party interest and he expects Mr Joyce to “forcefully put forward those views”.
“I think we should do it in the best interests of the Australian people in this country and one of the most important things right now is that we bring back manufacturing jobs in this country and put that first.”
READ MORE:Paul Kelly: Morrison arrives at climate showdown as Joyce returns
Jess Malcolm6.56am:NSW budget deficit shrinks, surplus within three years
The NSW budget announced today is expected to forecast a surplus of $500 million by 2024-25, shrinking the pandemic-induced deficit to less than $8 billion.
This is a significant turnaround since November’s budget where the deficit was projected to be $16 billion.
A combination of the booming property market, higher-than-expected GST receipts and payroll tax has put the state’s coffers closer to the black.
The Australian also reported today NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is expected to announce paid miscarriage leave for parents in his fifth budget speech.
Currently, unpaid special maternity leave is available for women who suffer a miscarriage. Unpaid parental leave is available for women who experience a stillbirth or who lose a child within the first 24 months of life.
The state government announced a 2.5 per cent wage increase for public servants on Monday, as a way to recognise the efforts of frontline workers during the pandemic.
This pay rise is expected to cost the state $2.7 billion over four years.
A $500 boost to electric vehicles will also be revealed in today’s budget, which will include abolishing stamp duty on EVs and the introduction of a road-user tax to help fund infrastructure spending.
READ MORE:Paid miscarriage leave for parents
Jess Malcolm6.37am:Cafes, salon added as new venues across east coast
A swath of new venues were added by NSW Health overnight as the state will add at least another two cases today.
Hundreds will be forced into isolation immediately after a popular Vaucluse cafe, a Bondi Junction nail salon and multiple restaurants were visited by a positive case of Covid-19.
This comes as Gladys Berejiklian warned restrictions were likely to extend past Wednesday night, and that the next few days were critical.
Health authorities will include at least two new cases in Tuesday’s numbers: one is a woman in her 50s who lives in Sydney’s northern suburbs and has been in isolation while infectious. The second case is a man in his 30s from Sydney’s eastern suburbs, is a close contact and has also been in isolation. These were both announced on Monday.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the following times is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.
Belle Cafe (including anyone who attended for takeaway), 103 New South Head Road, Vaucluse
Friday June 11, 9.15 to 9.50am
Saturday Jun 12, 10.20am to 10.45am and 1.20pm to 1.50pm
Sunday June 13, 10.30 to 12pm
Tuesday June 15, 9.50am to 10.25am
Fresh Nails, Westfield Bondi Junction, 500 Oxford St
Friday June 18, 9.30am to 7pm
Rocco’s (including anyone who attended this venue for takeaway), 103b New South Road, Vaucluse
Monday June 14, 10.55am to 11.30am
Washoku Vaucluse (anyone who sat inside or outside), 52 New South Head Road, Vaucluse
Saturday June 12, 12pm to 1.30pm
Anyone who attended the following venues at the listed times is a casual contact and must get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.
Chemist Warehouse, 383 George St Sydney
Tuesday June 15, 1.45pm to 2.15pm
ANZ Branch, Corner of York and Market Street, Sydney
Wednesday June 16, 8.30am to 4.30pm
âš ï¸ PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT - NEW VENUES âš ï¸ pic.twitter.com/hlMMNqD9Yv
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 21, 2021
In Brisbane, Queensland Health has added two new exposure venues after an international flight attendant spent time in the community while infectious
Cotton on, DFO Brisbane (Airport), 18th Avenue
Saturday June 19, 4.10pm to 4.30pm
Brisbane Portuguese Family Centre, Unit 3/1449 Boundary Road, Ellen Grove
Saturday June 19, 7pm to close
No new exposure sites have been added to Victoria’s list, after the state recorded one new locally acquired case yesterday who was already in isolation while infectious.
READ MORE:States, feds row over Pfizer
Yoni Bashan6.27am:Paid miscarriage leave for parents in NSW
Women who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth will be given one week of paid bereavement leave, while mothers who give birth prematurely will receive special paid time off up until the date their child would have reached full term under a nation-first policy in the NSW budget.
The landmark policy will apply to full and part-time workers within the NSW public service, but talks have also begun between Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and some private-sector employers who could implementing similar schemes.
The policy, details of which have been obtained by The Australian, will give women who miscarry or whose children are stillborn five days of paid time off.
Read the full story here.
Joseph Lam6.02am:Top chef joins calls to allow local cruises
High-profile Sydney restaurateur Luke Mangan and other tourism industry figures will travel to Canberra on Tuesday in a bid to lobby the federal government over the need for certainty for the country’s cruise industry.
Led by Carnival Australia, one of the country’s largest cruise companies, Mr Mangan and other suppliers will meet parliamentarians to press for a clear path to reopen the $6bn sector.
The group is asking for local cruises to be permitted, in Australian waters, with no international destinations on the horizon.
Read the full story here.
Robyn Ironside5.10am:‘Border acceptance may soon turn to anger’
The head of the International Air Transport Association has slammed “repressive restrictions” on Australians in the pandemic and warned acceptance could soon turn to anger the longer borders remained closed.
In an interview with The Australian, IATA chief executive Willie Walsh, a former British Airways chief, said 500 days into the crisis enough data and knowledge had been gathered to avoid harsh measures such as lockdowns and border closures.
Mr Walsh said the crisis was no longer a pandemic but a “crisis of government restrictions” and questioned why Australians were tolerating extended travel bans.
“The research we’ve done at IATA is that people remain tolerant (of Covid restrictions) but they’re beginning to get impatient, they’re beginning to sort of say ‘it’s unfair to prevent me from seeing my family’,” he said.
In Australia’s case, he warned frustration was building over the “very restrictive regime that not only locked Australians in, but also locked Australians out”.
Read the full story here.
Olivia Caisley5am:States, feds in row over Pfizer supply crisis
The nation’s biggest states say they will have to cut the number of Covid-19 vaccines they administer because of a lack of Pfizer supply from the commonwealth, with Queensland warning it may have to abandon the vaccination of new patients by the end of July.
Health officials in Victoria and Queensland say they will have to “ramp down” to around 40,000 doses if more supply is not made available, while the NSW government on Monday expressed concern about a lack of doses.
“We’re limited in that we can’t control supply, we can’t control the doses we get from the commonwealth,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
From the start of July, Victoria expects to be able to provide 40,000 first doses per week instead of the 80,000 doses being administered until recently.
In Queensland — where 81,000 Pfizer doses were administered last week — the government expects to dramatically reduce the number of vaccinations. “There will come a point where we run out,” Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath told The Australian.
Read the full story, by Olivia Caisley, Lydia Lynch and Angelica Snowden, here.
Richard Ferguson4.45am:Barnaby’s back, but ‘not a good look’ for Nats
Liberal MP Jason Falinski has labelled the ousting of Nationals leader Michael McCormack “not a good look”, with members of the senior Coalition partner divided over Barnaby Joyce’s comeback.
With Mr Joyce elevated to the leadership once again, many considered his controversial positions on climate change would create problems for Scott Morrison as he was simultaneously trying to convince the EU and the US of Australia’s commitment to mitigate global warming.
But conservatives believe Mr Joyce’s return will stem the flow of votes to hard-right parties such as One Nation and “hearten” the Coalition’s right-wing base.
Mr Falinski on Monday said the Coalition needed to have a “solution to the climate change challenge”, otherwise the solutions would be “imposed on us by people overseas”.
“It’s not a good look because we are in the middle of a pandemic … and, you know, we need to be working for the people of Australia and not be focused on ourselves,” Mr Falinski told ABC News on Monday evening.
Read the full story here.
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There’s no better signifier of Anthony Albanese’s power than the seating plan for the House. But where individual MPs are seated in this chamber is just as important as where the bulging Labor majority lands.
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Milton Dick has been made speaker of the House of Representatives again with support from Labor and the Coalition; earlier, High Court Chief Justice Stephen Gageler opened the new parliamentary session as pro-Palestine protesters gathered outside.
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