PoliticsNow: Barnaby Joyce wins Nationals leadership spill, returns as Deputy PM
Barnaby Joyce is poised to go to his second election as Nationals leader, but this time alongside a popular prime minister — in a stark contrast to 2016 when he saved Malcolm Turnbull.
- Nationals women sceptical about Joyce
- McCormack loses job, acts as PM
- Sydney cluster grows to 11
- Joyce returns as Nationals leader
- Morrison defends G7 side trip
Welcome to PoliticsNow, our live coverage of the latest headlines from Canberra, plus updates on the nation’s battle with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Incoming Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says he’ll be guided by his party colleagues on issues such as net zero by 2050 and hopes he is now a ‘better person’. His comments were the first since he was this morning elected leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister following a spill motion moved against Michael McCormack.
Australia’s Pfizer stocks will need to be carefully managed for at least a month as states demand more doses, federal authorities said after national cabinet met to discuss the vaccine rollout today.
Ben Packham11.05pm: China-led ‘ambush’ on health of the Reef
Australia has been blindsided by a push by a China-chaired UN committee to declare the Great Barrier Reef “in danger” without proper consultation or scientific process.
Australian government officials learned of the draft World Heritage Committee decision on Friday, despite an assurance just weeks ago from the Paris-based World Heritage Centre that the reef’s health status would not be downgraded.
The decision, which was due to be made public by UNESCO overnight, will be presented for ratification at the 44th meeting of the World Heritage Committee in China from July 16.
The draft decision said the committee noted with “utmost concern” that “despite positive achievements”, progress in protecting the reef had been insufficient in meeting key targets, particularly in relation to water quality.
Australia has expressed its “grave concerns” at the proposed “in danger” listing, which was not backed up by any on-the-ground scientific assessment.
The move comes amid a surge in both Chinese influence and climate activism within the UNESCO system.
Olivia Caisley, Angelica Snowden, Lydia Lynch10.20pm: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.
Yoni Bashan9.35pm:Paid miscarriage leave for parents
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.
Rhiannon Down 8.50pm: ‘Huge management issues’ for PM: Fitzgibbon
Labor MP Joel Fitzgibbon has criticised the government following the return of Barnaby Joyce to the leadership of the Nationals.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the appointment of Mr Joyce, who has previously opposed emissions targets, would create “huge management issues” for Scott Morrison when it came to climate change policy.
“It’s a bigger problem for the Prime Minister, who has been crabwalking towards zero emissions by 2050, and now, as the leader of his coalition partner, someone who is not a fan at all of zero emissions,” he told the ABC.
“This is going to be a huge management issue for the Prime Minister. Barnaby Joyce is nothing if not unpredictable.
“We don’t know how hard he will go on this issue, and we will never know what the secret coalition agreement says, so there’s a big problem for the Prime Minister on that front.”
Mr Fitzgibbon, a vocal opponent of emissions reduction targets within the Labor party, said the move to restore Mr Joyce to the leadership was calculated to win over the Nationals’ base.
“They elected him because regardless of what happens in the national picture, and remember a lot of this is happening inside the bubble, they took the view that he gave them a better chance in the seats, the electorates that really matter that the National Party, central Queensland, for example,” he said.
“So that’s why they made the move, and it becomes a question as to how well they can continue to speak out on both sides of their mouths.
“The National Party saying one thing, while Scott Morrison says something in Sydney and Melbourne.
“That will be the big test for them politically and it is a difficult and challenging act for the Prime Minister.”
Remy Varga8.33pm:MP accused over ‘office sex’ named
A Victorian MP under investigation over allegations he had sex in his parliamentary office has been named under parliamentary privilege.
Labor Member for Ringwood Dustin Halse, who sits on the Integrity and Oversight committee, was named as the politician under internal review over allegations of inappropriate behaviour at Public Accounts and Estimates Account Committee hearing on Monday.
Liberal MP James Newbury said the parliamentary speaker’s office had confirmed an “investigation into the Member for Ringwood bonking in his office”, the Herald Sun reports.
During the extraordinary hearing, Labor MPs attempted to shutdown questions about the allegations, shouting “this is a workplace”.
Mr Newbury replied “indeed that’s my point,”
Mr Halse did not respond immediately to The Australian’s request for comment and his Twitter account has been taken down.
The Australian is not suggesting the allegations are true, only that they are being investigated.
When reports of the allegations first emerged, Acting Premier James Merlino said they were “absolutely not” appropriate.
“The conduct was inappropriate,” Mr Merlino said.
“It doesn’t reflect community values.”
Olivia Caisley 8.25pm:‘Complete refresh’ for vaccine rollout plan
The government’s vaccine rollout strategy is undergoing a “complete refresh” amid criticism of the speed of the delivery, Department of Health Secretary Brendan Murphy says.
At a snap meeting of the Covid-19 Senate inquiry on Monday night, Professor Murphy confirmed the government’s new vaccine task-force commander, Lieutenant-General John Frewen, was “completely reviewing the rollout strategy” and its timeframes.
“Lieutenant-General Frewen is undertaking a complete refresh of that plan and I think at the moment, we’re probably not in a position to give you details,” he said.
Asked by Liberal Senator James Paterson whether it was necessary for states and territories to “hold on” to doses they had received from the commonwealth to reserve them for second jabs, Professor Murphy said no.
“It is incumbent on the states and territories when they are given a second dose to use it as a second dose,” he said.
The inquiry was told of “confusion” in Victoria over the withholding of doses and that acting Premier James Merlino had been offered a briefing with Lieutenant Frewen to clear up any misunderstanding.
Professor Murphy conceded that while state and territory leaders were eager for more doses, the vaccines had been allocated “appropriately”.
“Obviously doses are delivered in the week before they are used but we believe that they (the states and territories) all have sufficient doses,” he said.
“Clearly they would all like a bit more as there is a lot of demand, but I think they will understand that we’re all working in a constrained supply arrangement and I think they all understand the basis upon which first and second doses.”
The inquiry heard that NSW has 195,000 vaccines on hand while Victoria and Queensland have 180,000 and 150,000, respectively. Western australia has 130,000 vaccines in stock, South Australia has 79,000 and Tasmania 22,000. The Northern Territory and the ACT have 29,000 and 22,000.
Rhiannon Down7.50pm: Nats members ‘ready for a change’
Nationals Senator Perin Davey has responded to criticism over Monday’s leadership spill by saying that party members were “ready for a change”.
“We are not the first party to have a leadership spill and we certainly won’t be the last party to have a leadership spill mid stride,” she told Sky News.
“Change should never be feared when we want to focus on the future.
“Sometimes change is healthy, to hit the reset button, to look at what we can deliver as a party in the regions to the people who elect us.
“Michael McCormack did a great job, he actually delivered record funding on infrastructure and that was great, but feedback from grassroots members and within the party was that people were ready for a change.
“The change has come and we need to continue to deliver for our people.”
Rhiannon Down7.30pm: Joyce is damaged goods: Labor senator
Labor Senator Murray Watt has criticised the Liberal-Nationals party after today’s leadership spill, describing returned Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce as “damaged goods”.
“It shows that we’ve got a government in total chaos when we need stable government,” he told Sky News.
“I know there are people out there who think Barnaby Joyce will do better for the Nats in Queensland than Michael McCormack has been doing.
“But I actually think that Barnaby is pretty damaged goods in the eyes of many people across regional Queensland. Obviously women in particular.
“Even Michelle Landry, the member for Capricornia, she said today in backing Barnaby Joyce, women would remember the old Barnaby Joyce and the issues he had and it wouldn’t go over too well.”
Mr Watt accused the National party of taking its eye off the ball, and focusing on party in-fighting rather than the interests of Australians.
“I think the real losers out of today are regional Australians, they want the National party to focus on them and instead it’s focusing on itself,” he said.
Rhiannon Down7.05pm: Henderson denies climate tension looms
Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson has refuted speculation that the ascension of Barnaby Joyce to the Nationals leadership will create tension over climate policy.
Mr Joyce has been a public opponent of the proposed 2050 net zero emissions deadline, with speculation swirling that the returned Nationals leader will push back against the emissions standard.
“What’s important is that our government is continuing to drive down emissions and delivering record investment in renewables whilst ensuring that we don’t damage jobs or do damage to the economy,” she told Sky News.
“But like the Nationals have been saying, we’re not going to do this if it costs industries, if it costs jobs, if it costs regional communities.
“So there’s more alignment there than some commentators are suggesting.”
Senator Henderson said her government’s goals, primarily to bring the country through the pandemic, remained unchanged.
“I am a regional senator to Victoria and do a lot of work in the regions as many of my liberal colleagues are so together we back regional communities, not just the Nationals,” she said.
“Obviously... there has been a change of leader. And we will continue to focus on what Australians expect us to do and that is health and economic recovery.”
Richard Ferguson, David Tanner 7pm: Nats’ seat saver fights alongside popular PM
Barnaby Joyce is poised to go to his second election as Nationals leader, but this time alongside a popular prime minister in a stark contrast to 2016 when the junior Coalition party avoided losing any seats as Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberals collapsed on the urban fringes.
Mr Joyce gained a reputation as a poll winner in 2016 when he held back the anti-Turnbull swing in regional Australia and held onto every Nationals seat – compared to the Liberals losing 14 seats in that contest – leading some to consider him the Coalition’s saviour that year.
But the ousted Michael McCormack can also claim electoral success, having overseen massive two-party-preferred swings towards some of his MPs during his leadership of the Nationals, and he also had fewer MPs considering retirement.
At least two Nationals – Queenslanders Ken O’Dowd and George Christensen – are stepping down at the next election and are taking significant personal vote margins with them.
Former Nationals state director Scott Mitchell on Monday said Mr Joyce won the 2016 election for the Coalition, but warned that retirements could hinder any attempts to recreate his past glories later this year or in early 2022.
“They were very different elections. Barnaby certainly won the 2016 election. The 2019 election was more of a joint effort between the Liberals and the Nationals,” Mr Mitchell said. “The next election will be a seat-by-seat contest. Barnaby could repeat the successes in 2016, but it depends on how many more retirements we get.”
AFP 6.30pm:Up to 10,000 fans allowed at Olympics
Up to 10,000 spectators will be allowed at Tokyo Olympic events, organisers say, but competition could move behind closed doors if infections surge.
A decision on how many fans will be allowed at the Paralympic Games will be delayed until July 16, a week before they open, organisers added in a statement on Monday.
Rhiannon Down5.12pm:Joyce must show he has changed, says Nationals MP
Nationals federal MP Anne Webster says she hoped that restored Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce had “learned from his past” amid concerns over his history with women.
Dr Webster said that it remained to be seen how women voters would respond to Mr Joyce in the upcoming federal election.
“I imagine we are going to find out,” she told the ABC.
“History is what it is and as Mr Joyce said today, he has learned from his past, and all mature adults learn from their past, hopefully.
“And look forward to a new day. That’s what we need to do.”
Dr Webster said Mr Joyce would need to demonstrate to women that he had grown and be willing to listen in order to turn over a new leaf.
“First and foremost, women need to feel they have been heard and what they raise, the issues are taken seriously,” she said.
“I do take heart from the fact that Mr Joyce worked really well with Fiona Nash as his deputy leader, and I’ve spoken with Fiona Nash this afternoon, and she is positive about the future and that is the road that we need to move forward on.”
Nationals federal president Kay Hull says Mr Joyce will need to unite women voters and party members to be successful in the leadership.
“That’s going to be up to Barnaby, how he manages that,” Ms Hull told the ABC.
“It’s up to Barnaby moving forward, how he manages that is how the women will or will not vote for him into the future.
“Bearing in mind that we all have those people who will or won’t vote for us, that is what politics is all about,’’ she said.
Ms Hull said Mr Joyce was a divisive figure in Australian politics.
“He can be polarising, very polarising,” she said.
“You can be a lover of Barnaby Joyce or a serious detractor. He has always been polarising. He’s never been any different in that respect.
“I think we will see Barnaby going forward, and it’s up to Barnaby to determine how he is going to manage that process into the future.”
ALSO READ:WA Nationals leader still has doubts
Matthew Denholm 5.08pm:Easing of Melbourne quarantine rules in Tasmania
Blanket quarantine restrictions on people travelling to Tasmania after spending time in Melbourne will be lifted from midnight on Monday.
As well, Tasmania’s public health director, Mark Veitch, said anyone currently in quarantine in Tasmania due to the previous Melbourne restriction, who had not been at a specified high-risk premises, would be able to leave quarantine at midnight.
“This follows the extensive measures taken by Victorian health authorities over recent weeks to get on top of several outbreaks,” Dr Veitch said.
“Travel restrictions will remain in place for anyone who has been at any high-risk premises in Victoria at the specified dates and times listed.
READ the details here.
NCA NewsWire4.50pm:Leader says he has had time to consider faults
Restored federal Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says he spent three years on the backbench and hopes he has “come back a better person” since he resigned in 2018.
He stepped down after his affair with then staffer and now partner Vikki Campion was exposed and it was revealed the party was investigating unrelated allegations of sexual harassment, which he has strongly denied.
“Well, I acknowledge my faults,” he said on Monday after his sucessful challenge to Michael McCormack.
“And I resigned as I should and I did.
“I don’t walk away from the fact that you have to have time to consider, not only the effect on yourself, but more importantly, the effect on others. I’ve done that. I don’t want to dwell on the personal, except to say — hopefully one learns from their mistakes and makes a better person of themselves.”
Mr Joyce said he would like to “sincerely thank” Mr McCormack and believed the former leader had always acted with “dignity”.
HOW NEWS BROKE: Barnaby Joyce wins Nationals spill
Tim Dodd4.45pm:Former leader abandons university chancellor plan
Former Nationals leader Mark Vaile will no longer become chancellor of the University of Newcastle after his appointment was met by significant resistance from staff, students, donors and university council members.
Mr Vaile, who is the chairman of major coal producer Whitehaven Coal, said he had reviewed his decision and advised the university he would not proceed.
In a statement on Monday, the university said Mr Vaile had “reviewed his decision” and decided not to proceed with the appointment.
The university’s council – its most senior body – will meet urgently on Tuesday to decide how it will appoint a replacement for Mr Vaile, who was due to take over from current chancellor Paul Jeans on July 1.
FULL REPORT is here
Paul Garvey and Rhiannon Down4.43pm:WA Nationals leader stands by doubts on Joyce
Western Australian Nationals Leader Mia Davies says she is “disappointed” after New England MP Barnaby Joyce was returned to the Nationals’ federal parliamentary leadership.
It comes three years after Ms Davies said Mr Joyce had lost the support of the WA Nationals over sexual-related allegations which Mr Joyce has denied.
“There will be questions asked and I think the party will need to answer that,” she said.
“At a state level, the party that I represent and as leader of the [state] opposition I would say that our party has done and continues to work hard to make our organisation at state level a safe place for women to put their hand up and participate and be involved,’’ she said.
“I think myself and others within the party have gone to great lengths to try and address some of the concerns we see across political parties, not just at a state level but at a federal level. I will continue to do that.
“It will be a decision for voters come the federal election as to whether or not it has been the right decision.”
Ms Davies affirmed her comments made at the time surrounding the “significant questions around behaviour” concerning Mr Joyce, which meant there was “no possibility of him doing that job and doing it effectively”.
“I expressed my disappointment today and that is genuine,” she said.
“I had a good working relationship with [ousted leader] Michael McCormack and I am disappointed that the party thought they needed to change leaders,’’ Ms Davies said.
“I think it shows they are focused on internal matters rather than the people of regional Australia. That is my focus and that is where I continue to work.”
ALSO READ: McCormack makes graceful exit
Jack Paynter4.31pm:Warning and no fine for no-mask travellers
At least a thousand Victorians have escaped with just a warning after being caught without a mask on public transport.
The two-week sting by state police resulted in almost 50 fines being issued to travellers who refused to comply with the rule to wear a mask on trains, trams and buses.
The mask rule on public transport has been a constant feature since the start of Victoria’s tough three-month lockdown from July to October last year.
Those who fail to wear a mask face a $200 fine.
Victoria Police announced a crackdown on mask compliance last month after a noticeable decline in commuters adhering to the rule during the state’s run of 86 straight days without a locally acquired Covid-19 case.
The number of passengers on public transport wearing masks slipped to about 50 per cent in early May, down from 77 per cent in March.
Transit Division Superintendent Andrew Humberstone said mask compliance increased to about 95 per cent during the operation.
“There were just under 50 fines issued during the course of this operation, while over 1100 people were given a formal warning and provided with a mask to wear,” he told NCA NewsWire.
“The vast majority of public transport users were highly compliant.’’
NCA Newswire
ALSO READ:City ordered to mask-up
Rhiannon Down3.48pm:Times for buses on growing Sydney exposure list
Certain times for several bus routes have been added to Sydney’s growing list of Covid exposure sites, after the Bondi cluster grew to 11 cases on Monday.
The 614X bus from Baulkham Hills to Sydney and the 600 bus from Northmead to Parramatta, both Hillsbus services, and the 428 Haymarket to Newtown route have been added to the list, as well as an Ashfield office building on Holden Street.
NSW Health has asked anyone who visited the office space or took the public transport routes during the exposure windows to get tested and isolate according to health advice.
This comes after the BP Service Station in Baulkham Hills and Tempe Salvos Store were added to the list this morning.
Anyone who was on the following bus routes in the NSW Health tweet has been asked to get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result:
âš ï¸PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT - TRANSPORT ROUTES AND VENUEâš ï¸ pic.twitter.com/SrdAVC8bLF
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 21, 2021
Anyone who attended the following venue has been asked to monitor for symptoms: ffice building, all floors, 2-4 Holden Street, Ashfield: Friday June 18 from 6pm to 7.30pm.
ALSO READ:More exposure sites in Sydney as cluster grows
Adeshola Ore3.06pm:Albanese tries ‘instability’ to suspend standing orders
Anthony Albanese attempted to suspend standing orders in question time to draw attention to what he said was a government plagued by instability, after Barnaby Joyce was elected to return to the position of Nationals leader.
The Opposition Leader accused the government of “fighting itself” instead of “fighting for all Australians.”
“There is a global pandemic. The government has bungled the vaccine rollout. The government has failed to establish a safe national system of quarantine,” he said.
“The government is bitterly divided about achieving a net zero by 2050, and the current deputy prime minister has said we need to be concentrating on what people expect us to be doing, to listen to their needs and wants.”
At the conclusion of question time, both sides of the house erupted into applause as Michael McCormack finished his last stint in the Prime Minister’s chair.
READ MORE: Gottliebsen – Stopping high-rise apartments, by stealth
Adeshola Ore3.02pm:Turnbull ‘sorry’ to see Nationals leader ousted
Former prime minister Malcom Turnbull says he is “very sorry to see” ousted Nationals leader Michael McCormack be replaced.
A spill motion was moved against Mr McCormack in the Nationals partyroom, resulting in his predecessor Barnaby Joyce being elected party leader and deputy prime minister. Mr Joyce will be sworn in as deputy prime minister on Tuesday.
Very sorry to see @M_McCormackMP replaced as Leader of the Nationals. He was a very honourable, consistent and constructive Deputy Prime Minister in my Government. Lucy & I saw first hand his, and Catherine’s, commitment to regional Australians. Thank you Michael and good luck.
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) June 21, 2021
On Twitter, Mr Turnbull said Mr McCormack was a “very honourable, consistent and constructive Deputy Prime Minister in my Government”.
“Lucy & I saw first-hand his, and Catherine’s, commitment to regional Australians. Thank you Michael and good luck.”
READ MORE: How a major company fell for ‘greenwashing’
Dennis Shanahan 2.55pm:McCormack acts with grace in awkward moment
Michael McCormack has behaved with grace and courage in a bizarre parliamentary moment of history.
No longer leader of the Nationals but still deputy prime minister, McCormack has stuck to his duty in the chamber and behaved not just admirably but also with competence and good humour.
The manner of his departure was brutal and political and the manner of his professional behavior has demonstrated a commitment to the Nationals and the Coalition.
Scott Morrison will move quickly to deal with Barnaby Joyce as the new leader as professionally as McCormack behaved in an invidious position beyond his control.
As McCormack alluded to in question time, politics is about numbers, and he’s without them now but Joyce and Morrison are helped by his behaviour in their pursuit of the winning election numbers.
READ MORE: Joyce’s return a challenge for Morrison
Finn McHugh 2.44pm:Pfizer supplies need to be ‘managed’
Australia’s Pfizer stocks will need to be carefully managed for at least a month as states demand more doses, federal authorities say.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison held an urgent meeting of the national cabinet on Monday after the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advised against the AstraZeneca jab being administered to people aged under 60.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino both took aim at the federal government before the talks, claiming supply issues were hampering the national rollout.
Covid-19 Task Force commander Lieutenant-General John Frewen said the nation’s stockpile of the Pfizer vaccine, now preferred for people aged between 50 and 59, needed to be carefully managed.
“We are still in a resource-constrained environment we need to carefully manage. But on current forecasts, we are looking forward to ramp up availability of Pfizer through August into September and into October,” he said.
He expected better supply flows from then, when authorities would “be able to allocate that more freely”.
“But for now, we have to manage the resources that we’ve got against the highest priorities we’ve got,” he said.
Authorities revealed NSW’s request for an additional 50,000 Pfizer doses had been approved before national cabinet.
The federal government has claimed states had underordered, but Lieutenant Frewen said the issue “wasn’t discussed” during the talks.
“The states and territories didn’t make any specific requests for dosing today at national cabinet,” he said.
“What I did do was to issue the planning parameters of the likely lowest allocations and highest allocations the states and territories can expect right out to the end of the year.
“Previously they hadn’t had that information available. I committed to them to get that detail; we have that detail now.”
The comments came hours after Mr Merlino blasted the national rollout as a “mess” and demanded the federal government increase supply. – NCA Newswire
READ the full story here
Adeshola Ore2.30pm:Nationals Party president congratulates Joyce
The Nationals’ federal president Kay Hull has congratulated incoming leader Barnaby Joyce after he won a leadership vote this morning.
A spill motion was moved against Michael McCormack in the Nationals partyroom, resulting in Mr Joyce being elected party leader and deputy prime minister.
Ms Hull said every Nationals MP was dedicated to serving regional and remote Australia.
“It is a great honour to be elected to the leadership of our great Party and I know that Barnaby Joyce understands this responsibility and will work hard to give voice to and represent the interests of those Australians who live outside our capital cities,” she said.
She also thanked ousted leader Mr McCormack for his “incredible service.”
“Michael is a man of honour and decency; he has repeatedly stood up for regional Australia and represents the best values of The Nationals,” she said.
READ MORE: Coonan ‘knew of potential Crown tax shortfall’
Adeshola Ore2.18pm:McCormack evokes Rudd-Gillard ‘dysfunction’
Labor has used question time to attack the Coalition for its series of changing leaders, after Barnaby Joyce won a Nationals leadership vote this morning.
A spill motion was moved against Michael McCormack in the Nationals partyroom, resulting in Mr Joyce being elected party leader and deputy prime minister. Mr Joyce will be sworn in as deputy prime minister on Tuesday. Mr Joyce will be sworn in as deputy prime minister on Tuesday.
“If the Morrison-McCormick government was going so well, why have you been replaced?” Anthony Albanese asked ousted deputy prime minister Mr McCormack.
Mr McCormack hit back, saying Australians remembered the “dysfunctional” Rudd-Gillard years.
“They were chaotic. They were not good for this nation,” he said,
“We have worked very hard as a government to repay the debt left two hours as a legacy by the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years.”
Appearing in question time via web call, Scott Morrison said Mr McCormack was a “tremendous bloke” and extended his “heartfelt thanks” for his time serving as deputy prime minister.
He also congratulated Mr Joyce and said the Coalition was committed to a “strong type of government” to support regional Australia.
READ MORE: Morrison’s G7 China list left leaders appalled
Adeshola Ore2.02pm: Question time begins with McCormack in PM’s chair
Michael McCormack is leading the Coalition in question time today as incoming Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has not yet been sworn in as a minister. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is attending the chamber remotely as he quarantines at The Lodge after his overseas trip to the G7 in Cornwall.
Adeshola Ore1.53pm: ‘Not Barnaby policy, it’s Nationals policy’
Incoming Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce says today’s spill is “about the people of Australia.”
Mr Joyce this morning won the leadership vote following a spill motion moved against Michael McCormack.
Speaking alongside deputy leader David Littleproud and Nationals Senate leader Bridget McKenzie, Mr Joyce said today’s outcome was a “democratic decision.”
“No one person makes a decision,” he said.
“The most important thing this is about, first and foremost, is the people of Australia. Then the people of regional Australia and to be brought about by that wonderful team, The National.”
Mr Joyce thanked Mr McCormack and said he conducted himself “with dignity” when conceding his defeat.
Mr Littleproud said today’s outcome required the party to now draw a line in the sand and seek to unite.
Senator McKenzie said “the party room has spoken”.
“One of the great democratic traditions comes from the National Party. You see it in the fact that we don’t announce numbers. We actually respect the room and that’s what we’re seeking to do and as part of the leadership team,” she said.
She vowed to “loyally” serve Mr Joyce.
Asked if he believed Scott Morrison should go to the Glasgow climate summit with a net zero by 2050 commitment, Mr Joyce said he would be guided by his partyroom.
“It is not Barnaby policy – it’s Nationals policy,” he said.
“Nationals policy is what I will be an advocate for.”
READ MORE: McCormack wishes Nats all the best
Joe Kelly 1.45pm:Morrison welcomes Joyce as new Nationals leader
Scott Morrison has welcomed Barnaby Joyce as the new Nationals leader and incoming Deputy Prime Minister, saying the pair will work closely to help Australia navigate the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Prime Minister thanked Michael McCormack for his service to the nation, saying the Liberal-National Coalition had been a “successful and enduring partnership for seven decades” and would continue to be so.
“It will continue to be a strong partnership, one based on shared values and a shared passion for building an even stronger Australia,” he said. “We have achieved so much together, especially for rural and regional Australia, and together we will achieve even more.”
“Our focus remains on two outcomes – protecting lives and protecting livelihoods, as we continue to bolster our vaccine roll out and build on the economic recovery that has led to the creation of almost one million jobs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Mr Morrison said he shared a passion with Mr Joyce for ensuring the regions and rural communities were successful.
“I thank Michael McCormack for his dedicated service as Deputy Prime Minister. Michael will continue to be an invaluable member of the National Party, and a passionate advocate for regional and rural communities,” he said. “I wish him and his wife Catherine and their children well.”
READ MORE: Joyce’s return a huge challenge for PM
Ellen Ransley1.33pm:Questions over who will lead question time
Barnaby Joyce will not be sworn in as Leader of the Nationals Party and Deputy Prime Minister before question time on Monday, with chaos expected to ensue. The Nationals spill comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison is in isolation inside the Lodge, after his trip to the United Kingdom and France. Michael McCormack had been serving as the Acting Prime Minister during Mr Morrison’s sojourn, and while Mr Morrison is once again running the country from quarantine, he relies on his Deputy to physically field questions in question time. – NCA Newswire
Jess Malcolm1.20pm:NSW restrictions ‘likely to be extended, not tightened’
Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed the current restrictions in place will not be tightened, but has foreshadowed they are likely to be extended past their previous deadline of Wednesday night.
The NSW Premier said she did not want to have to impose unnecessary restrictions on the state’s residents.
“I can foreshadow that it’s likely to have to continue with the existing settings in place past Wednesday night,” she said.
“We don’t want to see further restrictions imposed than we already have.”
Ms Berejiklian also flagged that testing rates must rise for the NSW government to have confidence that the currency restrictions were enough.
“It was a cold weekend yesterday, and we saw 25,000 for testing,” she said.
“But the higher the testing rate the more confidence we have knowing the policy settings are adequate.”
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said it was a positive sign that both of today’s cases were already in isolation while infectious.
“It shows the robustness of isolation, and that’s an optimistic sign,” she said.
NSW residents are still being discouraged from attending large gatherings, and to remain vigilant given how contagious the Delta variant has proven to be.
“You have to assume that you have the virus,” Ms Berejiklian said. “We know from this cluster, in some instances the exchanges have been fleeting. Literally people coming into the same airspace, that’s how contagious it is.”
READ MORE: Sydney’s ‘Bondi cluster’ hits 11
Adeshola Ore1.13pm: I wish Joyce all the best: McCormack
Ousted Nationals leader Michael McCormack says he respects the decision made by his colleagues after his predecessor Barnaby Joyce defeated him in a spill this morning.
Mr McCormack said he wished Mr Joyce “all the best” and acknowledged it was a “democratic decision.”
He also said he would “take some time” to think about his future, but reiterated his commitment to his electorate.
Mr McCormack said he was proud to serve alongside Scott Morrison, particularly as the government steered Australia through the coronavirus pandemic.
“I regard him as a true leader of our nation,” he said.
“I want to wish the Nationals Party all the best and I want to wish the government all the best.”
Asked why the Nationals felt justified in holding a leadership spill in the middle of a pandemic, Mr McCormack said “you would have to ask the people who called on the spill today.”
Mr McCormack said Mr Morrisonhad thanked him for his service following the outcome of today’s spill.
Addressing internal concerns that he did not stand up to Mr Morrison to represent the Nationals’ interests, Mr McCormack said internal arguments should not play out in the media.
“I know that when you are in my position, I think it’s important for the sake of democracy to have those discussions behind closed doors and get on with being a united government,” he said.
He acknowledged he did not always agree with Mr Morrison but said the pair “got things done” for farmers and small business operators.
There was concern amongst some Nationals MPs that Mr McCormack was “standing by” while the Prime Minister prepared to back a net-zero emissions by 2050 target.
READ MORE: Cater – China aided by left’s contempt for democracy
Remy Varga1.02pm: ‘Victoria capable of delivering double number of Pfizer jabs’
Victoria’s contact tracing chief Jeroen Weimar says the state could double the number of vaccine first doses administered weekly if more Pfizer was available.
He said the number of people receiving their first dose had fallen from around 80,000 per week to just 40,000 per week in the last couple of weeks.
“If more Pfizer were to be available in Victoria, we would be able to lift out to more than double that 40,000 a week of new first doses,” Mr Weimar said on Monday.
“But look, we’re working well with the new team in Canberra [and] we are starting to really get to the brass tacks of understanding how much vaccine is available, and not only how do we plan over the coming weeks but how do we plan all the way through to the end of the year.”
Mr Weimar said the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s recent decision to recommend Pfizer for those eligible under the age of 60 had increased pressure on supplies.
“The revised guidance from ATAGI makes more Victorians eligible for the Pfizer only vaccine and that’s where the real pressure is at the moment,” he said.
On Thursday, ATAGI updated its advice due to the unlikely risk of blood clots linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. Previously the Pfizer jab was recommended to those under the age of 50.
READ MORE: Lockdown hits national retailing
Dennis Shanahan12.42pm: Joyce’s return a huge challenge for PM
There have been personal differences between the Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce, and there are yawning chasms on policy.
But as long as Joyce can temper his enthusiasm now that he is back in the top seat and recognise winning the election is the priority then Morrison must work with him.
It is no secret Morrison preferred Michael McCormack as Nationals’ leader although senior Liberals regarded McCormack’s leadership as a “day by day proposition”.
READ Dennis Shanahan’s full commentary on Barnaby Joyce’s comeback here
Adeshola Ore12.29pm: ‘Rolling each other instead of rolling out vaccine’
Anthony Albanese has seized on the Nationals leadership spill, accusing the Coalition of being self-serving after Barnaby Joyce was elected to lead the party.
Instead of rolling out the vaccine, they're rolling each other.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 21, 2021
Whatever their priorities are, they're not focussed on you.
Mr Joyce won the vote following a spill motion moved against Michael McCormack.
“Instead of rolling out the vaccine, they’re rolling each other,” the Opposition Leader said on Twitter.
“Whatever their priorities are, they’re not focussed on you.”
Speaking in Canberra, Mr Albanese said the leadership spill was a “vote of no confidence in their own government.”
“The rolling of Michael McCormack, a decent human being, by Barnaby Joyce, represents the sixth combination of prime minister and Deputy Prime Minister under the eight long years of this government,” he said.
The Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison-Truss-Joyce-McCormack-Joyce Government. 🙄
— Chris Bowen (@Bowenchris) June 21, 2021
“If you want to end this circus, it’s time to end this government.”
Mr Albanese said he was ready for a federal election whenever it was called.
“If an early election is called, it will be because this government doesn’t think it’s capable of serving a full 3- year term,” he said.
Mr Albanese accused the government of being “self-indulgent” in the middle of Covid-19.
“The last time there was a spill was in the middle of the bushfire crisis. This time it’s in the middle of a pandemic,” he said.
Mr Joyce has been one of the Coalition’s loudest opponents to carbon neutrality by 2050.
Asked if Labor would work with the Morrison government to fund a new coal-fired power plant, Mr Albanese said “no.”
“Markets should determine where new energy is going. Call me old-fashioned – there used to be – the Liberal Party in this country used to stand up for markets,” he said.
“If the Liberal Party has walked away from you, I haven’t and the Labor Party hasn’t. We are prepared to work with business. We want to work with trade unions. We want to work with communities to promote change in a way that assists people that doesn’t leave people behind. That is our policy.”
READ MORE: Editorial – Newcastle coal port must serve producers’ interests
Jess Malcolm12.12pm:More exposure sites on alert as Sydney cluster grows
NSW Health has updated two new exposure venues to its lists of sites, including a Salvos store and a service station in Sydney’s west.
Anyone who attended the following venue of concern is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.
Salvos Stores, Tempe, 7 Bellevue Street on Thursday June 17 9am to 5pm and Saturday June 19 from 9am to 5pm.
Anyone who attended the following new venue of concern at the times listed is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.
BP Service Station, Baulkham Hills, 134 Seven Hills Road, Sunday June 13 from 11.55am to 12.05pm.
Health authorities are now advising they have detected fragments of the virus at the Brooklyn sewage treatment plant, which serves about 1000 people and covers suburbs including Dangar Island, Cowan, Brooklyn, Mooney Mooney and Cheerio Point.
People living in the catchment of Camellia North and Camelia South are also being asked to be on high alert after fragments were detected in Sydney’s western suburbs.
The Camellia North and South catchments serve about 109,600 people and covers suburbs including Camellia, Harris Park, Granville, South Granville, Mays Hill, Merrylands, Merrylands West, North Parramatta, Parramatta, South Wentworthville, Westmead, Guildford West, Sydney Olympic Park, Newington, Holroyd, Clyde, Auburn, Old Guildford, Guildford, Silverwater, Rosehill, Rydalmere.
Adeshola Ore12.01pm:McCormack ‘honoured’ to have served as Deputy PM
Speaking after the leadership spill, Michael McCormack said he was proud of his time serving as Nationals leader and deputy prime minister.
Ousted Nationals leader Michael McCormack: “It’s called democracy.†@SBSNews#auspolpic.twitter.com/WxLozfrsG0
— Shuba Krishnan (@ShubaSKrishnan) June 21, 2021
“I’ve served this country as deputy prime minister. That’s a great honour,” he told The Australian, standing alongside his ally Mark Coulton.
Mr McCormack said the party would “go forward like it has for 100 years.”
Asked if he would retain a frontbench position, Mr McCormack said “I don’t ask for anything.”
“I just serve my nation as best I can,” he said.
Adeshola Ore11.55am: Nats whip confirms Joyce returned as party leader
Nationals whip Damien Drum has confirmed Barnaby Joyce will return as deputy prime minister and leader of the party.
Mr Drum said “nothing had changed” when asked if David Littleproud was still the deputy leader of the party.
Speaking to reporters after the vote in the partyroom, Mr Drum described the Nationals as the “most democratic” party in Australia.
“We had an election. And Barnaby Joyce has been elected leader of the National Party at a federal level,” he said
Mr Joyce will hold a press conference later in the day.
Greg Brown 11.30am:Barnaby Joyce wins Nationals leadership spill
Barnaby Joyce has been elected leader of the Nationals and deputy prime minister.
The Australian has confirmed Mr Joyce won the vote following a spill motion moved against Michael McCormack.
It is the second time in 15 months that a spill motion has been called in the party after Mr Joyce fell short of winning numbers in a leadership ballot in February last year.
Mr Joyce, Mr McCormack’s predecessor, resigned as deputy prime minister in 2018 following weeks of fallout over his affair with former staffer Vikki Campion.
The Nationals’ protocol means that ballot results are not made public. – With Adeshola Ore
Jess Malcolm11.12am: NSW cluster grows to 11 with two new cases recorded
NSW has recorded two new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 overnight, both of which were announced yesterday morning.
Health authorities have also announced two further cases that will be included in tomorrow’s numbers.
NSW recorded two locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, both of which were announced yesterday morning.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 21, 2021
NSW Health has also been notified of two new locally acquired cases overnight. These cases will be included in tomorrow's numbers. pic.twitter.com/YrCa3XFXxQ
This brings the total number of cases in the so-called Bondi cluster up to 11.
Of the two new cases, one is a woman in her 50s who is a previously reported case. She 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, who is a close contact of a previously reported case and has also been in isolation.
NSW Health says there were 25,252 tests recorded yesterday.
Authorities are urging anyone who has been to any of the exposure sites of concern to get tested and follow the relevant instructions.
“This broader surveillance testing will help NSW Health to determine the extent of potential transmission,” the statement said.
People are also being advised to work from home where possible.
READ the full story here
Adeshola Ore 11.05am:Nationals partyroom meeting underway
Speculation is mounting that a leadership spill motion has been launched as Michael McCormack faces National MPs in the party room.
READ MORE: War hero trial halted amid Covid scare
Jess Malcolm 10.44am: NSW measures are enough: Berejiklian
Gladys Berejiklian has hinted that she does not expect restrictions to tighten in NSW today, based on today’s figures ahead of their release at 11am.
Speaking to 2GB this morning, the NSW Premier indicated that the situation was stable but the next few days remain critical.
“I get updates well up until 11am...but at this state we believe the measures we put in place are enough,” she said.
“We just need people not to be complacent. This is a deadly virus and the risk is always there.”
“The current outbreak demonstrates that risk.”
The Premier also said she will be pushing the federal government to bolster the state’s supply of Pfizer vaccines at today’s national cabinet meeting.
“We know that the federal government has a limited supply, but I’m going to ask for NSW to get our fair share, especially given the vast majority of people are returning through Sydney Airport.”
“And nearly half of the people we welcome home through Sydney Airport are from other states.”
The Premier is expected to give an update after national cabinet convenes.
READ MORE: Ticky Fullerton – Coalition scores some victories
John Durie10.26am: Renewables hub denied environmental approval
One of Australia’s biggest hydrogen hubs, the $50 billion Asian Renewables project was denied environmental approval because of the damage it may cause to wetlands in the Pilbara region.
The giant wind and solar project was aimed to develop green hydrogen for the Australian and export market .
Enviornment Minister Sussan Ley said the project posed unacceptable risks to the birdlife and wetlands area .
A spokesman for the hub was not immediately available.
FOLLOW ASX updates live at Trading Day
Jess Malcolm 10.14am: Further easing of restrictions in Victoria on horizon
James Merlino said Victoria’s new case today was a resident of the Southbank apartment that has been in lockdown after multiple cases emerged there.
The Acting Premier also flagged a potential easing of restrictions for Melbourne and regional Victoria later this week.
Reported yesterday: 1 new local case and 8 new cases acquired overseas (currently in HQ).
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) June 20, 2021
- 10,921 vaccine doses were administered
- 16,290 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/XMVxXpO4sn
“That is being assessed right now,” Mr Merlino said. “I do have confidence and an expectation that later in the week we’ll be announcing a whole range of easing of restrictions for regional Victorians and Melburnians.”
“But I don’t want to foreshadow those today. As Professor (Brett) Sutton always says, everything is on the table in terms of assessment, and it will be public health advice in terms of what can be eased further in a Covid-safe way.”
READ MORE:Media Diary – Ganging up against ABC’s critics
Adeshola Ore9.55am:Think hard about your futures, McCormack warns
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has fired warning shots at his Nationals colleagues who are eyeing a leadership spill, accusing them of destabilising the party.
Mr McCormack’s supporters conceded on Sunday that he was at risk of losing the majority support of his partyroom, with Nationals MPs discussing whether to move a spill or no-confidence motion against him in Monday’s partyroom meeting. But Mr McCormack has vowed he is “not backing down”.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Nationals’ partyroom meeting, Mr McCormack said regional Australia wanted politicians to listen to their electorates.
“If I survive, then the people who run actually run against me, I think they should think long and hard about their futures. I think they should think long and hard about the role that they need to play in government. They should stop being so destabilising,” he said.
Mr McCormack’s predecessor Barnaby Joyce could be in the running to return as deputy prime minister along with leadership aspirants including Nationals deputy David Littleproud and Resources Minister Keith Pitt.
READ MORE:Conspiracy theorist at home with ABC
Jess Malcolm 9.46am:Merlino calls for increased vaccine supply
Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino has called on the federal government to speed up its troubled vaccination rollout, saying Australia is “falling behind”.
Mr Merlino said he was hoping to secure more vaccine supply for Victoria at today’s emergency national cabinet meeting.
“I hope to see out of national cabinet, is a sense of urgency, an acknowledgement from the commonwealth that this is, indeed, a race,’’ he said.
“I want to see confirmation of supply. We want to see an increased supply. But above all we want to see a sense of urgency. This is a race, a race that nationally we are falling behind in.”
Mr Merlino said vaccines are “our ticket out of this pandemic”, but refused to answer how many people would be vaccinated to avoid more lockdowns in the future.
While the state recorded eight new cases in hotel quarantine, the Acting Premier said there was no plan to halt flights from high risk countries.
Overnight, the Victorian government upgraded a number of local government areas in Sydney to orange zones under its travel permit system.
These include City of Sydney, Waverley, Woollahra, Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West and Randwick.
READ MORE: Ticky Fullerton – RBA tactic‘risks asset bubbles’
Adeshola Ore9.37am:Morrison casts doubt over border reopening date
Scott Morrison says he hopes Australians will be able to travel overseas by Christmas 2022, casting doubt on the nation’s international border opening by the middle of next year.
Last year’s budget predicted Australia’s international border would re-open in mid-2022 but the changed health advice about the AstraZeneca vaccine is likely to push back the vaccine rollout.
The Prime Minister told 2GB radio he would “certainly hope” that Australians would be able to travel by Christmas next year.
“I would hope that we can do it as soon as we safely can,” he said.
Mr Morrison said Australia would be watching closely how the virus evolves over the European summer.
READ MORE: Fatigue factor a cloud over horizon of hope
Adeshola Ore9.21am: PM hits back over G7 family history side trip
Scott Morrison has hit back at suggestions he used his trip to the G7 in the UK to plan a holiday in Cornwall to trace his ancestry, describing the claims as “massively” overstated.
A photo of Mr Morrison at a pub in Cornwall sparked anger amongst home-bound Australians, with the government forecasting international travel is off the table until mid-2022. Mr Morrison also reportedly made a pilgrimage to St Keverne, a small village near Cornwall where his fifth great-grandfather was born. .
It has also been reported that the Prime Minister’s Office spent weeks planning the G7 side trip to explore his convict roots.
Mr Morrison criticised the suggestion he was taking advantage of an official diplomatic trip and said both visits were at places to and from the airport.
“I wouldn’t describe it like that at all. I mean, we had to land north of London as opposed to landing down there in Cornwall because of the fog. And we stopped off along the way. We had some lunch and stopped off in another location on the way,” he told 2GB radio.
“After the G7 on the way to the airport, we stopped at another place, which just happens to be where my fifth great grandfather was from. So I think it was pretty innocent. I think that’s massively overstating it.”
Mr Morrison is now self-isolating in The Lodge and will attend today’s question time via web conference. He will also attend a virtual national cabinet meeting today on the vaccine rollout, following the national immunisation panel’s changed advice about the AstraZeneca shot.
READ MORE: Editorial – No need to embellish Indigenous history
Lydia Lynch 9.17am: Queensland chief health officer named next governor
Queensland’s chief heath officer Dr Jeannette Young has been named as the state’s next governor.
Dr Young, who has served as the top doctor for 16 years, will begin the role on November 1.
She said it was an honour to have her appointment approved by the Queen.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there was “no-one more deserving of the title “Her Excellency”.
“The people of this state know she stood by their side too and kept us safe,” she said.
An external recruitment process will begin for the new Chief Health Officer.
READ MORE:Peter Ridd case a huge test on freedom of speech
Lydia Lynch9.06am:No lockdown for Brisbane after new infection
Brisbane will avoid another lockdown for now after no new local Covid cases were detected in Queensland on Monday.
Fears of an outbreak were triggered on Sunday when an international flight crew member tested positive to COVID-19 after mingling in the community.
The woman, aged in her 30s, had visited the DFO shopping centre near Brisbane and a family centre while unknowingly infectious on Saturday.
She had tested negative days zero, five and 12 of hotel quarantine.
The cabin crew member left quarantine on day 14. Her infection was picked up by a routine weekly Covid swab required of all international flight crew.
Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said the woman, who has the UK strain, likely contracted Covid at the quarantine hotel.
READ MORE: Indonesia faces Covid-19 tsunami
Jess Malcolm9.00am:NSW updates exposure times with new venue alert
NSW Health has updated the exposure time for one of its listed exposure sites.
Health authorities have extended the exposure time by 15 minutes for California Nails in Barangaroo from 4.45pm to 5.45pm on Wednesday June 16 2021.
CORRECTION - the exposure time at California Nails in Barangaroo has been extended from 4:45pm to *5:45pm* on Wednesday 16 June 2021.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) June 20, 2021
This exposure venue is located at shop T2, 15 Tower Two, International Towers Sydney, Scotch Row, 200 Barangaroo Avenue.
Anyone who has attended this venue must immediately call NSW Health, get tested and self-isolate until they receive further advice from authorities.
READ MORE: City ordered mask up as cluster grows
Adeshola Ore 8.53am:Canavan tells McCormack he doesn’t back him
Nationals senator Matt Canavan says he called Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack over the weekend to tell him he does not support his leadership of the Nationals, amid speculation of a spill in today’s partyroom.
As leadership speculation brewed over the weekend, Mr McCormack’s supporters conceded on Sunday that he was at risk of losing the majority support of his partyroom, with Nationals MPs discussing whether to move a spill or no-confidence motion against him in Monday’s partyroom meeting. But Mr McCormack has vowed he is “not backing down”.
Mr McCormack’s predecessor Barnaby Joyce could be in the running to return as deputy prime minister along with leadership aspirants including Nationals deputy David Littleproud and Resources Minister Keith Pitt.
Senator Canavan, who last year quit the frontbench to back Mr Joyce, said he had always been clear that he did not support Mr McCormack.
“I’ve called Michael and told him the same on the weekend. It’s nothing personal, it’s just we’ve got to make sure we put our best foot forward,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“I’ve been upfront about that view. That’s not something that has changed or anything. I’ve said that last year, I’ve quit my frontbench position over it.”
Senator Canavan said Mr McCormack’s supporters had fuelled leadership speculation in the media.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.
READ MORE: PM’s G7 side trip to track his family history
Jess Malcolm8.45am:Victoria records one new local virus case
Victoria has recorded one new case of locally acquired Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, following 16,209 tests.
Reported yesterday: 1 new local case and 8 new cases acquired overseas (currently in HQ).
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) June 20, 2021
- 10,921 vaccine doses were administered
- 16,290 test results were received
More later: https://t.co/lIUrl1hf3W#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicData [1/2] pic.twitter.com/XMVxXpO4sn
Health authorities have confirmed the new locally acquired case is a primary close contact of a previously recorded case, and has been in quarantine during their infectious period.
There were eight new cases recorded in hotel quarantine.
The Victorian government also administered 10,921 vaccine doses in the past 24 hours.
Acting Premier James Merlino is expected to address the media at 9.30am with more information about today’s case.
READ MORE: Buyers defy outbreaks to charge into property
Adeshola Ore 8.28am: Nationals MPs have ‘had a gutful’ of challenges
Queensland National MP Michelle Landry says she’s had a “gutful” of leadership challenges in the National Party, as Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack stares down a potential spill in today’s partyroom.
Mr McCormack’s supporters conceded on Sunday that he was at risk of losing the majority support of his partyroom, with Nationals MPs discussing whether to move a spill or no-confidence motion against him in Monday’s partyroom meeting. But Mr McCormack has vowed he is “not backing down”.
Ms Landry said the public had no interest in the party “talking about ourselves.”
“I, for one, have had an absolute gutful of it all,” she told reporters in Canberra.
“I just hope that we have a normal party room meeting today and just get on with the job that we’re paid to do.”
In an interview with news.com.au, Ms Landry said she had warned Mr Joyce his leadership would not be backed by female voters.
Mr Joyce resigned as deputy prime minister in 2018 following weeks of fallout over his affair with former staffer Vikki Campion.
READ MORE: Push for lobbying ban on ex-ministers
Jess Malcolm 8.22am: ‘Focus on jobs, vaccines, not Nationals’
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says he welcomes claims from Barnaby Joyce on Monday morning that there was no prospect of a Nationals leadership spill.
Senator Birmingham told ABC News Breakfast he didn’t know where the speculation came from.
“I expect that that would be the truth if that’s what he’s saying,” he said.
“I expect that everybody ought to be focused on the jobs and security and safety of Australians. And we have a record number of Australians in employment at present. They’re the jobs that matter and they’re the jobs we’ve got to keep creating and growing.”
Senator Birmingham also addressed the nation’s troubled vaccination rollout, following comments made by the acting Premier of Victoria James Merlino that it was a “shambles”.
“We’re working to ensure that we have as much available supply as possible. There’s around 2.3 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine being distributed through this part of June.”
“The last million doses were achieved in around 10 days so that shows just how much the speed of vaccine administration across the country has stepped up.”
“We’ve had the last disruption last week with the health advice on AstraZeneca changing, lifting that to over 60s instead of over 50s. That will cause an impact. There’s no point pretending otherwise, but we work through that and what Australians should know is that
across-the-board, we’ve got 195 million doses contracted for Australia.”
An emergency national cabinet meeting is convening today to address the vaccine rollout after health experts changed advice for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
READ MORE:Premier applauds local vaccine
Adeshola Ore8.15am: PM ‘absolutely happy’ with his Deputy
Scott Morrison says he is “absolutely” happy with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack’s leadership, amid speculation of a spill in the Nationals;
Mr McCormack’s supporters conceded on Sunday that he was at risk of losing the majority support of his partyroom, with Nationals MPs discussing whether to move a spill or no-confidence motion against him in Monday’s partyroom meeting. But Mr McCormack has vowed he is “not backing down”
The Prime Minister praised Mr McCormack and said they had a “wonderful partnership.”
“We’ve worked very closely together and provided great stable leadership for Australia,” he told 2GB radio.
“The Nationals will have their discussions as they always do and we’ll just get on with the job.”
Mr McCormack’s predecessor Barnaby Joyce could be in the running to return as deputy prime minister along with leadership aspirants including Nationals deputy David Littleproud and Resources Minister Keith Pitt.
READ MORE: MPs revolt over China’s grip on coal port
Adeshola Ore8.10am: McCormack doing a bloody good job: Chester
Nationals MP Darren Chester says the leadership issue of the Nationals Party has already been resolved, as he pledges his support for Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
Mr Chester said he believed Mr McCormack had the numbers to retain his leadership.
“I think he’s doing a bloody good job as Deputy Prime Minister. He’s delivering for regional communities and I continue to support him,” he told reporters in Canberra.
“When you see members of parliament actually stand in front of cameras and talk about the issues, there is no one now coming out and saying they have the numbers to take over from the Deputy Prime Minister.”
“I think he’ll lead us all the way to the election.”
Mr McCormack’s supporters conceded on Sunday that he was at risk of losing the majority support of his partyroom, with Nationals MPs discussing whether to move a spill or no-confidence motion against him in Monday’s partyroom meeting. His predecessor Barnaby Joyce is in the running to return as deputy prime minister along with leadership aspirants including Nationals deputy David Littleproud and Resources Minister Keith Pitt.
READ MORE:Sheridan – Nationals are a dysfunctional mess
Jess Malcolm7.55am:Nats woes hold Coalition back on climate: Albanese
Anthony Albanese has seized on reports that Nationals leader Michael McCormack is staring down a challenge to his leadership, claiming the nationals are “focussed on themselves”.
The Opposition Leader told ABC’s Radio National that the National Party had lost sight of their core voters and abandoned their supporters.
“Barnaby Joyce continues to disrupt,” he said.
“It’s very clear that this holds back the Coalition for ever taking serious action on climate change.”
Mr Albanese also attacked the Morrison government for being slow to act on climate change, referencing the Prime Minister’s recent trip to the G7 summit in Europe.
“Boris Johnson was crabwalking Australia’s policy announcements and Morrison was on mute,” he said.
“This is the government that is scared of the current realities and the future,” he said.
“Australia could be a renewable energy superpower if we were prepared to open our eyes.”
The Opposition Leader ducked questioning on whether Labor would commit to G7 targets of decarbonising Australia’s electricity by 2030.
READ MORE: Shanahan – Dead man walking toward end of road
Jess Malcolm7.32am: Mask order ‘doesn’t go far enough’
Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett has backed the NSW government decision to enforce mask wearing indoors, but has raised concern it doesn’t go far enough.
Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Professor Bennett said it was highly likely the virus has spread outside the seven local government areas where masks are mandated indoors, urging everyone to consider wearing a mask.
“At the end of the day, everyone who is not wearing masks is now at greater risk of being a case themselves,” she said.
So I do think that while it’s good they’ve set the mandated mask wearing there, it doesn’t mean that people can’t wear them wherever they choose to.”
“Encouraging people to wear them indoors, I think, is the right thing to do, and as I said, not just necessarily in that area because some of the people exposed to cases have now moved to a number of areas across Greater Sydney and down in the Illawarra.”
Professor Bennett also said she was also concerned about the high transmissibility of the delta variant, after the limousine driver spread the virus through ‘fleeting contact’ in Bondi Junction.
“This just shows us that that CCTV footage of the case who acquired the virus in passing in Myer...you can be following someone along in a closed air space and just be breathing in the air that they’ve recently exhaled and that’s enough to get an infecting dose.
“So you have to be unlucky for that situation, but it’s real and it can happen. So here, where you do have that infectious person, that’s been the critical risk.”
Jess Malcolm7.20am:Barnaby Joyce plays down leadership spill talk
Barnaby Joyce has disputed reports that he is preparing to launch a challenge to the Nationals leadership, saying they are incorrect.
Mr Joyce told Sunrise that there was no prospect of a spill now, and that Nationals leader Michael McCormack was doing “the best job he can”.
“He is a good bloke and has been working as hard as he can,” he told Sunrise. “The issue is in the next election and this is for the National Party and the coalition in general, it’s going to be one in three places, the Hunter Valley where Joel is, Central Queensland and in and around Darwin.
“That’s it and we have got to make sure and what Michael has to make sure is that we are clearly identifiable in our policy structure in such a way that we can win it not just for the Nationals but for the coalition.”
When asked about speculation Mr Joyce had secured 10 out of 11 votes, he said: “That is something I have no idea about”.
The Australian reported today that Barnaby Joyce was in the running to return as deputy prime minister along with leadership aspirants including Nationals deputy David Littleproud and Resources Minister Keith Pitt.
Nationals MPs are set to discuss whether to move a spill or no-confidence motion against Mr McCormack in Monday’s partyroom meeting.
READ MORE:Support growing for Joyce to leads Nats
Jess Malcolm7.05am:Qld scrambling after flight attendant’s positive test
Queensland health authorities are urgently investigating how an international flight attendant caught the virus after testing positive following 14 days in hotel quarantine.
Authorities have confirmed genomic sequencing has ruled out that she caught the virus from someone on an Emirates flight from Dubai in early June, prompting them to launch an investigation on how she had contracted it.
Late on Sunday night, Queensland Health confirmed she does not have the highly infectious Delta variant as it was previously thought.
The woman has reportedly spent just under 12 hours in the community while infectious, visiting a Brisbane DFO outlet and a Portuguese restaurant.
Queensland Health are urgently reviewing CCTV footage to figure out exactly where she went, and no further restrictions have been announced.
Anyone who visited the venues is being asked to isolate themselves and get tested.
READ MORE:City ordered to mask-up
Jess Malcolm6.45am:‘Get tested, isolate’ alert at more venues
NSW Health asks that anyone who attended the following stores at the times listed should monitor for symptoms and if they appear, isolate and get tested until a negative result is received.
Sydney Hills Gymnastics, Castle Hill, 3/4 Gladstone Road: Friday June 11 – 4pm to 4.15pm
IGA, Baulkham Hills, 30-32 Arthur Street: Saturday June 12 – 10am to 10.15am
Piccolo Me, Parramatta, 93 George Street: Thursday June 10 – 9.15am to 9.20am
De Salt Café, Parramatta: 36/70-74 Phillip Street
Wednesday June 9, 9.15am to 9.20am
Friday June 11, 9.15am to 9.20am
Wednesday June 16, 10am to 10,05am
Oriental Tucker Box, Parramatta: 4/95-101 George Street
Friday June 11, 1pm to 1.30pm
Wednesday June 16, 1pm to 1.35pm
Tuesday 15 June
The Gardens Café, Sydney, World Square, 644 George Street: 9.30am to 9.35am
Adventure Megastore: Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street, 10.40am to 12.30pm
Kathmandu – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne: 19 Roseby Street, 10.40am to 12.30
MacPac – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne: 19 Roseby Street, 10.40am to 12.30pm
Papaya – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne: 19 Roseby Street, 12.30pm to 12.45pm
Kingswood Coffee, Sydney, Shop 10, Level 1, World Square: 644 George Street, 4.30pm to 4.45pm.
READ MORE:Swans ponder Covid dash to Adelaide
Jess Malcolm6.30am:New potential exposure sites added in Sydney
A gym, supermarkets and a popular shopping centre are among a growing list of new venues exposed to Covid-19, as the unfolding cluster in Sydney grows to nine.
This comes as a Wollongong Private Hospital is also on high alert this morning after it was revealed on Sunday that a patient who visited the hospital has tested positive.
Several new venues have been added in Birkenhead Point Shopping Outlet, raising concern the virus has spread outside central Sydney and the eastern suburbs.
Masks are now required indoors across seven local government areas, and also required for everyone on public transport in greater Sydney, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday she had not ruled out implementing further restrictions, and that the next few days were critical in deciding if more restrictions would be necessary.
Anyone who attended the following venue is a close contact and must immediately call NSW Health and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.
North Face Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby St – Tuesday June 15 11.35am to 11,50am.
Anyone who attended the following venue at the time listed is a casual contact and must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
Saturday June 12
Castle Hill Fitness and Aquatic Centre, Castle Hill, 77 Castle Street – 8.30 to 9.40am
Monday June 14
Big W – Stockland Merrylands, Merrylands, 191-201 Pitt Street – 1.50pm to 2.45
Oporto – Food Court – Stockland Merrylands, Merrylands, 191-201 Pitt Street – 2.40 to 3pm
Tuesday June 15
Estro – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 10.15 to 10.40am
Christensen Copenhagen – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 10.30 to 11am
Maje – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 10.45 to 11am
ASICS – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 11.20 to 11.40am
Hero Sushi, Sydney, 52 Goulburn Street – 2.30pm to 2.40pm.
Top Juice – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 11.15am to 11.20am
Bed Bath n Table – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 11.30 to 11.40am.
Icebreaker – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 11.40 to 11.45am
Adairs – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 11.45am to 11.55am
Aldi – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 12.35pm to 12.45pm
Priceline – Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Drummoyne, 19 Roseby Street – 12.40pm to 12.50pm
Saturday June 19
Coles, Westfield Hurstville, Hurstville, Corner of Cross Street and Park Road – 6.10pm to 6.30pm.
READ MORE:Covid fatigue a cloud over horizon of hope
Agencies5.50am:Second team into Tokyo has positive Covid case
A member of the Uganda Olympic team has tested positive for coronavirus on arrival in Japan, just over a month before the pandemic-postponed Games, officials said, AFP reports.
The first group to arrive from Uganda — a nine-strong party, including boxers, coaches and officials — landed at Tokyo’s Narita airport on Saturday. They are the second team to arrive after Australia women’s softball squad on June 1.
But one of the African nation’s delegation tested positive during screening at the airport, a government official told reporters. The person tested twice but their condition remained unknown, reported local media.
“I heard the person has been isolated based on regulations,” Hidemasa Nakamura, the Tokyo 2020 Games delivery officer, told reporters, renewing a pledge to take strict measures against infections.
Public broadcaster NHK said the group had all been vaccinated and tested negative in Uganda before they came to Japan.
The team was originally due to have arrived in Japan on June 16, but their flight was cancelled following a surge in Covid-19 cases in Uganda, local media said.
The other members of the Ugandan party have already left the airport for Osaka, western Japan, where they will train ahead of the Games.
This was the first case showing positive Covid test results among Olympic arrivals from overseas, local media said.
Last week organisers released virus guidelines for athletes as part of their effort to hold the Games safely even though the pandemic has not yet been brought under control.
Organisers said they would meet on Monday to discuss how many domestic spectators to allow, if any, with reports suggesting they would opt for a cap of 10,000 people.
Nippon Television said organisers were considering setting the upper limit of spectators, including guests and officials, at 20,000 for the July 23 opening ceremony.
Fans from abroad are already banned from attending the postponed event.
— Agencies
Olivia Caisley5.15am:Leaders blast Pfizer rollout ‘shambles’ amid recalibration
A decision by government health advisers to restrict AstraZeneca to those over 60 and the recalibration of the vaccine rollout will be at the heart of Monday’s national cabinet meeting following Victoria’s criticism that the administration of jabs had “been a shambles” and WA’s demands for more Pfizer doses.
As Australian Defence Force Lieutenant General John “JJ” Frewen moves to apply his military logistics expertise to the rollout, national cabinet will discuss the reallocation of Pfizer doses across the states and territories in the wake of new Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice that AstraZeneca be restricted to those 60 and over.
Under the recalibration, Pfizer doses will be allocated to the states and territories based on population sizes, except in instances of Covid-19 breakouts. The Morrison government is also expected to chastise the states for “under-ordering” vaccines and will call on the leaders to get vials out of commonwealth fridges and into arms.
But the issue of supply is expected to be a sticking point at the meeting after West Australian Premier Mark McGowan flagged that he would seek a bigger share of Pfizer supplies, and a guarantee of supply to keep up with growing demand for Pfizer jabs. He will also tell national cabinet that WA needs more than the 30,000 doses of Pfizer a week allocated by the commonwealth.
Victoria’s Acting Premier, James Merlino, also called for more doses from the government, declaring its supply would not meet demand, as he blasted the rollout as an “absolute shambles”.
Read the full story here.
Joseph Lam5am:Sydney masks-up as Delta puts city on alert
Hundreds of thousands of Sydneysiders across seven councils were subject to immediate mandatory mask use indoors from Sunday after three new Covid-19 cases were recorded in NSW.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian introduced tighter restrictions as she confirmed Sydney’s eastern suburbs cluster had grown to nine cases. “In addition to public transport, there will be seven councils or local government areas within Sydney covering the CBD, inner west and southeast,” she said.
“We’ll ask people to wear a mask indoors in a mandatory way so you must wear a mask if you are in and around those seven local government areas.”
The restrictions will last until Thursday.
Mask use is now mandatory indoors at retail venues and for hospitality staff in Randwick, Bayside, Canada Bay, Inner West, City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra. It is also compulsory on public transport in Wollongong and Shellharbour.
Read the full story here.
Greg Brown4.45am:McCormack vows no retreat as Nats rivals circle
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack is staring down a challenge to his leadership, declaring he is “not backing down” and threatening the political futures of any rivals who support an unsuccessful spill against him.
With Scott Morrison in quarantine at The Lodge, senior Nationals spent the weekend canvassing options to replace Mr McCormack, with Barnaby Joyce in the running to return as deputy prime minister along with leadership aspirants including Nationals deputy David Littleproud and Resources Minister Keith Pitt.
Mr McCormack’s supporters conceded on Sunday that he was at risk of losing the majority support of his partyroom, with Nationals MPs discussing whether to move a spill or no-confidence motion against him in Monday’s partyroom meeting.
The removal of Mr McCormack would trigger a cabinet reshuffle, risk deepening the Coalition’s climate change divisions and unwinding attempts by Mr Morrison to maintain unity over his net-zero emissions objectives.
Read the full story, by Greg Brown, Dennis Shanahan and Geoff Chambers, here.
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