PoliticsNow: Residents from Palm Beach to The Spit told to stay home as cluster grows
Residents from Palm Beach to The Spit have been told to stay at home from now as Sydney’s northern beaches coronavirus cluster grows to 17.
- Avalon RSL likely source of Beaches cluster
- Covid recovery trims deficit
- Northern Beaches cluster grows
- Hundreds queue for Covid tests
- Northern Beaches alerts extended
- Mystery cases put Sydney on edge
Welcome to live coverage of the latest Australian political headlines, as well as our nation’s response to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Residents from Palm Beach to The Spit have been told to stay at home from now as the northern beaches virus cluster grows to 17, with a testing blitz underway.
Australia’s recovery from pandemic ‘outperforming all advanced economies’, resulting in reduced deficit for 2020/21 of $197.7bn.
Kieran Gair 11.45pm: WA imposes 14-day quarantine on NSW travellers
The West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced that NSW residents will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days after midnight on Thursday.
Effective immediately, anyone who has arrived from NSW since December 11, or was in NSW from December 11 and subsequently arrived in WA, must self-quarantine as “soon as possible”.
Only hours earlier, Mr McGowan ordered anyone who arrived from NSW after December 11 to go immediately into self-isolation and undertake a COVID-19 test within the next 24 hours.
Mr McGowan escalated the state’s response to the unfolding outbreak in Sydney following an emergency meeting on Thursday night with Health Minister Roger Cook, WA Chief Health Officer Andrew Robertson, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson and the Director of General Health DJ Russell-Weisz.
“We are very concerned there will be many more community cases in NSW,” Mr McGowan said. “I understand these changes will cause frustration and uncertainty for some people, and be very upsetting for many families looking to reunite and spend Christmas together.
“This has been a difficult decision to make, but we need to follow the health advice and do what is in the best interest of all Western Australians.”
Mr McGowan said the COVID-19 cluster unfolding on Sydney’s northern beaches, which ballooned to 17 on Thursday, had convinced health officials that it was necessary to raise NSW from a “very low risk” state to a “low risk” state.
The measure will throw Christmas plans for thousands of people into disarray and other states and territories could follow Western Australia’s lead and close their borders to NSW in the coming days.
Footage shared on Twitter by ABC journalist Bridget Fitzgerald showed the moment police informed passengers they would be required to self-quarantine.
Authorities boarded the flight soon after landing in Perth and informed passengers of “changes” to legislation while they were in the air.
“Unfortunately while your aircraft has been in the air, there have been some changes to legislation in relation to quarantining,” he informed the packed flight.
Anyone arriving from Sydney airport or from another Australian airport having been in NSW on or after December 11 must take a test at Perth Airport on arrival or at another COVID-19 clinic within 24 hours.
Kieran Gair 9.10pm: Health officials in emergency meeting
A two-hour emergency meeting of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee is underway, as health officials scramble to address the unfolding COVID-19 outbreak in NSW.
The AHPCC, the key decision-making committee responsible for advising the government on national health policies, began Thursday emergency meeting shortly after 8pm.
National Cabinet may ask the AHPCC for advice on which measures are considered necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19 to other states and territories, including whether border closures should form part of the emergency response.
Last month, Victoria introduced a “hard border” with South Australia and Queensland declared the state a virus hotspot after 15 new cases developed in Adelaide.
Earlier, the NSW Health Department announced that 17 cases of COVID-19 had been detected in the northern beaches area of Sydney and urged residents from the Spit Bridge to Palm Beach to work from home and remain at home as much as possible.
The AHPCC is comprised of all state and territory Chief Health Officers and is chaired by the Australian Chief Medical Officer.
READ MORE: Europe vows to vaccinate as infections surge
AFP 8.35pm: French President tests positive
French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19, the presidency said on Thursday, adding he would now self-isolate for the next week.
“The President tested positive for COVID-19 today (Thursday),” it said in a statement, adding he had been tested after the “onset of the first symptoms”.
Macron will now, in accordance with national regulations, “self isolate for seven days. He will continue to work and carry out his activities remotely,” it said.
AFP 8.15pm: Cases soar ‘exponentially’ in South Africa
South Africa, the country worst-hit by the coronavirus on the continent, has registered more than 10,000 daily cases as infections surge at an exponential rate, the health minister said.
The COVID-19 positivity rate — the proportion of tests that come back positive — has topped 21 per cent, far exceeding the “ideal” rate of 10 per cent, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a tweet on Thursday.
South Africa reined in its first wave of the virus which occurred in July, when the new cases topped 12,000 daily.
Numbers then gradually came down, to below 1000 in September. On Monday, the figure had risen to around 8000, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce new restrictions, in particular a curfew from 11pm and the closure of some beaches in the southeast at the start of the summer.
“Today we have breached the 10,000 mark for new cases,” Mr Mkhize said. “Our daily cases are growing exponentially.”
The worst-hit region is the Western Cape in the south, including the tourist destinations of Cape Town and the country’s wine country, which had almost one-third of the 10,008 new cases.
Kwazulu-Natal in the southeast and the economic capital Johannesburg are the second and third worst hit.
“Our beaches are known for overcrowding during this time and people tend to be carefree,” the minister said.
He urged holidaymakers who may be heading to those beaches that are open “to ensure that it does not become a day of regret where people get infected and lives are lost”.
As of late Wednesday, local time, the country of around 58 million people had recorded 23,827 deaths from 883,687 cases.
South Africa accounts for more than a third of the coronavirus cases reported across the African continent.
READ MORE: Luxury leaps as buyers buoyant
Paul Garvey 7.30pm: WA orders tests for arrivals from NSW
Western Australia will require all arrivals from NSW to undergo a COVID test and has ordered anyone who has entered WA from the state in the past week to go into self-quarantine immediately.
WA premier Mark McGowan said anyone who had arrived his state from NSW since December 11 would also need to present for a COVID test within the next 24 hours, and will need to self-quarantine until a negative result is confirmed.
All arrivals from NSW will now be required to take a COVID test within 24 hours of landing in WA and will have to self-isolate while they wait for their result.
But the state has stopped short of reintroducing mandatory two weeks of quarantine for all NSW arrivals, meaning Christmas reunions are still a chance of going ahead next week.
The latest rules are in response to the six locally acquired cases recorded in NSW in the past two days.
“Our Chief Health Officer is in close contact with NSW Health and will provide a further update to the state government in the next 24 to 48 hours, to determine if further changes are required,” Mr McGowan said.
“As I have said previously, we will not hesitate to change our border controls if the health advice recommends.”
The updated guidance followed an urgent meeting of WA’s emergency committee on Thursday afternoon.
“I understand these changes will cause some frustration and uncertainty for some people,” Mr McGowan said.
“We ask for your patience and understanding as we take these steps to protect the health of all Western Australians.”
The partial reintroduction compares to WA’s swift response to the South Australian outbreak last month, when the two-week quarantine restrictions were immediately reimposed. Those restrictions remain in place.
READ MORE: Widodo makes the coronavirus jab free for all
Stephen Rice 7.20pm: New testing clinics for Sydney’s north
New pop-up testing clinics for the northern beaches area will open from 8am on Friday:
● Avalon pop-up at Avalon Recreation Centre, 59 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon
● Newport Pop up at Newport Community Centre, 11-13 The Boulevard, Newport
● Warringah Aquatic Centre Drive-through, 1 Aquatic Dr, Frenchs Forest
Stephen Rice 6.30pm: Residents told to stay home as cluster grows
The NSW Health Department has announced 17 cases of COVID-19 infection in the northern beaches area and urged Sydney residents from the Spit Bridge to Palm Beach to work from home and remain at home as much as possible.
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) December 17, 2020
The Department advises that people not visit friends or relatives in the area and avoid unnecessary gatherings. This includes avoiding clubs, restaurants, places of worship and gyms.
One of the new cases is a Department of Education employee who went to Media City in Eveleigh on Monday. A full pandemic clean of the building will begin immediately.
In response to the growing infection rate in NSW, the Queensland and Western Australia governments have imposed new restrictions on travel.
From tomorrow anyone who has been in the northern beaches area since December 11 will not be able to visit Queensland residential aged care facilities, hospitals or correctional facilities.
The Western Australian government has announced that anyone who has been in NSW since December 11 must get tested and self-isolate.
Passengers on a flight from Sydney to Perth have reportedly been told they must take a Covid-19 test and quarantine for 24 hours.
6.16pm: WA Premier cracks down after Sydney outbreak
WA Premier Mark McGowan has reimposed rules of entry to the state with everyone from NSW to undergo testing and isolation.
“Anyone arriving from Sydney Airport or from elsewhere having been in NSW on or after 11/12, from this point forward must take a COVID-19 test, either on arrival, or at another COVID clinic within 24 hours, and self-quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed,” Mr McGowan tweeted.
“Anyone who has arrived from NSW since 11 Dec will be contacted by WA Police with these instructions, as a result of the G2G Pass declaration system.”
Following consultation with NSW Health, WA’s Chief Health Officer has provided updated advice to the WA Government on our controlled interstate border.
— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) December 17, 2020
Due to the evolving situation in NSW, the State Government is taking immediate steps to further protect WA. pic.twitter.com/b140OghVUV
James Hall 6.07pm: 24-hour deadline for Christmas travel
Travellers hoping to flock into Queensland from NSW for Christmas have been warned to wait 24 hours amid an escalating Sydney virus cluster.
The Sunshine State’s acting premier Steven Miles said the borders between the two states would remain open for now but warned Queensland’s chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, was eagerly watching as the northern neaches outbreak rose to five people.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer is closely monitoring the latest COVID-19 cases in NSW. Anyone who has been in the Northern Beaches region must follow the health advice issued by NSW: https://t.co/HpC55AD3IM pic.twitter.com/3u47oyPgc7
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) December 17, 2020
Mr Miles said the outbreak was in its infancy and advised Queenslanders planning on travelling to Sydney, and the northern beaches where four of the cases are from specifically, to wait 24 hours for Dr Young to provide a more detailed response on restrictions.
But he said travel policies were unlikely to change given Queensland Health was confident in the steps taken by its NSW counterparts to contain the recent outbreak.
6.00pm: Authorities issue alert for three Sydney RSL clubs
NSW Health issued a statement regarding alerts for three new venues this afternoon, after another new locally acquired case of COVID-19 was reported in Sydney’s northern beaches.
People who have visited the following venues should get tested immediately and isolate until NSW Health provides further information:
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 17, 2020
•Avalon RSL club, 11 December, all day till closed
•Penrith RSL club, 13 December, 1-6 pm
•Kirribilli club, 14 December, 12-3 pm
People who have visited the following venues should get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result and until they have been contacted by NSW Health:
Avalon RSL club on December 11, all day until closed
Penrith RSL club on December 13 between 1pm and 6pm
Kirribilli club on December 14 between 12pm and 3pm
READ MORE: Long, unpredictable economic path to tread
5.41pm: Three new testing clinics for Sydney’s northern beaches
Three new coronavirus testing clinics have opened amid a growing cluster of cases in Sydney’s northern beaches.
The clinics are in Avalon, Warringah and Newport, and will be operating until 10pm.
NSW Health has increased COVID-19 testing options for the Northern Beaches community with three new pop-up clinics opening today. pic.twitter.com/m5gB9jHkuT
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 17, 2020
John Ferguson 5.24pm: Libs face heat over branch stacking report
Some Victorian Liberal members face possible disciplinary action after the internal report into alleged branch stacking and abuse of membership records.
The Victorian Liberal Party was due on Thursday night to be briefed on the findings of the KordaMentha report, which will lead to major reform of the organisational structures.
There was intense speculation that Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar and former minister Kevin Andrews would be cleared of wrongdoing by the investigation.
But senior party sources said the final report would only be furnished to the administrative committee on Thursday night, meaning last minute changes could have been made to the document.
The Australian believes the report has found issues with some people across the factional divide that could lead to punitive action.
Perry Williams 4.44pm: Rio Tinto names Jakob Stausholm as new CEO
Rio Tinto has named finance boss Jakob Stausholm as its new chief executive, replacing outgoing boss Jean-Sebastien Jacques who was forced to quit amid outrage over the destruction of 46,000-year-old heritage sites at West Australia’s Juukan Gorge.
The appointment of a Danish executive will be closely scrutinised by both Rio’s powerful investors and senior Morrison government figures after a rare intervention by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg who demanded the next CEO should be Australian along with the majority of the board.
Mr Stausholm faces a tough test to rebuild trust in the mining giant after the Juukan Gorge calamity caused global outrage that ultimately cost Mr Jacques his job.
James Hall 4.10pm: Queensland makes decision on NSW border
The border between Queensland and NSW will remain open despite the community spread in Sydney growing overnight.
The Sunshine State’s acting premier Steven Miles said the Queensland chief health officer Jeannette Young would debrief with her NSW counterpart to dissect the latest contact tracing information.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan was due to hold urgent meeting with the state’s emergency committee this afternoon to decide whether to close the border to arrivals from NSW.
Fears of a possible border closure were sparked on Wednesday when it was revealed NSW had recorded its first local coronavirus case in two weeks – a 45-year-old van driver.
Two more infections were announced later that afternoon – a woman in her 60s and a man in his 70s.
Another two were added to the outbreak by Thursday morning, with a third added in the afternoon.
This means NSW Health is now investigating six locally acquired cases.
Mr Miles said the outbreak was in its infancy and advised Queenslanders planning on travelling to Sydney, and the Northern Beaches where four of the cases are from specifically, to wait 24 hours for Dr Young to provide a more detailed response on restrictions.
But he said travel policies were unlikely to change given Queensland Health was confident in the steps taken by its NSW counterparts to contain the recent outbreak.
“We’ll monitor that situation very, very closely,” Mr Miles told reporters.
NSW health officials told those who visited the below venues in Palm Beach and Avalon that they are being considered close contacts.
They have been told to isolate for 14 days even if they receive a negative coronavirus test.
Those site include:
Hungry Ghost Cafe, 20 Avalon Parade, Avalon on Sunday, December 13 between 9.30am and 11am and Tuesday, December 15 between 9.30 and 11am
Sneaky Ground Cafe, Avalon Beach on Monday, December 14 between 10.30am and 11am
Barramee Thai Massage and Spa, 4/42-44 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach on Monday, December 14 between 2pm and 3.30pm
Bangkok Sidewalk Restaurant, 1/21-23 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach on Monday, December 14 between 7pm and 8pm
Palm Beach female change rooms on Sunday, December 13 between 9am and 9.15am
Coast Palm Beach Cafe, Palm Beach on Sunday, December 13 between 10am and 11am
Avalon Bowlo (bowling club), Avalon Beach on Sunday, December 13 between 5pm and 7pm (not 3-5pm as previously reported) and Tuesday, December 15 between 3pm and 5pm
Health authorities have also issued a warning for those who visited the following venues to get a test immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.
These include:
Bing Lee, Gateway, 1 Mona Vale Road, Mona Vale on Monday, December 14 between 4.30 and 4.45pm
Woolworths Avalon Beach on Sunday, December 13 between 12pm and 5pm
Oliver’s Pies, Careel Shopping Village, Avalon Beach on Monday, December 14 between 9am and 9.15am.
READ MORE: Trust in government jumps during Covid
Evin Priest 3.26pm: ‘Frustrated’: shops close after Sydney virus outbreak
Small businesses visited by people linked to Sydney’s virus outbreak have spoken about the huge cost of having to close.
Oliver’s Pies, at Careel Shopping village in Avalon Beach, was among 11 venues visited by infected cases.
Owner Daniel Roberts told NCA NewsWire the daily losses in revenue would be “substantial”.
He said that a man – one of six cases in NSW – only visited very briefly on Monday after 9am.
“He was only here for a couple of minutes and paid by card so we are considered low risk,” Mr Roberts said.
“The situation is a little frustrating, yes, but they are the rules and we are obviously going to follow them … it is a substantial amount of trade lost each day are closed.
“We have lost out on substantial trade today but there are some places that have to close for two weeks, so it could be worse.
“There is a bit of concern among the community with everyone getting tested today.”
Mr Roberts closed the shop as soon as he was contacted and said he would await NSW Health advice on when they could reopen.
People who visited his pie shop on Monday between 9am and 9.15am are being told to monitor for symptoms and get tested.
Avalon Bowlo in Avalon Beach is one of the venues considered higher risk.
Anyone who visited on Sunday (between 5pm and 7pm) and Tuesday (between 3pm and 5pm) is being told to self isolate and get tested even if they have no symptoms.
The club’s secretary, Don Willesee, said the closure meant they had to cancel several music shows.
He also said they have about six staff who are undergoing testing and self-isolation.
“It‘s frustrating in the fact that Avalon Beach is a small community and now there are huge lines for people getting tested and it‘s the topic everyone is concerned about,” Mr Willesee said.
“But we are glad the health department is onto it. We have had to cancel a band booked to play tonight (Thursday), a DJ on Friday night and a band on Sunday afternoon. Sunday is usually our biggest day of the week so that is a shame.
“We are closed and will await the health department‘s advice and then have a review on Monday as to when we can reopen.
NSW recorded its first local coronavirus case in two weeks on Wednesday – a 45-year-old van driver.
A few hours later, a couple, aged in their 60s and 70s from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, also tested positive to coronavirus.
On Thursday morning it was confirmed that two more people had tested positive in the city’s north, a woman and a man.
It has also been confirmed that woman’s partner also acquired the virus.
READ MORE: Berejiklian: ‘I wish I wasn’t so tested’
Adeshola Ore 2.50pm: States need to hold horses on border closures: Frydenberg
Josh Frydenberg has called on state and territory leaders to “hold their horses” on possible border closures as NSW’s northern beaches coronavirus cluster grows to five.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan will hold an urgent meeting with the state’s emergency committee this afternoon to decide whether to close the border to arrivals from NSW.
Mr Frydenberg said border closures hindered the momentum of Australia’s economic recovery.
“Border closures cost jobs. So it is very important that the NSW health system, as it has done previously, is allowed to get about doing its work and suppress the virus, do the contact jobs,” the Treasurer told Sky News.
“Other states hold their horses and we continue to maintain free travel among the states.”
Western Australia’s border rules state that jurisdictions with less than five community cases per day over a 14-day rolling average must self-quarantine for 14 days upon entry.
Mr Frydenberg said border closures slash business and consumer confidence.
“Over the last 15 weeks, 14 weeks have seen an increase in consumer confidence. The one week it was down is the week South Australia went into lockdown,” he said.
READ MORE: Unemployment rate drops to 6.8%
Adeshola Ore 2.44pm: Mid-year budget update ‘another marketing exercise’
Opposition treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers says the Morrison government’s mid-year budget update does not provide unemployed and underemployed Australians with a plan for returning to work.
“The defining features of this budget are still record deficits, a record trillion dollars in debt, weaker wages growth, almost a million unemployed and 90,000 Australians still expected to join the unemployment queues by March,” Mr Chalmers said in Canberra.
“The economy is recovering, but it isn’t rebounding strongly enough or quickly enough for the 2.2 million Australians who still don’t have a job or can’t find the hours that they need to support their loved ones.”
“Without a plan for unemployment or underemployment, today’s mid-year budget update is yet another marketing exercise.”
Mr Chalmers said the mid-year budget had not outlined a solution to tackle pre-existing issues in the economy like insecure work and stagnant wages.
READ MORE: New Covid cases spark alarm in Sydney’s north
Adeshola Ore 2.11pm: Australians putting their hands up to get a job: Cash
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash says the latest labour market figures show Australia is on the route to pre-COVID levels of unemployment.
November’s unemployment rate fell to 6.8 per cent from 7 per cent a month before, as the economy added 90,000 jobs. The participation rate dropped to 66.1 per cent, from 65.8 per cent in October.
“Australians have faith in the labour market and are putting their hands up to get a job,” Senator Cash said in a statement.
“Despite the predictions of an unemployment rate in the double digits at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we now have an unemployment rate of 6.8 per cent and we now are seeing the Australian economy show all the signs of a strong recovery.”
Delivering the mid-year economic budget update earlier today, Josh Frydenberg said Australia would return to pre-COVID levels in four years.
READ MORE: Long, unpredictable economic path to tread
Jade Gailberger 1.57pm: ‘Political suicide’: Howard slams Trump
John Howard has slammed Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, saying it was “political suicide”.
The former prime minister said Mr Trump was heading towards victory in the US election until the pandemic hit.
Speaking at a Menzies Research Centre event on Wednesday night, Mr Howard accused the President of mishandling the crisis.
“I think his handling of the pandemic was terrible,” Mr Howard said.
“Every time he (Trump) had a news conference he was penning a political suicide note.
“Sure, Biden won, but given how appallingly Trump handled the pandemic how could he not win?”
Kieran Gair 1.35pm: Aveo confirms infected healthcare worker
Aged care operator Aveo has confirmed that a staff member at Pittwater Palms retirement village in Avalon on Sydney’s northern beaches - a woman in her 50s - has been diagnosed with COVID-19
In a statement on Thursday, Aveo said the staff member tested positive after they attended a hotspot identified by NSW Health.
“The staff member is well and we will continue to monitor their wellbeing during this time,” the company said. “We have asked staff who had come into close contact with the staff member to get tested and self isolate at home.”
Aveo said containment procedures were enacted “immediately” to reduce exposure to residents and staff in an effort to stop the virus from spreading within the facility.
“We commenced precautionary contact tracing and have now handed that information to the Public Health Unit, who will commence a formal process to identify anyone who may require testing and self-isolation,” Aveo said.
“We want to assure you that no further staff or residents at Pittwater Palms has tested positive for COVID-19 and no others are displaying symptoms or are unwell at this time.”
Aveo said that community facilities had been closed and that community attendants will “bioscreen” essential visitors.
“The health and wellbeing of our residents and staff is our number one priority. We have taken immediate and comprehensive action outlined in our emergency response protocol and are working closely with the Public Health Unit, which is now providing direction to Aveo’s COVID Response Team.”
READ MORE: Vaccinated Aussies ‘may remain infectious’
Anne Barrowclough 1.20pm: Avalon RSL likely source of Northern Beaches cluster
The Avalon RSL is likely to be source of Sydney’s new Northern Beaches cluster, according to NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant.
A man in his 60s from French’s Forest visited the RSL while infectious, as did two others who have tested positive, said Dr Chant.
The Frenchs Forest man, a musician in a band, played gigs at a number of Sydney venues including the Penrith RSL and the Kirribilli Club.
There are now five cases on the Northern Beaches, with one of today’s cases a woman in her 50s who works at the Pittwater Palms retirement village. The woman’s partner has also tested positive, bringing the total to five.
The aged care worker was at the Avalon Bowling Club at the same time as the woman who tested positive on Wendesday. The worker’s partner also visited the bowling club.
Anyone who has visited the RSL Avalon on December 11, all day until close, should be tested. Anyone at the Penrith RSL on December 13 from 1 - 6pm and the Kirribilli Club on the 14th from 12 - 3pm should be tested.
READ MORE: New quarantine rule for WA
Paul Garvey 1.03pm: WA ’may set up hard border’ with NSW
WA Premier Mark McGowan will hold an urgent meeting with the state’s emergency committee in the next few hours to decide whether to close the border to arrivals from NSW.
He said a final decision would depend on whether there were indications that the virus had spread more broadly around Sydney. Five cases of community transmission have been detected in the past two days.
“If we need to we will put up a hard border with NSW. We won’t hesitate to do that if the medical advice says that that is what is required,” Mr McGowan said.
“I realise that would be very upsetting for many people, but if the medical advice says that’s what we need to do to protect Western Australia, we will do it and we will do it immediately.”
The WA Premier has said he will follow the advice of the state’s chief health officer, Dr Andy Robertson, who is liaising with NSW health authorities.
WA’s border rules state that jurisdictions with less than five community cases per day over a 14-day rolling average must self-quarantine for 14 days upon entry.
Mr McGowan had stressed at the time he dropped quarantine requirements for arrivals from NSW and Victoria that he “would not hesitate” to close the border again in the event of another outbreak.
He said on Thursday morning that the state may not have a final answer on the border controls today, stressing that the decision would depend on the results of testing currently taking place in NSW.
“If there’s a significant cluster, that’s something we will have to treat very seriously,” he said.
“NSW has had five cases out of a state population of 8m people and a city population of 5m people. So we will wait and see if there is a significant spread of the virus. The testing result will decide that and let us know what to do over coming days.”
He said West Australians contemplating travel to NSW in the coming days should be aware that quarantine restrictions could well be reimposed.
“That’s something I can’t give firm advice on at this point in time but ... you need to be aware if you are travelling that that arrangement might come into being,” he said.
In November, he also moved swiftly to close the border with South Australia - less than 48 hours after it opened - after a sudden outbreak of the virus in Adelaide.
Arrivals from South Australia are required to spend two weeks in quarantine upon entry to WA and must have a COVID test.
Mr McGowan also noted comments from earlier today from his NSW counterpart Gladys Berejiklian around plans to put airline crews into quarantine hotels.
He said WA had already instituted such measures four to five months ago.
“The airlines and the crews weren’t too happy about it, but we did it anyway. It’s worked well and it’s meant we can properly guard and properly secure airline crews, which are obviously a threat vector for the state,” he said.
“I would urge the NSW government, if they want to look for a model as to how to handle that, look at WA because we’ve had it in place for many months.”
READ MORE: Birmo’s JobCheaper
Adeshola Ore 1.00pm: China trade bans reflected in budget: Birmingham
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said the mid-year budget reflects the impact China’s trade decisions have had on Australian exports.
“We don’t underestimate the impact that some of those decisions by China on individual businesses and sectors and indeed right across the Australian economy,” he said.
Josh Frydenberg said he anticipated the volume of Australia’s exports would continue to increase in the years ahead.
“Given our access to other markets, the volume of our exports can continue to increase in the years ahead,” he said.
Adeshola Ore 12.55pm: Net debt to peak at 43 per cent of GDP
Net debt is expected to peak at 43 per cent of GDP in 2024
“Australia’s economic and fiscal strength allowed us to enter the COVID-19 crisis with resilience,” Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said.
Adeshola Ore 12.45pm: Covid recovery trims deficit by $24bn
Australia’s budget deficit for the 2020-2021 has been updated to $197.7 billion - equivalent to 9 per cent of GDP in 2020-2021.
“That is an improvement of $15.9 billion from what was projected at the budget,” Mr Frydenberg said.
The Treasurer said Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic was “outperforming all advanced economies”, resulting in thebreduced deficit.
Australia’s budget deficit is forecast to fall to $66 billion in 2023-2024.
Mr Frydenberg said: “Unemployment is lower. GDP growth is higher. And there are improvements to the budget bottom line. But the road ahead is challenging - very challenging. We’ve not yet defeated the virus. It still is with us.”
Adeshola Ore 12.40pm: Unemployment to pre-COVID levels in four years
Josh Frydenberg said Australia’s unemployment rate will recover to pre-COVID levels in four years.
“This compares to six years in the 1980s recession,” The Treasurer said in Canberra.
“Today’s budget update confirms that the Australian economy is rebounding strongly,” he said.
The unemployment rate is expected to peak at 7.5 per cent in the March 2021 quarter - down from 8 per cent forecasted in the October budget.
Rachel Baxendale 12.30pm: Australian Open to kick off three weeks late
The Australian Open tennis championship will proceed three weeks later than normal, kicking off on February 8, the Association of Tennis Professionals has confirmed.
In a press release issued on Thursday morning, the ATP announced its revised tour calendar.
“Australian Open men’s qualifying will take place from 10-13 January in Doha, and the allocated dates of 15-31 January will then allow for travel and a 14-day quarantine period for all players and support staff travelling to Melbourne, in accordance with requirements of Australian public health and immigration authorities,” the ATP confirmed.
“The controlled environment quarantine period will enable players to prepare ahead of a 12-team ATP Cup in Melbourne, played alongside the relocated Adelaide International, as well as an additional ATP 250 tournament, all held in Melbourne.
“The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the season, will follow from 8-21 February.”
Tennis officials have been in talks with the Andrews government for weeks regarding the timing of the grand slam tournament, and are yet to confirm maximum crowd sizes for the event.
The news comes after the government last week confirmed it would allow 30,000 people to attend the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, which has a capacity of 100,000.
READ MORE: Super set to end year back in black
Adeshola Ore 12.10pm: Assessing next step on China: PM
Scott Morrison says Australia is assessing its next step on separate trade issues after the government confirmed it would pursue formal World Trade Organisation action over China’s tariffs on barley exports.
On Wednesday, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham confirmed Australia would refer China to the WTO over its decision to impose an 80 per cent tariff on barley exports. Mr Birmigham said Australia reserved the right to launch separate WTO action on other trade bans and tariffs China has imposed on exports.
“It will take time. The WTO always does. But they are the umpire here and China has always said they would respect WTO rules, we certainly do,” The Prime Minister told 2SM radio.
“We’re taking that barley issue to the WTO and there are a few other issues around at the moment and we’re assessing our next steps on those.”
After the federal government called for an inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus in April, China has slapped Australia’s $600m annual barley exports with an 80 per cent tariff. Beijing accused Australia of dumping the grain and subsidising growers.
READ MORE: China ‘clutching at straws’ on tariffs
McKenzie Scott 12.00pm: ‘Too early’ to consider NSW border closure
Acting Queensland Premier Steven Miles said it is too early to discuss a potential border closure to NSW as new cases emerge.
Speaking to the media in Cairns on Thursday morning, Mr Miles said the state’s chief health officer Jeanette Young was closely monitoring the emerging cluster of cases.
The potential for geographic hotspot bans into the state was flagged but Mr Miles said it is too early to say if this would happen.
“If the outbreak were to get larger but stay in the geographic area, we are more likely to look to that geographic approach,” Mr Miles said
“The action that we take will be based on what intelligence we can get. If NSW is able to contain this very quickly, then we hope there is no further action necessary. However, what people will know is that our chief health officer, our health minister and our premier, when they need to, will act swiftly.
“(NSW) have very, very good systems there. Contact tracing, quarantine and response systems are very robust there now and so we hope and are sure they will get on top of this very quickly.”
Travellers and those returning to the state from Northern Beaches were urged to check NSW Health updates and watch for symptoms and isolate as needed. Those planning to head down for the Christmas period were asked to hold out an additional day to see whether more cases emerge.
Adeshola Ore 10.45am: Opposition’s grim unemployment rise warning
Opposition assistant treasury spokesman Stephen Jones says the government should not prematurely congratulate itself on the country’s economic recovery, warning unemployment will rise after Christmas.
In the mid-year budget update to be released today, Josh Frydenberg will reveal Treasury has revised the total cost of the JobKeeper payment from $101.3bn to about $90bn, reflecting improved forecasts on Australians returning to work.
“We know that unemployment is going to go up. We know that more than one million Australians will still be looking for work, they’ll be losing their jobs,” Mr Jones told Sky News.
“This is no time for the government to be patting themselves on the back. It is a time for the government to be saying this is what we intend to do to support those Australians who are looking for a job, those businesses that are closing their doors.”
Treasury has estimated that, without the government’s economic support, the unemployment rate would have peaked five percentage points higher and remained above 12 per cent throughout 2020-21 and 2021-22.
READ MORE: Covid lockdowns ‘whipped up fear’
Adeshola Ore 10.30am: PM: NSW gold standard in Covid management
Scott Morrison has praised NSW’s handling of COVID, as the state’s cluster of coronavirus cases on Sydney’s Northern eaches grew by two.
There are now four coronavirus infections on the peninsula, from the south to the north.
Mr Morrison said NSW was the “gold standard” in containing the spread of coronavirus and boosting the national economy.
“NSW’s ability to stand and remain open during the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 had an immeasurable benefit to the national economy. Where other states faltered NSW stood very strong,” he said.
“Had the NSW economy not remained open during 2020, we would not be seeing the strength of the recovery and the comeback we are now seeing.”
Angelica Snowden 10.20am: New cases at either end of Northern Beaches
NSW Health Minister says the two new cases on the Northern Beaches are at either end of the peninsula, with on in the north and one further down on the southern end.
NSW Health is also establishing establish a pop up testing clinic at the Avalon recreation centre on Barrenjoey Road in a bid to manage huge numbers of northern beaches residents presenting for testing.
The clinic will open from midday today.
It comes after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed an additional two new infections in the area, with a total of four.
READ MORE: This type of sunscreen could be deadly
Adeshola Ore 10.00am: China relationship salvageable: Robb
Former trade minister Andrew Robb says Australia’s relationship with China is salvageable after the Morrison government confirmed it would challenge Beijing’s barley tariffs at the World Trade Organisation.
On Wednesday, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham announced it would take formal action with the WTO over China slapping Australian barley with an 80 per cent tariff. Beijing has accused Australia of playing the victim over complaints about multiple trade strikes and tariffs.
Mr Robb, who signed the China Australia Free Trade Agreement in 2015, called for patience in mending the deteriorating relationship between the two countries.
“It’s not easy given the myriad of issues with the relationship between ourselves and our biggest trading partner and I think there is a way forward,” he told the ABC.
“We’ve got to be patient and we’ve got to focus on the positives and the complementary nature of our trading relationship. ChAFTA, the free trade relationship, came in just five years ago and in that time since, the trade between China and Australia has doubled.”
Mr Robb said Australia needed to demonstrate to China that it was a “sovereign nation.”
“We’re not doing the bidding for anyone else and that is at the heart of the sort of reaction we’ve had out of China,” he said.
READ MORE: Left blocks ALP support policy
Rachel Baxendale 9.55am: Melbourne towers lockdown ‘breached human rights’
The Andrews government violated human rights laws when it imposed one of the strictest lockdowns in the world on residents of public housing towers in Melbourne’s north amid a coronavirus outbreak in early July, Victoria’s Ombudsman has found.
In a report tabled in state parliament on Thursday, Ombudsman Deborah Glass has recommended that the Andrews government apologise to public housing tower residents, finding that while the lockdown was necessary and effective, the government acted contrary to health advice in locking the towers down without warning, and without lead time to allow for the timely supply of essential items including food.
READ MORE: PM stumbles over his own frontbench
Angelica Snowden 9.45am: Northern Beaches cluster grows, 2 more cases
A further two coronavirus cases have been identified in the northern beaches of NSW, Premier Gladys Berejiklian says.
“The last case was Frenchs Forest and the advice I had was the last half hour,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“But as we do in NSW, we make sure we let the public know as soon as we know so that people can take measures and the actions they need to take and I encourage everybody with the mildest symptoms on the Northern Beaches to get testing,” she said.
Most testing clinics in NSW will be open during the festive season. If you feel unwell, don’t delay a COVID-19 test.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 16, 2020
Please check the Government website on the day you need to get tested for up-to-date clinic information.
For more information visit: https://t.co/PD8aEpCXhx pic.twitter.com/DHTbuIVRrj
“We have seen an increase in testing overnight. We want to get on top of this and don’t want this concerning us in the last few days before Christmas and urging everyone to be as vigilant as ever.”
It takes the total number of infections in the Northern Beaches area to four.
READ MORE: JobKeeper hit down $11bn
Angelica Snowden 9.40am: Hundreds queue for tests in Northern Beaches
Long queues of people are waiting to be tested for COVID-19 at Sydney’s northern beaches, with reports a pop up clinic had to be established behind the Avalon library to cope with overflow.
Hundreds waiting for a covid test outside outside Mona Vale hospital. People will have to wait hours for a test but good to see such a strong community response to the threat! @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/ltRjZwmiWf
— Mylee Hogan (@MyleeHogan) December 16, 2020
Hundreds of people can be seen waiting to get tested, after two mystery cases of COVID-19 - a woman in her 60s and the man in his 70s - were identified by NSW Health yesterday.
They attended a number of venues in Palm Beach and Avalon between 13 and 15 December.
Long queues snaking down the street and around the corner for COVID-19 testing at Mona Vale Hospital after two mystery cases were detected on Sydney’s Northern Beaches â¦@abcsydneyâ© â¦@abcnewsâ© pic.twitter.com/RFKUOKHNwC
— Alexia Attwood (@AlexiaAttwood) December 16, 2020
There have also been reports residents were turned away from the Mona Vale hospital clinic about 9.30 last night after waiting hours to be tested.
Rachel Baxendale 9.20am: Andrews to release Coate report Monday
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has indicated he intends to release retired judge Jennifer Coate’s report on his government’s bungled hotel quarantine program on Monday, when it is due to be handed to the government.
“That’s our intention, and I’ll stand up and speak to it,” Mr Andrews said when asked whether he would release the report on the same day he is due to receive it.
“I can’t give you the exact hour but I will stand up and I will speak to it.”
Asked whether his press conference on Monday is likely to be before 3pm, Mr Andrews said: “I expect it will be well before then.”
READ MORE: Firms struggle to find skilled workers
Ben Packham 9.10am: CCP tied to local media outlets
The Chinese Communist Party has close links with nearly three-quarters of Australia’s Chinese-language media outlets, allowing Beijing to use them — along with offshore WeChat accounts — to channel propaganda to up to one million Australian Chinese.
New research by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute reveals 17 of 24 Chinese-language outlets in Australia have connections with the CCP through its United Front Work Department overseas influence operation.
Four of the 24 companies were directly owned by the CCP or received financial support from the party.
The ASPI study, by analyst Alex Joske, found the propaganda effect was amplified by WeChat, which is manipulated by the CCP to favour pro-Beijing news while downgrading independent outlets such as the ABC and SBS.
“Today, the sector is dominated by media outlets that are friendly towards the CCP, are active on WeChat, are run by migrants from mainland China and produce content in simplified Chinese characters,” the study found. “Such outlets started to emerge in the early 1990s and have mushroomed since the early 2000s.
“CCP-aligned media in Australia have been involved in a range of concerning activity, including suspected political interference. That reflects the broad scope of ‘united front’ work, which includes promoting Chinese culture, facilitating espionage, encouraging technology transfer and carrying out political mobilisation.”
The study found CCP incentives and coercion had played a role in the ballooning of CCP-influenced media companies in Australia, threatening the advertising revenue of outlets critical of the Chinese party-state.
READ the full story
Rachel Baxendale 8.10am: Victoria reaches 48 days of no new cases
Victoria has recorded 48 days with no new locally acquired cases of coronavirus, and there have been no new cases in hotel quarantine in the past 24 hours.
The latest zeroes come after 9,477 tests were processed in the 24 hours to Thursday.
Seven cases previously diagnosed among returned travellers include those in a boy aged under five, a woman in her 20s, two women and a man in their 30s, and a man and a woman in their 50s.
The cases include those of the boy’s parents.
Yesterday there were 0 new local cases, 0 new cases acquired overseas and 0 deaths reported. 9,477 test results were received - thanks, #EveryTestHelps us to #StaySafeStayOpen. More info: https://t.co/lIUrl0ZEco #COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/7IRkMs0zHb
— VicGovDHHS (@VicGovDHHS) December 16, 2020
Angelica Snowden 8.00am: Birmingham: WTO probe could take years
Trade minister Simon Birmingham has warned the World Trade Organisation probe into Beijing’s 80 per cent barley tariff could take years. Senator Birmingham said the Australian government was “deeply disappointed” with the escalating trade tensions and urged China to negotiate with Australia to resolve the dispute, rather than allow the WTO to investigate.
“But if you believe in having rules and an independent umpire, you should call them in when you think something wrong has been done and that’s precisely what we’re doing,” he said.
“In the interim it’s about helping farmers and exporters get into other markets.”
Senator Birmingham said some coal ships stranded off Chinese ports have been “cleared or moved”, either being unloaded in China or approved for transportation elsewhere.
While the crews are not Australian, Senator Birmingham said the government had appealed to China based on their human rights.
“We have been working with those other countries, in terms of representations into China, pointing out the impact upon crews (and) the unfairness in relation to treatment there.. we hope that China will continue to resolve this,” Senator Birmingham said.
“We do urge China to treat the shipping companies and the crews with respect,” he said.
He said the government did not have precise figures, but believed there were still about 60 coal ships stranded out of about 70 with $500m worth of Australian coal.
READ MORE: Farmers fear worst if WTO probe drags on
Agencies 7.30am: US health worker suffers severe reaction after Pfizer vaccination
A health worker in Alaska has reportedly suffered a serious allergic reaction after getting Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine and is now hospitalised but stable.
The New York Times reported the person received their shot on Tuesday, and Pfizer confirmed it was working with local authorities to investigate the incident.
Two health workers in Britain had similar allergic reactions, causing the government there to tell people to avoid getting the shot if they had a history of severe allergies.
The US regulator issued an emergency approval with the warning that people who had known allergies to ingredients inside the vaccine should avoid it.
“We don’t yet have all the details of the report from Alaska about a potential serious allergic reactions but are actively working with local health authorities to assess,” a Pfizer spokesperson said.
“We will closely monitor all reports suggestive of serious allergic reactions following vaccination and update labeling language if needed.” Volunteers for Pfizer’s clinical trial of 44,000 people were excluded if they had a history of allergic reactions to vaccines or components of the Covid-19 vaccine.
Overall, the trial found no serious safety issues, but regulators and the company are continuing to monitor for adverse events after vaccination.
The US is vaccinating some three million people this week with the vaccine, and hopes to reach a total of 20 million people this month if another vaccine, developed by Moderna, is approved.
AFP
READ MORE: Trust in government rises in Covid
Angelica Snowden 7.15am: More alerts for Northern Beaches Covid venues
NSW Health has revealed ten locations in Sydney’s northern beaches were visited by two mystery cases of COVID-19, puting authorities on high alert and prompting a wave of testing in the wealthy suburb.
The news came after a separate case in a 45-year-old man who contracted an infection ferrying international aircrew to their accommodation.
The latest three cases broke an almost two week streak without a locally acquired case of COVID-19 in the state and came one week before Christmas.
NSW PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT – Northern area of the Northern Beaches.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 16, 2020
@NSWHealth has been notified of venues of concern following two new cases of #COVID19 this afternoon in the northern area of the Northern Beaches. Read more and see venues: https://t.co/KIhYlvTkZd pic.twitter.com/kAOl8eR6bc
The northern beaches cases - a couple who did not isolate while they waited for their result - prompted authorities to release public health alerts for a number of venues they attended.
Anyone who has attended the following venues is considered a close contact and should get tested and isolate for 14 days even if they receive a negative result:
Hungry Ghost Café, 20 Avalon Parade, Avalon – Sunday, 13 December, 9.30am-11am and Tuesday, 15 December 9.30-11am
Sneaky Grind Café, 3/48 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach – Monday, 14 December, 9.30-11am
Barramee Thai Massage and Spa, 4/42-44 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach – Monday, 14 December, 2-3.30pm
Bangkok Sidewalk Restaurant, 1/21-23 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach – Monday, 14 December 7-8pm
Avalon Bowlo (bowling club), 4 Bowling Green Ln, Avalon Beach – Sunday, 13 December, 5-7pm (not 3-5pm as previously reported) and Tuesday, 15 December 3-5pm
Palm Beach female change rooms – Sunday, 13 December 9-9.15am
Coast Palm Beach Café, Barrenjoey Rd, Palm Beach – Sunday, 13 December 10-11am
People who have visited the following venues should get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result:
Bing Lee, Gateway, 1 Mona Vale Rd, Mona Vale – Monday, 14 December, 4.30-4.45pm
Woolworths Avalon Beach, 74 Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach – Tuesday, 15 December, 12-12.30pm and Sunday, 13 December, 12-5pm
Oliver’s Pie, Careel Shopping Village, 1 Careel Head Rd, Avalon Beach – Monday, 14 December, 9-9.15am
READ MORE: Bridget McKenzie: McEwen’s lessons for us post Covid
Angelica Snowden 7.00am: EU to start vaccinations as cases rocket
The EU’s 27 member countries will aim to start COVID-19 vaccinations on “the same day” in a sign of unity, possibly a day or two before Christmas, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen says.
Ms von der Leyen’s statement to the European Parliament came as pressure mounted on the bloc to catch up with the United States and Britain, which have already started innoculating people with a vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech.
“To get to the end of the pandemic, we will need up to 70 per cent of the population vaccinated. This is a huge task, a big task. So let’s start as soon as possible with the vaccination together, as 27, with a start at the same day,” Ms von der Leyen told MEPs.
It came after Germany reported a record number of deaths on their first day of lockdown.
A total of 952 people died in the previous 24 hours, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) disease control centre Wednesday, a figure that could rise as the hard-hit Saxony region was not included in Tuesday’s numbers.
The RKI said 27,728 new coronavirus cases were registered, a figure close to the daily record of nearly 30,000 infections reported on Friday.
As a second wave of the pandemic rages on in Europe, more than 137,000 people in Britain have received a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine in the week since inoculations began, the government announced on Wednesday.
The Department for Health and Social Care said 137,897 people had received the jab since December 8. Of those, 108,000 were in England, the most populous of the UK’s four nations.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told lawmakers he was “very pleased” with the “good start with the rollout of the vaccination”.
There were more than 18,000 new infections reported on Wednesday, and 506 deaths.
France will take delivery of around 1.16 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by year end, Prime Minister Jean Castex said, adding another two million will arrive in the next two months.
“We should receive 677,000 extra doses around 5-6 January” then “around 1.6 million doses in February,” Castex told the parliament.
Elsewhere in Europe restrictions also begin to ramp up.
Denmark has moved to a partial lockdown for the whole country; and in the Netherlands, a five-week lockdown came into effect on Tuesday.
With AFP
READ MORE: Vaccinated Aussies ‘may still transmit virus’
Anne Barrowclough 6.45am: Trump turns on ‘dead’ Fox News
Donald Trump, once an avid fan of Fox News, has launched an attack on the braodcaster, declaring Fox “dead”.
Fox earned the US President’s ire in November when it declared Arizona for Joe Biden and has since recognised Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election.
Mr Trump has switched his loyalties to the rightwing OAN network, which echoes his belief that the election was ‘stolen’ from him, and to Breitbart, the far right media company of which former Trump adviser Steve Bannon is former chair.
Can’t believe how badly @FoxNews is doing in the ratings. They played right into the hands of the Radical Left Democrats, & now are floating in limboland. Hiring fired @donnabraziIe, and far worse, allowing endless negative and unedited commercials. @FoxNews is dead. Really Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2020
Mr Trump tweeted last night (AEDT): “Can’t believe how badly @FoxNews is doing in the ratings. They played right into the hands of the Radical Left Democrats, & now are floating in limboland ... allowing endless negative and unedited commercials. @FoxNews is dead. Really Sad!”
READ MORE: Trump’s challenge is over
Angelica Snowden 6.20pm: Pompeo quarantines over Covid close contact
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo is self-quarantining out of precaution, after coming into contact with a positive case of COVID-19.
Mr Pompeo tested negative, according to reports in CNN.
“Secretary Pompeo has been identified as having come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID,” a State Department spokesperson told CNN.
“The Secretary has been tested and is negative. In accordance with CDC guidelines, he will be in quarantine,” they said.
It is unclear how Mr Pompeo came into contact with someone who tested positive to coroanvirus.
READ MORE: Melania looks to life after White House
Yoni Bashan 5.05am: Palm Beach mystery case triggers Sydney alert
Two mystery cases of COVID-19 in Sydney’s wealthy northern beaches suburb of Palm Beach have put the city on edge and left authorities scrambling to identify close contacts at half a dozen northern beaches venues.
The new cases were a couple who did not isolate while waiting for the results of their coronavirus tests, a breach of guidelines that has angered health officials now tracing close contacts of the pair.
The woman in her 60s and the man in his 70s attended venues in Palm Beach and Avalon on Sunday and Monday while they awaited their test results, prompting urgent calls for people who were in the same locations to undergo testing and isolate.
The two new cases came less than a day after a Sydney airport shuttle bus driver tested positive, becoming the first NSW local infection in a fortnight.
Read the full story here.
Rosie Lewis 5am: Vaccinated Aussies ‘may still transmit coronavirus’
Australians overseas who are vaccinated against COVID-19 cannot return home quarantine-free because some vaccines may not stop them from transmitting the disease to others, Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has warned.
The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for use in Britain, Canada and the US, and Professor Kelly said he had already been asked whether Australians who received a full dose could fly home without being forced into hotel quarantine.
Professor Kelly said no decision would be made on allowing vaccinated Australians to re-enter the country quarantine-free until January or later. The AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, all of which the Morrison government has agreements for, had been effective in protecting the vaccinated person from getting any coronavirus symptoms but there were question marks around transmission.
Read the full story here.
Geoff Chambers 4.45am: Rebound an $11bn bonus for JobKeeper
Australia’s economic resurgence has shaved $11.2bn off the projected cost of JobKeeper payments, with 640,000 fewer people expected to need wage subsidy support in the final three months of the year ahead of the COVID-19 welfare package ending in March.
In the mid-year budget update to be released today, Josh Frydenberg will reveal Treasury has revised the total cost of the JobKeeper payment from $101.3bn to about $90bn, reflecting improved forecasts on Australians returning to work.
The number of Australians expected to rely on JobKeeper during the December quarter has been reduced from 2.24 million in the October budget to 1.6 million in the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook.
Read the full story here.
Jewish leaders: put Greens last on ballot
Two of the nation’s leading Jewish groups have sought public commitments from Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton for the major parties to preference each other over the Greens at the next election.
Diplomat’s partner in post-rugby slur at cops
Footage has emerged of an Australian diplomat’s partner apparently yelling a homophobic slur at police during his arrest after the Bledisloe Cup rugby match in New Zealand last month.