PoliticsNow: Vaccine bungle as 150 Pfizer doses thrown out amid possible contamination
Doctors were forced to discard the vaccine doses at a Victoria aged care facility because of doubts over its storage temperature.
- Doctors forced to throw out vaccine doses
- Andrews warns protesters on anti-vaxxer rally
- Victoria returns to summer settings
- Victoria records two new cases
- News back on Australia Facebook feeds
Welcome to rolling coverage of news from Canberra and around the nation amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Doctors at a Victoria aged care facility have been forced to throw out 150 vaccine doses amid doubts over its storage temperature. As Victoria returns to Covid safe summer settings from midnight tonight with major easing of restrictions including allowing 30 visitors to a household per day, Premier Daniel Andrews has issued a warning to protesters over an anti-vaccine rally. Scott Morrison has used official advice from the Australian Federal Police to set a new standard for his MPs, demanding they inform him of any criminal activity in the workplace.
Eli Greenblat7.30pm:Retail ‘best in 60 years’, as Harvey Norman sales surge
Billionaire Gerry Harvey believes he is witnessing the best conditions in his 60 years of retailing, as he again refused to return $3.6m in JobKeeper payments to Canberra, calling it a “tiny amount”.
It came as the shopping bonanza sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a surge in profit for Harvey Norman, with its first-half profit more than doubling and the company also almost doubling its interim dividend.
The shopping boom has also spilled into 2021, with Harvey Norman saying sales are up over 20 per cent in January and February.
Read the full story here.
Geoff Chambers7pm:Wage trade-off for super ‘not rocket science’
Josh Frydenberg has argued the superannuation system is too heavily weighted in favour of maximising retirement income at the expense of greater cash flow during people’s working lives, labelling deniers as “flat-earthers”.
In a speech to the Council on the Ageing on Friday, the Treasurer said the government’s retirement income review, led by former Treasury official Mike Callaghan, found that a “higher superannuation guarantee means lower wages for employees”.
“No one should be surprised by this or find it controversial. It was part of the original policy design of the superannuation system,” Mr Frydenberg said. “This is not rocket science. Anybody who denies that there is a trade-off is effectively a flat-earther.”
Ahead of the May budget, which will determine whether the government puts a pause on the legislated July 1 superannuation guarantee increase to 10 per cent, Mr Frydenberg reiterated comments about the need to consider the implications of a rise amid the COVID-19 economic shock and recovery.
Read the full story here.
David Rogers6.25pm:ASX takes $51bn ‘bondcano’ hit
Investors wiped $51bn off the local sharemarket, the Australian dollar dived while 10-year bond yields surged to a 12-month high at the end of a torrid week as the global “bondcano” began to erupt with surging yields starting to cause broadbased risk aversion in global markets.
The high-flying technology, consumer discretionary and health care sectors were worst off with Afterpay slammed 11 per cent, Kogan down 10 per cent and Domino’s Pizza down 5.6 per cent.
Risk aversion flowed through to the local share market with the S&P/ASX 200 index falling 160.73 points or 2.35 per cent to 6673.3 points – its worst day in six months – after hitting an almost four-week low of 6658.9 points in early trading. The index hit a 12-month high of 6917.3 points last week.
Read the full story here.
Dave Leivens5.50pm:‘Pawns in the game’: inside the burnout pandemic
Mchael Leiter and Christina Maslach have been at the vanguard of burnout research for more than three decades. They are the co-authors of The Truth About Burnout and a forthcoming book on burnout, and work for Harvard University Press. Maslach is also a co-author (with Susan Jackson) of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, a widely-used assessment with variants tailored for a range of populations. Leiter is a co-author of the version of the assessment used most often in organisations.
Their research, including from an Australian hospital, shows that burnout is a workplace problem, not a worker problem. They found high levels of exhaustion and cynicism among health staff.
The researchers say the problems arise when there is a bad fit — they call it mismatch — between an organisation and its employees in one or more of the following areas: workers’ amount of control, fair treatment, a sense of community, workload levels, the doling out of rewards and organisational values.
Of course, there are plenty of burnout factories where employees are underappreciated and treated unfairly. But in most workplaces, under normal circumstances, employers and employees usually manage to find a healthier balance. This past year, the pandemic disrupted all of that.
We invited Leiter and Maslach to share their thoughts and observations about burnout in the era of COVID-19. Read the full story here.
Natasha Robinson4.25pm:Doctors forced to throw out 150 vaccine doses
Doctors have been forced to discard up to 150 doses of Pfizer vaccine after it was not possible to verify that the vials were kept refrigerated at the correct temperature.
Aspen Medical, which has a contract to administer COVID-19 vaccines in aged care facilities, reported to the Federal health department that it had been storing 25 surplus vials of vaccine in a refrigerator at a Werribee nursing home, but was unsure whether the vials were still good to use.
The health department said it could not be sure that the 25 vials, which contain around six doses each, were maintained at the required temperature.
“Aspen conducted vaccinations at St Vincent’s Care Services in Werribee on Wednesday 24 February 2021,” the department said in a statement.
“Aspen reported to the Commonwealth’s Vaccine Operation Centre that there were 25 vials unused and stored in an on-site refrigerator. The Pfizer vaccine can be stored in a refrigerator at 2-8C for up to 5 days.
“While refrigeration was maintained it was not possible to verify that temperature was maintained throughout. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, a medical decision was made not to use the remaining vials.
“This represents 0.15% of week 1 doses distributed and the loss rate has been far lower than expected and assumed which is a tribute to all involved.
“We particularly thank the Aspen Healthcare worker who responded resourcefully and took action to ensure both use of the vaccines and protection of the integrity of the unused vials.”
READ MORE:Dear Australia, we need to talk
Perry Williams4.15pm:US cashes in on China’s Aussie coal ban
US metallurgical coal producers have been profiting from China’s ban on Australian coal, striking deals at double the price Queensland and NSW producers are receiving for their supplies in international markets.
The ASX-listed Coronado Global Resources - which runs the Curragh mine in central Queensland - has been able to keep supplying Chinese steel mills through its US mines at prices topping $US200 ($255) a tonne compared with half that for Australian supplies.
“The Chinese boycott has created a massive arbitrage. At one stage China was buying US metallurgical coal of sub quality to Australian coal at double the price,” Coronado chief financial officer Gerhard Ziems told The Australian.
“Australian coal was $US102 a tonne and China was buying at more than $US200 a tonne.”
Beijing’s ban has sparked a massive shift in trade flows for coal.
Australia has been forced to find new markets in distant Europe while US producers have pivoted to China, lured by giant profits on offer.
Australian producers are fetching about $US130 a tonne for metallurgical coal in the early part of 2021 but China is still paying rival suppliers $US180 a tonne after stripping out shipping costs.
READ MORE:Canada gets a boost from China ban
Robyn Ironside3.45pm:Two-year wait ends for stalled Boeing 737
Australia’s aviation safety regulator has given the all clear for the Boeing 737 Max to operate here again, almost two years after the aircraft was first grounded. Read more here
Jack the Insider3.15pm:Why it’s the last stand for anti-vaxxers
If the Covid vaccines are rolled out in Australia with little fuss and few adverse reactions, their game is up. Read more here
Staff writers2.55pm:Andrews warns protesters to abandon anti-vaccine rally
Daniel Andrews is warning anti-vaccine protesters not to go ahead with a planned rally outside the federal Health Minister’s Victorian office on Saturday.
The Victorian Premier said he wasn’t against a “democratic state” but advised against such a large gathering amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s not 2021 like it was 2019,” Mr Andrews told reporters on Friday.
“We’re still in the midst of a global pandemic, and I just asked everybody with everything they do, whether it be protest or 1000 other examples, let’s all of us not do anything that might contribute to the spread of this virus.”
In an encrypted thread being used to communicate to the masses who are showing interest, the protest action has been outlined for Saturday, February 27 at 2pm outside Federal MP Greg Hunt’s Somerville office.
Messages seen by NCA NewsWire say: “Greg Hunt has betrayed the people. Stand with us this Saturday.”
People plan to protest over the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine, which was rolled out across the country this week.
Health officials are heavily encouraging people to take the vaccine, with more than 2000 Victorians getting the jab so far.
“It’s not over. It’s (coronavirus) still here with us,” Mr Andrews said.
“We’re at the beginning of the end with the vaccine being rolled out, but none of us have the luxury of pretending that just because we desperately want it to be done, that the whole thing’s done. It isn’t.”
It comes as hundreds took to the streets in Melbourne last weekend to protest against the vaccine, arguing the jab should not be mandatory.
About 20 people were arrested, and of those 15 received penalty notices for breaching the chief health officer’s directions.
Five were charged on summons for resisting arrest, hindering police and refusing to provide details.
READ MORE:It’s the last stand for anti-vaxxers
Eli Greenblat2.15pm:Retail at its best in 60 years: Gerry Harvey
Billionaire Gerry Harvey believes he is witnessing the best conditions in his 60 years of retailing, as he again refused to return $3.6m in JobKeeper payments to Canberra, calling it a “tiny amount”.
It came as the shopping bonanza sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic delivered a surge in profit for Harvey Norman, with its first-half profit more than doubling and the company also almost doubling its interim dividend.
The shopping boom has also spilled into 2021, with Harvey Norman saying sales are up over 20 per cent in January and February.
The consumer electronics, furniture and bedding retailer has been one of the big winners of the consumer binge through the six months to Christmas, with shoppers rushing for fridges, freezers, kitchen appliances, bedding and equipment for new home offices.
“I’ve been in retail for 60 years and nothing has ever been as good as this,” Mr Harvey told The Australian.
The veteran retailer also stuck to his guns over the repayment of JobKeeper, saying Harvey Norman had only received $3.6 million in governments support payments, which said was a “a tiny amount”.
Some retailers have used surging profits to pay back JobKeeper, but Mr Harvey said he would not be sending back the funds to Canberra.
READ the full story here.
Jade Gailberger1.45pm:Dutton defends ‘she said, he said’ remarks
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has doubled down on remarks that Brittany Higgins rape allegations were a “she said, he said”.
Mr Dutton on Thursday revealed that he was not provided “with the ‘she said, he said’ details of the allegation” when he was briefed on the incident by the Australian Federal Police earlier this month.
The nature of the comments was criticised, but Mr Dutton told Today that he was trying to make the point that the rule of law had to apply.
“The point I was making was in relation to these cases, the police will hear different accounts,” he said.
“They will hear evidence from different people, they will distil all of that and they will decide whether or not a prosecution needs to take place.
“That is not to detract from a victim, not to detract from the seriousness of this matter.”
Mr Dutton said the sexual assault of women and sexual harassment in the workplace were “abhorrent acts”.
READ the full story here.
Tessa Akerman12.30pm:Around 3000 Victorians vaccinated this week
About 3000 Victorians have been vaccinated since the beginning of the week, with Mr Andrews saying he was pleased with the steady progress.
The Premier said he and his family planned to all get the vaccine, however he would wait to be vaccinated behind those deemed a priority frontline group.
When asked about a protest last weekend against the vaccine, Mr Andrews said there were times to protest but protesting in 2021 was to do so in the midst of a global pandemic.
“Let’s all of us not do anything that could contribute to the spread of this virus,” he said.
Reports emerged this morning of doses in a Werribee aged care facility being mishandled and possibly wasted, but Mr Andrews directed questions to federal health minister Greg Hunt.
READ MORE:Vaccine rollout is in safe hands
Evin Priest 12.20pm:‘Political shot’: Berejiklian slams Miles’ ripper post
Gladys Berejiklian has slapped down Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles after he filmed himself ripping up the $30m hotel quarantine bill his state owes NSW in a bizarre online post.
The strange footage, posted to the politician’s Facebook page, shows him tearing the tax invoice in half.
“(Prime Minister) Scott Morrison has given the go ahead for NSW to send Queensland taxpayers a $30m bill for their quarantine program even though it’s 100 per cent a federal responsibility,” Mr Miles said.
Ms Berejiklian said on breakfast radio it was a stunt that disrespected the efforts of frontline workers dealing with overseas returned travellers in NSW.
Look, I appreciate he might do that for some political shots,” Ms Berejiklian told 2GB. “All I say to other states is, everyone has their day in the sun … sending pot shots to other premiers and whatever else.
“But we’re talking about people working their guts out to keep us safe. We appreciate that other states aren’t doing their bit in that regard, so just pay us what you owe us.”
READ the full story
Richard Ferguson 12.00pm:Storing Pfizer at higher temperatures ‘exciting’
Moves overseas to allow the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to be kept in normal refrigeration temperatures are “potentially exciting”, Scott Morrison says.
Health Minister Greg Hunt and Therapeutic Goods Administration chief John Skerritt talked on Friday morning about US drug authorities’ approval to keep frozen vials of Pfizer in normal refrigeration temperatures for two weeks.
Currently, Pfizer doses must be kept in sub-71 degrees which has significantly limited the speed of its uptake internationally, despite its 90 per cent efficacy rate.
The Prime Minister said on Friday the TGA will now explore what temperatures Pfizer could be accommodated in throughout Australia.
“This is potentially exciting news … They’re saying that can now be done at a refrigerator temperature, as I understand,” Mr Morrison said in Penrith.
“Our approval to use the Pfizer vaccine in Australia is not based on federal approvals in the United States, or in Europe, or anywhere else, it’s provided by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.
“Now, I’m aware today the Minister for Health has been in contact with Professor (John) Skerrit about that matter. And of course, the TGA will consider that at the earliest possible opportunity and has asked Pfizer to bring forward what has been provided on that, so they can consider that.”
READ MORE:Pfizer vaccine to be stored at higher temperatures
Tessa Akerman11.50am:Victoria returns to summer settings
Victoria will return to Covid safe summer settings from midnight tonight with major easing of restrictions including allowing 30 visitors to a household per day.
Despite two local cases being recorded, the classification of the cases as close contacts who are already in quarantine has prompted the easing of restrictions.
“Victorians have proven as stubborn as this virus,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Up to 100 people will be allowed at outdoor gatherings but one of the most major changes is lifting the cap on return to office workers, both public and private sector, to 75 per cent.
AFL matches will proceed with about 50 per cent crowd capacity when the season starts.
“Something approaching normal which is something that Victorians have absolutely earned,” Mr Andrews said.
READ MORE:Aviation stimulus support tops $1bn
Jess Malcolm11.10am:NSW records 40th day of no community cases
NSW Health has recorded its 40th day free from community transmission, the longest stretch COVID-19 free the state has enjoyed since the pandemic began.
There were 15,498 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.
NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, the 40th consecutive day without a locally acquired case.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) February 26, 2021
Four new cases were acquired overseas, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,977. pic.twitter.com/gVOAWmqcsw
The state recorded four new cases in hotel quarantine, and there are currently zero cases being treated in ICU.
The long stretch free from new infections means millions of NSW residents are now able to enjoy some more freedoms with the easing of restrictions overnight. This includes up to 50 people into the home, as well as singing and dancing at weddings.
More restrictions are expected to be eased on March 18, if case numbers remain stable.
READ MORE:Bureaucrat sacked for refusing to clear trees
Jess Malcolm 10.50am: Queensland records no new cases
Queensland has recorded no new cases of community transmission, following 7,603 tests.
There were four cases recorded in hotel quarantine.
The state now has a total of 11 active cases.
Friday 26 February – coronavirus cases in Queensland:
— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 25, 2021
• 0 new locally acquired cases
• 4 overseas acquired cases
• 11 active cases
• 1,328 total cases
• 1,942,186 tests conducted
Sadly, six Queenslanders with COVID-19 have died. 1,310 patients have recovered.#covid19pic.twitter.com/I6GLojOo4B
READ MORE:Berejiklian issues blunt reply to Qld minister’s stunt
Richard Ferguson10.45am:Linda Reynolds out of hospital
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has been discharged from Canberra Hospital, days after she was forced to pull out of a major address due to a pre-existing heart condition.
After being discharged on Friday morning, it is understood Senator Reynolds plan to return to Canberra for the next sitting fortnight of parliament from March 15.
Government MPs and industry figures have questioned the future of Senator Reynolds as Defence Minister after she was admitted to hospital following increased pressure over her handling of the alleged rape of former staffer Brittany Higgins in her office.
Scott Morrison is standing by his embattled minister, who went to hospital on Wednesday as a “precautionary measure” after the stress of the past week exacerbated an existing medical condition relating to her heart. She remained in hospital overnight.
READ MORE:Doubts over Reynolds’ return to frontline
Jess Malcolm10.30am:Queen: ‘The jab didn’t hurt at all’
The Queen has urged people to get a Covid vaccine when they are offered one, saying hers “didn’t hurt at all.”
On a video call with leading health officials involved in the Covid vaccination rollout, Queen Elizabeth was asked about her experience getting the jab.
“It was very quick, and I’ve had lots of letters from people who’ve been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine,” she replied. “As far as I can make out it was quite harmless.”
The Queen has taken part in a video call with health officials leading the deployment of Covid vaccination across the four nations of the UK
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) February 25, 2021
The monarch said her own vaccination "didn't hurt at all"https://t.co/os5PSyPfO3pic.twitter.com/rVJceg30Vy
The Queen admitted that she realised that some people who had never been vaccinated mind find the concept difficult, but urged people to think about others rather than themselves.
She encouraged people to get the jab, saying it had given her a sense of protection.
“Well once you’ve had the vaccine you have the feeling of you know, you’re protected which is very important. As I can make out it was quite harmless.”
“It’s a bit like the plague. It’s not only here that we’ve got the virus, it’s everywhere. It’s a strange battle that everybody is fighting.”
She compared the community spirit in Britain with the Blitz spirit Londoners shared during World War II. “Having lived in the war it’s a bit like that,” she said.
Adeshola Ore9.20am:PM sends condolences over Somare death
Scott Morrison has expressed condolences for Papua New Guinea’s first prime minister Sir Michael Somare who has died at the age of 84.
The former Prime Minister was regarded as the “father of the nation” and led Papua New Guinea to independence from Australia in 1975.
Vale Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, founding father of democratic and independent #PNG and a great friend to Australia. My heartfelt condolences to his family, Prime Minister Marape and the people of PNG. Australians stand with you in this time of sadness. May he rest in peace.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 25, 2021
On Twitter, Mr Morrison described Sir Michael as a “great friend to Australia.”
“My heartfelt condolences to his family, Prime Minister Marape and the people of PNG,” he said.
Sir Michael is the country’s longest-serving prime minister, with a total of 17 years in the role over four separate terms.
He had been receiving palliative care in a Port Moresby hospital for pancreatic cancer. The Somare family had been seeking treatment for him overseas, including in Australia, but his condition deteriorated rapidly.
READ MORE:PNG’s ‘father of the nation’ Somare dies at 84
Adeshola Ore9.10am:PM speaks to Japan’s Suga
Scott Morrison has spoken to Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga overnight in a conversation centred on how to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
In November, the Prime Minister became the first foreign leader to meet to meet the new Japanese Prime Minister.
Thanks to my good friend PM @sugawitter for a great call. We discussed strengthening a free & open Indo-Pacific, cooperation with ASEAN & through the Quad, energy technology partnerships & our new digital platform laws. I wished him all the best for #TokyoOlympicspic.twitter.com/5xjIu2MzwQ
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) February 25, 2021
“They recalled the PM’s very successful visit to Tokyo last November and committed to strengthen their Special Strategic Partnership,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s office said
“The leaders discussed their shared interests in multilateral organisations, including to drive post-pandemic global economic recovery.”
“They discussed concerns about developments in Myanmar, and in Hong Kong, Xianjing, and the East and South China Seas.”
The two leaders also spoke about Australia’s world-first news media bargaining code which became law on Thursday.
Mr Morrison also congratulated Mr Suga for Naomi Osaka’s recent win at the Australian Open and sent well wishes for Japan’s preparations for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games.
READ MORE:Pandemic brings cut to emissions
Adeshola Ore9.00am:Bowen reasserts Labor policy on harassment
Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen says the party will strive to scrutinise and improve its updated harassment and bullying policy which is due to go to the ALP National Executive today.
The Australian has reported Labor’s national secretary may appoint an “independent third party” to investigate allegations of sexual harassment under the new policy recommended to the party.
“We will need to look at this document and see whether it needs to be improved further,” he told the ABC.
“It is just the next stage in going to the national executive today. It is not related to the current terrible events that are coming to light at Parliament House.”
The ALP’s national executive has been given draft recommendations to adopt new procedures on dealing with sexual harassment and bullying by Labor MP Sharon Claydon, the chair of the party’s Sexual Harassment and Bullying Working Group.
READ MORE:Labor revamps harassment code
Anne Barrowclough8.50am:Victoria records two new cases
Victoria has recorded two new locally acquired cases of coronavirus with 16,594 test results were received.
Both were primary close contacts of pre-existing cases and have been quarantining during their infectious period, the DHHS said.
Yesterday there were 2 new local cases reported. 16,594 test results were received. Thank you to those who got tested - #EveryTestHelps. More later: https://t.co/2vKbgKZgn3#COVID19Vic#COVID19VicDatapic.twitter.com/tW1Cw8dzDR
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) February 25, 2021
The new cases take the number of active cases in Victoria to 17.
The cases are expected to be linked to the recent Holiday Inn cluster.
The development comes as Victorian residents await an announcement from Premier Daniel Andrews this morning over relaxing restrictions, pending no new infections.
Senior ministers and the state’s public health team are due to meet on Friday morning to consider a proposal to return to the conditions in place over Christmas, with relaxed mask rules and bigger gatherings at home and outdoors.
Anne Barrowclough8.40am:Queensland/NSW row: ‘We’re not paying this bill’
Queensland Deputy Premier Stephen Miles has raised the temperature in the row over the bill it owes NSW for quarantine stays, ripping the invoice up on camera and declaring: “We’re not paying this bill.”
Mr Miles said on Thursday evening the Queensland government would refuse to pay a $30 million quarantine bill issued by NSW until the federal government approved a proposed pop-up quarantine hub near Toowoomba.
“I am outraged to advise the House that the Prime Minister has told NSW they can bill Queensland for their hotel quarantine,” he told state parliament.
He posted a picture of himself ripping the bill up on social media.
The invoice bills Queensland for travellers resident in the state who arrived in NSW between March and September last year.
“NSW quarantined 7112 arrivals during the above period who provided a residence address in your state,” the invoice reads.
“A further 4991 arrivals did not have an Australian address recorded and have been allocated proportionally across states and territories and are included in your cost allocation.”
READ MORE: Aussie news content refriended on Facebook
Jess Malcolm8.00am:Anal swabs take US-China relations to new low
Tensions between China and the US has reached a new low in a row over anal swab tests for coronavirus.
The US has alleged that Chinese officials forced American diplomats into the procedure, according to The Times of London.
Washington was outraged when it heard of the incident, which Beijing has claimed were conducted “in error”.
The test is conducted in some circumstances in China as they are said to be more accurate than nasal or mouth swabs.
It involves a saline-soaked cotton swap two or three centimetres into the body, which health officials describe as the most reliable way to detect COVID-19 in people without symptoms.
A Chinese diplomat has fiercely denied that it ever happened.
“As far as I know, the Chinese side has never asked US diplomats in China to take anal swab tests,” Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the foreign ministry, said on Thursday.
READ MORE: Pandemic brings cut to carbon emissions
Jess Malcolm8.00am:New tool for jab eligibility launched
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia has developed a new tool for vaccine eligibility, to help Australians deduce when they can get their vaccine.
Australians can fill out the interactive form, which will ask for some basic personal information to help them figure out what phase of the national vaccine rollout they fit into.
The tool also gives updates on where the vaccine rollout is currently, and details who is being vaccinated at its current stage.
The tool was developed in collaboration with The Australasian College of Pharmacy.
READ MORE: Andrews steers clear of bungle
Jess Malcolm7.40am:France set to tighten restrictions
French Prime Minister Jean Castex is preparing for possible tougher coronavirus restrictions from March 6, putting 20 areas including Paris, under “heightened surveillance”.
This comes after a spike in cases over the past week, with the more contagious British variant now responsible for nearly half the infections.
France has been criticised over its slow pace of the vaccination drive, in comparison with many of its European counterparts.
France has administered 3.97 million jabs, which is 3.8 per cent of the population. In comparison, Britain has administered 19.39 million doses, which is 27.5 per cent of the population.
Britain has downgraded its virus alert level overnight, down one notch from the highest possible, saying the fall in cases means its health system is less at risk.
This comes as the EU met to discuss the speed of the vaccine rollout, as many countries continue to battle against the stubborn second and third waves of the virus.
AstraZeneca has told the EU parliament that it is confident it can make up for a huge shortfall in doses of the vaccine, after low yields hit production factories in the EU.
READ MORE:Uni grants ‘if research goes well’
Jess Malcolm7.25am:Dutton: calm down over vaccine bungle
Federal minister for home affairs Peter Dutton has told people to “calm down” over bungles in the government’s vaccine roll out, taking aim at state premiers for their complaints.
It emerged on Wednesday that a doctor – who had not done the proper training to administer the vaccine – gave double the recommended dose to two elderly Australians.
“When you look at the numbers, the logistics and what’s involved here in this rollout,” Mr Dutton said.
“I think the first most important point is the vaccine we have now has been demonstrated to be safe and people should be reassured by that.”
“People snipe from the sidelines, it is pretty rich for some of these premiers who through thick and thin the prime minister has backed even when they made stupid decisions about border closures now you have them playing politics.”
READ MORE:Healthcare Australia chief forced to step down over bungle
Jess Malcolm7.20am:Aged care report handed to government today
The final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care will be given to the federal government today, and will be publicly released next week.
The royal commission was established in 2018 following disturbing evidence of neglect and abuse in the aged care sector.
The report has been conducted following in an in-depth examination of the system, and is expected to recommend serious fundamental changes.
The interim report found the system was failing elderly Australians, highlighting negligence, neglect, and assaults in aged care homes. It was estimated that at least one in five people receiving residential aged care were experiencing substandard care.
The federal government will respond to the findings by May this year.
READ MORE:Fears over training quality for aged care jabbers
Jess Malcolm6.55am:Kirkup poor second in WA leaders’ debate
West Australian Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup failed to land a blow during the state’s leaders’ debate on Thursday night.
Mr Kirkup caused a stir earlier in the day when he conceded that he would not win the state election on March 13.
The Liberal leader was forced to defend this choice during the debate, with Premier Mark McGowan on the attack over the shock decision.
Mr McGowan has been enjoying strong popularity in the polls due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, in particular for his hard stance on borders.
READ MORE:Lacklustre debate in the West
Jess Malcolm6.41am:News returns to Facebook in Australia
Content from news publishers is back in Facebook feeds on Friday morning, after Facebook and the federal government reached an agreement over the media bargaining code.
Facebook pages for news outlets such as News Corp (publisher of the Australian), Nine newspapers, and the ABC were restored in the early hours of Friday morning.
Last Thursday a blanket ban on news content was put on Australian media companies, enforced by the tech giant in response to the media bargaining code.
The media bargaining code was introduced by the federal government as a way to force tech companies to pay for the use of Australian news on their platforms.
Major Australian publishers have been in negotiations for the past week with Facebook and Google in a bid to strike a deal.
READ MORE: Aussie news content refriended from Friday
Jess Malcolm6.20am:Restrictions ease around the nation
Restrictions are eased across the country on Friday morning, as Australia enjoys a streak free from community transmission of COVID-19.
In NSW, people can dance at weddings and have up to 50 people in their homes. Up to 50 people can now attend gym classes, and cinemas can now enjoy 100 per cent capacity.
In South Australia, returning travellers from greater Melbourne can enter the state without the need to isolate or clear a COVID-19 test.
Dancing and drinking will also be allowed in venues with less than 200 people.
In venues with 200-1000 people, dancing is allowed on a designated dancefloor with a maximum of 50 people.
In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews is meeting with ministers this morning to discuss the easing of restrictions, and he is expected to make an announcement before Friday midday.
It is not clear yet if the changes will be introduced from midnight or earlier.
It is expected the changes will involve the numbers of visitors allowed in the home and changes to mask wearing rules.
Queensland will also reopen its borders to Victorians this weekend, from 1am on Saturday.
READ MORE:New $29m tech to combat COVID-19
Natasha Robinson6.11am:Potent drug that ‘slipped under the radar’
Researchers at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne will trial a new treatment for coronavirus in a major clinical trial, with hopes the repurposed drug nafamostat will prove a highly successful treatment for lung problems associated with COVID-19.
The drug is currently licensed for use in South Korea and Japan as a treatment for acute pancreatitis and some blood clotting conditions — but it has been shown in laboratory experiments to block SARS-CoV-2 from entering human cells.
Researchers said the drug appeared to be “far more potent” than remdesivir, which is used in some hospitals for the treatment of COVID-19. It will be tested on coronavirus patients as part of the ASCOT trial, which is being led by the Doherty Institute.
Rosie Lewis6.00am:PM introduces new misconduct protocols
Scott Morrison has used official advice from the Australian Federal Police to set a new standard for his MPs, demanding they inform him of any criminal activity in the workplace after Defence Minister Linda Reynolds failed to notify him of the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins in her office.
The AFP has asked all MPs and their staff to report possible crimes to authorities “without delay”, warning that if they did not then evidence could be lost or the offending could continue.
The Prime Minister questioned whether Senator Reynolds’ decision not to tell him about Ms Higgins’ alleged rape for nearly two years was “wise”.
Mr Morrison and his government have been embroiled in controversy for a fortnight, with Labor challenging the plausibility of the Prime Minister and his office only finding out about the incident – which occurred in March 2019 – within the last two weeks.
Senator Reynolds, who is facing questions over her future as Defence Minister, remains in hospital and is due to be discharged on Friday or Saturday after the stress of the past fortnight exacerbated an existing heart condition.
Additional reporting: Adeshola Ore
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