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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Caitlin Cassidy (now) and Elias Visontay and Mostafa Rachwani (earlier)

Morrison announces international reopening plan – as it happened

The day that was, Friday, 1 October

Quite a day today! With our quota of news well and truly filled, I think we’ll leave it there.

Here’s what we learned today:

  • Gladys Berejiklian has resigned as premier of NSW following the announcement of an Icac investigation into a breach of trust. The state recorded 864 new cases and 15 deaths.
  • The federal government has announced a reopening plan to international travel in November. Thus far, Qantas has announced the resumption of two international flights - Sydney to London and Sydney to Los Angeles. A number of ministerial changes have been made following the resignation of Christian Porter.
  • Australia’s free trade negotiations with the European Union have been postponed by one month to November.
  • A vaccine mandate has been introduced for all mandated workers in Victoria on a day the state recorded 1,143 new local cases.
  • Queensland recorded three new local cases, with the NRL final still fated to go ahead on Sunday. The ACT recorded 52 cases and two deaths. SA recorded the second positive Covid-19 case detected in a truck driver in a week.
  • And the Coalition has nominated Slade Brockman as Senate president.

Updated

Victoria police have released a statement in relation to ongoing protests across the state today:

Three people were arrested for failing to state name and 121 penalty notices for breach of the chief health officer’s directions were issued. Victoria police will continue to have a highly visible presence to maintain public safety, and to ensure any protest activity that breaches the CHO directions does not impact on the broader community’s right to go about their daily lives.

Updated

Guardian reporter Michael McGowan has broken down the top contenders to replace NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The New South Wales treasurer, Dominic Perrottet, and the planning minister, Rob Stokes, have emerged as the frontrunners.

Updated

The AFL has released a statement on the expanded mandating of vaccinations announced by Victorian premier Daniel Andrews earlier today.

McGowan says WA is also considering mandating the vaccine in more workforces “over the coming weeks”.

Updated

WA will not open up at 80% double vaccination targets

It appears Mark McGowan will not be opening the international border in November.

Many of us look forward to travelling overseas at some point in the future, but this is not something that will apply to WA, or, indeed, other states outside of NSW at this point in time. WA will open up internationally at some point in time, it’s probably just a difference of months...we’ll set a date that we would accept people into whatever arrangements the commonwealth proposes, and that will be some time in the future...some time next year, I expect. We’ll set a date when we’re sure what the situation is.

Updated

Mark McGowan is asked about the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian.

He says Berejiklian was not in attendance at the national cabinet, nor was a replacement NSW representative:

I wish her and her family all the best during this difficult time and do hope the NSW government is able to select a good replacement as premier.

I didn’t get to see the press conference, I was doing other things, but it’s obviously a very distressing times for her, her family and supporters ... you put your life into your career, you work long long hours, its a distressing period for her and her family.

Updated

Severe thunderstorms hit Sydney

Sydney right now:

Updated

There have been no new local cases of Covid-19 in WA overnight, premier Mark McGowan says.

There are three cases in hotel quarantine.

Today, the state has achieved the milestone of administering 1m double doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. Some 80% of the current eligible population has either been vaccinated, or booked to receive a vaccine.

Updated

We are still waiting to hear from WA, due to provide a Covid-19 update any minute.

NSW minister for energy and environment Matt Kean has released a statement on the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian, praising her for paving the way for future women.

He says it is an “incredibly sad day” for NSW:

Gladys Berejiklian is a remarkable person. Over the last four and half years, she has led NSW with dignity, determination and poise. NSW is a better place because of Gladys Berejiklian. Today, women in this state are able to decide what happens with their bodies because of Gladys Berejiklian.

Today, our citizens can spend more time with their friends and families because of Gladys Berejiklian – the opal card, the metros, the highways are her achievements. Today, young girls and first generation Australians know they can succeed in our country because of the example Gladys Berejiklian has set. Future generations of Australians are going to enjoy a better planet and a more prosperous society because of the reforms she alone was able to achieve.

But most of all, NSW is a better place because of the way she touched each of our lives: day after day through the Black Summer bushfires and this pandemic she has been there for NSW. Her tough decisions, and her courage to do what she thought was right has saved lives. She has shown how much evidence based, diligent leadership can achieve in an age of mistruths, conspiracy and misinformation.

No doubt over coming months there will be much public discussion over what has occurred today, its circumstances and the wisdom of this week’s decisions that brought it about. However, the dignity, calmness, and commitment to her high office and the people of this State that we saw today were the hallmarks of a Premier and a person I am proud to have served.

SA records another positive Covid-19 case

It is the second positive case detected in a truck driver in a week.

Two new exposure sites have been listed, both service stations.

Updated

This afternoon’s National Cabinet meeting has wrapped up.

NSW town of Casino enters 11 day lockdown

A stay-at-home order for the suburb of Casino, a small town in the Northern Rivers region of NSW near Lismore, will be introduced from midnight tonight until 11 October due to an increased Covid-19 public health risk.

The stay-at-home order will also apply to anyone who has been in Casino since 24 September.

NSW Health:

Everyone in this suburb must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can’t work or study at home.

NSW Health will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation with Covid-19 and will not hesitate to update its advice to protect the health and wellbeing of the people of NSW. We urge people throughout NSW to continue to come forward for testing at the first sign of even mild symptoms. To find your nearest clinic visit Covid-19 clinics or contact your GP.

Updated

I am team #superbfairywren, but if you’re barracking for the glossy black-cockatoo this year, you might want to vote in the bird of the year poll now.

With 778 votes and counting this afternoon, it is well and truly up for elimination.

Updated

State MP for Wollondilly Nathaniel Smith has released a statement giving a not-so-subtle nod to Perrottet’s attitude towards lockdowns:

She (Gladys Berejiklian) has led our state during a very difficult period in our history and I thank her for her dedicated service. NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet, who has been a keen figure in releasing NSW from lockdown, will assume the responsibilities of acting leader until a meeting of the parliamentary liberal party meets on October 5.

Labor leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, has congratulated Slade Brockman on winning a ballot in the Liberal party to replace outgoing Senate president Scott Ryan.

Wong:

The president plays a central role in safeguarding the importance of the Senate in our democracy. Senator Ryan demonstrated the independence and adherence to principle that senators, and the public, expect. We look forward to senator Brockman demonstrating these same qualities.

Labor senator, Kim Carr, told Guardian Australia that Concetta Fierravanti-Wells “would have been a very effective president”:

Her work on the scrutiny committee has demonstrated enormous skill and capacity to work in a bipartisan manner in defence of the institutional values of the Senate.

Nevertheless - Labor is respecting the conventions of the Senate that the government gets to nominate its president, so we’re not headed for a NSW Upper House style standoff where opposition parties attempt to nominate an alternative member of the government to take the position.

Updated

Meanwhile, South Australia has banned jumps racing.

The ban will come into effect from next year, made in part because of declining participation and horse numbers.

Updated

Coalition nominate Slade Brockman as Senate president

While everything has been going on this afternoon, you have also got a new Senate president – the Liberals have held their election and voted for Slade Brockman to take over from Scott Ryan in the big chair.

Brockman, a former chief of staff to Mathias Cormann, beat his Western Australian senate colleague Dean Smith to the role. The senate president role is much like the Speaker’s role in the house of reps – more adjudicator and headmaster than anything.

Ryan announced he would be leaving politics at the next election early in the year, but last month, said he was bringing his departure forward, partly because of the travel restrictions on MPs, and partly because he was just done.

The Senate still has to vote on the final outcome.

Updated

Cricket Australia’s current policy is to “encourage employers and players to get vaccinated”:

The supreme court of Victoria has issued a statement on the Victorian premier Daniel Andrews’ expansion of mandatory vaccines to all employees on the authorised worker list.

Interestingly, the courts will have to oversee cases challenging the orders they will simultaneously need to comply with.

Chief justice of the supreme court of Victoria and chair of Courts Council, Anne Ferguson, on behalf of the Victorian courts and VCAT:

The premier announced this morning that all workers on the authorised worker list will require their first Covid-19 vaccine dose by Friday, 15 October in order to continue working onsite and will need to be fully vaccinated by 26 November.

VCAT will provide information about any changes to operations as a result of this announcement following the release of the directions made under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

Legal challenges to directions under that Act have been brought before the courts. Those matters will be heard and determined according to law. The Courts and VCAT will therefore not be making comment or responding to inquiries that go directly or indirectly to questions of legality of the directions. Operational changes by the courts and VCAT should not be taken as expression of a judicial view about legal issues before the courts.

Updated

Wild weather continues - severe thunderstorms are passing over south-east Queensland and north-east NSW:

Updated

Budget pressures are likely to remain in the face of uneven vaccination rates across Australia and the hesitancy of some states to reopen, Moody’s Investors Service warns.

The global credit rating agency said Australia’s robust economy, and accommodative monetary policy, support states’ high levels of public spending to sustain growth amid a prolonged Covid-19 outbreak, AAP’s Colin Brinsden reports.

Moody’s vice president and senior credit officer John Manning says a full recovery remains “vulnerable” to uneven vaccination rates and inconsistent execution of the transition to a national Covid-19 response.

Moody’s expects a strong economic rebound upon relaxation of virus restrictions, supported by commonwealth policy, elevated household saving rates, high levels of employment and debt affordability.

In a new report, Moody’s says economic growth generally remains underpinned by public spending on infrastructure, strong exports growth and a resilient housing sector.

The last Liberal premier to be re-elected for a second term in NSW was Nick Greiner, who served until 1992. Bob Carr was premier until 2005.

Updated

Australia and India have set a deadline on free trade negotiations, agreeing to strike a full deal by the end of 2022.

Quite a take from former Victorian minister Jenny Mikakos

A useful reminder if you haven’t perused @gladysfanart on Instagram, today might be the day.

The social media account – now with more than 6,000 followers – compiles sometimes impressive, oftentimes disturbing artworks from Gladys Berejiklian’s biggest fans.

Updated

Here is the full statement on flights resuming from Qantas CEO Alan Joyce:

The early reopening of Australia’s international borders will mean so much to so many people and it’s made possible by the amazing ramp up of the vaccine rollout. We know Australians can’t wait to travel overseas and be reunited with their loved ones, and literally thousands are waiting to come back home, so this faster restart is fantastic news. It also means we can get more of our people back to work, sooner.

We welcome the federal government’s decision and the work by the NSW government to facilitate the home quarantine approach that makes this feasible. We look forward to other states and territories getting on board. We’d already sold out some of our international flights for December and seen strong demand on flights to and from London and Los Angeles, so we’re confident there will be a lot of interest in these earlier services.

We know many frequent flyers have been stockpiling their points over the past 18 months to use on an overseas flight, so we’re making more seats available to be booked with points alone. Beyond the initial rush, the ongoing demand for international flights will hinge largely on what the quarantine requirements are. The shift to seven day home quarantine for fully vaccinated Australians with a negative test is a great step towards reducing this closer to what is becoming standard in many countries overseas, which is a test and release program.

Updated

Qantas to resume flights to London and Los Angeles from 14 November

Qantas will bring forward the restart of its international flights to 14 November 2021 following the federal government’s announcement to lift the ban on international travel from November.

The carrier will operate three weekly return flights between Sydney and London and three weekly return flights between Sydney and Los Angeles with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, because they have been the most searched on qantas.com.

More flights will be added to meet demand if needed. Fares are now on sale for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families and some visa holders.

Once the federal government announces the exact date Australia’s international borders will reopen, the start dates for these two routes may be updated. Flights will be brought forward if it’s earlier than 14 November or moved to later in the month if necessary.

Customers booked on these flights will have the flexibility to make ‘fee free’ date changes for travel until 31 December 2022 (a fare difference may apply). If flights are cancelled customers may also be eligible for a refund or credit voucher.

Despite Qantas’ optimism, foreign airlines earlier this week said international tourism is unlikely to fully ramp up by Christmas because there’s too much uncertainty surrounding quarantine requirements and vaccine passports, with one source dismissing the Morrison government’s timetable as “naive”.

Updated

NSW treasurer Dominic Perrottet, who is flagged as a potential replacement for Gladys Berejiklian, has released a statement, calling today an “incredibly sad” one for the state.

I would like to offer my gratitude and thanks to Gladys Berejiklian for the leadership and strength she has shown throughout her career and especially during one of the most challenging periods any leader could ever encounter. Gladys has worked tirelessly before and through the pandemic to protect the people of NSW from Covid-19 and to ensure our great state remains strong and resilient.

The premier has always placed the wellbeing and welfare of NSW first, showing an unstinting dedication to public service and a great love for her community. The interests of the people of NSW must always come first, and the priority for the government is to ensure we continue to keep people safe, and that we reopen the economy and get people back to work, kids back to school, and life back to normal as fast as possible.

Over the coming days I will be talking to my family and colleagues about how I can best serve the people of NSW to continue to achieve these aims. Finally, I want to again pay tribute to one of the most outstanding leaders our state has ever had. Gladys is both a colleague and a friend and her decision is a loss to public life in NSW.

Updated

If your head is still spinning, reporter Christopher Knaus has written a great wrap of today’s events.

Reactions are coming in thick and fast.

Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese has reacted to the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian:

I want to begin my thanking Gladys Berejiklian for her service as premier of New South Wales. It’s a very difficult time to provide that leadership for frontline services and Gladys Berejiklian has done her best. I worked with Gladys Berejiklian when we were both transport ministers and we always had a very constructive relationship. And on a personal level, I wish her well for the future.

Other matters, of course, will take their course. Rules are for everyone and the premier has made the right decision on what would be a very difficult day for her, personally. These are uncertain times, and Scott Morrison should continue to provide support for the people and businesses of New South Wales. He should reconsider...the statement that he would be withdrawing support in my view sooner than is appropriate from the people and businesses of New South Wales going forward.

Mr Morrison refuses to apply the same set of integrity that Gladys Berejiklian applied to herself today. It is now more than 1,000 days since Scott Morrison promised to have a National anti-corruption body. Well, tick-tock Mr Morrison. We need a national Anti-Corruption Commission. One with teeth, one that operates independently of government, is able to conduct its own inquiries. And if you won’t give the Australian people one, a federal Labor government will do just that. Because we need to have confidence in the integrity of our political system.

Updated

This is a great point on today’s cabinet reshuffle.

Melissa Price will be Australia’s 13th science minister in a decade.

Deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has also weighed in.

He says politics is a “brutal profession”, and commends Gladys Berejiklian for the “exceptional job” she has done leading the state.

NSW opposition leader Chris Minns has released a statement on the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian.

He says revelations surrounding her departure can be hashed out later, but first the state has to get through the pandemic:

From day one I have acknowledged the premier’s efforts steering our state through the Covid crisis last year.

For all our disagreements, I never doubted Gladys’ dedication to New South Wales, or her work in the service of it. I thank her for her service.

There will be other occasions to carefully examine the detail of these revelations and consider their impact on the future of our state. It is right and important that we do so.

Ensuring New South Wales gets through the Covid-19 emergency must be the priority of the NSW Liberal-National government right now.

For the people of New South Wales the Covid crisis is still very real, much of the state is locked down, businesses are shut, schools are closed, families are separated, hospitals are under pressure.

The focus must be to work on behalf of the people of New South Wales first and foremost, even in the midst of a leadership contest.

Updated

A member of the Afghanistan-Australian community has delivered a petition bearing nearly 200,000 signatures to the office of immigration minister Alex Hawke, calling on Australia to offer 20,000 humanitarian resettlement places to Afghan nationals fleeing the Taliban.

Tamkim Hakim, a Sydney resident who has family stranded in Afghanistan, said the month and a half since the Taliban takeover of Kabul had been brutal for diaspora all over the world:

There has been no end to the horrific news coming out of my former homeland. Girls have been banned from school, women have not been able to return to their jobs or their university studies, and journalists have been beaten.

I am worried about my family members and relatives back home. As an Australian myself, I am asking for the Australian government to take action for Afghanistan, now.

Hakim was joined by lawyer and human rights advocate Mariam Veiszadeh who said the campaign to assist the people of Afghanistan had overwhelming public support:

Australia has an ethical and moral obligation to help the people of Afghanistan and we must act now.

An open letter and petition, organised by the Afghanistan-Australian Advocacy Network, has called for four immediate actions from government:

  • Commit to an additional humanitarian intake of at least 20,000 prioritising the most vulnerable persecuted people.
  • Grant permanent protection to more than 5,100 refugees from Afghanistan, predominantly from the historically persecuted Hazara ethnic groups, who are currently on temporary protection visas in Australia.
  • Prioritise the family reunification visas of people from Afghanistan in Australia.
  • Lift the ban on resettlement of refugees to Australia through the UNHCR in Indonesia.

Over 9,000 academics, community leaders, human rights advocates, lawyers, doctors, and civil society representatives signed the open letter, followed by over 100 prominent Australians, including Australian of the Year Grace Tame, Tamie Fraser, and Nova Peris OAM.

189,140 people signed the subsequent petition.

Updated

A number of Labor MPs have taken to Twitter to renew calls for a federal anti-corruption commission in the wake of today’s events.

Updated

Moorabool Shire enters lockdown

Earlier today, it was revealed the Moorabool Shire in Victoria would enter a seven-day lockdown from 11.59pm tonight to contain an escalating outbreak in the regional area.

Restrictions will be the same as the locked down City of Latrobe, Mitchell Shire and metropolitan Melbourne, apart from the 9pm curfew.

There are currently 32 active cases across the Moorabool Shire, with “significant concerns” about onward transmission.

Victoria’s acting chief health officer Ben Cowie said Ballarat and Geelong had gotten on top of its recent outbreaks:

We know it can be done – it’s vital we protect the local community and the rest of regional Victoria from significant outbreaks.

Two new testing sites are opening in Melton this weekend to keep up with heightened demand as the number of exposure sites grows.

More than 86% of the Moorabool Shire has received at least one vaccination dose, and 51% are fully vaccinated.

Updated

The Transport Workers Union has released a statement on the return of international travel from November.

It says the federal government has failed to establish a national Covid-safe plan for the reopening of Australia’s borders:

The TWU warns that the prime minister has left airports vulnerable by opening up without rapid testing in place, and failing to address skill shortages after illegal outsourcing from Qantas and an absence of government support forced many highly trained workers out of the industry.

The TWU has called for rapid pre-flight testing and vaccine passports across all international and domestic airports. Covid cases have been known to spread through domestic air travel following the completion of 14 days quarantine by international passengers. Now, vaccinated arrivals will only be required to quarantine for seven days.

Qantas’ supply chain has seen several serious safety incidents in its outsourced ground work, including belt loaders crashing into planes on one occasion leaving a gaping hole, incorrect weights being given to pilots prior to takeoff, and damage to property including a child’s smashed wheelchair.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine says while struggling workers will benefit, more safety measures need to be put in place:

We can’t afford to be reckless. We must arm ourselves with every available weapon to protect aviation from Covid shocks, but we have been provided no such plan from the federal government ... it is only a matter of time before disaster strikes.

Rapid testing has been rolled out at international airports across London, the US, Ireland, Germany and Turkey.

The TGA this week approved the use of rapid antigen testing at home, with Australians able to access the tests from 1 November.

Updated

The Victorian premier Daniel Andrews responds to the resignation of NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian.

I have always worked very closely with her.

Updated

Meanwhile, Australia has almost reached the 80% first dose vaccination milestone.

Talk about a rough day at work! Many thanks to Elias Visontay for expertly guiding us through that flurry of breaking news. I’ll be with you into the afternoon.

I’ll now pass you over to my colleague Caitlin Cassidy who will continue to bring you the latest news developments.

When it rains it pours, so if you’re a news fan – strap in for the next few hours.

John Barilaro, the NSW Nationals leader and Gladys Berejiklian’s deputy premier, has released a statement:

I have served as the deputy premier to Gladys Berejiklian for almost five years and in that time she has led this state through some of its darkest days.

Everyone has the right to defend their name and I wish Gladys all the best for her future.

Any speculation regarding Liberal party leadership remains an issue for the Liberal party.

The NSW Nationals remain committed to a strong and stable NSW Coalition government.

Updated

NSW leadership speculation is kicking into gear, and as we mentioned earlier, planning minister Rob Stokes is being mentioned.

There are reports that Stokes will run for leader of the NSW Liberal party.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet is also an option. There’s a report that he could run with the support of environment minister Matt Kean, from the moderates.

Kean, along with health minister Brad Hazzard and customer services minister Victor Dominello, were at the back of the room today as Gladys Berejiklian announced her resignation.

Just to recap, Gladys Berejiklian said her announcement this afternoon would be the last time she addressed the state as premier.

Her resignation will take effect as soon as the NSW Liberal party can elect a new leader.

As we’ve reported, the party room is set to meet on Tuesday.

Updated

As many have pointed out online, this was an unfortunate choice of cover for the Fin Review’s power issue mag, which came out today. (This was the NSW edition cover.)

Updated

Attention in New South Wales will now turn to who will become the next premier.

My colleague Michael McGowan tells me the NSW Liberal party room meeting will be on Tuesday.

Speculation has already begun that treasurer Dominic Perrottet or planning minister Rob Stokes could be potential successors. There are also other senior ministers who could emerge – transport minister Andrew Constance could be a possibility.

Factional allegiances will no doubt be at play as numbers are counted in the coming days.

Updated

Amy Remeikis has been watching that Scott Morrison press conference that we had to leave to bring you Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation announcement.

Updated

When she began her press conference, Berejiklian said she would not be taking any questions.

She kept her word, walking out after delivering her statement.

It lasted about six minutes all up.

Updated

In an emotional ending to her statement, Gladys Berejiklian says:

We’ve grieved and supported each other during these tragedies [of the drought, bushfires, Covid]. I hope you know that you will remain foremost in my thoughts, the courage that you display in your lives every day has inspired me every step of the way, the courage and the support you’ve shown me has humbled me and made me a better leader and a better person.

Serving you has been the greatest privilege of my life. Please know that every day I gave it my all and worked as hard as I could to create a better future for our state and its people. I truly believe that New South Wales is a place where every person, irrespective of their background and circumstances has the opportunity to be their best to make a difference.

So as I address you for the final time as your premier. Please stay the course and stay safe. We will be shortly out of this lockdown and be able to get on with our lives. New South Wales and its people will come out of this lockdown stronger, and together we will build a future full of optimism and hope. Finally, thank you again for giving me the honour of being your premier.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces her resignation during a press conference on 1 October 2021 in Sydney.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces her resignation during a press conference on 1 October 2021 in Sydney. Photograph: Getty Images

Updated

Gladys Berejiklian ends by thanking the people of New South Wales.

I have absolutely no regrets during my time in public life. At times we will stumble, we pick ourselves up, we dust ourselves off and start again stronger and wiser than before. I have done this many times, as we all have.

My only regret, will be not to be able to finish the job to ensure the people of New South Wales transition to living freely with Covid. However, I’m extremely confident that whoever succeeds me will be more than capable to continue this job. Please give them your trust and confidence.

We will come through this period, stronger, more resilient and appreciating what really matters in life. I feel strong, energised and optimistic about the future of New South Wales, I want to thank the thousands of our frontline heroes, who’ve kept us safe and kept us going during the darkest days in our state’s history.

I owe you and the state owes you a huge debt of gratitude, nothing that we can say or do will be able to demonstrate the significance all of our frontline workers have had, during this difficult time.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the Liberal party, the people of the electorate of Willoughby who have elected me five times to be their member of parliament, my parliamentary colleagues for their support and hard work, my outstanding and loyal staff, past and present, and to all the professional public servants with whom I have worked.

I also want to thank my family and friends who provided me with unconditional support and understanding, when I have not been able to be present, due to my responsibilities.

Updated

Berejiklian said she did not want to be a distraction from what should be the focus of the state government – the pandemic.

She said:

Given the Covid restrictions. My resignation as premier could not occur at a worse time, but the timing is completely outside of my control. As the Icac has chosen to take this action during the most challenging weeks of the most challenging times in the state’s history.

Resigning at this time is against every instinct in my being and something which I do not want to do.

I love my job and I love serving the community, but I have been given no option, following the statement that’s been issued today to continue as premier would disrupt the state government during a time when our entire attention should be focused on the challenges confronting New South Wales. I do not want to be a distraction from what should be the focus of the state government during this pandemic, which is the well being of our citizens, it always has been and always will be.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces her resignation during a press conference on 1 October 2021 in Sydney.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces her resignation during a press conference on 1 October 2021 in Sydney. Photograph: Getty Images

Updated

Berejiklian:

I have made it clear on numerous occasions that if any of my ministers were the subject of allegations being investigated by an integrity agency or law enforcement, then he or she should stand aside during the course of the investigation until their name was cleared.

The reason for my stance was not to have made any presumptions, as to their conduct, but rather to maintain the integrity of the public office which has held, which that person is held whilst an investigation was completed, that same standard must always apply to me also as the premier, however standing aside is not an option for me as the premier of New South Wales, the people of this state. The certainty as to who the leader is during the challenging times of the pandemic.

I cannot predict how long it will take the Icac to complete this investigation, let alone deliver a report in circumstances where I was first called to give evidence in a public hearing nearly 12 months ago.

Therefore, it pains me to announce that I have no option but to resign from the office of premier, my resignation will take effect as soon as the New South Wales Liberal party can elect a new parliamentary leader in order to allow the new leader and government, a fresh start.

Updated

Berejiklian also resigns as a member of parliament, which will trigger a byelection in her seat of Willoughby.

Gladys Berejiklian resigns

Gladys Berejiklian has announced her resignation as premier of New South Wales.

The announcement follows the Independent Commission Against Corruption announcing it is investigating whether she breached public trust between 2012 and 2018.

Berejiklian insisted “I state categorically I’ve always acted with the highest level of integrity”. She said:

I’ve had to make a difficult decision overnight. I was advised late yesterday afternoon that the Independent Commission Against Corruption will release a statement today stating they are investigating me relating to matters involving the former member for Wagga Wagga.

As it is clear from the Icac statement, these are historic matters and I have already been subjected to numerous attacks by these by my opponents in the last 12 months.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces her resignation during a press conference on 1 October 2021 in Sydney.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announces her resignation during a press conference on 1 October 2021 in Sydney. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

Updated

Morrison is now speaking about the plan to reopen Australia to international travel. The details of the plan are a few posts below.

Morrison said:

It’s time to give Australians their lives back. We’ve saved lives. We’ve saved livelihoods, but we must work together to ensure that Australians can reclaim the lives that they once had in this country, and we must work together to achieve that goal. That’s what the national plan is all about.

Australia will be ready for takeoff very soon.

Updated

Federal ministerial changes

Scott Morrison is now up, and he is announcing ministerial changes following the recent resignation of Christian Porter.

Angus Taylor, who is already the minister for energy and emissions reductions, will also become the minister for industry.

Melissa Price, who is the minister for defence industry, will be taking on the additional portfolio of minister for science and technology.

Tim Wilson, has been made assistant minister assisting the minister for industry, energy and emissions reduction (Angus Taylor).

Ben Morton, will be special minister of state, minister for public service in addition to minister assisting the prime minister and cabinet.

And given Porter’s resignation from cabinet, there are further changes outside of reassigning his portfolio.

Alex Hawke, minister for immigration, citizenship, migrant services and multicultural affairs, has been promoted to cabinet.

Updated

We’re standing by to hear from Scott Morrison (he’s a few minutes late to start his press conference, which was meant to start at 12:40pm).

Gladys Berejiklian will make her “significant announcement” at 1pm. There is speculation she will announce her resignation in light of Icac’s announcement.

Updated

TGA recognises Sinovac vaccinations

As part of the reopening plan to allow vaccinated travellers to quarantine at home, the TGA has said it will recognise people who received Sinovac – a vaccine from China – and AstraZeneca vaccines produced at the Serum Institute of India, as being fully vaccinated for the purposes of qualifying for home quarantine.

A government statement said:

Today, the TGA has published its initial assessment of the data on the protection offered by the Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines and has advised that these vaccines should be considered as ‘recognised vaccines’ for the purpose of determining incoming international travellers as being appropriately vaccinated.

The statement notes that this does not mean these vaccines are about to be administered inside Australia.

Declaring certain Covid-19 vaccines as ‘recognised vaccines’ is separate to a regulatory decision on whether they are approved for use for vaccination in Australia, which has not been made by the TGA.

The recognition of these two additional vaccines is a major milestone towards more Australians vaccinated overseas getting home sooner.

The TGA will continue its assessment of other vaccines for the purpose of determining ‘recognised vaccines’ based on the available data and data that is provided.

Updated

Government announces international reopening plan in November

The Australian government has announced its plan to “reopen to the world”.

A government press release states:

Following completion of home quarantine pilots in New South Wales and South Australia, it is anticipated that states and territories that are ready to do so will roll out:

  • Seven-day home quarantine for Australian citizens and permanent residents fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved for use in Australia or “recognised” by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
  • 14-day managed quarantine for anyone not vaccinated or vaccinated with a vaccine not approved or recognised by the TGA.

Australian citizens and permanent residents who cannot be vaccinated – for example if they are under 12 or have a medical condition – will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel.

States and territories will begin this program at different times given their varying vaccination rates but we expect the system to commence in November.

Under Phase B and C of the national plan, 14-day managed quarantine caps apply to unvaccinated arrivals. These will return to previous levels at Phase B of the national plan. We will work with states and territories to remove all travel caps on vaccinated Australians.

The government’s intention is that once changes are made in November, the current overseas travel restrictions related to Covid-19 will be removed and Australians will be able to travel subject to any other travel advice and limits, as long as they are fully vaccinated and those countries’ border settings allow. Border settings and quarantine requirements in other countries continue to change and we strongly encourage all Australians to closely monitor Dfat travel advice, available on smartraveller.gov.au.

These changes mean there will be no travel restrictions if you are a vaccinated Australian entering or leaving our shores.

We will also work towards completely quarantine-free travel for certain countries, such as New Zealand, when it is safe to do so.

Testing is expected to continue to be a requirement of international travel, but subject to further medical advice, Rapid Antigen Tests may be used.

Australians who want to travel overseas once restrictions are removed will be able to access an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document in the coming weeks to prove their vaccination status abroad. The proof of vaccination for international travel will include a QR code that is readable globally, and will comply with the standards set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Engagement with commercial airlines and foreign governments has already begun to ensure they are familiar with the system.

Updated

And with that, I will leave the blog in the brilliant hands of Elias Visontay, to take you through the afternoon’s news. Thanks for reading.

Oh and the prime minister has announced a press conference at 12.40pm.

Updated

In the announcement of the investigation, Icac has listed three key areas they are investigating, including whether Berejiklian “engaged in conduct that”:

  • Constituted or involved a breach of public trust by exercising public functions in circumstances where she was in a position of conflict between her public duties and her private interest as a person who was in a personal relationship with the then NSW Member of Parliament, Mr Daryl Maguire, in connection with: grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Australian Clay Target Association Inc in 2016/2017; and grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga Wagga in 2018; and/or
  • Constituted or involved the dishonest or partial exercise of any of her official functions and/or a breach of public trust by refusing to exercise her duty pursuant to section 11 of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 to report any matter that she suspected on reasonable grounds concerned or may concern corrupt conduct in relation to the conduct of Mr Daryl Maguire; and/or
  • Was liable to allow or encourage the occurrence of corrupt conduct by Mr Maguire.

Updated

And the premier has announced a press conference for 1pm. Stay tuned for that...

Icac to investigate NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian

And in breaking, bombshell news, Icac has announced that it will be investigating if the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, engaged in conduct that constituted a breach of trust.

Specifically, the announcement has focused on her relationship with former MP Daryl Maguire, “in connection with: grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Australian Clay Target Association Inc in 2016/2017; and grant funding promised and/or awarded to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga Wagga in 2018.”

The commission is also investigating whether, between 2012 and August 2018, Mr Maguire engaged in conduct that involved a breach of public trust by using his public office, involving his duties as a member of the NSW parliament, and the use of parliamentary resources, to improperly gain a benefit for himself, G8way International Pty Ltd and associated persons.

Updated

Barr: next two weeks will be 'toughest' for ACT

ACT premier Andrew Barr has called today the “toughest” day the territory has experienced in the pandemic so far:

The ACT has experienced the toughest day of our pandemic response so far.

40% of our community who are eligible for a vaccine are not yet fully vaccinated, and these are predominantly Canberrans under 40.

We have two weeks to go until the planned end of our lockdown. When we will reach what I hope will be a nation of leading high vaccination rates in the next two weeks, which will be the toughest we have experienced, we ask Canberrans to keep doing the right thing.

You can’t let your guard down now, we have come this far. We can’t let this get out of control in the next two weeks.

Updated

We now have the ACT Covid numbers plugged into the daily graph:

Updated

ACT records 52 new cases and two deaths

The ACT has recorded its highest ever number of daily cases, with 52 new cases recorded overnight, with 40 of them linked.

The state has also recorded two deaths, both people in their 80s and both receiving palliative care at the Calvary Haydon aged care facility.

Updated

Moorabool LGA will enter seven-day lockdown

The premier has also announced that the Moorabool LGA will enter a seven-day lockdown from midnight tonight, with the number of cases provided as the reasoning:

We regret that that is the only option, given the number of cases in it that LGA. We will stand with that community with additional testing capacity and support for anyone who needs them, just like Ballarat, Shepparton and so many other communities, Latrobe Valley.

These lockdowns have been effective in bringing stability to case numbers and driving case numbers down. But on advice and very careful analysis, this is unavoidable that a lockdown must be applied to that community.

Updated

Victoria to provide grants for GPs and pharmacists to open mini-vax hubs

The premier has gone on to announce an expansion of the pharmacy and GP grant program, which will allow the primary care network access to 4,000 and 10,000 grants.

The goal, Andrews says, is to allow them to build capacity to more efficiently, or more productively, deliver vaccines.

Around another 90 to 100 GP surgeries and pharmacy businesses that will receive those grants that will allow them to employ more staff to operate longer hours to perhaps, render some space where their clinic or their pharmacy business is not quite enough to be able to run, essentially, a mini vaccination hub.

This is, I don’t know if there is any other state doing this, we are very pleased to partner with the AMA, College of General Practice, individual GPs, the pharmacy guild, and pharmacists were doing a fantastic job. These are simple, common sense partnerships that will mean more jobs and jabs.

Updated

Victoria to introduce vaccine mandate for authorised workers

In light of the jump in cases yesterday, Andrews has announced that the government has moved to introduce a vaccine mandate for authorised workers.

From Friday 15 October, all authorised workers will need to have at least their first dose, and must have their second dose by 26 November.

This is critically important to keep the case numbers down so that we can open up on 26 October, get our freedom back, get the economy going again, and deliver the national plan. This is advice from both the Burnet Institute and advice from the acting chief health officer and the public health team and, as all Victorians know and understand, if we are provided with that advice that we follow that advice.

The science is what will get us through this and it is incredibly important that people who have not had a first dose and are an authorised worker are moving, are out and about, are part of all of that movement that we know is so challenging when it comes to the spread of this virus.

Updated

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has just stepped up for his press conference, saying there is “quite a bit to get through”.

Updated

I just wanted to share what the ABC analyst Casey Briggs had to say on the lack of a NSW Covid update (the first time that has happened in a while):

I think the government here is trying to transition people to this world where we are used to dealing with Covid, we expect to see Covid forever.

This wave, this New South Wales wave will never end, unlike previous waves and outbreaks in this pandemic in Australia we are used to them ending, the government have made the decision for right or wrong that when they don’t have anything to say that they don’t need to present to the public and present to the journalist and answer questions.

There are obviously lots of questions that journalists have and, you know, but that is the decision that the government has made. As you are right to say, it has been very wet. It was about two weeks ago that the premier said we will not be holding the daily press conferences.

Updated

Well, no need to worry if you’ve missed out on your press conference hit, the Victorian Covid update is due in 5 minutes.

Updated

And with that, the NSW seven-day average has dropped to below 900:

Updated

Apologies, we are actually not going to get a NSW press conference today, so I’ll just go through some of the details released by NSW Health.

Eight women and seven men died overnight: three were in their 50s, two were in their 60s, two in their 70s, six in their 80s and two in their 90s.

Five people were from western Sydney, four people were from south-western Sydney, three people were from the Nepean Blue Mountains area, two people were from Sydney’s inner west, and one person was from south-eastern Sydney.

Nine people were not vaccinated, one person had a single dose and five were fully vaccinated.

Two people who died acquired their infections in hospital – a man in his 80s from south-eastern Sydney at the Mater hospital, and a woman in her 80s at Westmead hospital.

Updated

NSW records 864 new cases and 15 deaths

New South Wales has recorded 864 locally acquired cases.

Sadly, the state also recorded 15 deaths overnight, making it the most deadly day during this outbreak.

Updated

As always, we are on standby for an update from NSW next.

Updated

The Queensland press confernce has come to an end but not before a discussion about ICU and health capacity.

Health minister Yvette D’Ath was asked about ICUs and turned the blowtorch on to the federal government:

We were already feeling the pressure of demand and Covid has come over the top. So what every single health minister in Australia, every single health minister from every state and territory has signed a letter to the commonwealth health minister, Greg Hunt, and said we need extra funding, we need 50-50 shared funding. We need uncapped funding and a funding guarantee.

We’ve had a funding guarantee under Covid until June 30. That has now stopped. That needs to be reinstated. We need help with NDIS. We’ve got too many people who shouldn’t be in hospitals with disabilities, who should be in care under an NDIS package, who are taking up beds. We need that rectified or the commonwealth needs to fund us for those beds.

Pressed on that, and on why the government appears unprepared, D’Ath doubled down:

We have expanded our capacity. We’ve built individual rooms. Negative pressure rooms. We have made sure that our staff are trained and prepared to deal with infectious diseases. But that doesn’t change the fact that we rely heavily on commonwealth funds for our public health system. That every time the private sector, primary and allied healthcare fails, someone can’t see a GP for two weeks or four weeks. They can’t get bulk billing. There is no GP in their community. There’s no allied health. They come to our hospital system. So there’s so many things that the commonwealth are directly responsible for, including aged care and disability, that impact on the public health system.

We need a serious conversation in this country about the funding commitments from the commonwealth for our entire health system. Not just public, but our entire health system. We need some urgent, immediate help and every state and territory health minister is calling on that. And we hope that we will be listened to.

Updated

Asked whether Queensland will follow NSW and South Australia’s lead and move to seven-day home quarantine for vaccinated travellers, Annastacia Palaszczuk says those are trials and Queensland would “need to see the results of that trial” before making a decision.

Updated

We’ve moved quickly in this presser, Annastacia Palaszczuk is now asked about borders opening and international borders, and is not having any of it:

I look forward to hearing about the plan. I understand that the prime minister is doing a press conference at 10.30. I look forward to hearing about that plan. It has not been distributed in any papers to national cabinet prior to national cabinet’s meeting.

I’m not going to agree to anything when I haven’t seen any formal paperwork. It would be irresponsible and I think that Queenslanders would expect me to see some paperwork, to understand the issues before an announcement is made. So it’s a bit disappointing that we haven’t been given that due courtesy before national cabinet.

But, premier, would you be against opening the border at 80% vaccination rates?

What I’ve said clearly and Dr Young has said this and the health minister has said this: we need to be in a situation where every eligible person, so every eligible person in that cohort is offered a vaccine. Now, what I’d like to see from the federal government, we’re running campaigns at the moment to get people vaccinated.

It would be great to see the federal government focusing on a national campaign to really drive those vaccination rates up. We’ve got to make sure that we’re getting out to the Indigenous communities. That the people with a disability are getting vaccinated, and, of course, I’ve said previously – we need to have a plan for those children who will be unvaccinated.

Updated

What about how Annastacia Palaszczuk sees the grand final? She is pretty adamant:

It’s going to depend what happens tomorrow, it’s going to depend on what’s happening the next day. But it’s encouraging news today. It’s encouraging news today that we do not have any unlinked community transmission when we’ve had a high level of testing.

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

Could Queensland realistically go into lockdown with the match only days (soon to be hours) away?

I will have no qualms. People know me. They know Dr Young. We will act swiftly and we will go hard and fast.

Updated

Will the NRL grand final go ahead this weekend? Jeannette Young says yes (for now):

We just need to see what happens over the next few days. So we’ve put in place those restrictions. The 75% capacity limit.

And that people must wear masks at all times – except when they’re in their allocated seated ticketed seat, when they can take them off if they’re having something to eat or drink.

Cutting it real close there.

Updated

What is Dr Jeannette Young’s concerned status today? Still concerned, unfortunately:

I’m still concerned. It’s really important that people comply with the restrictions that are in place for those six local government areas.

One other thing that I forgot to mention in my earlier update is that you would have seen that New South Wales has removed the restrictions on Walgett. So we will similarly put them back into the border zone allowing that small amount of movement.

So that will happen from 1am tomorrow, and New South Wales has put stay-at-home restrictions in place for Kyogle. So we will also put those higher levels of restrictions in place for there from 1am tomorrow.

Updated

So, just going back to Annastacia Palaszczuk’s opening remarks, where she said there wasn’t evidence of seeding or unlinked transmission, which is why the state has avoided a lockdown (and, likely, any delay to the NRL grand final):

So what’s really important at the moment, and the fundamental reason we are not in lockdown, is because we do not have any seeding or unlinked community transmission. If we do see any unlinked community transmission, I’m quite sure that Dr Young will not hesitate to recommend a lockdown. So that’s good news for the moment, Queensland. So keep up that great work.

Updated

Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young is giving details about the cases. One she has labelled a “new cluster” but she says there isn’t any risk to the community:

So this is a gentleman who travels up and down from New South Wales picking up animals and relocating them. So he was infectious in the community for a short time in the Gold Coast when he was picking up an animal there.

He was contacted by NSW Health that he was a positive case and NSW Health then has let us know. So he was in the Gold Coast on the 29th for a short period. So I don’t think that he’s a risk. He’s unrelated to any of our other cases.

Updated

You can see the Victorian numbers on our graph now:

Queensland records three new cases

So Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has stepped up now and announced that the state has recorded only three new cases.

One is in hotel quarantine and another is linked to the aviation cluster.

Updated

Victoria records 1,143 new cases and three deaths

We have case numbers and it is a bit of a drop in Victoria, which recorded 1,143 new locally acquired cases.

Sadly, three people died overnight.

Updated

We are on standby for a Covid update from Queensland, as well as for case numbers out of Victoria. A busy morning awaits.

So in some good news, it was confirmed yesterday that all Australians aged 60 or over will be able to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines from today, regardless of where they live.

Health minister Greg Hunt said expanding the vaccine choices to over-60s would work towards vaccinating more than 300,000 people who had been waiting for access to the two MRNA vaccines:

That will mean that for those remaining they in a position to access [a vaccine], whether it’s AstraZeneca, whether it’s Pfizer, whether it’s Moderna.

If you’re 12 and over it doesn’t matter what age you are – you can access an mRNA vaccine in Australia.

That just gives more options for more Australians. For older Australians – there should be no barrier for any older Australian stepping forward to receive a vaccination.

You can read more on the story from Paul Karp here:

Updated

'No excuse' for NSW teachers not to be vaccinated, minister says

NSW education minister Sarah Mitchell has said there is “no excuse” for teachers to not be vaccinated, as the state brings forward its school reopening date.

As part of that plan, teachers will need to be fully vaccinated to be allowed on site, and Mitchell told Sunrise that most teachers should be fully vaccinated by now:

We said at the end of August that we want all of our staff to be vaccinated fully and I know that many of our teachers are.

Every day in the classroom is important. It’s great [to get back to face-to-face learning] for our teachers and parents but, most importantly, our students who I know can’t wait to get back in the classroom to see their friends.

There really is no excuse not to be fully vaccinated [by the deadline]. Certainly, the teachers that I speak to are keen to get back into the classroom.

Updated

Victoria’s case numbers are delayed:

No clue if this is a good sign or not. Here’s hoping.

So, first presser off the block will be Queensland with a Covid update at 10am.

Updated

It looks as though we’ll be hearing from the PM on international borders today:

Updated

Finance minister Simon Birmingham was on RN Breakfast today, discussing both the federal government’s decision to wind down disaster payments and the PM’s indecision around his attendance at the Glasgow climate talks.

Birmingham was asked why the government was moving to wind down disaster payments while some states and territories are still seeing case numbers surge:

There are limits to how long the government can continue to provide that and that’s why we’re giving notice and aligning it with those vaccination targets.

Sheer focus on case numbers is not acknowledging the fact that an increasing proportion of those individuals will not face such severe health consequences.

On climate, though, the finance minister was far less clear cut:

There will be a conclusion and a position taken to the Glasgow climate change conference. Australia will take the strongest position it possibly can.

And finally, will Scott Morrison be heading to Glasgow?

That matter and decision will be taken over the next couple of weeks. It’s only a few occasions since 2007 that Australia’s prime ministers have attended these annual talks.

Updated

Trade negotiations with Europe postponed

The trade and investment minister, Dan Tehan, has revealed that Australia’s free trade negotiations with the European Union have been postponed by one month to November, after a report in the Australian Financial Review suggesting Australia is being punished for cancelling its submarine contract with France.

Tehan told Guardian Australia:

A free trade agreement is in the interests of Australia and the European Union and will strengthen our relationship that is built on a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and economic openness.

We understand the French reaction to our submarine decision but ultimately any nation must act in its national interest – which is what Australia has done. I will meet with my EU counterpart Valdis Dombrovskis next week to discuss the 12th negotiating round, which will now take place in November rather than October. Building on the substantial progress made in rounds 10 & 11, we will continue preparing for the 12th round of negotiations and working towards concluding a free trade agreement that is in the interests of both Australia and the EU.

Since announcing the new Aukus pact and plan to purchase nuclear submarines from the US or UK, the Morrison government has struggled to control the diplomatic fallout from an enraged France.

The Naval Group has accused Australia of tearing up the $90bn contract “for convenience”, while France’s foreign minister has said “someone lied” because Australia had reassured France the program was on track.

France has been lobbying to delay trade negotiations with Australia to punish it for the move, which former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has labelled an “appalling episode” in Australia’s international affairs.

Updated

Peter Dutton has come out in support of an attempt to take some states to court if they don’t soon outline their border reopening plans.

The defence Mminister was on Channel Nine this morning and said he supported a move by Flight Centre CEO Graham Turner, who is considering taking Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania to court if they don’t say when and how their borders will open.

Dutton said he thought the move was “fair”:

I think it’s a fair enough position that he’s taking.

I think the premiers have signed up to the 70 and 80% changes and I think they should honour their word.

And I think if people are saying that the premiers should be kept to their deal, I absolutely support that.

Updated

NRL chief executive says grand final could be delayed or moved

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo says the league is “ready to go” if Brisbane goes into lockdown before Sunday’s grand final.

Boys skate past a statue of Wally Lewis at the entrance to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane
Boys skate past a statue of Wally Lewis at the entrance to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Photograph: Patrick Hamilton/AFP/Getty Images

Abdo was on the Today show this morning and said the plan was to go ahead with the final on Sunday even if the stadium capacity were reduced to 50%. But if a lockdown was implemented, he proposed delaying or moving the match to Townsville:

Obviously, we’re cognisant of the fact the Queensland government will make decisions on the public health orders ... and we’ll be ready to go.

At this stage, the 75% cap [on stadium attendees in Brisbane], if that drops to 50%, our aim is to still continue playing on Sunday.

If there is a lockdown, and we see the infection rates rise, then we will have to react accordingly.

The contingency would be to potentially postpone the match and play the match in Townsville in front of a crowd there if it is a lot safer.

As we get closer to Sunday, it becomes much harder ... we are watching this on an hourly basis and we will continue to do so.

Updated

Outbreak in Newcastle maternity ward grows

A Covid outbreak at the maternity ward and in the neonatal intensive care at the John Hunter hospital in Newcastle has increased to six cases.

The outbreak started when the mother of a newborn informed staff she was suffering respiratory symptoms. She tested positive on 26 September; five other parents have tested positive since.

The medical controller for Hunter New England Health, Dr Paul Craven, confirmed that all the positive cases were in parents of newborns, and that all the babies in the intensive care unit had been tested multiple times and returned negative results.

Updated

As the vaccine rollout expands again, this time to allow all Australians aged over 12 to access Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, Lieutenant General John Frewen has said the campaign has reached “an inflection point”.

Speaking to the ABC, Frewen said those who have been holding out, waiting for access to Pfizer or Moderna have been “putting themselves at risk for many months”, but he stressed that vaccine supply was no longer an issue:

It’s an inflection point in the campaign where we go from the supply drivers to the demand drivers. The challenge ahead of us, and there are many challenges, is about people coming forward.

Overseas, we’ve seen that you can get to 70% but you’ve got to work hard to get to 80% and, if we have any aspirations to get to 90%, that’s a long, hard road.

Updated

Good morning and happy Friday to all. It has been some week, but on we go.

Mostafa Rachwani with you this morning to take you through the early headlines and inevitable raft of press conferences.

We begin with national cabinet, which is set to meet again today, with discussions sure to look at the state of the vaccine rollout, the pressure on health systems and the national transitional plan.

But all eyes will be on the Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who said the meeting should be “interesting” after indicating that she would wait to see “updated modelling” before giving information about the state’s roadmap out of the pandemic and, specifically, when borders will reopen.

Her state is scrambling to get ahead of a potential outbreak after recording six new cases yesterday, four of which were linked to the “aviation cluster.” Restrictions were introduced yesterday and the venue capacity for the NRL grand final has been reduced in hopes of curbing the spread.

Victoria yesterday recorded its worst daily case numbers yet with 1,438 new infections, a huge jump the previous day’s tally of 950. The jump was attributed to illegal AFL grand final parties.

In NSW, case numbers continue to plateau between 800 and 1,000 as the state looks to begin changing its contact tracing programs as if inches closer to the 70% vaccination rate and freedom day (although we are warned we shouldn’t call it that).

Case numbers have continued to rise in regional NSW, which yesterday saw a freak weather event – a tornado ripped through the central west region near Bathurst.

As always we’ll have our eyes across the news this morning, so stay tuned.

Updated

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