The Latest Breaking News from Mark Butler

On Thursday, the government's new COVID-19 testing requirements for travellers coming into Australia from China, Hong Kong and Macau began and family and friends in Melbourne and Sydney were keenly awaiting their arrival.

Mark Butler says the government has to keep in line with international expectations as well as Australian health officials, after going against formal advice not to require pre-flight COVID tests on travellers from China.

Governments cite lack of information from Beijing on variants as they express concerns over a new wave of infections.

Mark Butler says he will look to reform access to mental health care after a boost to subsidised sessions led to tens of thousands being unable to get help.

Australia's chief medical officer told the health minister additional testing requirements on travellers from China weren't needed, before they were imposed.

Morocco has banned all arrivals from China, becoming the first African country to introduce restrictions amid growing alarm over a Covid-19 surge in the aftermath of Beijing's abrupt relaxation of pandemic measures.

Health minister Mark Butler argues decision ‘will not come as any surprise to the Chinese government’

Australia said on Sunday that travellers from China will have to provide negative COVID-19 test results from Jan. 5, joining a growing number of nations that have implemented similar restrictions as cases surge in China.

Travellers from China will need to undergo mandatory testing for COVID-19 before boarding a flight to Australia, the health minister has announced.