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Australia news live: NSW police release statement on dealings with Christian Porter accuser Australia news live: NSW police release statement on dealings with Christian Porter accuser
(32 minutes later)
Pressure mounts for inquiry into historical rape allegation made against attorney general as PM says there’s ‘no suggestion’ Porter will step down. Follow latest updatesPressure mounts for inquiry into historical rape allegation made against attorney general as PM says there’s ‘no suggestion’ Porter will step down. Follow latest updates
The Queensland government admits it knows little about a new Russian variant of Covid-19 as it prepares to test dozens of hotel quarantine guests for the strain.
AAP reports that three people who arrived on a Qatar Airways flight in Brisbane on 17 February tested positive for the virus, with two having the Russian strain. A fourth person who was on that flight but continued to New Zealand has also tested positive.
Queensland Health has ordered 74 people who were also on that plane to extend their mandatory 14-day quarantine for another five days.
Health minister Yvette D’Ath said authorities acted swiftly because so little is known about the Russian strain. She said experts don’t know if it’s more contagious or if the symptoms are more severe.
She said:
The health minister said the guests were tested on Thursday and they will be tested again on Saturday.
Those who test negative will be able to leave quarantine on Monday.
D’Ath said it wasn’t an easy decision to extend quarantine, but it would ensure the mysterious new virus variant did not get into the community.
The vaccine rollout continues with the Queensland government planning to open a number of new regional hubs when it receives the AstraZeneca vaccine from the Commonwealth.
D’Ath said the vaccine wasn’t mandatory, but warned that refusing to get the jab was a health risk.
Attorney general Christian Porter will soon find out whether the game of electoral musical chairs has left him without a seat, AAP reports.
Porter, who represents the West Australian electorate of Pearce, has gone on sick leave following the furore over historical rape allegations, which he vehemently denies.
The Australian Electoral Commission is putting the final touches to its proposed redistribution reports for WA and Victoria.
With WA set to lose one seat due to population shifts, one option raised with the AEC is to abolish Pearce and redistribute its voters into neighbouring seats, which have low growth projections and are below the voter quota.
Labor says the change is the least disruptive to four other seats in order to achieve the loss of one seat in the state.
The Liberals have proposed the abolition of the seat of Cowan, held by Labor backbencher Anne Aly, which would make major changes to six other seats.
It is understood the Victorian redistribution report, which will see it gain one seat, is due in mid-March and will be closely followed by the WA report a few weeks later.
The New South Wales police have issued a long and detailed statement on their contact with the woman at the centre of historical rape allegations against attorney general Christian Porter.The New South Wales police have issued a long and detailed statement on their contact with the woman at the centre of historical rape allegations against attorney general Christian Porter.
The statement has also addressed why police did not speak to Porter, as he stated during his press conference.The statement has also addressed why police did not speak to Porter, as he stated during his press conference.
I’ll give you the statement in full:I’ll give you the statement in full:
Putting an allegation to the person of interest:Putting an allegation to the person of interest:
No new Covid-19 cases in South Australia today.No new Covid-19 cases in South Australia today.
The Northern Territory and ACT are again calling on the federal government to restore their right to make voluntary euthanasia laws, AAP reports.The Northern Territory and ACT are again calling on the federal government to restore their right to make voluntary euthanasia laws, AAP reports.
NT attorney general Selena Uibo and the ACT’s human rights minister Tara Cheyne jointly wrote to the federal attorney general Christian Porter, deputy prime minister Michael McCormack and assistant regional development and territories minister Nola Marino.NT attorney general Selena Uibo and the ACT’s human rights minister Tara Cheyne jointly wrote to the federal attorney general Christian Porter, deputy prime minister Michael McCormack and assistant regional development and territories minister Nola Marino.
They want Liberal MP Kevin Andrews’ 1996 bill banning both territories from passing legislation on voluntary euthanasia to be overturned, saying it conflicts with Australia’s human rights obligations.They want Liberal MP Kevin Andrews’ 1996 bill banning both territories from passing legislation on voluntary euthanasia to be overturned, saying it conflicts with Australia’s human rights obligations.
Cheyne said:Cheyne said:
All the states have either passed legislation relating to voluntary assisted dying or have a bill before their parliament but the territories are unable to consider such legislation.All the states have either passed legislation relating to voluntary assisted dying or have a bill before their parliament but the territories are unable to consider such legislation.
NT chief minister Michael Gunner said repealing the federal law and restoring the territories’ ability to make their own decisions about important issues needn’t be controversial.NT chief minister Michael Gunner said repealing the federal law and restoring the territories’ ability to make their own decisions about important issues needn’t be controversial.
Andrews recently lost Liberal party preselection to stand again for his Victorian seat of Menzies at the next federal election.Andrews recently lost Liberal party preselection to stand again for his Victorian seat of Menzies at the next federal election.
Gunner said NT and ACT residents were being treated like second-class citizens.Gunner said NT and ACT residents were being treated like second-class citizens.
Cheyne said the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guaranteed Australian citizens the right to take part in public affairs directly or through freely chosen representatives.Cheyne said the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guaranteed Australian citizens the right to take part in public affairs directly or through freely chosen representatives.
But people in the ACT and NT are being denied their right to participate because they’re residents of a territory.But people in the ACT and NT are being denied their right to participate because they’re residents of a territory.
The NT in 1995 was the first jurisdiction in the world to pass laws allowing a doctor to end the life of a terminally ill patient at the patient’s request.The NT in 1995 was the first jurisdiction in the world to pass laws allowing a doctor to end the life of a terminally ill patient at the patient’s request.
The legislation permitted both physician-assisted suicide and active voluntary euthanasia in some circumstances with strict conditions.The legislation permitted both physician-assisted suicide and active voluntary euthanasia in some circumstances with strict conditions.
This caused a furore nationally and internationally, generating extensive criticism and extensive support from politicians, health care professionals, religious groups, ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ pressure groups, academics, the media and members of the general public.This caused a furore nationally and internationally, generating extensive criticism and extensive support from politicians, health care professionals, religious groups, ‘pro-life’ and ‘pro-choice’ pressure groups, academics, the media and members of the general public.
Andrews’ Private Member’s Bill effectively quashed the NT law, which the Commonwealth has the power to do under the constitution.Andrews’ Private Member’s Bill effectively quashed the NT law, which the Commonwealth has the power to do under the constitution.
With that, I might leave you in the capable hands of Michael McGowan (not the premier) to take you through the rest of the day’s news.With that, I might leave you in the capable hands of Michael McGowan (not the premier) to take you through the rest of the day’s news.
A light plane has crashed near the popular tourist town of Exmouth in Western Australia’s north-west, killing two people on board, reports AAP.A light plane has crashed near the popular tourist town of Exmouth in Western Australia’s north-west, killing two people on board, reports AAP.
WA police say the microlight aircraft was reported overdue from an aerodrome in Exmouth at about 4.30pm local time on Wednesday.WA police say the microlight aircraft was reported overdue from an aerodrome in Exmouth at about 4.30pm local time on Wednesday.
Hours later, it was found south of Exmouth.Hours later, it was found south of Exmouth.
A recovery operation was set to commence at first light on Thursday.A recovery operation was set to commence at first light on Thursday.
Victoria will establish a $6m mental health centre for emergency service workers, premier Daniel Andrews announced today.Victoria will establish a $6m mental health centre for emergency service workers, premier Daniel Andrews announced today.
The centre would be delivered by Phoenix Australia, which conducts research into and advises on policy around post-traumatic stress, and will be available to emergency service personnel such as paramedics, police, with a GP referral.The centre would be delivered by Phoenix Australia, which conducts research into and advises on policy around post-traumatic stress, and will be available to emergency service personnel such as paramedics, police, with a GP referral.
I mentioned earlier today the Victorian government is working to completely rebuild the state’s mental health care system after a royal commission report found it had catastrophically failed, was inadequate for current pressures let alone future demands.I mentioned earlier today the Victorian government is working to completely rebuild the state’s mental health care system after a royal commission report found it had catastrophically failed, was inadequate for current pressures let alone future demands.
Andrews also said they would work towards paramedics taking the lead in responding to mental health incidents as opposed to relying on police; one of the royal commission’s more than 65 recommendations.Andrews also said they would work towards paramedics taking the lead in responding to mental health incidents as opposed to relying on police; one of the royal commission’s more than 65 recommendations.
A teenage boy has died a week after being stung by a box jellyfish in far-north Queensland.A teenage boy has died a week after being stung by a box jellyfish in far-north Queensland.
The 17-year-old died in Townsville hospital on Wednesday after being stung by the jellyfish while swimming off the tip of the Cape York Peninsula on 22 February.The 17-year-old died in Townsville hospital on Wednesday after being stung by the jellyfish while swimming off the tip of the Cape York Peninsula on 22 February.
He had been swimming at Patterson Point, near the village of Bamaga, when he was strung by the Chironex fleckeri jellyfish, the world’s most venomous animal.He had been swimming at Patterson Point, near the village of Bamaga, when he was strung by the Chironex fleckeri jellyfish, the world’s most venomous animal.
The boy was then airlifted by the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service to Townsville hospital’s intensive care unit.The boy was then airlifted by the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service to Townsville hospital’s intensive care unit.
The teen died on Wednesday and police are preparing a report for the coroner.The teen died on Wednesday and police are preparing a report for the coroner.
The boy’s death is the first reported Chironex fleckeri fatality in 14 years.The boy’s death is the first reported Chironex fleckeri fatality in 14 years.
We will bring you updates as soon as we can.We will bring you updates as soon as we can.
The NSW health minister has given an update on the male baboon that spectacularly escaped into a Sydney hospital carpark around this time last year. (I refer to the baboon era of Australia news as the “before times”.)The NSW health minister has given an update on the male baboon that spectacularly escaped into a Sydney hospital carpark around this time last year. (I refer to the baboon era of Australia news as the “before times”.)
Hazzard says he “is very happy and he is doing well”.Hazzard says he “is very happy and he is doing well”.
But it’s worth remembering that the 16-year-old is a scientific testing baboon, so personally, I still have some questions about just how happy he truly is.But it’s worth remembering that the 16-year-old is a scientific testing baboon, so personally, I still have some questions about just how happy he truly is.
Here is Calla Wahlquist’s coverage from last year:Here is Calla Wahlquist’s coverage from last year:
At the very start of the day, I mentioned yesterday news about chief of defence Angus Campbell coming under fire for telling first-year cadets to reduce their risk of being sexually assaulted by avoiding the “four As” – alcohol, out after midnight, alone and attractive.At the very start of the day, I mentioned yesterday news about chief of defence Angus Campbell coming under fire for telling first-year cadets to reduce their risk of being sexually assaulted by avoiding the “four As” – alcohol, out after midnight, alone and attractive.
He has now made a statement to AAP saying that sexual assault perpetrators are always to blame.He has now made a statement to AAP saying that sexual assault perpetrators are always to blame.
Look who else is a fan of Graham Readfearn’s zebrafish story!Look who else is a fan of Graham Readfearn’s zebrafish story!
Premier Daniel Andrews won’t say when international flights will be allowed to resume in Victoria, suggesting more research is needed.Premier Daniel Andrews won’t say when international flights will be allowed to resume in Victoria, suggesting more research is needed.
He was asked about this at today’s press conference:He was asked about this at today’s press conference:
But Andrews confirmed the hotel quarantine workforce would be retained as it would cost more to “start from scratch”.But Andrews confirmed the hotel quarantine workforce would be retained as it would cost more to “start from scratch”.
Also, this nearly got missed in that press conference but it looks like the first doses of AstraZeneca will be administered in South Australia tomorrow.Also, this nearly got missed in that press conference but it looks like the first doses of AstraZeneca will be administered in South Australia tomorrow.
These will consist of some of the 300,000 vaccine doses imported from overseas as the TGA is still working through the approval process for domestically manufactured AZ doses.These will consist of some of the 300,000 vaccine doses imported from overseas as the TGA is still working through the approval process for domestically manufactured AZ doses.
The ABC is reporting these first doses will be delivered to frontline health workers in the regional town of Murray Bridge, east of Adelaide.The ABC is reporting these first doses will be delivered to frontline health workers in the regional town of Murray Bridge, east of Adelaide.