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| NSW allied health staff to join vaccine rollout as state records 124 new cases and Victoria 26 – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Follow all the latest news | Follow all the latest news |
| With that, we’ll be closing the blog for today. Thanks for reading, and thanks to Matilda Boseley and Nino Bucci for their work running it earlier today. | With that, we’ll be closing the blog for today. Thanks for reading, and thanks to Matilda Boseley and Nino Bucci for their work running it earlier today. |
| Here’s what happened today: | Here’s what happened today: |
| The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said “I’m sorry” over the slow pace of the vaccine rollout, a day after he refused to apologise on radio. | The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said “I’m sorry” over the slow pace of the vaccine rollout, a day after he refused to apologise on radio. |
| New South Wales recorded 124 new local Covid-19 cases, Victoria recorded 26, and South Australia recorded two new local cases. | New South Wales recorded 124 new local Covid-19 cases, Victoria recorded 26, and South Australia recorded two new local cases. |
| Queensland recorded no new cases and said restrictions were set to relax from 6pm Friday, though the mask mandate was extended by seven days, and the state closed its border to all of NSW. | Queensland recorded no new cases and said restrictions were set to relax from 6pm Friday, though the mask mandate was extended by seven days, and the state closed its border to all of NSW. |
| The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, said that yesterday over 9,000 Pfizer vaccines and only 50 AstraZeneca vaccines were administered at Sydney’s largest state-run vaccination hub. | The NSW health minister, Brad Hazzard, said that yesterday over 9,000 Pfizer vaccines and only 50 AstraZeneca vaccines were administered at Sydney’s largest state-run vaccination hub. |
| Morrison also announced that pharmacies would be able to administer AstraZeneca vaccines from August. He also revealed that more than 76,000 under 40 had received the AstraZeneca vaccine after a discussion with their GP since 28 June. | Morrison also announced that pharmacies would be able to administer AstraZeneca vaccines from August. He also revealed that more than 76,000 under 40 had received the AstraZeneca vaccine after a discussion with their GP since 28 June. |
| He also told Triple J’s Hack program that he was “not happy” with the state of the vaccine rollout currently and Australia was “two months behind where we hoped to be”, but the government had “turned it around in the last couple of months” | He also told Triple J’s Hack program that he was “not happy” with the state of the vaccine rollout currently and Australia was “two months behind where we hoped to be”, but the government had “turned it around in the last couple of months” |
| A 44-year-old man from Tasmania and a 48-year-old woman from Victoria died from blood clots following their first dose of AstraZeneca, the TGA revealed. | A 44-year-old man from Tasmania and a 48-year-old woman from Victoria died from blood clots following their first dose of AstraZeneca, the TGA revealed. |
| The allied health workforce in NSW, which includes audiologists, psychologists, radiation therapists and others, is now being trained to administer vaccines. | The allied health workforce in NSW, which includes audiologists, psychologists, radiation therapists and others, is now being trained to administer vaccines. |
| Australia and NZ withdrew from the rugby league World Cup over Covid concerns in the UK. | Australia and NZ withdrew from the rugby league World Cup over Covid concerns in the UK. |
| We’ll be back tomorrow morning with all the latest news, as it happens. | We’ll be back tomorrow morning with all the latest news, as it happens. |
| Liquidators of the company that sits atop the failed global finance empire formerly run by Bundaberg sugar farmer Lex Greensill (with advice along the way from Julie Bishop and David Cameron) have released a new report. | Liquidators of the company that sits atop the failed global finance empire formerly run by Bundaberg sugar farmer Lex Greensill (with advice along the way from Julie Bishop and David Cameron) have released a new report. |
| The new report covers the affairs of Greensill Capital, which is an Australian company that owned the company’s subsidiaries overseas, including its main trading entity in the UK and a bank in Germany. | The new report covers the affairs of Greensill Capital, which is an Australian company that owned the company’s subsidiaries overseas, including its main trading entity in the UK and a bank in Germany. |
| Liquidators Matt Byrnes, Philip Campbell-Wilson and Michael McCann, of Grant Thornton, say its likely the 30-odd employees who worked for the Australian company will get paid their entitlements. | Liquidators Matt Byrnes, Philip Campbell-Wilson and Michael McCann, of Grant Thornton, say its likely the 30-odd employees who worked for the Australian company will get paid their entitlements. |
| However, they say they’re unable to determine whether other creditors will get a cent, because this depends on the progress of the liquidation of the UK companies. | However, they say they’re unable to determine whether other creditors will get a cent, because this depends on the progress of the liquidation of the UK companies. |
| Because of the uncertainty around the UK group they’ve also not been able to determine if Greensill was trading while insolvent for any period of time. | Because of the uncertainty around the UK group they’ve also not been able to determine if Greensill was trading while insolvent for any period of time. |
| The company went into administration in early March, shortly after insurers refused to extend billions of dollars in policies covering Greensill’s exotic financial products - and a court refused to make them. | The company went into administration in early March, shortly after insurers refused to extend billions of dollars in policies covering Greensill’s exotic financial products - and a court refused to make them. |
| Nor are liquidators sure how much of a 2bn euro claim against the company by German banks who participate in a scheme that covers deposit losses at Greensill’s bank there will ultimately come home to roost - that also depends on what happens in the UK. | Nor are liquidators sure how much of a 2bn euro claim against the company by German banks who participate in a scheme that covers deposit losses at Greensill’s bank there will ultimately come home to roost - that also depends on what happens in the UK. |
| However, they have determined that they can stop looking into a US$174m payment to a trust associated with Lex Greensill’s brother, Peter. They said the money was merely passing through Greensill’s bank accounts on its way from Softbank, which was buying shares in Greensill Capital, to the trust. | However, they have determined that they can stop looking into a US$174m payment to a trust associated with Lex Greensill’s brother, Peter. They said the money was merely passing through Greensill’s bank accounts on its way from Softbank, which was buying shares in Greensill Capital, to the trust. |
| In the transaction, in October 2019, Softbank, a Japanese investment fund, paid about US$444m to buy shares from 11 different Greensill Capital shareholders, the liquidators said. | In the transaction, in October 2019, Softbank, a Japanese investment fund, paid about US$444m to buy shares from 11 different Greensill Capital shareholders, the liquidators said. |
| The shares are now probably worth nothing. | The shares are now probably worth nothing. |
| Morrison is asked why people on Youth Allowance are not eligible for disaster payments. | Morrison is asked why people on Youth Allowance are not eligible for disaster payments. |
| He says that the payments are “not designed” to replace someone’s income. | He says that the payments are “not designed” to replace someone’s income. |
| “The government is not replacing everyone’s income”. | “The government is not replacing everyone’s income”. |
| Morrison says he is “not happy” with the state of the vaccine rollout currently. | Morrison says he is “not happy” with the state of the vaccine rollout currently. |
| “We are two months behind where we hoped to be, where we planned to be,” he says. | “We are two months behind where we hoped to be, where we planned to be,” he says. |
| “I’m not happy with where we are right now. That’s why we turned it around in the last couple of months” | “I’m not happy with where we are right now. That’s why we turned it around in the last couple of months” |
| “That’s why I brought in Lieutenant General John Frewen.” | “That’s why I brought in Lieutenant General John Frewen.” |
| He says the vaccine program was impacted by “three million doses not appearing from overseas” and the Atagi guidance on AstraZeneca. | He says the vaccine program was impacted by “three million doses not appearing from overseas” and the Atagi guidance on AstraZeneca. |
| The prime minister, Scott Morrison, is speaking live to Triple J’s Hack program. | The prime minister, Scott Morrison, is speaking live to Triple J’s Hack program. |
| He is asked by host Ange McCormack when all young people will be able to be vaccinated with Pfizer. | He is asked by host Ange McCormack when all young people will be able to be vaccinated with Pfizer. |
| “Right now, they can get vaccinated right now with AstraZeneca”, he says. | “Right now, they can get vaccinated right now with AstraZeneca”, he says. |
| He says that young people will be able to be vaccinated with Pfizer by September. | He says that young people will be able to be vaccinated with Pfizer by September. |
| “Right now, the AstraZeneca vaccine is approved by the TGA,” he says. | “Right now, the AstraZeneca vaccine is approved by the TGA,” he says. |
| The captain of the Australian Olympic mens basketball team, Patty Mills, has praised the Matildas’ public display of pride in the Aboriginal flag, AAP reports. | The captain of the Australian Olympic mens basketball team, Patty Mills, has praised the Matildas’ public display of pride in the Aboriginal flag, AAP reports. |
| The Matildas posed behind an Aboriginal flag prior to their 2-1 win over New Zealand on Wednesday night. | The Matildas posed behind an Aboriginal flag prior to their 2-1 win over New Zealand on Wednesday night. |
| Mills commended the Matildas for what “seemed like it was a team thing, that everyone had gotten behind”. | Mills commended the Matildas for what “seemed like it was a team thing, that everyone had gotten behind”. |
| “In team sport I think it’s very common for successful teams to come together to do certain things that help build the camaraderie of a team, to be able to perform on the pitch,” Mills said. | “In team sport I think it’s very common for successful teams to come together to do certain things that help build the camaraderie of a team, to be able to perform on the pitch,” Mills said. |
| “If that helps you compete then that’s what should be done.” | “If that helps you compete then that’s what should be done.” |
| He also praised the prominence of Indigenous flags and artwork throughout Australia’s base at the athletes village. | He also praised the prominence of Indigenous flags and artwork throughout Australia’s base at the athletes village. |
| “It gave me chills just to see how much it was incorporated throughout our entire team,” he said. “It’s something that’s very unifying, as the Olympic Games is.” | “It gave me chills just to see how much it was incorporated throughout our entire team,” he said. “It’s something that’s very unifying, as the Olympic Games is.” |
| To help boost vaccination capacity, the allied health workforce in New South Wales is being given intensive training to give vaccinations, and will also help staff the special health hotels. NSW Health confirmed the news to Guardian Australia in a statement. | To help boost vaccination capacity, the allied health workforce in New South Wales is being given intensive training to give vaccinations, and will also help staff the special health hotels. NSW Health confirmed the news to Guardian Australia in a statement. |
| “NSW Health is constantly expanding our workforce as we continue to safely deliver record numbers of vaccinations to people across NSW. | “NSW Health is constantly expanding our workforce as we continue to safely deliver record numbers of vaccinations to people across NSW. |
| “By using well trained, medical practitioners and senior students and allied health staff who have been through a range of vaccination administration training, we are bolstering our clinical numbers as we continue to expand vaccination access across the state.” | “By using well trained, medical practitioners and senior students and allied health staff who have been through a range of vaccination administration training, we are bolstering our clinical numbers as we continue to expand vaccination access across the state.” |
| In NSW, allied health professionals are diverse and include audiologists, genetic counsellors, art therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, radiation therapists and others. | In NSW, allied health professionals are diverse and include audiologists, genetic counsellors, art therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, radiation therapists and others. |
| Australia and New Zealand have withdrawn from the rugby league World Cup due to be held at the end of the year in England, citing player welfare and safety concerns, AAP reports. | Australia and New Zealand have withdrawn from the rugby league World Cup due to be held at the end of the year in England, citing player welfare and safety concerns, AAP reports. |
| In a joint statement on Thursday afternoon, the Australian Rugby League Commission and NZRL urged the tournament to be postponed until 2022 to avoid the risk of a player catching Covid-19. | In a joint statement on Thursday afternoon, the Australian Rugby League Commission and NZRL urged the tournament to be postponed until 2022 to avoid the risk of a player catching Covid-19. |
| It comes just a week after tournament officials confirmed the event would go ahead with or without defending champions Australia. | It comes just a week after tournament officials confirmed the event would go ahead with or without defending champions Australia. |
| A Northern Territory policeman’s long-awaited trial for allegedly murdering an Indigenous man during an outback arrest has been postponed due to Covid-19. | A Northern Territory policeman’s long-awaited trial for allegedly murdering an Indigenous man during an outback arrest has been postponed due to Covid-19. |
| AAP reports: | AAP reports: |
| Const Zachary Rolfe, 29, is accused of murdering Kumanjayi Walker, 19, who was shot three times during an arrest in the remote community of Yuendumu in November 2019. | Const Zachary Rolfe, 29, is accused of murdering Kumanjayi Walker, 19, who was shot three times during an arrest in the remote community of Yuendumu in November 2019. |
| Rolfe was supposed to stand trial in the NT supreme court from Monday but the crown’s interstate prosecution team hasn’t been able to travel to the Top End. | Rolfe was supposed to stand trial in the NT supreme court from Monday but the crown’s interstate prosecution team hasn’t been able to travel to the Top End. |
| Philip Strickland SC and Sophie Callan SC are stuck in NSW where 124 new local Delta variant cases were reported on Thursday and a lockdown in greater Sydney continues. | Philip Strickland SC and Sophie Callan SC are stuck in NSW where 124 new local Delta variant cases were reported on Thursday and a lockdown in greater Sydney continues. |
| Acting justice Dean Mildren adjourned the trial to a future date yet to be fixed, presumably when the NSW outbreak is contained. | Acting justice Dean Mildren adjourned the trial to a future date yet to be fixed, presumably when the NSW outbreak is contained. |
| “This is because prosecuting counsel has been affected by Covid-19 travel restrictions and are presently unable to make their way to Darwin,” a court spokesman said on Thursday. | “This is because prosecuting counsel has been affected by Covid-19 travel restrictions and are presently unable to make their way to Darwin,” a court spokesman said on Thursday. |
| The trial was expected to run for four weeks in Darwin which is about 1,500km from Yuendumu. | The trial was expected to run for four weeks in Darwin which is about 1,500km from Yuendumu. |
| Australian shares have closed at a record-high level today. | Australian shares have closed at a record-high level today. |
| The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed higher by 77.7 points, or 1.06%, to 7386.4 on Thursday. | The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed higher by 77.7 points, or 1.06%, to 7386.4 on Thursday. |
| The previous record was 7386.1. | The previous record was 7386.1. |
| The Australian dollar was buying 73.65 US cents at 1622 AEST, up from 72.98 US cents at Wednesday’s close. | The Australian dollar was buying 73.65 US cents at 1622 AEST, up from 72.98 US cents at Wednesday’s close. |
| Barnaby Joyce has commented on the AOC president John Coates’s behaviour towards Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, saying it was “a bad look”. | Barnaby Joyce has commented on the AOC president John Coates’s behaviour towards Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, saying it was “a bad look”. |
| Coates issued a statement earlier today saying it had been misinterpreted. | Coates issued a statement earlier today saying it had been misinterpreted. |
| Asked to comment, Joyce told the ABC: “Good luck with that one Mr Coates. I don’t think premier Palaszczuk is going to take it. | Asked to comment, Joyce told the ABC: “Good luck with that one Mr Coates. I don’t think premier Palaszczuk is going to take it. |
| “You got yourself into this trouble, you can talk your way out.” | “You got yourself into this trouble, you can talk your way out.” |
| The ABC’s Patricia Karvelas asked him, “Was it a bad look?” | The ABC’s Patricia Karvelas asked him, “Was it a bad look?” |
| “It was,” Joyce said. | “It was,” Joyce said. |
| “Human beings make mistakes. If he needs to give an apology, give an apology.” | “Human beings make mistakes. If he needs to give an apology, give an apology.” |
| Earlier, Joyce was asked about Scott Morrison’s apology today for the speed of the vaccine rollout. The ABC’s Patricia Karvelas asked whether Morrison should have apologised earlier. | Earlier, Joyce was asked about Scott Morrison’s apology today for the speed of the vaccine rollout. The ABC’s Patricia Karvelas asked whether Morrison should have apologised earlier. |
| Joyce: | Joyce: |
| Barnaby Joyce is asked whether the vaccines should have arrived sooner, given that regional areas are now in lockdown in NSW. | Barnaby Joyce is asked whether the vaccines should have arrived sooner, given that regional areas are now in lockdown in NSW. |
| “There is vaccine there if you want to sign the waiver,” he says. | “There is vaccine there if you want to sign the waiver,” he says. |
| “As I said, there’s only one place you live and that’s the future.” | “As I said, there’s only one place you live and that’s the future.” |
| Eariler, he said that half the population will “definitely have had one shot” of a vaccine by the end of 2021. He says that vaccine supply by the end of the year will be “abundant”. | Eariler, he said that half the population will “definitely have had one shot” of a vaccine by the end of 2021. He says that vaccine supply by the end of the year will be “abundant”. |