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Australia Covid live update: Anthony Albanese says NSW should have locked down sooner as Sydney enters fifth week Australia Covid live update: Victoria records 11 new local cases, all in isolation; SA to announce end of lockdown as Sydney enters week five
(32 minutes later)
Labor leader says ‘the lockdown is longer than it would have been had action been taken earlier’. Follow latest updates Follow latest updates live
Federal arts minister Paul Fletcher has been out and about this morning spruiking the federal government’s announcement that Opera Australia will receive $4m in support from the Arts Sustainability Fund in order to ensure its survival.
The company was left in dire straits after being forced to postpone its production of The Phantom of the Opera in both Sydney and Melbourne due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
Fletcher spoke to ABC News Breakfast about this just before:
Western Australia is again on Covid-19 alert after a bulk carrier in waters off Perth reported it was carrying crew members with flu-like symptoms, reports AAP.
The Darya Krishna was on Monday morning travelling south off Yanchep, a coastal town about 56km north of Perth.
The vessel left Singapore on 18 July and was heading to Kwinana, south of the CBD, where it’s supposed to dock later in the day.
WA premier Mark McGowan said on Sunday it’s believed about four of the 20 crew on board had flu-like symptoms.
While none of the sick have been confirmed as having Covid-19, authorities are concerned because the ship had docked in the Indonesian port of Batam on its way to Australia.
Indonesia is in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak that has so far resulted in more than 1,500 deaths since it began some weeks ago. The total number of infections is more than 3.1 million.
McGowan raised the issue of visiting ships at last Friday’s national cabinet meeting.
State and federal transport ministers agreed to examine what could be done in conjunction with major shipping companies, with a focus on preventing crew members from roaming the streets while in Indonesia.
OK, back to the deputy prime minister.
While Barnaby Joyce said he doesn’t agree with the anti-lockdown comments from his MP George Christensen, he defended the rightwing politician’s right to voice his beliefs.
*Yes, but you are still his boss.
**What?
***But Joyce, many have interpreted Christensen’s social media posts as supporting people attending an illegal protest.
****No, the host is implying that YOU have the capacity to do this because, as previously mentioned, you are his boss.
*****WHAT?
Firefighting experts from Western Australia and NSW will travel to Canada tomorrow to assist in the country’s out-of-control wildfires.
Victoria once again records a day of zero new cases out in the community while infectious.Victoria once again records a day of zero new cases out in the community while infectious.
The state’s recorded 11 locally acquired cases again on Monday, but the department has confirmed “all new locally-acquired cases are linked to the current outbreaks, and all were in quarantine throughout their entire infectious period.”The state’s recorded 11 locally acquired cases again on Monday, but the department has confirmed “all new locally-acquired cases are linked to the current outbreaks, and all were in quarantine throughout their entire infectious period.”
The deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce is speaking to ABC radio now, following a controversial day for his Nationals party, with MP George Christensen coming under fire for attending and supporting anti-lockdown rallies across Australia.The deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce is speaking to ABC radio now, following a controversial day for his Nationals party, with MP George Christensen coming under fire for attending and supporting anti-lockdown rallies across Australia.
I’ll bring you Joyce’s comments in a second, but just for background, Christensen attended a lawful rally in Mackay, but also has appeared to endorse the rally in locked-down Melbourne, arguing on social media that civil disobedience was “moral” and “the only response to laws that restrict freedom”.I’ll bring you Joyce’s comments in a second, but just for background, Christensen attended a lawful rally in Mackay, but also has appeared to endorse the rally in locked-down Melbourne, arguing on social media that civil disobedience was “moral” and “the only response to laws that restrict freedom”.
You can read more about Christensen’s comments and the prime minister’s response below:You can read more about Christensen’s comments and the prime minister’s response below:
And here are some more details on what is to come for SA, with the premier pretty much confirming that he will announce the end of the state’s lockdown today when speaking with Adelaide radio station FiveAA.And here are some more details on what is to come for SA, with the premier pretty much confirming that he will announce the end of the state’s lockdown today when speaking with Adelaide radio station FiveAA.
Steven Marshall told the station that although many restrictions will remain, students can expect to be back in the classroom by Wednesday.Steven Marshall told the station that although many restrictions will remain, students can expect to be back in the classroom by Wednesday.
Good news for South Australia: premier Steven Marshall has confirmed there has been “no serious escalation” in cases in the state overnight.Good news for South Australia: premier Steven Marshall has confirmed there has been “no serious escalation” in cases in the state overnight.
SA reported three new Covid-19 cases on Sunday but the premier said because they were all in “strict quarantine” the state is still on track to end its lockdown on Tuesday.SA reported three new Covid-19 cases on Sunday but the premier said because they were all in “strict quarantine” the state is still on track to end its lockdown on Tuesday.
With more good news overnight it seems more and more likely that that lockdown will lift on schedule.With more good news overnight it seems more and more likely that that lockdown will lift on schedule.
Two people have died in separate Victorian house fires, including a child in Melbourne’s outer east, reports AAP.Two people have died in separate Victorian house fires, including a child in Melbourne’s outer east, reports AAP.
Three adults and two children were able to flee a Dandenong house as the blaze started on Sunday night.Three adults and two children were able to flee a Dandenong house as the blaze started on Sunday night.
A small child could not be saved despite the efforts of a neighbour, a man in his 30s who was taken to hospital with serious burns.A small child could not be saved despite the efforts of a neighbour, a man in his 30s who was taken to hospital with serious burns.
On the other side of the city, the body of a woman in her 50s has been found in an extensively fire-damaged home at Laverton.On the other side of the city, the body of a woman in her 50s has been found in an extensively fire-damaged home at Laverton.
The fire at the Badge Court home took hold just after midnight and two other occupants were taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.The fire at the Badge Court home took hold just after midnight and two other occupants were taken to hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.
Crimes scenes have been set up at both homes, with a forensic chemist and fire investigators to examine their cause on Monday.Crimes scenes have been set up at both homes, with a forensic chemist and fire investigators to examine their cause on Monday.
Now let’s jump back and have a look at what else opposition leader Anthony Albanese said when speaking with the Today show.Now let’s jump back and have a look at what else opposition leader Anthony Albanese said when speaking with the Today show.
He was asked if he agrees with the NSW treasurer’s pleas to the federal government to bring back jobkeeper.He was asked if he agrees with the NSW treasurer’s pleas to the federal government to bring back jobkeeper.
Now one of the biggest things to look out for today is potentially learning if Victoria will come out of lockdown as scheduled on Tuesday.Now one of the biggest things to look out for today is potentially learning if Victoria will come out of lockdown as scheduled on Tuesday.
Victoria’s premier says the state is “well-placed”, but warned some restrictions are likely to remain for some time.Victoria’s premier says the state is “well-placed”, but warned some restrictions are likely to remain for some time.
Daniel Andrews on Sunday said he was confident the lockdown wouldn’t be extended again, given there was a downward trend in numbers, in both the total new local cases and the number of people in the community while infectious.Daniel Andrews on Sunday said he was confident the lockdown wouldn’t be extended again, given there was a downward trend in numbers, in both the total new local cases and the number of people in the community while infectious.
Victoria recorded 11 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Sunday, all of which were linked to known outbreaks and were in quarantine for their entire infectious period.Victoria recorded 11 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases on Sunday, all of which were linked to known outbreaks and were in quarantine for their entire infectious period.
Victorian cabinet ministers and the public health team will meet today to discuss the new set of restrictions, but Andrews has already flagged masks will remain compulsory for some time.Victorian cabinet ministers and the public health team will meet today to discuss the new set of restrictions, but Andrews has already flagged masks will remain compulsory for some time.
Good morning everyone, and welcome to the new week!Good morning everyone, and welcome to the new week!
It’s only Monday but there is already plenty to talk about, so why don’t we dive into the news?It’s only Monday but there is already plenty to talk about, so why don’t we dive into the news?
First up this morning, federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese has criticised the NSW government’s handling of the Sydney Delta Covid outbreak, saying Gladys Berejiklian should have locked the city down sooner, and accused her of delaying for political reasons.First up this morning, federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese has criticised the NSW government’s handling of the Sydney Delta Covid outbreak, saying Gladys Berejiklian should have locked the city down sooner, and accused her of delaying for political reasons.
Zooming out, the greater Sydney Delta outbreaks has been putting pressure on Australia’s international travel bubble with New Zealand.Zooming out, the greater Sydney Delta outbreaks has been putting pressure on Australia’s international travel bubble with New Zealand.
New Zealand’s leadership is considering abandoning that “state by state” approach to the trans-Tasman bubble, and have indicated quarantine-free travel could stay closed to even safer Australian states until Delta is under control across the whole country.New Zealand’s leadership is considering abandoning that “state by state” approach to the trans-Tasman bubble, and have indicated quarantine-free travel could stay closed to even safer Australian states until Delta is under control across the whole country.
On Friday, the New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern banned quarantine-free travel from Australia for an eight-week stretch, due to last until 18 September.On Friday, the New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern banned quarantine-free travel from Australia for an eight-week stretch, due to last until 18 September.
But deputy prime minister Grant Robertson told TVNZ his government was now looking at a one-in, all-in approach that could see safer states such as Western Australia and Tasmania treated the same way as those with outbreaks.But deputy prime minister Grant Robertson told TVNZ his government was now looking at a one-in, all-in approach that could see safer states such as Western Australia and Tasmania treated the same way as those with outbreaks.
With that, why don’t we jump into the week. Strap in everyone, it could be a big one!With that, why don’t we jump into the week. Strap in everyone, it could be a big one!