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Australia Covid live update: Victoria eases lockdown after 10 new cases; NSW records 172 local coronavirus cases Australia Covid live news update: Victoria lockdown eases after 10 new cases; NSW records 172 local cases as regional shutdowns lifted
(32 minutes later)
Follow all the day’s newsFollow all the day’s news
Firefighters from NSW and WA are flying to Canada to help put out wildfires raging through the country, during a summer of record-breaking temperatures.
Meanwhile, thousands of homes are without power in WA after rain and damaging winds hit the state yesterday, continuing into today.
The ABC has just interviewed the caretaker of the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, near Augusta.
He told them: “It was pretty wild. I slept through the worst of it, but I did wake up a few times.
“It was pretty cyclonic, but awesome.”
We’re still waiting on the WA health minister, Roger Cook, to front the state’s press conference today.
Here is an illuminating graph of NSW’s Covid-19 cases by isolation status.Here is an illuminating graph of NSW’s Covid-19 cases by isolation status.
The WA press conference will be in approximately 20 minutes – at 12.15pm AWST/2.15pm AESTThe WA press conference will be in approximately 20 minutes – at 12.15pm AWST/2.15pm AEST
The New Zealand government has granted the Wallabies a border exemption for the Bledisloe Cup, AAP reports.The New Zealand government has granted the Wallabies a border exemption for the Bledisloe Cup, AAP reports.
The Wallabies will leave their pre-tournament camp in Queensland on Friday, arriving across the Tasman to beat the NZ government’s reinstatement of mandatory quarantine.The Wallabies will leave their pre-tournament camp in Queensland on Friday, arriving across the Tasman to beat the NZ government’s reinstatement of mandatory quarantine.
They will train in New Zealand for a week leading up to the series opener at Auckland’s Eden Park on August 7.They will train in New Zealand for a week leading up to the series opener at Auckland’s Eden Park on August 7.
The NZ sport minister, Grant Robertson, said the matches were important to Kiwis and the economy.The NZ sport minister, Grant Robertson, said the matches were important to Kiwis and the economy.
“This decision was not taken lightly ... Test rugby between the All Blacks and the Wallabies is keenly anticipated by New Zealanders,” Robertson said.“This decision was not taken lightly ... Test rugby between the All Blacks and the Wallabies is keenly anticipated by New Zealanders,” Robertson said.
“A Test match is estimated to be worth between $17-20 million ($A16-19 million) in spending for host regions, while the broadcast rights provide much needed income for the sport, which positively effects all levels of the game.”“A Test match is estimated to be worth between $17-20 million ($A16-19 million) in spending for host regions, while the broadcast rights provide much needed income for the sport, which positively effects all levels of the game.”
Last week, Jacinda Ardern’s government announced it was closing down the trans-Tasman bubble for eight weeks in response to mounting Covid-19 cases in NSW and the potential for spread to other states.Last week, Jacinda Ardern’s government announced it was closing down the trans-Tasman bubble for eight weeks in response to mounting Covid-19 cases in NSW and the potential for spread to other states.
Kiwis and other regular NZ residents have been given until Saturday to return home and avoid being stranded in Australia.Kiwis and other regular NZ residents have been given until Saturday to return home and avoid being stranded in Australia.
The tough border rules mean the Rugby Championship schedule will need to be tweaked. Game two of the Bledisloe Cup is likely to take place in New Zealand before the All Blacks head to Australia for a likely game three in Perth.The tough border rules mean the Rugby Championship schedule will need to be tweaked. Game two of the Bledisloe Cup is likely to take place in New Zealand before the All Blacks head to Australia for a likely game three in Perth.
On Tuesday Labor announced its plan to introduce a Senate bill requiring ministers to explain, in real time, when they reject recommendations from their department, in a bid to prevent rorting of grants programs.On Tuesday Labor announced its plan to introduce a Senate bill requiring ministers to explain, in real time, when they reject recommendations from their department, in a bid to prevent rorting of grants programs.
The independent senator Rex Patrick is on board – and now One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts has expressed in principle support. A spokeswoman for Roberts told Guardian Australia:The independent senator Rex Patrick is on board – and now One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts has expressed in principle support. A spokeswoman for Roberts told Guardian Australia:
NSW Health has just confirmed that a seven-day lockdown for the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne council areas in the central west of NSW will end tomorrow, as was planned.NSW Health has just confirmed that a seven-day lockdown for the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne council areas in the central west of NSW will end tomorrow, as was planned.
The three areas were put into lockdown last week, and had to abide by similar restrictions to greater Sydney after cases were detected on 20 July.The three areas were put into lockdown last week, and had to abide by similar restrictions to greater Sydney after cases were detected on 20 July.
But today NSW Health announced: “There has been no further transmission of Covid-19 detected in the region since the case notified on 20 July.But today NSW Health announced: “There has been no further transmission of Covid-19 detected in the region since the case notified on 20 July.
Orange City Council, Blayney Shire Council, and Cabonne Shire Council will revert to the same restrictions as the rest of regional NSW from tomorrow (Wednesday).Orange City Council, Blayney Shire Council, and Cabonne Shire Council will revert to the same restrictions as the rest of regional NSW from tomorrow (Wednesday).
“NSW Health thanks people in these local communities for their co-operation and patience during the stay-at-home restrictions for the past week.”“NSW Health thanks people in these local communities for their co-operation and patience during the stay-at-home restrictions for the past week.”
An unvaccinated resident of a Sydney disability group home has contracted coronavirus, with authorities scrambling to test everyone else at the Lakemba respite centre, AAP report.An unvaccinated resident of a Sydney disability group home has contracted coronavirus, with authorities scrambling to test everyone else at the Lakemba respite centre, AAP report.
The federal disability minister, Linda Reynolds, has just told Sky News: “Unfortunately nobody in that home had been vaccinated so we’re just waiting today to see whether any others have become positive.”The federal disability minister, Linda Reynolds, has just told Sky News: “Unfortunately nobody in that home had been vaccinated so we’re just waiting today to see whether any others have become positive.”
It is the second outbreak in disability care in as many weeks, after four residents and four staff at another NSW home tested positive.It is the second outbreak in disability care in as many weeks, after four residents and four staff at another NSW home tested positive.
All of them had received one dose of their vaccination and none have been hospitalised.All of them had received one dose of their vaccination and none have been hospitalised.
Reynolds told Sky News she accepted mistakes had been made with the vaccine rollout in disability care.Reynolds told Sky News she accepted mistakes had been made with the vaccine rollout in disability care.
“There is no question it was a slow start to the rollout of disability vaccinations,” she said. “It was really underestimated, the complexity, but things are now going very well.”“There is no question it was a slow start to the rollout of disability vaccinations,” she said. “It was really underestimated, the complexity, but things are now going very well.”
Reynolds said 60% of disability care residents had received their first vaccination, while 75% of those living in nursing homes had received at least one dose.Reynolds said 60% of disability care residents had received their first vaccination, while 75% of those living in nursing homes had received at least one dose.
Only one in three disability residents have been fully vaccinated, despite being included in the highest priority group for the national rollout.Only one in three disability residents have been fully vaccinated, despite being included in the highest priority group for the national rollout.
Hi everyone, it is indeed Naaman Zhou here with you. Thanks to the great Matilda Boseley as always for kickstarting this blog, revving it up and guiding it through the most difficult part of the day.Hi everyone, it is indeed Naaman Zhou here with you. Thanks to the great Matilda Boseley as always for kickstarting this blog, revving it up and guiding it through the most difficult part of the day.
In Queensland, the state seat of Stretton has been declared for Labor’s James Martin.In Queensland, the state seat of Stretton has been declared for Labor’s James Martin.
Martin has comfortably won the byelection for the Brisbane-based seat after the death of popular state MP Duncan Pegg.Martin has comfortably won the byelection for the Brisbane-based seat after the death of popular state MP Duncan Pegg.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland declared the result on the strength of Martin’s primary vote today, without needing to count first preferences, AAP report.The Electoral Commission of Queensland declared the result on the strength of Martin’s primary vote today, without needing to count first preferences, AAP report.
He took home 56.58% of the primary vote against the Liberal National party’s Jim Bellos who polled 32.67% in Saturday’s byelection. Candidates from the Greens, the Informed Medical Options party and the Animal Justice party garnered less the 11% of the primary vote.He took home 56.58% of the primary vote against the Liberal National party’s Jim Bellos who polled 32.67% in Saturday’s byelection. Candidates from the Greens, the Informed Medical Options party and the Animal Justice party garnered less the 11% of the primary vote.
Martin, a former Labor staffer for Pegg, will succeed the popular local MP who died of cancer just shy of his 41st birthday on 10 June, ending his six-year parliamentary stint.Martin, a former Labor staffer for Pegg, will succeed the popular local MP who died of cancer just shy of his 41st birthday on 10 June, ending his six-year parliamentary stint.
Labor had already claimed victory on Saturday night with 56% of the vote counted.Labor had already claimed victory on Saturday night with 56% of the vote counted.
Wozzahs! That was a full-on couple of hours!
After that, I’m off to go stare blankly into the middle distance but don’t worry because the brilliant Naaman Zhou is here to take the baton.
See you tomorrow!
A German-based conspiracy group helped to drive a series of anti-lockdown protests across Australia which saw dozens of people arrested and hundreds fined after violent clashes with police.
Police arrested more than 60 people and fined 107 more after a crowd of about 3,000 gathered in Sydney on Saturday to protest against the city’s lockdown.
Coordinated by a loose network of conspiracy-laced groups, including some with links to the far right, rallies took place in cities across Australia and the globe, with violent clashes between demonstrators and police in Sydney.
Protests against Covid restrictions have become common throughout the pandemic. While billed as peaceful protests, police said they were surprised by “the level of violence that people were prepared to use”.
You can read the full, and fascinating, article by Christopher Knaus and Michael McGowan below.
Victorian press conference:
Here is that amazing Olympic F-bomb in all its glory.
Want a full rundown of Kaylee McKeown’s amazing backstroke win at the Tokyo games?
Well look no further than the fantastic Kieran Pender’s coverage down below:
I think it’s worth noting that NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian has been going pretty hard on the “you could be responsible for the deaths of your loved one” line today.
Here is what she had to say when asked if the government has been doing enough to get the Covid-19 message through to greater Sydney residents.
I mentioned this lockdown apartment complex in Blacktown earlier this morning. Here is what NSW Health’s Jeremy McAnulty had to say about the situation.
Now, through my own sleuthing I understand that the conditions in the Blacktown apartment building are the same as those that were imposed on the Bondi Junction block earlier in the outbreaks.
Here is NSW Health’s official statement:
Dr Roger Lord, a specialist advisor to the Therapeutic Goods Administration on infectious diseases, has spoken to the Australian Science Media Centre about why fully vaccinated people are still catching Covid-19. Lord says:
Additionally, no correlates of protection [the level of antibody concentration and/or T cell activation required for protection] currently exist to indicate what concentration is required to indicate long-term protection, whether this was achieved in a given individual or how long this will last. Vaccination itself does not equal immunisation.
Associate professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Mater Health Services in Queensland, said breakthrough infections should not be seen as taking away from the benefits of vaccines.
So all the press conferences have finished, but ABC’s main channel is playing the NSW press conference, which means so I can double back and bring you some more substantial quotes from the NSW leadership.
Hazzah!
Victorian press conference:
Premier Daniel Andrews is just winding up the press conference in Melbourne. Right towards the end he is asked about the federal government’s CovidSafe contact tracing app and whether it has picked up any cases in Victoria.
He says:
Andrews is then asked whether he thinks it is worth people still using it.
He gives a wry smile: