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| Australia Covid live news update: riot police in Melbourne as protesters head to parliament; NSW records 1,022 cases, 10 deaths; Victoria records 603 cases, one death | Australia Covid live news update: riot police in Melbourne as protesters head to parliament; NSW records 1,022 cases, 10 deaths; Victoria records 603 cases, one death |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Follow today’s news | Follow today’s news |
| When will they ‘run out of Melbourne cliches...’ | |
| With thanks to the D-Gen (and apologies to Things of Stone and Wood) | |
| Hearing that protesters have blocked the West Gate freeway, and motorists are being told to exit the freeway as soon as possible. | |
| And from our reporter Caitlin Cassidy: | |
| We are watching this developing situation closely. | |
| An asylum seeker has been forcibly taken from immigration detention on to a plane, and removed from Australia back to his country of origin, a south-east European country, in defiance of an interim measure from the UN Human Rights Committee. | |
| The human rights committee issued an interim measures document yesterday, which required Australia not to remove the man because of significant concerns he would face harm in his home country. | |
| In May this year, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said Australia should release the man, who has been in detention for eight years, into the community. | |
| There are significant sensitivities around this case. The man is seriously unwell - he weighs only 50 kilograms, and cannot walk more than a few steps unaided - and there are concerns his chronic illness will not be treated if he is removed from Australia. | |
| He is unvaccinated, and the current Covid outbreak in his homeland is so severe, much of the country has been ordered into lockdown. | |
| Doctors have backed vaccinating children aged between five and 11 against coronavirus in schools as early as next year. | |
| Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid told a Senate inquiry on Tuesday a rollout for younger children would depend on clinical trials and regulatory approval. | |
| “I suspect that a school-based vaccine program will take place next year because it will take that long for various approvals to come through and we need to have vaccine supply,” he said. | |
| Pfizer has signalled it will seek regulatory approval in the US, Europe and elsewhere for its shot to be used on children aged five to 11 after promising clinical trial results. | |
| The pharmaceutical giant says the vaccine produced a strong immune response, matching previous observations in 16- to 29-year-olds. | |
| Khorshid said Australia’s expert immunisation panel would have to approve vaccines for younger children. | |
| “The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation would also need to decide if it is recommended for that age group,” he said. | |
| “That’s based on the science and data.” | |
| Children aged between 12 and 15-years old are eligible to get Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, but a jab has yet to be approved for younger children. | |
| Khorshid said information from pharmaceutical companies had indicated clinical trials of coronavirus vaccines for children between five and 11 had been going well. | |
| However, information is still to be determined about dosage levels for younger people. | |
| Lieutenant General John Frewen, who is overseeing the vaccine rollout, previously canvassed the idea of school-based coronavirus vaccine programs. | |
| Latest figures show more than 14% of children aged between 12 and 15 have received a first dose of a Covid vaccine. | |
| Khorshid said Australia’s vaccine rollout was heading into more positive territory, as states and territories ramped up the number of doses administered. | |
| “We do appear to be on track for the entire eligible population to be vaccinated by the end of the year, or a little earlier,” he said. | |
| “Given where we were a few months ago, it’s a testament to the enormous effort in the community. | |
| “This is our pathway out of restrictions to join the rest of the world.” | |
| More than 72% of eligible residents over 16 have received their first dose while 47% are fully vaccinated. | |
| Protestors are now heading towards the M1 freeway in South Melbourne in the hundreds, shutting down traffic. | Protestors are now heading towards the M1 freeway in South Melbourne in the hundreds, shutting down traffic. |
| Professor Mary-Louise McLaws has told the Covid committee it was “highly inadvisable” for Australia to base its policy and national plan on modelling, given they can’t fully account for “geography, behaviours, and unknowns”. | Professor Mary-Louise McLaws has told the Covid committee it was “highly inadvisable” for Australia to base its policy and national plan on modelling, given they can’t fully account for “geography, behaviours, and unknowns”. |
| Instead, Australia should be looking to the experience of countries like Singapore, where children’s infection rates shot up after easing restrictions. | Instead, Australia should be looking to the experience of countries like Singapore, where children’s infection rates shot up after easing restrictions. |
| McLaws thinks Australia should be revamping its vaccination program to target children and young adults, given the higher rates of infection in those age groups. | McLaws thinks Australia should be revamping its vaccination program to target children and young adults, given the higher rates of infection in those age groups. |
| She cites the fact people aged zero to 19 now make up 25% of the caseload. Although Covid is less severe in young people, she noted that 11% of people in that age group still end up in hospital and 5% in ICU. | She cites the fact people aged zero to 19 now make up 25% of the caseload. Although Covid is less severe in young people, she noted that 11% of people in that age group still end up in hospital and 5% in ICU. |
| McLaws blames the fact Australia “didn’t have enough vaccine” for younger age groups, meaning those aged below 39 are “at the back of the queue”, with eligibility only open since August and more recently for those aged 12-15. | McLaws blames the fact Australia “didn’t have enough vaccine” for younger age groups, meaning those aged below 39 are “at the back of the queue”, with eligibility only open since August and more recently for those aged 12-15. |
| RSPCA Victoria has released a statement in response to reports a dog was allegedly kicked at protests against mandatory vaccinations in the construction sector yesterday, confirming it is “currently investigating” the matter as a “priority”. | RSPCA Victoria has released a statement in response to reports a dog was allegedly kicked at protests against mandatory vaccinations in the construction sector yesterday, confirming it is “currently investigating” the matter as a “priority”. |
| RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michael Stagg: | RSPCA Victoria Chief Inspector Michael Stagg: |
| “Animal cruelty is never acceptable under any circumstances and RSPCA Victoria considers all cases of animal cruelty high priority. It was disturbing to see the footage which appeared to show intentional cruelty inflicted on a defenceless animal. I assure the Victorian community that RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate is investigating this alleged case of cruelty with the intention of holding the perpetrator accountable to the full extent of the law. There is no excuse for any animal to be subjected to abuse and we want to send the strong message that we will continue to hold people to account for such behaviour.” | “Animal cruelty is never acceptable under any circumstances and RSPCA Victoria considers all cases of animal cruelty high priority. It was disturbing to see the footage which appeared to show intentional cruelty inflicted on a defenceless animal. I assure the Victorian community that RSPCA Victoria’s Inspectorate is investigating this alleged case of cruelty with the intention of holding the perpetrator accountable to the full extent of the law. There is no excuse for any animal to be subjected to abuse and we want to send the strong message that we will continue to hold people to account for such behaviour.” |
| Under Section 9 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA), it is illegal to abuse, beat, worry, torment or terrify an animal and anyone found guilty of this offence is liable for a maximum penalty of $45,435 or 12 months’ imprisonment. | Under Section 9 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA), it is illegal to abuse, beat, worry, torment or terrify an animal and anyone found guilty of this offence is liable for a maximum penalty of $45,435 or 12 months’ imprisonment. |
| The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is scathing of the protestors, telling them to “stop thinking only of themselves, stop the violence, and put the health and welfare of the Victorian community first”. | The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is scathing of the protestors, telling them to “stop thinking only of themselves, stop the violence, and put the health and welfare of the Victorian community first”. |
| “Nurses, midwives and carers are exhausted and frustrated as they watch protestors fight for their right to overwhelm our health system,” secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick says. | “Nurses, midwives and carers are exhausted and frustrated as they watch protestors fight for their right to overwhelm our health system,” secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick says. |
| More on the protests from AAP: | More on the protests from AAP: |
| Rubber bullets have been fired at an angry mob protesting mandated Covid-19 vaccinations for the construction industry and other health restrictions. | Rubber bullets have been fired at an angry mob protesting mandated Covid-19 vaccinations for the construction industry and other health restrictions. |
| Hundreds of protesters, many wearing hi-vis gear, started their second day of protests outside Melbourne’s CFMEU headquarters before moving on to Parliament, after warnings from the riot squad. | Hundreds of protesters, many wearing hi-vis gear, started their second day of protests outside Melbourne’s CFMEU headquarters before moving on to Parliament, after warnings from the riot squad. |
| They have since made their way back to the CFMEU offices, with the large crowd stretching back to the Queen Victoria Market. | They have since made their way back to the CFMEU offices, with the large crowd stretching back to the Queen Victoria Market. |
| Police riot squad officers, supported by the mounted branch, had warned the group to stay back and fired some rubber bullets into the crowd, while empty bottles and cans were thrown back at police. | Police riot squad officers, supported by the mounted branch, had warned the group to stay back and fired some rubber bullets into the crowd, while empty bottles and cans were thrown back at police. |
| The crowd then walked towards the police line with hands raised chanting “you serve us”. | The crowd then walked towards the police line with hands raised chanting “you serve us”. |
| Protesters made their way to parliament just before noon before making their way to Flinders Street station. | Protesters made their way to parliament just before noon before making their way to Flinders Street station. |
| Empty cans of rum and cola lay strewn across the road outside Parliament once the crowd dispersed. | Empty cans of rum and cola lay strewn across the road outside Parliament once the crowd dispersed. |
| Flares and fireworks were fired off as they marched up Swanston Street and a news crew has been assaulted. | Flares and fireworks were fired off as they marched up Swanston Street and a news crew has been assaulted. |
| Not long before they started marching from near the CFMEU office in the morning, police had told them to back down and leave. | Not long before they started marching from near the CFMEU office in the morning, police had told them to back down and leave. |
| “Attention, this is a police public order warning. You have previously been directed to leave,” an officer inside a line of riot police and officers on horseback told the crowd. | “Attention, this is a police public order warning. You have previously been directed to leave,” an officer inside a line of riot police and officers on horseback told the crowd. |
| “Leave now or force may be used. No further warnings will be given.” | “Leave now or force may be used. No further warnings will be given.” |
| The rally is opposing a Victorian government mandate requiring all construction workers to get vaccinated against Covid-19. | The rally is opposing a Victorian government mandate requiring all construction workers to get vaccinated against Covid-19. |
| The group were chanting “fuck the jab” and “fuck off (premier) Dan Andrews” but were blocked from accessing the CFMEU offices by a line of police officers. | The group were chanting “fuck the jab” and “fuck off (premier) Dan Andrews” but were blocked from accessing the CFMEU offices by a line of police officers. |
| On Monday, riot police were called in to disperse a group of about 500 protesters, who threw bottles at Victorian CFMEU construction secretary John Setka and smashed the office’s door down. | On Monday, riot police were called in to disperse a group of about 500 protesters, who threw bottles at Victorian CFMEU construction secretary John Setka and smashed the office’s door down. |
| Setka said the protesters were not all CFMEU members and blamed “neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists” for hijacking the event. | Setka said the protesters were not all CFMEU members and blamed “neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists” for hijacking the event. |
| “There was a small minority of construction workers, some of them when it all got violent just walked away from it. It was hijacked by the professional protesters,” Setka told the ABC. | “There was a small minority of construction workers, some of them when it all got violent just walked away from it. It was hijacked by the professional protesters,” Setka told the ABC. |
| He said the CFMEU was “pro-vax” but had always supported freedom of choice. | He said the CFMEU was “pro-vax” but had always supported freedom of choice. |
| Setka urged the Victorian government to tackle misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines. | Setka urged the Victorian government to tackle misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines. |
| Federal member for Maribyrnong and former union leader and Bill Shorten said he believed a group of professional troublemakers were to blame for Monday’s “shocking violence”. | Federal member for Maribyrnong and former union leader and Bill Shorten said he believed a group of professional troublemakers were to blame for Monday’s “shocking violence”. |
| “I never thought I would see a scene where you have people who call themselves Nazis using encrypted message systems to bring in a rent-a-crowd,” he told the Nine Network on Tuesday. | “I never thought I would see a scene where you have people who call themselves Nazis using encrypted message systems to bring in a rent-a-crowd,” he told the Nine Network on Tuesday. |
| On Monday night, the state government announced the industry would be shut down from Tuesday for two weeks in metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire. | On Monday night, the state government announced the industry would be shut down from Tuesday for two weeks in metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire. |
| All worksites will need to demonstrate compliance with health directions before reopening. | All worksites will need to demonstrate compliance with health directions before reopening. |
| This includes a requirement for workers to show evidence of having had at least one dose of a vaccine before they return to work on 5 October. | This includes a requirement for workers to show evidence of having had at least one dose of a vaccine before they return to work on 5 October. |