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| WA to ease hard border from 5 February – as it happened | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Mark McGowan announces reopening plan after WA hits 80% fully vaccinated; PM confirms international borders to reopen Wednesday for some visa holders. Thi blog is now closed | |
| With that, we’ll end our live coverage for today. | |
| Here’s a recap of today’s major news developments: | |
| Western Australia will ease its border rules from 5 February. Both international and domestic travellers will be able to enter the state without quarantining from that date, by which point it is expected to have vaccinated 90% of its population over 12 with two doses. All travellers will need to be vaccinated, with a very small weekly cap of hotel quarantine spots for unvaccinated international arrivals. | |
| Thousands of Queenslanders will be finally enjoying dinner in their own homes on Monday after spending months trapped across the border in New South Wales. The border between the two states reopened just after midnight Queensland time. | |
| Scott Morrison welcomed the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, to Canberra on Monday, with the leaders heralding closer defence ties as they witnessed the signing of a previously announced $1bn military equipment contract with a South Korean firm. | |
| Australia’s international border will open to more travellers on Wednesday, as the prime minister confirmed that his government would end the “pause” triggered by the emergence of the Omicron Covid variant. | |
| Covid-19 infections are continuing to grow, with Victoria reporting 1,290 new cases and two deaths, while NSW recorded 536 new cases, amid increasing numbers of the Omicron variant. | |
| Have a great evening. We’ll be back tomorrow to do it all over again. | |
| The auditor general has just published the annual report on major defence acquisitions. | The auditor general has just published the annual report on major defence acquisitions. |
| It’s basically a yearly stocktake on where major projects are tracking, based on information supplied by the Department of Defence. This is the report for the 2020-21 financial year, so it is looking backwards. | It’s basically a yearly stocktake on where major projects are tracking, based on information supplied by the Department of Defence. This is the report for the 2020-21 financial year, so it is looking backwards. |
| Grant Hehir, the auditor general, found nothing that caused him to believe any problems with the accuracy of the information supplied by Defence as part of the process. | Grant Hehir, the auditor general, found nothing that caused him to believe any problems with the accuracy of the information supplied by Defence as part of the process. |
| But the voluminous report notes: “Defence’s assessment indicates that some elements of capability to be delivered by projects may be ‘under threat’, but the risk is assessed as ‘manageable’.” | But the voluminous report notes: “Defence’s assessment indicates that some elements of capability to be delivered by projects may be ‘under threat’, but the risk is assessed as ‘manageable’.” |
| The report said the four project offices “experiencing challenges with expected capability delivery” are the Joint Strike Fighter, MRH90 helicopters, Overlander medium/heavy vehicles, and Battlespace communications systems (land) 2B. | The report said the four project offices “experiencing challenges with expected capability delivery” are the Joint Strike Fighter, MRH90 helicopters, Overlander medium/heavy vehicles, and Battlespace communications systems (land) 2B. |
| The second project listed there – MRH90 helicopters – is also known as the Taipan. The defence minister, Peter Dutton, announced last Friday a plan to acquire up to 40 Black Hawk helicopters in order to retire the MRH90 early. | The second project listed there – MRH90 helicopters – is also known as the Taipan. The defence minister, Peter Dutton, announced last Friday a plan to acquire up to 40 Black Hawk helicopters in order to retire the MRH90 early. |
| Rest assured, readers, we will be going through this report in greater detail in the coming days. | Rest assured, readers, we will be going through this report in greater detail in the coming days. |
| Paul Mercurio, the actor and dancer known for his role in Strictly Ballroom, has been preselected as the Labor candidate for the Victorian state seat of Hastings. | Paul Mercurio, the actor and dancer known for his role in Strictly Ballroom, has been preselected as the Labor candidate for the Victorian state seat of Hastings. |
| Premier Mark McGowan has said Western Australia will not reopen its borders earlier than 5 February even if it achieves 90% double-dose vaccination coverage before that date. | Premier Mark McGowan has said Western Australia will not reopen its borders earlier than 5 February even if it achieves 90% double-dose vaccination coverage before that date. |
| He said this is because businesses need to prepare for a specific date and have certainty things won’t change. | He said this is because businesses need to prepare for a specific date and have certainty things won’t change. |
| Western Australia’s quarantine cap for unvaccinated international arrivals could be limited to fewer than 100 people per week. | Western Australia’s quarantine cap for unvaccinated international arrivals could be limited to fewer than 100 people per week. |
| Mark McGowan said an exact number had not yet been determined, but that “it may be down at 100 or perhaps less per week”. | Mark McGowan said an exact number had not yet been determined, but that “it may be down at 100 or perhaps less per week”. |
| By contrast, New South Wales’ unvaccinated arrival cap is 210 per week, while Victoria’s is 250. | By contrast, New South Wales’ unvaccinated arrival cap is 210 per week, while Victoria’s is 250. |
| As McGowan explained earlier, WA will only be allowing a small number of unvaccinated travellers arriving from overseas, and they will have to go through 14 days of hotel quarantine. | As McGowan explained earlier, WA will only be allowing a small number of unvaccinated travellers arriving from overseas, and they will have to go through 14 days of hotel quarantine. |
| Domestic arrivals will need to be double-dose vaccinated. | Domestic arrivals will need to be double-dose vaccinated. |
| Asked if he was considering extending the option of hotel quarantine for unvaccinated domestic travellers, McGowan said: | Asked if he was considering extending the option of hotel quarantine for unvaccinated domestic travellers, McGowan said: |
| “Not at this point in time, no.” | “Not at this point in time, no.” |
| McGowan explains that his strict stance on maintaining rules for unvaccinated people and poorly vaccinated regions after 5 February is because of vulnerable people in the state. | McGowan explains that his strict stance on maintaining rules for unvaccinated people and poorly vaccinated regions after 5 February is because of vulnerable people in the state. |
| Specifically, he mentions older and Indigenous residents. | Specifically, he mentions older and Indigenous residents. |
| “We’re just trying to save their lives. It will find the unvaccinated. You might live in the desert but it can still find you.” | “We’re just trying to save their lives. It will find the unvaccinated. You might live in the desert but it can still find you.” |
| Premier Mark McGowan was asked if further spread of the Omicron variant in other states could delay Western Australia’s border reopening date of 5 February. | Premier Mark McGowan was asked if further spread of the Omicron variant in other states could delay Western Australia’s border reopening date of 5 February. |
| McGowan didn’t go as far as ruling it out, but said it was very unlikely. | McGowan didn’t go as far as ruling it out, but said it was very unlikely. |
| “Barring some unforeseen emergency or catastrophe which we can’t predict. But that’s the nature of Covid.” | “Barring some unforeseen emergency or catastrophe which we can’t predict. But that’s the nature of Covid.” |
| He said “it’s a very safe bet” that the border will reopen on 5 February. | He said “it’s a very safe bet” that the border will reopen on 5 February. |
| Western Australia’s health minister Roger Cook has urged residents in his state to use the time between now and 5 February – when the state will reopen its borders – to get vaccinated. | Western Australia’s health minister Roger Cook has urged residents in his state to use the time between now and 5 February – when the state will reopen its borders – to get vaccinated. |
| Cook addressed the fact that an already stretched health system in the state was predicted to buckle if Covid spread when its vaccination rate was low. | Cook addressed the fact that an already stretched health system in the state was predicted to buckle if Covid spread when its vaccination rate was low. |
| He said nearly 500 doctors and 350 graduate doctors have joined the system this year. | He said nearly 500 doctors and 350 graduate doctors have joined the system this year. |
| Cook said: | Cook said: |
| McGowan is warning that there could still be travel restrictions for certain remote communities because of lower vaccination rates. | McGowan is warning that there could still be travel restrictions for certain remote communities because of lower vaccination rates. |
| McGowan said “some regions have dramatically lower vaccination rates”, flagging the Pilbara, Goldfields and the Kimberley specifically. | McGowan said “some regions have dramatically lower vaccination rates”, flagging the Pilbara, Goldfields and the Kimberley specifically. |
| “These are the only regions that currently have a first dose rate below 80%,” McGowan said. | “These are the only regions that currently have a first dose rate below 80%,” McGowan said. |
| He said the Pilbara is of most concern, with a double -dose vaccination rate of just 46.1%. | He said the Pilbara is of most concern, with a double -dose vaccination rate of just 46.1%. |
| “If individual regions do not get their vaccination rates up, then further measures will be needed to protect the community.” | “If individual regions do not get their vaccination rates up, then further measures will be needed to protect the community.” |
| Mark McGowan is now explaining how Western Australia’s new border rules will work when they come into effect from 5 February. | Mark McGowan is now explaining how Western Australia’s new border rules will work when they come into effect from 5 February. |
| International arrivals will still be required to return a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure and undertake a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Perth, as well as six days after arriving. | International arrivals will still be required to return a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure and undertake a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Perth, as well as six days after arriving. |
| If the traveller is double vaccinated, there will be no quarantine requirement. | If the traveller is double vaccinated, there will be no quarantine requirement. |
| For those who are not double vaccinated or have received a vaccine that is not recognised in Australia, they will have to go into a hotel or dedicated quarantine facility when it opens. McGowan said the cap of quarantine places for unvaccinated travellers will be smaller than WA’s current cap for all arrivals. | For those who are not double vaccinated or have received a vaccine that is not recognised in Australia, they will have to go into a hotel or dedicated quarantine facility when it opens. McGowan said the cap of quarantine places for unvaccinated travellers will be smaller than WA’s current cap for all arrivals. |
| Domestic arrivals must be double vaccinated unless they have a valid exemption. Domestic travellers will still be required to return a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure and undertake a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Perth | Domestic arrivals must be double vaccinated unless they have a valid exemption. Domestic travellers will still be required to return a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure and undertake a PCR test within 48 hours of arrival in Perth |
| If a traveller’s stay in WA is for five days or less, they will only be required to return a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure, and won’t need to get another test within 48 hours of landing. | If a traveller’s stay in WA is for five days or less, they will only be required to return a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of departure, and won’t need to get another test within 48 hours of landing. |
| Premier Mark McGowan has announced that Western Australia’s hard border will ease on 5 February. | Premier Mark McGowan has announced that Western Australia’s hard border will ease on 5 February. |
| It will take effect from 12:01am on that day, a Saturday. | It will take effect from 12:01am on that day, a Saturday. |
| McGowan explained that he was making the announcement because WA had on Monday just reached 80% double dose vaccination coverage of residents 12 and over. | McGowan explained that he was making the announcement because WA had on Monday just reached 80% double dose vaccination coverage of residents 12 and over. |
| By 5 February, McGowan said he expects the state to have reached 90% coverage. | By 5 February, McGowan said he expects the state to have reached 90% coverage. |
| McGowan said: | McGowan said: |
| McGowan’s announcement has defied earlier speculation on Monday that the state would ease its border rules from late January. | McGowan’s announcement has defied earlier speculation on Monday that the state would ease its border rules from late January. |
| Australia’s international border will open to more travellers on Wednesday, as the prime minister confirmed that his government would end the “pause” triggered by the emergence of the Omicron Covid variant. | Australia’s international border will open to more travellers on Wednesday, as the prime minister confirmed that his government would end the “pause” triggered by the emergence of the Omicron Covid variant. |
| Scott Morrison, welcoming the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, to Canberra on Monday, said Australia would open to travellers from South Korea and Japan and also international students and skilled workers more broadly. | Scott Morrison, welcoming the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, to Canberra on Monday, said Australia would open to travellers from South Korea and Japan and also international students and skilled workers more broadly. |
| While pandemic recovery was on the agenda for the talks at Parliament House, the leaders also heralded closer defence ties as they witnessed the signing of a previously announced $1bn military equipment contract with a South Korean firm. | While pandemic recovery was on the agenda for the talks at Parliament House, the leaders also heralded closer defence ties as they witnessed the signing of a previously announced $1bn military equipment contract with a South Korean firm. |
| Moon said he respected the Australian government’s “sovereign” decision to strike the Aukus deal with the US and the UK – an arrangement that China has claimed poses a threat to regional stability, amid worsening tensions between Beijing and Canberra. | Moon said he respected the Australian government’s “sovereign” decision to strike the Aukus deal with the US and the UK – an arrangement that China has claimed poses a threat to regional stability, amid worsening tensions between Beijing and Canberra. |
| But the South Korean leader also voiced a desire to maintain a harmonious relationship with China, which he said was important to securing North Korea’s denuclearisation. He ruled out joining Australia, the US and other countries in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. | But the South Korean leader also voiced a desire to maintain a harmonious relationship with China, which he said was important to securing North Korea’s denuclearisation. He ruled out joining Australia, the US and other countries in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Australians in major cities look set to be mostly spared La Niña rains on what is likely to be a mild Christmas Day, according to weather forecasters. | Australians in major cities look set to be mostly spared La Niña rains on what is likely to be a mild Christmas Day, according to weather forecasters. |
| AccuWeather forecasts clear skies for Melbourne and Hobart on 25 December, while clouds are expected to linger across the rest of the country into the evening. | AccuWeather forecasts clear skies for Melbourne and Hobart on 25 December, while clouds are expected to linger across the rest of the country into the evening. |
| Ahead of the release on Saturday of the Bureau of Meteorology’s official forecast for the week of Christmas, AccuWeather has predicted possible showers in Queensland and the Northern Territory on Christmas Day, with temperatures hitting the high 20s in most major cities. | Ahead of the release on Saturday of the Bureau of Meteorology’s official forecast for the week of Christmas, AccuWeather has predicted possible showers in Queensland and the Northern Territory on Christmas Day, with temperatures hitting the high 20s in most major cities. |
| Here is the run down for every capital city: | Here is the run down for every capital city: |
| We’re expecting Mark McGowan to outline Western Australia’s border reopening date at 2pm WA time/5pm eastern daylight time. | We’re expecting Mark McGowan to outline Western Australia’s border reopening date at 2pm WA time/5pm eastern daylight time. |
| We’ll bring you that update here as it happens. | We’ll bring you that update here as it happens. |