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Australia news live update: at least 43 Covid deaths recorded nationally; Qld says using ADF to evacuate aged care facilities ‘a last resort’ Australia news live update: at least 43 Covid deaths recorded nationally; Qld says using ADF to evacuate aged care facilities ‘a last resort’
(32 minutes later)
Follow all the day’s news liveFollow all the day’s news live
Independent senator Rex Patrick is calling out the government’s decision to prioritise its Religious Discrimination Bill during the upcoming parliamentary sitting week.
Queensland’s deputy premier Steven Miles has dismissed calls for a government integrity probe, saying “you can’t have a royal commission into a vibe”, AAP reports.
Two independent watchdogs, the Liberal National Party, Katter’s Australian Party and the Greens are calling for a probe amid multiple allegations of interference in regulators and processes.
Outgoing Integrity Commissioner Nikola Stepanov claims a laptop was taken from her office and wiped, and that the government tried to have her sacked.
Former state archivist Mike Summerell says there was interference in his record-keeping, potentially leading to parliament being mislead.
Miles says those allegations are being investigated properly so there’s no need for a wider inquiry.
“If there is new evidence then it should be forwarded to the CCC (Crime and Corruption Commission), but you can’t have a royal commission into the vibe,” the deputy premier told reporters on Sunday.
The CCC is itself under a cloud after the government ordered a formal commission of inquiry into the watchdog’s functions and structure after its botched probe into Logan Council.
Miles said while “questions have been raised about the CCC” it was still the “appropriate forum” for any allegations of government misconduct.
“If anyone has any new evidence they should forward it to the CCC,” the deputy premier said.
Meanwhile, the premier’s director-general Rachel Hunter has launched a third probe into Mr Summerell’s allegations of interference in his record-keeping role.
The terms of reference for Hunter’s review were released on Friday, with the findings due by 4 March.
Scott Morrison has declared politics is a “brutal business” as he seeks to downplay the leaking of a text message from the deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, branding him a “hypocrite and a liar”.Scott Morrison has declared politics is a “brutal business” as he seeks to downplay the leaking of a text message from the deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, branding him a “hypocrite and a liar”.
Speaking at the i4Give Day memorial service in Sydney, which commemorates the young victims killed in the Oatlands crash in 2020, the prime minister also spoke of his Christian faith, saying he had “easily” forgiven Joyce for the damaging text message leaked on Friday.Speaking at the i4Give Day memorial service in Sydney, which commemorates the young victims killed in the Oatlands crash in 2020, the prime minister also spoke of his Christian faith, saying he had “easily” forgiven Joyce for the damaging text message leaked on Friday.
“Politics is a brutal business,” Morrison said on Sunday.“Politics is a brutal business,” Morrison said on Sunday.
Read Sarah Martin’s full write up here:Read Sarah Martin’s full write up here:
A bit of an insight into the damage the floods in South Australia caused.A bit of an insight into the damage the floods in South Australia caused.
I will now leave you in the expert hands of Justine Landis-Hanley for the next couple of hours.I will now leave you in the expert hands of Justine Landis-Hanley for the next couple of hours.
Perrottet says hospital presentations and ICU admissions continue to trend down in NSW.Perrottet says hospital presentations and ICU admissions continue to trend down in NSW.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant says 47.7% of the eligible population aged 18 an over have received a booster dose. This goes down to 43.5% when it includes 16 and 17 year olds who are eligible.NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant says 47.7% of the eligible population aged 18 an over have received a booster dose. This goes down to 43.5% when it includes 16 and 17 year olds who are eligible.
Chant says the spread of Covid-19 is slowing in the community, in part due to the booster, as well as people having been infected with Covid before, mask-wearing, getting tested and isolating, she said.Chant says the spread of Covid-19 is slowing in the community, in part due to the booster, as well as people having been infected with Covid before, mask-wearing, getting tested and isolating, she said.
There are currently 2,321 people in hospital, including 147 in ICU, of whom 66 are on ventilators.There are currently 2,321 people in hospital, including 147 in ICU, of whom 66 are on ventilators.
Of the 28 deaths today, they included 17 men and 11 women; two were in their 40s, three were in their 60s, six were in their 70s, 10 people were in their 80s, and seven people were in their 90s.Of the 28 deaths today, they included 17 men and 11 women; two were in their 40s, three were in their 60s, six were in their 70s, 10 people were in their 80s, and seven people were in their 90s.
Of the three under 65 who died, Chant said one person had received three doses of the Covid vaccine, one person had received two doses, and one person was not vaccinated. She said all three had serious underlying health conditions.Of the three under 65 who died, Chant said one person had received three doses of the Covid vaccine, one person had received two doses, and one person was not vaccinated. She said all three had serious underlying health conditions.
The NSW premier Dominic Perrottet is launching the $250 accomodation and tourism vouchers to be available from tomorrow in the Service NSW app for parents.The NSW premier Dominic Perrottet is launching the $250 accomodation and tourism vouchers to be available from tomorrow in the Service NSW app for parents.
He said:He said:
Perrottet urged people to continue to wear face masks indoors, and to socially distance.Perrottet urged people to continue to wear face masks indoors, and to socially distance.
He also thanked teachers for the seamless transition for children getting back into school.He also thanked teachers for the seamless transition for children getting back into school.
Perrottet says he expects there will be “bumps along the way” in terms of schools being open but teachers are doing an outstanding job.Perrottet says he expects there will be “bumps along the way” in terms of schools being open but teachers are doing an outstanding job.
Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles has dismissed calls for a government integrity probe, saying “you can’t have a royal commission into a vibe”, AAP reports.Queensland deputy premier Steven Miles has dismissed calls for a government integrity probe, saying “you can’t have a royal commission into a vibe”, AAP reports.
Two independent watchdogs, the Liberal National party, Katter’s Australian party and the Greens are calling for a probe amid multiple allegations of interference in regulators and processes.Two independent watchdogs, the Liberal National party, Katter’s Australian party and the Greens are calling for a probe amid multiple allegations of interference in regulators and processes.
Outgoing integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov claims a laptop was taken from her office and wiped, and that the government tried to have her sacked.Outgoing integrity commissioner Nikola Stepanov claims a laptop was taken from her office and wiped, and that the government tried to have her sacked.
Former state archivist Mike Summerell says there was interference in his record-keeping, potentially leading to parliament being mislead.Former state archivist Mike Summerell says there was interference in his record-keeping, potentially leading to parliament being mislead.
Miles says those allegations are being investigated properly so there’s no need for a wider inquiry.Miles says those allegations are being investigated properly so there’s no need for a wider inquiry.
The CCC is itself under a cloud after the government ordered a formal commission of inquiry into the watchdog’s functions and structure after its botched probe into Logan Council.The CCC is itself under a cloud after the government ordered a formal commission of inquiry into the watchdog’s functions and structure after its botched probe into Logan Council.
Miles said while “questions have been raised about the CCC” it was still the “appropriate forum” for any allegations of government misconduct.Miles said while “questions have been raised about the CCC” it was still the “appropriate forum” for any allegations of government misconduct.
“If anyone has any new evidence they should forward it to the CCC,” the deputy premier said.“If anyone has any new evidence they should forward it to the CCC,” the deputy premier said.
Meanwhile, the premier’s director general Rachel Hunter has launched a third probe into Summerell’s allegations of interference in his record-keeping role.Meanwhile, the premier’s director general Rachel Hunter has launched a third probe into Summerell’s allegations of interference in his record-keeping role.
The terms of reference for Hunter’s review were released on Friday, with the findings due by 4 March.The terms of reference for Hunter’s review were released on Friday, with the findings due by 4 March.
Good afternoon, everyone.Good afternoon, everyone.
It’s pride march day here in Melbourne. And protesters have delivered a petition to Victoria police, minister for equality Martin Foley, Midsumma, and the LGBTIQ+ communities commissioner, calling for the police not to march in their uniforms in the march through St Kilda.It’s pride march day here in Melbourne. And protesters have delivered a petition to Victoria police, minister for equality Martin Foley, Midsumma, and the LGBTIQ+ communities commissioner, calling for the police not to march in their uniforms in the march through St Kilda.
In the petition they state:In the petition they state:
The organisers say people can march as individuals.The organisers say people can march as individuals.
The petition gained 1,180 signatures in six days, including 940 from LGBT Victorians.The petition gained 1,180 signatures in six days, including 940 from LGBT Victorians.
Midsumma and the communities commissioner have agreed to meet with the petition organisers but the minister and Victoria police have not responded.Midsumma and the communities commissioner have agreed to meet with the petition organisers but the minister and Victoria police have not responded.
I’m handing over the blog to the brilliant Josh Taylor – see you on the other side of lunch.I’m handing over the blog to the brilliant Josh Taylor – see you on the other side of lunch.
As I mentioned earlier, Queensland has recorded 5,746 new Covid-19 cases and tragically, nine more deaths.As I mentioned earlier, Queensland has recorded 5,746 new Covid-19 cases and tragically, nine more deaths.