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Watch live: PM press conference and NSW COVID update
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Deputy Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale will provide an update on COVID-19 at 11am (AEST).
At 11.15am (AEST) the Prime Minister Scott Morrison will address the media from Canberra after this morning's new Defence partnership announcement with the US and Britain. Watch below:
PM hopes France can move past ‘difficult and disappointing’ decision
By Jennifer Duke
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has acknowledged the disappointment from French authorities over the scrapping of a submarine deal with the nation struck in 2016.
"As noted we will not be continuing with the 'Attack' class submarine program and have advised Naval Group and the government of France and President Macron of that decision. I want to stress that France remains an incredibly important partner in the Pacific," Mr Morrison said.
He said he hoped the two countries could move past the "difficult and disappointing" decision, saying it was in Australia's national interest and he hoped his counterparts in France could understand this over time and still work together.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison appeared with US President Joe Biden and British Prime minister Boris Johnson at a rare joint virtual press conference this morning. Credit:AAP
The first call Mr Morrison made after the deal was struck was to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. He said this was due to the strong relationship between the two nations and he wanted to emphasise the AUKUS deal would help the entire region.
"At its heart, today's announcements about are the oldest of friendships, the strongest of values and the deepest of commitment ... And I believe that this forever partnership will set Australia up but not just Australia – our partners in ASEAN, our family in the Pacific."
Mr Morrison said a rising spend on defence capabilities will be necessary to keep the region stable, with Australia's spend already increasing to 2 per cent of GDP.
"Our investment in defence will only increase in the future. The lift will only go up, it won't come back down. We will have to do more," Mr Morrison said.
PM heralds ‘forever partnership’ with US after subs deal
By Jennifer Duke
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told Australians the benign environment in the region experienced for decades has come to an end as he ushers in a new security partnership with the US and the UK.
At a press conference in Canberra on Thursday, Mr Morrison said the new AUKUS "forever partnership" had been a long time in the making and was necessary to ensure peace, stability and security.
"The relatively benign environment we have enjoyed in many decades in our region is behind us. We have entered, no doubt a new era, with new challenges for Australia and for our partners and friends and countries right across our region," Mr Morrison said.
The first major initiative announced earlier this morning is for Australia to achieve a nuclear-powered submarine fleet with the build to be commenced within the decade in Adelaide.
These submarines have more stealth, carrying capacity, speed and endurance, he said, and it is the first time this technology has been available in the country.
He said this technology was not available back in 2016, when a $90 billion deal with France-based Naval Group was started, and the decision now to switch track was "not a change of mind, it's a change of need".
Mr Morrison said acquiring nuclear weapons was "not on our agenda".
"I stress again, this is about propulsion. This is not about acquiring nuclear weapons. Australia has no interest in that. No plans for it, no policy for it, no contemplation of it," he said, adding the government would take its stewardship responsibilities over the submarine technology seriously.
Twelve regional NSW LGAs to leave lockdown
By Daniella White
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro says 12 local government areas in the state's regions will leave lockdown after COVID-19 case numbers stabilised.
Those LGAs are: Bega Valley, Blayney, Bogan, Cabonne, Dungog, Forbes, Muswellbrook, Narrabri, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro and the Upper Hunter.
“This is a good news days for regional and rural NSW. You join other communities that have their stay-at-home orders lifted, reminding everybody that it is still a restricted environment,” Mr Barilaro said.
“If you can avoid going to a local government area where they continue to be in lockdown, please do. And if you do visit a local government area in lockdown, the reality is those stay-at-home orders come back with you.”
Two NSW regions to return to lockdown at 6pm
By Daniella White
Two areas of regional NSW will return to lockdown for one week after new COVID-19 cases were recorded.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the local government areas of Lismore and Albury would be subject to stay-at-home orders from 6pm today.
“[NSW] Health has made a decision that the period of lockdown initially will be seven days,” he said.
“The reason for that is to try and get a handle on what exactly is going on in the local areas.
“In the normal course, more often than not, [NSW] Health determines it will be 14 days but in this case, looking at the issues, Health has determined that seven days will be appropriate. But I’m just warning the community that it may be longer.”
Lismore is located in the state’s north while Albury is located on the Victorian-NSW border.
Most of NSW deaths linked to COVID were unvaccinated
By Daniella White
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said of the 12 deaths recorded in NSW where the person had COVID, 10 people were unvaccinated.
“These people are in a range of ages and I just want to stress that the range of the ages reflects the fact that this is a severe disease and can impact you at all ages," he said.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.Credit:Anna Kucera
“For those who are still reluctant to go and get vaccines, can I say that is the way forward? You need to go and get vaccinated.
“Whenever we lose a family member or a friend, it impacts on every one of us and I want to express my condolences and I’m sure all of the condolences from NSW Health. The staff there care for each and every one of those people and my sympathies go to all of the family and friends of each of these people who have passed away.”
NSW administered 29,976 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday.
Mr Hazzard said 80.1 per cent of the over-16 population had received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 48.5 per cent of the entire community over 16 were fully vaccinated.
- A man in his 90s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital after acquiring his infection at the Hardi Guildford aged care facility. It’s the second death linked to the outbreak at this facility.
- A man in his 60s from western Sydney died at the Northern Beaches Hospital.
- A man in his 60s from south-western Sydney died at the Northern Beaches Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from south-western Sydney died at Concord Hospital.
- A woman in her 60s from south-eastern Sydney died at Prince of Wales Hospital.
- A man in his 40s from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.
- A woman in her 70s from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital.
- A man in his 70s from south-western Sydney died at Campbelltown Hospital.
- A woman in her 60s from south-western Sydney died at home.
- A man in his 50s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.
NSW records 1351 new COVID cases
By Daniella White
NSW has recorded 1351 new COVID-19 cases, and 12 people who were ill with the virus have died.
There are 1231 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 231 in intensive care, 108 of whom require ventilation.
In a statement, NSW Health said 129,266 COVID-19 tests were reported to 8pm yesterday, compared with the previous day’s total of 137,498.
Those who died were:
- A man in his 90s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital after acquiring his infection at the Hardi Guildford aged care facility. It’s the second death linked to the outbreak at this facility.
- A man in his 60s from western Sydney, who died at the Northern Beaches Hospital.
- A man in his 60s from south-western Sydney, who died at the Northern Beaches Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from south-western Sydney, who died at Concord Hospital.
- A woman in her 60s from south-eastern Sydney, who died at Prince of Wales Hospital.
- A man in his 40s from western Sydney, who died at Nepean Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital.
- A woman in her 70s from western Sydney, who died at Nepean Hospital.
- A man in his 70s from south-western Sydney, who died at Campbelltown Hospital.
- A woman in her 60s from south-western Sydney, who died at home.
- A man in his 50s from western Sydney, who died at Westmead Hospital.
Victoria’s lockdown restrictions to ease slightly to allow picnics and more exercise
By Michael Fowler
Victoria’s lockdown restrictions will be slightly eased today, The Age has confirmed, with small outdoor social gatherings set to return from tomorrow.
Two government sources with knowledge of the government’s planning said cabinet had decided against waiting until Sunday to grant additional freedoms to Victorians.
Premier Daniel Andrews will instead make announcements today to mark the state hitting its 70 per cent first dose vaccination target.
As well as limited outdoor gatherings such as picnics, the five-kilometre movement restriction will expand to 10 kilometres, outdoor gyms and skate parks will reopen and Victorians will be able to exercise for three hours per day instead of two.
Picnics in Melbourne around this time last year.Credit:Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
While the latter three changes were promised by Mr Andrews a fortnight ago as a reward for reaching the 70 per cent first dose mark, allowing picnics is an additional step that will have a most significant impact on Victorians’ daily lives.
It is likely that only those who have received at least one dose of vaccine will be allowed to attend outdoor social gatherings, the government sources said, though it remains unclear how this will be policed.
The Premier is expected to detail the changes at a press conference later today and they will come into effect from 11.59pm tonight.
Mr Andrews will reveal the government’s long-term road map out of lockdown on Sunday, including what freedoms are available at the 70 and 80 per cent double dose vaccination targets. He has also suggested the reopening plan will be linked to hospitalisation numbers.
France reacts with ‘regret’ to sub snub, while New Zealand announces ban
France has reacted to the big news this morning that Australia will partner with the US and Britain on a new Defence initiative that involves Australia obtaining access to America's nuclear-powered submarines.
The deal means Australia's existing $90 billion submarine partnership with France is dead in the water. The French government has now reacted to the sub snub.
“The American choice to push aside a European ally and partner like France from a structural partnership with Australia at a time we are facing unprecedented challenges in the Indo-Pacific region ... shows a lack of coherence that France can only acknowledge and regret,” Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and Defence Minister Florence Parly said in a joint statement.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced Australian nuclear submarines will be banned from New Zealand waters. This reflects long-standing NZ policy, with all nuclear-powered vessels banned from its waters.
Reuters, AFP
Queensland records one local COVID case
By Felicity Caldwell
Queensland has recorded one new local case of COVID linked to a school cluster in Brisbane's south.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the student at St Thomas More College was in home quarantine and had not been infectious in the community.
After announcing Queensland Health's vaccination hubs would offer Pfizer jabs to people older than 60 on Wednesday, Ms Palaszczuk said there would be special lanes for over-70s and people who had trouble with mobility.
Ms Palaszczuk has ramped up her rhetoric in calling Queenslanders to join the “jab army”.Credit:Matt Dennien
"People told me they wanted a choice [of vaccine] and now they have it," she said. "I'm advised the federal government has also seen the value of it and it too will make Pfizer available to 60s and older to get from their local GPs."
In ramping up the rhetoric, Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland had the mud army during the 2011 floods, the care army during the pandemic and she now wanted people to sign up to the "jab army".
"I call on every Queenslander over the age of 12 to do it for their families, do it for their communities, defend the freedoms that we all now enjoy and join the jab army to keep Queenslanders safe," she said.
Queensland Health delivered 25,570 vaccines on Wednesday, another daily record, with 57.63 per cent of eligible people now having received one dose and 39.35 per cent two doses.
There were also two other cases that were overseas-acquired and detected in hotel quarantine.
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2021-09-16 01:36:13Z
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