Breaking: A government source has told
@SkyNewsAust
Craig Kelly has resigned because he failed to sack a senior staff member accused of inappropriate behaviour towards women in the workplace.
BREAKING: PM tells parliament the federal government will provide funding to Paralympics Australia, ensuring Paralympians are rewarded the same medal bonuses as Olympians. $20,000 for gold, $15,000 for silver and $10,000 for bronze.
@9NewsAUS
The man accused of raping Brittany Higgins has been committed to stand trial in the ACT Supreme Court. Bruce Lehrmann is facing one charge of sexual assault at Parliament House in March 2019.
@9NewsAUS
Tracy - “When you don’t hold a hose, didn’t order enough vaccines, didn’t order enough RATs, now China is setting up in the Solomons, do you think maybe you over-egged the ‘save the country’ bit?”
PM - “That’s quite a long list you’ve been able to pull together.”
Yesterday was my last in the Sky Canberra bureau, where I found a bunch of seriously talented, dedicated and supportive colleagues/mates. I’m not moving far though; just a few steps down the corridor to Nine and very excited about it 😁
Border Force is "urgently reviewing" the visa given to conservative British commentator Katie Hopkins, who's boasted about breaking hotel quarantine rules by answering her door naked and without a facemask.
@9NewsAUS
After four fantastic years at
@2GB873
, I’ve finished up in the Canberra bureau. Special shoutout to
@michaelpachi
for being a brilliant and supportive editor and mentor. Excited to start as a reporter at
@SkyNewsAust
in Canberra!
Labor Senator Katy Gallagher: "You're not prepared to tell us how many interviews you've done, whether you're covering legal costs, you don't have an end date to the inquiry. Is it seriously this hard to work out who knew what when?"
Energy Minister
@Bowenchris
confirms he’ll tweak the climate bill to make it clear a 43% target is a floor not a ceiling, satisfying one of the Greens’ demands.
@9NewsAUS
Water bombers closing in on this fast moving grass fire near Canberra airport. Emergency warning in place for Beard, Oaks Estate and West Queanbeyan. Residents told to seek shelter, it’s now to late to leave.
@SkyNewsAust
That’s it. The Senate just resolved NOT to deal with religious discrimination today. It’s looking highly unlikely the laws will pass before the next election.
@9NewsAUS
There are tears in the room at Dave Sharma’s function. They clearly believe the seat is lost, even if they’re not saying so yet. And moderate liberals are on the warpath. “This is on Scott Morrison’s head.”
@9NewsAUS
@9NewsSyd
Grace Tame unloads in her speech:
“I received a threatening phone call from a senior member of a govt-funded organisation, asking for my word that I would not say anything damming about the PM on the eve of the next Aus of the Year Awards.”
@9NewsAUS
There are tears in the room at Dave Sharma’s function. They clearly believe the seat is lost, even if they’re not saying so yet. And moderate liberals are on the warpath. “This is on Scott Morrison’s head.”
@9NewsAUS
@9NewsSyd
There are still 147 Australian Embassy security guards waiting in Kabul for evacuation, soon they'll be sending a video message to the Prime Minister, pleading for help.
@9NewsAUS
I simply asked Senator Cash if she wanted to apologise, or make a brief statement. What should've been footage of the Minister walking into Estimates, turned into a farce.
#fedpol
“Our party is terminal”, “I can’t stand to look at him”. Just a few of the comments from the Liberal room in Wentworth as Scott Morrison delivers his concession speech.
@9NewsAUS
The PM says he “made the right decision” not to attend the Women’s March 4 Justice in Canberra last year.
And he says he has “no regrets” about his dealings with the French over the sinking of the subs deal.
@9NewsAUS
Health Minister Greg Hunt spelling out the overnight change to the vaccine rollout: "There is no change to the medical advice, simply a change to the access under it." So Pfizer remains the preferred jab, but under 40's can now get AstraZeneca if they want.
@9NewsAUS
Quite a roll call at National Press Club for the joint address by Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame. In the crowd:
Kate Jenkins
Julia Banks
Christine Holgate
Lucy Turnbull
Rachelle Miller
Marise Payne
Jane Hume
Bridget Archer
Anne Ruston
@9NewsAUS
BREAKING: The nation's unemployment rate has hit 4%, the lowest level since August 2008 and inching closer to having a 3 in front for the first time since the 70's.
@9NewsAUS
BREAKING: Cheng Lei is home with her partner and children in Melbourne after three years in detention in China. The best of news in an otherwise awful week.
For the first time, CSL has hit its target of producing 1-million doses of AstraZeneca a week. On top of those batches, the TGA will also test 351,000 new doses of Pfizer that landed in Australia this morning.
@9NewsAUS
Absolute carnage on this Belconnen street. A massive explosion at a kebab shop last night destroyed the neighbouring grocery store, and smashed the glass shopfronts of several nearby businesses.
@9NewsAUS
NEW COVID TEST & ISO RULES:
- Confirmed cases isolate for 7 days & return a negative rapid test on day 6
- Symptomatic close contacts get a PCR test
- Asymptomatic close contact get a rapid test, then a PCR test if positive
- Close contacts isolate for 7 days from exposure date
BREAKING: The Prime Minister announces another vaccine swap deal, 4 million doses of Pfizer from the UK, doubling the supply arriving in September.
@9NewsAUS
Shadow Foreign Minister Penny Wong tells
@RNBreakfast
the Prime Minister is "trashing" Australia's reputation as a trusted ally.
"It is vandalism, the way in which this is being dealt with by the government is with a wanton disregard for our international reputation."
@9NewsAUS
The Nationals are meeting to decide on a new leader. It’s a three horse race between Joyce, Littleproud & Chester. Asked if he has the numbers when he walked in, Darren Chester says he has “at least one”.
@9NewsAUS
BREAKING: PM
@AlboMP
officially ups the level of support available to residents in flood-ravaged communities. Payments of $1000 will be made to adults, $400 for children across the 23 local government areas impacted so far.
@9NewsAUS
“I didn’t want his sympathy as a father… I wanted him to use his power as Prime Minister. I wanted him to wield the weight of his office to drive change.” Brittany Higgins addresses the National Press Club.
@9NewsAUS
Last week Barnaby Joyce said the Murugappan family should be returned to Biloela. Now that he’s Nationals leader again,
@AlboMP
says “he should make sure that happens”.
Labor is now calling for rapid antigen tests to be made free through Medicare,
@AlboMP
describing the govt's proposal for cash payments as "ridiculous", because people still need to source the tests.
@9NewsAUS
Nine News understands it's looking likely the Prime Minister will attend the COP26 summit.
The international border to NSW is set to open as early as November 1, so the PM will be able to home quarantine for 7 days after returning from Glasgow.
@9NewsAUS
BREAKING: Senator David Van kicked out of the Liberal Party partyroom. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he was notified of other allegations overnight and today.
@9NewsAUS
#BREAKING
Australia will follow the US in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics. The PM says "It's not surprising Australian government officials will not be going." Athletes will still attend.
@9NewsAUS
Labor faithful greet
@AlboMP
and
@KristyMcBain
at the Sapphire Club in Merimbula. Thanking volunteers after a long night, and still no result in Eden-Monaro.
@SkyNewsAust
From Australian Prime Minister
@AlboMP
: “Today marks the end of an era. The close of the second Elizabethan age. This time of mourning will pass, but the deep respect and warm regard our nation has always held for our Majesty, will never fade.”
@9NewsAUS
Ambassador Cheng Jingye kicks off the press conference with this: "There has been some distorted coverage about Xingjiang in western media." Then a video begins with the words "Xinjiang is a wonderful land".
Michael McCormack finishes his last Question Time as Deputy PM by saying "que sera sera", then MP's gave him a standing ovation, hugs and handshakes.
@9NewsAUS
Surprise announcement from Moderna overnight that it's supplying 25 million doses of its COVID vaccine to Australia. Still yet to be approved by TGA, and yet to be confirmed by the Aust govt.
@9NewsAUS
"We're seeing clear signs the Omicron wave in NSW, Victoria and the ACT has peaked, and South Australia is also showing positive signs." -
@GregHuntMP
@9NewsAUS
#BREAKING
The interim report from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has just been tabled in parliament. It makes 13 recommendations for immediate action, including eliminating the backlog of compensation claims.
@9NewsAUS
Remember Australia's other vaccine order? Professor John Skerritt expects Novavax will make its submission to the TGA within the next fortnight, then the approval process will start.
@9NewsAUS
PM&C boss Phil Gaetjens tells the COVID committee, problems plaguing the early vaccine rollout, including the overdose of two elderly recipients and cold chain breaches should be put in the category of "noise".
@9NewsAUS
"Was that just an excuse? Because quite frankly... it looks like you just weren't coming because you would rather go to the cricket and drink frothies."
@JacquiLambie
not one to beat around the bush.
In a joint statement, the PM, Health Minister and Treasurer say there's a "strong case" for retail and hospitality to reopen before November 1, saying they "understand and sympathise" with the frustration of businesses.
@SkyNewsAust
GP's say they were blindsided by the overnight change to the vaccine rollout and they're confused as to how much cover the indemnity scheme provides, if they recommend AZ for under 40's.
Please remember that us GPs are still trying to get our heads around last night's announcement concerning
#AstraZeneca
too and what it means for our patients. A reminder to treat all nurses, receptionists and administrative workers with respect. We are doing our best
#COVID19Aus
“You show me the best way to put the hook in the sinker”. The Prime Minister is on the Central Coast, trying to lure voters with a hyper-local $20m promise to fix boat ramps, camp grounds & jetties.
@9NewsAUS
The post-mortem within the Liberals is underway. Simon Birmingham says the party clearly needs to pre-select more women and increase its ambition on climate change.
@9NewsAUS
Nationals leader
@D_LittleproudMP
says the Opposition would reject any move to wind back the deportation of Kiwi criminals. “Just because they’re across the ditch… we’re still a sovereign country. If you can’t live by our rules, you should go home.”
@9NewsAUS
The Health Minister describes Katie Hopkins' actions as "dangerous and irresponsible", says "instead of Big Brother watching Katie Hopkins, she'll be watching Big Brother from a long, long way away."
@9NewsAUS
A relief to hear 147 former Australian embassy guards left the vicinity of Kabul's Airport hours before the bombing attacks. But they're still anxiously waiting to be rescued, and the window of opportunity may have just closed.
@9NewsAUS
After dinner last night, the formalities begin. Pretty sure the NZ PM is making a joke about PM Albanese not unpacking his bags at Kirribilli House yet.
@9NewsAUS
“You show me the best way to put the hook in the sinker”. The Prime Minister is on the Central Coast, trying to lure voters with a hyper-local $20m promise to fix boat ramps, camp grounds & jetties.
@9NewsAUS
Tim Fischer’s final journey before being laid to rest. One Albury local said - “We can give forgive him for being a little late, after everything he did for us.”
@SkyNewsAust
Leading Yes campaigner Noel Pearson speaks about the scourge of rheumatic heart disease in Cape York. “It is a disease of the unlistened to. Of a people who have spoken but not been heard.”
PM gives GM Motors a massive whack. "I am angry, like many Australians would be. This multinational company let the brand (Holden) wither away, and now they're leaving it behind."
@SkyNewsAust
The Bilo family had an impromptu meeting with the PM today, presenting him flowers and thanking him. They’re hopeful of a resolution on a permanent residency pathway soon.
@9NewsAUS
Four ADF flights landed in Kabul yesterday, evacuating 472 Australian and UK citizens and Afghan locally engaged employees. Another repatriation flight has also arrived in Melbourne.
@9NewsAUS
Dramatic speech by Ukraine’s representative to the UN Security Council, demanding Russia relinquish its Chair. “You declared the war…it is the responsibility of this Council to stop the war.”
@9NewsAUS