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More Australians are quitting their jobs for better-paid ones as they make the career moves they put on hold earlier in the pandemic, the RBA says.
Reserve Bank of Australia board members noted workers were encouraged by the strong labour market conditions after coronavirus lockdowns ended, the minutes of the central bank's 7 December policy meeting show.
Related: More Australian professionals quitting jobs for higher pay, RBA finds
Severe #thunderstorm warning issued for southwest #Qld. Some isolated storms in the warning area are producing damaging wind gusts. A 94 km/hr wind gust was observed at #Thargomindah Airport at 3.41 pm.
Details at https://t.co/NeMbtgQNlw pic.twitter.com/0wvUn5BFFQ
From AAP:
Nine new ministers have been sworn in to their roles at NSW Government House, as Dominic Perrottet's revamped cabinet team becomes official.
Governor Margaret Beazley swore in the ministers in a ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.
The new faces include Liberals Natasha Maclaren-Jones, Eleni Petinos and Wendy Tuckerman and Nationals MP Steph Cooke.
"I know that every one of these new ministers who will be appointed tomorrow has the experience, but more importantly, the passion and the energy to take NSW to the next level," Perrottet told reporters on Monday.
Other changes include David Elliott handing over the police portfolio to deputy premier Paul Toole and taking on transport.
Matt Kean - who was treasurer as well as environment and energy minister - keeps control of the purse strings and the energy portfolio, but gives the environment portfolio to first-timer James Griffin.
Veteran Health Minister Brad Hazzard will stay in the job as NSW continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic.
Labor on Monday called it an "L-plate cabinet from an L-plate premier".
More info on the 154 SA cases here:
South Australian COVID-19 update 21/12/21. For more information, go to https://t.co/mYnZsGpayo or contact the South Australia COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787. pic.twitter.com/43YL99Dro4
This from Queensland:
People waiting hours only to be turned away from multiple testing sites, result lost or waiting days for results - it's making the 72 hour window before travel an impossible task for many. More consideration needed @AnnastaciaMP @YvetteDAth @StevenJMiles @abcbrisbane pic.twitter.com/dnBEzIBauw
ADVICE: Balldale Rd Fire, Hopefield. (Federation LGA)
Firefighters are on scene at a crop fire burning near Balldale Rd and the Riverina Hwy NE of Corowa. The fire is moving in an easterly direction under westerly winds on the northern side of the Hwy. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/tRIBGMIfdh
?? Public Health Alert ??
New contact tracing locations exist across:
?? Mackay
?? Brisbane
For a full list of venues and advice on what to do if you've been to one, visit ??
https://t.co/szwjYvf2RV. pic.twitter.com/am3eu2D7Lw
One million dollars' worth of silver bullion has mysteriously disappeared somewhere on the road between Sydney and Melbourne and police are investigating whether somebody with inside knowledge is behind the heist.
NSW police say 192 individual 5kg silver bars were stolen from a truck which left NSW on a Friday afternoon last month and arrived in Melbourne at 8am the following Monday.
Related: NSW police call for help after $1m in silver bullion stolen from truck
And here is Prof Adrian Esterman from the University of South Australia on why Australia needs an organisation like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention - which is the national public health agency of the United States.
"One way of protecting others at Christmas is to give yourself a rapid antigen test before family gatherings. Unfortunately, they are not available in shops or pharmacies in South Australia - I have no idea why!
"Which really speaks to the desperate need for an Australian CDC where we can have national regulations about testing, close contact rules, etc. New Year's resolution for Scott Morrison?"
Here is Prof Tony Blakely from the University of Melbourne on if Omicron is actually milder than Delta.
"The estimates are still vague. South Africa puts it at 10% as virulent as Delta, and recent Imperial College London estimates at 70% as virulent (but I suspect this is over-estimating the risk due to Omicron being more likely to be asymptomatic, and the UK analyses were (necessarily) just on those notified cases). The evidence will firm up in the next one to two weeks.
"Perhaps the most important evidence will be on hospitalisation rates in countries with similar vaccination infection profiles to Australia. So far, hospitalisations are not taking off to a great extent in those countries experiencing Omicron."
And Prof Jaya Dantas from Curtin University on rapid antigen testing.
"We need as a priority to roll out antigen testing at very low costs across states that are seeing a spike in cases. The large numbers of people needing to be tested waiting over five hours for a swab is unsustainable and creates a huge strain on testing laboratories, reagents, and staff.
"Whilst pandemic fatigue has set in we cannot let our guard down, relaxing public health measures or refusing vaccinations or boosters."
Some of the country's top health experts have commented on booster timing, including Dr Andy Flies from the University of Tasmania.
Take note fellow AZers:
"The ATAGI recommendation of five months before receiving a booster shot (third shot overall) is based on the best available evidence. However, as many clinical trials are ongoing, the best current vaccination regimens cannot be considered optimised due to the limited availability of direct comparisons between vaccines, timelines, and new variants of concern.
"Shortening the time between booster shots could be helpful, particularly for people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine initially. A limitation of the AstraZeneca vaccine is that the immune system makes antibodies that neutralise the AstraZeneca vaccine before it can produce the coronavirus spike protein.'"
From AAP:
Coronavirus cases at an Adelaide nursing home have climbed to six as South Australia reports a record 154 new infections and grapples with a blow-out in wait times at testing centres.
SA Health says five of the infected residents are receiving specialist care at the facility with one admitted to hospital.
"When a residential aged care facility resident tests positive to Covid-19, a response coordination team is activated and a health rapid response team can be deployed to assess the situation and provide support," it said in a statement on Tuesday.
"SA Health works with the aged care provider to ensure the resident receives the best possible care and that other residents are protected against the risk of Covid-19 transmission."
Tuesday's case numbers included 134 that were locally acquired and left SA with record daily totals on five consecutive days and 556 active infections.
It followed 105 cases on Monday, which prompted a surge in the number of people flocking to testing sites, pushing wait times out to eight hours in some cases.
To help reduce testing lines the premier, Steven Marshall, said people travelling to SA from NSW, Victoria and the ACT would no longer be required to have a swab on arrival unless they have symptoms.
The Morrison government has released an update to Australia's cornerstone policy to protect the Great Barrier Reef as it tries to stop the ocean icon being placed on a list of world heritage sites in danger.
Environment groups said the updated Reef 2050 plan, released without fanfare late on Monday, fell short because it was linked to the government's "inadequate" plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
A foreword to the plan, co-signed by the federal environment minister, Sussan Ley, and Queensland's minister for the Great Barrier Reef, Meaghan Scanlon, said the reef is under threat from marine heatwaves that caused three mass bleaching events in 2016, 2017 and 2020.
The ministers wrote: "These events, combined with other major impacts to the reef, have affected the communities and industries that depend on it for their livelihoods and way of life."
Scientists are concerned about forecasts showing large parts of the central and northern sections of the reef could bleach again by the end of January.
Read more:
Related: Australian government's plan to protect Great Barrier Reef falls short, environment groups say
New South Wales health minister, Brad Hazzard, has warned local health workers "are in a state of exhaustion", as "tourism testing" of people needing a negative Covid-19 status to travel interstate are behind "huge pressure" being placed on testing capacity.
Hazzard noted testing requirements to enter South Australia and Tasmania, and said he had conducted "some outreach" to Queensland authorities, where there is a similar rule, "asking them what they might be able to do to help us".
Regarding those requirements for incoming travellers to those states to get a negative PCR test, Hazzard said "I think there is some value in those discussions about having rapid antigen testing instead of PCR testing but again we have to be respectful of other state governments and understand that they are trying to keep the community safe as well".
Hazzard has warned residents "to be very patient" when waiting for Covid-19 test results.
Hazzard said:
We don't have the answer but we know ... we need to get the cooperation, assistance, collaboration with other states and territories about how we handle it. Until we get there we have got to recognise we're going be under that pressure, all the teams are under that pressure and I would counsel people to be very patient. I know it's tough, but at least we have capacity to move between our state and other states."
We don't have the answer but we know ... we need to get the cooperation, assistance, collaboration with other states and territories about how we handle it. Until we get there we have got to recognise we're going be under that pressure, all the teams are under that pressure and I would counsel people to be very patient.
I know it's tough, but at least we have capacity to move between our state and other states."
New South Wales premier, Dominic Perrottet, is hoping for a "constructive discussion" at national cabinet on Wednesday about shortening the Covid-19 vaccine booster interval from five months to four.
Perrottet noted the Victorian government also supported "looking at opportunities to bring forward a booster shot from five months to four months".
Perrottet said:
We want to do whatever we can to provide whatever support we can to the federal government so we can get that into place because the faster we get booster shots into arms the safer the community will be as we continue to open up here in NSW. We want that to be a constructive discussion tomorrow, there will be challenges as we see many GPs go on leave during this period. I say to everyone, booster shots are key to keeping people safe."
We want to do whatever we can to provide whatever support we can to the federal government so we can get that into place because the faster we get booster shots into arms the safer the community will be as we continue to open up here in NSW.
We want that to be a constructive discussion tomorrow, there will be challenges as we see many GPs go on leave during this period. I say to everyone, booster shots are key to keeping people safe."
A New South Wales man who triggered a 72-hour lockdown in southern Tasmania after flying into the state illegally and escaping from hotel quarantine has been sentenced to five months in jail - with two of those suspended.
A New South Wales man who escaped quarantine sparking southern Tasmania's snap lockdown has been sentenced to 5 months jail with 2 suspended. He also received the same penalty for family violence breaches and will have to pay a $1500 fine. @WINNews_Tas
In what feels like a devastating sense of deja vu for the music industry, Faith No More, Jimmy Barnes and the Hoodoo Gurus have cancelled Australian shows in the lead-up to Christmas, among many other acts that have been spooked by the December spike in Covid-19 cases and the emergence of the Omicron variant.
Related: 'Absolutely heartbroken': event cancellations return to devastate Australia's music industry
China has accused the Australian government of "violently interfering" in its internal affairs after Australia joined with its Five Eyes allies to voice grave concerns about the "erosion of democratic elements" in Hong Kong.
Pro-Beijing candidates have been confirmed to occupy nearly every seat in Hong Kong's new legislature after an overhaul of the electoral system that authorities said would ensure "patriots run Hong Kong".
Related: China accuses Australia of 'violent' interference in Five Eyes response to Hong Kong election
I've got some weather updates here for you and I am still not over how hot it is expected to be in Perth on Christmas Day!
#NSWWeather: A few #stormy days ahead for the north and east, but mostly dry and sunny over the remainder. Severe storms are possible in the northeast so keep an eye on the radar and warnings: https://t.co/DO0sPaCJXe pic.twitter.com/uGW1bq5gbb
Sooo breaking with the tradition of the last few days, we've decided to just leave the #Christmas temperatures alone today ???? Still heading for a top of 42°C in #Perth, 43°C in #Geraldton and even hitting 39°C in #Bunbury.
Forecast: https://t.co/dISIR84CnC pic.twitter.com/2SVbRZp7aM
Lots of ??sunshine this morning but ??thunderstorms are expected to develop through the Gulf, west and south. Daytime ???temperatures a couple of degrees above average for most of #Qld. Low intensity heatwave in parts of the state. Full forecast details https://t.co/bf7JdMxa6p pic.twitter.com/xXzuiai4we
We've got more info here from AAP about the mask mandate in the ACT:
Masks will again be mandatory indoors in the ACT as it tightens Covid restrictions due to an increase in Omicron infections.
From Wednesday, masks will be required across indoor retail and hospitality venues as well as aged care, workplaces and on public transport.
Aged care restrictions will also be reintroduced, with a limit of five visitors each day.
The mask mandate will continue over Christmas and the new year period before it is reviewed in January.
"Wearing a mask indoors is a small price to pay to keep your family and friends safe," acting chief minister Yvette Berry told reporters on Tuesday.
It came as the national capital recorded 16 new infections and residents faced lengthy queues for testing.
Some testing clinics were forced to close early after reaching capacity.
Nearly 6,000 results were processed on Monday as demand for tests reached levels not seen since August.
Half of the ACT's 124 active Covid-19 cases have been identified as the Omicron strain.
Three virus patients are in hospital, but none have that variant.
But the chief health officer, Kerryn Coleman, expected Omicron to become the dominant strain in the ACT.
"We anticipate we will see an escalation in cases similar to that in NSW," she said.
The Bondi icebergs club has said it will close today after "a large number of staff" were exposed to a positive case while attending an event external to work.
"This is a precautionary measure for the safety of all members, visitors and staff," the club management said in a statement.
"All exposed staff are vaccinated and will have a Covid PCR test before returning to work.
"We will keep you informed of reopening via email and Facebook. The safety of our members, visitors and staff remains our priority."
The heroic actions of bystanders who tried to save the Falkholt family after a horrific Boxing Day car crash have been praised at the inquest into their deaths.
Home and Away actor Jessica Falkholt, her sister and her parents died after another car driven by a drug-affected driver failed to negotiate a bend on a highway as the family returned to Sydney from a Christmas event on the NSW South Coast in 2017.
Related: NSW coroner praises heroic actions of those who tried to help Home and Away actor Jessica Falkholt
While we're talking about the Vic CHO - here are some good tips he has on ventilation.
There are simple things you can do to improve ventilation and make your space more COVIDSafe - and some of the best methods are easy and low cost. @VictorianCHO tells us how. pic.twitter.com/Zk2GDdR4MF
Not sure anyone needs to see this but here we are...
Just got boosted. So excited I nearly wet.um, very excited. #GetBoostedNow
From AAP:
Surf life saving Australia are begging people to swim between the flags and learn how to identify a rip - the most deadly hazard on Australian beaches - ahead of another busy summer.
More than 3.7 million people have been caught in rip currents, new research from Surf Life Saving Australia has found, with more than a quarter needing to be rescued.
On average, 26 people each year die after being caught in a rip.
That's why SLSA's Shane Daw is urging beachgoers to swim between the red and yellow flags.
"Already this summer there has been eight coastal drowning deaths, with four of those reported to be attributed to rip currents," he said on Tuesday.
"While this is below last year's start to summer, one drowning death is one too many."
Almost two thirds of rip-related deaths occurred further than one kilometre away from a surf life saving service, with half at unpatrolled locations during patrol season.
Research also shows that two out of three people who thought they knew how to spot a rip, in fact were unable to identify one correctly.
"Alarmingly, we continue to see people who choose to swim at unpatrolled locations, away from surf lifesavers and lifeguards and they don't know how to correctly spot a rip, which is a combination that can have deadly circumstances," Mr Daw said.
That message should particularly be heeded by men, who make up 86% of rip-related deaths.
In 2016 surf life saving put together this useful video on spotting a rip:
New Zealand has announced a suite of measures to strengthen its defence against the Omicron variant, including pushing back the start of its quarantine-free border reopening to the end of February.
The Covid-19 response minister Chris Hipkins said the reopening delay will be disappointing for those who had made travel plans over summer, but added that waiting until the end of February would increase New Zealand's overall protection and slow Omicron's spread.
Related: New Zealand delays border reopening in bid to strengthen defences against Omicron
Traditional owners have made their next move in an attempt to quash the federal government's decision to build a nuclear waste dump in South Australia.
The Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation today filed an application to overturn the decision to build the dump at Napandee, near Kimba.
Corporation chair Jason Bilney said his people had "never been respected or engaged by this government at all in this process".
He said:
"After successfully winning native title after 21 years of fighting for our country, we were then excluded from the community ballot, and the government has continued to treat us unfairly, including not undertaking heritage assessments with us and abandoning the commitment to 'broad community support' at the last minute. We will continue to fight to protect and preserve our country, like we have always done, and make sure that the government's failures are brought to light in the court."
You can read the background to the story here:
Related: Traditional owners apply for judicial review to stop South Australia nuclear waste dump
The Australian Electoral Commission has launched legal action against Liberal MP Andrew Laming for allegedly failing to disclose his political links on a Facebook page which appeared to be operating under the guise of a grassroots community group.
The federal court proceedings come after Guardian Australia revealed in April that the Queensland MP was operating 35 Facebook groups - with at least one for each suburb in his electorate.
Related: Liberal MP Andrew Laming to be taken to court by electoral commission over Facebook page
The ACT is introducing an inside mask mandate to slow the spread of Omicron.
The mask mandate will be in place from 11.59pm. Masks will be needed in all indoor settings.
And that's it for Khorshid. To recap: the AMA wants masks mandated for indoors and high-risk settings. They want density restrictions.
Khorshid says bringing boosters forward will not help at the moment, because we don't have enough testing centres.
He slammed NSW for risking people's lives with its "let it rip" strategy.
AND he said all our previous national modelling was kinda useless because of Omi. Nat-Cab needs a plan, he said.
Right.
Khorshid says the AMA supports reducing the time between boosters, but there are logistical issues with getting them out fast.
I know everyone is desperate to get their booster but changing eligibility does not magically mean the rollout is going go faster. We need to look at the ... state-run centres and lack of capacity in primary care to actually get these done in a very short period of time.
I know everyone is desperate to get their booster but changing eligibility does not magically mean the rollout is going go faster.
We need to look at the ... state-run centres and lack of capacity in primary care to actually get these done in a very short period of time.
Khorshid calls for Nat-Cab to deliver an Omicron plan and take it seriously.
I hope the change in national cabinet suggests that they're taking this seriously. They need to come up with a national plan. It would be so much better if we could do things as a nation rather than each state taking its course. I am hoping it is a good sign but of course, time will tell.
I hope the change in national cabinet suggests that they're taking this seriously.
They need to come up with a national plan.
It would be so much better if we could do things as a nation rather than each state taking its course. I am hoping it is a good sign but of course, time will tell.
Khorshid says don't worry about brands, just get it!
People have the right to determine what vaccine is put into their arm and they can choose one versus the other by determining where they get the vaccine. But the medical advice is that these vaccines are pretty much identical, the same technology ... at a very similar dose, so it really makes no difference which one you get - but get one as quickly as you can.
People have the right to determine what vaccine is put into their arm and they can choose one versus the other by determining where they get the vaccine.
But the medical advice is that these vaccines are pretty much identical, the same technology ... at a very similar dose, so it really makes no difference which one you get - but get one as quickly as you can.
Khorshid says in terms of brands there is not much difference between Moderna and Pfizer for booster shots.
Do not worry about which brand of vaccine you are getting, just go and get your booster because the quicker you get it the better protection you have against Omicron and the quicker we can get to a more normal life.
The lack of state-run vaccination clinics means it can't go any faster even if the timeframe changes, Khorshid said.
Millions of more Australians are eligible for the booster today, how do we get those millions of doses into arms within a very short period? It is a huge challenge and that is why it is absolutely critical to keep working on other measures, public health measures [such as] masks because that is how we buy ourselves a little bit of time.
Millions of more Australians are eligible for the booster today, how do we get those millions of doses into arms within a very short period?
It is a huge challenge and that is why it is absolutely critical to keep working on other measures, public health measures [such as] masks because that is how we buy ourselves a little bit of time.
Khorshid says Omicron means the modelling is now all out of date and Australia is now flying blind.
"The difference with the Omicron means all the modelling is out of date. We just do not have the data around Omicron to do new modelling as yet.
"We know it is spreading very quickly through previously immune population either through infection or vaccination."
Cool cool cool...
Khorshid says access to rapid tests is not good enough.
PCR tests are the gold standard. But certainly, if you are symptomatic and ... you're going to an event and really need to know right now, 'am I infectious and putting my grandmother at risk on Christmas Day', it would be great to have access to rapid antigen tests, but unfortunately the access is not what it should be.
Khorshid says it seems the NSW premier is making decisions on popularity.
From an outside view it seems to me that having given people hope, they do not want to take it away just before Christmas. And I understand that it is a difficult thing to say to people. We know we said this is the end of restrictions and the end of the pandemic but it absolutely is not. And to be honest, the best way to avoid lockdowns and going down those pathways nobody wants to go down is to take Omicron seriously, to bring in some simple measures.
From an outside view it seems to me that having given people hope, they do not want to take it away just before Christmas.
And I understand that it is a difficult thing to say to people. We know we said this is the end of restrictions and the end of the pandemic but it absolutely is not.
And to be honest, the best way to avoid lockdowns and going down those pathways nobody wants to go down is to take Omicron seriously, to bring in some simple measures.
Khorshid says we need to remember we are living in a pandemic.
We understand that our leaders do not want to limit the freedoms of Australians, but we have to remember, we are in the middle of a global pandemic that has taken an extraordinary number of lives around the world, so having the courage, having the will to say to people, look, we just need to do this.
Khorshid says the AMA supports bringing the booster dose forward, but that it will not help over Christmas.
He says NSW is risking peoples' lives.
The approach so far by the NSW government in particular is risking lives, is risking an extraordinary impact on the health system into next year and it just does not make sense.
The president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Dr Omar Khorshid will hold a press conference shortly, where he will call on the national cabinet to institute a national plan to tackle Omicron.
Khorshid said Omicron is quickly overtaking the Delta variant around the world and is increasingly driving infection rates in Australia.
"Tightening public health restrictions should not be seen as a policy failure," Khorshid said.
"There is a growing consensus among key medical experts [that] we need to do more to slow the spread of Omicron, including those involved in the Doherty Institute modelling, which has helped guide the national plan to open up Australia."
Khorshid described Perrottet's approach as "reckless".
"DIY contact tracing, watered-down check in requirements, the abandonment of mask wearing mandates, and the removal of density limits altogether [are] a recipe for disaster and by the time hospital admissions and ICU cases grow beyond whatever benchmark he is working to - it will be too late," he said.
"A much more cautious approach is required, at least until we know more about Omicron and its severity of illness. We are not going to be able to eliminate Omicron, but we can do a lot to slow its spread, reduce pressure on the health system, save lives and keep businesses open. Indoor mask mandates, mandatory check ins, density limits for venues and major sporting events, all need to be part of a stronger national response to Omicron."
The Royal Australiasian College of Physicians president Prof John Wilson made a similar call for restrictions earlier on Tuesday.
Dr Omar Khorshid is speaking in Perth now...
Khorshid says we need "sensible" measures to handle Omicron over Christmas.
Measures that do not have significant impacts on peoples lives, like wearing masks, like some simple social distancing requirements, density limits in indoor venues, are all measures that are absolutely essential to manage Omicron.
Khorshid says we need a national plan for Omicron.
This risk is real and spreading around the globe like wildfire and causing disruption ... to economies in Europe and other countries overseas in ways we just do not want to see how. The idea that Omicron is mild, it may be mild but we just don't know ... It is a risk we do not want to take.
This risk is real and spreading around the globe like wildfire and causing disruption ... to economies in Europe and other countries overseas in ways we just do not want to see how.
The idea that Omicron is mild, it may be mild but we just don't know ... It is a risk we do not want to take.
I have been speaking to health workers and clinicians who have expressed concern about NSW premier Dominic Perrottet's comments in recent days that intensive care numbers are the key metric on which public health decisions are being made.
Perrottet has also rejected mandating further public health measures, saying "it is a time of personal responsibility".
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, echoed Perrottet's comments, saying on Tuesday that "we have to move from a culture of mandates to a culture of responsibility".
"That's how we live with this virus into the future," he said.
The comments have alarmed some health workers in NSW, who say the entire system is stretched, and that politicians need to consider Covid's impact beyond intensive care.
A clinician at one NSW hospital told Guardian Australia that the public health unit where she works is dealing with many more Covid-19 cases in people from vulnerable settings than at the Covid-19 Delta peak earlier in the year.
"Aged care and disability care predominate, both residential and community settings," she said.
"There are cases of Covid in staff, carers and clients. Not many seem really sick yet and most are vaccinated, but it is early days. Getting staff to provide ongoing personal care to cases and close contacts is becoming very difficult. They need training in PPE and often key staff are required to isolate as close contacts of the client or staff cases."
The public health and disability workforces are also losing staff, she said.
"It's a casualised workforce with often no entitlements so there is not much loyalty to employers," she said. "I would think most who work through an outbreak do so for the clients, to whom many of these low-paid carers are incredibly loyal. But transfer to hospital for elderly or disabled cases with high care needs is becoming more difficult.
"Hospital transfer and health hotels have been our safety net to stop transmission and provide care to vulnerable people. I can see these options being exhausted in the lead up to Christmas."
Managing outbreaks is labour intensive, she said, requiring coordination between public health, clinicians, hospital executives, the private provider and the department of health.
"Everyone is stretched," she said. "Everyone is faced with the dilemma of how we can safely and compassionately do less. People, particularly those in aged and disability care, have borne a disproportionate burden of loss of quality of life during Covid.
"It's particularly galling to me that they stand to lose out yet again, for the sake of 'freedoms' for the general population that surely could have been bestowed more slowly and mindfully."
A health worker in a rural referral hospital in regional NSW told Guardian Australia it was not just Sydney being affected.
She said her hospital is experiencing "severe staffing issues all across the hospital from the emergency department to ICU to maternity".
"We are not coping with day-to-day operations, let alone a Covid outbreak," she said.
"In January, we are expecting an extra 15,000 people to travel to our area for a county music festival from all over the country. Has there been planning, funding or just anything from the state government? There hasn't."
Staff are tired from filling multiple roles for the last two years during the pandemic, she said.
"I can now truly say to you that now [Covid] is coming we have less resources than we did before. My comment to the premier is that we do not have the resources to deal with this, or the planning and leadership we need to steer this ship.
"Is there a national leader out there who understands what is going on, who can pull this nation together and have us all moving in one direction together instead of individual states?"
He says it's likely three doses will become "standard" for base protection against Omicron.
I think we're beginning to see that two doses is simply not enough against Omicron and future variants. We will probably end up with three doses being standard. The issue is, do we have three doses of the same or do we ... mix-and-match?
I think we're beginning to see that two doses is simply not enough against Omicron and future variants.
We will probably end up with three doses being standard.
The issue is, do we have three doses of the same or do we ... mix-and-match?
Esterman says it looks like mixing and matching offers better protection.
Fyles said the NT government would be able to handle the outbreak.
Absolutely. We've kept her safe to date and we will continue to do so. We have managed this response very well right across the Northern Territory dealing with a particularly vulnerable population. We've got some of the highest vaccination rates in Australia in some areas, we certainly acknowledge others we're working on and we need people to come forward. There's plenty of vaccines available.
Absolutely. We've kept her safe to date and we will continue to do so.
We have managed this response very well right across the Northern Territory dealing with a particularly vulnerable population.
We've got some of the highest vaccination rates in Australia in some areas, we certainly acknowledge others we're working on and we need people to come forward. There's plenty of vaccines available.
Fyles said vaccination rates have been strong but they need more people to come forward.
We need to see people being vaccinated, particularly in the Barkly region as we have to make decisions over the coming days between lockdowns and lockouts and mask mandates. If we see the vaccination rate coming up as we did in Katherine, it gives us confidence there is protection in the community.
We need to see people being vaccinated, particularly in the Barkly region as we have to make decisions over the coming days between lockdowns and lockouts and mask mandates.
If we see the vaccination rate coming up as we did in Katherine, it gives us confidence there is protection in the community.
Fyles said the testing rates are strong.
I have been informed that it has been a strong rate of testing and particularly in Katherine and Tennant Creek. There were 280 tests done in Tennant Creek and that is one of our biggest days there. Well done to everybody in Tennant Creek for coming forward and getting tested. There were more than 200 tests done in Katherine. Thank you to the residents there, even though they are out of the lockout and mask mandate, it is important to come forward if you are feeling any signs of illness in the Katherine region.
I have been informed that it has been a strong rate of testing and particularly in Katherine and Tennant Creek. There were 280 tests done in Tennant Creek and that is one of our biggest days there.
Well done to everybody in Tennant Creek for coming forward and getting tested.
There were more than 200 tests done in Katherine. Thank you to the residents there, even though they are out of the lockout and mask mandate, it is important to come forward if you are feeling any signs of illness in the Katherine region.
And just quickly to Tasmania where all passengers on a Sydney to Launceston flight have been told to isolate and get tested immediately.
Virgin Australia flight 1086 landed in Tasmania on Wednesday.
Fyles said both of the Yulara cases that came from Brisbane are Omicron.
Fyles said three cases are not from the current outbreak. One of the new cases is a close contact of the two Yulara cases next last week.
The person is in quarantine at Howard Springs and authorities think it may be Omicron.
The other two cases include an international aircrew member and a woman from Adelaide who flew to the NT recently - she was unvaccinated and is also in quarantine at Howard Springs.
The total number of cases linked to the Katherine outbreak is now 123.
NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles is providing a COVID-19 update. She is asked how likely the Tennant Creek lockdown will lift when planned.
We really need that vaccination rate to come up, and we have seen dozens of people come forward, but not the hundreds that we would expect. So we'll just be looking at the cases over the last 24 hours and make sure that all those close contacts have been identified, do we have all of their test results, those are the types of pieces of information that will help us make that decision tomorrow.
We really need that vaccination rate to come up, and we have seen dozens of people come forward, but not the hundreds that we would expect.
So we'll just be looking at the cases over the last 24 hours and make sure that all those close contacts have been identified, do we have all of their test results, those are the types of pieces of information that will help us make that decision tomorrow.
A barrister will on Tuesday appeal for bail for an 11-year-old Indigenous child facing a Christmas spent in the Northern Territory's infamous Don Dale detention centre.
The child, who is on remand, has not yet had his matter heard in court. He is one of 35 Indigenous children now held in Don Dale, which is located in the former adult prison, Berrimah.
Related: Indigenous 11-year-old faces Christmas in Don Dale detention centre
Major Sydney production Come From Away has suspended two performances - Tuesday night and Wednesday's matinee - after a member of the company tested positive to Covid-19.
The entire company and production crew will be tested before Wednesday night's performance.
At time of publish, the production was unable to confirm which strain of Covid-19 was involved, whether the company was taking PCR or rapid antigen tests, or whether audience members of recent past shows would be pinged by NSW Health.
Ticketholders for tonight and tomorrow's matinee will be issued a refund from Ticketmaster, and offered to rebook an alternative performance at the Capitol theatre.
Producer Rodney Rigby said in a statement: "This is part of the new Covid-normal and nothing is more important than the health and safety of all that visit our theatres. We are taking a short break in our season to ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep everyone protected and return this brilliant show back on stage."
QLD bringing forward new quarantine rules for close and casual contacts - they will come into effect from 1am 22 December. More below...
BREAKING: New quarantine requirements for casual and close contacts will be brought forward to 1am tomorrow based on advice from the Chief Health Officer. #covid19 pic.twitter.com/bZMFnasoMh
OK back to Esterman - his final point is that we still don't know a lot about Omicron, and we have to be cautious.
We know it is much more transmissible than Delta. At least twice as transmissible ... We know a little bit about its ability to affect our system. Being fully vaccinated, by the current definition, provides little protection against the infection of Omicron but still provides protection against serious illness and death.
We know it is much more transmissible than Delta. At least twice as transmissible ... We know a little bit about its ability to affect our system.
Being fully vaccinated, by the current definition, provides little protection against the infection of Omicron but still provides protection against serious illness and death.
Esterman says there are plenty of public health measures we could take that won't impact on business/Christmas.
There are public health measures we can take which don't impact on business. New South Wales has been taking, relaxing public health measures because they don't want to have a huge impact on business. That has always been one of their priorities. The fact is, wearing a mask in retail settings isn't going to impact businesses. So there are potential public health measures we can take.
There are public health measures we can take which don't impact on business. New South Wales has been taking, relaxing public health measures because they don't want to have a huge impact on business.
That has always been one of their priorities. The fact is, wearing a mask in retail settings isn't going to impact businesses.
So there are potential public health measures we can take.
Just jumping away from Esterman for a second. A Come from Away company member has tested positive. I will have more for you on this in a minute.
a Come from Away company member has tested positive, with two performances suspended as the entire production cast gets tested in Sydney pic.twitter.com/PzBk9iYJzm
Professor Adrian Esterman is an epidemiologist and biostatistician at the University of South Australia - he's on ABC now talking about boosters.
He wants ATAGI to reduce the time between boosters.
The big issue is that, with Omicron, having double dose of the standard vaccination can spread protection against infection. There are large numbers of elderly people at high risk who cannot get that booster shot until February or late January at the earliest. They are a huge risk in getting Omicron. This is why I want them to reduce that time.
The big issue is that, with Omicron, having double dose of the standard vaccination can spread protection against infection.
There are large numbers of elderly people at high risk who cannot get that booster shot until February or late January at the earliest. They are a huge risk in getting Omicron. This is why I want them to reduce that time.
Good afternoon team GA. This is Cait, I've had too much coffee and I am keen to get started.
Perhaps instead of mandating mask restrictions we can just roll out a novelty, lovable Covid mascot who teaches us how to wear masks, social distance and wash our hands.
Sid the Seagull has been teaching Aussie kids about Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide for decades and to help him out, the Morrison Government is providing $10 million for a new national awareness campaign to remind Australians to be UV aware and stay safe in the sun in 2022. pic.twitter.com/Sef8qUhDHu
With that, I will hand over to Cait Kelly whose capable hands will guide you through the rest of the afternoon.
Meanwhile, bad news for people trying to get to New Zealand.
New Zealand has ruled out the prospect of non-quarantine arrivals until the end of February.
The Covid response minister will front the media this afternoon to address the impact the Omicron variant will have on the government's plan to reopen to international travellers.
Announcements are coming in thick and fast today. Quarantine arrangements are changing in Queensland. They have been brought forward to 1am tomorrow "based on advice from the chief health officer".
So double vaccinated close contacts of positive cases will have their isolation time reduced to seven days. It comes after 86 new cases were recorded in the state.
BREAKING: New quarantine requirements for casual and close contacts will be brought forward to 1am tomorrow based on advice from the Chief Health Officer. #covid19 pic.twitter.com/bZMFnasoMh
Of Queensland's new cases, 79 were locally acquired and six were acquired interstate.
Tuesday 21 December - coronavirus cases in Queensland:
. 79 new locally acquired cases
. 6 new interstate acquired cases
. 1 new overseas acquired case#covid19 pic.twitter.com/sdJPqEe5Lo
South Australia has reported 154 new Covid cases, the majority locally detected.
The day one and day six Covid testing has been removed partially because of this rise in local transmission of the virus.
This will mean there will be an "absolute" focus on symptomatic people in the state. Close contacts need to continue getting tested but "as things evolve" over the coming weeks changes may be made to this requirements.
There are five people hospitalised with the virus. There is also lots of positive wastewater testing across metropolitan Adelaide.
Bordertown has had "a couple of very strong positive results" despite no new current cases. Go and get tested if you have symptoms.
AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid will be speaking this afternoon on responding to the Omicron variant. Presumably we will be hearing about boosters and mask mandates.
MEDIA ALERT: AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid will hold a media doorstop at 1045 WST/1345 AEDT today ahead of National Cabinet calling for a national plan to tackle Omicron. Wexford Medical Centre (undercover), SJOG Hospital, 3 Barry Marshall Pde, Murdoch, Perth.
Speaking of testing lines:
#COVID19 testing line in South Yarra - but hearing similar stories all over #Melbourne. No water, no access to toilets and hours of waiting in the sun. @woolworths & @Coles pls bring these ppl water. pic.twitter.com/0IKCODyObL
It's 11am and one of ACT's main testing sites at capacity.... https://t.co/NGxGiDUtnv
Marshall says results are still coming back in short timeframes, but lengthy lineups may discourage people from doing the right thing:
We'd much rather keep that capacity for South Australians with symptoms ... we do have an ability to book in at 12 sites right across the state and this is definitely the way to go. We're not encouraging people to sit in their cars for hours and hours ... virtually every single person coming from interstate now has to have that test in their own state within 72 hours of departure ... our focus now is making sure South Australians have access to a rapid PCR test ... we have a 100% screen of all those people coming from interstate.
We'd much rather keep that capacity for South Australians with symptoms ... we do have an ability to book in at 12 sites right across the state and this is definitely the way to go.
We're not encouraging people to sit in their cars for hours and hours ... virtually every single person coming from interstate now has to have that test in their own state within 72 hours of departure ... our focus now is making sure South Australians have access to a rapid PCR test ... we have a 100% screen of all those people coming from interstate.
There have been 16 new Covid cases in the ACT. Slightly up on yesterday's numbers but still relatively stable. There are three people in hospital and none in intensive care.
The ACT is up to 98.4 per cent full vaccination for people 12 and older.
16 new COVID-19 cases in Canberra in the past 24 hours. Just three people in hospital, none in intensive care.
ACT COVID-19 update (21 December 2021)
?New cases today: 16
?Active cases: 124
?Total cases: 2,183
?Negative test results (past 24 hours): 4,516
?In hospital: 3
?In ICU: 0
?Ventilated: 0
?Total lives lost: 12
COVID-19 vaccinations in the ACT: 98.4% of 12+ fully vaccinated pic.twitter.com/txZ3epgtUw
Marshall says capacity has ramped up from 2,000 tests to 20,000 tests, after waiting times of up to nine hours were reported. I can indeed see how this would be a disincentive.
All interstate arrivals in SA now lining up to get a COVID test - if you don't have symptoms you can now leave, you don't need to get swabbed.
The Govt has reversed its policy brought in 11 days ago because it is overwhelming the system.@9NewsAdel pic.twitter.com/6GJZDDcIwY
#BREAKING President Biden has had a "close contact" with a staff member who has tested positive for COVID-19. pic.twitter.com/34JAmRk4Ng
Bit of a turnaround in South Australia.
You don't have to get a Covid test without symptoms if you're arriving from interstate after a mass surge at testing clinics. "We know the lines have been very frustrating for people, and that's why we say, you do not need to be in that line", premier Steven Marshall says.
From now on if you develop symptoms, isolate, go onto the SA Health website and book into one of 12 testing sites. Marshall says rapid antigen tests will be made available soon, and authorities are doing everything they can to free up capacity for people with symptoms.
Marshall says he also "strongly" supports reducing the interval to get a booster shot.
BREAKING #covid19 rules effective immediately as Premier @marshall_steven apologies for huge delays. He will urge national Cabinet to move booster from 5 months to 4. Authorities also closely considering rapid antigen tests for general public #Adelaide #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/8RiinDyrLQ
BREAKING interstate #covid19 test rules to be scrapped for those without symptoms amid universal outrage at huge 9+ hour wait times @SAHealth clinics as surge in demand overwhelmed testing facilities #Adelaide #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/23rOm1sm7g
Over in South Australia, premier Steven Marshall will be up soon alongside the chief public health officer and police commissioner.
Premier Steven Marshall, Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier & Police Commissioner Grant Stevens will address South Australians at 11am. Join us LIVE on @Ch7Adelaide for the latest COVID update & Adelaide's only local morning news. https://t.co/gYFVWBqbT0 #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/uX0qrxlONK
Apparently there is now a lost load of fish on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE: Traffic is heavier than usual northbound due to an earlier lost load of fish on the bridge. Allow extra travel time.
Melbourne friends:
Need a booster? Walk-ins available right now at the ?@VicMarket?, Peel St near the car park. ?@7NewsMelbourne? pic.twitter.com/6BFtRPDPPz
Just got boosted. So excited I nearly wet.um, very excited. #GetBoostedNow
Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP says the Omicron variant means Australia has not moved to phase D of the national reopening plan.
That means low level baseline restrictions remain in place. #7NEWS #auspol pic.twitter.com/uFHmRKPSAa
Morrison finishes by reinforcing it's up to the public, not the government to be responsible for their health:
There has been a need for all sorts of things over the last two years but we're going into a new phase and that new phase is one of a culture of responsibility rather than a culture of control and a culture of mandates and letting Australians live with this virus responsibly. Thanks very much, everyone. Ta.
Personally, I will keep wearing my mask not only for my health but also as a stylish fashion accessory.
Morrison circles around the "we don't mandate sunscreen" argument. As we know, sunburn isn't contagious, but anyway. Maybe don't have that "big night out" if you're seeing grandma at Christmas, but again, it's up to you:
Here is another tip, Omicron is moving substantially amongst the younger population. They are at parties, night clubs, hospitality venues. I would encourage them, particularly if they're going to spend time at Christmas with older family members, you want to give that big night out a miss, particularly if you're going to see one of your elderly relatives over Christmas, or exercise greater precautions around them. Australians don't have to be told by governments how to live. Australians are responsible people who care about their own health, whether it's sun smart behaviour or Covid, or any other element of their health and they really care about those they love and they care about their communities. One of the biggest lessons that were reinforced during the Covid pandemic is you want to put a bet on the best way to deal with a crisis, you bet on Australians and that's what we have done. Go and sit in the outdoor areas ... that's a commonsense thing ... that's immediately going to be a more practical way to avoid the variant and the virus. If you're inside, you know, a bit of distancing. You don't need to crush into a mosh pit. That's probably not a good idea if you're going to see your grandmother on the weekend. But that's common sense.
Here is another tip, Omicron is moving substantially amongst the younger population. They are at parties, night clubs, hospitality venues. I would encourage them, particularly if they're going to spend time at Christmas with older family members, you want to give that big night out a miss, particularly if you're going to see one of your elderly relatives over Christmas, or exercise greater precautions around them. Australians don't have to be told by governments how to live.
Australians are responsible people who care about their own health, whether it's sun smart behaviour or Covid, or any other element of their health and they really care about those they love and they care about their communities. One of the biggest lessons that were reinforced during the Covid pandemic is you want to put a bet on the best way to deal with a crisis, you bet on Australians and that's what we have done.
Go and sit in the outdoor areas ... that's a commonsense thing ... that's immediately going to be a more practical way to avoid the variant and the virus. If you're inside, you know, a bit of distancing. You don't need to crush into a mosh pit. That's probably not a good idea if you're going to see your grandmother on the weekend. But that's common sense.
Morrison is asked for an update on booster shots. Atagi have currently set a five-month interval between receiving a second and third vaccination. There have been increasing calls for that period to be reduced, particularly in light of the Omicron strain.
The advice from our immunisation experts - and let me be very clear about this - Atagi is not a new institution ... they have been around for a long time and they have been responsible over many years for steering Australia's immunisation programs which have achieved world record levels. Not just more recently on Covid, but on other childhood immunisations and other immunisation programs. They are the experts when it comes to immunisation. Everyone else has opinions, they have responsibility and the expert responsibility for advising the government about what the vaccination programs are. We continue to listen to them on these issues, as I have said on many occasions. What I will not do is I will not front run their advice on that issue. They will consider these issues carefully and they will advise the government. Just as they will carefully consider, as they have been for some time, the interval period for booster shots.
The advice from our immunisation experts - and let me be very clear about this - Atagi is not a new institution ... they have been around for a long time and they have been responsible over many years for steering Australia's immunisation programs which have achieved world record levels. Not just more recently on Covid, but on other childhood immunisations and other immunisation programs.
They are the experts when it comes to immunisation. Everyone else has opinions, they have responsibility and the expert responsibility for advising the government about what the vaccination programs are. We continue to listen to them on these issues, as I have said on many occasions. What I will not do is I will not front run their advice on that issue. They will consider these issues carefully and they will advise the government. Just as they will carefully consider, as they have been for some time, the interval period for booster shots.
Morrison continues, encouraging vaccination uptake and "commonsense behaviours" like hand washing. He reinforces that states, not the commonwealth, have authority over health orders. The commonwealth is just in charge of things like vaccination supply:
People should get vaccinated. If you don't get vaccinated, you're more likely to get the virus, get very serious illness from the virus and to die from the virus. That is three very good reasons why you should get vaccinated. Equally, it's important that you practice other commonsense behaviours, like washing your hands, keeping appropriate distances, but you don't need to get the ruler out and you don't need to get people to come around hitting you with fines. We just need to live with this virus sensibly and practically. From mandates to responsibility and as governments around the country, because the states have the total authority when it comes to public health orders. The commonwealth does not have the power to direct those state and territory governments. What I will be saying to them, and I know a number of premiers agree with this, is we have got to move to the next phase of how we live with this virus. The time for that heavy hand is behind us.
People should get vaccinated. If you don't get vaccinated, you're more likely to get the virus, get very serious illness from the virus and to die from the virus. That is three very good reasons why you should get vaccinated. Equally, it's important that you practice other commonsense behaviours, like washing your hands, keeping appropriate distances, but you don't need to get the ruler out and you don't need to get people to come around hitting you with fines.
We just need to live with this virus sensibly and practically. From mandates to responsibility and as governments around the country, because the states have the total authority when it comes to public health orders. The commonwealth does not have the power to direct those state and territory governments. What I will be saying to them, and I know a number of premiers agree with this, is we have got to move to the next phase of how we live with this virus. The time for that heavy hand is behind us.
The prime minister Scott Morrison is speaking now. He says he has written to the premiers and set out "the advice that they're providing" including strong recommendation of mask use inside "and things like that and that is very sensible".
One of the key messages is, yes, we're going to need to continue to calibrate how we manage this virus and how we live with this virus in the face of Omicron. Of course that is necessary. But we're not going back to lockdowns. We're not going back to shutting down peoples' lives. We're going forward to live with this virus with common sense and responsibility. There will be other variants beyond Omicron and we have to ensure, as a country, and as leaders around the country, we are putting in place measures that Australians can live with. What that means is we have to move from a culture of mandates to a culture of responsibility. That's how we live with this virus into the future. In my home state in New South Wales, people are already wearing masks. They're not being fined if they don't because Australians know what is a commonsense responsible action to look after their own health and to look after the health of those around them. As a country, we have got to get past the heavy hand of government and we have got to treat Australians like adults and we all have our own responsibility in our communities and for our own health.
One of the key messages is, yes, we're going to need to continue to calibrate how we manage this virus and how we live with this virus in the face of Omicron. Of course that is necessary. But we're not going back to lockdowns. We're not going back to shutting down peoples' lives. We're going forward to live with this virus with common sense and responsibility. There will be other variants beyond Omicron and we have to ensure, as a country, and as leaders around the country, we are putting in place measures that Australians can live with.
What that means is we have to move from a culture of mandates to a culture of responsibility. That's how we live with this virus into the future. In my home state in New South Wales, people are already wearing masks. They're not being fined if they don't because Australians know what is a commonsense responsible action to look after their own health and to look after the health of those around them. As a country, we have got to get past the heavy hand of government and we have got to treat Australians like adults and we all have our own responsibility in our communities and for our own health.
Wait times have eased somewhat in the ACT.
COVID-19 TESTING WAIT TIMES - 10AM TUES 21 DEC
??Garran (open 7:30am-9pm): 1hr 30mins+
??Mitchell (open 8am-10pm): 1hr 45mins+
??Kambah (open 8am-4pm): 2hrs+
??Nicholls (open 8am-3:50pm): 1hr+
Please visit the testing site which has the lowest wait time or Holt Capitol Pathology. pic.twitter.com/Ewtf4SAPw6
was just in line for 3 hours (literally 3 hours) to get a covid test at stanmore only to be turned away because they're shutting the testing place down because of traffic.this a a nightmare ???
Meanwhile, Scott Morrison is making the most of his Tour de Queensland. How good are little nippers?
The Prime Minister with little nippers on Bribie Island #7NEWS #auspol pic.twitter.com/LfbmAWJr3x
The Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP) has called on state and territory governments to reintroduce or maintain certain Covid-19 restrictions in light of the spread of the Omicron variant.
The RACP wants governments to:
RACP president and respiratory physician Prof John Wilson:
While we don't want to see families separated and communities impacted in the festive season, we are also wary of the increasing Covid-19 case numbers in states like NSW. If not checked, a surge in cases will further burden our already exhausted health systems due to an overwhelming rise in hospitalisations. The relaxation of restrictions in some jurisdictions, especially those associated with mask-wearing, QR code check-ins and large gatherings, can have dire consequences. Our advice to governments remains to listen to their respective public health officers and maintain the restrictions necessary to control the spread of the Omicron variant.
While we don't want to see families separated and communities impacted in the festive season, we are also wary of the increasing Covid-19 case numbers in states like NSW.
If not checked, a surge in cases will further burden our already exhausted health systems due to an overwhelming rise in hospitalisations. The relaxation of restrictions in some jurisdictions, especially those associated with mask-wearing, QR code check-ins and large gatherings, can have dire consequences.
Our advice to governments remains to listen to their respective public health officers and maintain the restrictions necessary to control the spread of the Omicron variant.
The RACP also urged the broader Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand communities not to let their guard down.
"If anyone is eligible for a booster shot after having waited for five months or more after their second shot, there is no better time than now to book," Wilson said.
Back in Victoria again, Merlino confirms there will be no changes to crowd capacity at the Boxing Day Ashes test in Melbourne.
Speaking of which:
Me on the phone my dad this morning: "Everyone I know has got Omicron, or knows someone with Omicron. Everyone's Christmas plans are up in the air. Everyone's depressed"
My dad: "This the worst I've seen the English cricket team in my lifetime"
This is an interesting point. We know the efficacy of AstraZeneca and Pfizer wanes within six months. There has been little messaging, too, on whether/how our vaccination passports will be updated in light of boosters.
Mr Merlino says the booster should be considered a third dose because the term booster carries a connotation that it's "optional" or "nice to have".
We've been in a pandemic for quite some time now and it's almost as if this was something that could have been predicted.
We've been told results are taking up to 72 hours in Mildura, which is problematic for anyone who needs a test taken WITHIN 72 hours to travel interstate (South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland).
The line for the pop up vaccine clinic at Sunshine Plaza is wrapping around the block. It's not due to open for another 5 mins, hearing wait times are already at an hour. @WINNews_SCoast #WINNews pic.twitter.com/k7w6EygfI8
Back in Victoria, acting premier James Merlino has no further updates on restrictions. He cites the National Cabinet meeting to come. But he does want a shorter interval between boosters, as does NSW.
Acting Premier James Merlino on Omicron advice and potential mask mandate indoors: "overall the settings aren't changing" @10NewsFirstMelb #springst
James Merlino on shorter booster interval:
"that's Victoria's view
We're hearing tomorrow is a health update I hope it's a plan to do just that,"
"We're calling for a shorter interval"
"Boosters should be considered as a third dose."@10NewsFirstMelb #springst
Merlino: "not going to say 3 or 4 months.. I want it as short as possible.."
"We've got an opportunity here.." @10NewsFirstMelb #springst
Tasmania's premier Peter Gutwein is providing a Covid update. There are four new cases in the state, as mask wearing becomes mandatory indoors.
Four new cases of COVID-19 in Tasmania, taking total number of active cases to 14 #covid19tas
In Victoria the state government has announced more than $100m towards a specialist women's mental health service in Melbourne and Shepparton as a recommendation of the royal commission.
Some 30 beds will be established at the Albert Road clinic in Melbourne and five in Shepparton.
It comes as women have been three times as likely as men to call Lifeline during the pandemic.
Mental health Minister @JamesMerlinoMP is today announcing more than $100m to deliver an Australian-first specialist women's mental health service - 35 dedicated beds across Melbourne and Shepparton. #springst pic.twitter.com/ed5aHTqBXz
Good news!
Guardian Australia's 2021 year in review is here, featuring, among other things, fabulous fashion from Amy Remeikis:
The year started with hope and optimism, with a small step towards recognising Australia's Indigenous history in our national anthem. But a few months in, 2021 took a sharp turn.
The nation faced a reckoning on the treatment of women after Brittany Higgins came forward to allege she had been raped in Parliament House. The Delta variant of Covid-19 caused deadly havoc across the globe and soon reached Australia's shores.
Covid conspiracy theories raged online - and on the floor of parliament. The state premiers' daily press conferences became part of our daily lives, as did lockdown upon lockdown and state border closures.
There were glimmers of hope and joy, however, as Australia became one of the most vaccinated countries in the world. Somehow we made it through, fumbling towards a federal election in 2022.
An Indigenous body elected to negotiate a treaty in Victoria has called for the state government to raise the age of criminal responsibility and "stop locking up our children", AAP's Callum Godde reports.
The co-chairs of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria have written to state attorney general Jaclyn Symes to stress the need for immediate change, saying treaty must not be used as an excuse to stall reform.
Aunty Geraldine Atkinson and Marcus Stewart write:
This does not need to, nor should it, wait for treaty. It is a much-needed, sensible, compassionate, evidence-based and simple reform that community overwhelmingly supports. We want the government to stop locking up our children.
Children as young as 10 across Australia can be arrested by police, remanded in custody, convicted by the courts and jailed. Australia's attorneys general last month agreed to support a proposal to raise the minimum age from 10 to 12 after the federal government faced pressure from more than 30 UN countries.
But the independent Indigenous group has urged Symes to listen to the experts and legislate a change to 14 years, as recommended by Victoria's Commission for Children and Young People in June.
There were nearly 600 children aged between 10 and 13 in custody in 2018-19, according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. More than 60% were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The ACT is the only state or territory committed to changing the age of criminal responsibility to 14, while the WA government passed a similar motion in October.
Both Victorian Labor and the Liberal/Nationals in March rejected a Greens bill to raise the state's age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14, and the minor party is urging the government to reconsider supporting its stance.
A Victorian government spokesperson confirmed it was "working to develop and consider a proposal" to up the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 12.
Wait times for testing in the ACT are best at Garran and Nicholls this morning.
COVID-19 TESTING WAIT TIMES - 9AM TUESDAY 21 DEC
??Garran (open 7:30am-9pm): 1hr+
??Mitchell (open 8am-10pm): 2hrs+
??Kambah (open 8am-4pm): 2hrs+
??Nicholls (open 8am-3:50pm): 1hr 30mins+
Please visit the testing sites which have the lowest wait time or Holt Capitol Pathology. pic.twitter.com/k4cuyC3DKK
It looks as though the traffic flow has improved at Melbourne's Albert Park testing site.
Victoria Police checking in at the Albert Park testing site after the traffic chaos this morning when testing was suspended. Line seems to be flowing through a lot better now. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/5rEbmdOXEk
Victoria's numbers have remained relatively stable, with 1,245 Covid cases today. But there have been six lives lost overnight.
We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAtS1P#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/jReieoBj9L
If we look at the reproduction rate, that is also up in NSW, where the positive test rate is 2.23%. In Victoria, it is 1.86%.
?? Victoria #covid19vic
1.86% positive test rate
392 hospitalised (-14)
73 ICU active (-8)
6 deaths
?? NSW #covid19nsw
2.23% positive test rate
284 hospitalised (+23)
39 ICU (+6)
2 deaths pic.twitter.com/55QssqR1rV
New South Wales has recorded 3,057 new Covid cases - another record number. Sadly, there have also been two deaths.
NSW COVID-19 update - Tuesday 21 December 2021
In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
- 94.9% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 93.4% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/bZKwggxvoZ
If we turn now to hospitalisation rates, Victoria's are down slightly on yesterday, from 406 to 392.
In New South Wales, there are 284 people being treated in hospital and 39 in intensive care. That's up from 261 yesterday.
Thanks as ever to the indomitable Matilda Boseley. We are waiting for Covid numbers to come in, which should be shortly.
With that, I shall hand you over to the fantastic Caitlin Cassidy who is taking over for the rest of the morning.
Sydney train commuters have been warned to expect delays to the network after an overnight strike, reports AAP.
The Sydney Trains-operated network was disrupted from 8pm last night to 4am this morning as Rail, Tram, and Bus Union members took industrial action.
Buses replaced train services on all lines between 8pm and 4am but Sydney commuters have been encouraged to avoid travelling this morning.
The union is at loggerheads with Transport for NSW as they negotiate a new enterprise agreement covering more than 10,000 staff.
The strike comes after industrial action last Tuesday when RTBU members refused to drive foreign-built trains used on about 75% of services.
Transport for NSW said workers had been offered new enterprise agreements, including a 2.5% pay rise in the first year.
The union wants a 3.5% wage rise.
Seems that Victoria isn't the only state struggling with long Covid-19 testing lines today:
Waiting in line at #VictoriaPark for Day 1 arrival testing, 3.5 hours already. Am told still another 5+ hours ahead. Not sure SA was ready? Thinking of those here who are actually sick, potentially with COVID-19, and are stuck in their cars when they ought be resting. @SAHealth
JUST IN: I've spoken to SA Health this morning. ALL testing sites across the city are overwhelmed and very busy. A review is underway and SA Health is looking to recruit more staff at testing sites. @TheTodayShow @9NewsAdel
Happy Gravy Day! pic.twitter.com/kXIalUsNmS
Health experts are nervous about rising Covid hospitalisations, particularly in New South Wales, as political leaders continue to call for calm over skyrocketing case numbers.
Across Australia, attention is turning from the Covid case numbers to how many people end up in hospital and the ICU. Given Australia's high vaccination rates, the prime minister, Scott Morrison, said on Monday the focus should be on the impact on the health system rather than the record case numbers.
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine president Dr Clare Skinner told the Guardian there is a nervousness among health experts as numbers continue to rise.
You can read the full report from Mostafa Rachwani and Josh Nicholas below:
Related: 'Too early to tell': health experts nervous about Omicron's effect on Australia's hospitalisation rates
NSW police are seeking help to discover the whereabouts of silver bars that vanished from a truck. Silver bullion worth $1m has been stolen from a truck travelling between Sydney and Melbourne, reports AAP.
NSW police are appealing for help in solving the theft that was discovered when the truck arrived in Melbourne on 29 November after leaving NSW three days earlier.
The consignment - 192 individual 5kg silver bars - was being transported by a Kenworth truck and a silver Krueger trailer, police say. The bullion is estimated to be worth $1,015,000.
Surging demand at Covid testing clinics across Australia has led to waiting times of up to five days for results, with travellers now worried they won't get a negative result in time to travel across state borders for Christmas.
Waiting times in Victoria have averaged between 40 minutes and an hour during the past week, while a busy ACT site reached capacity by 9.30am on Monday.
A negative Covid test is mandatory to enter Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia if arriving from an area with community transmission, while travellers to the Northern Territory are required to have a PCR test within 72 hours of arrival.
You can read the full report below:
Related: Australia's Covid test result waiting times blow out to five days, threatening interstate Christmas reunions
Northern Perth councillor Linda Aitken will stand for the Liberal party in Christian Porter's old Perth seat of Pearce.
Western Australian party faithful gathered at the Whale and Ale pub on the northern outskirts of Perth on Monday night where Aitken edged out former navy officer Miquela Riley in preselection, reports AAP's Dominic Giannini.
Aitken will take on her council colleague and Labor's pick of City of Wanneroo mayor Tracey Roberts at next year's election. But her nomination will first need to be rubber-stamped by the party's state executive when it comes before them on Thursday.
The plebiscite was the first time the Liberals let rank-and-file members vote for their preferred candidate in a Liberal-held seat.
WA Liberal party state president Richard Wilson said Aitkin was the best person to represent Pearce:
Linda will work hard in the months ahead to meet with as many locals as possible, to listen to the issues that are important to them and their family, and share her positive ideas for Pearce ... As a strong local voice, Linda has been helping to deliver better services for her community. She understands the issues which are important to the people of Pearce because her family experiences them every day.
Linda will work hard in the months ahead to meet with as many locals as possible, to listen to the issues that are important to them and their family, and share her positive ideas for Pearce ...
As a strong local voice, Linda has been helping to deliver better services for her community. She understands the issues which are important to the people of Pearce because her family experiences them every day.
Porter announced he wouldn't recontest his seat at the next election after a scandal-ridden 2021 when he was demoted within the federal cabinet before being forced to resign altogether.
The former attorney general held Pearce since 2013 and it has been in Liberal hands since its inception in 1990. Porter retained it at the 2019 election on a 7.5% margin but it's now considered a much tighter contest after a boundary redistribution.
The election is due to be held by May.
According to Seven News Scott Morrison is supportive of an indoor mask mandate in light of the Omicron variant spreading throughout Australia, but not further lockdowns.
EXCLUSIVE: Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP tells me the states will need to 'recalibrate' their Covid measures as Omicron spreads across the country. He agrees with masks mandates indoors and in high risk settings. But insists there'll be no lockdowns #7NEWS #auspol pic.twitter.com/PjN3JuQkR8
Thousands of customers are still without power on Sydney's northern beaches after the brief but cyclonic weekend storm that felled power lines, leaving a trail of destruction, reports AAP.
Ausgrid has restored power to almost 17,500 customers after Sunday's storm that ripped through beachside suburbs Narrabeen, Collaroy and Dee Why, leaving more than 500 hazards including trees on powerlines.
The ferocious storm, which lasted only a few minutes, ripped roofs off apartment buildings and blacked out 35,000 homes.
Susan Cobham, 68, who was heading home from a party near Narrabeen surf life saving club, died after she and two other women were struck by a massive Norfolk Island pine. The two injured women remain in Royal North Shore hospital.
Ausgrid expects the majority of customers will have power restored in the next few days, but due to extensive damage at Dee Why, Collaroy, Naraweena and Wheeler Heights "power outages could extend well into the week".
Additional crews from neighbouring network Endeavour Energy and contractors, have been brought in to support Ausgrid's repair efforts to restore the 17,500 customers who are still blacked out.
Ausgrid said:
It's a very difficult time of year to be without power, and we apologise for the delays. We are doing everything we can to turn the lights back on as soon as possible. Where we can, we are progressively turning power back on, and as always the safety of our customers and staff remains our number one priority.
Given the extensive damage from the storm, some parts of the network need to be rebuilt.
Voter approval of Scott Morrison has dived 19 points in a year as voters marked down the prime minister for vaccine bungles, sustained controversy over the allocation of taxpayer funded grants and the extended furore over parliament's #MeToo reckoning.
A year of Guardian Essential data reveals the high-water mark of Morrison's voter approval was in February, when 65% of survey respondents said they approved of his performance, and 28% said they disapproved.
But in the final poll of 2021, only 46% of respondents say they approve of the prime minister's performance, while 44% disapprove. The last survey of the year has 1,095 respondents.
You can read the full report below:
Related: Morrison's approval dives over vaccine rollout, grants and Brittany Higgins fallout, poll suggests
Back to Sharon Lewin from the Doherty Institue for a second and she's indicated she supports the reintroduction of a mask mandate for indoor settings in Australia:
Look, in an ideal world, of course we can trust that people will do the right thing. However, rules are changing constantly. People are confused. And they want to know what they can and can't do. All along in this pandemic we have had most of our policies informed by the best science and very clear instructions about what you can and can't do. We're in a position at the moment where days really matter. Having the right policy, right now, making it really clear to people what you can and can't do, is something I strongly support. That includes a simple intervention like mask wearing, we've become very used to [it]. I know it's not the way we like to live but we have become used to it. We need leaders to tell us where and where we can't wear those masks. My decision to not wear a mask doesn't just affect me, it affects everyone around me. While we have borders open internally, it affects everyone across Australia. We need some cohesion and simple advice to stop any confusion for people.
Look, in an ideal world, of course we can trust that people will do the right thing. However, rules are changing constantly. People are confused. And they want to know what they can and can't do. All along in this pandemic we have had most of our policies informed by the best science and very clear instructions about what you can and can't do.
We're in a position at the moment where days really matter. Having the right policy, right now, making it really clear to people what you can and can't do, is something I strongly support.
That includes a simple intervention like mask wearing, we've become very used to [it]. I know it's not the way we like to live but we have become used to it. We need leaders to tell us where and where we can't wear those masks.
My decision to not wear a mask doesn't just affect me, it affects everyone around me. While we have borders open internally, it affects everyone across Australia. We need some cohesion and simple advice to stop any confusion for people.
Testing locations in Melbourne appear to have filled up before they have even opened, as thousands rush to get a PRC test before their Christmas travel.
Testing already suspended at the Albert Park site - testing doesn't officially start here until 7am but the queue is so long they can't take any more cars. 3.5 hour wait. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/Ne6h80fKpz
Doherty Institute director Sharon Lewin says Atagi is looking closely at data from overseas to try to decide if Covid-19 booster doses should be brought forward to four or even three months.
She noted the current five-month interval "may well change" in the days to come:
To make that decision, the authorities, or the advisory group, Atagi, are weighing up a number of factors. How quickly your antibodies drop ... how much safety data we have at giving the booster earlier and ability to deliver it. We're weighing all of these things up. We are learning from overseas the booster dose gives you that additional protection against Omicron that we want. These are difficult decisions being weighed up by all the best evidence available and availability of vaccines and that may well change the current recommendation of five months, it may well change in coming days.
To make that decision, the authorities, or the advisory group, Atagi, are weighing up a number of factors.
How quickly your antibodies drop ... how much safety data we have at giving the booster earlier and ability to deliver it. We're weighing all of these things up. We are learning from overseas the booster dose gives you that additional protection against Omicron that we want.
These are difficult decisions being weighed up by all the best evidence available and availability of vaccines and that may well change the current recommendation of five months, it may well change in coming days.
I mentioned before that Atagi is now reviewing whether three doses will be required to be considered fully immunised.
The director of the Doherty Institute, Sharon Lewin, has been a bit coy on her views on the matter while speaking to ABC News Breakfast:
Look, these are difficult decisions. Australia has done incredibly well getting so many people their first two doses. At the moment there's a gap of five months to get the third dose. We have to make that really easy for people to access. Certainly you get much better immunity after your third dose. You need that third dose for better protection against Omicron. And deciding whether that makes you fully vaccinated or not will be a decision for national cabinet.
Look, these are difficult decisions. Australia has done incredibly well getting so many people their first two doses. At the moment there's a gap of five months to get the third dose. We have to make that really easy for people to access.
Certainly you get much better immunity after your third dose. You need that third dose for better protection against Omicron.
And deciding whether that makes you fully vaccinated or not will be a decision for national cabinet.
Good morning, everyone! There are only four days until Christmas and I've just remembered I haven't bought my sister anything. How's your morning going?
It's Matilda Boseley here on the blog and why don't we jump right into the day.
Now, the big thing coming up is the prime minister and state and territory leaders gathering for an "informal" national cabinet meeting tomorrow to discuss the threat of the new Omicron variant.
It looks as though the main message Scott Morrison will be sending is "stay calm, and for god's sake don't close the borders".
The time frame of booster shots is due to be discussed, with South Australia pushing for a shortened interval amid Omicron concerns.
Nine newspapers reports that Australia's vaccine advisory body, Atagi, is reviewing whether three doses will be required to be considered fully immunised.
Chief medical officer Dr Paul Kelly has also reportedly recommended a mask mandate in all indoor settings in an effort to curb an escalation in Omicron cases.
When speaking to reporters on Monday, Morrison said the government would follow health advice on mask mandates, with there being some circumstances where mask wearing was "commonsense".
Given that the NSW premier Dominic Perrottet has been fairly steadfast in his refusal to reinstate a mask mandate, it will be interesting to see how all the premiers react to this prospect today.
OK, why don't we get cracking then!
Hmmmm, anyone got a strange craving for gravy this morning? Can't think of why that might be.
Related: Paul Kelly on his new version of How to Make Gravy: 'Christmas music gets a bad rap'
This line of cars have taken it upon themselves to create their own queue after the Albert Park testing site was suspended before they even opened. Traffic management say it's an "illegitimate line" @9NewsMelb @TheTodayShow pic.twitter.com/rGL35tzq11