Australia news LIVE NSW Premier brings forward changes to state road map schools to return end of October Victoria records 1638 new local COVID-19 cases two deaths

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Mildura Hospital in regional Victoria has cancelled all non-urgent surgeries due to 60 staff going into isolation after a patient tested positive to COVID-19.

The patient spent two days in the regional hospital when they were discharged on Wednesday morning and tested positive to COVID-19 that evening.

Twenty patients who may have been exposed to the patient are also isolating.

Mildura Hospital is taking precautions after a patient tested positive to COVID.Credit:Carmel Zaccone

The hospital's chief executive Terry Welch told local radio the hospital was “under real pressure right now”.

“We’ve got cases popping up with no known origin, which is putting sweat on our brow,” Mr Welch said.

“We’ve had to do an enormous amount of work overnight to isolate staff and some patients, and make some real changes to our service profile for the next few days while we work through this matter.”

There were four new COVID-19 cases reported in Mildura on Thursday, taking the local government area’s total to nine active cases.

The NRL will officially expand its competition to include a 17th team, although the clubs are calling for a bigger share of the spoils after the game announced a $50 million surplus.

The Redcliffe Dolphins are expected to beat the Firehawks and Jets to become the next franchise in 2023 after broadcasters felt the inclusion will add value to their product.

Andrew Abdo and Peter V’landys have addressed the clubs on Thursday.Credit:NRL Photos

The clubs were told the cost of having an additional club would be $15 million per year, which would be offset by the $20 million a year that Foxtel were prepared to pay with an extra Brisbane team.

That would allow the 16 existing teams to receive additional funds in the future, allaying fears the size of the revenue pie would be sliced up thinner between them.

Read more here.

The Prime Minister’s press conference has finished with some questions about the AUKUS submarines deal, which has massively upset France since we won’t be buying $90 billion worth of boats off them any more.

Mr Morrison says the suggestion that in going down this path, Australia has excluded the participation of like-minded friends in the Indo-Pacific - such as France - is a misunderstanding.

Mr Morrison said French anger over the broken deal was inevitable.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

“France's presence and significance and influence in the Indo-Pacific isn't about a contract,” he said.

“It's about the fact they have an actual presence here in the Indo-Pacific. They have a long-standing commitment and work with Australia across a whole range of different issues."

Asked when he might finally talk to French President Emmanuel Macron, he says: “That time will come.”

“I'm looking forward to getting through what is a difficult period,” he says. “I acknowledge it's a difficult period - of course it is. There was no way that we could have taken this decision without it having and causing deep disappointment and hurt to France.”

Nevertheless, he insists it was the right decision to make for Australia’s interests. Earlier, he welcomed the news the French ambassador is on his way back to Canberra but said it was always going to happen.

Scott Morrison has some strong words for social media platforms, saying the lack of accountability around the enabling of hate speech and bullying is not on.

“Social media has become a coward’s palace,” he says. “People can go on there, not say who they are, destroy people's lives, and say the most foul and offensive things to people, and do so with impunity.

“Now that's not a free country where that happens. That's not right. They should have to identify who they are.

“The companies, if they're not going to say who they are, well, they're not a platform any more, they're a publisher. They're a publisher.”

Mr Morrison notes Australia has been a world leader in cracking down on social media whether on bullying and harassment, competition or paying taxes.

“We intend to set the pace. We value our free society. And in a free society, you can't be a coward and attack people and expect not to be held accountable for it,” he said.

Read more here.

On climate change, Mr Morrison indicates the government’s plan for cutting emissions is semi-imminent.

“We are working that through as a government over the next few weeks,” he says.

So far, it’s been a good faith process of negotiation within the government, he says.

In recent days, he’s been offered several suggestions for what Australia should be doing, including from the UK minister who is leading the upcoming UN climate change conference COP26.

“The targets will be set by Australians, the Australian cabinet, for Australian needs, and we'll make our Australian way,” Mr Morrison says.

“I don't propose to make any suggestions as to what other countries should be doing.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is celebrating NSW passing the 70 per cent double vaccinated threshold, saying it’s “the first major milestone for Australians to start getting their lives back”.

He gave a shoutout to the GPs and pharmacists who have been delivering vaccinations. In NSW, they have given two-thirds of the jabs that have gone into arms so far.

“On Monday, NSW will be able to begin the process of opening safely, and stay safely open. That's what is different this time,” he said from the Lodge in Canberra.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has hailed NSW exiting lockdown as a “major milestone”. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

“You can make your plans, you can make your bookings, going back to have certainty about what's happening weeks and months from now.

“I want this to be a sign of hope to the rest of the country, particularly those in Victoria, who I'm mindful of today, and here in ACT, where the lockdowns continue.”

Mr Morrison said NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was still taking cautious measures and there were still medium-level public health measures in place, despite a slight easing of restrictions announced this morning.

“I think they’re moving in step with that advice [form the Doherty Institute modelling] and that’s clearly what they’re receiving from the chief health officer of NSW,” he says.

The Prime Minister also has a message for the states like Queensland and Western Australia where there haven’t been large outbreaks or lockdowns and vaccination rates are lagging. He says they won’t need to have the same experiences as NSW, Victoria and the ACT as long as vaccination rates keep rising.

“COVID will certainly come. There's no avoiding that. And everyone understands that. There's no part of the world where people don't understand that under the Delta strain it eventually comes,” he said.

“It's a lot harder in those states because there isn't the immediate urgency that we're seeing in the eastern states, because of the lockdowns - of course that's going to provide a greater motivation and incentive for people to get vaccinated.”

He singled out Tasmania, which hasn’t had a large outbreak but has among the best vaccination rates in the country.

The NSW branch of the Australian Medical Association has expressed concern about changes to the state’s reopening road map announced this morning, warning the government “cannot afford to act like COVID is over”.

This morning the Premier announced the number of fully vaccinated people allowed at household gatherings, weddings and funerals in NSW on Monday will be double what was initially promised under plans to ease restrictions when the state hit 70 per cent double-dose vaccination coverage of residents aged 16 and over.

The majority of school students will also return to classrooms a week earlier than expected, and regional workers in hospitality and gyms will be able to return to their jobs after receiving just one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, rather than the two originally required.

NSW AMA President Danielle McMullen warned “going too fast too soon undoes the work and sacrifices NSW residents have made to get to this point”.

“We can’t afford to act like COVID is over. It’s far from over and making wide-sweeping changes to the restrictions at this point could result in a spike in cases again,” she said.

“What we don’t want is to open up and be forced to go back into lockdown for Christmas.”

Dr McMullen, who told this masthead on the weekend the AMA had a “great working relationship” with former premier Gladys Berejiklian, said she wanted to see the state government’s history of making decisions based on health advice continue.

“Healthcare workers have been working tirelessly for months. Some haven’t been able to take leave in almost two years. If the hospitals are overwhelmed now we risk completely burning out the workforce, not to mention the impact it will have on both COVID and non-COVID care,” she said.

This morning, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard stressed that changes to the road map had been approved by the state’s public health team, although a NSW Health representative was not present at the press conference.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is addressing reporters in Canberra at 2pm (AEDT). Watch below:

If you're just joining us, here's a recap of the day's headlines:

The NSW Premier has further eased several restrictions for fully vaccinated people from Monday as the state exits lockdown after reaching the 70 per cent COVID vaccination target. Among the changes are doubling the number of attendees allowed at funerals and weddings, and increasing the limits on household visitors and outdoor gatherings. Most school students will also return to the classroom a week earlier than scheduled.

Victoria recorded 1638 local COVID cases and the state’s Acting Chief Health Officer said the Moderna vaccine is safe despite Sweden and Denmark pausing the vaccine for younger people. The state is considering rapid antigen testing for hospital and aged care visitors.

Queensland is allowing residents stranded in NSW and Victoria to return to the state and quarantine at home, as health authorities spruik the vaccine in regional Queensland where rates remain well below the state and national average.

ABC news boss Gaven Morris has announced he will leave the national broadcaster at the end of his contract.

ABC news and investigations boss Gaven Morris has announced he will leave the national broadcaster when his contract expires.

Mr Morris, who began as a reporter at the ABC in his early 20s, has led the news division since 2015.

"To have had the opportunity to lead ABC News is a personal and career highlight," he said. "It's without doubt a challenging job, but also fulfilling and worthwhile. I've given it my all."

ABC director of news Gaven Morris.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

ABC managing director David Anderson said Mr Morris’ contribution to the broadcaster was enormous.

“As the very best leaders do, he has always led by example, with a huge work ethic, absolute integrity, fearless independence and a lot of courage,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Morris told staff on Thursday he would continue to work for the ABC as long as required to find a replacement.

Read more here.

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