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Australia live news: 70 people barred from first India repatriation flight; Morrison comments on Israel-Palestine conflict Australia live news: 70 people barred from first India repatriation flight; Morrison comments on Israel-Palestine conflict
(32 minutes later)
Follow the latest updatesFollow the latest updates
I just want to break up the news a little with this lovely photo gallery of Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan:
Two children and two adults have been critically injured in a crash on the Warrego highway north-west of Toowoomba, according to the ABC.
Police said a bus carrying 17 children crashed into a car around 10km from Wallumbilla, in southern Queensland, this afternoon.
The two adults were trapped in the car and emergency crews had to cut a door and the roof of the car to get to them.
So, it’s been a pretty hectic Friday evening, with Labor senator Penny Wong now lashing the PM for his “lies” on the Middle East.So, it’s been a pretty hectic Friday evening, with Labor senator Penny Wong now lashing the PM for his “lies” on the Middle East.
In a statement, Wong points out that Morrison, speaking at a Liberal party event today, said: In a statement, Wong points out that Scott Morrison, speaking at a Liberal party event today, said:
But Wong points out the Labor has held the same position, having released a statement as recently as yesterday outlining it:But Wong points out the Labor has held the same position, having released a statement as recently as yesterday outlining it:
Wong slams the PM for “lying about long-standing bipartisan foreign policy positions.” Wong slams the PM for “lying about long-standing bipartisan foreign policy positions”.
Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys has lost his defamation case against the ABC over a report on the slaughter of retired racehorses. Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys has lost his defamation case against the ABC over a report on the slaughter of retired racehorses.
V’landys claimed the ABC’s 7.30 program dubbed The Final Race, broadcast in October 2019 had conveyed four defamatory meanings about him. V’landys claimed the ABC’s 7.30 program titled The Final Race, broadcast in October 2019, had conveyed four defamatory meanings about him.
The report featured graphic footage of retired racehorses being slaughtered at Queensland abattoir Meramis. The report featured graphic footage of retired racehorses being slaughtered at the Queensland abattoir Meramis.
The four claimed meanings included that he “callously permitted the wholesale slaughter of thoroughbred horses” and “dishonestly asserted that no racehorses were sent to knackeries for slaughter in NSW”.The four claimed meanings included that he “callously permitted the wholesale slaughter of thoroughbred horses” and “dishonestly asserted that no racehorses were sent to knackeries for slaughter in NSW”.
But in the federal court on Friday, justice Michael Wigney concluded the program did not convey those meanings although it did not portray Vlandys in a positive light. But in the federal court on Friday, Justice Michael Wigney concluded the program did not convey those meanings, although it did not portray Vlandys in a positive light.
The judge said:
V’landys was ordered to pay the broadcaster’s legal costs.V’landys was ordered to pay the broadcaster’s legal costs.
Amnesty International has slammed the Morrison government for their organising of the repatriation flight to India, after it was revealed the flight had a high positive Covid test rate.Amnesty International has slammed the Morrison government for their organising of the repatriation flight to India, after it was revealed the flight had a high positive Covid test rate.
Amnesty International campaigner Joel MacKay called the attempt to bring vulnerable people in India back home “lazy policy-making.”Amnesty International campaigner Joel MacKay called the attempt to bring vulnerable people in India back home “lazy policy-making.”
The organisation called for the government to book extra repatriation flights and to expand the national quarantine facility, support the states and territories to expand the hotel quarantine program, and support the Trips waiver proposal that will see Covid-19 vaccines distributed to developing nations faster.The organisation called for the government to book extra repatriation flights and to expand the national quarantine facility, support the states and territories to expand the hotel quarantine program, and support the Trips waiver proposal that will see Covid-19 vaccines distributed to developing nations faster.
Just a bit more on NSW Labor MLC Penny Sharpe’s reasons for resigning from the shadow Labor ministry over the mandatory disease testing bill.Just a bit more on NSW Labor MLC Penny Sharpe’s reasons for resigning from the shadow Labor ministry over the mandatory disease testing bill.
In her speech on the legislation, she said the bill would give frontline workers the wrong signal that they are at significant risk of being infected with HIV, or hepatitis B or C if they are spat on or come into contact with other bodily fluids.In her speech on the legislation, she said the bill would give frontline workers the wrong signal that they are at significant risk of being infected with HIV, or hepatitis B or C if they are spat on or come into contact with other bodily fluids.
She said:She said:
Those who will be forced to have blood taken from them will be among the most vulnerable in the community, she said:Those who will be forced to have blood taken from them will be among the most vulnerable in the community, she said:
Australian neo-Nazi Tom Sewell has been arrested by counter-terrorism police in Melbourne today, over an alleged armed robbery earlier this month.Australian neo-Nazi Tom Sewell has been arrested by counter-terrorism police in Melbourne today, over an alleged armed robbery earlier this month.
Two men – 28-year-old Sewell and another 22-year-old – were arrested by counter-terror police, who also executed search warrants in Eildon Parade, Rowville.Two men – 28-year-old Sewell and another 22-year-old – were arrested by counter-terror police, who also executed search warrants in Eildon Parade, Rowville.
You can read more on the story from Michael McGowan here:You can read more on the story from Michael McGowan here:
The meeting between some of the stranded Australians and Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong and Michelle Rowland has ended. It was organised by Turbans for Australia, a group which is trying to raise the plight of the Australian-Indian diaspora who have been left without a way home and in a lot of cases, answers on how they can get home.The meeting between some of the stranded Australians and Anthony Albanese, Penny Wong and Michelle Rowland has ended. It was organised by Turbans for Australia, a group which is trying to raise the plight of the Australian-Indian diaspora who have been left without a way home and in a lot of cases, answers on how they can get home.
There was no resolution – there can’t be. It’s up to the government to change the policy, and right now, with a lack of adequate quarantine facilities, and a slow vaccine rollout, that is not going to happen. Albanese thanked the group for their time and their “contribution in making up modern Australia” and said it will take “passion and determination” to try and bring about change.There was no resolution – there can’t be. It’s up to the government to change the policy, and right now, with a lack of adequate quarantine facilities, and a slow vaccine rollout, that is not going to happen. Albanese thanked the group for their time and their “contribution in making up modern Australia” and said it will take “passion and determination” to try and bring about change.
The issues will be raised in Senate estimates. There are not a lot of other answers to this – we don’t currently have a vaccination plan for Australians who are in India but they can’t get on a repatriation flight if they test positive for Covid – and in India, the number of infections is still growing daily. They don’t know what any of this will mean for their visas – are they still eligible to return to Australia given the amount of time they have spent overseas, and will their visas have been paused for the time they have been stuck in India, or is that it? Students don’t know when they can return to study, parents don’t know when they can be reunited with their children, and we don’t know yet how we are going to get unaccompanied minors home – let alone everyone else in that 9,000 strong cohort.The issues will be raised in Senate estimates. There are not a lot of other answers to this – we don’t currently have a vaccination plan for Australians who are in India but they can’t get on a repatriation flight if they test positive for Covid – and in India, the number of infections is still growing daily. They don’t know what any of this will mean for their visas – are they still eligible to return to Australia given the amount of time they have spent overseas, and will their visas have been paused for the time they have been stuck in India, or is that it? Students don’t know when they can return to study, parents don’t know when they can be reunited with their children, and we don’t know yet how we are going to get unaccompanied minors home – let alone everyone else in that 9,000 strong cohort.
There’s not a lot of answers, but there is an increasing amount of desperation.There’s not a lot of answers, but there is an increasing amount of desperation.
Labor is not able to offer a lot of answers to these stranded Australians participating in this Zoom meeting – which Michelle Rowland is very up front about.Labor is not able to offer a lot of answers to these stranded Australians participating in this Zoom meeting – which Michelle Rowland is very up front about.
For Australians stranded in India, they do not know what is happening to their visa status – no one can tell them. They will not be vaccinated by the Australian government, and don’t know if they receive private vaccinations using the vaccines India is using, whether that will count in Australia. Those who are lucky enough to qualify for a loan from the department of foreign affairs are only able to access $2,000 – getting home will cost $6,000 at least. Minors need a direct relative to take them home – and there are about 173 who are unaccompanied in India. So how do you get them home?For Australians stranded in India, they do not know what is happening to their visa status – no one can tell them. They will not be vaccinated by the Australian government, and don’t know if they receive private vaccinations using the vaccines India is using, whether that will count in Australia. Those who are lucky enough to qualify for a loan from the department of foreign affairs are only able to access $2,000 – getting home will cost $6,000 at least. Minors need a direct relative to take them home – and there are about 173 who are unaccompanied in India. So how do you get them home?
Penny Wong has said Labor will raise these questions in estimates. This group has met with Alex Hawke previously though – and don’t feel confident they will get any more answers.Penny Wong has said Labor will raise these questions in estimates. This group has met with Alex Hawke previously though – and don’t feel confident they will get any more answers.
So, Marise Payne and Greg Hunt have just released a statement on the return of Australians from India, saying a plane has just departed Sydney to pick up passengers from New Delhi.So, Marise Payne and Greg Hunt have just released a statement on the return of Australians from India, saying a plane has just departed Sydney to pick up passengers from New Delhi.
The statement also says the flight will carry “life-saving oxygen equipment” to India, as part of Australia’s support for the country.The statement also says the flight will carry “life-saving oxygen equipment” to India, as part of Australia’s support for the country.
Payne said:Payne said:
According to the statement, the flight will be the second to carry essential medical supples to India, under the Morrison government’s $37.1m support package.According to the statement, the flight will be the second to carry essential medical supples to India, under the Morrison government’s $37.1m support package.
Incidents of family violence have jumped in Victoria, as the state emerged from its Covid lockdowns.
AAP has the story:
A Zoom meeting between Australians stranded in India and surrounding countries and Anthony Albanese, Michelle Rowland and Penny Wong has begun.
More than 50 Australians are telling their stories. Most returned to care for family, or to meet their visa requirements, and have been stranded, in a lot of cases, since March. The ban on returning citizens has made accessing a way home even harder. One, a 14-year-old boy who is in India with his mother, has just been told his Australian school will no longer be offering online schooling, meaning he is falling behind. His father has been trying to organise the return of his family for more than a year.
So far, Labor can not offer any answers. Albanese has told the meeting that it is a “fundamental principle” that Australians should have access to their own country.
Thanks Josh, and the rest of the team for guiding us through the day’s news.
I will have the blog for the rest of the evening, and there is still much to get through so let’s get stuck in.
And with that, I will hand over to my colleague, Mostafa Rachwani, to take you through the evening.
NSW Labor’s shadow minister for family and community services, Penny Sharpe has resigned from the shadow ministry because she will not vote in favour of the state government’s mandatory disease testing legislation.
The legislation will require anyone who assaults a frontline worker to be subjected to a mandatory blood test for HIV and hepatitis B and C.
Labor will support the legislation, but Sharpe said she would abstain, meaning she will need to resign “with great sadness” from her roles, but would remain in parliament.
She said that experience meant she could not support the bill.
Barry O’Farrell says he has asked the government to look at what can be done to ensure the flights can be full in the future if others test positive. Say for example, a standby system. He didn’t say it in those words, but I think that was what he was getting at.
Australia’s high commissioner in India, Barry O’Farrell, is on ABC being asked about the news that nearly half of those who were due to come back to Australia on the first repatriation flight since the travel ban will no longer be able to travel due to either testing positive for Covid-19, or being a close contact of someone who has.
He says 10,000 have registered to come home.
On the issue of unaccompanied children in India trying to get back to Australia, he says the difficulty is getting airlines to accept unaccompanied children coming back, and secondly needing an adult to quarantine with them on their return to Australia.
He said:
The plane bringing Australians back from India was sent over this morning with more medical supplies.
Guardian Australia has now confirmed that of the 150 vulnerable Australians booked to take the first repatriation flight home from India when the travel ban expires, more than 40 have tested positive to Covid-19. The number who will be unable to fly rises to more than 70 when you factor in the close contacts of those who have tested positive.
The flight is due to leave Delhi after midnight and travel to the Northern Territory where repatriated Australians will quarantine at the Howard Springs facility.
These numbers come from the first Covid test, which is administered 48 hours before flying. There is a second test administered eight hours before flying (later this afternoon), meaning it’s possible that more than 70 people will be barred from the flight.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to substitute other Australians onto the flight at short notice because of the strict processes to prepare for the repatriation flights (to gather at a hotel for a period and test negative before flying).
There are 9,500 Australians stranded in India, 950 of who are classed as vulnerable and 173 of who are unaccompanied minors.
Here’s some more detail on how the contact tracing for the latest Covid case in Victoria is going via the daily department press release:
41 patrons and staff who attended the Curry Vault CBD exposure site are currently identified as primary close contacts. All have returned negative test results.
17 people who attended the Pact Altona North exposure site are currently identified as primary close contacts, and 14 negative test results have so far been returned.
31 people who attended the Indiagate Epping exposure site are currently identified as primary close contacts. All have returned negative test results.
60 people who attended the Woolworths Epping exposure site are currently identified as primary close contacts, and 49 negative test results have so far been returned.