Australia Covid news live update: Queensland braces for local cases as Melbourne awakens to eased restrictions

So, NSW Environment minister Matt Kean was on RN Breakfast this morning, discussing the state Coalition’s announcement that they will halve the state’s emissions by 2030.

But Kean also blasted federal National Matt Canavan, who said coal prices were at record levels, which he though should kickstart mining expansion.

Kean was not having it:

It’s great that Matt Canavan is selling Kodak cameras but it doesn’t count for much when the iPhone is coming. The reality is, the world is changing rapidly.

We need a net-zero commitment by 2050 at least by the Federal Government and we should have more ambitious targets in line with what the states and territories are doing for 2030, as well.

Kean said NSW’s plan will be underpinned by a shift from coal to renewable energy, as well as an electric vehicle strategy (finally) and a fund to help the industry transition.

We don’t think it’s a choice between protecting our environment and growing our economy here in NSW. We think we can do both and projections suggest that’s exactly what’s happening.

It will not only set our state up for success in the areas of industry, electricity and electric vehicles but it will also support agriculture. It’s in line with what Meat and Livestock Australia has said is needed for agriculture.

The renewable energy zones that we’ve legislated here in NSW are forecast to attract around $32 billion worth of private sector investment over the next decade and majority of that funding will go into rural and regional NSW.

Kean was asked about what it took to convince his colleages from the Nationals to join the plan, keeping in mind the federal nationals protestations at the idea. Kean said it was “quite easy”, actually:

“There is no greater champion for growing prosperity of the bush than John Barilaro which is why he supported renewable energy zones and why he’s supporting this commitment.”

Sources have told Elias Visontay that it would be “naive” to expect pre-pandemic levels of travel by Christmas.

Foreign airlines have said international tourism is unlikely to resume by the end of the year due to too much uncertainty around quarantine requirements and vaccine passports, with a source saying the PM’s timetable was “naive.”

According to that same source, even when international flights resume, they would operate at a “fraction of pre-pandemic levels” due to home quarantine requirements.

You can read more on the story here:

Two men have been charged with entering Western Australia illegally, to attend the AFL grand Final over the weekend.

The pair were taken into custody yesterday, after WA police made a public plea to help find them.

One of the men had posted a photo on his instagram account alongside player Alex Neal-Bullen inside the Demon’s locker room, celebrating and drinking with the players.

The men had allegedly entered WA via Darwin using false documents, where they had claimed to have been in the Northern Territory during the preceding 14 days.

An anonymous tip-off led police to suspect the men had lied on their documents and had been in Melbourne just 11 days earlier.

Both men were tested once they were taken into custody, with one of them returning an inconclusive result. The other tested negative.

They were charged with three counts of failing to comply with a directive and were refused bail. They are set to appear in the Perth magistrates court later today.

Good morning, Mostafa Rachwani with you to take you through the morning’s headlines.

We begin in Queensland, where health authorities have warned that the next 48 hours will be critical in containing the state’s latest outbreak. Four cases were reported yesterday (with two press conferences), including in an aviation worker and his wife, a truck driver and a woman who had recently left quarantine.

The cases have created uncertainty around the NRL grand final, due to be held in Brisbane on Sunday.

Melbourne today wakes up with slightly eased restrictions, after the state hit the 80% first-dose vaccination mark, with some outdoor activities and gatherings allowed, with the 10km radius now extended to 15km. It comes after the state recorded its worst ever day for cases yesterday, with 867 locally acquired cases recorded and the Latrobe Valley enters lockdown.

Elsewhere, federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg will today announce that disaster payments will be wound up once the a state or territory reaches 80% double-dose vaccination. It comes after the government has paid more than $9bn in disaster payments but means if particular areas in those states go into lockdown, there will be no future disaster payments.

Focus will also be on the prime minister, Scott Morrison, today, and how he navigates the Coalition’s climate fault lines, especially after the NSW Coalition promised to cut the state’s emissions in half this decade.

And sticking with NSW, residents in Port Macquarie and Muswellbrook entered a week-long lockdown last night, just as Byron Bay and Tweed Heads have emerged from lockdown.

We will of course keep our eyes on the headlines in the lead up to the inevitable press conference crossover, usually at around 11am. Stay tuned.