Good morning,
We’ve reached the weekend, which means – I hope – no more weird photo opportunities in hair dressers for prime ministers.
It’s Caitlin Cassidy, here to guide you through this morning’s news.
The deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, has apologised to Scott Morrison after the leaking of a text message in which he labelled the prime minister “a hypocrite and a liar”, sent before Joyce returned to the leadership of the National party
Joyce said: “In the last 24 hours I have become aware that a screenshot of a text message has been circulating among third-parties that contains comments I made in March 2021 when I was a backbencher.
“While the text message was supposed to be private, what I said in that message was wrong; and I have unreservedly apologised to the prime minister for my comments.”
Morrison said that he “accepted his apology in good faith”.
Firefighters in Western Australia are dealing with two emergency-level bushfires, forcing some residents in the state’s south to flee their homes.
Authorities on Friday upgraded the blaze in Nambeelup, about 70km south of Perth in the Peel region.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes,” WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services said.
Residents near the town of Denmark on WA’s south coast were earlier urged to flee an out-of-control bushfire that poses a threat to lives.
An emergency warning remains in place for parts of Shadforth, west of Denmark, with affected residents advised to leave immediately if the path is clear or prepare to shelter in their home.
Also on the agenda, once again, is Covid-19. Victoria recorded 36 Covid deaths yesterday, while New South Wales reported 31 Covid deaths.
It came as the prime minister reiterated his backing of WA premier Mark McGowan’s decision to keep the borders shut to domestic travellers over concerns the Omicron strain would overwhelm the health system of the relatively Covid-free state. Morrison denied his support had anything to do with the popularity of the border closure in the west.
And we’ll be keeping an eye on the nation’s capital today, where a protest is reportedly planned after anti-vaxxers yesterday camped outside the ACT National Library armed with megaphones and placards.
There will no doubt be much to get through today, so let’s dive in.