Drug regulator to begin batch-testing Covid-19 vaccine that arrived in Australia on Sunday. Follow all the latest news and updates, live
• Australia’s AstraZeneca vaccine rollout to start by 8 March
• Australian ‘myth-busting’ unit established to take on Covid misinformation
• Follow the global Covid liveblog
• Can Australia vaccinate the entire adult population by October?
12.10am GMT
The treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, is speaking in Devonport. In relation to allegations of rape and sexual assault involving politicians and staffers, he says everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Every Australian deserves that right. So, yes, there have been very serious matters raised across the parliament in recent weeks. This has been the subject of much commentary and attention.
But the focus has to be now on process. And we have seen a letter from the head of the Australian federal police and that letter, to the prime minister and subsequently made available to the parliament, again re-emphasises the need for these matters to be in the hands of authorities. They are the best people to be dealing with such matters.
It referred to a person on the other side of politics. It didn’t refer to their specific name. Those matters have been referred to the police. I think it’s really important here that we understand that people are entitled to the presumption of innocence. It doesn’t matter what political party they come from, doesn’t matter what business they work for, doesn’t matter their background, their race, religion, their ethnicity, they are entitled to the presumption of innocence. And this is Australia, after all.
12.06am GMT
NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday, the 43rd consecutive day without a locally acquired case.
Three new cases were acquired overseas.
More Stories
How to Have a Healthy and Safe Summer
Top Career Pathways into Nursing & Leadership
At a Bay Area ‘Test-to-Treat’ Site, Few Takers for Free Antivirals