Australia

Rugby League World Cup: Australia and New Zealand pull out of tournament

The men's, women's and wheelchair events are scheduled to take place in England this autumn.

New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) chief Greg Peters said it was "simply too unsafe" to take part.

Rugby Football League (RFL) chairman Simon Johnson called it a "selfish, parochial and cowardly decision".

"Rugby League World Cup organisers have bent over backwards to offer every assurance to the Australians and the Kiwis," Johnson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"We are very unhappy with this decision and we are not prepared to take it lying down."

Anger as half of Australians in lockdown again

A third state went into lockdown on Tuesday. Stay-at-home orders are now in place in South Australia, Victoria and parts of New South Wales.

Many people have expressed frustration at being back in highly policed lockdowns 18 months into the pandemic.

And re-openings in the UK and the US have put pressure on the government.

Fewer than 14% of people are vaccinated - the worst rating among OECD nations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been heavily criticised over the slow vaccination rate, but has resisted calls to apologise.

Vanuatu to export plastic bottles to Australia for recycling

Vanuatu Environmental Science Society and RecycleCorp hosted an event at the RecycleCorp yard to commemorate the milestone achievement.

 Dr. Christina Shaw, Director of VESS said “this is true bottle to bottle recycling, and it is our first foray into creating a circular economy for plastics”.

Katie Hopkins deported from Australia over quarantine rules

Ms Hopkins - who has often drawn anger for racist remarks - had entered the country to star in the reality TV show Big Brother Australia.

On Friday she posted a video from her Sydney hotel room where she joked about putting frontline staff at risk.

Her comments sparked widespread anger.

In the video, Ms Hopkins said she planned to "lie in wait" for workers to deliver food to her room so she could open the door "naked with no face mask".

Ni-Vanuatu Police Officer nominated to undertake New Entry Officers’ Course in Australia

The 22-year-old joined the VMF Recruit in 2019 at the age of 20.

After recruitment, she was posted to the Police Maritime Wing as a sailor.

Vocor was nominated to undertake the NEOC for approximately 5 months at the HMAS Creswell in Australia to benefit the VPF Maritime Wing.

The NEOC teaches the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be an effective junior naval officer. It covers naval leadership, requiring team member and team leader qualities.

NSW records 111 new Covid-19 cases, 1 death

It's the second highest number of daily new infections since the outbreak began on June 16, prompting Premier Gladys Berejiklian to announce sweeping changes to the stay-at-home orders affecting Greater Sydney and its surrounds.

From 11.59pm today, people who live in the local government areas (LGA) of Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool will not be allowed to leave those areas for work.

There are several other major changes being made to the lockdowns affecting Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.

Melbourne to enter snap lockdown from tonight

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said there are now 18 cases in the state.

"We have 75 exposure sites, 1500 primary close contacts and 5000 secondary close contacts," Andrews said.

"I want to assure all Victorians that our contact tracers and public health experts, all the team are moving faster than they ever have, doing a brilliant job. I am very proud of them and grateful. As fast as they are moving, they are keeping pace with this virus, not getting in front. Unless we get in front, we won't drive these numbers down stop they will ultimately get away from us."

Vanuatu Mobile Force Officers complete career courses in Australia

Captain David Kaloris attended the All Corps Captain’s Course and Sergeant Romiti Usa Moli completed the Subject One for Sergeant Course.

Captain Kaloris said the course was very challenging but enjoyable, especially, when having to interact with a wide variety of experienced officers from diverse military backgrounds. 

The course included members from various units throughout the Australian Defence Force and regional partners such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji and Tonga.

New South Wales confirms first Covid-related death in 10 months

The authorities said a woman, in her 90s, died in Sydney. She had contracted the virus in a family setting.

New South Wales reported 77 new cases on Sunday. There are now 52 people in hospital, with 15 in intensive care.

Sydney is currently in lockdown, as Australia's largest city fights to contain the highly transmissible Delta strain of the virus.

The reported death is the state's 57th and the first in 10 months.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that the number of new daily infections would rise further on Monday.

Ex-Australia MP alleges inappropriate touching by minister

Ms Banks, who made the allegation in a memoir, said the male MP moved his hand up her leg during a parliamentary vote session before moving away.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison's office said in a statement they weren't previously aware of the allegation.

Behaviour of such kind was "completely inappropriate," they said.

In an excerpt from her memoir, Ms Banks did not identify the man, who she said was still in cabinet.