Australia news live updates: Albanese says ‘no Asio concerns’ over Labor candidates; Morrison ‘misled’ by MPs who crossed floor; Victoria’s ‘code brown’ to end

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9.53pm EST

21:53

Scott Morrison is meeting with Quad foreign ministers in Melbourne.

The prime minister began by specifically thanking US secretary of state Antony Blinken for making the longest trip of any foreign minister present “particularly with the other matters you’re dealing with at the moment”.

Morrison said:

We live in a very fragile, fragmented and contested world and that is no more accentuated that are here in our Indo-Pacific. And the like-minded partners we see gathered together in this Quad I always find so incredibly reassuring. I’m reassured by our perspective, I’m reassured by the understanding that is shared between each of us.

I’m reassured by the incredible, strong support that Australia has received by our Quad partners and I don’t just mean in a security context, I mean that in terms of our economic partnership and co-operation, I mean that in our humanitarian partnership, I mean that in terms of how each of us stands for a world order that favours freedom and particularly here in a free and open Indo-Pacific and I want to thank you for all of that.

He goes on:

The things we discuss today are principally how we’ll continue to always stand up for our values, that unites us most. I think in doing so we stand up to those who would seek to coerce us, and I understand from our Quad partners, none of you understand better than we do, and that is a great comfort to us, that the coercion and the pressure that Australia has been placed under, we greatly appreciate your support.

But we also share a vision for a strong economy, not just regional stability and security, and our engagement in this region of which we’re so passionate about, because that gives all nations in the region options and choices and opportunities. And enables their sovereignty to be strengthened and respected.

Updated
at 9.59pm EST

9.43pm EST

21:43

I will now pass you on to Elias Visontay who will be with you for the rest of the day.

9.38pm EST

21:38

Health minister Greg Hunt has slammed as “wildly inaccurate” reports of a federal cabinet blow-up on Monday.

The Australian reported late Thursday that Scott Morrison had been rolled in a cabinet meeting over a proposal to try to win over moderate MPs and save his religious discrimination bill by introducing a beefed-up version of the government’s integrity commission.

My colleagues Sarah Martin and Katharine Murphy reported that sources confirmed a discussion on such a proposal took place. Other media outlets have also confirmed the original reporting.

Asked at his press conference, Hunt – who is retiring ahead of the next election – shot down the reports:

It struck me, as somebody who was there, that it was utterly inaccurate in what was seen. I don’t believe it came from somebody who was there. I don’t care if somebody is off on the side with differing reports … the report is wildly inaccurate and would not have been given by anyone who was there.

Hunt described Morrison’s cabinet as “deeply united”.

Updated
at 9.42pm EST

9.24pm EST

21:24

The Novavax Covid vaccine is available for Australians to receive, with the first person in the country getting the jab today.

Health minister Greg Hunt, giving a press conference at a medical centre in Melbourne, said with the new availability of Novavax there were “no excuses for anybody” not to get a Covid jab – alluding to people who had chosen to wait for this vaccine.

Novavax uses a more traditional protein technology, rather than the cutting-edge mRNA base of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Some Australians who had resisted or declined taking the other vaccines on offer had claimed they were more willing to take Novavax due to the different underpinning medical technology.

Hunt said the government expected “hundreds of thousands” of people would take up Novavax and that “hopefully” the vaccine would be approved for booster shots.

There are those that, for their own personal circumstances, have awaited or been unable to take the other vaccines. This is a new choice. It’s a protein vaccine … a tried and tested vaccine platform.

Hunt said Novavax doses were being sent to 3,500 clinics nationwide, with bookings available from Monday.

Joining Hunt at the press conference was Angela Luttick, a woman who received Novavax today. She said she was a “virologist by training”, and had chosen to wait for Novavax over other vaccines:

I have preferred a traditional vaccine to be introduced into myself. I’m not anti-vax, I’m pro-choice, and this was my choice.

She also noted that she was co-owner of a company called 360biolabs, which she said had “supported the Novavax vaccine, we’ve done the specialty lab testing for the vaccine”.

The company had worked with Novavax on sample analysis for clinical trials of the vaccine in Australia.

In a statement, Novavax said it was conducting trials on both booster shots and a combined Covid-flu vaccine in Australia.

Updated
at 9.27pm EST

9.20pm EST

21:20

The Capital Region Farmers Market has cancelled its event which was due to go ahead in the ACT tomorrow due to safety concerns.

Over 80 stalls were set to appear.

The market has released a statement confirming with “great sadness” the event would not be going ahead as planned:

Due to the existing safety concerns onsite and logistics for customers attending the market the decision was made to cancel the market. It is a devastating result for our farmers and producers following on from the last two years. Please check back here for any updates as we share any information from stallholders on alternative arrangements for selling their produce.

Erhan Akincio runs Dilliro Vegetables. He was just sent an SMS notification informing him the market was cancelled and not to attend the showground due to safety concerns.

Akincio says protests in the ACT have “ruined” income for sellers:

What are we going to do with all our vegetables now? … our business, and [our] only income?

Markus 🎲
(@MarkusMannheim)

🚨 The farmers market at EPIC has been cancelled this weekend due to safety concerns. Statement incoming.

February 11, 2022

Updated
at 9.23pm EST

9.06pm EST

21:06

In WA, there is a hazmat incident at Timber Treaters in the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes.

Authorities say it was caused by bushfire damage to the treated timber on-site.

DFES
(@dfes_wa)

10:03 AM – HAZMAT Fire in HAZMAT incident in HESTER TOWNSITE in the SHIRE OF BRIDGETOWN-GREENBUSHES: https://t.co/ZSEIQCTb4B

February 11, 2022

Updated
at 9.10pm EST

9.01pm EST

21:01

Unprecedented price hikes put the squeeze on Iranian tenants | Economy News

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Rising costs may halt Brazil’s credit deconcentration process

NSW Labor general secretary Bob Nanva has released a statement in response to reports published in SMH and The Age alleging a Chinese spy ring attempted to bankroll candidates in the upcoming federal election in an attempt to get MPs elected to parliament.

Nanva says it is the “first time” NSW Labor has heard of such matters and no national security agency has ever raised the alleged matters with the NSW branch of Labor or parliamentary leadership.

Read the full statement here:

NSW Labor
(@NSWLabor)

A statement from NSW Labor General Secretary Bob Nanva in response to reports published today in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age: pic.twitter.com/rC9iLy8TpX

February 11, 2022

Updated
at 9.06pm EST

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