Category: Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Australia Moves Ukrainian Embassy Staff From Kyiv to Lviv

The Australian government has temporarily suspended the operations of its embassy in Kyiv and ordered the evacuation of remaining staff, citing a “deteriorating security situation” given the build up of Russian troops at the border with Ukraine. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday said his government has instructed the remaining three staff members at the…


Vic Rapid Antigen Testing Expanded to 3 to 5 Year Olds

The Victorian Labor Government has expanded the twice-weekly rapid antigen testing to children aged 3 to 5 at childcare centres as news comes of possible ceasing RATs after the first four weeks of the school term. The Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews announced that more than 1.6 million RATs will be delivered to childhood settings in…


Australia to Open Borders to International Tourists at the End of February

Fully vaccinated international tourists will be allowed to visit Australia from Feb. 21, following a near two-year lockout since the beginning of the pandemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement after a national security committee meeting of his Cabinet on Feb. 7. Since late 2021, entry in the country has been largely restricted to…


Prime Minister Has ‘Great Trust’ in Quiet Australians, Downplays Poor Polling Results

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is optimistic of his chances at the next federal election—which must be held before the end of May—while downplaying ongoing headlines and poor polling results regarding his government. In an address to the National Press Club on Feb. 1, the prime minister spruiked the government’s record on the economy, and…


Australian PM Touts COVID-19 Health Response, Economic Management in Election Pitch

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has used an address at the National Press Club in Canberra to outline the hits and misses of his government in what will be an election year. In discussing the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prime minister conceded that he did not “get everything right.” “I’ll take…


Australian Government Pledges Cash Handouts to Aged Care Workers

The Australian federal government is preparing to distribute bonus payments to aged care workers as the sector grapples with Omicron, a move that has renewed calls from the opposition and health care workers to increase the minimum wage in the sector. “The government is providing a further AU$209 million to support the aged care workforce…


Captain Cook Statue Vandalised in Australia Day Protests

Statues of Captain James Cook, the first British explorer to discover Australia, have been vandalised with red spray paint in an act of protest on the eve of the country’s national day, Australia Day. The statue of James Cook, a British explorer who chartered the Eastern Coast of Australia and claimed the land for Great Britain…


Australian Federal Police Launch Investigation Into RATs Price Gouging

The Australian Federal Police has launched an investigation into rapid antigen test (RAT) price gouging and has warned that individuals and businesses selling COVID-19 tests for more than 20 percent of the original retail purchase rate will face five years’ imprisonment or a $66,000 fine. AFP Assistant Commissioner Crime Command Nigel Ryan said there would be…


National Cabinet Fails to Agree on Consistent Plan for Reopening Schools

Each of Australia’s states and territories will follow their own back-to-plans rather than a nationally-consistent approach that Prime Minister Scott Morrison had sought prior to the National Cabinet meeting on Thursday. “Operational plans for the return to schools will be being announced individually by each jurisdiction over the course of the next few days and…


Australian MP Says Opposition Want Him Silenced for Challenging ‘Pandemic Orthodoxy’

Australian MP George Christensen has hit out at the Labor Party after its deputy opposition leader called for him to be punished for his views on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. “Labor are now calling for my removal from parliament for daring to challenge the pandemic orthodoxy,” Christensen wrote on Facebook on Thursday. “Think about it: they…