Shortfall warnings cancelled as units come back online – as it happened

The Liddell power station in NSW, where potential electricity supply shortfalls have been identified on Friday as Australia’s energy crisis continues. Photograph: Jonny Weeks/The Guardian

9.52am BST

What we learned – Thursday 16 June

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, goodbye.

We’re going to put this blog to bed now. Thanks all for your comments, correspondence, (and occasional condescension (you know who you are)).

Before I go, a summary of the major developments today:

• The immediate risk of electricity shortages across Australia has receded a little. The Australian Energy Market Operator says reserves have improved, but that it is still “too early to say” when market will return to normal;
• Australia recorded 73 Covid deaths, including a child aged under three in South Australia;
• But the country could see 15,000 Covid deaths in 2022, a level “way too high” according to a leading epidemiologist;
• Long-serving Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz was not re-elected to the Senate, ending a 28-year parliamentary career;
• Foreign minister Penny Wong says Australia has “ground to make up” in the Pacific region;
• The national jobless rate remained steady at 3.9%.

Updated at 10.05am BST

9.28am BST

Qantas has apologised to passengers after a flight delay left hundreds stranded at Dallas airport for 24 hours with many left to sleep on hard
flooring.

Updated at 9.41am BST