NSW and SA end Covid mask mandate on public transport – as it happened

Signage warning passengers to wear masks at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

9.40am BST

What we learned – Monday 19 September

We will leave our live blog for the day here.

Here’s some of what made the news today:

• South Australia will drop its mask mandate for public transport from tomorrow, while New South Wales will follow on Wednesday.

• The federal health minister, Mark Butler, has indicated some Covid rules will continue into 2023.

• The NSW rail union has indicated it has provided a new application to the Fair Work Commission which would see Opal machines switched off during ongoing industrial action if approved.

• The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has said he would be very comfortable with King Charles III continuing to express his strong views on the need for action on climate change.

• Origin Energy announced it would divest 100% of its interest in Beetaloo Basin.

• The NSW state emergency service conducted about 20 flood rescues through the New England region over the weekend.

That’s all from us until tomorrow.

If you’re following the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, you can find our UK colleagues providing the latest updates here.

Updated at 9.43am BST

9.23am BST

Rain in the morning but fire at night? Even though we had patchy rain over the weekend, it didn’t take long for these grasslands to dry out. Last night #NSWRFS crews attended a grass fire near Campbelltown. For more information on preparing your home visit https://t.co/3QyPI84ofT pic.twitter.com/E7ibIe8rWt

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 19, 2022