The day that was: Thursday 24 February
That is where we will leave the blog for today. Thanks for following along.
Here’s some of what you might have missed today:
- Prime minister Scott Morrison announced new sanctions on Russia, affecting 25 people, including military personnel and four entities involved in the sale of weapons.
- The PM earlier said the Russian ambassador had not yet been asked to leave. The PM also said Australia wasn’t considering providing “lethal military assistance” to Ukraine.
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Labor offered bipartisan support again, saying Australia must stand with allies to hold Russia to account.
- Queensland battened down amid fears heavy rainfall will reintensify and continue to pummel the south-east.
- Some 1,200 Victoria police officers and protective service officers have been working without proper authorisation for up to eight years due to a bungle.
- Billionaire businessman Clive Palmer was taken to a Queensland hospital.
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Qantas posted a $1.28bn pre-tax loss in its half-year financial results, as the airline blamed lockdowns in the second half of last year and the Omicron variant for hitting travel confidence at the end of 2020.
- Major construction company Probuild went into administration, putting at risk hundreds of jobs and also a series of major projects.
- NSW recorded 8,271 new Covid cases and 12 deaths; Victoria recorded 6,715 new cases and 16 deaths; Queensland recorded 6,094 new cases and 37 deaths; the ACT reported 661 new cases; WA reported 610 new cases; SA reported 1,735 new cases and three deaths; the NT reported 757 new cases and three deaths; and Tasmania reported 853 new cases.
Thanks for reading.
Updated
Restrictions are being eased in South Australia, where dancing and bigger sporting events will be allowed again.
The South Australian police commissioner and state emergency coordinator, Grant Stevens, announced the easing of the restrictions earlier today, which include:
- Hospitality venues with stand-up drinking will be allowed to host 50% capacity, with seated venues allowed to move to 75%.
- Venues with combined seating and standing can have up to 50% capacity.
- Private functions at hospitality venues can have 50% capacity of up to 150 people and stand-up drinking, singing and dancing will be allowed.
- Fully seated private functions can have 75% capacity.
- Capacity restrictions on seated outdoor events will be lifted.
All the new rules will come into effect at 12:01am on Saturday.
Stevens said that despite the rising case numbers, the state’s hospitalisation rates meant they could adjust the restrictions:
This does mean if we were to see a significant increase in cases that did put excessive pressure on the health system, we may have to reintroduce restrictions to keep on top of that.
Updated
