National news LIVE: Morrison government announces $1 billion in Great Barrier Reef spending; total COVID-19 cases continue to rise

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Key posts

  • Green light for boosters for Australians aged 16, 17
  • Morrison promises extra $1 billion to save the Great Barrier Reef
  • This morning’s headlines at a glance

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Green light for boosters for Australians aged 16, 17

Australia’s medicines regulator has granted provisional approval for Pfizer as a booster shot for older teenagers.

Under the changes announced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration this morning, Australians aged 16 and 17 will be able to get a third dose three to four months after their second jab.

A teenager receives their COVID-19 vaccine. Credit:AP

The decision comes after the US, the UK and Israel approved the use of a third dose for the same age group.

“The TGA continues to monitor ongoing trials associated with booster doses for younger children,” the regulator said in a statement.

Read the full announcement from the TGA here.

Morrison promises extra $1 billion to save the Great Barrier Reef

An extra $1 billion will be poured into saving the Great Barrier Reef from climate change and growing environmental threats as the federal government moves to protect tens of thousands of tourism jobs and bolster its green credentials in an election year.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce the largest single investment into the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem in Cairns today, investing in new programs and extending existing scientific work to protect the reef and its wildlife.

The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s natural treasures but it is at risk from climate change.Credit:Jason South

The reef remains at high risk of further destruction with climate change driving an increase in ocean and atmospheric temperatures, raising the risk of mass bleaching events. The internationally significant tourist destination, which supports 64,000 jobs and contributes $6.4 billion annually to the economy, suffered severe back-to-back bleaching that wiped out swathes of corals in 2016, 2017 and 2020.

Read the full story here.

NSW Premier puts funding pressure on Commonwealth

The Perrottet government has increased pressure on the Commonwealth to help rescue the NSW economy, citing the importance of unity as the state teams up with Victoria to develop a new JobSaver-style economic support package.

Just days away from handing down a business support package, the NSW Premier has warned the health of Australia’s two largest state economies will have far-reaching consequences as the country emerges from the pandemic.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison last year.Credit:Edwina Pickles

Dominic Perrottet says he is working closely with his Victorian counterparts to develop a response to the economic downturn brought on by the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

“As NSW and Victoria goes, so goes the nation. We’re facing similar challenges and sharing our solutions,” Mr Perrottet told this masthead.

“This isn’t just in the best interests of our states, it’s in the best interests of our country. Working with greater unity and not division is the best way to get us through to the other side and coming out stronger than before.”

Read more about this weekend’s support package here.

This morning’s headlines at a glance

Good morning and thanks for your company.

It’s Friday, January 28. I’m Broede Carmody and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.

Here’s what you need to know before we get started:

  • Prime Minister Scott Morrison is in Queensland today where he will formally announce $1 billion in new funding for the Great Barrier Reef. We’ll endeavour to bring you that press conference live.
  • NSW is advocating for more economic support from the federal government. NSW Premier Dominic Perrott says it’s in the national interest for his state (as well as Victoria) to bounce back after months of lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions, Tom Rabe and Lucy Cormack report.
  • Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is continuing his push for a third coronavirus shot to become mandatory in order to be considered fully vaccinated. However, there was no announcement from national cabinet yesterday and Mr Andrews says he’ll ultimately respect the decision of Australia’s vaccine experts. Victoria yesterday announced 13,755 cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths.
  • There are calls for a formal inquiry in Queensland following questions regarding the work and oversight of two of the state’s public sector watchdogs, Matt Dennien reports. Queensland yesterday reported 11,600 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths.
  • And in international news, Ukraine’s top diplomat in Australia is confident armed conflict with Russia can be avoided. Yesterday, the United States told Russia there would be no concessions on Moscow’s key demand that Ukraine never join NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation).

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