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As it happened: 500,000 Pfizer doses to arrive from Singapore; NSW records 1164 new local COVID-19 cases, three deaths; Victoria records 76 new cases

Broede Carmody, Angus Thompson and Nick Bonyhady
Updated ,first published

Key Posts

Two Victorians die with COVID-19
Please Explain: Crisis in western NSW as COVID-19 hits Aboriginal communities
More than 150 people arrested over NSW anti-lockdown protests
Perth to host AFL Grand Final
Watch live: AFL boss speaks to the media
Watch live: WA Premier addresses the media
NSW Police arrest 135 people and issue at least 430 fines following statewide protests
Watch: NSW Police address the media
Mobile vaccination vans to be rolled out in parts of Victoria
Australia in vaccine swap deal with Singapore
Pinned post from 10.53pm on Aug 31, 2021
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Today’s headlines

By Angus Thompson

Thank you very much for following our rolling live coverage of the most important news from around the nation. It’s time to sign off now, but we’ll leave you with a recap of the headlines. The blog will be back again first thing tomorrow morning.

  • Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia’s vaccine rollout will be accelerated by a deal to swap doses with Singapore, with 500,000 Pfizer doses to be received in September and the same amount sent to the city-state in December.
  • Two women, one aged in her 40s and the other in her 60s, have died with COVID-19 in Victoria. The state recorded 76 new cases on Tuesday and will finalise a plan that includes what restrictions can be eased once certain case number thresholds are reached.
  • More than 150 people have been arrested in NSW following 79 statewide anti-lockdown protests, with almost 600 fines for public health breaches issued.
  • NSW reported 1164 new local coronavirus cases on Tuesday and three deaths as Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed two-thirds of the state’s adult population has received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
  • The AFL has announced that this year’s grand final will be played in Perth on Saturday, September 25. WA Premier Mark McGowan described it as “an historic moment for our state” though “tempered by the fact that our brothers and sisters in Victoria, are going through a very hard time”.
  • The ACT has recorded 13 new coronavirus cases overnight and each infectious person is passing on the virus to less than one new person on average, but the territory’s lockdown will be extended to September 17.

Latest Posts

New tier-1 exposure sites added in Shepparton and Melbourne

By

Victoria’s list of exposure sites is again heading towards 1000 after dozens were removed on Tuesday bringing the number down into the 900s. The number of sites had ballooned to 1030 late on Monday night.

The site of a transport and logistics company in regional Victoria has been declared a tier-1 or close contact exposure site as well as a glass company in Tullamarine, a law firm in Kilsyth, a Quality Hotel in Carlton and a company in Craigieburn.

Anyone who attended the sites listed below at these times has to get tested for COVID-19 and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of whether they receive a negative test result.

The tier-1 sites are

Two Victorians die with COVID-19

By Rachel Eddie

Two people, including a woman in her 40s, have died in their homes with COVID-19 in Victoria.

“Sadly, the Department has today been notified of the death of two Victorians diagnosed with COVID-19 – a female in her 60s from Hume and a female in her 40s from Darebin. They passed away at home,” the state’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton announced on Tuesday.

“We send our deepest condolences to the families and communities involved – and we will be working with them to give them the support and guidance they need over the coming days.”

The deaths are the first in Victoria since November 30 and will take the toll to 822. The deaths are expected to be added to Wednesday’s official numbers.

A Victoria Police spokesman said six officers were initially stood down after attending the Northcote home of the 49-year-old woman who died.

Please Explain: Crisis in western NSW as COVID-19 hits Aboriginal communities

By Bianca Hall

The situation facing the far-western NSW town of Wilcannia is dire.

As of Monday, 69 people in the town of 720 had tested positive for COVID-19, the highest transmission rate in the state.

Life in the predominantly Aboriginal community was already tough, with the average life expectancy for Aboriginal people there some 40 years less than non-Aboriginal Australians.

There have been food shortages, and people sleeping in tents to self-isolate.

Today on Please Explain, Gamilaroi man and Indigenous affairs reporter Cameron Gooley joins Bianca Hall to discuss the worsening outbreak among Aboriginal communities.

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More than 150 people arrested over NSW anti-lockdown protests

By Daniella White

With revised figures following our earlier posts over the NSW statewide protests, we can now say that more than 150 people have been arrested, with almost 600 fines for public health breaches issued.

NSW Police issued an update this afternoon about the 79 coordinated demonstrations across the state which were organised online.

A protestor gestures towards a police officer outside NSW Parliament House on Tuesday.Brook Mitchell

In a statement, police said 153 people were arrested, many of whom were released after officers could establish their identity to issue a fine.

Others were charged with a variety of offences including various breaches of the public health order, assaulting police, resisting arrest, refusing to comply with police direction, and failing to move on.

Melbourne’s rail operator hosted barbecue with close-contact in attendance

By Timna Jacks

Managers at Melbourne’s rail operator Metro Trains hosted a barbeque for under 10 train drivers at a depot in Melbourne’s south-east during lockdown earlier this month.

One driver who attended the barbeque at the Craigieburn depot was a tier 1 contact, but only became aware days later, and went into isolation. The driver tested negative to COVID-19 and the event did not result in any transmissions.

An empty Southern Cross Station in Melbourne during lockdown.Luis Ascui

Metro insists the barbeque held on August 13 to boost morale adhered to COVID-19 protocols. A spokesman said free snags were given out and drivers who were told to socially distance.

But two drivers from the depot disputed this, saying the event resulted in about eight drivers gathering around a barbeque for an extended period. Some drivers were concerned about the event and refused to attend.

NSW man accused of throwing pot plants at police during anti-lockdown protest charged

By Daniella White

A Sydney man accused of throwing pot plants at police during an anti-lockdown protest last month has been charged.

Police searched the 19-year-old’s unit in Queenscliff, in the Northern Beaches, on Tuesday morning, finding what they allege are prohibited drugs including LSD, ketamine, cannabis and magic mushrooms.

Mounted police were pelted with pot plants during last month’s protest.Brook Mitchell

It is alleged the man threw pot plants at mounted police officers during the unauthorised protest attended by thousands in Sydney CBD in July.

He was arrested and taken to Manly Police Station, where he was charged with riot, throwing a missile at a police officer, not complying with noticed direction, two counts of supplying a prohibited drug (indictable quantity) and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug.

He was refused bail to appear at Manly Local Court on Tuesday.

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Sydney school closes after COVID-19 case reported

By Daniella White

A school in Sydney’s north-west has been forced to shut after a member of the school community tested positive to COVID-19.

The NSW government said Ryde Public School would be closed on Wednesday to allow for cleaning and contact tracing.

All staff and students have been asked to self-isolate and follow the NSW Health advice.

“The NSW Department of Education will continue to work closely with NSW Health to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff is maintained,” a spokesman said.

WA Premier criticises Sydney ‘mindset’ in border debate

By Angus Thompson

Back to the WA Premier’s press conference, in which he launched into a scathing attack about the “mindset in Sydney” following commentary about the different border approaches between states.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian spoke earlier of her hope of reopening international borders so that residents may be reunited with family members overseas by Christmas.

WA Premier Mark McGowan.Peter de Kruijff

Asked if she would go it alone to reopen its borders to international travel when her state hits 80 per cent full vaccination, the Premier said she would be acting in line with the national cabinet agreement to open up in line with vaccination targets and she “hoped [other] premiers don’t back away from that plan”.

However, Mr McGowan said this afternoon that had previously spoken about reserving the right of adopting hard borders against states and territories affected by outbreaks.

Tasmanian Premier discharged from hospital

By Michaela Whitbourn

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein has been discharged from hospital and is in “very good spirits”, the acting premier says.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein.Sarah Rhodes

Mr Gutwein was admitted to hospital on Monday after becoming ill at his office.

Acting Premier Jeremy Rockcliff said “a series of tests have excluded any serious acute conditions and he was discharged from hospital yesterday afternoon”.

Mr Gutwein, who is not only the Premier but Treasurer, Minister for Climate Change and Minister for Tourism, is expected to take a few days off to rest before returning to work.

He delivered his eighth budget last week.

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