20:38
Good morning, Mostafa Rachwani with you this morning after what was another wild sitting week in Parliament.
We begin in NSW, where the Omicron strain is continuing to spread after two new cases were identified yesterday afternoon, including a child, bringing the total number of cases of the new variant in the state to nine.
Urgent genomic testing is underway for the parents of the child, who also tested positive to the virus. The family had arrived in NSW on a flight from Doha on Thursday.
Western Australia has shut its borders to South Australia, after they recorded 18 new cases yesterday. Most of the cases were linked to a school reunion.
In Victoria, the new pandemic laws passed the state’s upper house, with the powers to be given to the premier and health minister in a fortnight.
Finally, the fallout in Canberra from Alan Tudge’s decision to step down pending a review of his conduct will continue. The decision came after Tudge’s former media adviser, Rachelle Miller, said yesterday the former education minister was emotionally and physically abusive.
We’re also expecting Labour to unveil new medium term emissions reductions targets, and a suite of new policies this morning, depending on the decisions of the shadow cabinet.
We’ll bring you updates on everything happening and everything in between as the day rolls on.