Australia news LIVE: Vaccine mandate likely for Australian Open tennis stars, Shorten backs jabs for MPs

For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.

  • 1 of 1

Bill Shorten backs mandatory jabs for MPs

Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has thrown his support behind mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for all federal MPs, declaring “true leadership requires doing yourself what you ask others to do”.

He is the most senior MP from any of the major parties to back mandatory vaccination for federal MPs after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced more than 1 million workers in the state – including MPs, judges, faith leaders and personal trainers – had to get at least one jab in the next two weeks or be banned from their workplace.

Labor’s NDIS spokesman Bill Shorten is the most senior MP from any of the major parties to back mandatory vaccination for federal MPs.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

NSW has also introduced mandatory vaccination for workers in schools, aged care and healthcare, but the Victorian move goes much further.

Mr Shorten said if politicians were mandating vaccines for other people working in other sectors, “I don’t see how we [MPs] can be separate”.

“How do we ask nurses, disability carers, aged care workers to do this but not ourselves? We come into contact with people every day,” he said.

The federal government has indicated strong support for all eligible Australians to be vaccinated for COVID-19 but has, to date, shied away from broadly mandating vaccines – though it did back state moves to make vaccines mandatory for aged care workers, based on health advice.

Read more on this story here. 

No jab, no play mandate may sink Djokovic’s grand slam dream

Tennis chiefs resisted a looming vaccine mandate for the Australian Open, fearing it could deter vaccine-hesitant champion Novak Djokovic in his pursuit of a record-breaking 21st grand slam title.

The Andrews government’s sweeping vaccine requirement for authorised workers will not affect international cricket and tennis players, but The Age and the Herald confirmed it is probable a separate vaccine mandate will be required for tennis stars to play in Melbourne this summer.

Novak Djokovic with Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley at the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in February.Credit:Getty Images

The government’s move came after Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley spent months raising concerns about a mandate because of its potential to turn away of a group of top players who resist vaccination.

Mr Tiley has since become resigned to it and is cooperating with the government, according to four government and sports sources speaking anonymously to detail confidential negotiations.

Numerous top-line tennis stars, including world No.1 and nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic – who would in Melbourne have another attempt to win a record 21st major title – have expressed doubts about COVID-19 vaccines. Tennis tournaments across the globe are yet to mandate vaccination for players.

More on this story here. 

Today’s headlines at a glance

Welcome to today’s national news live blog for Sunday, October 3. Here’s what you need to know first up this morning.

  • A no jab, no play mandate for the Australian Open will likely require tennis stars to be vaccinated to play in Melbourne this summer. Tennis chiefs have resisted the move amid concerns it will stop some leading players, including world No.1 and nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, from attending.
  • Former Labor leader Bill Shorten has thrown his support behind mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for all federal MPs, the most senior MP from any of the major parties to do so after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a sweeping vaccine mandate for the state’s workers.
  • Victoria reported another daily record of 1488 COVID-19 cases yesterday, and it’s predicted it will be another month before the state’s infection numbers start plateauing.
  • As NSW continues to reel from Friday’s shock resignation of Premier Gladys Berejiklian amid an ICAC probe, Planning Minister Rob Stokes has thrown his hat in the ring and is expected to face off against Treasurer Dominic Perrottet – who has former PM John Howard’s public backing.
  • The NRL grand final is likely to go ahead at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium today, pending the COVID-19 infection numbers we hear from Queensland this morning. Yesterday there were just two new locally-acquired cases recorded, which bodes well.
  • Assuming it goes ahead, NSW health authorities are warning residents against holding gatherings for the grand final after the state reported another 813 cases and 10 deaths on Saturday.
  • Sydney will have its traditional New Year’s Eve family fireworks display at 9pm this year, after lord mayor Clover Moore backflipped following discussions with the NSW government.
  • 1 of 1

Most Viewed in National

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Boris Johnson says next James Bond 'has got to be a man'
Next post Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner Kiss In Matching Baseball Jerseys On Stage In Boston See Pic