Australia news live update: Nine deaths, 1,750 Covid cases in Vic as Melbourne emerges from lockdown; 332 cases, two deaths in NSW | Australia news

Kidd says Australians should take the extra shot when they can get it:

“If boosters become available, present for a booster dose when it’s your time.”

Kidd says there is a risk of breakthrough infections if the levels of antibodies fall in the community.

He also flags that in the future Australians may be able to take different vaccines.

Australia’s booster program can now start for those over 12 who are immunocompromised.

It will then target high-risk groups such as healthcare workers.

Kidd says the government has no idea when Novavax will become available as “we are still waiting for it to get assessed.”

He says people should not wait, and we know there will be more community transmission as lockdowns are lifted.

“Pease do not wait for other vaccines, please get vaccinated now.”

Leaving WA now to jump over to the Australian deputy chief medical officer Professor Michael Kidd who is giving a Covid update.

He says there are 10,000 vaccination sites across Australia and that Australia is now one of the most vaccinated countries in the world.

He says if booster shots are approved we will be one of the first countries to commence the rollout.

Cook said the WA community have managed the pandemic well but he cannot say what will happen in the future.

“I cannot provide you certainty about the future,” he said.

Cook has refused to be drawn into when the border may be open, or what restrictions will be eased and when.

“I understand the temptation to bring good news forward and keep people looking into the future but the premier and I have always had one aim, and that is to keep WA safe,” he said.

“Once we get those vaccination levels up then we’ll be in a position to make more announcements about the future.”

Premier Mark McGowan has previously stood firm on not lifting hard border measures until next year

Cook says more than 60 per cent of West Australians have been fully vaccinated.

WA health minister Roger Cook is speaking about vaccine hesitancy across the state.

He has some strong words of warning to anti-vaxxers about the mandates.

“Stop the hysteria, stop this ridiculous behaviour and accept the science,” he said.

“We know there are some cowards who hide on social media … but our resolve is absolute. We will continue to provide strong leadership for Western Australia as we get everyone vaccinated.

“Our mission is to make sure we can get everyone vaccinated.”

Let’s go across the ditch, where they have recorded 140 cases of Covid.

The ministry of health said there were two new border cases and more than 44,000 vaccines administered on Friday.

There are now 55 people in hospital and of those, the average age is 43.

There are 2,403 close contacts.

We are expecting deputy chief medical officer Professor Michael Kidd to provide a Covid update at 2:00pm AEDT.

For those in other timezones of our vast country, that will 1:30pm CST and 11:00am WST for you.

And we have an update on the Alec Baldwin situation …

Alec Baldwin was handed a loaded weapon by an assistant director who indicated it was safe to use in the moments before the actor fatally shot a cinematographer, court records released on Friday show, the AP reports.

The assistant director did not know the prop gun was loaded with live rounds, according to a search warrant filed in a Santa Fe court.

The cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, was shot in the chest. The director, Joel Souza, who was standing behind her, was wounded, the records show.

A group of South Australian cricket players are in trouble after allegedly having a boogie in a nightclub.

The group of players were evicted from an Adelaide nightclub and have been referred to Cricket Australia for alleged Covid-19 rule breaches, AAP has reported.

Under SA’s Covid-19 regulations, dancing is banned in licensed venues.

The players allegedly refused orders from the nightclub’s security staff to stop dancing and reportedly were verbally abusive to staff.

Police evicted the 10 Redbacks from the Cry Baby nightspot in Adelaide’s central business district about 12.30am on Tuesday.

The South Australian Cricket Association said on Saturday it would not take any action, but handed over the matter under CA’s Covid-19 management framework.

SACA has also spoken to the whole team about player behaviour.

“SACA has not received a complaint from any party and the investigation into the matter has not found evidence for most of the allegations,” the association said in its statement.

“However, in relation to Covid-19 dancing regulations it has made the decision to refer that matter to CA under the management framework, which makes all breaches reportable.”

The group of Redbacks players went to the nightclub after their drawn Sheffield Shield game against Queensland on Monday.