Grace Tame, who won the Australian of the Year 2021 award, said on Thursday that she was threatened by an activist against publically criticising Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

The child sexual abuse survivor recalled a "threatening phone call from a senior member of a government-funded organisation asking for my word that I wouldn't say anything damning about the prime minister" at a recent award ceremony.

Tame said the caller told her the prime minister "would have a fear... with an election coming soon".

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Tame has been critical of the prime minister's leadership over the past year. "It rots from the top," she said.

"Unless our leaders take full responsibility for their own failings, abuse culture will continue to thrive inside parliament, setting a corrupt standard for the rest of the nation."

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Scott conducting an investigation into who made the phone call is THE VERY SAME embedded structural silencing culture that drove the call in the first place and misses the point entirely
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Minister for families Anne Ruston said the government was looking into Tame's claim, adding that, if true, such a warning would be "completely unacceptable".&nbsp;

It comes a day after Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised in parliament for the treatment of women who had suffered sexual abuse.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-prime-minister-scott-morrison-apologises-to-victims-of-workplace-harassment-451475" hreflang="en">Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologises to victims of workplace harassment</a>

The apology by Morrison, who must hold an election by mid-May, came after he struggled last year to placate public anger amid several allegations of sexual abuse, discrimination against women and misconduct in parliament.

A review sparked by former government staffer Brittany Higgins going public with details of her alleged sexual assault in a ministerial office found half of parliamentary staff had experienced harassment, bullying or sexual assault.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-rally-at-australias-parliament-to-demand-justice-for-sexual-assault-victims-370478">Also read |&nbsp;Thousands rally at Australia's parliament to demand justice for sexual assault victims</a>

Higgins said she felt she had to make a choice between reporting her allegations to police or continuing her career. She quit her government job in January last year and reported her allegation to police.

Last year, police charged a 26-year-old man after an investigation into Higgins' case. He is due to face court later this year.

The parliamentary apology marked a rocky start to an election year for Morrison as anti-vaccination protesters gathered outside parliament and his conservative party faced ructions over a religious freedom bill.

His personal integrity has also come under attack from damaging leaks, including by Higgins, of historical text messages from state and Coalition partner leaders, including some labelling him a "liar". 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Grace Tame, who won the Australian of the Year 2021 award, said on Thursday that she was threatened by an activist against publically criticising Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Grace Tame, who won the Australian of the Year 2021 award, said on Thursday that she was threatened by an activist against publically criticising Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The child sexual abuse survivor recalled a "threatening phone call from a senior member of a government-funded organisation asking for my word that I wouldn't say anything damning about the prime minister" at a recent award ceremony. Tame said the caller told her the prime minister "would have a fear... with an election coming soon". Tame has been critical of the prime minister's leadership over the past year. "It rots from the top," she said. "Unless our leaders take full responsibility for their own failings, abuse culture will continue to thrive inside parliament, setting a corrupt standard for the rest of the nation." Scott conducting an investigation into who made the phone call is THE VERY SAME embedded structural silencing culture that drove the call in the first place and misses the point entirely — Grace Tame (@TamePunk) February 9, 2022 × Minister for families Anne Ruston said the government was looking into Tame's claim, adding that, if true, such a warning would be "completely unacceptable". It comes a day after Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised in parliament for the treatment of women who had suffered sexual abuse. Also read | Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologises to victims of workplace harassment The apology by Morrison, who must hold an election by mid-May, came after he struggled last year to placate public anger amid several allegations of sexual abuse, discrimination against women and misconduct in parliament. A review sparked by former government staffer Brittany Higgins going public with details of her alleged sexual assault in a ministerial office found half of parliamentary staff had experienced harassment, bullying or sexual assault. Also read | Thousands rally at Australia's parliament to demand justice for sexual assault victims Higgins said she felt she had to make a choice between reporting her allegations to police or continuing her career. She quit her government job in January last year and reported her allegation to police. Last year, police charged a 26-year-old man after an investigation into Higgins' case. He is due to face court later this year. The parliamentary apology marked a rocky start to an election year for Morrison as anti-vaccination protesters gathered outside parliament and his conservative party faced ructions over a religious freedom bill. His personal integrity has also come under attack from damaging leaks, including by Higgins, of historical text messages from state and Coalition partner leaders, including some labelling him a "liar". (With inputs from agencies)

Grace Tame accuses activist of threatening her over PM Scott Morrison's criticism

According to a poll, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's approval ratings has tumbled to an all-time low before elections. Morrison is facing criticism over his handling of Omicron outbreak.

Australia PM Scott Morrison's approval ratings tumble before elections

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised to former staffer Brittany Higgins in Parliament, who said she was raped by a male colleague in a minister's office in 2019.

Australian PM Scott Morrison apologises to Brittany Higgins in Parliament

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday issued an apology to victims of workplace harassment.

Addressing lawmakers, Morrison apologised directly to former staffer Brittany Higgins who said she was raped by a male colleague in a minister's office in 2019.

Higgins said she felt she had to make a choice between reporting her allegations to police or continuing her career.

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"I'm sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here," Morrison said describing a decades-long culture of abuse in the corridors of power.

"But I am sorry for far more than that -- for all of those who came before Ms Higgins and endured the same."

"Over many decades, an ecosystem, a culture, was perpetuated where bullying, abuse, harassment, and in some cases even violence, became normalised," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/politicians-no-longer-exempt-from-sexual-harassment-rules-says-australian-prime-minister-scott-morrison-375989">Also read |&nbsp;Politicians no longer exempt from sexual harassment rules, says Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison</a>

The apology marked a rocky start to an election year for Morrison and came as anti-vaccination protesters gathered outside parliament and his conservative party faced ructions over a religious freedom bill.

Higgins will speak Wednesday at the National Press Club alongside sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame, who was the 2021 Australian of the Year.

Tame dismissed the prime minister’s apology. "How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts?” she tweeted Tuesday.

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How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts?
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An election must be held by May, leaving few parliament sitting days before the federal budget is delivered in March, which is likely to trigger the start of the official campaign.

Morrison's personal integrity has been under attack with damaging leaks, including by Higgins, of historical text messages from state and Coalition partner leaders, including some labelling him a "liar".

Polls show Morrison has also been marked down by voters over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, the government announced Australia would open its borders to international travel on February 21, after two years, in a boost for business and tourism.

The defence force was also sent in to assist aged care homes struggling with staff shortages amid COVID-19.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday issued an apology to victims of workplace harassment. Addressing lawmakers, Morrison apologised directly to former staffer Brittany Higgins who said she was raped by a male colleague in a minister's office in 2019.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday issued an apology to victims of workplace harassment. Addressing lawmakers, Morrison apologised directly to former staffer Brittany Higgins who said she was raped by a male colleague in a minister's office in 2019. Higgins said she felt she had to make a choice between reporting her allegations to police or continuing her career. "I'm sorry to Ms Higgins for the terrible things that took place here," Morrison said describing a decades-long culture of abuse in the corridors of power. "But I am sorry for far more than that -- for all of those who came before Ms Higgins and endured the same." "Over many decades, an ecosystem, a culture, was perpetuated where bullying, abuse, harassment, and in some cases even violence, became normalised," he said. Also read | Politicians no longer exempt from sexual harassment rules, says Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison The apology marked a rocky start to an election year for Morrison and came as anti-vaccination protesters gathered outside parliament and his conservative party faced ructions over a religious freedom bill. Higgins will speak Wednesday at the National Press Club alongside sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame, who was the 2021 Australian of the Year. Tame dismissed the prime minister’s apology. "How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts?” she tweeted Tuesday. How about some proactive, preventative measures and not just these performative, last-minute bandaid electioneering stunts? — Grace Tame (@TamePunk) February 8, 2022 × An election must be held by May, leaving few parliament sitting days before the federal budget is delivered in March, which is likely to trigger the start of the official campaign. Morrison's personal integrity has been under attack with damaging leaks, including by Higgins, of historical text messages from state and Coalition partner leaders, including some labelling him a "liar". Polls show Morrison has also been marked down by voters over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. On Monday, the government announced Australia would open its borders to international travel on February 21, after two years, in a boost for business and tourism. The defence force was also sent in to assist aged care homes struggling with staff shortages amid COVID-19. (With inputs from agencies)

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologises to victims of workplace harassment

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the country will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists from February 21.

Australia to reopen its borders to double-vaccinated tourists from February 21

Australian deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has now publicly apologized to the Prime Minister Scott Morrison for having called him a hypocrite and a liar in a message that somehow got leaked.

Australian PM Scott Morrison accepts DY PM Barnaby Joyce's apology over 'hypocrite and liar' remark

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday that the reopening of the country's borders to international tourists may not be far away, adding that the parliament will debate the matter this week.

Australia, which shut its borders in March of 2020, has been going through a staggered reopening in recent months, allowing in only its citizens and residents, skilled migrants, international students and certain seasonal workers.

In January, Morrison said he hoped international borders could fully reopen before Easter.

His popularity has been sliding in recent months, however, in part reflecting questions about his handling of the Omicron outbreak, and he faces pressure from a federal election that must be called by May.

While the highly transmissible Omicron variant keeps spreading, hospitalisations and deaths have been stabilising, with News Corp newspapers over the weekend quoting unnamed sources as saying that&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;may reopen its borders within two or three weeks.

"We are looking forward to be able to make that decision to open up our borders and welcome visitors back to&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;again as soon as we safely and possibly can," Morrison said on Sunday. "But I really do not believe that that is far away."

The first 2022 sitting of the&nbsp;Australian parliament is to start on Monday and Morrison said that reopening borders to tourists will be addressed "very early on".

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said in an interview on the&nbsp;Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Insiders programme on Sunday that the government is "very close" to deciding.

Australia, which has nearly 95% of the eligible population aged 16 and over double-vaccinated against the coronavirus and nearly nine million people with more than two doses, requires all international travellers to be vaccinated or provide evidence of a medical vaccination exemption to enter the country.

As of midday on Sunday, the country's latest daily reports showed 43 coronavirus-related deaths: 28 in New South Wales state, nine in Queensland and six in Victoria.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday that the reopening of the country's borders to international tourists may not be far away, adding that the parliament will debate the matter this week.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday that the reopening of the country's borders to international tourists may not be far away, adding that the parliament will debate the matter this week. Australia, which shut its borders in March of 2020, has been going through a staggered reopening in recent months, allowing in only its citizens and residents, skilled migrants, international students and certain seasonal workers. In January, Morrison said he hoped international borders could fully reopen before Easter. His popularity has been sliding in recent months, however, in part reflecting questions about his handling of the Omicron outbreak, and he faces pressure from a federal election that must be called by May. While the highly transmissible Omicron variant keeps spreading, hospitalisations and deaths have been stabilising, with News Corp newspapers over the weekend quoting unnamed sources as saying that Australia may reopen its borders within two or three weeks. "We are looking forward to be able to make that decision to open up our borders and welcome visitors back to Australia again as soon as we safely and possibly can," Morrison said on Sunday. "But I really do not believe that that is far away." The first 2022 sitting of the Australian parliament is to start on Monday and Morrison said that reopening borders to tourists will be addressed "very early on". Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said in an interview on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Insiders programme on Sunday that the government is "very close" to deciding. Australia, which has nearly 95% of the eligible population aged 16 and over double-vaccinated against the coronavirus and nearly nine million people with more than two doses, requires all international travellers to be vaccinated or provide evidence of a medical vaccination exemption to enter the country. As of midday on Sunday, the country's latest daily reports showed 43 coronavirus-related deaths: 28 in New South Wales state, nine in Queensland and six in Victoria.

Australian PM Scott Morrison signals reopening borders to tourists 'not far away'

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has accused Scott Morrison of being a ''hypocrite and liar'' in leaked texts.

The conversation between Joyce and a former staffer of Morrison's Liberal Party who had alleged sexual assault by a fellow staffer has been leaked by Bloomberg.

It shows Joyce saying "Morrison is a hypocrite and a liar from my observations and that is over a long time."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/amid-djokovics-detention-controversy-aussie-pm-scott-morrison-turns-commentator-during-ashes-watch-442936">Also read |&nbsp;Amid Djokovic's detention controversy, Aussie PM Scott Morrison turns commentator during Ashes - WATCH</a>

Currently the junior partner in Morrison's coalition government, Joyce said last year that he had never trusted Morrison.

After Joyce's private conversation became public, he apologised and said, ''I should have never written the text that I did.''

"My view from the backbench about the prime minister was based on assumption and commentary, not from a one-on-one working relationship."

In response, Morrison said, "Relationships change over time. Politicians are human beings too. We all have our frailties and none of us are perfect."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-eye-on-china-australia-spends-35-billion-to-purchase-120-tanks-from-us-443994">Also read |&nbsp;With eye on China, Australia spends $3.5 billion to purchase 120 tanks from US</a>

The political commotion comes days after a controversy about an alleged exchange between senior Liberal Party members making derogatory remarks about Morrison.

Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese said that it was "untenable" for Joyce to continue as deputy prime minister.

"I couldn't care less that the Liberal Party members all don't like each," Albanese said at a briefing. "What I do care about is the consequences of a government that is dysfunctional."

Morrison's handling of the Omicron-driven coronavirus outbreak fuelled a backlash has adversely affected his approval ratings.

The Morrison government's support for coal and reluctance to tackle climate change has seen the party bleed support in major cities and prompted the emergence of a string of electoral challenges from climate-focused independents.&nbsp;

Morrison faces a tough election challenge from opposition leader Anthony Albanese, whose Labour Party has been leading the government coalition in some opinion polls. Morrison has yet to announce a date for the election, which must be held by May 21.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has accused Scott Morrison of being a ''hypocrite and liar'' in leaked texts. The conversation between Joyce and a former staffer of Morrison's Liberal Party who had alleged sexual assault by a fellow staffer has been leaked by Bloomberg.

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce has accused Scott Morrison of being a ''hypocrite and liar'' in leaked texts. The conversation between Joyce and a former staffer of Morrison's Liberal Party who had alleged sexual assault by a fellow staffer has been leaked by Bloomberg. It shows Joyce saying "Morrison is a hypocrite and a liar from my observations and that is over a long time." Also read | Amid Djokovic's detention controversy, Aussie PM Scott Morrison turns commentator during Ashes - WATCH Currently the junior partner in Morrison's coalition government, Joyce said last year that he had never trusted Morrison. After Joyce's private conversation became public, he apologised and said, ''I should have never written the text that I did.'' "My view from the backbench about the prime minister was based on assumption and commentary, not from a one-on-one working relationship." In response, Morrison said, "Relationships change over time. Politicians are human beings too. We all have our frailties and none of us are perfect." Also read | With eye on China, Australia spends $3.5 billion to purchase 120 tanks from US The political commotion comes days after a controversy about an alleged exchange between senior Liberal Party members making derogatory remarks about Morrison. Opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese said that it was "untenable" for Joyce to continue as deputy prime minister. "I couldn't care less that the Liberal Party members all don't like each," Albanese said at a briefing. "What I do care about is the consequences of a government that is dysfunctional." Morrison's handling of the Omicron-driven coronavirus outbreak fuelled a backlash has adversely affected his approval ratings. The Morrison government's support for coal and reluctance to tackle climate change has seen the party bleed support in major cities and prompted the emergence of a string of electoral challenges from climate-focused independents. Morrison faces a tough election challenge from opposition leader Anthony Albanese, whose Labour Party has been leading the government coalition in some opinion polls. Morrison has yet to announce a date for the election, which must be held by May 21. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia's Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce accuses Scott Morrison of being ‘hypocrite and liar’

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a $703 million investment plan to protect the Great Barrier Reef to support thousands of tourism jobs.

Australian government pledges $703 million to save the Great Barrier Reef

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's account on Chinese social media app WeChat appears to have been replaced with an account titled 'Australian Chinese new life', prompting accusations of Chinese interference.

Australian PM Scott Morrison's WeChat account vanishes, China accused of interference

Popular Chinese messaging app WeChat blocked the account of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison amid diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

Morrison's office lost access to the account on the platform, owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd and claimed the move represented censorship.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-make-internet-giants-take-permission-before-raising-funds-investing-446014" hreflang="en">China to make internet giants take permission before raising funds, investing</a>

“My view is given that WeChat is such a closely controlled company by the Chinese Communist Party, that this amounts to foreign interference in our democracy and in an election year no less,” said Senator James Paterson, chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

“What the Chinese government has done by shutting down an Australian account is foreign interference of Australian democracy in an election year,” Paterson said.

"Based on our information, this appears to be a dispute over account ownership,&nbsp;the account in question was originally registered by a PRC individual and was subsequently transferred to its current operator, a technology services company," a Tencent spokesman said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-eye-on-china-australia-spends-35-billion-to-purchase-120-tanks-from-us-443994">Also read |&nbsp;With eye on China, Australia spends $3.5 billion to purchase 120 tanks from US</a>

In Beijing, China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press conference on Monday that, "The issue of Australian politicians' WeChat accounts is between them and WeChat."

Morrison's account on the Chinese social media app, which was launched in February 2019, appears to have been replaced with one titled "Australian Chinese new life."

Its new Chinese owner, Fuzhou 985 Technology, said it wanted to buy an account with a large fanbase in Australia and was unaware it belonged to Morrison.&nbsp;The company is based in Fujian province.

The account, which bore Morrison's photograph and posted information on his policies in Mandarin targeted at Australian voters of Chinese ethnic origin, had 76,000 followers.

Morrison has had a vexed relationship with China since he replaced Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister in 2018.

The Chinese have been critical of a new partnership involving Australia, Britain and the United States announced in September under which Australia will be provided with nuclear-powered submarines.

(With inputs from agencies)

Popular Chinese messaging app WeChat blocked the account of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison amid diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Morrison's office lost access to the account on the platform, owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd and claimed the move represented censorship.

Popular Chinese messaging app WeChat blocked the account of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison amid diplomatic tensions between the two nations. Morrison's office lost access to the account on the platform, owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings Ltd and claimed the move represented censorship. Also read | China to make internet giants take permission before raising funds, investing “My view is given that WeChat is such a closely controlled company by the Chinese Communist Party, that this amounts to foreign interference in our democracy and in an election year no less,” said Senator James Paterson, chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. “What the Chinese government has done by shutting down an Australian account is foreign interference of Australian democracy in an election year,” Paterson said. "Based on our information, this appears to be a dispute over account ownership, the account in question was originally registered by a PRC individual and was subsequently transferred to its current operator, a technology services company," a Tencent spokesman said. Also read | With eye on China, Australia spends $3.5 billion to purchase 120 tanks from US In Beijing, China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular press conference on Monday that, "The issue of Australian politicians' WeChat accounts is between them and WeChat." Morrison's account on the Chinese social media app, which was launched in February 2019, appears to have been replaced with one titled "Australian Chinese new life." Its new Chinese owner, Fuzhou 985 Technology, said it wanted to buy an account with a large fanbase in Australia and was unaware it belonged to Morrison. The company is based in Fujian province. The account, which bore Morrison's photograph and posted information on his policies in Mandarin targeted at Australian voters of Chinese ethnic origin, had 76,000 followers. Morrison has had a vexed relationship with China since he replaced Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister in 2018. The Chinese have been critical of a new partnership involving Australia, Britain and the United States announced in September under which Australia will be provided with nuclear-powered submarines. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese tech giant Tencent's WeChat blocks account of Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says children as young as 16 should be allowed to drive forklifts to counter-staffing shortage. Australians are calling Morrison's proposal 'madness', 'unpalatable'. Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: Morrison plans to reduce forklift drivers' age hits brake

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday hailed the federal court’s decision to deport Novak Djokovic for violating Covid vaccine mandate.

Earlier in the day, Djokovic, 34, left Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai, hours after he lost a legal challenge against a decision to revoke his visa.

The world No. 1 Serbian tennis star had been scheduled to play Monday night in the Australian Open, where he had hoped to win a record-breaking 21st men's grand slam title.

Issuing a statement, Morrison said that there would be “no special rules” for Djokovic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australias-deportation-of-novak-djokovic-is-scandalous-says-serbian-prime-minister-445246" hreflang="en">Australia's deportation of Novak Djokovic is scandalous, says Serbian PM</a>

“I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe,” Morrison's statement read.

“As I said on Friday, Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected. Over the pandemic, together we have achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates, in the world,” he said.

Morrison asserted that the decision was made on "health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/novak-djokovic-deported-how-entire-australian-open-visa-saga-unfolded-445238">Novak Djokovic deported: How entire Australian Open visa saga unfolded</a>

Djokovic, the world’s top men’s tennis player, was first detained by Australian immigration authorities on January 6 and was later released by a court on January 10.

However, he was detained again on Saturday, after Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel his visa.

The three-judge Federal Court panel upheld Hawke’s decision, which cited grounds that Djokovic could post a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment amidst Australia`s worst outbreak of the virus.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday hailed the federal court’s decision to deport Novak Djokovic for violating Covid vaccine mandate. Earlier in the day, Djokovic, 34, left Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai, hours after he lost a legal challenge against a decision to revoke his visa.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday hailed the federal court’s decision to deport Novak Djokovic for violating Covid vaccine mandate. Earlier in the day, Djokovic, 34, left Australia on an Emirates flight to Dubai, hours after he lost a legal challenge against a decision to revoke his visa. The world No. 1 Serbian tennis star had been scheduled to play Monday night in the Australian Open, where he had hoped to win a record-breaking 21st men's grand slam title. Issuing a statement, Morrison said that there would be “no special rules” for Djokovic. Also read | Australia's deportation of Novak Djokovic is scandalous, says Serbian PM “I welcome the decision to keep our borders strong and keep Australians safe,” Morrison's statement read. “As I said on Friday, Australians have made many sacrifices during this pandemic, and they rightly expect the result of those sacrifices to be protected. Over the pandemic, together we have achieved one of the lowest death rates, strongest economies and highest vaccination rates, in the world,” he said. Morrison asserted that the decision was made on "health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest". Also read | Novak Djokovic deported: How entire Australian Open visa saga unfolded Djokovic, the world’s top men’s tennis player, was first detained by Australian immigration authorities on January 6 and was later released by a court on January 10. However, he was detained again on Saturday, after Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel his visa. The three-judge Federal Court panel upheld Hawke’s decision, which cited grounds that Djokovic could post a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment amidst Australia`s worst outbreak of the virus. (With inputs from agencies)

Australian PM welcomes court’s decision to deport Djokovic for violating Covid vaccine mandate

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic's participation in the Australian Open 2022 is jeopardised as he is unable to enter the country&nbsp;after his visa was denied on his arrival in Melbourne on Thursday.&nbsp;

Djokovic was stopped at Melbourne's Tullamarine and was left stranded there for hours overnight. He is now reportedly being taken to a government detention hotel and his departure is pending after border forces announced he had not met entry rules.&nbsp;

Aiming to defend his Aus Open title, the tennis world number one was initially granted a medical exemption from the country's coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination requirements.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shame-shame-shame-australia-reacts-to-novak-djokovics-australian-open-vaccine-exemption-442330">'Shame!! shame, shame': Australia reacts to Novak Djokovic's Australian Open vaccine exemption</a>

For the unversed, Djokovic has declined to reveal his vaccine status and Melbourne has endured the world's longest cumulative lockdown.&nbsp;

During a media conference on Thursday, the Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said, "The advice that I have literally just received before joining you is that the visa for Novak Djokovic has been cancelled."&nbsp;

It's a matter for him whether he wishes to appeal that, but if a visa is cancelled, somebody will have to leave the country," he added.&nbsp;

Australian PM says 'rules are rules'

Immediately after the incident the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic summoned the Australian ambassador in Belgrade and demanded that they immediately release Djokovic to play, as per Serbian media reports.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: 'Rules are Rules': Australia bars Novak Djokovic from Australian Open

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On his Instagram, Vucic posted: "I've just finished my telephone conversation with Novak Djokovic. I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end immediately. In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know."

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said "rules are rules". Taking to his official Twitter handle, Morrison wrote, "Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-open-2022-world-no-1-novak-djokovic-lands-amid-vaccine-storm-but-held-up-by-visa-issue-442501">Aus Open 2022: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic lands amid vaccine storm but held up by visa issue</a>

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Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1478848008363991049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Tennis legend Novak Djokovic's participation in the Australian Open 2022 is jeopardised as he is unable to enter the country after his visa was denied on his arrival in Melbourne on Thursday.

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic's participation in the Australian Open 2022 is jeopardised as he is unable to enter the country after his visa was denied on his arrival in Melbourne on Thursday. Djokovic was stopped at Melbourne's Tullamarine and was left stranded there for hours overnight. He is now reportedly being taken to a government detention hotel and his departure is pending after border forces announced he had not met entry rules. Aiming to defend his Aus Open title, the tennis world number one was initially granted a medical exemption from the country's coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination requirements. ALSO READ | 'Shame!! shame, shame': Australia reacts to Novak Djokovic's Australian Open vaccine exemption For the unversed, Djokovic has declined to reveal his vaccine status and Melbourne has endured the world's longest cumulative lockdown. During a media conference on Thursday, the Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said, "The advice that I have literally just received before joining you is that the visa for Novak Djokovic has been cancelled." It's a matter for him whether he wishes to appeal that, but if a visa is cancelled, somebody will have to leave the country," he added. Australian PM says 'rules are rules' Immediately after the incident the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic summoned the Australian ambassador in Belgrade and demanded that they immediately release Djokovic to play, as per Serbian media reports. Watch | Gravitas: 'Rules are Rules': Australia bars Novak Djokovic from Australian Open On his Instagram, Vucic posted: "I've just finished my telephone conversation with Novak Djokovic. I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end immediately. In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know." Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said "rules are rules". Taking to his official Twitter handle, Morrison wrote, "Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant." ALSO READ | Aus Open 2022: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic lands amid vaccine storm but held up by visa issue Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant. — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) January 5, 2022 ×

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic's visa to enter country cancelled, PM Scott Morrison says 'rules are rules'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison turned commentator during the third day's play of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Friday (January 07). Morrison was spotted in the commentary box with the likes of former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist and former England cricketer Isa Guha.

Morrison's surprise presence at the commentary box during the 4th Ashes Test hasn't gone down well with some fans of tennis star Novak Djokovic. Amid raging controversy over Djokovic's detention in Melbourne, Morrison's actions have invited criticism yet again on social media.

World no.1 Djokovic's visa was cancelled upon his arrival in Australia on Thursday ahead of the Australian Open tournament. Djokovic had announced he was heading Down Under to defend his Australian Open title after being granted a medical exemption as he had refused to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status.

However, the strict COVID-19 guidelines and the vaccination rules in Australia meant the tennis star was detained. It is not known on what grounds was Djokovic handed a medical exemption as the tennis star prepares to fight a legal battle in Australia.

The Australian government had earlier stressed that the players taking part in the Australian Open should all be double vaccinated as the country continues to deal with rapid surging cases of COVID-19 and lockdowns across the nation.

Why was Scott Morrison in the commentary box during the 4th Ashes Test?

Morrison graced the commentary box on Day 3 of the 4th Ashes Test between England and Australia to lend his support towards the McGrath Foundation - an initiative by former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath which works for breast cancer patients in the country.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/was-short-lived-but-thanks-for-meme-ories-novak-djokovics-australian-open-saga-leads-to-meme-fest-442917">&nbsp;'Was short-lived but thanks for meme-ories': Novak Djokovic's Australian Open saga leads to meme fest</a>

The Aussie Prime Minister announced a $40m grant for the McGrath Foundation and said the government will continue to do its bit to support the initiative. “This is about an Australian effort here; the government will do its bit. But the reason the McGrath foundation is so successful is Australians do their bit,” he said.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottMorrisonMP</a> is at the SCG supporting the <a href="https://twitter.com/McGrathFdn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@McGrathFdn</a>. 
 
Head to <a href="https://t.co/geoxwH1rDr">https://t.co/geoxwH1rDr</a> to find out how you can support them too! <a href="https://t.co/YfDjdHj2sS">pic.twitter.com/YfDjdHj2sS</a>
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The ongoing 4th Ashes Test between Australia and England is a Pink Test which aims at raising funds for the McGrath Foundation to support its initiative towards breast cancer patients. 
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Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison turned commentator during the third day's play of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Friday (January 07).

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison turned commentator during the third day's play of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on Friday (January 07). Morrison was spotted in the commentary box with the likes of former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist and former England cricketer Isa Guha. Morrison's surprise presence at the commentary box during the 4th Ashes Test hasn't gone down well with some fans of tennis star Novak Djokovic. Amid raging controversy over Djokovic's detention in Melbourne, Morrison's actions have invited criticism yet again on social media. World no.1 Djokovic's visa was cancelled upon his arrival in Australia on Thursday ahead of the Australian Open tournament. Djokovic had announced he was heading Down Under to defend his Australian Open title after being granted a medical exemption as he had refused to reveal his COVID-19 vaccination status. However, the strict COVID-19 guidelines and the vaccination rules in Australia meant the tennis star was detained. It is not known on what grounds was Djokovic handed a medical exemption as the tennis star prepares to fight a legal battle in Australia. The Australian government had earlier stressed that the players taking part in the Australian Open should all be double vaccinated as the country continues to deal with rapid surging cases of COVID-19 and lockdowns across the nation. Why was Scott Morrison in the commentary box during the 4th Ashes Test? Morrison graced the commentary box on Day 3 of the 4th Ashes Test between England and Australia to lend his support towards the McGrath Foundation - an initiative by former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath which works for breast cancer patients in the country. Also Read: 'Was short-lived but thanks for meme-ories': Novak Djokovic's Australian Open saga leads to meme fest The Aussie Prime Minister announced a $40m grant for the McGrath Foundation and said the government will continue to do its bit to support the initiative. “This is about an Australian effort here; the government will do its bit. But the reason the McGrath foundation is so successful is Australians do their bit,” he said. @ScottMorrisonMP is at the SCG supporting the @McGrathFdn. Head to https://t.co/geoxwH1rDr to find out how you can support them too! pic.twitter.com/YfDjdHj2sS — Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 7, 2022 × The ongoing 4th Ashes Test between Australia and England is a Pink Test which aims at raising funds for the McGrath Foundation to support its initiative towards breast cancer patients.

Amid Djokovic's detention controversy, Aussie PM Scott Morrison turns commentator during Ashes - WATCH

Australia on Thursday has decided to delay the deportation process of the tennis world number one Novak Djokovic after the authorities earlier denied his visa to enter the country to defend his Australian Open title also his bid to win an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam.

Australia on Thursday has decided to delay the deportation process of the tennis world number one Novak Djokovic after the authorities earlier denied his visa to enter the country to defend his Australian Open title also his bid to win an unprecedented 21st Grand Slam. Upon his arrival in Melbourne after a 14-hour flight from Dubai, Djokovic suffered a massive blow as his dream of winning the 10th Australian Open title were shattered when his visa was cancelled. With uncertainties enveloping Djokovic's participation, here's everything you need to know about the situation right now. What is the controversy all about? Djokovic's participation in the upcoming Grand Slam was doubtful as he consistently refused to disclose his vaccination status while publicly criticising mandatory vaccines. Important to note that all the participants at the first Grand Slam of 2022 must be vaccinated against Covid or have a medical exemption. How did he get permission to participate at Aus Open? While taking to his Instagram, Djokovic had informed that he received a medical exemption to take part in the Australian Open starting January 17. He travelled to Australia after receiving an exemption from the Victorian government. What exactly happened upon his arrival and where is he kept right now? Djokovic was stopped at Melbourne's Tullamarine and was left stranded there for hours overnight. He is now reportedly being taken to a government detention hotel and his departure is pending after border forces announced he had not met entry rules. What do the authorities say now? He was stopped at the airport after Australian Federal Border Force officials at the airport said Djokovic was unable to justify the grounds for his exemption. What's next for Novak Djokovic? Facing a legal challenge from the Serb, state lawyer Christopher Tran said Australia did not plan to deport him before a final court hearing scheduled for Monday. His participation in the Australian Open is still in doubt. What did Australian PM Scott Morrison say? Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that "rules are rules". Taking to his official Twitter handle, Morrison wrote, "Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders. No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant." How the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic react? On his Instagram, the Serbian President Aleksandar posted: "I've just finished my telephone conversation with Novak Djokovic. I told our Novak that the whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world's best tennis player is brought to an end immediately. In line with all norms of international law, Serbia will fight for Novak, truth and justice. Novak is strong, as we all know." ×

Australia delays Novak Djokovic's deportation: What's next for world no. 1 and his bid for Aus Open title?

For the third day in a row, Australia's COVID-19 cases surpassed their daily record high, further straining hospital resources and testing facilities as public anger grows over the response to the speedy response to the rapidly spreading Omicron outbreak.

New South Wales and Victoria, the most populous states in the country, reported 64,774 new cases, a record number. The number easily exceeded the previous day's national total of 47,800.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/check-out-cdcs-new-covid-guidelines-and-the-scientific-rationale-behind-them-442306" hreflang="en">Check out CDC's new COVID guidelines and the scientific rationale behind them</a>

The number of Omicron infections has risen more than 50 times from around 1,200 since late November when the first case was detected in the country.

Hospital admissions in New South Wales and Victoria increased by 10 per cent over the previous day and the number is expected to rise even further over the next few weeks.

"We have got some challenging weeks ahead of us," NSW Deputy Health Secretary Susan Pearce told reporters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rising-omicron-cases-may-lead-to-more-dangerous-variants-warns-who-442321" hreflang="en">Rising Omicron cases may lead to more dangerous variants, warns WHO</a>

In recent weeks, there has been an explosion of cases which has led to long lines at publicly-funded PCR testing centres. As a result, authorities encouraged people to only seek PCRs if asymptomatic. This led to a shortage of rapid antigen tests, which can be performed at home but must be purchased privately.

Under pressure as an election year begins, Scott Morrison, leader of the centre-right Liberal-National Party coalition, has attempted to reassure voters that the situation is under control while keeping the purse strings tightly cinched.

"You've just got to work the problem, work it together and push through."

Watch |&nbsp;Omicron: Australia's COVID-19 infections have hit a record high for the third consecutive day

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/omicron-australias-covid-19-infections-have-hit-a-record-high-for-the-third-consecutive-day-442360/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Morrison, who must call an election before May, has ruled out subsidising the majority of at-home testing kits, citing the need for individual responsibility.

However, state leaders are expected to press Morrison to subsidise rapid antigen tests at Wednesday's cabinet meeting.

"There are no silver bullets here," Morrison told reporters ahead of a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal and state and territory leaders tasked with handling the pandemic.

As if long queues at public testing centres and a lack of at-home testing weren't bad enough, news broke that tennis world number one Novak Djokovic had been given a medical exemption to enter the country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shame-shame-shame-australia-reacts-to-novak-djokovics-australian-open-vaccine-exemption-442330" hreflang="en">'Shame!! shame, shame': Australia reacts to Novak Djokovic's Australian Open vaccine exemption</a>

There have also been strong criticisms of the decision to grant Djokovic, who has refused to reveal his vaccination status but previously stated his objection to mandatory vaccines, a medical exemption for the Australian Open tennis tournament.

In addition to social media outrage, medical professionals, lawmakers, and other sports people have also criticised the decision.

The coronavirus pandemic in Australia has led to more than 612,000 cases and 2,290 deaths, with more than half of those infections occurring over the past two weeks.

(With inputs from agencies)

For the third day in a row, Australia's COVID-19 cases surpassed their daily record high, further straining hospital resources and testing facilities as public anger grows over the response to the speedy response to the rapidly spreading Omicron outbreak.

For the third day in a row, Australia's COVID-19 cases surpassed their daily record high, further straining hospital resources and testing facilities as public anger grows over the response to the speedy response to the rapidly spreading Omicron outbreak. New South Wales and Victoria, the most populous states in the country, reported 64,774 new cases, a record number. The number easily exceeded the previous day's national total of 47,800. Also read | Check out CDC's new COVID guidelines and the scientific rationale behind them The number of Omicron infections has risen more than 50 times from around 1,200 since late November when the first case was detected in the country. Hospital admissions in New South Wales and Victoria increased by 10 per cent over the previous day and the number is expected to rise even further over the next few weeks. "We have got some challenging weeks ahead of us," NSW Deputy Health Secretary Susan Pearce told reporters. Also read | Rising Omicron cases may lead to more dangerous variants, warns WHO In recent weeks, there has been an explosion of cases which has led to long lines at publicly-funded PCR testing centres. As a result, authorities encouraged people to only seek PCRs if asymptomatic. This led to a shortage of rapid antigen tests, which can be performed at home but must be purchased privately. Under pressure as an election year begins, Scott Morrison, leader of the centre-right Liberal-National Party coalition, has attempted to reassure voters that the situation is under control while keeping the purse strings tightly cinched. "You've just got to work the problem, work it together and push through." Watch | Omicron: Australia's COVID-19 infections have hit a record high for the third consecutive day Morrison, who must call an election before May, has ruled out subsidising the majority of at-home testing kits, citing the need for individual responsibility. However, state leaders are expected to press Morrison to subsidise rapid antigen tests at Wednesday's cabinet meeting. "There are no silver bullets here," Morrison told reporters ahead of a meeting of the national cabinet, the group of federal and state and territory leaders tasked with handling the pandemic. As if long queues at public testing centres and a lack of at-home testing weren't bad enough, news broke that tennis world number one Novak Djokovic had been given a medical exemption to enter the country. Also read | 'Shame!! shame, shame': Australia reacts to Novak Djokovic's Australian Open vaccine exemption There have also been strong criticisms of the decision to grant Djokovic, who has refused to reveal his vaccination status but previously stated his objection to mandatory vaccines, a medical exemption for the Australian Open tennis tournament. In addition to social media outrage, medical professionals, lawmakers, and other sports people have also criticised the decision. The coronavirus pandemic in Australia has led to more than 612,000 cases and 2,290 deaths, with more than half of those infections occurring over the past two weeks. (With inputs from agencies)

'No silver bullets': Australia reports record high in COVID-19 cases; hospitalisations surge

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the memorial site where five children died in a jumping castle accident on Thursday (December 16), as he announced that the government would fund support to the families, first responders and community affected by the tragedy. Morrison was accompanied by his wife Jenny as both of them paid their respects at the memorial and laid flowers.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The incident happened during an end-of-year party when the children were celebrating the last week of class before Christmas break in a primary school in Devonport, northern Tasmania.&nbsp;

The children fell from a height of 10 metres when the bouncy castle was picked by the wind at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport. As per reports, they belonged to grade 5 and 6 and were about 10-12 years old.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-witnesses-surge-in-covid-19-cases-438011">Australia witnesses surge in COVID-19 cases</a>

"I want to extend our deepest sympathies to the five families in particular who have lost those precious young ones and we think also of the families of the three who are still in a terribly critical condition. We think of the entire community that is just heaving with sorrow," Morrison told reporters in Hobart.&nbsp;

“There are no words, only prayers, for our fellow Australians in Tasmania, and for the community that will carry this burden. And it will be a heavy burden. It will weigh them down," he added.&nbsp;

"We grieve with them, and we mourn with them, and we want to do everything we possibly can to help them through this terrible, terrible, unthinkable and imaginable tragedy," he further said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-bizarre-accident-us-official-finds-two-alligators-in-suv-at-mishap-site-437889">A bizarre accident? US official finds two alligators in SUV at mishap site</a>

An online fundraiser - initially aiming to raise Aus$1,000 ($712) for the victims' families - climbed to over Aus$1.1 million on Saturday morning.&nbsp;

"It's just beyond anything we could have thought possible. I think it just proves how shaken up everyone is and how tight-knit of a community we are," Zoe Smith, who organised the fundraiser, told media in Devonport.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Australia prepares to protect Koalas from bushfires

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(With inputs from agencies)

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the memorial site where five children died in a jumping castle accident on Thursday (December 16), as he announced that the government would fund support to the families, first responders and community affected by the tragedy.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the memorial site where five children died in a jumping castle accident on Thursday (December 16), as he announced that the government would fund support to the families, first responders and community affected by the tragedy. Morrison was accompanied by his wife Jenny as both of them paid their respects at the memorial and laid flowers. The incident happened during an end-of-year party when the children were celebrating the last week of class before Christmas break in a primary school in Devonport, northern Tasmania. The children fell from a height of 10 metres when the bouncy castle was picked by the wind at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport. As per reports, they belonged to grade 5 and 6 and were about 10-12 years old. ALSO READ | Australia witnesses surge in COVID-19 cases "I want to extend our deepest sympathies to the five families in particular who have lost those precious young ones and we think also of the families of the three who are still in a terribly critical condition. We think of the entire community that is just heaving with sorrow," Morrison told reporters in Hobart. “There are no words, only prayers, for our fellow Australians in Tasmania, and for the community that will carry this burden. And it will be a heavy burden. It will weigh them down," he added. "We grieve with them, and we mourn with them, and we want to do everything we possibly can to help them through this terrible, terrible, unthinkable and imaginable tragedy," he further said. ALSO READ | A bizarre accident? US official finds two alligators in SUV at mishap site An online fundraiser - initially aiming to raise Aus$1,000 ($712) for the victims' families - climbed to over Aus$1.1 million on Saturday morning. "It's just beyond anything we could have thought possible. I think it just proves how shaken up everyone is and how tight-knit of a community we are," Zoe Smith, who organised the fundraiser, told media in Devonport. Watch | Australia prepares to protect Koalas from bushfires × (With inputs from agencies)

'We grieve with them': Australian PM Scott Morrison visits site of jumping castle tragedy

At least five school children were killed and some were badly injured in an accident in Australia as their jumping castle was thrown into the air after a gust of wind picked it up.&nbsp;

The heartbreaking incident happened on Thursday (December 16) during an end-of-year party when they were celebrating the last week of class before Christmas break in a primary school in Devonport, northern Tasmania.&nbsp;

ABC reported that the children fell from a height of 10 metres when the bouncy castle was picked by the wind at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport.&nbsp;Reports stated that they belonged to grade 5 and 6 and were about 10-12 years old.

Initial reports stated that four children - two boys and two girls were killed. However, police later confirmed that a fifth student died in the hospital.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-officials-quit-after-they-had-sex-with-prostitutes-during-an-assignment-overseas-437371">FBI officials quit after they had sex with prostitutes during an assignment overseas</a>

Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine as quoted by ABC said, "These children were meant to be celebrating their last day of primary school, instead we're all mourning their loss. Emergency services were called to the scene around 10am this morning after a wind gust had reportedly caused the jumping castle and inflatable zorb balls to lift into the air."&nbsp;

"Our hearts are breaking for the families and the loved ones, schoolmates and teachers of these young people who were taken too soon. Our thoughts are also with those emergency services personnel who attended to try and save these people's lives," the statement added.&nbsp;

School's response

Hillcrest Primary school posted on its Facebook page: "The purpose for the day is to celebrate a successful year and enjoy some fun activities with classmates." 
&nbsp; 
There was an update which stated: "There has been an accident on site at our school. We are closing the school for the rest of the day. We ask that parents come to collect their children as a matter of urgency."

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Scott Morrison mourns over&nbsp;'horrific tragedy'

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, "Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy, at this time of year, it just breaks your heart."&nbsp;

"I just want to say, to the parents and families and friends, all who were there, to the other young children there and witnessing these events, I just pray you'll have great family around you and great friends and you can come through this horrific tragedy."

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My heart is breaking for all those impacted by the tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania today. 
 
My prayers are with the family and friends of the children who lost their lives, the injured, the first responders and all those who witnessed this deeply distressing event.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1471336873851191298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2021</a></blockquote>
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At least five school children were killed and some were badly injured in an accident in Australia as their jumping castle was thrown into the air after a gust of wind picked it up.

At least five school children were killed and some were badly injured in an accident in Australia as their jumping castle was thrown into the air after a gust of wind picked it up. The heartbreaking incident happened on Thursday (December 16) during an end-of-year party when they were celebrating the last week of class before Christmas break in a primary school in Devonport, northern Tasmania. ABC reported that the children fell from a height of 10 metres when the bouncy castle was picked by the wind at Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport. Reports stated that they belonged to grade 5 and 6 and were about 10-12 years old. Initial reports stated that four children - two boys and two girls were killed. However, police later confirmed that a fifth student died in the hospital. ALSO READ | FBI officials quit after they had sex with prostitutes during an assignment overseas Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine as quoted by ABC said, "These children were meant to be celebrating their last day of primary school, instead we're all mourning their loss. Emergency services were called to the scene around 10am this morning after a wind gust had reportedly caused the jumping castle and inflatable zorb balls to lift into the air." "Our hearts are breaking for the families and the loved ones, schoolmates and teachers of these young people who were taken too soon. Our thoughts are also with those emergency services personnel who attended to try and save these people's lives," the statement added. School's response Hillcrest Primary school posted on its Facebook page: "The purpose for the day is to celebrate a successful year and enjoy some fun activities with classmates." There was an update which stated: "There has been an accident on site at our school. We are closing the school for the rest of the day. We ask that parents come to collect their children as a matter of urgency." × Scott Morrison mourns over 'horrific tragedy' Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, "Young children on a fun day out, together with their families and it turns to such horrific tragedy, at this time of year, it just breaks your heart." "I just want to say, to the parents and families and friends, all who were there, to the other young children there and witnessing these events, I just pray you'll have great family around you and great friends and you can come through this horrific tragedy." My heart is breaking for all those impacted by the tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania today. My prayers are with the family and friends of the children who lost their lives, the injured, the first responders and all those who witnessed this deeply distressing event. — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) December 16, 2021 ×

'Horrific tragedy': Five children die after jumping castle blown into air at Australian school

Australia is going to switch European helicopters with American Black Hawks as they are more ''reliable.''

It comes after a debacle over Canberra's cancellation of a multi-billion dollar submarine deal with Paris.

According Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, ''The Taipans weren’t meeting their marks. Simple as that.''

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aukus-us-australia-uk-sign-key-deal-in-nuclear-submarine-alliance-431078">Also read |&nbsp;AUKUS: US, Australia, UK sign key deal in nuclear submarine alliance</a>

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Peter Dutton said, ''It’s had nine instances where it’s been unsuitable to fly, and I’m just not going to put our people in that position.''

Currently, Australia owns 47 Taipan helicopters that were designed by Airbus. Morrison said that although they were supposed to last until 2037, but they have been plagued with groundings.

The country will switch them with 40 Lockheed Martin-designed helicopters worth $4.8 billion.

Previously, Canberra opted for nuclear-powered submarines to be built with US and British technology instead of a multi-billion-dollar French submarine programme.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/winter-olympics-china-warns-australia-uk-us-for-diplomatic-boycott-says-will-pay-price-for-wrong-acts-435445">Also read |&nbsp;Winter Olympics: China warns Australia, UK, US for diplomatic boycott, says 'will pay price for wrong acts'</a>

The new security alliance, dubbed AUKUS, is designed to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines for the first time but caused a major diplomatic rift after France said it was not informed in advance.

The agreement has angered China, which describes it as an "extremely irresponsible" threat to stability in the region.

France had accused Australia of stabbing it in the back and had briefly recalled its ambassadors from Australia and the United States in protest.&nbsp;

French President Emmanuel Macron later said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had deceived him about Canberra's intentions.

Morrison argued that he had previously explained to Macron that conventional submarines would no longer meet Australia's needs ahead of the AUKUS deal.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australia is going to switch European helicopters with American Black Hawks as they are more ''reliable.'' It comes after a debacle over Canberra's cancellation of a multi-billion dollar submarine deal with Paris.

Australia is going to switch European helicopters with American Black Hawks as they are more ''reliable.'' It comes after a debacle over Canberra's cancellation of a multi-billion dollar submarine deal with Paris. According Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, ''The Taipans weren’t meeting their marks. Simple as that.'' Also read | AUKUS: US, Australia, UK sign key deal in nuclear submarine alliance Meanwhile, Defense Minister Peter Dutton said, ''It’s had nine instances where it’s been unsuitable to fly, and I’m just not going to put our people in that position.'' Currently, Australia owns 47 Taipan helicopters that were designed by Airbus. Morrison said that although they were supposed to last until 2037, but they have been plagued with groundings. The country will switch them with 40 Lockheed Martin-designed helicopters worth $4.8 billion. Previously, Canberra opted for nuclear-powered submarines to be built with US and British technology instead of a multi-billion-dollar French submarine programme. Also read | Winter Olympics: China warns Australia, UK, US for diplomatic boycott, says 'will pay price for wrong acts' The new security alliance, dubbed AUKUS, is designed to give Australia access to nuclear-powered submarines for the first time but caused a major diplomatic rift after France said it was not informed in advance. The agreement has angered China, which describes it as an "extremely irresponsible" threat to stability in the region. France had accused Australia of stabbing it in the back and had briefly recalled its ambassadors from Australia and the United States in protest. French President Emmanuel Macron later said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had deceived him about Canberra's intentions. Morrison argued that he had previously explained to Macron that conventional submarines would no longer meet Australia's needs ahead of the AUKUS deal. (With inputs from agencies)

After ditching submarine deal with Paris, Australia switches from European to US helicopters

Australian PM Scott Morrison confirms that the officials will not attend the Beijing Winter Olympics, joining the United States in a diplomatic boycott of next year’s Games over China's questionable human rights abuses.

Australia joins United States in boycotting Beijing winter Olympics over China's human rights abuses

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that the country will deploy the military&nbsp;to aid the Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare&nbsp;had requested&nbsp;assistance from Australia after&nbsp;protesters in the Pacific Island nation defied a curfew to protest for a second consecutive day.

Australia&nbsp;will send 23 police officers immediately to assist with riot control, Morrison said, with a further 50 personnel to enforce security at critical infrastructure.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/protesters-burn-down-parliament-building-police-station-in-solomon-islands-431715" hreflang="en">Protesters burn down parliament building, police station in Solomon Islands</a>

Morrison said another 43 military troops will be sent to aid&nbsp;Australian police officers.

"Our purpose here is to provide stability and security to enable the normal constitutional processes, within the Solomon Islands, to be able to deal with the various issues that have arisen," Morrison told reporters in Canberra.

"It is not the&nbsp;Australian government's intention in any way to intervene in the internal affairs of the Solomon Islands, that is for them to resolve."

The deployment of&nbsp;Australian personnel comes amid reports and images shared on social media showing crowds of protesters and burning buildings in the Chinatown district of Honiara.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-leader-meets-solomons-envoy-to-shore-up-ties-over-china-248580">Taiwan leader meets Solomons envoy to shore up ties over China</a>

Many protesters travelled from the most populous province Malaita to the capital because of concern about being overlooked by the national government, according to media reports.

The province opposed a 2019 decision to end diplomatic ties with Taiwan and establish formal links with China, resulting in an independence referendum last year which the national government has dismissed as illegitimate.

The Solomons, the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the Second World War, experienced major rioting in 2006 following disputed elections, with many Chinese-owned businesses in Honiara burnt and looted.

Sogavare on Wednesday declared a 36-hour lockdown in Honiara after the latest unrest, calling it "another sad and unfortunate event aimed at bringing a democratically elected government down".

The lockdown, which would run until 7 a.m. on Friday, would "allow our law enforcement agencies to fully investigate the perpetrators of today's events and to prevent further lawless destruction," Sogavare said.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) urged people attending schools and businesses around Honiara to stay home to avoid being affected by unrest.

"We want to make sure that our streets, schools and businesses will reopen soon after the lockdown," said RSIPF deputy commissioner Juanita Matanga in a statement.

"I am asking for your cooperation until the situation turns normal."

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that the country will deploy the military to aid the Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had requested assistance from Australia after protesters in the Pacific Island nation defied a curfew to protest for a second consecutive day.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that the country will deploy the military to aid the Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare had requested assistance from Australia after protesters in the Pacific Island nation defied a curfew to protest for a second consecutive day. Australia will send 23 police officers immediately to assist with riot control, Morrison said, with a further 50 personnel to enforce security at critical infrastructure. Also read | Protesters burn down parliament building, police station in Solomon Islands Morrison said another 43 military troops will be sent to aid Australian police officers. "Our purpose here is to provide stability and security to enable the normal constitutional processes, within the Solomon Islands, to be able to deal with the various issues that have arisen," Morrison told reporters in Canberra. "It is not the Australian government's intention in any way to intervene in the internal affairs of the Solomon Islands, that is for them to resolve." The deployment of Australian personnel comes amid reports and images shared on social media showing crowds of protesters and burning buildings in the Chinatown district of Honiara. Also read | Taiwan leader meets Solomons envoy to shore up ties over China Many protesters travelled from the most populous province Malaita to the capital because of concern about being overlooked by the national government, according to media reports. The province opposed a 2019 decision to end diplomatic ties with Taiwan and establish formal links with China, resulting in an independence referendum last year which the national government has dismissed as illegitimate. The Solomons, the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the Second World War, experienced major rioting in 2006 following disputed elections, with many Chinese-owned businesses in Honiara burnt and looted. Sogavare on Wednesday declared a 36-hour lockdown in Honiara after the latest unrest, calling it "another sad and unfortunate event aimed at bringing a democratically elected government down". The lockdown, which would run until 7 a.m. on Friday, would "allow our law enforcement agencies to fully investigate the perpetrators of today's events and to prevent further lawless destruction," Sogavare said. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) urged people attending schools and businesses around Honiara to stay home to avoid being affected by unrest. "We want to make sure that our streets, schools and businesses will reopen soon after the lockdown," said RSIPF deputy commissioner Juanita Matanga in a statement. "I am asking for your cooperation until the situation turns normal."

After spread of protest in Solomon Islands, Australia to deploy military

Indian-Australian community members are shocked and disappointed after a life-sized bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, gifted by the Indian government, was vandalised in an act that Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned as "disgraceful".&nbsp;

The incident occurred hours after Morrison unveiled the statue at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville on Friday to commemorate India's 75th anniversary of independence.

Morrison was quoted as saying, "It is disgraceful and extremely disappointing to see this level of disrespect."

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"Australia is the most successful multicultural and immigration nation in the world and attacks on cultural monuments will not be tolerated," he added.

Those responsible have shown disrespect to the Australian Indian community and should be ashamed of themselves, he said.

Victoria police say an unknown number of people decapitated the statue between 5.30 pm on Friday and 5.30 pm on Saturday using a power tool.

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As part of their investigation, Knox Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The police couldn't collect fingerprints because it rained heavily throughout the day.&nbsp;

It was described as a "low act" by Surya Prakash Soni, president of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria and the Indian community in the city.

The community is very shocked and sad," he said.

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"Mahatma Gandhi is a symbol of peace and non-violence. He is not only an Indian leader, but a global leader...I don't (understand) why anyone would do such a low act of vandalism," Soni was quoted as saying in a media report.

As he explained, the Rowville community centre was the first of its kind in the state of Victoria, established after 30 years of hard work.

Indian-Australian community members are shocked and disappointed after a life-sized bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, gifted by the Indian government, was vandalised in an act that Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned as "disgraceful".

Indian-Australian community members are shocked and disappointed after a life-sized bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, gifted by the Indian government, was vandalised in an act that Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned as "disgraceful". The incident occurred hours after Morrison unveiled the statue at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville on Friday to commemorate India's 75th anniversary of independence. Morrison was quoted as saying, "It is disgraceful and extremely disappointing to see this level of disrespect." Also read | Denmark cleans beach, only to dump waste back in water "Australia is the most successful multicultural and immigration nation in the world and attacks on cultural monuments will not be tolerated," he added. Those responsible have shown disrespect to the Australian Indian community and should be ashamed of themselves, he said. Victoria police say an unknown number of people decapitated the statue between 5.30 pm on Friday and 5.30 pm on Saturday using a power tool. Also read | 'I keep forgetting you're still alive': Elon Musk take a jibe at Bernie Sanders, offers to sell more stock As part of their investigation, Knox Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The police couldn't collect fingerprints because it rained heavily throughout the day. It was described as a "low act" by Surya Prakash Soni, president of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria and the Indian community in the city. The community is very shocked and sad," he said. Also read | For ‘safety concerns’, high school in US removes washroom doors: Report "Mahatma Gandhi is a symbol of peace and non-violence. He is not only an Indian leader, but a global leader...I don't (understand) why anyone would do such a low act of vandalism," Soni was quoted as saying in a media report. As he explained, the Rowville community centre was the first of its kind in the state of Victoria, established after 30 years of hard work.

'Disgraceful' act: Life-sized statue of Mahatma Gandhi vandalised in Australia, a day after unveiling

US comedian Stephen Colbert addressed world leaders at a virtual meeting on the Asia-Pacific's future Thursday, after New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern invited him to bring some levity to an event dominated by pandemic responses and climate change.

Prime Minister Ardern is hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit online, and lined up leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australia's Scott Morrison to talk to business executives.

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She also asked Colbert, who is a renowned Kiwi-phile and fan of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" movies, to inject some humour into the meeting.

"I'm a big fan of this beautiful country at the bottom of the Pacific," Colbert said, going on to address the online delegates in New Zealand slang accompanied by subtitles.

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"I was stoked (thrilled) when Jacinda, the head sheila (prime minister), called me on the blower (phone)," he said. "I thought: sweet as (great). That would be pretty choice (excellent). Then nek minnit (next minute), here I am."

Colbert has repeatedly referenced his affection for New Zealand on "The Late Show" and visited the country in 2019, later airing a string of stories about his travels.

During his visit, Colbert did carpool karaoke with Ardern, attended a barbeque with singer Lorde and interviewed Jackson. 
&nbsp;

US comedian Stephen Colbert addressed world leaders at a virtual meeting on the Asia-Pacific's future Thursday, after New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern invited him to bring some levity to an event dominated by pandemic responses and climate change.

US comedian Stephen Colbert addressed world leaders at a virtual meeting on the Asia-Pacific's future Thursday, after New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern invited him to bring some levity to an event dominated by pandemic responses and climate change. Prime Minister Ardern is hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit online, and lined up leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australia's Scott Morrison to talk to business executives. Also read | Ardern’s popularity plummets as New Zealand struggles to check Delta outbreak She also asked Colbert, who is a renowned Kiwi-phile and fan of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" movies, to inject some humour into the meeting. "I'm a big fan of this beautiful country at the bottom of the Pacific," Colbert said, going on to address the online delegates in New Zealand slang accompanied by subtitles. Also Read: Moderna's Covid jab patent row deepens as US NIH looks to defend co-owner claim "I was stoked (thrilled) when Jacinda, the head sheila (prime minister), called me on the blower (phone)," he said. "I thought: sweet as (great). That would be pretty choice (excellent). Then nek minnit (next minute), here I am." Colbert has repeatedly referenced his affection for New Zealand on "The Late Show" and visited the country in 2019, later airing a string of stories about his travels. During his visit, Colbert did carpool karaoke with Ardern, attended a barbeque with singer Lorde and interviewed Jackson.

'Stoked' Colbert livens up APEC summit after Jacinda Ardern's invite

A four-year-old girl who went missing two weeks ago has been found alive after weeks of searching.

Cleo Smith had been abducted from an outback campsite in Western Australia around 18 days ago.

Western Australia Police Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch said ''One of the officers picked her up into his arms and asked her 'what's your name?'.

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"She said 'My name is Cleo'."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a tweet, ''What wonderful, relieving news. Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered.''

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What wonderful, relieving news. 
 
Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. 
 
Our prayers answered. 
 
Thank you to the many police officers involved in finding Cleo and supporting her family.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1455635192517849088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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State premier Mark McGowan said ''There will be movies made about this. You never know what to expect, you hope for the best, but you prepare for the worst.''

The kidnapping had sparked a frantic air, sea, and ground search involving 100 officers, one that most feared would end in tragedy. A A$1 million ($743,000) reward for information had been offered for Cleo Smith.

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While police used human intelligence, surveillance footage, and forensic analysis to find the girl, scores of volunteers scoured nearby bushland for clues.

Cleo was last seen in her family's tent at about 1.30 a.m. local time on October 16 at the remote Blowholes Shacks campsite in Macleod, about 900 km (560 miles) north of Perth. When her parents woke next morning, she was gone.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-what-is-your-child-doing-on-the-internet-424555/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Cleo was found alone inside a locked house in the coastal town of Carnarvon, a short drive away from where she disappeared.

Police detained a 36-year-old local man for the abduction. He has no connection to the family.

Cleo's mother Ellie Smith, took to social media to express her relief and said ''Our family is whole again.''

(With inputs from agencies)

A four-year-old girl who went missing two weeks ago has been found alive after weeks of searching. Cleo Smith had been abducted from an outback campsite in Western Australia around 18 days ago.

A four-year-old girl who went missing two weeks ago has been found alive after weeks of searching. Cleo Smith had been abducted from an outback campsite in Western Australia around 18 days ago. Western Australia Police Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch said ''One of the officers picked her up into his arms and asked her 'what's your name?'. Also read | Australia is reopening to the world after 590 days of restricted access "She said 'My name is Cleo'." Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a tweet, ''What wonderful, relieving news. Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered.'' What wonderful, relieving news. Cleo Smith has been found and is home safe and sound. Our prayers answered. Thank you to the many police officers involved in finding Cleo and supporting her family. — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 2, 2021 × State premier Mark McGowan said ''There will be movies made about this. You never know what to expect, you hope for the best, but you prepare for the worst.'' The kidnapping had sparked a frantic air, sea, and ground search involving 100 officers, one that most feared would end in tragedy. A A$1 million ($743,000) reward for information had been offered for Cleo Smith. Also read | UK's online safety bill: Internet trolls could face two years in prison for psychological harm While police used human intelligence, surveillance footage, and forensic analysis to find the girl, scores of volunteers scoured nearby bushland for clues. Cleo was last seen in her family's tent at about 1.30 a.m. local time on October 16 at the remote Blowholes Shacks campsite in Macleod, about 900 km (560 miles) north of Perth. When her parents woke next morning, she was gone. Cleo was found alone inside a locked house in the coastal town of Carnarvon, a short drive away from where she disappeared. Police detained a 36-year-old local man for the abduction. He has no connection to the family. Cleo's mother Ellie Smith, took to social media to express her relief and said ''Our family is whole again.'' (With inputs from agencies)

Cleo Smith: Four-year-old Australian girl abducted from campsite found alive

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Australian PM Scott Morrison of lying about a submarine contract. France is also engaged in a 'fishing row' with the U.K. Why is Macron picking fights with his allies? Palki Sharma explains.

Gravitas: Macron accuses Scott Morrisson of lying

French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of lying to him over an abandoned $90 billion submarine deal.

French President Macron accuses Aussie PM Morrison of lying over submarine deal

When Australia made its trumpet-blast announcement that it would build nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the United States and Britain, the three allies said they would spend the next 18 months sorting out the details of a security collaboration that President Joe Biden celebrated as “historic.”

Now, a month into their timetable, the partners are quietly coming to grips with the proposal’s immense complexities. Even supporters say the hurdles are formidable. Skeptics say they could be insurmountable.

Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, has laid out an ambitious vision, saying that at least eight nuclear-propelled submarines using U.S. or British technology will be built in Australia and enter the water starting in the late 2030s, replacing its squadron of six aging diesel-powered submarines.

For Australia, nuclear-powered submarines offer a powerful means to counter China’s growing naval reach and an escape hatch from a faltering agreement with a French firm to build diesel submarines. For the Biden administration, the plan demonstrates support for a beleaguered ally and shows that it means business in countering Chinese power. And for Britain, the plan could shore up its international standing and military industry after the upheaval of Brexit.

But the Rubik’s Cube of interlocking complications that pervades the initiative could slow delivery of the submarines — or, critics say, sunder the whole endeavor — leaving a dangerous gap in Australia’s defenses and calling into question the partnership’s ability to live up to its security promises.

“It’s a dangerous pathway we’re treading down,” said Rex Patrick, an independent member of Australia’s Senate who served as a submariner in the Australian navy for a decade.

“What’s at stake is national security,” Patrick said. Given the decadeslong wait for a squadron of new submarines, he added, Australia risked “buying a parachute for after the plane has crashed.”

To pull off the plan, Australia must make major advances. It has a limited industrial base and built its last submarine more than 20 years ago. It produces a few graduates in nuclear engineering each year. Its spending on science research as a share of the economy has lagged the average for wealthy economies. Its past two plans to build submarines fell apart before any were made.

As well, the United States and Britain face hurdles to expanding production of submarines and their high-precision parts for Australia, and to diverting expert labor to South Australia, where, Morrison has said, the boats will be assembled. Washington and London have heavy schedules to build submarines for their own navies, including hulking vessels to carry nuclear missiles.

“I don’t think this is a done deal in any way, shape or form,” said Marcus Hellyer, an expert on naval policy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

“We sometimes use the term nation-building lightly, but this will be a whole-of-nation task,” he said. “The decision to go down this path while burning all of our bridges behind us was quite a brave decision.”

U.S. officials have already spent hundreds of hours in talks with their Australian counterparts and have no illusions about the complexities, said officials involved. Morrison “has said this is a high-risk program; he was upfront when he announced it,” Greg Moriarty, the secretary of the Australian Department of Defense, told a Senate committee this week.

Failure or serious delays would ripple beyond Australia. The Biden administration has staked American credibility on building up Australia’s military as part of an “integrated deterrence” policy that will knit the United States closer to its allies in offsetting China.

“Success would be tremendous for Australia and the U.S., assuming open access to each other’s facilities and what it means in deterring China,” said Brent Sadler, a former U.S. Navy officer who is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation. “Failure would be doubly damaging — an alliance that cannot deliver, loss of undersea capacity by a trusted ally and a turn to isolationism on Australia’s part.”

Australia is hoping for a reversal of fortune after more than a decade of misadventures in its submarine-modernization efforts. The plan for French-designed diesel submarines that Morrison abandoned had succeeded a deal for Japanese-designed submarines that his predecessor championed.

“No living Australian prime minister has commissioned a sub that actually got built,” Greg Sheridan, a columnist for The Australian newspaper, wrote in a recent article critical of Morrison’s plan.

Australia’s latest proposal contains many potential pitfalls.

It could turn to the United States to help build something like its Virginia-class attack submarine. (Such submarines are nuclear-powered, allowing them to travel faster and stay underwater much longer than diesel ones, but they do not carry nuclear missiles.)

But the two American shipyards that make nuclear submarines, as well as their suppliers, are straining to keep up with orders for the U.S. Navy. The shipyards complete about two Virginia class boats a year for the Navy and are ramping up to build Columbia-class submarines, 21,000-ton vessels that carry nuclear missiles as a roving deterrent — a priority for any administration.

A report to the Senate Armed Services Committee last month warned that the “nuclear shipbuilding industrial base continues to struggle to support the increased demand” from U.S. orders. That report was prepared too late to take into account the Australian proposal.

“They are working at 95-98% on Virginia and Columbia,” Richard V. Spencer, a Navy secretary in the Trump administration, said of the two U.S. submarine shipyards. He supports Australia’s plan and said his preferred path on the first submarines was to galvanize specialized suppliers to ship parts, or whole segments of the submarines, to assemble in Australia.

“Let us all be perfectly aware and wide-eyed that the nuclear program is a massive resource consumer and time consumer, and that’s the given,” he said in a telephone interview.

Other experts have said Australia should choose Britain’s Astute class submarine, which is less expensive and uses a smaller crew than the big American boats. The head of Australia’s nuclear submarine task force, Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, said this week that his team was considering mature, “in-production designs” from Britain, as well as the United States.

“That de-risks the program,” he said during a Senate committee hearing.

But Britain’s submarines have come relatively slowly off its production line, and often behind schedule. Britain’s submarine maker, BAE Systems, is also busy building Dreadnought submarines to carry the country’s nuclear deterrent.

“Spare capacity is very limited,” Trevor Taylor, a professorial research fellow in defense management at the Royal United Services Institute, a research institute, wrote in an email. “The U.K. cannot afford to impose delay on its Dreadnought program in order to divert effort to Australia.”

Adding to the complications, Britain has been phasing out the PWR2 reactor that powers the Astute, after officials agreed that the model would “not be acceptable going forward,” an audit report said in 2018. The Astute is not designed to fit the next-generation reactor, and that issue could make it difficult to restart building the submarine for Australia, Taylor and other experts said.

Britain’s successor to the Astute is still on the drawing board; the government said last month that it would spend three years on design work for it. A naval official in the British Ministry of Defense said that the planned new submarine could fit Australia’s timetable well. Several experts were less sure.

“Waiting for the next-generation U.K. or U.S. attack submarine would mean an extended capability gap” for Australia, Taylor wrote in an assessment.

The challenge does not stop with building the submarines. Safeguards to protect sailors and populations, and meet nonproliferation obligations, will require a big buildup of Australia’s nuclear safety expertise.

Residents in some parts of Barrow-in-Furness, the town of 67,000 that is home to Britain’s submarine-building shipyard, are handed iodine tablets as a precaution against possible leaks when reactors are tested. The Osborne shipyard in South Australia, where Morrison wants to build the nuclear submarines, sits on the edge of Adelaide, a city of 1.4 million.

Australia operates one small nuclear reactor. Its sole university program dedicated to nuclear engineering produces about five graduates every year, said Edward Obbard, the leader of the program at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Australia would need many thousands more people with nuclear training and experience if it wants the submarines, he said.

“The ramp-up has to start now,” he said. 
&nbsp;

When Australia made its trumpet-blast announcement that it would build nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the United States and Britain, the three allies said they would spend the next 18 months sorting out the details of a security collaboration that President Joe Biden celebrated as “historic.

When Australia made its trumpet-blast announcement that it would build nuclear-powered submarines with the help of the United States and Britain, the three allies said they would spend the next 18 months sorting out the details of a security collaboration that President Joe Biden celebrated as “historic.” Now, a month into their timetable, the partners are quietly coming to grips with the proposal’s immense complexities. Even supporters say the hurdles are formidable. Skeptics say they could be insurmountable. Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, has laid out an ambitious vision, saying that at least eight nuclear-propelled submarines using U.S. or British technology will be built in Australia and enter the water starting in the late 2030s, replacing its squadron of six aging diesel-powered submarines. For Australia, nuclear-powered submarines offer a powerful means to counter China’s growing naval reach and an escape hatch from a faltering agreement with a French firm to build diesel submarines. For the Biden administration, the plan demonstrates support for a beleaguered ally and shows that it means business in countering Chinese power. And for Britain, the plan could shore up its international standing and military industry after the upheaval of Brexit. But the Rubik’s Cube of interlocking complications that pervades the initiative could slow delivery of the submarines — or, critics say, sunder the whole endeavor — leaving a dangerous gap in Australia’s defenses and calling into question the partnership’s ability to live up to its security promises. “It’s a dangerous pathway we’re treading down,” said Rex Patrick, an independent member of Australia’s Senate who served as a submariner in the Australian navy for a decade. “What’s at stake is national security,” Patrick said. Given the decadeslong wait for a squadron of new submarines, he added, Australia risked “buying a parachute for after the plane has crashed.” To pull off the plan, Australia must make major advances. It has a limited industrial base and built its last submarine more than 20 years ago. It produces a few graduates in nuclear engineering each year. Its spending on science research as a share of the economy has lagged the average for wealthy economies. Its past two plans to build submarines fell apart before any were made. As well, the United States and Britain face hurdles to expanding production of submarines and their high-precision parts for Australia, and to diverting expert labor to South Australia, where, Morrison has said, the boats will be assembled. Washington and London have heavy schedules to build submarines for their own navies, including hulking vessels to carry nuclear missiles. “I don’t think this is a done deal in any way, shape or form,” said Marcus Hellyer, an expert on naval policy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. “We sometimes use the term nation-building lightly, but this will be a whole-of-nation task,” he said. “The decision to go down this path while burning all of our bridges behind us was quite a brave decision.” U.S. officials have already spent hundreds of hours in talks with their Australian counterparts and have no illusions about the complexities, said officials involved. Morrison “has said this is a high-risk program; he was upfront when he announced it,” Greg Moriarty, the secretary of the Australian Department of Defense, told a Senate committee this week. Failure or serious delays would ripple beyond Australia. The Biden administration has staked American credibility on building up Australia’s military as part of an “integrated deterrence” policy that will knit the United States closer to its allies in offsetting China. “Success would be tremendous for Australia and the U.S., assuming open access to each other’s facilities and what it means in deterring China,” said Brent Sadler, a former U.S. Navy officer who is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation. “Failure would be doubly damaging — an alliance that cannot deliver, loss of undersea capacity by a trusted ally and a turn to isolationism on Australia’s part.” Australia is hoping for a reversal of fortune after more than a decade of misadventures in its submarine-modernization efforts. The plan for French-designed diesel submarines that Morrison abandoned had succeeded a deal for Japanese-designed submarines that his predecessor championed. “No living Australian prime minister has commissioned a sub that actually got built,” Greg Sheridan, a columnist for The Australian newspaper, wrote in a recent article critical of Morrison’s plan. Australia’s latest proposal contains many potential pitfalls. It could turn to the United States to help build something like its Virginia-class attack submarine. (Such submarines are nuclear-powered, allowing them to travel faster and stay underwater much longer than diesel ones, but they do not carry nuclear missiles.) But the two American shipyards that make nuclear submarines, as well as their suppliers, are straining to keep up with orders for the U.S. Navy. The shipyards complete about two Virginia class boats a year for the Navy and are ramping up to build Columbia-class submarines, 21,000-ton vessels that carry nuclear missiles as a roving deterrent — a priority for any administration. A report to the Senate Armed Services Committee last month warned that the “nuclear shipbuilding industrial base continues to struggle to support the increased demand” from U.S. orders. That report was prepared too late to take into account the Australian proposal. “They are working at 95-98% on Virginia and Columbia,” Richard V. Spencer, a Navy secretary in the Trump administration, said of the two U.S. submarine shipyards. He supports Australia’s plan and said his preferred path on the first submarines was to galvanize specialized suppliers to ship parts, or whole segments of the submarines, to assemble in Australia. “Let us all be perfectly aware and wide-eyed that the nuclear program is a massive resource consumer and time consumer, and that’s the given,” he said in a telephone interview. Other experts have said Australia should choose Britain’s Astute class submarine, which is less expensive and uses a smaller crew than the big American boats. The head of Australia’s nuclear submarine task force, Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, said this week that his team was considering mature, “in-production designs” from Britain, as well as the United States. “That de-risks the program,” he said during a Senate committee hearing. But Britain’s submarines have come relatively slowly off its production line, and often behind schedule. Britain’s submarine maker, BAE Systems, is also busy building Dreadnought submarines to carry the country’s nuclear deterrent. “Spare capacity is very limited,” Trevor Taylor, a professorial research fellow in defense management at the Royal United Services Institute, a research institute, wrote in an email. “The U.K. cannot afford to impose delay on its Dreadnought program in order to divert effort to Australia.” Adding to the complications, Britain has been phasing out the PWR2 reactor that powers the Astute, after officials agreed that the model would “not be acceptable going forward,” an audit report said in 2018. The Astute is not designed to fit the next-generation reactor, and that issue could make it difficult to restart building the submarine for Australia, Taylor and other experts said. Britain’s successor to the Astute is still on the drawing board; the government said last month that it would spend three years on design work for it. A naval official in the British Ministry of Defense said that the planned new submarine could fit Australia’s timetable well. Several experts were less sure. “Waiting for the next-generation U.K. or U.S. attack submarine would mean an extended capability gap” for Australia, Taylor wrote in an assessment. The challenge does not stop with building the submarines. Safeguards to protect sailors and populations, and meet nonproliferation obligations, will require a big buildup of Australia’s nuclear safety expertise. Residents in some parts of Barrow-in-Furness, the town of 67,000 that is home to Britain’s submarine-building shipyard, are handed iodine tablets as a precaution against possible leaks when reactors are tested. The Osborne shipyard in South Australia, where Morrison wants to build the nuclear submarines, sits on the edge of Adelaide, a city of 1.4 million. Australia operates one small nuclear reactor. Its sole university program dedicated to nuclear engineering produces about five graduates every year, said Edward Obbard, the leader of the program at the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Australia would need many thousands more people with nuclear training and experience if it wants the submarines, he said. “The ramp-up has to start now,” he said.

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