NSW MP on leave after rape allegation.
Detectives are investigating claims a current NSW government MP raped a sex worker in the Blue Mountains in 2019, as a Nationals politician admits he is helping police with inquiries.
Labor's Trish Doyle, the Blue Mountains MP, used parliamentary privilege on Wednesday to allege an unnamed MP raped the sex worker after she did not consent to penetrative sex.
"It is all the worse that this man who raped her is a government member of this chamber... his power and privileged position as a civic leader make that fear, anger and hurt all the worse," Ms Doyle told the NSW lower house.
Later in the day Nationals MP Michael Johnsen announced he was taking leave immediately and stepping aside from his Parliamentary Secretary role.
"I support the outcome and I am very open as to the means," Mr Hunt told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
The minister said gender equity could be achieved through what he described as "active management" but if that failed, quotas could achieve the desired result.
Some Liberals have expressed reservations about gender quotas but senior female frontbenchers have argued it was time they were introduced.
The Liberal Party has spent years pushing back against gender quotas, relying instead on non-binding targets.
QLD minister details grope at parliament.
Queensland health minister Yvette D'Ath has told state parliament she was groped by a visiting dignitary when she was working as attorney-general.
Her comments were made on Wednesday as parliament debated a motion condemning the harassment and assault of women and supporting a right to safety.
"How about two years ago as the attorney-general when I was groped ... at a conference in this parliament?" Ms D'Ath said.
"This is still happening today. It has to stop," she said.
Australia no longer relies on foreign jabs.
Australia is no longer reliant on insecure international supplies of coronavirus vaccines after the national medical regulator approved locally made doses.
The first batch of Australian-made AstraZeneca drugs has been approved, with about 500,000 doses to go out each week.
Health Minister Greg Hunt declared "the trucks are rolling" as the locally produced vaccines are dispatched across the country.
"This provides the security of supply for the Australian general population rollout, which is fundamental," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
Mr Hunt said the European Union had put in place some "very challenging" hurdles to getting supplies to Australia.
"But we are in a strong position because of this Australian production."
Appearing before a Senate estimates committee, Department of Health secretary Brendan Murphy admitted the European Union had blocked more than one shipment of coronavirus vaccines.
AstraZeneca has been trying to get much more to Australia but has been unable to deliver.
COVID-19 restrictions to be eased in NSW, VIC, SA.
Masks will no longer be mandatory in NSW from Monday, will all restrictions on dancing and singing lifted, and unlimited numbers allowed at weddings and funerals.
Coronavirus restrictions will further ease in Victoria from 6pm on Friday - with masks no longer required to be worn in retail settings and will only be mandatory on public transport, inside ride share vehicles and taxis, as well as in sensitive settings such as aged care facilities and hospitals.
Private gathering numbers will increase to 100 people, up from 30 visitors. Public outdoor gatherings will double to 200 people, and the cap for office workers will be removed.
South Australia will ease some of its remaining COVID-19 restrictions next Wednesday. The one person to every two square metres requirement will change to three people to every four square metres, and patron caps on venues such as churches, theatres and cinemas from 75 to 100 per cent, provided all people wear masks.
Queen's grandchild Zara Tindall gives birth to a baby boy.
The daughter of Princess Anne, Zara Tindall, gave birth to her son Lucas Philip on a gym mat on the bathroom floor on Sunday night.
In the official statement, the couple revealed that the baby’s second name was indeed a nod to his great-grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, 99.
The baby, weighing 3.74kg, was born at Princess Anne’s Gloucestershire estate, two and a half hours’ drive west of London.
The couple already have two older children, Mia, 7, and Lena, 2.
Around the world.
- Demonstrators have staged a so-called "silent strike" across Myanmar with protesters staying home and many businesses closing. The military has now released 600 anti-coup protesters according to local media.
- With AAP
Feature image: Getty/NSW Parliament/Sky News.
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