Australia news live: Dreyfus says Collaery affair ‘an exceptional case’; final NSW flood watch issued for mid-north coast; 60 Covid deaths

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Wilkie: Collaery prosecution ‘never should have begun’

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie has welcomed the dropping of charges against whistleblower lawyer Bernard Collaery and says it was a “grave injustice and outrageous attack on the legal profession” that he was prosecuted in the first place, considering Collaery was simply a lawyer doing his job.

[AG Mark] Dreyfus is correct in saying the ‘prosecution should end.’ But the reality is that it never should have begun. The Australian government is the real villain in this case, having made the appalling decision to spy on East Timor which is one of the poorest countries in south-east Asia.

While someone should be answering to a court, it certainly should never have been the Asis whistle-blower and his lawyer.

Updated at 01.25 EDT

Queensland hospitals likely to suspend elective surgeries amid third Covid wave

Some elective surgeries may be suspended again in Queensland as the state government pleads with residents to get their booster jabs amid a third Covid-19 wave, AAP reports.

Just under 700 public and private hospital patients have the virus and 7.6% of Queensland health workers are off on some form of sick leave.

“I have over 2000 staff that are furloughed just because of Covid,” health minister Yvette D’Ath said on Thursday.

Some hospitals are likely to suspend lower-category elective surgeries depending on where staffing pressures are impacting the most.

Queensland health minister Yvette D’Ath: ‘Modelling suggests it will get worse leading up to the end of the month.’ Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

“There’s no decision to have any statewide suspension. We’re allowing the local hospitals to manage that based on their own demands and pressures,” D’Ath said.

With the current virus wave yet to hit its peak, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.

“The modelling says that we should expect that it will get worse leading up to the end of the month,” D’Ath said.

Updated at 01.13 EDT

Collaery decision welcomed by Greens, Centre Alliance MP and independents

A quick look through the socials shows the attorney general’s decision to drop the charges against whistleblower lawyer Bernard Collaery has been welcomed by the Greens, as well as Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie, independent MPs Monique Ryan and Zoe Daniel, and independent senator David Pocock.

Not much of a reaction from the Coalition so far.

Updated at 01.03 EDT

Dreyfus says Collaery affair ‘an exceptional case’

The attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, held a very brief conference on the decision to drop charges against whistleblower lawyer Bernard Collaery.

Dreyfus said he wouldn’t confirm any detail around the allegations for which Collaery had been originally charged:

The consent of a former attorney general was required to commence the prosecution of Mr Collaery, having had regard to our national security, our national interest and the administration of justice, today I have determined that this prosecution should end.

My decision was informed by our government’s commitment to Australia’s national security and our commitment to our relations with our neighbours. This is an exceptional case. Governments must protect secrets and our government remains steadfast in our commitment to keep Australians safe by keeping secrets out of the wrong hands. The long-standing practice of government has been to neither confirm nor deny claims made about intelligence matters and I will strictly adhere to that practice.

There were no questions so that was the end of the press conference, for some reason. You can read my colleague Paul Karp’s full story on the announcement below.

Updated at 01.16 EDT

NSW flooding: drone footage shows extent of floods around Windsor – video

Perth zoo icon, Tricia the elephant, dies aged 65

Perth Zoo’s last remaining elephants will be relocated to an open-range facility after beloved matriarch Tricia died at the age of 65, AAP reports.

One of the oldest-known elephants in the world, Tricia died at Perth Zoo on Wednesday night after a final bout of illness.

The Asian elephant was a zoo icon and much-loved West Australian animal ambassador, having welcomed visitors to the park south of the city for 60 years.

“Her stature and her grace were compelling,” premier Mark McGowan said.

“Tricia brought such joy to so many people, which is why it was important that in her final moments she was treated with love, dignity and respect.”

Tricia at her 64th birthday party at Perth Zoo last year. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Tricia recently suffered a decline in her health, including sleep and mobility issues. She died surrounded by her carers in her night quarters.

A special memorial walk will open at Perth Zoo on Sunday so West Australians can pay their respects to Tricia, with plans for a permanent memorial also in the works.

Fifty per cent of Sunday’s admission fees will go towards a conservation fund named in Tricia’s honour.

Updated at 00.33 EDT

Full statement from Mark Dreyfus and Penny Wong on Collaery decision

Here’s the full statement from the attorney general, Mark Dreyfus, and the foreign minister, Penny Wong, on the decision to drop the charges against whistleblower lawyer Bernard Collaery:

Today the Attorney-General, the Hon. Mark Dreyfus QC MP, discontinued the prosecution of Mr Bernard Collaery under section 71 of the Judiciary Act 1903.

“In taking this decision I have had careful regard to our national security, our national interest and the proper administration of justice.

“It is my view that the prosecution of Mr Collaery should end,” Mr Dreyfus said today.

“I have therefore decided to exercise my power under section 71 of the Judiciary Act not to proceed with the prosecution of Mr Collaery.”

This decision to discontinue the prosecution was informed by the Government’s commitment to protecting Australia’s national interest, including our national security and Australia’s relationships with our close neighbours.

The Attorney-General has notified the ACT Supreme Court, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and Mr Collaery’s legal representatives.

Updated at 00.35 EDT

The seal found on a farm in South Australia we mentioned earlier is back in the water.

The Royal Australian College of GPs has welcomed the announcement regarding extending fourth Covid-19 shots.