Australia news live updates: international border reopens to vaccinated tourists; Sydney trains suspended amid industrial dispute | Australia news

4.12pm EST

16:12

The minister for trade tourism and industry, Dan Tehan, is speaking now from Sydney international airport.

He says today is a “great day” for the nation’s tourism industry, hit by two years of border closures.

“The future is looking very, very bright,” he said.

“To see the way people have been united, the hugs, the tears, has been wonderful.

“It’s been a party out here at Sydney airport.”

Updated
at 4.15pm EST

4.09pm EST

16:09

Sydney airport is a hive of activity this morning with the border fully opened to international travellers for the first time in three years.

Some 56 flights are expected to touch down in Australia today, more than half in Sydney – where arrivals are being greeted with koala and kangaroo toys, Vegemite and eucalyptus sprigs.

Sam Brain has just arrived from London after two years away from her friends and family. Her school friend, Emma, was there to greet her with a tearful hug. Sam is planning to surprise her mother later on today – who doesn’t know she’s made the visit.

“It’s been an amazing experience coming back, quite overwhelming with everyone here”, she says. “And a DJ. The whole process getting here was so worrying … but I’ve made it.

“My mum has to idea, she’s going to have a heart attack.”

Amanda Moss and Cindy Moss embrace on arrival at Sydney’s international airport on Monday morning. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Rishm Singh arrived from Toronto this morning with her children, and couldn’t wait to spend long-awaited time with her family.

“I was feeling a lot of anticipation – are we going to make it?” she said.

“But we have, and I feel so grateful … the past two years were horrendous, heart wrenching.”

Caitlin Cassidy
(@caitecassidy)

Complimentary koala and kangaroo toys greeting arrivals into Sydney airport along with little sprigs of eucalyptus. These bad boys might be worth something one day @GuardianAus @cait__kelly pic.twitter.com/XcPN7go2qk

February 20, 2022

Updated
at 4.16pm EST

4.02pm EST

16:02

Prime minister Scott Morrison says the government is using diplomatic channels to call for an investigation into the lasering of an Australian military aircraft by a Chinese warship.

Morrison said China needed to explain how such a dangerous act could be undertaken by “what is supposed to be a professional defence force”.

“This is a dangerous and reckless act and worse, it can be seen as an act of intimidation and bullying,” he told Sydney radio 2GB on Monday.

The aircraft was in Australia’s exclusive economic zone in the Arafura Sea off the country’s Top End.

“Could you imagine if that had been an Australian frigate up in the Taiwan Strait and they were pointing lasers at Chinese surveillance aircraft?” the prime minister said.

“Could you imagine the reaction to that in Beijing?”

The action came after a week of Labor and the Coalition arguing over national security, with the PM hoping to paint Labor as soft on China to win votes.

Updated
at 4.06pm EST

3.40pm EST

15:40

Good morning

Good morning everyone, this is Cait Kelly. We have a lot happening this morning, so let’s get into it.

The first international tourists in two years have touched down at Sydney international airport this morning, greeted by jubilant well-wishers waving Tim Tams, jars of Vegemite and stuffed koalas.

Federal tourism minister Dan Tehan was there to welcome the first arrivals, who all need to be at least double vaccinated to enter.

“What wonderful, wonderful news for our tourism industry and the 660,000 people employed in it,” Tehan told the Nine Network.

Charlotte Roempke welcomes her grandfather Bernie Edmonds as he arrives at Sydney international airport on Monday morning. Photograph: AAP

Meanwhile, thousands of NSW commuters have been left stranded after all Sydney train services were cancelled due to industrial action.

Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland says commuters are in for “a very difficult” morning and urged people to avoid trains.

The Italian ambassador to Australia, Francesca Tardioli, 56, has died after falling from a balcony in her hometown in Foligno in the Umbria region. The incident is being investigated by the police in Italy.

And power company AGL Energy is the target of an $8bn takeover bid from Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Canadian investment firm Brookfield.

The offer promises to get AGL out of coal in just a decade.

– With Australian Associated Press

Updated
at 4.06pm EST

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