NSW Premier outlines changes to the roadmaps out of lockdown

BY JARROD MELMETH

The newly elected NSW Premier has wasted no time in making changes to the 70 and 80 per cent roadmaps out of lockdown.

The former treasurer says the pandemic is a fight which needs to be fought on two fronts; health and economic. He's making no apologies for wanting to get the economy moving sooner than previously planned.

From Monday 11 October, the following changes for the fully vaccinated have been made: 

• Visitors to a home will increase from five to ten, excluding children 12 and under
• Outdoor public gatherings will increase from 20 to 30 people
• Weddings and Funerals will increase from 50 to 100
• Indoor pools will reopen for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming and rehab activities only

From the Monday following the state reaching 80 per cent fully vaccinated, the following changes have been made for the fully vaccinated:

• Visitors to a home will increase from ten to twenty, excluding children 12 and under
• Outdoor public gatherings will increase from 20 to 50 people
• Controlled outdoor gatherings will increase from 500 to 3,000 people
• Masks will no longer be required in office buildings

Another major change will see Kindergarten, Year 1 and 12 return to school on October 18. All other students in the remaining years will return to the classroom on October 25. Previously there was to be a staggered return across three weeks.

It's also been revealed workers in the regions, including in the Hunter will be able to return to work on Monday with just one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Pictured: Dominic Perrottet 
Image: Yahoo

Dominic Perrottet elected NSW Premier

BY JARROD MELMETH

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has been elected the 46th Premier of NSW following a Liberal Party room vote this morning.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes also challenged for the leadership but was only able to secure five votes against Perrottet's 39.

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayers will become the new Deputy leader of the state Liberal Party.

Liberal coalition partner the Nationals, will hold a party room meeting on Wednesday to vote for a new leader of the party after John Barilaro announced his resignation from Parliament on Monday. 

It all follows the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian on Friday after the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced it would be investigating her conduct in allocating grants, including to former disgraced Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire.

New Premier Dominic Perrottet.
Image: 7NEWS.

University of Newcastle Set To Welcome Back International Students

BY JARROD MELMETH 

The University of Newcastle is excited to bring back international students under a state government pilot plan.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet made the announcement on Thursday with the plans to bring in 250 students through Sydney each fortnight.

The students will spend their two weeks quarantine in purpose-built student accommodation before heading to universities around the state.

The University of Newcastle says it will only receive around 8 students in the first instance but this number will grow if the pilot is successful. 

All up the university has over 6,000 international students.

Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinksy says the university has been working collaboratively with the NSW Government and other universities on this pilot initiative for more than 12 months.

"Our international students are a much-valued part of our community and we look forward to welcoming them back to our campuses in due course," Mr Zelinksy said.

The plans are set to be operational by mid-year should they be approved.

The NSW Treasurer says the plans wont come at the expense of returning Australians.

"We will continue to bring back 3,000 people per week, well more than any other state," Mr Perrottet said.