Australia live news updates: Scott Morrison rules out new taxes, Labor pledges $500m for Indigenous health staff, 10 Covid deaths in NSW, Vic | Scott Morrison

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has today slammed Liberal federal MPs who have been campaigning to prevent transgender women from participating in sports along side other women, stating that he has never encountered this as a legitimate concern among the wider community, and labelling the attacks as “cruel” to transgender children:

“What’s the problem we’re trying to fix here? Because I’ve been in the parliament for 20 years, and I’ve never had a school community come to me and raised this issue. I’ve never had parents come to me, I’ve never had a teacher come to me and raise this issue.

And let’s be very clear about something. Trans kids are 15 times more likely to self-harm. 15 times.

Anyone who thinks that this debate, when no one can point to a problem, what is the problem we’re trying to solve here?

Fifteen times more likely to self-harm.

I don’t think this debate is doing any of those young Victorians any good, or their parents. It’s not easy to be trans. There are, many challenges, there’s a lot of stigma, and there’s a lot of prejudice.

I don’t think that adding to that is particularly kind. It’s cruel, in fact.”

In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.

One person with Covid-19 has died in Western Australia overnight. The state recorded 6,085 new cases, with 239 people in hospital and eight in ICU.

The update reported three new deaths but two were “historical in nature” and reported on Saturday.

It has been a tough time for WA Premier Mark McGowan who announced yesterday his child had been discharged from hospital after a four-day stay.

The child had been admitted on Thursday in a “serious condition” but is now understood to be well and recovering at home.

Prime minister Scott Morrison has announced a re-elected Coalition government will hand $100m to major fossil fuel producers to build carbon capture and storage operations.

Appearing with Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor, the election promise is part of a $300m commitment from the government to expand gas exports in Darwin.

The package will also set aside $70m to build a new hydrogen hub, but the lions share will go to Santos and other fossil fuel companies in the gas supply chain.

The PM said it would create a “jobs boom” in the Territory.

All eight people with Covid-19 who died overnight were over 50 years old, New South Wales health authorities say.

Two people were in their 50s, two in their 70s, two in their 80s and two people in their 90s.

The state also announced it will axe is daily Covid-19 media brief but will continue to post information through its social media account and website.

Australia’s defence minister, Peter Dutton, has suggested bribery was involved in helping China secure a security deal with Solomon Islands.

The Coalition has been on the defensive over heavy criticism about the handling of its relationship to its Pacific neighbour.

Speaking to reporters this morning, Dutton heavily implied China was able to edge out its competitors on deals by resorting to bribery.

“I make this point – China conducted their business in a very different way than we do. I mean, you asked the question about bribery or corruption, we don’t pay off, we don’t bribe people,” he said.

“The Chinese certainly do and they have demonstrated that in Africa and elsewhere. People can draw their own conclusions.”

In an interview with Sky News Dutton also suggested Australia may become a “tributary state to China” through its business dealings with its largest trading partner.

“China wants a relationship where they’ll come to the table and say we’re paying a fair price for your commodities but we don’t expect you to be critical of our human rights abuses,” he said.

“We don’t think you should say anything against China when there’s foreign interference, or theft of IP or interference on university campuses in Australia. They want us to remain silent on all of that.”

Dutton denied he was trying to frighten voters into voting for the Coalition.

South Australian police are investigating a dramatic fire at an Adelaide motel early this morning in which seven people were injured.

The dramatic scene unfolded just after 6.30am on Sunday morning as police and emergency services responded to reports of a fire on Melbourne Street in North Adelaide.

Police say the intense fire within the three-level complex was quickly brought under control by fire crews.

Fifteen people were rescued from the motel and seven were taken to hospital for treatment.

Investigators are currently at the site to determine the cause of the fire.

ACT records no Covid deaths

Queensland Health has issued a recall notice for vegan chocolates after they were found to contain milk.

More details would be provided but it looks as if the Foods Standards website is offline for maintenance.

Dramatic scenes from a fire in Adelaide where seven people have been reportedly injured following explosions at a motel just outside the CBD.

More as it happens.

Australia working in ‘lockstep’ with US on Solomon Islands, says Barnaby Joyce

National Covid death toll since start of pandemic approaching 7,000

Coalition committed to ‘lower tax guarantee’ if reelected

Labor shadow treasure Jim Chalmers is appearing on ABC’s Insiders just now and is lashing the government over its handling of the relationship with Solomon Islands:

Clearly, this is the consequence of a government which has cut foreign aid spending, they have mocked our Pacific friends when it comes to climate change, and they have dropped the ball when it comes to our national security and that’s what we’re seeing now.

Our country is less safe as a consequence of the mistakes that they have made on foreign policy. That is the net effect and the consequence of all of this chest-beating.

Now, this is a prime minister that went to the wrong island, you know, went to Hawaii during the bushfires when his focus should have been on the Solomon Islands.

A few shots from last night when prime minister Scott Morrison was in Sydney to attend Orthodox Easter services and naturally he had a photographer in tow.

Victoria records two Covid deaths

NSW records eight Covid deaths

Good morning