Hannah Dowling

Australia and New Zealand are currently in discussions over the possible expansion of their existing travel bubble arrangement to the Pacific islands, including New Caledonia, Tahiti and the Cook Islands. According to Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan, the federal governments of Australia and New Zealand are currently deliberating expanding the existing quarantine-free travel bubble

The flight school accommodation in Adelaide could be repurposed into a quarantine hub for international university students, under a plan recently approved by the SA chief public health officer.

The announcement comes days after Qantas suggested it could offer loyalty points or vouchers as an incentive for Australians to get jabbed, as the airline works to push up the country’s vaccination rates.

Jayne Hrdlicka said on Thursday she accepts her “some people may die” border comments were hurtful and would “choose different words” if she had her time again.

Qantas said the snap three-day lockdown in Perth in April alone cost the company $15 million in revenue, while a similar lockdown in Brisbane cost $29 million.

The flag carrier said it would offer voluntary redundancy to some international cabin crew, following the news that it has pushed back its intentions to restart long-haul services until at least December.