Australia will reopen international borders and welcome back all remaining visa holders and tourists from February 21.

Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston said on Sunday he is stepping down from all ministry responsibilities to prepare to “vigorously defend” against Australian police charges that he concealed sex abuse of a young man in the 1970s.

New South Wales recorded another 52 COVID-19 deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday.

International tourists could be allowed to come back to Australia before Easter, according to the prime minister.

An Australian man has pleaded guilty to abducting four-year-old Cleo Smith and holding her at his home for 18 days.

NSW has reported 30,825 new COVID-19 cases and 25 deaths as Premier Dominic Perrottet defends the government’s management of the pandemic amid increased pressure on the state’s hospitals.

Australia reported a record high of COVID-19 deaths Tuesday, and its second-largest state declared an emergency in hospitals.

Australia has equalled its hottest day on record after a remote coastal town reported temperatures of 50.7C (123.26F).

Australia’s New South Wales state reported 16 deaths on Sunday in its deadliest day of the pandemic, even as it relaxed rules to allow some essential workers in isolation to return to work if they are asymptomatic.

NSW has reported 45,098 new cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths as new restrictions come into force for the next three weeks.

The NSW government is set to announce a major reversal of multiple COVID-19 restrictions.

Australia and Japan are set to sign a treaty to strengthen defense and security cooperation at a virtual summit on Thursday, after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled trips to Australia and the United States due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.