Australia news live update: China issues warning on nuclear submarine deal; Queensland passes voluntary assisted dying laws

Paul Keating slams submarine deal, warning of US-China tensions; Australian nuclear-powered submarines will be banned from entering NZ waters; Victoria to ease restrictions as state records 514 Covid cases; unemployment rate falls in August but hours worked plummets - follow all today's news and Covid updates

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9.40am BST

That brings today's blog to an end. But first, here are today's biggest headlines:

9.03am BST

China's foreign ministry has warned that Australia, the US and the UK may end up hurting their own interests, after the three countries unveiled a new defence cooperation pact.

The agreement - which includes a plan to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines - was criticised by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian.

Australia is a non-nuclear weapon state party to the NPT [non-proliferation treaty] and a party to the nuclear weapon-free zone in the Southern Pacific. Now it is importing nuclear-powered submarine technology with strategic military value. The international community, including neighbouring countries, have risen to question its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. China will closely monitor the situation.