Australia may use Covid restrictions to justify diplomatic boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

Calls grow for Morrison government to follow US in diplomatic boycott of China over ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity'

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

The Morrison government is considering citing Covid restrictions as a reason for officials to stay away from the Beijing Winter Olympics, as calls grow for Australia to follow the US in a diplomatic boycott.

Guardian Australia understands while an announcement could be made soon, the government is unlikely to take as strong a position as the Biden administration, which blasted China over ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity".