Australia cautiously rings in 2022 with firework displays but smaller crowds

Country celebrates new year amid record rise in Covid cases and sweltering temperatures

Australia has welcomed in the new year more cautiously than usual, with far fewer people attending firework displays and other events.

But after a tumultuous 2021 the prime minister, Scott Morrison, said Australians had much to be thankful for. Despite the pandemic, despite the floods, the fires, continuing drought in some areas, the cyclones, the lockdowns, even mice plagues, Australia is stronger today than we were a year ago. And we're safer," he said in a New Year's Eve message.