Labor denies bullying reports after death of Kimberly Kitching; NZ to drop vaccine mandate – as it happened

NSW government seeks to suspend Gareth Ward; Craig Foster lashes treatment of asylum seekers in National Press Club address; new research suggests long-lasting Covid immune response from vaccine-induced T-cells; at least 26 Covid deaths recorded; Atagi expected to green light fourth booster shots for some Australians. This blog has now closed

• Ash Barty announces shock retirement from tennis at 25
• Hillsong's Brian Houston resigns from megachurch
• A new beginning': New Zealand to drop Covid vaccine passes and mandates
• Follow the Ukraine live blog
• See all our coronavirus coverage
• Get our free news app; get our morning email briefing

David Koch:

Have you spoken to the mean girls" - Kristina Keneally, Penny Wong - in the last week or so since Kimberly Kitching's death about the allegations of bullying?

I think that term is really unfortunate.

She used it, it is not just us.

There is a lot of people speaking on other people's behalf at the moment. I think that in politics, there are a range of people who are involved in party politics who play it pretty hard. One of those was Kimberly Kitching. She was somebody who engaged in politics and was passionate about her belief and from time to time that could produce some conflict. But it needs to be done in a way that is respectful, in a way that is understanding, and attempts to reach consensus.

It is rather bizarre ... I am always available and indeed I lobby regularly to be on the Sunrise program. I am always happy to discuss things with the media, but I won't be taking lectures from a prime minister who visited Lismore and had strict streets shut off so victims of floods could not get near him.