2021-02-21 20:55:03 | Australia news live: Covid vaccine rollout begins; more questions over rape allegations | Australia news

Simon Birmingham was on ABC radio RN, asking how those who were aware of the sexual assault allegations were supposed to act.

If you’re interested in the latest Newspoll, AAP has taken a look at it for you:

Scott Morrison’s popularity has grown despite criticism over his handling of an alleged rape at Parliament House and the government’s brawl with Facebook.

Ahead of Monday’s rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine, a Newspoll published by the Australian newspaper shows Morrison bolstering his approval and extending his lead as preferred prime minister over Anthony Albanese.

While scrutiny of the government has been intense during the fallout from the alleged 2019 rape of defence ministry staffer Brittany Higgins, the Coalition’s primary vote remains unchanged at 42% in the poll.

In a potential blow to his prospects as opposition leader, Albanese recorded among his worst approval ratings since winning the job after Bill Shorten resigned in 2019.

Albanese’s satisfaction levels fell three points to 38% and his dissatisfaction rating rose to 45%.

His fall in support came despite a one-point primary vote lift for Labor to 37%, the party’s equal-best result in more than a year.

The poll showed the two-party-preferred split remains unchanged at 50-50 and approval of Morrison’s performance rose a point to 64%.

Asked who would make a better prime minister if an election was called, Morrison scored 61%, while Albanese only rated 26%.

Popular support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation remains steady at 3%, according to the poll, while support for other minor parties fell a point to 8%.

Welcome back to Politics Live.

I hope you had time over the weekend to rest, or at least switch off. It’s going to be another heavy week on Capital Hill, so it is important to grab those quiet moments where you can.

To the good news: Australia’s vaccine program has begun rolling out.

Eight-four-year-old Jane Malysiak became the first recipient. She struggled with making the “V” for vaccine sign Scott Morrison made, so turned it around, prompting the prime minister to very quickly grab her hand and tuck it away.

Morrison, wearing the Australian netball Diamonds shirt with “Scomo” on the back, then got his vaccine.

The rollout continues today. The goal is to have the Australian population vaccinated by October.

Meanwhile, the latest Newspoll, first published by the Australian, has Morrison’s personal popularity as preferred prime minister from 57 points to 61. The two parties remained deadlocked at 50/50 though.

But in the parliament, the fallout from Brittany Higgins’s allegations continues. The Australian has published allegations from a third woman, as the culture is examined at all levels.

But who knew what, when, is still under question. It’s something which is going to dominate this second sitting week, and it is going to be rough, so make sure you take care of yourself as we navigate through it.

You have Katharine Murphy, Daniel Hurst and Paul Karp with you, as well as Mike Bowers and the entire Guardian brains trust. Amy Remeikis will be with you on the blog for most of the day.

Ready?
Let’s get into it.