Key events
Vanuatu devastated by earthquake: in pictures
Here are some more pictures from Vanuatu showing the devastation on the island.
Rafqa Touma
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Emergency aid will be sent to Vanuatu: Wong
Vanuatu’s caretaker prime minister, Charlot Salwai, declared a state of emergency last night and said a curfew would be imposed for seven days in the worst-affected areas.
It was a “sad and devastating time” in Port Vila, he said, expressing sympathy to families who had lost loved ones.
Australia was among the first to answer his call for emergency assistance. Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, said the government was preparing to deploy immediate assistance to Vanuatu today.
Speaking in London, she said Australia would be sending emergency medical teams and urban search and rescue units to the island. A helpline has been set up to help Australians who could be caught up in the disaster.
On behalf of our country, on behalf of Australians, I want to extend our solidarity and our condolences to the people of Vanuatu.
We’ve seen a dreadful tragedy at Port Vila. I want to say that we have reached out to my counterparts by message to offer any supports that Vanuatu needs.
We will provide whatever assistance is required. I say to the people of Vanuatu, you are family and Australia is here to help. In relation to any Australians who are caught up in this, we are available to assist you, if required. I say, please contact the Emergency Centre. It’s a 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre. From outside Australia you dial +61 2 6261 3305 and you will be assisted, if you contact us, to the best of our capacity.
The earthquake caused damage to an embassy building used by several countries, including Australia, but Wong said all its staff were safe.
Read our full story here.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to our rolling news coverage. I’m Martin Farrer bringing you the top overnight stories.
Australian is sending immediate assistance to Vanuatu today after a state of emergency was declared following a powerful earthquake yesterday. Penny Wong said rescue and medical teams would be dispatched to help in the aftermath of the quake that caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure such as reservoirs and communications. The situation is still unclear after the quake knocked out communications infrastructure, but hospital officials told local TV that at least six people had been killed and 50 injured. More coming up.
The big political event of the day will come when Jim Chalmers presents his midyear economic update in Canberra later today. It is expected to show a $200bn improvement to the federal bottom line over the six years to 2027-28, but that there has also been some “slippage” caused by a decline in revenue from mining exports. More coming up.
Year 12 students in New South Wales and Tasmania will be celebrating or otherwise today as the HSC results come out. We’ll be hearing some of their stories, but we already have a few overall snapshots – including a continued dividde between the sexes when it comes to the top marks. Of the 51 students that received a perfect Atar of 99.95, 42 were male and just nine were female. More coming up.
