He said in a speech that he has spoken to opposition leader Anthony Albanese and congratulated him on his victory, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday projected that Labor will form government for the first time since 2013, with Albanese set to become the country's 31st Prime Minister.
The results mark an end to the coalition's nearly nine-year hold on power and Morrison's tenure as Prime Minister.
It marks one of the most significant easing of Australia's border closure since it was introduced to prevent the spread of the virus in March 2020, reports Xinhua news agency.
However, arrivals could still face a mandatory quarantine period depending on the rules in the state or territory they arrive in.
"The national cabinet has decided today Australia will reopen our borders to all remaining visa holders on February 21 of this year," Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
"The condition is you must be double vaccinated to come to Australia."
Travellers who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 will be required to apply for a travel exemption to enter Australia.
Border restrictions were eased for international students and some visa holders in December last year, prompting calls from the tourism industry for travellers to be allowed in.
"I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that and over the next two weeks they'll get the opportunity both for visitors to be coming and for them to be gearing up," Morrison said.
Australia reported more than 20,000 new Covidd-19 infections and more than 40 deaths on Monday.
According to the Department of Health, there were 4,147 cases being treated in hospitals nationwide, including 286 in intensive care units.
He also said that Australia will deepen its ties with India's innovators, technologists and entrepreneurs, as well as the governments at all levels, and asserted that the ties that bind both nations are "indeed strong and abiding".
"I'm pleased to let you know that Australia is also seeking to establish a new Consulate General in Bengaluru. Bengaluru is the world's fastest growing technology hub of course we want to be part of it. It is home to a third of India's unicorn companies," Morrison said.
In his video message to the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS)-2021, he said, Australia's new mission in Bengaluru would expand its diplomatic presence in India to five posts.
The video message was played at the 24th edition of the BTS, that was inaugurated by Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Minister for IT & BT, Science & Technology C N Ashwath Narayan, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw among others.
Morrison also noted that as the BTS is on, his country is also kicking off the first-ever Sydney Dialogue in Australia, and he was honoured that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the dialogue tomorrow.
"This is a global summit on emerging, critical and cyber technologies and I'm delighted to be announcing Australia's first-ever Blueprint for Critical Technologies at that event. This signals Australia's firm commitment to shaping the development and adoption of critical technologies internationally, including by working with trusted partners like India," he said.
Noting that technology-leading nations will have greater economic, political and military power and considerable influence on global norms and values into the years ahead, the Australian Prime Minister said India is a major technology power.
"Technology is at the forefront of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which Prime Minister Modi and I signed last year. We're already making great progress. We're sharing expertise on cyber and critical technologies like quantum computing and AI. We're working to make our supply chains more secure and resilient," he said.
Indian and Australia are also collaborating on the mining and processing of critical minerals like cobalt and lithium and rare earth elements that are vital to clean energy technologies, and have military applications.
Morrison said both countries are also cooperating on space science, technology, and research, and Australia is proud to be supporting India's inspirational 'Gaganyaan' human spaceflight mission.
"We're deepening our education and research links also vital to technological cooperation, and we're working towards a low-emissions technology partnership, which will see us combine efforts on hydrogen and ultra-low-cost solar," he said.
Highlighting that both countries are also working with the United States and Japan through the Quad Leaders Dialogue, the PM said, "This is about four like-minded democracies coming together, from our region, to show we can make a positive difference in addressing our region's biggest challenges."
It's a very practical and positive partnership fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem.
"Together, we're working to bolster supply chain security, advance the deployment of secure 5G and beyond-5G networks, to combat cyber threats, and secure our critical infrastructure, and much more. You know, and I know, that technology isn't developed in a vacuum," he added.
Suggesting that Australia is working with like-minded countries, liberal democracies in particular, to ensure global technology rules and norms reflect liberal democratic values, Morrison said, a new Australia-India Centre of Excellence for Critical and Emerging Technology Policy will contribute to that effort.
"The Centre will bring together Australian and Indian technologists, policy practitioners, academics, researchers and thought leaders. Helping our nations shape technology governance so it aligns with our values and supports an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region," he said, adding that it will also promote investment opportunities and innovation between Australia and India in technology, and amplify our policy influence globally.
Further, pointing out that Australia and India are diverse, multicultural, liberal democracies who seek a world that is prosperous, safe and secure, and where human dignity is best expressed through choice and freedom, the Prime Minister said, "We seek to lift up, not suppress. To build a better world, rather than to hold back change."
"Our vision of the world understands the potential of technology to respond to the challenges of our time and to lift all to raise those living standards," he said, "We have witnessed this so powerfully over the past 18 months, with medical breakthroughs now allowing us all to plan for a world after this pandemic."
That same capacity to innovate will be at the fore of all of our efforts addressing climate change and in transitioning to a new energy economy, he added.
Kovind, the first-ever Indian head of state to visit Australia, arrived in Sydney on Wednesday on the second leg of his two nation trip.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that during the state visit of President Kovind to Australia, five agreements were exchanged in the presence of Marise Payne, Foreign Minister of Australia and Anantkumar Hegde, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, by High Commissioners of both countries.
The first agreement was for cooperation in the area of disability and to deliver services to the differently-abled. The second one was between Invest India and Austrade to facilitate bilateral investment.
The third agreement was signed between the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute, Ranchi, and the Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation, Canberra, to foster scientific collaboration and innovation.
The fourth one between the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, and the University of Western Australia, Perth, for cooperation in agricultural research and education while the last one was between the Indraprashta Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, and the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane for a joint Ph.D agreement.
Following the meeting with President Kovind, Prime Minister Morrison announced the release of Australia's response to the India Economic Strategy, a blueprint to transform the economic engagement.
"This report provides a roadmap for our economic future with India," Morrison said.
India is the world's fastest growing major economy and offers more opportunity for Australian business over the next 20 years than any other single market, he said.
The Australian government said it endorsed the report and provides in-principle support to its 20 priority recommendations.
"Our work will focus on greater economic engagement targeting 10 Indian states and 10 key sectors, while providing practical support for Australian businesses entering or expanding operations in India," Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said.
Australia also pinpointed the initial implementation plan with key actions for next one year which will include agreements forged between Austrade and Invest India, the establishment of an Australia-India Food Partnership, opening up new opportunities for agri-tech and service companies and Australia-India Strategic Research Fund grants of up to Australian dollar 500,000.
The fund is designed to help researchers solve challenges shared by both nations, including energy storage, marine science and plant genomics.
Other actions include the expansion of the Australia-India Mining Partnership at the Indian School of Mines, connecting Australian companies to India's mineral-rich northeastern states, supported by the new Consulate-General in Kolkata, engagement with airlines to increase direct flights through the Australia-India air services agreement.
Ministers across education, agribusiness, resources and tourism will oversee progress of the government's response and ongoing implementation of the India Economic Strategy.
Morrison along with the ministers for trade and resources will join President Kovind at the launch of the Australian chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry India Business Forum, which will serve as a platform for networking and policy advocacy for Indian businesses in Australia.
"I look forward to continue discussing the opportunities presented in the India Economic Strategy with President Kovind, and how we can continue to work together to develop enhanced economic ties," Morrison said.
Morrison was seen carrying drinks for the Prime Minister's XI and pictures of him doing the job has left the world pleasantly surprised. Meanwhile, Morrison also garnered a lot of respect in social media for his humbleness.
How cool that the Prime Minister @ScottMorrisonMP comes out with the drinks at the Prime Minister's XI game in Canberra pic.twitter.com/tZzobUqivr
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 24, 2019
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison turns water boy for Australia PM XI vs SL game. #Australia #AUSvSL #SLvsAUS #lka #SriLanka @ScottMorrisonMP pic.twitter.com/yM44mJHflu
— Rangana Shamil Fernando (@ranganashamil) October 24, 2019
Australian PM #ScottMorrison surprised ? everyone at the Manuka Oval in Canberra by carrying drinks during warm-up game between PMXI and Sri Lanka. #PMXI didn't disappoint him as they won by 1 wicket.#PMXIvSL #SLvsPMXI #Cricket ? #PMXIVSL #WaterBoy https://t.co/S3MBsx7ka3
— Vikas Kohli (@imvikaskohli) October 25, 2019
In the low scoring T20 match, the Prime Minister's XI won the game by one wicket against the Islanders. The visitors batted first and could only put on 130 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Harry Nielsen hit a 50-ball 79, but the hosts' batting line-up fell like a pack of cards and they lost nine wickets before Fawad Ahmed steered his side to victory with a ball to spare.
Morrison provided an update on the bushfires in a press conference at Parliament House, announcing that 2,131 homes have been destroyed and the toll is expected to rise, Xinhua reported.
Fire burning across Australia's southeast were expected to be exacerbated by high temperatures and strong winds on Thursday and Friday.
"I am sure over the course of the day, as further damage assessments have been undertaken, particularly in victims the numbers will continue to sadly change and they will continue to escalate," he said.
"I would encourage all Australians to continue to follow the advice of authorities, to keep being kind to each other as the way you are."
Morrison also thanked international partners who have sent aid to Australia.
He was joined by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin, who on Monday was announced as the inaugural head of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.
"The message we have is let's make sure what we give is tailored to the community who needs it," Colvin said.
On Thursday, mining magnate Andrew Forrest announced a 70-million-Australian-dollar ($48.1 million) donation to bushfire relief efforts.
(IANS)
At the same time, Australian High Commissioner Barry O'Farrell said his government is concerned over the growing Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea as well as China's plan to enforce a security law in Hong Kong notwithstanding the widespread protests by its citizens.
On India-Australia bilateral ties, the envoy said a mutual logistics support agreement for deeper defence cooperation as well as a number of other agreements are expected to be finalised at the online summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Thursday.
"In the virtual summit between the two leaders, you will see the Australia-India relationship reaching a historic high, matched by an ambitious agenda by both countries on what we can achieve in the future," he told a group of journalists at an online briefing.
O'Farrell said the focus of the talks will be to boost cooperation in areas like public health, education, science and technology cooperation, cybersecurity and critical technology and defence.
"Over the past months and years, we have seen India and Australia work even more closely together on shared goals particularly in contributing to a more secure, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific," he said.
O'Farrell said further enhancing bilateral maritime security as well as expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region would be the other key issues for talks.
Asked about the current military standoff between India and China in eastern Ladakh, the envoy said: "The issue is for China and India to resolve bilaterally. It is not an issue for Australia or any other country."
Last week, US President Donald Trump offered to mediate between India and China to end the face-off. However, both India and China rejected the offer, saying they have bilateral mechanisms to resolve the dispute.
On declining economic growth rate in India in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, O'Farrell said he was optimistic about the Indian and Australian economies.
"We have some of the wealthiest funds in the world and India is looking for foreign direct investment. There is a synergy between us," he said.
(PTI)
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Sources told IANS that this is the first time that the Prime Minister of India will hold a "bilateral" online summit with a foreign leader. The focus of the virtual meeting would be to explore the possibilities of "stepping up investments and trade with each other," sources said, adding that a number of MoUs and announcements are in the pipeline.
Prime Minister Morrison was to visit India in January and May but couldn't first due to bush fires in Australia and now due to the coronavirus-related restrictions. As a result, the two leaders decided to hold a virtual meeting.
The meeting assumes significance in view of the Cold War-like situation that has emerged between the US and China since the Covid-19 pandemic which originated in Wuhan city of Hubei province, six months ago. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) which aspires to re-shape the international system in favour of its ideology and interests, has been continually challenging the US-led world order.
In order to deal with China's aggression, the US believes that the Group of Seven (G7), an international inter-governmental economic organization of the seven largest advanced economies of the world including the US, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, needs to come together and also include India, Australia, Russia and South Korea.
Officials in New Delhi argue that as two democratic nations, India and Australia have developed an understanding of each other's perspectives on regional and global issues. "We have a shared approach to a free open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. This has led to the convergence of mutual interest in many areas. The relations are strong not only at the bilateral level but also at the plurilateral level," an official said.
Australia supports India's membership of the NSG and an expanded UNSC. It has also backed India's demand that Pakistan must take meaningful action against terror groups operating from its soil. Besides, it co-sponsored a UNSC resolution to declare Azhar Masood a global terrorist. Australia holds the view that recent developments with regard to J&K are India's internal matter.
Officials in Delhi point out that the two nations have much in common, underpinned by shared values of pluralistic, Westminster-style democracies, Commonwealth traditions, the long-standing people-to-people ties, and sporting links. "Our economies have many complementarities with the potential to enhance bilateral trade and investment, an official said.
In 2009, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership' and in 2014, the two-way Prime Ministerial visits added momentum to the strategic partnership. Australia, in its White Paper on Foreign Policy-2017, recognised India as the 'pre-eminent maritime power among Indian Ocean countries' and a 'front-rank partner of Australia'.
Overall, in the last five years, bilateral relations between both countries have strengthened and expanded tremendously. "Since 2014, they have stepped up security cooperation to include annual strategic dialogues, regular interaction between their two militaries and intelligence sharing on counter-terrorism issues," Sameer Patil, a fellow at Gateway House said.
"The COVID-19 pandemic, U.S.-China tensions and a shared concern about China's growing influence provide an opportunity for India and Australia to deepen their security engagement," Patil said. The two countries, he said, can enhance their cooperation in defence technology, cybersecurity for the Indo-Pacific and investment in critical infrastructure.
But above all, Australia and India, he said, can take the 'Quadrilateral Security Initiative' forward. "Given the synergies and strengths of the four countries (US, Japan, Australia and India) involved, a case definitely is made to expand Quad's focus from military to non-military but strategic issues - cybersecurity, counter-terrorism and technology including next-generation mobile communication and data transfer standards," he added.
(IANS)
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As of Friday noon there had been 196 deaths from COVID-19 in Australia, and the number of new cases in last 24 hours is 651, which is the second largest daily number in the country after Thursday's record of 747, according to the update from Michael Kidd, the government's Deputy Chief Medical Officer.
All eight new deaths were in Victoria, including four linked to aged care facilities in the worst-hit state, reports Xinhua news agency.
It takes the state's death toll to 113 with more expected to follow as authorities continue to fight outbreaks of the virus in care homes.
The total number of confirmed cases in Australia as of Friday noon was 16,905, said Kidd in the update.
"The level of new diagnoses remains concerning," he said. "Eight days ago, we had over 500 cases reported for the first time and the trend continues to be upwards."
Victoria has confirmed 627 new cases - its second highest daily increase after 723 on Thursday - and reclassified 48 cases that were previously diagnosed.
The number of cases nationally has grown by 3,310, or 24.3 per cent, in seven days from 13,595 on July 24. The death toll has risen by 57 from 139 in the same time period.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said he supported the Victoria government's decision to make face masks mandatory statewide from Sunday.
He said it was concerning that the lockdown on the metropolitan Melbourne area imposed in early July was not having impact on the rate of infection. Morrison said he spoke to Daniel Andrews, the Premier of Victoria, on Thursday night to discuss the possibility of further restrictions in the state.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA), has called for further lockdowns across Victoria in the form of certain industries being shut down.
(IANS)
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