COVID-19 update: Scott Morrison defends his 'secret appointments', says acted in the national interest

This is your update on COVID-19 in Australia for 17 August.

Former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. (file) Source: AAP / LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE

Key Points

• Mr Morrison says his 'secret appointments' were lawful
• WA could soon replace the emergency declaration with new legislation
• US first lady tests positive for COVID-19

On Wednesday, Australia reported at least 67 COVID-19 deaths, including 26 in New South Wales, 17 in Queensland and 15 in Victoria.

Check the latest COVID-19 trends for new cases, hospitalisations and deaths in Australia here.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison defended his "secret appointments" to five portfolios, including health, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said these appointments were lawful and he never exercised those emergency powers except for one occasion.

"I believed it was a prudent, responsible action in the middle of a crisis to have those emergency powers in place," he said.

A New South Wales parliamentary inquiry was told that police and military presence on the streets traumatised refugees and asylum seekers during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

The inquiry is hearing from west and southwest Sydney residents about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to improve crisis communication for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Western Australia could soon replace the emergency declaration with new legislation allowing authorities to police the mask mandate at hospitals, aged-care homes, and public transport.

US first lady Jill Biden is isolating after she tested positive for COVID-19. She is experiencing mild symptoms. President Joe Biden, who recently recovered from COVID-19, continues to test negative.

The World Health Organization has received several name suggestions for renaming the monkeypox virus. Some of them include Poxy McPoxface, TRUMP-22 and Mpox.

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