The man who previously admitted to murdering Constable Matthew Hunt had an offended edge to his voice on Wednesday when his own lawyer asked him if he intended to kill Hunt’s partner, who was also gunned down that day.”Did you at…

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Whanganui’s Covid-19 vaccination rollout is still ahead of the rest of the country with the DHB preparing to launch group 4 vaccination – the final group – next week. Whanganui District Health Board chief executive Russell Simpson…

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DHBs have dampened their aims for the vaccine rollout, with 170,000 fewer doses planned to be administered by the end of August than originally planned.The numbers for DHB vaccine plans until August 29 were released yesterday by…

The second man charged with murder over the death of Gold Coast mother Kelly Wilkinson has faced her family today while his matter was mentioned in court.

Bradley Bell, 25, faced Southport Magistrates' Court wrapped in a hospital gown this morning.

9News understands Mr Bell is a former colleague of Ms Wilkinson's estranged husband and her accused killer Brian Johnston, with both working at a Coomera marine engineering company.

Police allege Mr Bell helped Mr Johnston collect fuel and drove the former US marine to Ms Wilkinson's Arundel home.

The fuel was then allegedly used to cover the 27-year-old mother before she was set alight, with Mr Johnston later found streets away with significant burns.

Mr Bell was interviewed by police in the days following the murder but was only arrested yesterday at a Coomera business.

Police have accused Mr Bell of knowing Mr Johnston's alleged plans and helped facilitate them.

Ms Wilkinson's family was present at court today.

Police allege Mr Bell wasn't known to them or Ms Wilkinson.

Mr Bell was remanded in custody with his matter, and Mr Johnston's, to be heard again in October.

The body of a man has been discovered in Western Australia's Swan River this afternoon, outside of a Burswood casino.

Police officers were called in to retrieve the body at 12.30pm.

The age of the man is yet to be confirmed.

Officers remain on the scene tonight, investigating how the man died.

More to come.

Australia has hit a key target in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as one million vaccinations were administered in the past week, but the rollout remains two months behind its original schedule.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the milestone at a press conference from the Lodge this afternoon.

"Today, with the most recent seven days' data, we finally hit that mark of a million doses in arms in a week," he said.

LIVE UPDATES: South Australia's COVID-19 cases all linked to NSW outbreak

READ MORE: 'Too early' to call lockdown extension as NSW records 110 new cases

"We've been working towards that now for weeks."

The latest figures put yesterday's vaccination doses at close to record numbers, with 174,589 vaccines given.

The milestone follows a steady increase in vaccination rates, which several weeks ago were sitting at around 700,000 per week.

Despite this, the nation remains around two months behind the Federal Government's original vaccination schedule.

Mr Morrison acknowledged "significant challenges" in the early stages of the nation's vaccination program, but refused to apologise for his failure to meet his own government's vaccination targets.

"I know Australians would like the vaccination program to be further advanced than it is now," he said.

He labelled the delays "regrettable" but said they were the result of "many factors".

He addressed the government's decision to use AstraZeneca as its primary vaccine, pointing to anticipated difficulties in distributing Pfizer at sub minus-70 degree temperatures across remote Australia.

"I take responsibility for the problems that we have had but I am also taking responsibility for the solutions we're putting in place and the vaccination rates that we are now achieving," he said.

READ MORE: Hundreds queue for testing as NSW Central West towns lock down

In another much-anticipated measure, the first shipment of ramped-up supplies of the Pfizer vaccine has also arrived in Australia this week.

"We've gone from 300,000 doses a week escalating to a million doses coming every week with Pfizer," Mr Morrison said.

To assist in rolling out the more-than-tripled supply, an additional 320 GP clinics across the country will begin administering Pfizer vaccines this week.

More pharmacies will also begin administering the AstraZeneca vaccine.

It comes as more than half of Australia's population is in lockdown today, with three states battling outbreaks of the Delta variant.

South Australia began a seven-day lockdown overnight, with its cluster now standing at six cases, all linked to the Sydney outbreak.

Victoria continues to battle its own Delta outbreak with 22 new cases today, as Premier Daniel Andrews institutes an even tougher border with NSW that sees many of its own residents unable to return.

READ MORE: Coronavirus cases spike in Victoria with 22 new infections

Meanwhile, the outbreak in New South Wales continues to deteriorate despite almost four weeks of a harsh lockdown affecting millions across Sydney and beyond.

Three regional Central West towns were the latest to enter a snap lockdown overnight after a visit from an infected pet store delivery driver.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has repeatedly pointed the finger at the Federal Government for insufficient vaccine supplies leaving the state vulnerable to the highly contagious Delta variant.

Mr Morrison hit back today, noting that vaccination rates in NSW remain below those achieved in Victoria and some other states.

"I would like to see more AstraZeneca vaccines being distributed through the state-based clinics like Victoria has been able to achieve," he said.

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Asked whether the government would petition ATAGI to change its advice that AstraZeneca be limited to those over 60 in light of current outbreaks, Mr Morrison said it was "a constant appeal".

"When they made the decision to restrict or to have a preference for those under the age, ultimately, of 60 to have the Pfizer vaccine, they said they made that decision on the balance of risk," he said.

"Well, it's for them to now constantly reconsider how that balance of risk applies and provide their advice accordingly."

Mr Morrison acknowledged the current lockdowns would deliver "a heavy blow" to the Australian economy, but said he was unable to name a final figure for the September quarter.

He insisted that once lockdowns lifted the economy would "bounce back" as it had done previously.

Brisbane has been announced as the host of the 2032 Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee confirmed the widely expected news during a meeting of the 138th IOC Session in Tokyo this evening, beating out bids from countries including Spain and Germany.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner made a successful pitch for the Games this afternoon, assisting with the final push.

LIVE UPDATES: Brisbane named as 2032 hosts

"I'm so excited, I have so much pride in my state, for our people, never in my lifetime did I think this was going to happen," Ms Palaszczuk said after the decision.

"We've done it Queensland, we've done it Brisbane, this is fantastic, it's amazing.

"Tonight is your night, enjoy."

Mr Schrinner paid tribute to Brisbane's tumultuous history but said tonight marked a "new era" for the city.

"Brisbane is a place that has been through a lot, it's been through natural disasters and floods but it's always had that determined spirit and ambition," Mr Schrinner said.

"Today is Brisbane's time to shine – it's a new era for Brisbane, but also a new era for the Olympic movement as well.

"We are so excited … it's going to be so great for our city and our region and our state."

President of the Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Hashimoto Seiko was among one of the first to congratulate both Australia and Brisbane for the achievement.

"My heartfelt congratulations go to the people of Brisbane and Australia, he said.

"Over the past year, the world's sporting community has faced the multiple challenges of COVID-19; however, under the steadfast leadership of IOC President Thomas Bach, the Olympic movement has made steady progress, culminating in today's decision in favour of Brisbane.

"I am confident that the Olympic movement will continue to gain momentum as it moves from Tokyo to Paris, from Paris to Los Angeles, and finally on to Brisbane."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visibly jumped out of his chair in Canberra following the announcement.

He said securing the Games was a coup for the nation.

"It's a historic day not just for Brisbane and Queensland, but for the entire country," Mr Morrison said.

"Only global cities can secure the Olympic Games – so this is fitting recognition for Brisbane's standing across our region and the world.

"It's a proud day for Queenslanders and Australians everywhere."

Queenslanders at several locations along the state's south-east region rejoiced with thunderous applause and cheers following the announcement, with confirmed venues in Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast lighting up in celebration.

AOC President John Coates promised Brisbane, Queensland and all Australians stood ready to deliver an Olympic and Paralympic Games to the highest standard.

"I thank the IOC Members for their confidence. Brisbane 2032 is genuinely committed to serving the ideals of the Olympic movement," Mr Coates said.

"The Olympic Games in Brisbane will be in the most diligent, grateful and enthusiastic hands. And I make this commitment to the athletes of the world – we will provide you with an unforgettable experience."

It's expected that the 2032 Olympics will flush more than $4 billion into the Queensland economy through jobs, tourism and infrastructure.

By RNZ Nine cases of Covid-19 have been detected among travellers from Fiji to New Zealand in the past week, a senior health official said.Fiji is grappling with a worsening Covid crisis, with over 14,000 positive people in…