The Vatican has welcomed the high court ruling which acquited cardinal George Pell, saying it always had faith in the Australian judiciary. The Holy See issued a statement overnight, reaffirming its commitment to preventing abuse, but noting cardinal Pell has always maintained his innocence. Cardinal Pell's child sex abuse convictions were quashed yesterday, and he has spent his first night of freedom in Melbourne's inner east. The complainant at the centre of the case has also issued a statement saying that he respects the decision of the high court, and that he accepts the outcome.
The 130 billion dollar Job-keeper package will be brought before a slimmed down version of parliament this morning. It's expected six million Australians or about half of the national workforce will rely on the 15-hundred dollar a fortnight payment through the economic downturn of the coronavirus pandemic. The plan is expected to pass, but the opposition does have concerns and continues to push for more casual workers to be included.
Three children have been rushed to hospital in Sydney this morning with suspected coronavirus symptoms. They were staying at the Hilton Hotel with their parents, where they were under quarantine after returning home from overseas. Health workers removed the children late last night, and they are now being treated at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.