PM

Victoria will plunge into its fifth lockdown from midnight tonight with dire warnings about how infectious and fast spreading the current outbreak is; Economic hell for those missing out on COVID disaster payments, we'll meet those in the arts struggling to get by; And should we delay second COVID vaccine doses, to get more first doses into more arms? A look at vaccination strategy with Immunologist Cassandra Berry.

A longer lockdown in New South Wales, and now alarm in Victoria with several new COVID cases; What constitutes essential work during a COVID outbreak? The New South Wales Government says use common sense, but a behavioural expert says that's bad policy; And after a prison riot on Monday, we hear from inside Sydney's Parklea Prison, claiming conditions are terrible.

Despite fewer new COVID cases reported, a leading expert tells us Sydney's lockdown still has at least four to six weeks to run, if all goes to plan; So, with more COVID cases expected, we'll revisit what to expect if you catch it and it's better news than it was 18 months ago, when the pandemic began; And all the details of new financial help announced for individuals and businesses struggling with Sydney's lockdown.

Sydney's Covid outbreak tops 100 daily cases, is the lockdown working and can authorities do more to stop the spread?

Kevin Rudd's big meeting with the global head of Pfizer. The government won't even speak the name of the Former Prime Minister now, while defending its role in vaccine negotiations;

And we'll look at Italy's big win, and England's devastating loss in the European Championship soccer tournament, ending in the ultimate in sporting pressure, the penalty shootout.

The worst day of Sydney's COVID outbreak, with authorities desperate to stop the spread; As NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian fears an extended lockdown, we'll hear how some faith leaders are also pushing the health guidelines; And Australia's Olympians prepare to compete in barren arenas, with spectators banished from Tokyo events.

Sydney-siders are urged to redefine who you think of as family, it’s the latest appeal as authorities try to cut visits across homes, to stop the spread of COVID; Ahead of a crucial meeting on government plans to rein in costs, we'll speak to National Disability Insurance Scheme architect, Bruce Bonyhady; And special visas for prominent women at risk from the Taliban considered by the US government, we'll get a view from the Afghan capital Kabul.

A surprising suggestion today that New South Wales give up on getting to zero COVID in the community, the state's Health Minister sparks controversy with the remark, as a longer lockdown is imposed; Authorities are now targeting Sydney's south-west, as cases there keep growing, what's the community's view of what's gone wrong? In an echo of the aged care sector, there's caution in parts of the disability sector about calls for mandatory vaccination for workers.

Alarm bells over pre-election government funding for a swimming pool in federal Minister Christian Porter's electorate; There’s growing corporate involvement in NAIDOC week, marking Indigenous culture, but is it all any more than just lip service and good advertising? And parents and teachers facing the prospect of a longer COVID lockdown in Greater Sydney.

Coronavirus is in a Sydney Aged Care home, as staff are praised for working during the outbreak, some are still not vaccinated; Another huge global ransomware attack is unfolding, with a $70 million US price tag to unlock thousands of companies data, cybersecurity expert Suelette Dreyfus joins PM; And the controversial proposals to shake up the mathematics curriculum.. But what's best for students?

A plan from National Cabinet lacks detail and timelines, but sets out Australia's return to normal; The Health Minister Greg Hunt joins PM, saying the government’s working on getting Pfizer vaccine doses delivered earlier than expected; And a record number of cases for this New South Wales outbreak, are too many people still hanging out for too long at the shops?