Construction shut down after Vic protest.

The construction industry in Melbourne and other parts of Victoria will be shut down for two weeks following a violent protest outside the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union's headquarters.

The closure across Metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, the Surf Coast, Ballarat and Mitchell Shire was decided on Monday night after the CFMEU building was damaged and riot police deployed in chaotic scenes in the CBD.

CW: Violent content People throw projectiles and smash glass windows at the CFMEU building in protest against mandatory vaccines for construction workers pic.twitter.com/hYGKDlJ2n5

— Eden Gillespie (@edengillespie)

Late on Monday night Industrial Relations Minister Tim Pallas confirmed the two-week shutdown from 11.59pm for metropolitan Melbourne, City of Ballarat, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire and Mitchell Shire.

"We've been clear: if you don't follow the rules, we won't hesitate to take action – we have seen widespread non-compliance across the industry and that's why we're taking necessary steps to protect every single Victorian," he said in a statement.

"We put the industry on notice just a week ago, we have seen appalling behaviour on site and on our streets, and now we're acting decisively and without hesitation."

The government said all sites will need to demonstrate compliance with the Chief Health Officer's directions prior to reopening including the requirement for workers to show evidence of having had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before they return to work on October 5.

Construction sites and projects in lockdown areas of Victoria will be completely shutdown from midnight. It's the price the industry is paying after a violent episode of protests at the CFMEU headquarters in Melbourne. @reid_butler9 #9News pic.twitter.com/pL9GQONVqm

— 9News Australia (@9NewsAUS)

On Monday riot police used rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse an angry mob protesting against mandatory vaccines for construction workers outside the Melbourne headquarters of the CFMEU.

But the union says the protest was overtaken by "neo-Nazi's and right wing extremists", rather than CFMEU members.

Victoria Police say several people were arrested as the crowd "grew increasingly hostile" during the protest that began before 9am.

Hundreds of construction workers wearing high-vis, and their supporters, stormed the building, protesting against new mandatory vaccination rules for the building industry.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the protests were "not smart, they are not safe".

"Protests don't work. Getting vaccinated works, following the rules works. That's how you stay open, that's how you get open," Mr Andrews said.

NSW signs off 'friends' bubble' for kids.

NSW children under the age of 18 will be able to form a "friends' bubble" in groups of three from midday on Tuesday according to The Daily Telegraph.

It means parents will be able to drop their children at a friends' house, however each bubble must be exclusive, they must live within 5km of eachother and all adults in the children's household must be fully vaccinated.

There's finally some relief for parents this #lockdown - from today you're able to drop your kids off at a friend's house for the day. DETAILS: https://t.co/hFy8m1PY1t #auspol pic.twitter.com/A2FjASzRPi

— The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph)

Meanwhile, the NSW-Queensland border bubble is threatening to burst only a week after it was reinstated, with the revelation a COVID-19 case was infectious in several northern NSW communities for two days.

The Northern NSW Local Health District on Monday night confirmed a case - who is not a local - flew from Sydney to Ballina on Virgin Flight VA 1141 on Saturday morning and was infectious in the Byron, Ballina and Tweed areas until their positive test result on Monday.

All passengers and crew aboard the flight are being contacted by NSW Health and will be required to get tested and self-isolate.

A lockdown is all but certain for the region, with stay-at-home orders reinstated for several other NSW regional towns after cases were diagnosed.

On Monday the western NSW town of Cowra was forced back into lockdown, when a nine-year-old school boy tested positive to the virus.

It follows the Albury, Lismore, Glen Innes and Hilltops local government areas.

On Monday NSW reported fewer than 1000 new infections for the first time in almost a month with 935 new cases. Four deaths were also recorded - two people in their 60s and two in their 80s - taking the toll for the current NSW outbreak to 245.

Outbreak areas need to keep crushing virus.

Australia will need to maintain stay-at-home controls in areas with coronavirus outbreaks while double-dose vaccination coverage is between 70 and 80 per cent.

That's the recommendation of updated Doherty Institute modelling which underpins a national reopening plan to cautiously exit major lockdowns.

While the initial advice provided to governments compared outbreaks seeded with 30 cases, it now takes into account scenarios with hundreds and thousands of cases.

The institute's epidemiology director Jodie McVernon said conclusions about the 70 and 80 per cent vaccine goals remained robust under the updated model.

Statement on the Doherty Institute modelling sensitivity analysis: https://t.co/F2h5jQ00pr @UniMelbMDHS @TheRMH

— Doherty Institute (@TheDohertyInst)

But "medium" public health safety measures should be retained during the transition between the targets in places like NSW and Victoria where cases are still rapidly increasing.

That includes staying at home except for essential purposes, retail and hospitality opening with density limits, working from home where possible and closed or graduated return to schools.

Australia has fully vaccinated 47 per cent of its population aged 16 and above, while 72 per cent have received a first dose.

Princess Beatrice gives birth to girl.

Princess Beatrice, Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter, has given birth to a baby girl, her first child with husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The baby, who weighed 6 pounds and 2 ounces (2.78 kg), was born at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital on Saturday evening.

Beatrice, the tenth-in-line to the throne and the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, married property developer Mapelli Mozzi in July 2020.

So delighted to share the news of the safe arrival of our daughter on Saturday 18th September 2021, at 23.42, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. Thank you to the Midwife team and everyone at the hospital for their wonderful care.

— Princess Beatrice of York (@yorkiebea)

Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are delighted to announce the safe arrival of their daughter on Saturday 18th September 2021, at 23.42, at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. Read the announcement in full - https://t.co/ImbfRLEdAe pic.twitter.com/olwDMv3Zmo

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily)

"The new baby's grandparents and great-grandparents have all been informed and are delighted with the news. The family would like to thank all the staff at the hospital for their wonderful care," the statement said.

Beatrice, 33, is also stepmother to Mapelli Mozzi's young son Wolfie, from his previous relationship with ex-fiancee Dara Huang.

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and the couple are looking forward to introducing their daughter to her big brother Christopher Woolf."

The baby is the 12th great-grandchild for Britain's 95-year-old monarch.

with PA

Knox old boy punches woman, no conviction.

A graduate of Sydney's elite Knox Grammar who drunkenly told a woman to "put your tits away" and punched her in the face after she repeatedly confronted him has had his convictions erased.

Nicholas Drummond was placed on a bond and convicted of assaulting the woman and a male bystander in July but the convictions were not deemed "necessary" by the NSW District Court last week.

The decision frustrated and saddened a friend of the woman, who said Drummond was being taught there are "no real repercussions".

"Everyone complains about violence against women but here, he's given another opportunity and told 'you've had a rough year'," the friend, who declined to be named, toldAAP.

"What about her year?"

"I know violence isn't the answer, especially not towards women." A former Knox Grammar student who punched a young woman in the face hours after calling her a "slut" in a Sydney pub won't have a conviction recorded, @LukeCostin reports. https://t.co/if0dMROMyy

— AAP Newswire (@AAPNewswire)

Drummond, 20, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and destroying property after his destructive, drunken night out on Sydney's north shore in December 2020.

The junior soccer coach and state-league player called his female victim a "slut" and told her to put her "tits away" while both were at The Greengate Hotel in Killara.

When the woman approached him and asked for an apology, the Wahroonga man told her to "f*** off".

The pair coincidentally encountered each other later in the night at Chatswood's Orchard Hotel, where she approached and photographed Drummond, sparking a melee over her phone.

When approached again by the young woman as he walked to the nearby train station, Drummond punched her in the face, knocking the 155cm woman to the ground and causing multiple injuries.

He also stomped on her phone, destroying it.

The District Court was told the offender was overcome by regret soon after, threatening to kill himself and returning home "hysterical" and sorrowful.

"He was a shattered boy," his mother said.

Barrister Phillip Boulten SC said the case was "a bit unusual" because the 20-year-old had "gone off the rails" following a difficult 2020 in which his dog died, a relationship broke down and a family member fell ill.

"It's appropriate he be given one opportunity ... an exceptional one, admittedly," Mr Boulten said.

If this post brings up any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. It doesn’t matter where you live, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.

If you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health problem, please contact your general practitioner. If you're based in Australia, 24-hour support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.

NRL playmaker to face assault charges.

NRL star and Brisbane Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford has been charged with assault after an alleged disturbance in Fortitude Valley.

The 27-year-old was arrested at about 2am on Monday after police responded to reports of a disturbance on Marshall St.

He is facing three counts of assault causing bodily harm and one count of wilful damage.

Milford was given police bail and is due to make his first appearance in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 20.

Anthony Milford, the outgoing Brisbane half and highest-paid player in club history, has been arrested and charged with assault after an altercation in Brisbane in the early hours of the morning. https://t.co/LcKcJvu8kz

— The Australian (@australian)

The Broncos confirmed he has completed his contractual duties with the cl