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American singer Meat Loaf, known for hits like Bat Out Of Hell, has died at the age of 74, his family has announced.

A post on his official Facebook page said the star's wife Deborah was at his side.

It read: "Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight with his wife Deborah by his side. Daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends have been with him throughout the last 24 hours.

"His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including Fight Club, Focus, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Wayne's World.

"Bat Out of Hell remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time."

The post added: "We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man. We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time.

"From his heart to your souls... don't ever stop rocking!"

The singer, whose real name was Michael Lee Aday, sold millions of albums worldwide, with the Bat Out Of Hell trilogy among his most popular musical offerings.

Hit single I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) reached number one in 28 countries and earned him a Grammy award.

The rocker also played the role of Eddie in the 1975 musical film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and in 2016 was honoured with the Hero Award at the annual Q Awards music ceremony, which he dedicated to everyday heroes and called on people to "bring love back into this world".

His career spanned more than just music, with the musician also featured in a string of films including 1999's Fight Club and 1992's Wayne's World.

Bat Out Of Hell was also adapted as a stage musical, which was written by long-time collaborator Jim Steinman and featured some of the musician's best-loved hits.

Meat Loaf had spoken openly about health issues that had plagued him, notably asthma, which caused him to collapse on stage during a concert in Pittsburgh in 2011, and in 2003 he collapsed at Wembley Arena in London and was admitted to hospital.

© PAA 2022

Premier Mark McGowan's decision to keep Western Australia's borders closed indefinitely has been labelled a failure of leadership as thousands of flights are cancelled in response.

West Australians face being trapped indefinitely within their own state after the premier broke his promise to resume travel next month.

Mr McGowan announced the extraordinary backflip during a late-night press conference on Thursday, claiming it would be "reckless and irresponsible" to proceed with the planned February 5 reopening given the surge in Omicron COVID-19 cases across the country.

The premier had promised to reopen the borders once the state's double-dose vaccination rate reached 90 per cent. It is 89 per cent now.

More compassionate exemptions will be granted from February 5 but those allowed to return for funerals or to see dying relatives still face 14 days in mandatory quarantine.

A fresh reopening date has not been set.

Qantas on Friday said it would cancel thousands of domestic flights into Perth through to the end of April and review the planned restart of its Perth-London route.

Up to 15 passenger flights per week will be maintained for essential personnel and freight.

"The rest of the country is focused on getting through this but WA is still playing for time, despite people doing the right thing and getting vaccinated," Qantas Group chief executive Alan Joyce said.

"The question is what it will take for them to open."

Flight Centre said it would give fresh consideration to a constitutional challenge against WA's border closures.

The government's backflip raises serious questions about its lack of preparedness after almost two years of border closures.

WA's health system has been plagued with issues despite the state banking a $5.6 billion budget surplus.

Opposition Leader Mia Davies said the government had effectively admitted its hospitals could not handle a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein noted that WA's double-dose vaccination rate was lagging months behind that of other states.

"I think it's a failure of vaccination, to be honest," he said.

From February 5, approved interstate travellers will be allowed to self-quarantine but must be triple-dose vaccinated if eligible.

International arrivals must enter hotel quarantine for seven days before being allowed to self-quarantine.

Mr McGowan said the hard border controls would be further reviewed over the next month.

He said WA's unemployment rate was by far the lowest and reopening the borders now would "devastate" many industries.

"I've been contacted by many people very happy with the announcement we've made ... because it gives them the opportunity to get vaccinated," he said on Friday.

The premier insisted the health system was "strong and ready" but said he would like WA's third dose rate to get as high as 90 per cent.

It sits around 27 per cent, a level comparable with the eastern states.

The premier had said last month the only reason WA wouldn't reopen its borders on February 5 was if there was an "unforeseen emergency", such as the emergence of a new deadlier strain or a realisation Omicron was deadlier than anticipated.

He insisted his position had not changed despite WA having just 82 active cases.

Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid labelled Mr McGowan a "one trick pony".

"This decision should be acknowledged as a failure by the WA govt to prepare and a broken promise," the Perth-based doctor tweeted.

"Omicron is here already and it will cause a significant outbreak in WA soon enough. Sticking our head in the sand won't make it go away. Let's prepare!"

Australian Industry Group chief Innes Willox said it was "impossible" to get labour in and out of WA and the decision would severely set back the national economy.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said "many people in Western Australia would be disappointed with the decision".

"Many West Australians will be asking 'If not now, then when?'" he told the Seven Network.

WA Health reported seven new local infections on Friday, four of which had not been linked to any known cases.

© AAP 2022

An Australian naval ship loaded with critical humanitarian supplies has departed for Tonga as part of disaster relief efforts in the Pacific island nation following the devastating tsunami.

HMAS Adelaide left Brisbane on Friday and will take five days to reach Tonga.

It has been loaded with humanitarian and disaster relief supplies, along with critical equipment to help with recovery efforts, including three Chinook helicopters.

The HMAS Adelaide will serve as a base for relief work in Tonga in the wake of the underwater volcanic eruption and following tsunami.

Meanwhile New Zealand will provide an extra $2 million in humanitarian aid for Tonga, on top of the $1 million already provided by the nation.

The country's foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta said the additional funds would be used for critical supplies such as drinking water, food and engineering equipment to clear debris.

Three New Zealand navy ships are heading to Tonga with supplies.

Delivery will be contactless, in order to comply with Tonga's COVID-19 protocols.

Of the $2 million being sent over, $1.5 million of that will go towards deploying more relief supplies, while the remaining $500,00 will part of a disaster response partnership.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she spoke to her Tongan counterpart and indicated further financial aid would be on its way.

Australia had initially offered $1 million in aid in the wake of the tsunami, but Senator Payne said that was likely to increase.

"There was $1 million for emergency supplies in the immediate aftermath, and there are further commitments to be made," she told ABC Radio.

"It's very difficult to estimate (the future cost) before those assessments are made by engineers and by the Tongan government itself in terms of what is needed."

Senator Payne said Australia would be standing with Tonga and providing as much support as needed.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton said Australia would be sending more planes to help with recovery efforts.

"We are working closely with the Tongan government to understand their needs," he told the Seven Network.

"They need support on the ground to help them rebuild as quickly as possible, in particular their communication system which has been done. That is a real problem."

An Australian C-17 plane landed in Tonga on Thursday afternoon with shelters, hygiene kits, along with water containers.

Air supplies had been delayed in getting into the country due to large amounts of volcanic ash being on the runway.

The offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington - carrying hydrographic, dive personnel and a Seasprite helicopter - is checking shipping channels and wharf approaches to Tonga's port to ensure vessels can go alongside, and assessing the structural integrity of the wharf.

© AAP 2022