Qld records 16 deaths, including child
Queensland has recorded another 16 COVID-19 deaths, including a child aged under 10, along with 9630 new cases amid calls for more children to be vaccinated.
Politics
Fitzgerald Inquiry still looms large over Sunshine State
No Victorian elective surgery restart date
Victoria's nurses union is railing against non-urgent elective surgery restarting next week, but Premier Daniel Andrews says a decision still has not been made.
Qld premier sets probe of whitewash claims
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ordered her director-general to examine allegations a public servant was pressured to mislead parliament.
Demand for home loans picks up further
Demand for home loans grew by a stronger than expected 4.4 per cent in December, even as house prices grew at their fastest pace annually since 1989.
Probe into Qld watchdog could be broadened
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has rejected calls to broaden an inquiry into the Crime and Corruption Commission, saying it's up to the commissioners to do so.
Vic awaits ATAGI before vax mandate call
Victoria won't make a decision on expanding COVID-19 vaccine mandates until a national advisory panel declares if a third dose is needed to be fully vaccinated.
Schools resume, elective surgery to return
There are 12,818 new COVID-19 cases in NSW and 30 people have died, as students return to school and non-urgent elective surgery is set to resume next week.
Qld govt orders corruption watchdog probe
Tony Fitzgerald, who led a landmark 1989 inquiry into Queensland government corruption, will lead a commission of inquiry into the corruption watchdog.
Aged care staff payment criticised as ploy
Aged care workers will receive bonus payments as the federal government moves to shore up the sector hit hard by the ongoing wave of Omicron infections.
School return to test NSW COVID-19 prep
Thousands of public school children returning to class are set to test the NSW government's COVID-19 preparations for the new school year.
Power outage hits Tonga relief vessel
A power outage has hit HMAS Adelaide, which had been supplying critical relief to Tonga following the country's tsunami disaster.
Vic COVID cases to climb as schools return
Virus numbers will increase as a million Victorian school students and staff return to school and begin weekly testing, the state's health minister warns.
$500 voucher for families’ daily juggle
Parents will get access to $500 vouchers to be spent on out-of-school care, as COVID-19 fatalities fall to 27 from a record 52.
Far North QLD could be hydrogen HQ
Research suggests, based on where the cheapest renewable enerhy is located, Far North Queensland and Tasmania, will be the best locations in Australia to produce green hydrogen.
Virus sub-variant ‘not cause for concern’
Australia's deputy chief medical officer Michael Kidd says experts worldwide are monitoring a new Omicron sub-variant but it is not yet causing concern.
27 NSW virus deaths, $500 voucher for kids
There are 13,026 positive COVID-19 cases and 27 more deaths in NSW as Premier Dominic Perrottet prepares to announce a $500 voucher for primary school children.
Victoria posts 10,053 cases, eight deaths
Victoria has recorded 10,053 new COVID-19 cases and eight virus-related deaths, as state school students return for Term 1.
NSW parents to get $500 for primary kids
As NSW children head back to school the government is poised to announce a $500 subsidy for parents to put towards out-of-school care costs.
Sack Qld housing minister: Opposition
The Queensland Opposition has called for the housing minister to be sacked, saying she misled parliament over a former state official's departure.
Govt allocates $50m to help protect koalas
The federal government is spending another $50 million over four years aimed at helping to protect Australia's dwindling koala population.
Australia records deadliest pandemic day
There were 98 COVID-19 deaths across the country on Friday, a new one-day record since the pandemic began.
Calls grow for Qld govt corruption probe
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is being urged to call a probe into government integrity after a series of high-profile resignations and allegations.
$1 billion bid to keep Great Barrier Reef off the endangered list
New funding to protect the Great Barrier Reef will "back in" scientists to help preserve the natural wonder, according to the prime minister.
COVID-19 boosters approved for teenagers
The medical regulator has granted provisional approval for the Pfizer vaccine to be used as a COVID-19 booster for 16 and 17-year-olds.
COVID cases set to spike as schools return
States and territories expect COVID-19 infection tallies to jump as school resumes as they continue awaiting advice about the definition of full vaccination.
Qld crossbenchers back integrity probe
Katter's Australian Party and Greens MPs have backed the integrity commissioner's calls for a formal probe into a Public Service Commission raid on her office.
Australian boy in Syrian prison freed
An Australian boy held in a Syrian prison is reportedly in the custody of US-backed forces after begging for his life from within the jail.
No new COVID-19 cases on Tonga relief ship
The number of COVID-19 cases onboard the HMAS Adelaide has not increased, after 23 people contracted the virus on the relief ship bound for Tonga.
WA premier going to NSW for Palmer lawsuit
A legal stoush between Clive Palmer and WA Premier Mark McGowan over defamation claims has been delayed, but both men have to attend court in NSW in person.
Tonga aid sailors test positive to COVID
HMAS Adelaide will continue on to Tonga to provide support, despite some 23 COVID-19 cases recorded on board the ship.