Vic testing system jammed by ‘bureaucracy’
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities blame longer COVID-19 testing wait times on interstate bureaucracy.
Politics
PM plays down worst case COVID modelling
The Morrison government has played down modelling showing up to 200,000 COVID-19 cases a day is a possibility without tightened restrictions.
Vic Omicron cases jump amid testing surge
Victoria has identified 24 new Omicron cases as health authorities encourage residents to get tested despite the system struggling to keep up with demand.
More Vic test sites shut, premier returns
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is interrupting his leave to attend Wednesday's national cabinet meeting, as COVID-19 testing site continue to be overrun.
Vic has 1503 COVID-19 cases, six deaths
Victoria has reported 1503 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, as Premier Daniel Andrews briefly returns from leave for Wednesday's national cabinet meeting.
Government plays down COVID modelling
The Morrison government has played down modelling showing up to 200,000 COVID-19 cases a day is a possibility without tightened restrictions.
National cabinet meets as virus cases rise
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will host state and territory leaders at a virtual national cabinet meeting amid rising COVID-19 cases.
National cabinet meets as COVID cases rise
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will host state and territory leaders at a virtual national cabinet meeting amid rising COVID-19 cases.
Be kind amid record cases: NSW premier
NSW has reached another unwelcome milestone with a record 3057 new cases of COVID-19, as people fear missing Christmas celebrations.
ACT Omicron rise triggers return of masks
An indoor mask mandate will be reintroduced in the ACT following a rise in Omicron COVID-19 cases in Canberra.
Electoral commission takes Laming to court
The Australian Electoral Commission is taking Queensland Liberal MP Andrew Laming to court over Facebook posts made before the 2019 election.
Push to tighten COVID rules as cases surge
Speeding up booster shots, making full vaccination contingent on three COVID-19 jabs and mask mandates are being considered to help curb virus infections.
New jab definition, mask mandate on cards
Prime Minister Scott Morrison will discuss with premiers and chief ministers time frames for booster shots and masks mandates to curb COVID-19's spread.
Vic has 1245 COVID-19 cases, six deaths
Victoria has reported 1245 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths, after more than a dozen testing sites reached capacity due to a surge in pre-Christmas demand.
Dutton’s $35k defamation win appealed
A refugee advocate ordered to pay Defence Minister Peter Dutton $35,000 and some legal costs over a tweet has lodged an appeal in the Federal Court.
Leaders to meet to discuss Omicron threat
An emergency national cabinet meeting will be held on Wednesday amid rising numbers of COVID-19 cases linked to the Omicron variant.
Return to COVID lockdowns unlikely: Hunt
Australians have been urged to don face masks and stick to outdoor gatherings as COVID-19 infections surge in the lead-up to Christmas.
Queenslanders added to Games committee
Well known Queensland sports administrators Tracy Stockwell and Rebecca Frizelle will join the organising committee for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Swim champ Perkins takes top sports role
Two-time Olympic gold medal swimmer Kieren Perkins has been named the Australian Sports Commission's new CEO.
WA shuts door to Queensland, Tasmania
West Australians will again be isolated for Christmas as the state prepares to strengthen border restrictions to Queensland and Tasmania.
More students to receive relocation grant
The federal government will expand the Tertiary Access Payment to include inner regional areas, allowing more students to access relocation grants.
Morrison sweats over western Sydney seat
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is trying to sandbag a key marginal Liberal seat in western Sydney ahead of the 2022 election.
NT outbreak grows, Tennant Creek lockdown
The Northern Territory has detected eight new COVID-19 infections, as a community outbreak forces the lockdown of remote Tennant Creek.
New WA health minister in cabinet revamp
West Australian deputy premier Roger Cook will relinquish the health portfolio under a cabinet reshuffle unveiled by Premier Mark McGowan.
Boosters not brought forward despite surge
The gap between second and third COVID-19 vaccine doses will remain at five months, with some flexibility given to people nearing their time for a booster shot.
Free tests call as virus infections rise
Infectious disease expert Mary-Louise McLaws has called for free rapid antigen tests to ensure people don't inadvertently spread the virus over the holidays.
Vic has 1510 new COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths
Victoria has recorded another 1510 COVID-19 cases and seven deaths, as Premier Daniel Andrews leaves isolation after testing negative for the virus.
Melbourne tunnel to cost Vic extra $1.9b
The Victorian government has struck a deal to pay $1.9 billion for cost blowouts stemming from Melbourne's problem-plagued West Gate Tunnel.
NSW’s 2213 new cases threaten Christmas
NSW is recording more COVID-19 cases than ever before - with more than 2200 reported on Friday as the Omicron variant drives a huge outbreak in Newcastle.
Senate run for ex-Wallabies captain Pocock
Former Wallabies captain David Pocock has announced he will run for a Senate seat in the ACT at the next federal election, with climate action his focus.
Premier Daniel Andrews in COVID-19 scare
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been instructed to get tested and isolate after attending the same event as a COVID-positive person.