Disability advocates hit out at iso change
Disability advocates have criticised changes to close contact isolation rules saying the federal government is not taking care of Australia's most vulnerable.
politics
COVID-19 testing rule changes on the way
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged changes to COVID-19 surveillance testing rules, as Omicron cases continue to rise.
Minister weighs up Djokovic visa decision
The immigration minister has yet to decide on cancelling the visa of world No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic just days ahead of the Australian Open starting.
Schools must return on time: PM
Students must return to school on time to help ease the burden on Australia's workers, the prime minister has said following a national cabinet meeting.
Essential workers expanded to boost supply
National cabinet has agreed to expand the definition of essential workers to help address critical supply-chain issues caused by rising Omicron cases.
‘Serious human rights issues’ in Australia
Human Rights Watch has outlined human rights issues in Australia spanning refugee policy, the treatment of Indigenous people and climate change action.
NSW reports 92,264 COVID cases, 22 deaths
NSW has reported a dramatic rise in new COVID-19 infections to 92,264, on top of 22 deaths, after RAT results were included for the first time.
Quarantine exemption about ‘managing risk’
Leaders are set to discuss staff shortages and the safe return to school amid rising COVID-19 cases at a meeting of national cabinet.
PM ignored health advice, Albanese says
Calls for universal access to free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests have grown as the government put out urgent tenders to secure $60 million worth of them.
NSW virus spike expected as RATs added
More than 78,000 positive rapid antigen tests have been reported in NSW, almost a day after the state's mandatory reporting system for the self-test went live.
National cabinet to discuss school return
Leaders are set to work out a plan for how schools can safely reopen amid rising COVID-19 cases at a meeting of national cabinet.
Qld records another 22,069 virus cases
Queensland has recorded 22,069 new COVID-19 cases, taking the state's outbreak to more than 130,000 cases, with hundreds in hospital with the virus.
School ‘safer than remaining in community’
NSW and Victoria have doubled down on reopening schools on their scheduled starting days despite calls to delay as COVID-19 infections surge.
Tas ex-MP fined over unregistered gun
Former Tasmanian politician Adam Brooks has been fined after pleading guilty to possessing a gun, Victorian driver's licences and credit cards in other names.
NSW records 21 deaths, 34,759 new cases
NSW has reached another grim milestone after reporting a record 21 deaths from COVID-19 on top of 34,759 new cases.
Don’t delay school start, leaders urged
A former deputy chief medical officer is calling on national cabinet to not delay the start of the school year, despite surging Omicron cases.
Urgent talks to address supply chain issue
Ministers are meeting with essential business sectors on possible COVID-19 isolation changes to help solve supply chain shortages due to rising infections.
Labor packs its bags for Queensland
Labor is hitting the hustings in Queensland as it tries to plot a path to government, with Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese touring target seats.
Qld reports 20,566 COVID cases, one death
Queensland has recorded 20,566 new COVID-19 cases and one death, with the jump in infections partially attributed to delays from a number of testing labs.
NSW reports 25,870 COVID cases, 11 deaths
NSW has reported 25,870 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths, with more than 2100 patients in hospitals with the virus.
Djokovic issue a lose-lose for govt: Labor
Labor says the federal government's handling of the Novak Djokovic immigration saga has made Australia "look like a bit of a joke".
NSW wants RAT reporting to be mandatory
NSW is working on legally requiring people to report a positive result from a self-administered rapid antigen test so it doesn't lose sight of infections.
Critical worker isolation under review
New measures adopted by NSW, Victoria and Queensland exempting more critical workers from COVID-19 isolation will go before national cabinet for discussion.
Qld posts 9581 cases, surge on Gold Coast
A quarter of the 419 people in hospital in Queensland with COVID-19 are from the Gold Coast, as the state records 9581 new cases.
Record daily COVID-19 deaths for NSW
NSW has reported a record number of COVID-19 deaths, including a young child, as the number of people hospitalised with the virus rises.
PM calls for co-ordinated school reopening
Prime Minister Scott Morrison says work is under way to ensure the reopening of schools for the new year is harmonised across the country.
Home test shortages due to hoarders: Joyce
The federal government has warned people not to hoard rapid testing kits as pharmacies expressed concern about how free tests will be rolled out.
Woolworths works to quell supply issues
The federal government is working to ease pressure on supply chains amid spiking Omicron cases as stock is thinning out on supermarket shelves.
School return locked in, says NSW premier
Premier Dominic Perrottet says NSW has purchased a further 50 million rapid antigen test kits which will be distributed across the state.
Union say NSW isolation changes ‘reckless’
The TWU wants urgent talks with the prime minister to discuss their concerns over NSW Health's decision to wind back isolation requirements.
Virus deaths spike, children jabs begin
The daily death toll from COVID-19 has spiked to 20, with NSW reporting 16, its highest number since the pandemic began.