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.
politics
Two new COVID cases in WA linked to Qld flight
Western Australia's plan to lift travel restrictions from February 5 has been clouded by a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases in NSW and Victoria.
Quarantine rules ease, 86 new cases in Qld
Queensland has reported 86 new COVID-19 cases, while the quarantine period has been halved for fully vaccinated close contacts.
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.
RBA sees professionals quit for higher pay
More Australian workers are quitting their jobs for better-paid ones, and the Reserve Bank of Australia has noticed professionals are leading the charge.
Global hunt for Bris Olympic ‘key leaders’
The Queensland and federal governments have begun searching for "five key leaders" to help shape the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Tasmania reports four new cases, 14 active
Tasmania has recorded four new coronavirus infections, taking the total number of active cases since the island state reopened its borders to 14.
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.
Politicians blast WA cultural heritage law
Federal politicians have written to the Western Australian government accusing the state of sidelining Indigenous voices in new cultural heritage legislation.
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.
Qld officer assaulted over mask mandate
A woman has been arrested for allegedly biting an officer after refusing to wear a mask, but police say overall compliance has been good around the state.
Resource exports tipped to hit record high
The country's energy and resource export sector is expected to hit a record $379 billion during 2021/22.
Queensland records 42 new COVID-19 cases
Chief Health Officer John Gerrard says most Queenslanders may be exposed to COVID-19 within weeks after the number of daily infections doubled in 48 hours.
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.
Qld mandates masks after 16 COVID cases
Queensland will mandate face masks in essential retailers and on public transport to stop the spread of COVID-19 ahead of Christmas.
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.
Final text of UK trade deal to be unveiled
Trade Minister Dan Tehan and UK High Commissioner Vicki Treadell are due to unveil details of a free trade agreement between the two countries on Friday.
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.
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.
EU leaders weigh new sanctions on Russia
An EU summit in Brussels is leaning towards strong economic sanctions against Russia to deter any threat from its military build-up on the border with Ukraine.
Libya election chaos with eight days to go
There is confusion over the fate of Libya's presidential election, eight days before people were meant to cast their votes.