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When will it be safe to ‘lift the lid’ on virus-slowing measures?

For five days NSW has recorded fewer than 60 new cases each day. There are signs the government is contemplating how and when to relax restrictions.

  • by Lisa Visentin

Australia’s debt hit a record $592b and will still skyrocket. How do we deal with it?

The fight to stop the virus will leave future generations a huge bill, and the government faces three choices to deal with the debt mountain.

  • by Shane Wright

Australia on the 'cusp' of the point coronavirus dies out

Australia on the 'cusp' of the point coronavirus dies out

NSW recorded a "modest" increase in cases despite a lift in testing, an update the Health Minister said was "remarkable".

  • by Rachel Clun

Apple, Google to adapt phones for coronavirus infection tracking

Such a close partnership between longtime rivals Apple and Google is extremely rare.

The technology rivals have unveiled a rare partnership to add technology to their smartphone platforms that will alert users if they have come into contact with a person infected with  COVID-19.

  • by Mark Gurman

Triumph of unity is Scott Morrison's resurrection

Triumph of unity is Scott Morrison's resurrection

Against his instincts, Scott Morrison has set politics aside and led the states and territories in the successful mobilisation of the nation against the coronavirus. This crisis has given the PM the opportunity for redemption with a disenchanted people.

  • by Peter Hartcher

NSW minister quits after holiday house scandal

NSW minister quits after holiday house scandal

Don Harwin had to resign after it also emerged he had argued against tougher restrictions on holiday rentals and regional travel, according to several senior government sources.

  • by Alexandra Smith and Lisa Visentin

More top stories

The Ruby Princess.

'Alarm bells were going off': Inside the ill-fated journey of the Ruby Princess

The docking of the Ruby Princess on March 19 left a trail of illness and death in its wake and marked the start of a nightmare for public health officials already stretched to the limit.

  • by Deborah Snow, Tom Rabe and Rachel Clun
Cardinal George Pell arriving at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd in Sydney on Wednesday.

Pell's acquittal ignites media and publishing firestorm

Book publishers, broadcasters and newspapers have had to review their material following Pell's acquittal.

  • by Andrew Hornery
The harbourside pool is surrounded by the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Luna Park.

North Sydney pool plan pushes ahead 'under the cover of coronavirus'

One councillor has argued the plans to revamp the pool were being pushed through "under the cover of coronavirus".

  • by Megan Gorrey
Raelene Castle will lead tough pay negotiaions with the players union on Saturday after revelations she was awarded - but not paid - a substantial bonus for 2019.

Revealed: Castle sits on $114k bonus as wage talks loom

Raelene Castle faces a hostile pay negotiation with the players union as it emerged she was awarded - but not paid - a six-figure bonus last year.

  • by Georgina Robinson
ARLC chairman Peter V'landys.

'We could do it tomorrow if we wanted': V'landys hits back as May return queried

The ARLC chairman maintains the NRL has permission to restart despite questions arising.

  • by Chris Barrett
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In Other News

Sydney

Beaches at Cronulla in Sydney's south are closed until midnight on Monday, in a bid to deter crowds during the weekend.

'Stay away': Beaches shut as popular coastal walks also face closures

Sydney councils are continuing to shut beaches and urging those wanting to exercise to stay away 

  • by Megan Gorrey

Crowds forced to wait at Sydney Fish Market even as many stay home

Crowds forced to wait at Sydney Fish Market even as many stay home

Easter would usually see a crowd of 40,000 customers pour through over the weekend. This year, only 400 people will be allowed at any one time.

  • by Laura Chung

Police to start handing out 'unprecedented' $5000 fines

Police to start handing out 'unprecedented' $5000 fines

NSW Health Minister said people who spit or cough on health workers are "getting off lightly" with a fine.

  • by Rachel Clun

'I never thought I’d say it, but I miss going to school': Kids' on home learning

'I never thought I’d say it, but I miss going to school': Kids' on home learning

When we asked NSW students what they thought about home learning, we were overwhelmed with responses.

  • by Natassia Chrysanthos

'A lot of people coming through': Sydney hospital rolls out one-hour testing

St Vincent’s Hospital Registered nurse Damien Davis Frank holding one of the new rapid testing swabs for Covid-19.

In an Australian first, patients arriving at St Vincent’s Hospital can be tested for coronavirus and receive results within an hour.

  • by Rachel Clun

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WEEKEND READS

Joan Ford still suffers the effects of polio which she caught as a child (below) in 1949.

'Reflect on the greater collective good': What Australia can learn from its past epidemics

The Australian survivors of last century’s polio crises have plenty to teach us about staring down the tough times.

  • by Amanda Hooton
Illustration by Simon Letch.

Is it still OK to take a toilet roll from my hotel room?

These days, toilet paper is more valuable than Aussie banknotes, not like the good old days.

  • by Danny Katz

Politics

The National Tertiary Education Union is trying to protect staff jobs after universities revealed their finances had taken a multibillion-dollar hit from coronavirus.

Branch censures national union over coronavirus concessions

The National Tertiary Education Union is negotiating in a bid to save jobs, but one of its branches says it is not pushing universities hard enough.

  • by Nick Bonyhady and Fergus Hunter

Business

Self funded retirees are "falling between cracks" as COVID-19 crash clips dividend and rental income.

Third of companies could cut dividends as virus decimates profits

A leading investment house has warned a third of Australian companies could cut dividends this year, with an extended shutdown likely to see that number rise.

  • by Charlotte Grieve

World

Workers in protective suits walk past sinks for hand washing at the Corabastos in Bogota, one of Latin America's largest food distribution centres.

Worldwide deaths from coronavirus hit 100,000. Experts say the true number is higher

The true number of lives lost is believed be much higher because of limited testing, different rules for counting the dead and cover-ups by some governments.

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Property bydomain

Why this Sydney estate is about to shrink by 800 square metres

Why this Sydney estate is about to shrink by 800 square metres

It's home to an 1859-built residence and is one of the largest in the suburb but a portion is about to hit the market.

  • by Lucy Macken
Rugby Australia board member sets North Shore apartment record at $21m

Rugby Australia board member sets North Shore apartment record at $21m

He bought off-the-plan in an exclusive block of just seven just over three years ago. But the bullish purchase price was secret - until now.

  • by Lucy Macken
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Life & Culture

Andy Griffiths talks about imaginative things for children.

Easy, actionable tips for keeping kids entertained at home

Andy Griffiths and Gabbie Stroud – authors with a wealth of experience in entertaining children – share their insights.

  • by Kerrie O'Brien

Food bygoodfood

Travel bytraveller

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Sport

Raelene Castle will lead tough pay negotiaions with the players union on Saturday after revelations she was awarded - but not paid - a substantial bonus for 2019.

Revealed: Castle sitting on $114k bonus as player wage talks loom

Raelene Castle faces a hostile pay negotiation with the players union on Saturday as it emerged she was awarded – but not paid – a six-figure bonus last year.

  • by Georgina Robinson
ARLC chairman Peter V'landys.

'We could do it tomorrow if we wanted': V'landys hits back as May return queried

The ARLC chairman maintains the NRL has permission to restart despite questions arising from comments made by the NSW Health Minister and Australia's deputy chief medical officer.

  • by Chris Barrett
Tom Marquand

The English jockey stranded in Sydney ... and loving it

Tom Marquand is in Isolation Hell — but life isn't too bad when you're riding English raiders Addeybb and Young Rascal in the biggest races of the autumn carnival.

  • by Andrew Webster
Illustration: John Shakespeare

Cat-o'-Nine tails: Broadcaster's lashing of NRL raises serious questions

Whatever the case, it confirms that once the plague leaves us, it will not be business as usual for the league, any more than it will be for the other major sports.

  • by Peter FitzSimons
Opinion
NRL 2020

Like a moth to the game: NRL can't help itself and neither can we

Here comes rugby league, afloat in its bubble, engorged with its self-importance, looking after its own, breaking ranks with Australia and the world.

  • by Malcolm Knox
Rupert Murdoch: His support for the PM will critical to the Coalition's future success.
Opinion
Australia

The good news? At least Rupert doesn't run the show any more

The global health crisis has sparked familiar barbs about how rugby league is broken, and almost broke. But it could have been so much worse if News Corp still owned the media rights.

  • by Darren Kane
Langer starred in the 1994-95 quad series that has become a cult classic among Australian cricket fans.

Cricket looks to the past to secure financial future amid coronavirus crisis

With the international summer in danger because of travel restrictions, Australia's players union is talking to broadcasters about the game's former greats taking centre stage again.

  • by Chris Barrett

Racing

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