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Australian of the Year says a date change ‘costs nothing’
Grace Tame says it iss time for a symbolic shift to change the date of Australia Day amid a growing debate about the founding of the country and the treatment of First Australians.
‘Predators weaponise ... our fear’: Australian of the Year Grace Tame on surviving sex abuse
The 2021 Australian of the Year has a tattoo on the back of her hand that sums up survival from child sexual abuse at the hands of a teacher.
Former Victorian deputy premier recognised
John Thwaites, the deputy premier of Victoria from 1999 to 2007, has been made a member of the Order of Australia for services to Parliament, the people and the environment.
Kerry O’Brien refuses Order of Australia after Margaret Court honour
The former ABC journalist said there was something “fundamentally wrong with a system that can produce such a deeply insensitive and divisive decision”.
Opinion
Feminism
Order of Australia honours are a shameful embarrassment
Jenna Price
Columnist and academic
Updated
Courts
Alleged paedophile Malka Leifer boards flight to Australia
Former school principal Malka Leifer has been extradited from Israel to face sexual abuse charges in Melbourne, just hours before Israeli airports were to close due to COVID restrictions.
THE BATTLE AGAINST COVID-19
Moderna says its COVID vaccine protects against virus variants
Pharmaceutical company Moderna says its vaccine protects against the COVID-19 variants that have emerged in South Africa and the UK. Confirmed cases worldwide have now almost reached 100 million.
‘Unjustly enriched’: Mounting calls for corporate Australia to repay JobKeeper as profits recover
Corporate governance experts are urging more big companies to repay funds received through JobKeeper, warning taxpayers will bear the cost for decades.
Trump lawyer Giuliani faces $1.7b lawsuit over ‘big lie’ election fraud claims
Dominion has accused Rudy Giuliani of defamation in what it called his “big lie” campaign about widespread fraud in the presidential election, court documents show.
Xi Jinping warns against new Cold War in Davos speech
The Chinese President warned of possible confrontation if countries pursue a policy of economic decoupling from China.
Australia calls for ‘restraint’ as Chinese military escalates Taiwan incursions
The Morrison government will face significant pressure to join US military action in the Taiwan Strait if Beijing carries out its threats.
Deadliest period on record: Drownings soar as safety signs are ignored
Seven people have died in Victorian waters this year, prompting urgent pleas for swimmers and boating enthusiasts to take greater care.
Knocked out, sit out: AFL to enforce mandatory break after concussion
The new guidelines will introduce a mandatory post-concussion rest and non-playing period, even if it means missing a grand final.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
What we know about the New Zealand Northland case
New Zealand’s first local case in more than two months is a patient who contracted the highly transmissible South African variant while in quarantine.
‘Graphs I never made’: Trump’s virus adviser says misinformation, denial rife
Former Trump coronavirus response co-ordinator Deborah Birx says the progress against the virus in the US was impeded by inconsistent and inept public messaging out of the White House.
Local
Water users ignoring safety signs amid record death toll
Seven people have died in the water this year in Victoria, prompting urgent pleas from authorities for swimmers and boating enthusiasts to take greater care.
Seeking work? Critical industry needs 120,000. No experience necessary
A desperate shortage of disability service workers has prompted calls for a campaign to attract employees made redundant in COVID-19-hit industries.
Charges stressful for pregnant woman accused of incitement, court told
A pregnant woman accused of inciting others to protest against lockdown could finalise her case next month before she gives birth.
Updated
Weather
Fast-moving cool change brings relief to city after suburbs hit 40 degrees
Three teens were pulled from the water near Apollo Bay, and a bayside beach was evacuated after a shark sighting on a sweltering day across Victoria.
Friend held guns for shooter before Kew killing, coroner told
A long-time friend of a former solicitor who shot dead his partner has admitted signing blank documents that allowed the killer to dodge authorities before the attack.
AUSTRALIA DAY
Use Biden agenda to commit to net zero: Malcolm Turnbull
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has urged the Morrison government to seize on new climate change agenda from US President Joe Biden to commit to net zero emissions by 2050.
Cricket scorer for 58 years gets OAM
Michael Walsh has been recognised in the Australia Day Honours for scoring at Essendon Cricket Club games since 1963.
Politics
Morrison rules out ‘pre-emptive’ China concessions
The PM says the Australia-China relationship is important to both nations but discussions “won’t take place on the basis of any sort of pre-emptive concessions on Australia’s part”.
Business
ACCC’s Sims warns on big bank fintech takeovers
The competition regulator has warned big bank acquisitions of fintech challengers could stifle competition and deny consumers future benefits from innovation.
World
Ex-president threatens Republicans with ‘MAGA Party’
In recent weeks, former US president Donald Trump has instructed his aides to prepare election challenges to Republicans who crossed him in the final weeks in office.
Opinion
Australian MPs should serve the people, not the Queen
Matt Thistlethwaite
On Australia Day in the lucky country, let’s focus on achievements
Amanda Vanstone
Former Howard government minister
A date for our shared destiny: Let’s move Australia Day to mark the triumph of Mabo
Kevin Rudd
Former Australian prime minister
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Property bydomain
'Never been busier': The skyrocketing number of Australians installing a pool
Aussies holidaying at home are adding pools and spas at such a pace that some popular brands now have a 12-month wait for installation.
'It's perfect': Why so many people are making the move to Tasmania
With its cooler climes, local produce and natural beauty, it’s no wonder the Apple Isle is a hot spot for those wanting to relocate.
Life & Culture
Larry King’s microphone stood for an increasingly rare virtue: listening
King, who died on the weekend aged 87, lived most of his life as a persona more than a person, and perhaps outlived the era that made him.
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Sport
Knocked out, sit out: AFL to enforce mandatory break after concussion
The new guidelines, which follow the revelation that the late Richmond footballer Shane Tuck had severe brain disease, will introduce a mandatory post-concussion rest and non-playing period, even if it means missing a grand final.
Updated
AFL 2021
Hawthorn’s Tom Scully takes break to consider his football future
Hawthorn’s Tom Scully has not trained for a fortnight and has been granted indefinite leave as he wrestles with a personal matter.
Commander and Chiefs: Bucs to face defending champs
Tom Brady is headed back to the Super Bowl in his first season with the Bucs, facing the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s taking another page from the NFL history book with him.
Ramsden runs fastest Aussie 1500m in Australia since ’88
The Tokyo Olympics might be in doubt but if they do go ahead, Matthew Ramsden can book a ticket.
Handscomb on the national outer, but happier
Peter Handscomb accepts he has fallen a fair way back in the pecking order for both Test and white-ball cricket. But the Victorian captain is in a much better headspace.
AFLW tickets sell in their thousands
AFLW fans have snapped up thousands of seats to round one of the competition on the first day that all women’s matches charged spectators an entry fee, with Richmond’s Punt Road Oval clash a sellout.
Root mixes sweep and sweat in one-man stand
Joe Root was so tired that England should have arranged for one of the tuk tuks that chug past the Galle Stadium to ferry him back to the dressing room.
Have Your Say
Why Kayo could help V’landys land knockout blow to AFL in TV cash fight
The News Corp-owned streaming service’s announcement that it will screen minor sports for free could pave the way for the NRL to land a monster broadcast rights deal in 2022.
