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Labor claims ‘third-rate vaccine rollout’ hampers economic recovery as nation reacts to big-spending federal budget
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled a big-spending budget on Tuesday aimed at rebuilding the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic, as Victoria recorded its first locally-acquired case in 73 days.
Latest live posts
LoadingRegional cash, disaster relief, and a road that won’t get built: What’s in the budget for WA?
The government has looked to the stars in WA this federal budget – and thanked the heavens for the skyrocketing iron ore price. There’s also some money for a road project, just don’t expect it to be built any time soon.
A five-minute rundown of the federal budget
A summary of what you should know about this year’s federal budget.
‘Fishing friends’ move in the spotlight of Perth’s Crown probe as cracks in logic surface
The probe will want to get to the bottom of the departure of Mick Connolly as chief casino officer, an affair that is linked directly to the exclusive reports on this masthead.
WA Health denies whistleblower hotel quarantine guard’s claims as Premier defends ‘not perfect’ system
The Health Department has refuted claims by a former hotel quarantine security guard and denied that a quarantine guest could have been left forgotten for three months at Perth’s InterContinental Hotel late last year.
Escape tunnel plot in WA detention centre foiled
Refugee advocates claim the tunnel is between 10 and 20 metres long and have released a video showing at least two detainees in the tunnel.
Federal budget 2021
Analysis
Federal budget
Missed it by that much: good effort at marketing misses the main chance
They coulda been contenders. But Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg let it escape them.
Federal budget: The winners and losers
The government has splashed cash on aged care, childcare rebates and infrastructure, but we could all lose out in the long term.
Opinion
Kerry Stokes
Kerry Stokes thumbs a well-worn playbook for ‘$8 billion’ Boral bid
Kerry Stokes’ nil-premium bid is designed to ensure Seven doesn’t end up spending $8 billion to gain effective control of the building materials giant.
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
First full-scale rare earth refinery proposed for WA
The ASX-listed miner’s proposal to build the nation’s first full-scale rare-earths refinery has gained the support of senior Morrison government ministers.
Business gets $20b in tax incentives to boost investment
The budget will extend tax breaks aimed at bringing forward business investment such as spending on utes, tractors, and manufacturing equipment.
Rescue flights to pick up 17,000 stranded Aussies
The federal government has also set aside millions of dollars to manufacture mRNA vaccines in Australia.
‘It doesn’t cut it’: Tourism sector hits out at Australia’s ‘border roulette’
The tourism sector has warned that operators will go under before the government ever reopens the border to international visitors.
Border closure to cost country 174,000 new migrants
The budget reveals the government now expects permanent migrants and international students to begin gradually returning from mid 2022, a year later than it forecast in October’s budget.
Putin orders gun control review after students killed in Russian school shooting
At least seven students and two school employees have been killed and many others wounded after a gunman opened fire in a school in the Russian city of Kazan.
What is happening in Jerusalem and Gaza?
There’s been a rapid escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians this week. Here’s what you need to know.
Dozens dead as Israel, Hamas escalate aerial bombardments
The Israeli city of Tel Aviv was under fire from a barrage of 130 rockets launched from the Gaza Strip in an attack so relentless that Israel’s Iron Dome rocket-defence system seemed to be overwhelmed.
The horrific scene that nearly broke Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins
Capturing the brutal story of The Underground Railroad for a new TV series took its toll. One moment proved so challenging, Jenkins simply walked off set.
MasterChef recap: An elimination so tense, you could hear an immunity pin drop
As the old saying goes: once screen printing is involved, it’s time to stop making desserts.
What is Prince Harry trying to say with his new series The Me You Can’t See?
As the Duke launches a new series, we look at what it tells us about his state of mind – and why he has no regrets over his Oprah interview.
Federal budget 2021
Advances for women and girls: $3.4 billion fund carved out
The new spending measures include $1.9 billion earmarked for economic security, $1.1 billion for safety initiatives tackling violence and harassment and $352 million for health and wellbeing.
Employers given $1.5 billion in wage subsidies to create another 100,000 apprenticeships
The scheme has been a key plank of the federal government’s plan to avoid a pandemic-induced youth unemployment crisis.
Western Australia
Yongah Hill detainee in isolation after escape tunnel plot foiled
Refugee advocates claim the tunnel is between 10 and 20 metres long and have released a video showing at least two detainees in the tunnel.
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Ex-guard fears more virus leaks from WA’s ‘festering’ hotel quarantine system
An ex-guard describes an unruly environment where guests would open their room doors at random and a man from China stayed undetected for three months.
Former McGowan government media adviser paid $300,000 over unfair dismissal
Stephen Kaless has been paid nearly $300,000 to settle two legal actions brought against the government after he was sacked when a work colleague accused him of indecently assaulting her at a work Christmas party in December 2019.
Glenyce vanished while camping at a roadhouse as a cyclone lashed the Pilbara. What happened?
Stranded on the side of the road in WA’s North West, Glenyce McGowan camped by a roadhouse with other travellers also forced to pull up. The following morning, she was nowhere to be found.
Updated
Casinos
WA casino chief ‘distressed’ over reports of relationship with Crown staff
The man responsible for the oversight of casino regulation in WA says he received no formal training before being dealt the role.
Politics
Andrew Laming refuses to give up committee position despite vow to stand down
The embattled MP rejected Labor’s claim he had a “long history of trolling” constituents online and the Coalition voted to retain him as a parliamentary committee chair.
Business
Where the bargains are: Opportunities remain for first-home buyers
While first-home buyers may be disheartened by soaring property prices, there are still some suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne where unit prices remain affordable.
World
China’s population grows at slowest rate since 1961 famine
It is the long tail of the now-abolished One-Child Policy that has driven the result in the world’s most populous country. The coronavirus also played its part.
Opinion
Kerry Stokes thumbs a well-worn playbook for ‘$8 billion’ Boral bid
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Marriage of convenience comes with some hidden hazards
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Peter Costello said Australia would never be a guest-worker state, now Josh Frydenberg is smoothing the way
Stephen Clibborn and Chris F. Wright
Explore
Property bydomain
Why Australia's $30b home construction boom won't last
The take-up of HomeBuilder grants was four times more than what the government expected, but budget papers lay bare the challenge that lies ahead.
What’s missing for housing in this year’s federal budget
Analysis: There’s extra help to save a home deposit or to get into the market with a low deposit, but a big spending recovery Budget offered a chance to do more.
Life & Culture
What is Prince Harry trying to tell us with his new series The Me You Can’t See?
As the Duke launches a new series, we look at what it tells us about his state of mind – and why he has no regrets over his Oprah interview.
Sport
Analysis
AFL 2021
Why Richmond aren’t punishing Bolton and Rioli
Once upon a time at Tigerland, the fact of Shai Bolton being a gun player coming off contract would probably have been grounds for cynicism about a non-penalty. Richmond aren’t that kind of club any longer.
Barty declares she’s not the one to beat in France
Ashleigh Barty has been quick to downplay her chances for another Roland Garros title.
Updated
AFL 2021
Willie Rioli to face court, may be sacked by Eagles
Willie Rioli’s future hangs in the balance as he will front court charged with cannabis possession
Huni to get just 15 per cent of cut in Gallen fight
Justis Huni knows a win could do much for his profile. Which is why Gallen will take the financial spoils.
Thorpe to swim with Seven for the Olympics
Officially it is no comment, but Seven is set to snare the champion for its coverage.
Opinion
2021 Tokyo Olympics
Why athletes don’t deserve to be caught in vaccine crossfire
Australia’s Olympians are deeply grateful for the chance to be vaccinated.
Phil Lutton
Sports reporter
IOC president postpones trip to Japan amid virus spike
IOC president Thomas Bach has postponed a trip to Japan, site of the Olympics in a little over two months.
Have Your Say
Howzat for innovation? Researchers say bamboo cricket bats could replace willow
In a development that could send shudders through the game, researchers say bamboo bats lighter, stronger and offer a larger “sweet spot” than traditional willow.
