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Pandemic is 30 times worse than global financial crisis, says Morrison
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has defended the government’s $74.6 billion spending package, including pre-election tax cuts, and described the COVID-19 pandemic as “30 times worse” than the global financial crisis.
Sydneysiders deliver their verdict on the federal budget
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has splashed cash on aged care and families in the budget, but some Sydneysiders aren’t convinced.
Analysis
Federal budget
Missed it by that much: good effort at marketing misses the main chance
Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg had the makings of a champion of budgets, but their courage failed them.
‘The need is now’: Donna welcomes childcare rise, but questions the delay
Donna O’Neill has seen many of her female colleagues’ careers held back because of the high cost of child care. She wants that to change.
Billions of dollars set aside for possible election war chest
Scott Morrison’s pandemic budget leaves open the option of a snap poll in coming months, with billions of dollars set aside for a potential election war chest.
Major reform to restore trust in troubled aged care sector
Billions of dollars will be immediately pumped into aged care providers to keep them afloat until major law reforms aimed at ensuring quality care.
Rescue flights to pick up 17,000 Australians stranded overseas
More than 100 rescue flights will be sent around the world over the next year to collect about 17,000 stranded Australians – around half the people registered as wanting to come home.
More than 100 Palestinian rockets target Tel Aviv as confrontation escalates
The Israeli city of Tel Aviv was under fire from a barrage of 130 rockets in an attack so relentless that Israel’s Iron Dome rocket-defence system seemed to be overwhelmed.
Putin orders gun review after nine killed in 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.
Multimillion-dollar government ‘rort’ laid bare before ICAC
The extended family of an RMS worker was handed rigged government contracts for years in return for tens of thousands of dollars in parties, school fees, a luxury car and flights.
Breaking
Earnings season
CBA’s quarterly profits surge to $2.4b
CBA’s March quarter profits bounced back as the banking giant cut its provisions for bad debts in response to the improving economy.
Sydney is choking on cars, NSW minister warns
Rob Stokes has warned Sydney risks being enslaved to cars as he becomes the third senior minister to offer a view on how best to spur the take-up of electric vehicles.
CBD
City life
Michael Johnsen has second thoughts on his website
A slew of photos originally uploaded online of the former MP standing alongside Gladys Berejiklian and John Barilaro were quietly taken down.
Opinion
NRL 2021
No winners in de Belin situation – but even so, stand-down rule must stay
The Dragons forward faces a third trial for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman. Regardless, the NRL’s controversial no-fault stand-down rule must stay.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Olympic heavyweight Huni to get just 15 per cent of cut in Gallen fight
Justis Huni knows a win over Paul Gallen could do as much for his profile as an Olympic medal. Which is why Gallen will take almost all the financial spoils.
The horrific scene that nearly broke an Oscar-winning director
Capturing the brutal story of The Underground Railroad for a new TV series took its toll. One moment proved so challenging, Barry Jenkins simply walked off set.
Editor's Picks
Opinion
Interest rates
The world is partying hard on free money, but beware the hangover
Peter Hartcher
Political and international editor
Just in
FEDERAL BUDGET 2021
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.
Advances for women and girls: $3.4 billion fund carved out
The female-focused cash splash has been revealed months after thousands of women marched out the front of Parliament House demanding improved gender equality.
Sydney
Priority road projects in NSW secure $3.3 billion as state gets GST windfall
Unexpectedly high GST receipts are a win for the NSW Treasury, while the state will also benefit from the federal government’s investment in major projects.
Stereotypes about eating disorders plague treatment of Indigenous sufferers
Indigenous Australians are just as likely to experience eating disorders as others but a perception the illness is only prevalent among white girls is hampering treatment.
Thorpe to swim with Seven for the Olympics
Officially it is no comment, but Seven is set to snare the champion for its coverage.
Nurses found guilty of misconduct after Indigenous man took his own life
The nurses were meant to observe the man every 30 minutes, but for some observations he was recorded as “sleeping” when no one had gone into his room.
Medical manufacturers first to cash in on tax relief
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the $250 million program in November last year to lure domestic and international businesses to move their headquarters to NSW.
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
NSW is dropping $78 million on the Blockbuster of energy production when the world has moved to Netflix
Bruce Mountain, Bruce Robertson and Ted Woodley
Costello said Australia would never be a guest-worker state, now Frydenberg is smoothing the way
Stephen Clibborn and Chris F. Wright
Have we seen the last head of Australian foreign affairs who speaks Mandarin?
Ciara Morris
Policy officer and student of Mandarin
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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
Turning symptoms into songs, here comes COVID-19 the musical
The musical, created by bestselling novelist Jodi Picoult, includes scenes called Fever, Aches, Swelling and Irritation, Fatigue and Shortness of Breath.
Sport
Opinion
NRL 2021
No winners in de Belin situation – but even so, stand-down rule must stay
The Dragons forward faces a third trial for the alleged rape of a 19-year-old woman. Regardless, the NRL’s controversial no-fault stand-down rule must stay.
Andrew Webster
Chief Sports Writer
Rugby Australia not ready to let go of Super Rugby AU just yet
Rugby Australia Hamish McLennan says serious consideration should be given to continuing an Australian-only competition next year.
Olympic heavyweight Huni to get just 15 per cent of cut in Gallen fight
Justis Huni knows a win over Paul Gallen could do as much for his profile as an Olympic medal. Which is why Gallen will take almost all the financial spoils.
Flanagan gets emotional talking about father before being dropped from Dogs side
Canterbury playmaker Kyle Flanagan broke down in tears during a press conference before being omitted from the starting 17 for Magic Round.
World No.1 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, despite enjoying a sizzling season on clay in her return to the tour.
Analysis
NRL 2021
Why Brad Arthur has no qualms handing teenage son debut without a training session
Eels coach selects son for his NRL debut in a week in which he may not have a single training session with the team before Sunday’s game.
Harrison, Tizzano left out of starting side for Waratahs’ clash with Hurricanes
Two of the Waratahs’ brightest young stars are set to sit on the bench for the clash with the Hurricanes at the SCG on Friday night.
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.
