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Premier ‘very ambitious’ on reopening borders
Gladys Berejiklian congratulated the federal government for handing down a “very strong budget under very difficult circumstances” but added she wants international borders to reopen earlier than mid-2022.
Breaking
Coronavirus pandemic
Hundreds of football fans urged to test and isolate after train service listed as exposure site
Victorian contact tracers are working with the AFL to track down fans who attended the blockbuster clash between Richmond and Geelong last Friday at the MCG.
Metro West station to be built on land owned by The Star casino
The NSW government has confirmed a station for its flagship Metro West rail line will be built on a Pyrmont site owned by gambling giant The Star.
Lap pool and a gym in the basement: The plan to turn Vaucluse church into a home
Plans to turn the heritage-listed church into a private residence are being resisted by architecture enthusiasts.
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 where unit prices remain affordable.
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.
Qantas delays resumption of international flying after budget blow
Qantas has pushed back the restart date for most of its international network after the federal budget revealed Australia’s border will likely remain shut until the middle of next year.
Updated
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.
Two dead whales dislodge from hull of HMAS Sydney in California
The Royal Australian Navy has confirmed the two carcasses shifted from underneath the vessel as it berthed.
Australian beekeepers stuck in stoush with New Zealand government
Australian honey producers are concerned about an attempt by NZ beekeepers to prevent them from marketing their products as “manuka”.
Updated
US politics
Liz Cheney vote turns spotlight on post-Trump Republican divisions
Cheney said those who dispute the election results were at war with the Constitution and were sowing the seeds of future political violence.
Link between partner violence and mass shootings found
One 2020 study found that nearly half of mass shooters between 1966 and 2020 have a history of violence against women.
Stop feeling guilty about working out at lunch – it’s saving you time
The majority of workers don’t take exercise breaks out of guilt or because they’re “too busy” despite compelling evidence showing they improve productivity.
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.
Manchester City clinch third title in four seasons
Manchester United losing 2-1 to Leicester left City with an unassailable 10-point lead with three games remaining.
FEDERAL BUDGET 2021
Pierre has a masters but no job. Now the government says he needs more training
With employers warning of labour shortages while the country’s borders are closed, the government is under pressure to do more to help people who have been out of work.
Mental health services to get record investment
The funding is designed to help those who fall between the general primary care system and hospital services or intensive state-based community care.
Sydney
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.
‘Painting them green does not change that reality’: NSW Minister’s warning
Planning Minister 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.
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.
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
Lex Greensill ‘truly sorry’ for company’s collapse but blames insurers in first public appearance
Australian businessman Lex Greensill has issued a grovelling apology after being hauled before the British parliament but blamed the collapse of his business on insurers.
World
Updated
US politics
Defiant Liz Cheney blasts Trump election lies ahead of leadership vote
Cheney said those who dispute the election results were at war with the Constitution and were sowing the seeds of future political violence.
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
Marred by controversy, the Philip Roth biography is a spectacular own goal
Allegations of sexual assault and impropriety against Blake Bailey make it hard to read his life of Philip Roth in the way biographer and subject may have originally intended.
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.
