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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.
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.
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.
Exclusive
Startups
‘Paper bag test’: ASX tech star criticised for skin colour test
Tech darling Appen has been hit by claims of racism in its recruitment processes after it asked job candidates to take a “paper bag test” about their skin colour.
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.
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.
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.
Opinion
Inflation
Boom adds to confusion about the outlook for inflation
Does the new boom in commodity prices point to a longer and stronger post-pandemic surge in global growth and inflation than markets and central banks have assumed?
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
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.
Tasered man held down by police died from heart condition, Coroner finds
Jack Kokaua, 30, had absconded from hospital in February 2018 and was restrained by multiple police at Camperdown who were attempting to take him back.
Founders of fashion brand The Daily Edited cut ties, settle legal case
Alyce Tran, one of the co-founders of accessories brand The Daily Edited, has sold her stake to her former business partner following a two-year legal battle over claims of misused funds.
The ‘daggy dad’ staple about to make a comeback
Dig out your Hawaiian shirt. The 1960s is the decade of choice for designers interpreting post-COVID “confident” dressing.
Bodalla Dairy brings bush-flavoured ice-cream to the city
With its gumleaf smoked ice-cream and an extravagant list of ingredients, a new ice-cream shop brings the bush to Sydney.
FEDERAL BUDGET 2021
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.
Small businesses win breathing space over disputed tax debts
Small businesses will be able to ask an independent umpire to stop the Tax Office from pursuing them for disputed debts until the issue has been resolved.
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
Analysis
Federal budget
Coalition eager to prove it works for women too
The inclusion of a formal women’s budget statement in itself speaks volumes about the pressure the government has come under over the treatment of women.
Business
‘Good science into products’: Cochlear, CSL celebrate patents win in budget
Biotech heavyweights say a plan to lower the tax rate for income made off local patents will keep medical innovation onshore.
World
Atlanta spa shootings were hate crimes, prosecutor says
She indicated she would seek the death penalty for the suspect who was also charged with one count of domestic terrorism.
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
Where it’s easiest (and hardest) to take advantage of budget housing grants
First-home buyers can get help to buy an entry-level home, but only up to a certain price cap - and it’s easier to use in some neighbourhoods than others.
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja lists his 'irreplaceable' Brisbane home
It marks the end of an unforgettable property innings at the Holland Park home the celebrated cricketer and his wife are loathe to walk away from.
Life & Culture
★★★★½
Review
Mesmerising film gives us a vengeful goddess for the #MeToo generation
I still don’t understand why Ema is so good, but it feels new. It’s rare, kaleidoscopic and will speak to children of the 21st century everywhere.
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
‘Bats must consist solely of wood’: MCC rejects bamboo to replace willow
A day after research suggested bamboo bats could replace willow, the club that maintains cricket’s official laws has rejected the idea because bamboo is grass and not wood.
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.
Djokovic’s tantrum in Rome rain, Nadal’s Tokyo doubts
Top-ranked Novak Djokovic shouted at the umpire before regaining his cool at the Italian Open.
Have Your Say
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.
