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‘Victoria is a powder keg’: Experts fear virus still circulating as testing rate drops
A Melbourne infectious diseases physician says until vaccine uptake rises substantially, testing remains the most critical measure in Victoria with the state “primed for a third wave”.
Breaking
Gladys Berejiklian
Two cases in Sydney, as authorities investigate possible hotel leak
A man from Sydney’s east and a household contact of his became the state’s first two local COVID-19 case in 40 days on Wednesday.
Opinion
Opinion
We have to ‘live with the virus’ but with no changes we could be dying from it
Some business chiefs and politicians keep telling us that restrictions diminish our lives and harm our economy, but there is little indication that any of us want leaders to abolish all controls and put our health at risk.
Shaun Carney
Regular columnist
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Top-up Pfizer would be used to fully vaccinate Victorians, state government told Commonwealth
Health Minister Martin Foley wrote to his federal counterpart Greg Hunt thanking him for providing more Pfizer doses to meet the increased demand for vaccine uptake in Victoria.
Business wants road map to reopening, but Sutton says things moving too fast for that
Big business wants government to give more clarity on further easing of coronavirus restrictions after what it saw as another conservative step out of lockdown.
How do you create joy at the end of the world? These writers might have ideas
It’s a writers’ festival but not as you know it: speed pitching, performances and music are all part of this year’s Emerging Writers’ Festival.
Should we be defined by our worst actions?
Chrissy Teigen is being vilified for damning comments she made a decade ago. Three experts weigh in: how should we judge one another?
Suez jam sank Heide reopening plan, with art stuck on Singapore dock
The chaos in worldwide shipping schedules after the Ever Given’s Suez adventure left Heide Gallery without a sculpture that would have been a 2021 highlight.
‘Still a long way to go’: ASX 200 still failing on harassment
Most big companies are yet to develop systems to tackle sexual harassment at work, according to a new report, despite a raft of scandals rocking large corporates.
‘Like comparing apples with dried oranges’: Will Australia ruin British farms?
British farmers claim Australian farming practices will turn its fabled green pastures into a wide brown land. Australian farmers say that’s not true.
Analysis
Defamation
Ben Roberts-Smith case about to change register as cross-examination begins
The highly decorated ex-soldier has given his account of his actions in war and with his former girlfriend. The real grilling is likely to start on Thursday.
Roberts-Smith’s lawyer casts his line with the practised art of a fly fisherman
On the last day of the former soldier’s evidence, it fell to lawyer Bruce McClintock to coax from the witness a demonstration of the emotional impact on him.
Craft beer going flat: Return to classics drives VB, Carlton sales surge
Sales of classic lagers such as VB and Carlton have surged during the pandemic, in a sign the craft beer craze may be fading.
Opinion
AFL 2021
‘You don’t do a review then punt the property steward’: Why big change is afoot at Carlton
Carlton are undertaking a review after a disappointing first half of the season, and fans can expect big change.
Wayne Campbell
Cate Campbell seals spot at fourth Olympics as McKeon edges sprint finish
Emma McKeon held off a lightning field to win the 100m freestyle ahead of an ecstatic Campbell, who has secured her spot at a remarkable fourth Olympics.
Editor's Picks
Just in
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
QR data not used by Victoria Police but could help solve hit on WA bikie boss
Victoria’s acting Premier says police have made no applications to access QR code check-in data for help solving crimes, while Western Australia’s Police Commissioner has defended his force accessing the information.
A much thinner Kim warns of food shortages, longer COVID lockdown
Pandemic conditions and crop damage could be aligning for a perfect famine storm. Meanwhile, Kim’s health is the subject of speculation again.
Local
Terror plotter ‘ashamed’ and has denounced beliefs, lawyer tells court
A man who planned with two friends to buy an assault rifle to gun down people in Melbourne lacked the fanatacism of other terror plotters, a court has heard.
Updated
Weather
Water warning for storm-hit areas; 10,000 still without power
About 10,000 people are still waiting for their electricity to be restored days after the damaging storm. People in Kallista, Sherbrooke and The Patch have been instructed not to drink tapwater.
Colourful businessman Geoffrey Edelsten remembered at small, simple funeral
After a life lived in the headlines, flamboyant businessman Geoffrey Edelsten’s death was marked with a subdued, small and simple funeral at a Melbourne cemetery.
‘Spectacular’ silken spider webs blanket Gippsland town after floods
For some, it’s the stuff of nightmares. For entomologist Ken Walker, it’s a beautiful sight.
‘Crippled in one night’: Townships reeling a week after wild storms rip through properties
Trees crashed through John Carlyle’s loungeroom roof and destroyed much of his Kalorama house, yet he has chosen to remain among the devastation.
Politics
Updated
Defence spending
Morrison recruits French President to help get $90bn submarine deal on track
Scott Morrison has declared the troubled $90 billion submarine project is back on track after recruiting Emmanuel Macron to help salvage the deal.
Business
China escalates crackdown on $US1 trillion market
China’s crackdown on shadow banking is taking aim at more than $US1 trillion of opaque investments sold by banks as low risk and high yield, even while funds were channelled to riskier borrowers such as developers.
World
Pushing back against China will take global effort ‘not seen for many decades’: Morrison
The Prime Minister warned in a speech to the OECD that rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific were a threat to the financial prosperity of other nations.
Opinion
‘Common threat’: The US and EU move to thwart China’s ambitions in the air
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
Israel needs to stop stalling and release aid worker jailed five years ago
Tim Costello
Former CEO of World Vision Australia.
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Property bydomain
How to find and keep the best tenants for your investment property
Attracting the right tenants for your investment property is always a challenge, but there are things you can do to keep them there longer.
Lockdown's big deals: Melbourne buyers spend $10m+ remotely
Melbourne locals continued undeterred on their search to buy a bigger home in their own neighbourhood.
Life & Culture
With celebrity fans and a unique sound, this band doesn’t need labels
Red-hot instrumental trio Brekky Boy have played for Quincy Jones and Shania Twain - just don’t stick a label on their music.
Sport
Opinion
AFL 2021
Right goal, wrong method: How Hocking, not Mackay, crossed the line
The decision to charge David Mackay for his alleged bump and send him to the tribunal is a signal by Steve Hocking that he and the AFL want to recalibrate what has long been considered “incidental contact”.
Jake Niall
Chief football writer, The Age
Cate Campbell seals spot at fourth Olympics as McKeon edges sprint finish
Emma McKeon held off a lightning field to win the 100m freestyle ahead of an ecstatic Campbell, who has secured her spot at a remarkable fourth Olympics.
Opinion
AFL 2021
‘You don’t do a review then punt the property steward’
Carlton are undertaking a review after a disappointing first half of the season, and their fans can expect big change.
Wayne Campbell
AFL recruiters frustrated by school footy ban
AFL clubs have been told they will not be allowed to send recruiters to watch matches in person for two school leagues this weekend.
Updated
Australian cricket
Players told to put country first after tour withdrawals
David Warner, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell have withdrawn from Australia’s upcoming tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh in a big disruption to the team’s T20 World Cup plans.
Updated
AFL 2021
‘Torn’: Ross opens up on why he quit Saints’ Sydney hub
The St Kilda player issued a passionate statement on social media on Wednesday night after days of discussion over his and Tim Membrey’s call to return home.
His dream looked over. Now young gun’s on way to Tokyo
After a disqualification at the Olympic swimming trials, Zac Incerti was shattered. Hours later, he was back on the blocks ready for the race of his life.
Have Your Say
The Hawks coach Pies should look at to replace Buckley
There’s an assistant coach at Hawthorn who the Magpies should speak to in their coaching search. Spoiler alert, it’s not who you think.
