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Updated
Coronavirus pandemic
WA border with SA to close as state records 29 local cases in week
South Australia reopened its domestic borders on November 23 and has recorded 29 community cases since as it adjusts to life after COVID-zero.
Updated
Courts
Nationals MP released on bail after being charged over child sex abuse claims
James Hayward, a South West MLC and former vice president of the federal branch of the Nationals, has been stood down from his shadow portfolio roles.
CCIWA says 39,000 might walk over vaccine mandate
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA estimates the potential for 39,000 West Australians to walk away from their job could result in a $2.9 billion impact on the state.
WA lags all other states in race for renewable energy exports: WWF
Despite natural advantages in wind, sun and space, WA is the laggard state in Australia’s race to be a “renewable export powerhouse” according to a new report.
Synergy first up as WA government sets out on 2030 emissions target
The approach could be a bog turnaround for a government often accused by environmentalists of being too close to the gas industry.
Infectious disease expert dismisses idea COVID could ‘run riot’ in Ashes outbreak
An infectious disease expert bowled over claims COVID would ‘run riot’ through the community if an outbreak occurred during the Perth Ashes Test.
‘Concern’ child caught Omicron on flight to Sydney as eighth case confirmed
Additional cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Sydney, casting doubts on the effectiveness of the state’s two-tiered quarantine system for international arrivals.
Ron Barassi and wife Cheryl test positive for COVID-19
A spokesperson for Barassi said both were double vaccinated, and focusing on recovering at home. Neither had needed to go to hospital.
Opinion
Sketch
If Parliament were a schoolyard, you’d lock it down
In a week when a report found widespread sexual harassment and bullying in parliament house, parliamentarians themselves indulge in an outbreak of bad behaviour.
Tony Wright
Associate editor and special writer
Tudge leaves cabinet after former adviser alleges their affair was abusive
The Victorian Liberal MP rejected the claims, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison asked him to leave his role while his department conducted an investigation.
‘Last chance to be a dad’: Greg Hunt to leave politics
After leading Australia’s health response to the pandemic, Greg Hunt will leave Parliament at the 2022 election. He says it’s time to be a ‘proper dad’ to his children.
Opinion
WTA Tour
Financial loss, net gain: the WTA takes a stance
Unusually for sports administrators, the WTA are aligning their mouth to their principles, not their money.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
Exclusive
NSW residential property
‘House of Hancock’ listed with $20 million record hopes
The historic estate where the late mining magnate Lang Hancock momentously married his former maid Rose Lacson is on offer.
★★★
Review
It’s big, loud, full of action, but Dune is a desert of mediocrity
A book that sold 20 million copies because of ideas and vision has become a movie with neither.
‘I met Trump at 14 and flew with Prince Andrew’, Maxwell accuser says
Prince Andrew was also mentioned in proceedings a day earlier during testimony given by the financier’s pilot.
Biggest hits of 2021: which songs did everyone stream this year?
What’s interesting about Spotify and Apple Music’s end-of-year lists isn’t which musicians are on them – it’s the narrow demographics they share.
Just in
Editor's Picks
Opinion
Social media
Exposing online bullies won’t stop social media toxicity
Shireen Morris
Constitutional lawyer and senior lecturer at Macquarie University
Western Australia
WA to sell itself as ‘the safest place on earth’ as it prepares to reopen to the world
Tourism experts warn the campaign may be a difficult sell, given WA’s tough stance on quarantine and tendency to make snap decisions on interstate borders.
Afghan families resettling in Perth facing new crisis
Families fleeing Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in August are facing a new struggle as they grapple with a critical shortage of affordable housing in Perth.
Renewed push for WA Liberal MPs Collier and Goiran to resign
At the inaugural Liberal Reform Coalition meeting held on Wednesday night, the crowd called for the immediate resignation of the two politicians.
‘Fundamental flaws’: Former Rio boss takes aim at WA Aboriginal site laws
Former industry heavyweight Sam Walsh has joined a group of eminent Australians calling for the WA government to withdraw its Aboriginal cultural heritage bill.
Updated
Australia votes
Former Freo candidate to throw her hat in ring for Porter’s seat
Christian Porter will quit politics at the next federal election, and former Liberal candidate for the WA seat of Fremantle, Miquela Riley, is keen to have a tilt at Pearce.
Politics
Afghanistan veteran MP says colleagues should thank vets for their service
Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson says MPs should continue to use the term “thank you for your service” after the Veterans Affairs Minister voiced objections to it.
Business
Afterpay takeover vote delayed as it waits on Spanish bank
One of the final hurdles facing the biggest takeover in Australian history is being postponed, at the same time as Afterpay’s suitor said it would change its name.
Opinion
Mergers & acquisitions
Woolworths and Wesfarmers slug it out over wellness market
Elizabeth Knight
Business columnist
Opinion
Government debt
US debt drama isn’t good for America, or rest of us
Stephen Bartholomeusz
Senior business columnist
World
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Pandemic vaccine treaty a step closer
The decision means a legally binding response convention that would determine a fairer production and distribution of vaccines for the next pandemic could be implemented in early 2024.
Opinion
Federal Parliament: If this were a schoolyard, you’d lock it down
Tony Wright
Associate editor and special writer
The government is trolling us with its ‘anti-troll’ bill
Michael Douglas
Exposing online bullies won’t stop social media toxicity
Shireen Morris
Constitutional lawyer and senior lecturer at Macquarie University
Explore
Property
Exclusive
NSW residential property
Killara’s ‘House of Hancock’ listed with $20 million record hopes
The historic Killara estate Wharncliffe, where the late mining magnate Lang Hancock momentously married his former maid Rose Lacson, is on offer with a $20 million guide.
The houses you can buy for less than $1 million in the major capitals
This segment of the market is hot property even for run-down homes, attracting first-home buyers and growing families as they try to get a foot on the ladder.
Lifestyle
Let’s get back into our pyjamas – only this time with a heel
Loungewear became the default uniform during lockdown and is now ready for the great outdoors.
![“[Being outdoors] gives our minds and our spirits room to let one memory catch up,” says Matthew McConaughey, pictured with the tent he’s co-designed with Melbourne-based camping company Homecamp.](http://web.archive.org./web/20211202102838im_/https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.27256038647342995%2C$multiply_0.7063%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_325%2C$y_38/t_crop_custom/q_62%2Cf_auto/f3c23a06c90d1b7148659c93e8108d1b7b9031f0)
Culture
Biggest hits of 2021: which songs did everyone stream this year?
What’s interesting about Spotify and Apple Music’s end-of-year lists isn’t which musicians are on them – it’s the narrow demographics they share.
Sport
Pressure grows on Beijing as other sports pushed to follow WTA on Peng
Peng Shuai’s situation has become emblematic of growing concerns about China’s authoritarian power, the role of sport in politics and the 2022 Winter Games.
Expert dismisses theory COVID could ‘run riot’ via Perth Test outbreak
An infectious disease expert has bowled over assertions that COVID would ‘run riot’ through the community if an outbreak occurred during next month’s scheduled Ashes Test at Optus Stadium.
Updated
Women's AFL
AFL releases 2022 women’s fixture, will ‘find a way’ to complete a full season
The AFLW season will start in Frankston with St Kilda playing Richmond at Frankston’s SkyBus Stadium, giving holidaymakers on the Mornington Peninsula a chance to watch some footy.
Warne feels for Vaughan as commentator’s Australian arrival up in air
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan is still set to feature on Fox Cricket’s Ashes coverage this summer, provided he can get to Australia after testing positive to COVID-19.
Ron Barassi and wife Cheryl test positive for COVID-19
A spokesperson for Barassi said both were double vaccinated, and focusing on recovering at home. Neither had needed to go to hospital.
NBL season preview: Which players have NBA potential? Who are the teams to beat?
The NBL season tips off on Friday night and here is how all 10 teams are shaping up.
‘Wasn’t on a good trajectory’: How Australian rugby’s bad boy turned his life around
James O’Connor reflects on his past indiscretions and the way to learn from his mistakes
Have Your Say
Elder a trailblazer who overcame racism and death threats to change the world
Lee Elder, who died on Sunday aged 87, was the man who first forged the black path down the first fairway of the exclusive clubs and elite tournaments against heavy resistance.
