Politics
NSW
No doubt Jenny West saw ‘finish line’ but was never offered job, lawyer says
A senior government lawyer has rejected claims the former bureaucrat was ever formally offered a US trade role, insisting she was treated fairly and describing her evidence to an inquiry as incorrect.
- by Lucy Cormack
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Exclusive
Political lobbying
New lobbying laws to guard against ‘corruption and undue influence’
The NSW premier will introduce new laws after it was found there was a serious risk of corruption if secret meetings between lobbyists and officials continued.
- by Alexandra Smith
Senior lawyer described in Jenny West’s notes to front inquiry, as premier prepares for trade trip
A senior government lawyer will be pressed to explain the controversial hiring process for the state’s US trade commissioner after he purportedly told the woman overlooked for the role that he was “horrified” by her treatment.
- by Alexandra Smith and Lucy Cormack
NSW nurses at ‘breaking point’ amid surging flu, Omicron
More than 2700 NSW health workers are currently in COVID isolation, as chronic understaffing leaves hospital emergency departments buckling under surging rates of flu and Omicron.
- by Lucy Cormack and Lisa Visentin
Exclusive
Violence
NSW Labor promises to improve call answer rate of sexual violence helpline
NSW Labor has vowed to address the one-in-three unanswered calls to the statewide sexual violence helpline if it wins the next election.
- by Lucy Cormack
Exclusive
Poker machines
Cashless pokies: Long-promised trial to start as money laundering risks increase
The opt-in wallet will be linked to a player’s identity and an Australian bank account, and will include harm minimisation protections such as spending limits and real-time spending data.
- by Lucy Cormack
How ‘unprecedented turmoil and instability’ led to crisis at Shore
John Collier has been appointed interim headmaster at Shore School while a new principal is found after deep divisions led to the departure of Timothy Petterson.
- by Jordan Baker
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
NSW government to stump up COVID test kits as federal scheme ends
The NSW government will provide rapid antigen test kits to vulnerable groups when the federal program finishes at the end of the month.
- by Lucy Cormack
Inquiry into Barilaro trade role sends transcript to ICAC
The upper house has referred a transcript of its parliamentary inquiry into the Barilaro appointment to the corruption watchdog.
- by Alexandra Smith and Lucy Cormack
Analysis
State Parliament
Barilaro unlikely to be the only loser as New York job saga rolls on
The second day’s hearing into the decision to appoint John Barilaro to a lucrative New York trade job raised more questions than were answered.
- by Alexandra Smith
‘Offensive:’ Trade minister insists he never called US role a ‘present’
Trade Minister Stuart Ayres has fiercely denied he played any role in the recruitment of John Barilaro for US trade commissioner as the fallout over the now-defunct role escalates.
- by Lucy Cormack