People pack Sydney’s beaches as the city swelters through a weekend of back-to-back 40C temperatures, setting the record for the hottest November night since records began more than 160 years ago.
Continue reading...Category Archives: Sydney
Australia’s delivery deaths: the riders who never made it and the families left behind
Three food delivery riders recently died on the job, and their families are left with uncertain futures, and many questions
Chow Khai Shien died three days before the Melbourne lockdown lifted, holding someone else’s food.
He had been in Australia for five years, having arrived from Malaysia at the age of 31. First he was a student, then a chef, working part-time in a restaurant inside a casino. When the pandemic descended, like many other people around the world, he turned to food delivery – ferrying burgers and chips, burritos, and pizzas, across the city on a small motorised scooter. The car hit him on the corner of King and La Trobe streets at 7pm on a Saturday night.
Continue reading...Gun pointed at woman before her boyfriend killed assailant with samurai sword, court hears
Prosecutor alleges pair chased intruder down Sydney street before one pulled him to the ground and the other struck his head with a sword
A home invader who had been “armed to the teeth and full as a goog” with the drug ice was holding a gun at a woman before her boyfriend sliced his head open with a samurai sword, a Sydney jury has been told.
A picture “more bristling with menace” could hardly be imagined for a young woman of 23, the barrister Tom Hughes said in his opening address on behalf of Hannah Quinn on Tuesday.
Continue reading...Sydney university meeting in ‘chaos’ after student makes personal donation of $50,000
Arts/law student Abbey Shi made the announcement after she had been censured by the Sydney University SRC
A meeting at the University of Sydney descended into “chaos” on Tuesday night after one student made an unprecedented personal donation of $50,000 to the student council, after being criticised for not doing enough in her elected job.
Arts/law student Abbey Shi made the surprising announcement after she had been censured for not doing any work for three months in her student-funded position.
Continue reading...Australia news live: Victoria and NSW report no new Covid cases as Queensland pushed to open border
Border restrictions continue to be eased as Australian politicians respond to US election result. Follow latest updates
The best doughnut, is a jam doughnut, followed closely by cinnamon.
Both fresh, of course.
Related: How doughnuts became Australia's symbol of Covid hope
News Hub reports New Zealand’s US ambassador has commented on the election. As government employees, ambassadors are prevented from indicating political views (despite being political appointments) but it looks like Scott Brown, for one, is feeling confident enough in the result to be a little honest.
Continue reading...Western Sydney airport: families left in ‘indefinite limbo’ call for end to backroom deals
Hundreds of residents are set to protest amid claims wealthier landholders have received favourable planning decisions
A group of families left in “indefinite limbo” by planning decisions that favoured wealthy landowners near the Western Sydney airport have called for an end to secretive backroom dealing as they prepare to stage public protests against their treatment by government.
Two separate scandals have now raised serious questions about the way land near the massive airport development is being handled, and the degree to which landholders are lobbying state and federal governments for favourable treatment.
Continue reading...Parliament resumes as Victoria reports one new Covid case and NSW five – politics live
Budget estimates continue with Australia’s coronavirus response on the agenda. Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry will reconvene for an extraordinary session while in NSW testing rates drop below 7,000. Follow all the latest updates
- Follow our global live blog
- Full Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by state
- NSW cases map; Vic cases map
- NSW hotspots list; Vic hotspots list
- Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
Keith Pitt, bless him, attempts a dixer on the Queensland resources industry which LNP candidates in central and north Queensland can cut up and put on their facebook page for three people to look at, but the dixer isn’t the right question, so he can’t use his zinger, or get his time back.
Neither can we.
Steve Burt, he is a typical driller, he is big, he’s bearded, he is rough as hessian underwear to be honest
Catherine King to Michael McCormack:
The Australian audit office told Senate estimates last night that it provided AFP on 10 July potential evidence about potential defrauding of the Commonwealth.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Whilst I appreciate this is the subject of many inquiries being made by Senate estimates, as you would expect, this is an inquiry, the Australian Federal Police are looking into it and the ANAO has referred this matter to the AFP, as has the Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure.
And, of course, an independent investigation is also going into the matter, being conducted by the Commonwealth Ombudsman Dr Thomas, the former Inspector-general of the Commonwealth Ombudsman, Dr Vivienne Thom.
Continue reading...ALP pursues government over land deal as Coalition defends childcare scheme – as it happened
Melburnians can now travel up to 25km and spend more time out of the house; and federal parliament resumes with Senate estimates. This blog is now closed
- Follow our global live blog
- Full Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by state
- NSW cases map; Vic cases map
- NSW hotspots list; Vic hotspots list
- Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
To recap:
In the off chance you aren’t completely fed up with Covid-19 data, the federal health department has been publishing a weekly snapshot of how each state is going.
This is an interesting tool for assessing the success of contact tracing in various states, especially as the case load in Victoria continues to drop.
Continue reading...Forbidden fruit: Australian police seize half a tonne of cocaine hidden in banana pulp
Police allege Mark De Hesselle collected 139 boxes of the pulp and searched through them to remove the drug
A Sydney man is facing life in prison after federal police intercepted cocaine worth $248m concealed in frozen fruit products from Brazil.
AFP and Border Force officers seized 552kg of the drug hidden in pallets of banana pulp and branded with koala pictures in Sydney on Friday.
Continue reading...Icac NSW inquiry: Daryl Maguire gives evidence as Gladys Berejiklian refuses to resign – live
Former Wagga MP questioned over corruption allegations including that he misused public office to broker property deals in western Sydney that would financially benefit him. Watch and follow the live stream
• Berejiklian faces questions about meeting with convicted criminals
• Maguire asked business associate to delete messages and emails
• Anne Davies: the Liberals have failed to learn from Labor’s mistakes
• Richard Ackland: NSW would be a more unsavoury place without Icac
We’re back and Robertson dives straight into grilling Maguire over an invoice sent to the Chinese delegation on a G8Way International letterhead which included a “fee for introduction”.
Robertson asks if the fee was raised with Maguire, who says he doesn’t remember.
I don’t recall seeing it ... I would have thought so.
We’re now taking a 15 minute recess adjournment.
Continue reading...Coronavirus Australia live: Victoria reports 15 new Covid cases as NSW on high alert
Victorian bar owner lodges legal challenge to the constitutionality of the state’s lockdown as fears in NSW grow over number of locally transmitted cases. Follow all the latest updates
- Full Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by state
- NSW cases map; Vic cases map
- NSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots list
- Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
Australian scientists have discovered that the virus that causes Covid-19 can survive for up to 28 days on surfaces such as the glass on mobile phones, stainless steel, vinyl and paper banknotes.
The virus survived longer on paper banknotes than on plastic banknotes and lasted longer on smooth surfaces rather than porous surfaces such as cotton.
Related: Virus that causes Covid-19 can survive up to 28 days on surfaces, scientists find
Today is the first day in more than two months that Victoria's statewide 14 day average has increased
Continue reading...NSW Covid hotspots: list of Sydney and regional case locations
Here are the current coronavirus hotspots in New South Wales and what to do if you’ve visited them
- NSW cases map; Covid restrictions state by state
- Vic hotspots list; Qld hotspots list; Full Australian stats interactive
- Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email; download the free Guardian app
New South Wales health authorities have released a list of hotspots where Covid-positive people have visited while infectious.
Those who attended some locations must isolate immediately for 14 days, others must monitor for symptoms.
Continue reading...Australia coronavirus news: NSW reports eight new cases of community transmission as Victoria records 11 – live updates
Victoria reports no new deaths as NSW Health warns of several new Sydney locations linked to Covid-19. Follow all today’s news
- PM says budget spending will go ahead even if forecasts are wrong
- Full Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by state
- Follow the global coronavirus live blog
NSW says a new cluster of three people is likely linked to an existing cluster. The premier Gladys Berejiklian is also warning that the public will be told of “additional venues, additional locations” to respond to during the day.
The remaining three cases of community transmission are all linked, and that source is being investigated by Health. Health has not ruled out also being able to establish a link between that new cluster of three people and also an existing cluster. It’s also important to note that we anticipate during the day there will be additional venues, additional locations, which we’ll be asking the public to respond to.
We anticipate that because we’ve identified these eight cases, that a number of close contacts and family members could be found to be positive as a result, so it’s really, really important for everybody to stay on high alert, look at the information which Health provides during the course of the day, and please react and make sure you take that advice. If you’re asked to get tested and stay home for 14 days, please make sure you do that.
In NSW, another four cases were recorded from returned travellers.
Of the eight locally-acquired cases, one is under investigation and seven are linked to a known case or cluster. NSW Health said:
One new case reported today was locally acquired, is likely to have been infected some days ago and appears linked to the Liverpool Hospital Dialysis cluster. Four more cases are close contacts of this case.
One new case is locally acquired whose source is under investigation. The remaining two cases today are close contacts of this case.
Testing numbers have dropped recently, which is a concern. NSW Health renews its call for increased testing across Sydney, even if you have the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19.
This is especially important for people across West and South West Sydney with these new cases and after the state’s sewage surveillance program detected fragments of the virus at the North Richmond and West Camden treatment plants.
Continue reading...Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria reports nine new cases and Bondi beach to close as crowds reach capacity
Victoria to return to staged face-to-face teaching next week; treasurer Josh Frydenberg promises a jobs-focused budget. Follow live
- Follow the global coronavirus live blog
- States pressured to deliver infrastructure projects or miss out on funds
- Australia’s ‘no jab, no pay’ rule has little effect on anti-vaxxer parents
- Full Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by state
- NSW Covid hotspots
- NSW cases map; Vic cases map
Here’s the latest case data from Victoria:
Three of today’s nine new cases have been linked to known outbreaks or are considered complex cases. These are linked to the Butcher’s Club Chadstone Shopping Centre outbreak, with single cases linked to Corrigan Produce Farms Clyde North and Coles Williamstown. The other six cases remain under investigation.
Anglicare is calling on the federal government to increase jobseeker and fund social housing projects in tomorrow’s budget announcements.
“A permanent boost to jobseeker will add billions of dollars to the economy and at least 145,000 full-time jobs. The benefits would go straight to the areas that need them most,” Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said in a statement.
Social housing will offer relief for the tens of thousands of people who are homeless in Australia. It also boosts GDP, and creates jobs in construction for the regions that need it most.
With the economy reeling in the wake of the coronavirus, we need to invest in projects that are shovel-ready. There is no time to waste. Social housing projects can get off the ground quickly – and they bring long-term benefits.
The fact is that one-off payments and tax cuts won’t help people out of poverty. And they won’t boost the economy. A jobseeker increase and social housing will do both.
Continue reading...Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria reports four deaths and 13 new Covid cases as NSW records four
NSW records no new locally acquired cases for fifth day as pressure mounts over border closures and budget speculation intensifies. Follow all today’s updates
- Follow our global live blog
- Full Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by state
- NSW cases map; Vic cases map
- NSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots list
- Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
In aviation news, the regional airline Rex has announced it will start flights between capital cities in 2021, as a competitor to Qantas and Virgin.
Rex has signed letters of intent to lease six Boeing 737 planes, which will fly between Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, AAP reports.
Hi all, it is Naaman Zhou here. Thanks as always to Amy Remeikis for her blog captaining today.
Pokies profits dropped sharply during the first wave of the pandemic, but are still in the billions, according to new figures released today and reported by AAP.
Continue reading...Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria hotel quarantine inquiry finds private security decision influenced by police preference
Melbourne’s stage four restrictions ease as Victoria records three deaths and five new Covid cases and NSW reports zero. Follow live
- Follow our global live blog
- Full Australian Covid stats; Covid restrictions state by state
- NSW cases map; Vic cases map
- NSW hotspots list; Qld hotspots list
- Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
A man who had been deported to New Zealand, and who was in isolation at a government-run quarantine hotel, is under investigation by the police after he tied bed sheets together to escape the facility from a fourth floor window.
All travellers returning to the country – only New Zealanders and their families, plus others with special exemptions are allowed to pass through its borders – must spend two weeks in mandatory isolation, during which they are tested twice for Covid-19.
I am going to leave you in the very capable hands of Naaman Zhou for the rest of the afternoon shift.
There have been quite a few messages today – I am slowly working my way through them – but if you have anything else to say, or I missed you, you can contact me here and here.
Continue reading...Coronavirus Australia live update: Daniel Andrews holds Covid press conference as Victoria reports 35 new cases and NSW four
Victoria to turn roads and footpaths into dining spaces to help hospitality industry as Queensland border row deepens. Follow all today’s news
- Queensland man’s daughter writes open letter PM
- Follow our global coronavirus live blog
- Will newly unemployed workers be left to languish?
- Latest NSW Covid-19 hotspots
- Latest Queensland hotspots
When will regional Victoria learn more about its restrictions being eased?
Daniel Andrews:
We will be here tomorrow and hopefully there will be no mystery cases in the data I report tomorrow and hopefully we can have more to say.
No doubt, there will be criticism that we haven’t been given any notice but this is nature of these things.
Professor Brett Sutton is then asked about some of the restrictions being eased today (very small easings).
They are baby steps. We all recognise that it is not an absolute sea change in terms of what is opening up.
That is what we’re trying to manage here. We are managing expectations and we’re being clear that outdoor activities are the low-risk activities.
Continue reading...As time becomes kaleidoscopic, I find it unbearable to think too far into my children’s future | Delia Falconer
‘Stop the world’ the musical hero said whenever things went wrong. I’ve been feeling this way for a few years now
- This is part of a series of essays by Australian writers responding to the challenges of 2020
The sense of time-slip begins during the summer megafires. Walking my children home from school in Sydney under a red sun I have the nagging feeling, beneath my anxiety, that I’ve seen this close orange light before. Then I remember. My father made our family nativity set out of pumpkin-coloured cardboard, topped with a skylight of red acrylic. The sideboard lamp cast the same uncanny glow on to baby Jesus and his shadowless entourage.
Three months later, in early March, my partner and I are driving the twins down the south coast through green dairy country to isolate from the coronavirus. “Does the sky seem particularly blue to you?” he asks as we look up the valley. “I’m having a ‘severe clear’ moment.” A dark joke between us: pilots used the term to describe a sky of perfect visibility on the morning of 9/11. With most planes cancelled, there are no bright contrails in the usually busy flight path above the escarpment. The air is alert and tender. It occurs to me that we haven’t seen a sky like this since our own childhoods, near the beginning of the Great Acceleration, when the indicators of human activity on the “planetary dashboard” began their upward surge.
Continue reading...Coronavirus Australia live update: Victoria Covid cases drop below 50 for first time since June as NSW records four – as it happened
Melbourne’s stage 4 lockdown extended by two weeks in ‘roadmap’ as Victoria pursues aggressive suppression strategy. This blog has ended
- Australian stats interactive
- NSW cases map; NSW hotspots list
- Queensland hotspots list
- Sign up for Guardian Australia’s coronavirus email
Thanks for following our live coverage of the coronavirus coverage in Australia. You can continue to follow our rolling global coverage here.
A quick recap on what happened today:
Asked if he would step down as premier if the hotel quarantine inquiry laid the blame for the outbreak on his office, Andrews said his responsibility was to keep going.
My position and the responsibility I have is to see our state through this. What is what I’m focused on.
Let me be as frank as I can be: Politics has never mattered less to me. Leadership is not able doing what’s popular, it is about doing what’s right.
The politics of this, that is of no value. The only thing that matters is we all stay the course. We all keep following the data, the science and the doctors and get this done. Then move to the biggest economic repair job that our state has ever seen.
Continue reading...‘Anyone else smell fish?’: residents across Sydney and coastal NSW report strong salty odour
Bureau of meteorology says strong south-easterlies could be sending the smell of the sea across the suburbs
A salty smell has wafted over Sydney and coastal New South Wales, as residents who live kilometres from the coast reported a strong sea aroma on Friday morning.
On a drizzly morning ahead of forecast thunderstorms, residents from Sydney’s beaches to its inner suburbs and down to coastal towns like Thirroul have woken to the strong smell of petrichor – the smell of the soil or ground after rain – tinged with salt.
Continue reading...