australian

Kangaroo hops through empty Australian streets amid coronavirus lockdown

A kangaroo was spotted hopping through the empty streets of Adelaide amid the coronavirus lockdown.




australian

Australian couple find creative way to socialise with neighbours while keeping to coronavirus lockdown

An Australian couple has discovered a novel way to meet up with neighbours and enjoy the good weather, despite the coronavirus lockdown.




australian

Queen discusses Australian coronavirus response with Prime Minister Scott Morrison

The Queen has spoken to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to discuss how the country is fighting coronavirus.




australian

Australian government stops listing major threats to species under environment laws

Exclusive: Documents show department has stopped recommending assessment of ‘key threatening processes’ affecting native wildlife

The federal government has stopped listing major threats to species under national environment laws, and plans to address listed threats are often years out of date or have not been done at all.

Environment department documents released under freedom of information laws show the government has stopped assessing what are known as “key threatening processes”, which are major threats to the survival of native wildlife.

Continue reading...




australian

Angie McMahon, Cut Copy, Alex the Astronaut and others: Australian music for isolated times

Each Saturday we add 15 (or so) new songs to a Spotify playlist to soundtrack your physical distancing amid coronavirus – and help artists you love get paid


We’ve published a bunch of articles about how the coronavirus crisis has impacted the Australian arts industry. But there are small things you can do. It’s an imperfect solution, but streaming Australian music can help.

Each week, in partnership with Sounds Australia, Guardian Australia will add some 15 new songs to a playlist for you to put on repeat.

Continue reading...




australian

Covid-19 competence has given Australian governments some political capital. But there's a flipside | Katharine Murphy

Politicians have set a high bar for themselves – success on coronavirus has created community expectations that will be challenging to shift

“Let’s not give everything back, let’s not throw away all the progress we’ve made by letting our frustration get the better of us.” This was Daniel Andrews on Friday afternoon, shortly after national cabinet resolved to gradually restart economic and social activity by July.

The Victorian premier wanted people to understand he’d be hastening slowly – the message being here in the Massachusetts of Australia, we decide how quickly we’ll remove coronavirus restrictions. We don’t apply an arbitrary national average.

Continue reading...




australian

The Crazy State of Australian Politics: a Primer

There is something bizarre going down in Australian politics, and its name is Clive Palmer.

In 2013, this mining billionaire formed a political party he called the Palmer United Party (PUP). Some people paid attention, most tried to look the other way.

This is because Palmer isn't your regular politician

The one and only: Palmersaurus.

Image: Bradley Kanaris, Getty Images

First, the billionaire mining magnate built Palmersaurus, a theme park on the Sunshine Coast filled with fake dinosaurs. Then he moved on to bigger things — with a plan to build the Titanic II. He is a large man with a booming laugh and a twinkle in his eye. Read more...

More about Australia, Us World, Politics, World, and Tony Abbott




australian

5 Outrageous Things Australian Senator Jacqui Lambie Said Out Loud

SYDNEY — Jacqui Lambie is an interesting character. On first sighting, one isn't really sure what to make of her

The tough-as-nails former Australian soldier and single mother of two boys won Tasmania's sixth and final Senate seat in last year's election as part of the Palmer United Party.

The Palmer party is headed up by eccentric mining billionaire Clive Palmer, but if you think he speaks his mind, you need to check out Lambie

From saying on live radio she wants a man who is "well hung" to telling anyone who supports Sharia law to “pack up their bags and get out of here,” Lambie is causing controversy across the country with her inappropriate outbursts. Read more...

More about Australia, Us World, Politics, Australian Politics, and Clive Palmer




australian

Watch Australian Politicians Cut Awkwardly Into Movies and TV Shows

MELBOURNE — Australia's politicians have sure made some memorable public appearances of late.

We've had Senator Jacqui Lambie make a case for a ban on the burqa by stumbling through an explanation of sharia law on live television, federal MP and resident dinosaur enthusiast Clive Palmer's diatribe on Chinese business relations and of course, Prime Minister Tony Abbott vowing to get all up in the face of President Putin

And what better way to archive the missteps of the nation's leaders than superimposing their faces into some of film and television's most iconic scenes?

More about Australia, Us World, Tony Abbott, Australian Politics, and Clive Palmer




australian

Australian politicians won't stop dropping references to Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is currently sending Australia into Tay Tay fever as she tours the country, and it seems the nation's politicians aren't immune.

Take Treasurer Scott Morrison. The minister was responding to media questions Monday regarding whether he had been offered the treasury job by current Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in February, months before the dumping of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott

We won't bore you with the details, but please note the part where the Liberal Party member told reporters to "shake it off" in regards to these events.

More about Video, Videos, Australia, Taylor Swift, and Watercooler




australian

Australian politician mistakenly quotes neo-Nazi, deletes all his tweets

He's one of Australia's most outspoken politicians, but conservative South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi has decided to go radio silent on social media.

On Tuesday, Bernardi mysteriously deleted all his tweets but left his profile intact

It's unclear why Bernardi bid adieu to tweets of times gone by, but on Nov. 22, he made an epic Twitter fail. Bernardi mistakenly quoted a neo-Nazi on the social media platform: "To learn who rules over you, simply find out who you are not allowed to criticise."

The quote — often attributed to Voltaire — is actually by American Holocaust-denier Kevin Strom, adapted from his essay titled "All America must know the terror that is upon us." Read more...

More about Twitter, Australia, Politics, Watercooler, and Australian Politics




australian

Perth opens its doors to Premier League's Project Restart with clubs on board with Australian proposal

Premier League clubs are said to be interested in finishing the 2019-20 season in Australia after Perth opened its doors to Project Restart.




australian

Jock Palfreeman is out of prison, but the Australian fears he will be returned to Bulgarian jail for life

Jock Palfreeman warns systemic corruption could see him returned to a Bulgarian jail for the rest of his life, and he condemns the influence of the far-right over Sofia's political establishment.




australian

Australian farmers watching new US restaurant chain that gives farmers better deal

A unique American business model taking 'paddock to plate' into the dining mainstream is being watched by Australian farmers as a way to get a better share of the food dollar.





australian

Australian serial killer Ivan Milat dies in Long Bay prison, aged 74

Backpacker killer Ivan Milat, who was serving seven life sentences, dies in Sydney's Long Bay Prison hospital six months after he was diagnosed with terminal stomach and oesophagus cancer.




australian

Australian Baha'i temple




australian

Australian artist Mike Parr 'blind painting' black squares on gallery walls to protest against Amazon fires

The acclaimed Australian artist is painting black squares on a gallery wall with his eyes closed to protest against the values that led us to climate crisis.




australian

Playwright Anchuli Felicia King had to leave Australian theatre in order to conquer it

Having left Melbourne in her 20s because she couldn't see a place for herself, Thai-Australian playwright Anchuli Felicia King is now forging a global career, with plays in London, Washington, Melbourne and Sydney this year.




australian

Australian musical theatre gets a new approach thanks to Priscilla Queen of the Desert producer

Garry McQuinn has found a way around the challenges of creating a new hit Australian musical by turning the National Institute of Dramatic Arts into a "musical theatre lab".




australian

Australian expat's push for universal mask-wearing catches fire in the US

When Melbourne expat Jeremy Howard called on all Americans to wear masks three days ago it was a fringe idea. Now US President Donald Trump is considering it.




australian

'Forgotten Australians' leave Wuhan after three months in lockdown

The passengers on the plane from Shanghai to Sydney are worried about the travellers from Europe and the United States.




australian

‘Eerily quiet’: Qantas pilot flies Australians home in near-empty skies

While the route is familiar, the Qantas pilot of a flight bringing Australians in the UK home said he had never seen the skies so "eerily quiet."




australian

As the day unfolded: Global COVID-19 cases surpass 2.2 million, Australian death toll stands at 69

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.




australian

A luminary of Australian science fiction

Mervyn Binns, well-known Melbourne bookseller who specialised in science fiction, fantasy and counter cultural literature, has died aged 85.




australian

Former Spice Girl in trademarks battle with Australian skincare company

Fashion designer Victoria Beckham has taken a Sydney-based skincare company to court over two trademarks using the letters "VB".




australian

One in five Australian five-year-olds at risk of falling behind in school

New research has found that 22 per cent of Australian children are "developmentally vulnerable" at age five.




australian

As the day unfolded: Donald Trump to suspend immigration into US as COVID-19 economic fallout hits Virgin Australia, oil price, Australian death toll at 72

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.




australian

Coronavirus updates LIVE: Donald Trump to suspend immigration to US, Australian death toll stands at 74 as COVID-19 cases exceed 2.5 million worldwide

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.




australian

As the day unfolded: Global COVID-19 cases surpass 2.2 million, Australian death toll stands at 69

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.




australian

A luminary of Australian science fiction

Mervyn Binns, well-known Melbourne bookseller who specialised in science fiction, fantasy and counter cultural literature, has died aged 85.




australian

Former Spice Girl in trademarks battle with Australian skincare company

Fashion designer Victoria Beckham has taken a Sydney-based skincare company to court over two trademarks using the letters "VB".




australian

One in five Australian five-year-olds at risk of falling behind in school

New research has found that 22 per cent of Australian children are "developmentally vulnerable" at age five.




australian

As the day unfolded: Donald Trump to suspend immigration into US as COVID-19 economic fallout hits Virgin Australia, oil price, Australian death toll at 72

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.




australian

Coronavirus updates LIVE: Donald Trump to suspend immigration to US, Australian death toll stands at 74 as COVID-19 cases exceed 2.5 million worldwide

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.




australian

'Send them back': South Australians call for tighter interstate border controls

The message from a large proportion of the population who want to get back to business is 'tighten the borders and re-open South Australia', even if the rest of the country remains in lockdown.



  • COVID-19
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Community and Society
  • Government and Politics
  • States and Territories

australian

False arson claims spread on social media amid Australian bushfire crisis

Social media experts have warned of a "disinformation campaign" aimed at creating a false narrative of arson being solely responsible for the Australian bushfire emergency.




australian

Study shows 'climate-change fingerprint' in Australian bushfires

A study suggests Australian bushfires were 30 per cent more likely as a result of climate change but there was no clear climate-change driver for local drought.




australian

Grattan Institute projects 3.4 million Australians will lose jobs, and predicts which industries will be hit hardest

The think tank predicts between 14 and 26 per cent of the entire Australian workforce will lose their job, if they haven't already, as a result of government shutdowns and physical distancing rules.




australian

Australian Government tells Facebook and Google to pay for news

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says a mandatory code will help "level the playing field" by requiring digital platforms such as Google and Facebook to pay news media businesses for the content they produce.




australian

Cheaper Australian-made ventilator offers greater ICU capability option amid coronavirus pandemic

An Australian-made ventilator that costs a tenth of the price of existing models is brought to life in just four weeks, which could revolutionise intensive care capability in the fight against COVID-19.




australian

Call centre staff in the Philippines have been sleeping at work to help Australian customers

A union for call centre workers in the Philippines claims staff have been sleeping in the office in potentially unsafe conditions to help Telstra and Optus customers, despite the risk of the coronavirus.





australian

In what's left of the Australian TV industry after coronavirus, will the next Secret Life be made?

Some are warning Australia's television industry is facing a crisis that could affect how much viewers pay for entertainment in the future, and whether the kinds of shows that have been hits in the past will continue to be made.




australian

RBA expects 1 million Australians to stay unemployed until end of next year

Up to a million Australians may have lost their jobs since social-distancing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 ramped up, new ABS data suggests, while the Reserve Bank expects the economy to take a 10 per cent hit.




australian

Take a seat: This tiny Australian territory is allowing diners back in cafes and restaurants

Norfolk Island is the only place in Australia you can dine in a cafe and gather outdoors with 50 people.




australian

As the day unfolded: Global COVID-19 cases surpass 2.2 million, Australian death toll stands at 69

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.




australian

A luminary of Australian science fiction

Mervyn Binns, well-known Melbourne bookseller who specialised in science fiction, fantasy and counter cultural literature, has died aged 85.




australian

Former Spice Girl in trademarks battle with Australian skincare company

Fashion designer Victoria Beckham has taken a Sydney-based skincare company to court over two trademarks using the letters "VB".




australian

One in five Australian five-year-olds at risk of falling behind in school

New research has found that 22 per cent of Australian children are "developmentally vulnerable" at age five.