Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Profit surgePremier stokes rent feud with threat to shut 350 stores

Solomon Lew says millions have been set aside to potentially close hundreds of store stores across Australia and New Zealand if suitable rental deals cannot be reached.

Stuart McKinnon

COVID UPDATEOutdoor venues to double capacity as restrictions ease

Outdoor venues will get a major boost with a significant easing of restrictions allowing double the number of patrons. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the easing of more restrictions, including at Queensland stadiums, as the state again recorded zero new coronavirus cases overnight.

Domanii Cameron, Janelle Miles

exclusive
exclusive
Aged care policy
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‘Unacceptable’ COVID plan ‘risking’ elderly lives in WA

A new outbreak plan for residential aged care facilities has sparked fears lives will be put at risk by the WA Health Department’s COVID-19 plan in the event of infection.

Peter Law

Second WaveUK hits record high daily virus cases

The UK government says a surge in confirmed coronavirus cases — sparking its biggest ever day of new daily cases — is due to increased levels of testing.

William James

Stay backLike WA, Tasmania pays high price for virus victory

The pandemic has caused fractures in Australia, with WA, Queensland, and South Australia among other States that pulled up the drawbridge to defend their success.

Jason Scott

Subsidy ‘misused’Qantas staff set for JobKeeper windfall

Qantas workers could be in line for thousands of dollars in backpay after the Federal Court found the carrier had misused the Federal Government’s JobKeeper subsidy.

Sean Smith

Coronavirus crisisShip crew off Port Hedland test positive to COVID

Two Filipino crew members on a cargo ship berthed off the Port Hedland coast have tested positive to coronavirus.

Josh Zimmerman

ConfidentialRevealed: How The Rock can get into Qld

After recovering from COVID-19, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is tipped to begin filming his new TV show in Brisbane next month – and Health Minister Steven Miles has detailed exactly how the megastar would get into Queensland.

Amy Price

COVID-19No border decision until Election Day

Queenslanders have been warned against meeting friends from Sydney in the newly reopened border zones, as the state’s top doctor confirms the decision to lift remaining NSW border restrictions will not be made until October 31, the day Queensland goes to the polls.

Janelle Miles, Jack McKay

War of wordsMiles calls out feds for removing troops from border

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles has again hit out at the Federal Government over plans to pull troops from the border with NSW, releasing correspondence that shows police requested continued support before it was announced they would be removed.

Jack McKay & Greg Stolz

Not fairPremier slams ADF border snub

Mark McGowan has questioned the imminent withdrawal of ADF personnel from WA border checkpoints.

Josh Zimmerman

Light it upBoeing waves a magic wand to fight COVID

Boeing has designed an ultraviolet wand — be manufactured by Florida-based Healthe — to sanitise aircraft.

Geoffrey Thomas

Senate committeeAussies make emotional plea to return home

Australians stuck overseas have told distressing stories of being prevented from returning home to a Senate committee scrutinising the pandemic response.

Matt Coughlan

PRIMESITE450 new Brisbane manufacturing jobs on offer

Hundreds of jobs will be created as a new health manufacturer prepares to pump out 15 million products a month in the city’s southwest in the coming weeks. FIND OUT WHAT’S ON OFFER.

Thomas Morgan

Seafarers stuckGlobal plea to let 300,000 stranded crew off vessels

Seafood and maritime industries from across the globe have called for action to ensure workers stuck at sea for extended periods because of the pandemic can go home.

Jenne Brammer

Economy‘Unavoidable’: Frydenberg abandons surplus, budget repair

In a major shift of fiscal policy, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg revealed the Morrison Government has dumped its budget repair strategy, giving up on surpluses. SEE WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU.

Matthew Killoran

COVID SCAMACCC warn of new COVID scam that steals bank details

Authorities have warned of a new COVID tracing scam that is capable of stealing Queenslanders details, including downloading a “banking credential stealing virus” to certain devices. SEE HOW TO STAY SAFE.

Nathan Edwards

opinion
opinion
Leading the nation
opinion
WA’s mini-boom leaves Sydney in its shadow

At this moment in time, economic indicators suggest WA is one of the best places to live. Perhaps Sydney’s Premier should look west before she tell us what to do with the border, writes Peter Law.

Peter LawState Political Editor

Shock surveyOne in ten Aussies say: ‘I don’t want COVID-19 vaccine’

As the world waits for a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19, new polling has revealed how many of us will utilise it and who we think should be prioritised once it becomes available.

Sarah Ison

Insolvency rulesSmall businesses thrown once in a generation lifeline

Struggling small businesses will be saved from bankruptcy and thrown a lifeline to restructure debts under the most significant reforms to Australia’s insolvency rules in 30 years.

Lanai Scarr

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exclusive
Border shift
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Travel bubbles on cards with border rethink next week

The WA hard border may be torn down in stages with Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson flagging the possibility of travel bubbles, when he delivers his revised advice next week.

Josh Zimmerman and Peter Law

COVID — 19Five-week wait: NSW could be locked out till Nov

It could be five long weeks before Queensland considers reopening to all of NSW despite other states throwing open their borders from tonight. Pressure is piling on the Queensland Government to reopen sooner. VOTE IN THE POLL

Shiloh Payne, Jack Mckay, Janelle Miles and Tanya French

COVID-19Back off PM: Minister hits out over border stance

Health Minister Steven Miles has told Scott Morrison to “back off” after Queensland confirmed no new COVID-19 cases overnight once again, saying the state’s success at keeping cases so low is proof the border closure decision is the right one.

Janelle Miles, Jack McKay & Tanya French

TourismTen hidden gems for your northern NSW escape

With thousands of Queenslanders expected to cross the border for a NSW bubble escape in October, we’ve found some of the region’s best kept secrets ranging from sapphire fossicking and bison parks to a “mini Stonehenge”. TELL US YOURS!

Nathan Edwards