Australians who have beaten COVID-19 are being asked to donate their plasma to help patients who are seriously ill with the virus. Recovered donors’ plasma is thought to contain high levels of protective antibodies that could be harnessed to fight the disease. Biotech giant CSL will purify and concentrate the plasma to make COVID-19 immunoglobulin, which will be distributed to …

A Kimberley man suffered bites to his hand during a desperate battle with a 2.5 metre python that tried to eat one of his kittens last week. Nick Kearns, from Kununurra, in Western Australia’s far north, said he did not hesitate when he heard his partner Karyn screaming in the early hours of the morning. The python was in the …

The federal government has revealed what local and community sport will return to Australia when COVID restrictions are slowly relaxed around the country. Following a national cabinet meeting with state premiers on Friday, Scott Morrison and the Australian government revealed a three-step plan for the country and sport to return to post-coronavirus normality. The return of sport featured heavily in …

Queensland’s former chief scientist has been sentenced to three years’ jail for misusing about $75,000 in taxpayer funds with purchases that included a silk jacket, an electric scooter and a drum kit. Suzanne Miller was earning a significant wage at the helm of Queensland Museum Network (QMN) when she fraudulently obtained private health insurance and used a corporate credit card …

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says National Cabinet will bring forward a key meeting to discuss when to relax Australia’s coronavirus restrictions. Mr Morrison said Australians had “earned an early mark” and leaders would meet next Friday — a week earlier than scheduled — to consider easing the rules that have been put in place. “Australians have earned an early mark …

Since the very early days of coronavirus in the US, President Donald Trump has been quick to point fingers. He blamed the World Health Organization. He blamed the governors. He blamed the media. But he didn’t blame China. He even praised President Xi Jinping on several occasions, saying he was doing “a very good job with a very, very tough …

Four police officers have been tragically killed after a horror crash sparked chaos and blocked all lanes of a busy Melbourne freeway on Wednesday night. Dozens of emergency crews remain at the scene of the collision on the Eastern Freeway near Burke Road in the inner-city suburb of Kew. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton confirmed a female senior constable and three male …

In 1911, a deadly epidemic spread through China and threatened to become a pandemic. Its origins appeared to be related to the trade in wild animals, but at the time no one was sure. Lockdowns, quarantine measures, the wearing of masks, travel restrictions, the mass cremation of victims, and border controls were deployed to try to lower the infection rate. …

Scott Morrison has announced an easing of restrictions on elective surgery after Anzac Day, while revealing that more JobSeeker claims have been processed since March 16 than would normally be processed in a whole year.

Hundreds of economists have cautioned the Morrison Government against relaxing social distancing measures too early, warning such a move could cause unnecessary loss of life and impede Australia’s economic recovery. The open letter — released Monday — has more than 200 signatures and growing, including current Reserve Bank board member Ian Harper, former RBA board member Warwick McKibbin, former Treasury …