The Byron, Kempsey and Tweed LGAs will go back into lockdown from 5:00pm today after a COVID-19 case from Sydney was infectious in several communities on the NSW north coast. The lockdown will last for seven days. Push beyond 80 per cent vax rates needed: Report Vaccinating 80 per cent of adults against coronavirus won’t be enough to end lockdowns, …

Australia’s two most populous states have their focus on reopening their economies even as infection rates remain relatively high and death tolls continue to climb. But the nation’s doctors are calling for caution when easing restrictions on reaching vaccination rates of 70 and 80 per cent under the national recovery plan. Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid says the …

Australian diplomats are intensifying their efforts to reassure South-East Asian nations about the federal government’s plan to build nuclear-powered submarines under a new defence technology pact with the US and the UK. It comes after two major South-East Asian nations — Indonesia and Malaysia — warned that the project could exacerbate tensions in the region and encourage other countries to build up their military …

NSW has confirmed another 1259 local COVID cases – and a record 12 deaths – as it reaches a crucial vaccination milestone. Wednesday’s cases bounced up again after just over 1100 on Tuesday, reversing a recent trend of falling numbers. It was also the highest daily tally of COVID deaths yet for the state. They take its toll from the …

The Mayor of one of Sydney’s 12 hotspot LGAs has labelled a decision to cancel the daily COVID-19 press conference an “insult to the community” at a time when the state is in crisis. From Monday, the 11:00am press conference will no longer go ahead and will be replaced with daily videos, published by NSW Health, showing updated figures and information. …

There’s substantial anger among members of the Labor Party in Western Sydney that former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally is being parachuted into a very safe seat, pushing aside a promising local candidate in the process. Senator Keneally plans to move from the upper house into the Labor stronghold of Fowler at the next election, even though she lives a long …

There have been 1542 local cases of coronavirus in New South Wales in the past 24 hours as new freedoms for fully vaccinated residents are confirmed. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she expected cases to peak in the next week as she reported nine more deaths in people with COVID-19. Seventy-six per cent of people in NSW have had their first …

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has gone on the defensive over his government’s handling of vaccine negotiations with Pfizer, dismissing critics as “heroes of hindsight”. Labor has accused the Morrison government of bungling an opportunity to secure millions of Pfizer doses in 2020, after emails emerged on Wednesday showing the pharma giant was keen to ink a deal with Australia as …

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has denied ignoring health advice by unveiling plans to reopen her state for the fully vaccinated at 70 per cent double-dose coverage, but acknowledged her need to “weigh up health advice with public policy”. The unvaccinated in NSW have a little over a month to get double-jabbed if they want to visit friends, dine out, travel …

Labor senator and former NSW premier Kristina Keneally has confirmed she will nominate for pre-selection to run in a western Sydney lower house seat. Senator Keneally will aim to replace retiring MP Chris Hayes in Fowler at the next federal election. “Since Chris announced his retirement, I have been approached by ALP branch members urging me to consider nomination for …