NSW Police is trying to outlaw a proposed Black Lives Matter protest in Sydney after a chorus of criticism from federal and state frontbenchers. The challenge will be heard in the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon, with NSW Police seeking to an injunction to halt Saturday’s protest. “All of us have given up so much and worked so hard to …

NSW has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 for the first time in almost three weeks as the easing of restrictions around the state nears. However health authorities warn it is likely people may have the virus and not be aware they have it. “While there have been no cases recorded in the past 24 hours, the virus is likely …

NSW Police are treating the deaths of two 22-year-olds at a Western Sydney home on Saturday afternoon as a murder-suicide. Just before 12:45pm, emergency services were called to a home in Tongariro Terrace in Bidwill after reports of a stabbing. NSW Police found the woman outside the house with stab wounds from a knife to her chest, sides and back. …

It has taken the greatest threat to our health and economic wellbeing to make it happen, but Friday’s decision to make the National Cabinet a permanent feature of the way Australia is governed is potentially one of the most significant outcomes of the crisis. Of course, that national leaders talking sensibly to each other about issues in which they have a mutual …

Victoria’s Opposition Leader says he will dump the State Government’s controversial involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative if he is elected leader at the next state election. In a statement issued on Saturday morning, Michael O’Brien said the decision was not made lightly but the deal was “not in Victoria’s interests”. “It doesn’t support our sovereignty, our security or …

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 …