Australia could be “on the cusp” of slowing the infections of coronavirus to the point that the epidemic “dies out”, Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer says. Professor Paul Kelly said the number of people infected by one person with COVID-19 was a key component in understanding how it spreads. “Ideally where you want to be is below one, so less …

Embattled New South Wales cabinet minister Don Harwin has resigned after being fined $1,000 for breaching the ban on non-essential travel due to coronavirus. The NSW Arts Minister was photographed at his Central Coast holiday home, but he argued his travel happened before the strict rules were in place. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said no-one was above the law …

As the Easter weekend approaches, there is a great temptation to hit the road, but authorities have warned drivers to think carefully before grabbing their keys. Conscious of keeping coronavirus under control, police across the country have redoubled their efforts to crack down on non-essential travel. So what is essential? Can you drive to see a partner or a relative? …

Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral has been vandalised, with the words “rapist” and “no justice” graffitied across its doors a day after Cardinal George Pell was acquitted on child sex abuse charges. “Rot in hell, Pell” was also scrawled across the doors of the cathedral at the centre of allegations the cardinal abused two choirboys in the 1990s. The words “the …

As the coronavirus crisis continues, Australia now has more than 5,800 cases of COVID-19 and 46 fatalities. And with the Easter holidays upon us, it’s more important than ever that we continue to practise social distancing. “We’ve seen this amazing community response to the call to social distance and to stay home, and people have really rallied around that call,” …

NSW residents can’t just go for a drive during this period of social distancing, with the state’s top cop saying it’s not a reasonable excuse for being out and about. It comes after a learner driver was slapped with a $1652 fine – later revoked – in Victoria as she drove with her mother in the passenger seat. NSW Police …

Cardinal George Pell will be released from prison after the country’s highest court quashed his child sexual abuse convictions. The decision has been handed down less than a month after the High Court of Australia heard two days of intense legal arguments from the Cardinal’s lawyers and Victorian prosecutors. The full bench’s ruling was handed down by Chief Justice Susan Kiefel …

NSW Police Minister David Elliott has assured domestic violence victims they will still be able to access essential services during the coronavirus outbreak. There has been no recorded increase in domestic violence incidents so far, but authorities have concerns about potential victims being trapped in houses with their alleged abusers. “All the ingredients for a tinderbox situation are there. We’ve seen a …

A man allegedly headbutted and spat on a policewoman after being told to leave one of Sydney’s closed beaches. Yesterday morning, lifeguards told the 29-year-old man and his 19-year-old female companion that Maroubra Beach was closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The pair allegedly responded by verbally abusing the lifeguards, prompting them to call police. When confronted by officers a short time later …

An employee at a McDonald’s in western Sydney has tested positive for coronavirus but only 20 of the 100 staff at the restaurant were notified. Employees have been left “angry and confused” and have turned down shifts out of fear. One staff member at the Gregory Hills restaurant, who asked to remain anonymous, said they believed there was no choice …