News in five.
1. Private staff called into public hospitals
Tens of thousands of private hospital staff will be diverted to the public system nationally, as the healthcare system buckles under the strain of the pandemic.
2. Morrison urges parents to ignore Christensen
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has had to tell parents to ignore one of his own government MPs who has warned against vaccinating children.
3. Tongan islands laid waste by eruption
All homes have been destroyed on one island and at least three people have died, according to the first update from the Tongan government in the wake of a volcano eruption and tsunami.
4. Truckies push for electric fleets
The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) and Australian Trucking Association (ATA) have called for urgent reforms to electrify Australia’s trucking fleet.
5. EU restricts travel from Australia
The EU has joined a growing list of countries restricting travel from Australia, as per capita Covid case numbers surge to among the highest in the world.
News
Opinion
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Life
Puzzles
Quotes
Testing
“Let’s put it this way: they don’t move fast.”
The chief executive of one of five companies supplying the government with rapid antigen tests says he has been pushing them to increase supply for 18 months. The Liberal Party has continued instead with unproved saliva tests on the shoes of retail executives.
Parties
“I know the rage they feel with me and with the government I lead.”
The British prime minister apologises for attending a BYO party in the garden of No. 10 Downing Street while the rest of the country was in lockdown. He has the studied contrition of a man with three wives and seven children.
Tanks
“Because of their versatility, tanks can be used in a wide range of scenarios, environments and levels of conflict.”
The chief of army defends the acquisition of $3.5 billion worth of tanks and armoured vehicles from the United States. He stopped short of saying they were cool to drive around in.
Sport
“Whatever way you look at it, Novak Djokovic is a lying, sneaky, arsehole.”
The Channel Seven newsreader is caught on a hot mic offering her analysis of the Djokovic affair. In fairness, that’s also the government’s position.
Climate
“You don’t reduce emissions by taking action in Australia that reduces economic activity that leads to higher emissions somewhere else.”
The Labor leader outlines his ongoing support for coalmining. A lot of people want someone to do Scott Morrison’s job for him, but not like this.
Court
“We do not know what, if anything, went through the parties’ minds.”
The US district judge refuses to accept Prince Andrew’s claim that the child abuse case against him should be dropped because his friend Jeffrey Epstein already paid off the alleged victim. Andrew denies the allegations or that he can perspire.
Take a stand
while sitting down.
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