Australian News Headlines: February 19, 2021

Facebook’s brazen attempt to crush regulations in Australia may backfire

Facebook’s move to block news publishers in Australia may create an even stronger backlash against the company, adding fuel to arguments that it has too …The Washington Post1 hour ago

Facebook sends blunt message to the world, blocking Australians’ access to news | ABC News

video_youtubeABC News (Australia)16 hours ago

Victoria records three new coronavirus cases linked to Holiday Inn outbreak

A coronavirus outbreak linked to the Holiday Inn at Melbourne Airport has grown to 22 cases, after three new locally acquired COVID-19 infections were …ABC News3 hours ago

Victoria records 3 new locally acquired cases, zero in hotel quarantine

The state recorded three new locally acquired COVID-19 cases on Friday as the state slowly emerges from a snap five-day lockdown. Victoria’s health …NEWS.com.au1 hour ago

Only allowing stranded Australians home on compassionate grounds would undermine the core rights of citizenship

Daniel Andrews’ suggestion of limiting the return of stranded Australia to those with “compassionate grounds” is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of …ABC News5 hours ago

Stranded Australians ‘devastated’ by Andrews’ decision to not increase travel caps

A woman stranded in Dubai has told Sky News she was “devastated” when Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announced he was not planning to change the …Sky News Australia2 hours agoplay_arrow

The Prime Minister and NSW Premier provide an update on the COVID-19 vaccine | ABC News

video_youtubeABC News (Australia)1 hour ago

PM: NSW COVID response ‘best in the world’

With the vaccine rollout days away, the Prime Minister has made a bold claim about NSW that is sure to anger other states. Mitchell Van Homrigh · @Moosk.Daily Telegraph13 minutes ago

Coronavirus updates LIVE: Victoria lockdown will lift from midnight as state records zero COVID-19 cases; AstraZeneca boss says vaccine safe for over-65s

Victoria has entered its fifth day of a ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown, and an announcement from Premier Daniel Andrews is expected later today on whether the …The Age2 days ago

When state’s mask rule could be lifted

Tough mask rules are still in place in Victoria after the snap five-day lockdown, but the government has hinted at when they could be eased. Jack Paynter.Herald Sun23 hours ago

The ‘oversight’ in our COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the vulnerable Australians who will have to wait

The two COVID-19 vaccines Australians have long been waiting for are approved and one will be rolled out come Monday, but some in the community are still …ABC News7 hours ago

More than 20% of Australians say they are unlikely to get Covid jab, study finds

More than one in five Australians say they will “probably” or “definitely” not be vaccinated against coronavirus, with the spike in vaccine hesitancy potentially …The Guardian8 hours ago

Brittany Higgins: Speaker and Senate President told of ‘incident’ two years ago

The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate have joined the long list of people privy to allegations of “an incident” in the …NEWS.com.auYesterday

Morrison invokes Chinese walls defence on why staffer didn’t tell him of Higgins’ rape allegation

Former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins on Wednesday accused Scott Morrison of “victim-blaming rhetoric” – as the Prime Minister sought to explain why his own …The Conversation AU2 days ago

Sunnybank siege continues as police negotiate with armed man for more than 20 hours

Police are negotiating with man who is armed inside a home in Brisbane’s south, with officers saying a number of people are inside the home. The siege has …ABC News3 hours ago

Police stand-off with gunman in Brisbane siege | 9 News Australia

video_youtube9 News Australia2 hours ago

Liberal MP Fraser Ellis charged after ICAC probe over expense claims, Parliament told

South Australia’s Liberal government has been forced into minority after first-term Liberal MP Fraser Ellis told State Parliament he had been charged after a …ABC News3 hours ago

Marshall in minority: Liberal MP charged with travel rorts

Fraser Ellis has become the third state MP to leave the Liberal Party after being charged, and the details of his alleged crimes can now be revealed. The Premier …The Advertiser1 hour ago

Posts disappear from pages of Health authorities, Bureau of Meteorology amid Facebook news ban

Facebook’s news ban is being rolled out across Australia, and so far the tech giant is taking a pretty broad definition of “news”. Here are some of the other pages …ABC NewsYesterday

Hannah Clarke’s parents ask community to light a candle in her memory one year on from horrific murders

The parents of Brisbane mother Hannah Clarke, who was murdered with her children in a horrific domestic violence attack, say they hope the criminalisation of …ABC News5 hours ago

Hannah Clarke’s parents pay tribute on the first anniversary of brutal murders

The parents of Hannah Clarke are asking Australians to light a candle for their daughter and grandchildren …9Honey6 hours ago

Victoria Police urge mystery caller to provide more details of Ju ‘Kelly’ Zhang’s whereabouts

Police are trying to track down a mystery caller who provided information on the whereabouts of 33-year-old Melbourne mother who has been missing for more …ABC News3 hours ago

Siege under way at Brisbane property with reports five-year-old child could be at risk

Queensland police cordoned off the area after a stand-off began near Banoon station at Sunnybank about 11am on Thursday.The Guardian19 hours ago

Former priest charged over alleged child sex assault of boy, nine, in Bathurst

A former priest has been arrested and charged, accused of sexually assaulting a nine-year-old boy at a high school in regional NSW.NEWS.com.au4 hours ago

Coronavirus fragments found in wastewater in east and southeast Melbourne suburbs

Victorian health authorities are on high alert after coronavirus fragments were found in sewage in an area where there are no active cases.NEWS.com.au3 hours ago

Ex-Home And Away star supports controversial celebrity chef in freedom of speech tirade

Former Home And Away star Isabel Lucas is apparently standing by controversial celebrity chef Pete Evans, if a recent, rambling Instagram post is anything to go …NEWS.com.au4 hours ago

‘Deeply unethical’: Royal Children’s Hospital, Neighbourhood Watch Victoria hit by Facebook ban

Organisations across the state including Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital, Neighbourhood Watch Victoria and Eating Disorders Victoria have seen their …The Age23 hours ago

Victorian police arrest 14 people and seize cars over January hoon meet in St Kilda

Police have arrested 14 people over the last two days in relation to a hoon meet which drew hundreds of people in Melbourne’s south-east.ABC News2 hours ago

Secret meet-up tactic helping teen hoons avoid cops

Hoon gangs are running riot across Melbourne thanks to this devious tactic that helps them plan mega meet-ups while avoiding police detection.Herald Sun1 hour ago

ACT restrictions to ease as contact tracing app becomes mandatory

Coronavirus restrictions in Canberra will ease this weekend, as the ACT government prepares to make its contact tracing app mandatory for businesses.The Canberra Times7 hours ago

Canberra check-in app for businesses becomes mandatory as COVID-19 restrictions ease in the ACT

Standing while drinking at the pub and gathering at maximum capacity for spectator sport will both be permitted in the ACT from tomorrow, as restrictions ease in …ABC News5 hours ago

Hungry Panda drivers fight dismissal, handed down hours after protest over pay

Two food delivery drivers who say they were unfairly dismissed by Hungry Panda are taking their fight to the Fair Work Commission in a bid to have their jobs …ABC News4 hours ago

Wendy James never saw the Bombing of Darwin, but for her and others, the pain lingers

Wendy James waved goodbye to her dad when she was evacuated from Darwin before bombs dropped on the town in 1942. It was years before she learned …ABC News7 hours ago

Man with nebuliser which caused Holiday Inn COVID outbreak requests review

The man who used a nebuliser in hotel quarantine kickstarting Victoria’s latest outbreak has requested an independent review of his case.NEWS.com.au2 days ago

NT revokes Greater Melbourne hotspot call

The Northern Territory has cancelled its COVID-19 hotspot declaration for Greater Melbourne. From 6pm ACDT on Wednesday travellers arriving in the NT from …Port Macquarie News2 days ago

Coronavirus Australia live news: Vaccination roll-out for aged care, front-line workers begins on Monday

Residents and workers in aged care homes, as well as healthcare, border, and quarantine workers, will be at the front of the queue when the national …ABC News22 hours ago

Sydney news: Police Commissioner Mick Fuller eyes job with NRL, priest charged with sexual abuse

MORNING BRIEFING: NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller is considering a vacant position with the Australian Rugby League Commission but no decisions …ABC News5 hours ago

Jodi McKay blasted for criticising top cop’s NRL job

The Labor leader has been slammed for claiming Mick Fuller cannot act for the NRL while working as police commissioner. Mitchell Van Homrigh · @Moosk.Daily Telegraph3 hours ago

‘An assault on Australia’: Greg Hunt slams Facebook’s news ban

Health Minister Greg Hunt has slammed Facebook’s news ban that has blocked health websites and COVID vaccine information as an “assault” on Australia as …NEWS.com.au20 hours ago

Guarding the memory of 16 Mile Camp’s role in WWII defence of Darwin

Almost 80 years after the bombing of Darwin, the plan to defend the city and fall back for fear of a Japanese land invasion still teaches valuable lessons.ABC News5 hours ago

WA’s prescribed burning plan is putting rare South West ecosystems at risk

This corner of Australia is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot. Now scientists are warning it’s becoming collateral damage from WA’s prescribed burn regime.ABC News5 hours ago

Twin property developers, real estate agent charged over alleged $14m fraud attempt

Two developers and a real estate agent have been charged with fraud after allegedly trying to obtain a $14 million loan to build homes in the Illawarra.ABC News19 hours ago

Guns, mobile phones and POKIE machines found at homes in Illawarra region in Sydney’s south

Police have pounced on an alleged $14.7 million real estate fraud ring, carrying away not only financial documents but guns and poker machines in five raids …Daily MailYesterday

Artificial intelligence helps save sea turtle eggs from predatory pigs

In Wik Mungkan language, the sea turtle is “Minh Miintin”, a culturally significant food source and a totem animal for some Wik people. The old people say when …Sydney Morning Herald2 days ago

AI technology helps protect sea turtle nests from feral pigs in north Queensland | ABC News

video_youtubeABC News (Australia)21 hours ago

State government agencies at war over logging forests ruined by fire

Pressure on timber supply after fires destroyed NSW’s forests has led to blows between the state-owned Forestry Corp and the NSW Environment Protection …Sydney Morning Herald7 hours ago

Two human bones found at Maslin Beach

Two bones believed to be human have now been found at Maslin Beach – a forearm and a rib, police say. The search for more human remains concluded on …The Advertiser16 hours ago

Human bones ‘up to a year old’ believed to have been found at popular Adelaide beach

Police say a forearm and rib, believed to be human remains, have been found on a popular beach south of Adelaide.ABC News23 hours ago

Facebook ban on Australian news sweeps up domestic violence support sites, emergency services

Facebook has wiped the pages of essential services for victims of domestic violence, in a move described by Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman …The Australian22 hours ago

‘They got this wrong’: Facebook wipes Qld Health, BOM, TransLink, unis

Queensland Health’s Facebook page has been restored after being offline for hours as part of the social media giant’s ban on Australian news. SEE THE FULL …Courier Mail22 hours agoLocal coverage

NBN Co executives and employees got $77 million in bonuses in back half of 2020

More than $77 million in bonuses were handed to the executives and employees of NBN Co over a five-month period in 2020.ABC NewsYesterday

Minister unfazed by $77m NBN Co bonuses

More than $77 million in bonuses has been paid to executives and senior staff at NBN Co over a five-month period. The payments between July and December …The Canberra TimesYesterdayplay_arrow

Australians are being urged to do ‘one simple thing’ before government rolls out the Covid vaccines

One ‘simple step’ will help Australians prepare for the Covid vaccine rollout, the federal government has said. Younger Aussies are being asked to help out their …Daily Mail2 hours ago

Link MyGov, Medicare for easier Coronavirus vaccination, federal govt says

The federal government is encouraging people to link their Medicare accounts to their MyGov accounts in advance of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, …The Canberra Times14 hours ago

Daniel Kerr: AFL champion denies responsibility for Kardinya house fire

AFL premiership player Daniel Kerr is behind bars after being charged over a fire at his parent’s home in Western Australia. Angie Raphael. less than 2 min read.Herald Sun4 hours ago

AFL chief backs $104m cattle station

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan and the billionaire family behind Reece Plumbing are among investors in the $104m acquisition of a historic cattle station in the NT.The Advertiser22 hours ago

Labor’s Jodie McKay rejects NSW leadership speculation after writing letter for paedophile

Police minister David Elliot says signature on letter ‘is her political death warrant’ but McKay assures she has ‘the support of colleagues’The Guardian18 hours ago

Powerful union boss calls ‘bulls**t’ on Labor leader

A powerful state union boss has slammed Labor leader Jodi McKay saying his members don’t “offer blind loyalty.” James O’Doherty · @jmodoh. less than 2 min …Daily Telegraph21 hours ago

Homeless people evicted from Perth hotel to be given new government accommodation

The WA Department of Communities says it will provide alternative accommodation to a group of vulnerable homeless people at the centre of a stoush between …ABC News2 days ago

Homeless hotel guests face ‘D-Day’ amid row over who should pay for their Perth accommodation

Three months pregnant and homeless, Jme Jeanes has spent the last few weeks staying at a Perth hotel with her partner after being kicked out of Fremantle’s …ABC News2 days ago

Jessica Camilleri’s sister speaks of ‘incredible pain’ over mum’s horrific beheading

A heartbroken woman has told a court she will never forgive her horror-movie obsessed sister who “butchered” and beheaded their mother in a shocking fit of …NEWS.com.au2 days ago

St Clair daughter Jessica Camilleri stabbed and beheaded her mother Rita Camilleri | 7NEWS

video_youtube7NEWS Australia2 days ago

Nick Greiner named as New York consul-general

Former NSW premier Nick Greiner has been named as Australias consul-general in New York.The Australian18 hours ago

Nick Greiner lands in New York for consul-general post

Nick Greiner has arrived in the US to take up the post as Australia’s consul-general to New York.Sydney Morning Herald21 hours ago

Victorian woman charged and sent home after alleged Tasmanian quarantine breach

Police charge a 38-year-old Victorian woman with failing to obey the direction of an emergency management worker, as footage emerges on social media …ABC News2 days ago

‘The case has disintegrated just like his corpse’: Family plea to keep investigating Dyllan Kettule’s murder

The family of Sydney teenager Dyllan Kettule, who was shot dead outside his girlfriend’s home in 2014, has pleaded with police to keep investigating as the …Sydney Morning Herald19 hours ago

Family ‘want justice’ for teen’s murder

The family of a 19-year-old boy shot dead by an unknown assailant has implored NSW police to keep investigating his murder. Dyllan Kettule died from two …Armidale Express23 hours ago

Jobless rate continues to tumble despite COVID lockdowns

Australia’s jobless rate fell to 6.4 per cent in January as 29,000 jobs were created across the country to start the new year despite a string of state-based COVID …The AgeYesterday

Police shut down major motorway in late-night road blitz

Police have shut down part of a major Brisbane motorway in a bid to curb drug-driving, drink-driving and crime. Cormac Pearson and Rachael Rosel. less than 2 …Courier Mail5 hours ago

‘Sort it out today’: Annastacia Palaszczuk blasts Scott Morrison over Facebook news ban

A furious Annastacia Palaszczuk has demanded Scott Morrison “sort out quickly” the Facebook news ban that resulted in the Bureau of Meteorology and …NEWS.com.au23 hours ago

‘Sort this out’: Premier demands PM fix social media ban

Annastacia Palaszczuk and Queensland’s Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman have demanded the Federal Government step in to find a fix for today’s …Courier Mail20 hours ago

‘Absolutely horrifying’: teen stabbed multiple times in Blacktown

A 17-year-old has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed multiple times in Sydney’s western suburbs in a violent attack described as “absolutely horrifying”.NEWS.com.au18 hours ago

Teenager being treated after stabbing in Blacktown, police on scene | 7NEWS

video_youtube7NEWS Australia17 hours ago

Government urges public to link accounts before vaccine rollout

Australians are being urged to undergo a “simple step” to prepare themselves for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. The federal government has announced all …NEWS.com.au14 hours ago

Royal Adelaide Show ride that killed Adelene Leong had ‘design and condition flaws’

A ride which caused the death of Adelene Leong at the 2014 Royal Adelaide Show had been “plagued by complaints”, and the victim’s mother had asked ride …ABC News2 days ago

Horrific details emerge about girl’s death on show ride

WARNING – DISTRESSING DETAILS: The eight-year-old girl was flung from the ride at the Royal Adelaide Show at speeds in excess of 100km/h, a court has …Yahoo News Australia2 days agoplay_arrow

Horrific details of Tullamarine family murder suicide are revealed

Tomislav Perinovic returned from grocery shopping to find three-year-old Matthew with stab wounds in the kitchen of their Tullamarine home last month.Daily MailYesterday

Tullamarine murder-suicide tragedy mentioned in Coroners Court

Heart-wrenching new details have been heard in court about the day a mother killed her three children before taking her own life.7NEWS.com.au2 days ago

Hannah’s parents’ plea as Facebook shuts down page

The parents of Hannah Clarke have revealed the “dark times” their family have gone through after the horrific murders of their daughter and grandchildren, …Courier Mail23 hours ago

‘Australia looks like paradise’: Building boss says migrants will queue up

The nation’s biggest builder believes migrants will queue up to move to Australia. But the nation is going to rapidly grey because of the pandemic recession.Sydney Morning Herald2 days ago

Oldest skink fossil found in Australian outback may hold key to lizard evolution

The 25m-year-old find that will help fill in the gaps in the record of one of the continent’s most diverse species.The Guardian2 days ago

New Australian fossil lizard

Some of Australia’s most famous animals—wombat, platypus, kangaroos and the extinct marsupial tiger thylacine—have been traced back to their fossil …Phys.org2 days ago

Great Barrier Reef found to be in failing health as world heritage review looms

Reef water quality report card gives condition of marine environment a ‘D’ grade relative to earlier reports.The GuardianYesterday

Coral bleaching is damaging the futures of young people in Cairns

Gauri Bhandari is a Year 10 student who’s concerned about how climate change is affecting the economy, job opportunities and the future of young people in …ABC News21 hours ago

Archbishop Anthony Fisher outraged over ‘provocative’ use of Sydney cathedral in LGBT concert ads

The City of Sydney ordered the removal of an image of St Mary’s Cathedral from advertising of an LGBT concert after Sydney’s Catholic Archbishop described it …ABC NewsYesterday