Australian News Headlines: February 20, 2021

Victoria records zero new coronavirus cases as Melbourne case moved to ICU

Just 25 Covid cases remain in Victoria as state begins first weekend since end of third lockdown.The Guardian1 hour ago

Zero cases of COVID-19 recorded in Victoria | ABC News

video_youtubeABC News (Australia)1 hour ago

Second woman accuses ex-Liberal staffer of rape

Another woman has come forward to claim she was raped by the man accused of sexually assaulting Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019.NEWS.com.au39 minutes ago

Brittany Higgins’ rape allegations speak to basic questions of accountability in politics

Brittany Higgins’ harrowing personal story has sparked conversations about an appalling workplace culture for women in Parliament House. But it also raises …ABC News6 hours ago

Behind Facebook’s unfriending of Australia

Until last Friday, Facebook was in active discussions with news outlets about payment for *content*. A final look at a bill for a news media bargaining code …Sydney Morning Herald6 hours ago

If you’re in Australia and Facebook has eaten your newsfeed, where do you go now?

By now you will know that Facebook has responded to the Australian government’s proposed news media bargaining code by removing the ability for any …The Guardian5 hours ago

Coronavirus updates LIVE: Australia prepares for vaccine rollout; Victorian government yet to send hotel quarantine bills; Inside Sydney’s biggest vaccination station

The federal government has revealed the who, what and where of Australia’s initial vaccine rollout, but there are fears the nation’s supply is at risk due to a …The Age1 hour ago

Thousands of public servants volunteer for APS ‘surge reserve’

More than 2000 federal public servants have volunteered to join a new reserve of staff available for redeployment to agencies in need of support for critical tasks.The Canberra Times7 hours ago

Facebook’s appalling behaviour is just the start

When I arrived in Oxford to study in 2005, I found everyone was using something called Facebook, a brilliant new online platform for cataloguing friends and …The Australian11 hours ago

Social media giant facing major self-inflicted damage after shock Aussie news ban

As Australians adjust to a brave new world without news on Facebook, experts have started to analyse the long-term impact of the drastic move – and it doesn’t …NEWS.com.auYesterday

Has Australia’s prickly relationship with China become the ‘new normal’?

Experts fear that Australia’s prickly diplomatic relationship with China has settled into a “new normal”. Natasha Kassem from the Lowy Institute and James …ABC News1 hour ago

Australian Electoral Commission drops case against missing former far-right senator Fraser Anning

The Australian Electoral Commission has dropped a case against former far-right senator, Fraser Anning, because it has been unable to locate him.The Guardian2 hours ago

As it happened: Victoria emerges from lockdown as state records zero local COVID-19 cases; Australian Open welcomes back crowds

Victoria’s hard lockdown may have ended, but thousands of people potentially exposed to the virus as a result of the Holiday Inn outbreak are still self-isolating.The Sydney Morning Herald2 days ago

COVID-19: Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews is live | SBS News

video_youtubeSBS News2 days ago

Victorian rock lobster industry ‘on its knees’ in ongoing China trade dispute

As the price per kilo for lobster plunges from $100 to $30, producers are struggling to survive the loss of the lucrative Chinese export market.ABC News3 hours ago

Is Covid on the run at last?

At last, and for the first time, the enemy might be at a permanent, structural disadvantage. Humanitys fightback against COVID-19 is now at a pivot point. We just …The Australian11 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 GuardianYesterday

Man in parliament rape claim checks into hospital

The man former Liberal party staffer Brittany Higgins accused of raping her in a parliamentary office has checked himself into hospital. Clare Armstrong.Daily Telegraph17 hours ago

‘Very hard to believe’ PM’s staff did not know about alleged rape, Malcolm Turnbull says | ABC News

video_youtubeABC News (Australia)3 days ago

Premier Gladys Berejiklian will wait to get jabbed as COVID vaccine roll out begins in Australia

Just three days before the nation begins its rollout of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, the Prime Minister and NSW Premier have flagged when they will each get …NEWS.com.au23 hours ago

Scott Morrison says NSW has done ‘best job in the world’ dealing with COVID-19 outbreak

Scott Morrison says Sydney has “shone during the course of this pandemic” as NSW records its 33rd day without any locally acquired COVID-19 cases.ABC News23 hours ago

Coronavirus updates LIVE: Victoria records three local COVID-19 cases as Scott Morrison reveals he will receive Pfizer vaccine ‘very soon’

The federal government has revealed the who, what and where of Australia’s initial vaccine rollout, but there are fears the nation’s supply is at risk due to a …The Age23 hours ago

‘Someone could lose their life’: Waiting in agony for an ambulance in a remote border town

Residents in this part of Australia say it’s “like two different countries and one doesn’t talk to the other very well”.ABC News5 hours ago

Gospel according to Mark: can anything stop Western Australia’s Covid saviour’s re-election?

Strong economic growth, an approval rating of 88% and a leg tattoo … no wonder Labor is pursuing a subdued strategy.The Guardian1 hour ago

Labor takes big lead over Libs in WA: poll

A Newspoll suggests WA Premier Mark McGowan’s Labor will easily win re-election next month.The West Australian5 hours ago

International travel possible as Scott Morrison says vaccine rollout could see Australia open up

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has raised hopes international borders could reopen once coronavirus vaccinations have been widely delivered.Daily Mail12 hours ago

Australian prime minister urges Facebook to lift news ban

video_youtubeThe Independent12 hours ago

Sunnybank siege ends peacefully after police negotiate with armed man for more than 24 hours

Police take a man into custody without incident after he was holed up with a woman and a child at a property in Brisbane’s southside, ending a 26-hour siege.ABC NewsYesterday

Disability royal commission hears evidence from Indigenous woman locked away for 20 years

The disability royal commission hears evidence from Melanie, a First Nations woman who has been locked away from the community for 20 years.ABC News5 hours ago

‘Inhumane’: woman held in isolation for seven years, disability royal commission hears

Sight of woman’s bare, blood-graffitied room ‘is something that will be with me until the day I die’, lawyer says.The Guardian5 hours ago

Why is Facebook limiting political content in Indonesia, Brazil and Canada?

Last week, Facebook started a trial in Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia to reduce the amount political *content* some users are seeing.ABC News5 hours ago

Family Court merger condemned by former judges and legal experts after legislation passed

Former judges and legal support services have expressed their dismay at the “devastating” passage of legislation that will see the Family Court combined with …ABC News2 days ago

‘A devastating outcome’: Legal experts condemn Family Court merger

A looming merger of the Family Court has sparked outrage after the government ignored dozens of legal experts campaigning against the change.SBS News2 days ago

Facebook’s ‘dog act’ against all Australians

The move by misinformation monopoly Facebook to ban legitimate Australian news from its platform is the biggest act of corporate bastardry in this country since …NEWS.com.au5 hours ago

Millions of Aussies in line for cash boost as JobSeeker rate set to rise

Coronavirus support payments are set to end in less than six weeks, but more than 1.2 million Aussies are set to get more cash in their pockets. Jade Gailberger.NEWS.com.auYesterday

Former NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth leads team trying to buy Sydney home once owned by Gough Whitlam

A group of four people, led by former NSW Labor Premier Barrie Unsworth, have made an offer to buy a house that belonged to former prime minister Gough …ABC News20 hours ago

Celebrating Marion Mahony Griffin, the woman who helped shape Canberra

Over 100 years after the Australian Government launched a competition for the design of a new capital, Marion Mahony Griffin — wife of Walter and co-designer …ABC News3 hours ago

Facebook should pay for content

This is Facebook’s way of saying if you want us to pay for your journalism then we are not going to play and are going away.The Canberra Times6 hours agoLocal coverage

‘It’s a facility not a home’: What will it take to reform aged care?

Aged care experts want big changes to the system after the Royal Commission’s final report is handed down next week, but will it spark lasting change?Sydney Morning Herald6 hours ago

Jobs boom looms in aged care — if workers are out there

Demand for staff to fix Australia’s ailing nursing homes is set to skyrocket. But there are growing fears there will be too few to answer the call. Roy Eccleston.The Advertiser13 hours ago

Hung jury in trial of police officer Harry Little’s trial over horror crash with Gai Vieira

An emotional Sydney racing king Bert Vieira has described his “shock” after a jury was unable to reach a verdict in a trial examining the high-speed crash that …NEWS.com.au17 hours ago

Wet, wild weekend for Australia as hazardous surf warning issued

Dangerous surf conditions are set to lash the New South Wales coast this weekend, while Queensland is bracing for a stormy few days.NEWS.com.au1 hour ago

Dangerous surf warning for NSW, storms for Queensland and Northern Territory

Residents along the NSW coast have been warned of dangerous surf conditions and strong winds expected to lash the northern parts of the state today.9News4 hours ago

Popular Premier Mark McGowan to lead wipeout in the West

The Liberals are headed for a generational wipeout at the upcoming West Australian election, with the party at risk of emerging with as few as two seats in the …The Australian13 hours ago

WA election: Liberals pledge fast-tracked public housing, as Labor claims plan ‘financially reckless’

Western Australia’s peak social housing advocate has welcomed the Liberal Party’s pre-election pledge to fast-track new public housing, while Labor has …ABC News16 hours ago

Goulburn jail inmate charged for alleged terrorist plot to attack police, military

An inmate at Goulburn jail has been charged with terrorism offences for allegedly plotting to attack police, military and Corrective Services officers.Sydney Morning Herald23 hours ago

Goulburn Supermax inmate charged over alleged terrorism plot to attack police officers, military

A Goulburn Supermax prison inmate has been charged with terrorism offences for allegedly planning attacks against military, police and corrective services staff …ABC News20 hours ago

Siege continues at Sunnybank home in Brisbane’s south as police talk to armed man

Police continue to respond to a siege at a Sunnybank property on Brisbane’s southside where specialist officers are negotiating with an armed man and other …ABC News2 days ago

Sunnybank siege | 7NEWS

video_youtube7NEWS Australia2 days 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 Age2 days ago

‘China is motoring ahead’: Australian mining giants ride Beijing’s cash splash

China’s building boom has provided a gift for Australia’s mining giants who were steeling themselves for huge disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.Sydney Morning Herald11 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.auYesterday

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 News2 days ago

Inquest into cold case rape and murder of Bronwynne Richardson hears three prime suspects all dead

A coronial inquest into the 1973 rape and murder of teenage beauty queen Bronwynne Richardson has heard there is little chance of anyone being prosecuted …ABC News16 hours ago

Coronavirus Australia live news: Three days to go until the first COVID vaccines are administered in Australia

With only three days to go until the first coronavirus vaccines will be administered in Australia, state and territory authorities make final preparations for the …ABC News21 hours ago

Melbourne’s RMIT University suspends classes after suffering IT outage

RMIT University suspends online and in-person classes today after suffering an IT outage that one government source has described to the ABC as a significant …ABC News18 hours ago

RMIT cancels classes after IT outage – Security

RMIT University was forced to cancel a small number of online and in-person classes on Friday after experiencing an IT outage. In a statement issued late on …iTnews17 hours ago

‘I’ve got nothing against police’: Man who stabbed officer at Central Station jailed for four years

A man who stabbed a police officer in the back with a large hunting knife at Sydney’s Central Station has apologised for his actions after he was jailed for at least …Sydney Morning Herald23 hours ago

Mentally-ill man jailed for stabbing NSW police officer at Sydney’s Central Station

A mentally-ill man who stabbed a police officer in the back at Sydney’s Central Station has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.ABC News23 hours ago

The letter that shows NSW’s top cop blocked ex-officer from NRL role

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller personally signed off on a recommendation to block a serving officer from sitting on the board of the Cronulla Sharks, …Sydney Morning Herald6 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 NewsYesterday

Australian citizenship cancellation has left NZ in ‘difficult position’, high commissioner says

New Zealand’s high commissioner in Canberra, Dame Annette King, says Australia’s decision to cancel the citizenship of a woman trying to flee Syria has left her …Sydney Morning Herald2 days ago

Scott Morrison hits back at Jacinda Ardern criticism in citizenship row

Scott Morrison has hit back at New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, who blasted his government for cancelling the citizenship of a dual Australian-New …The Australian22 hours ago

Holiday Inn COVID-19 case in intensive care

A positive coronavirus case linked to the Holiday Inn outbreak has been admitted to ICU, while WA has scrapped plans to let Victorians back in. Tamsin Rose …Herald Sun1 hour ago

Coronavirus Australia live news: Special syringes needed for Pfizer vaccine, but government says it’s not a concern

When a vaccine is injected, some of it can stay in the “dead space” of a syringe between the plunger and needle. The federal government is trying to secure …ABC News2 days ago

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner gets tested for COVID-19 after feeling unwell during event

Michael Gunner’s spokesman says the Chief Minister began to feel unwell following an event commemorating the 79th anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin.ABC News15 hours ago

Michael Gunner goes into self-isolation after becoming unwell during Bombing of Darwin ceremony

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has gone into self-isolation and will get tested for COVID-19 after becoming unwell during the Bombing of Darwin …NT News21 hours ago

Melissa Caddick went on a shredding spree

Missing Dover Heights woman Melissa Caddick shredded hundreds of documents in September — about the time ASIC kicked off its investigation into her …Daily Telegraph5 hours ago

Major twist in search for missing millionaire Melissa Caddick as the accountant’s colleagues speak

Missing financial adviser Melissa Caddick could soon be one of ‘New South Wales’ most wanted woman’ as police move one step closer to placing her on the …Daily Mail1 hour ago