Australia

New Zealand, Australia say too soon to ease restrictions

Officials in New Zealand and Australia, hailed globally for their early signs of success in combating the spread of the coronavirus, said on Monday it is too soon to start…

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People who deliberately spread coronavirus to Australian health workers face life in prison

People who deliberately try to spread the coronavirus to Australia's healthcare workers could spend life in prison, the federal government has warned. Speaking at a Wednesday press conference, Health Minister Greg…

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Australia records lowest number of new daily cases in three weeks

Australia recorded its lowest number of new coronavirus cases yesterday, with 96 new cases. This is the first time in three weeks the country has seen the number of new…

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Cardinal Pell released from prison after the country’s highest court quashed his child sexual abuse convictions unanimously

Australia's High Court has overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for sexual abuse, allowing him to walk free in time for Easter. The court announced the decision on Tuesday morning local…

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Photo Story: Soft toys in Tasmanian towns to cheer up isolated residents

Soft toys, including one depicting the character 'Sulley' from the 2001 Pixar movie 'Monsters Inc.,' are taped to street posts lining a bike path along a street in the small…

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Ruby Princess docks at Port Kembla

The Ruby Princess, with only crew onboard, docks at Port Kembla, Wollongong, Australia, 06 April 2020. A criminal investigation will be launched into how cruise line operator Carnival Australia could…

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Australia confident can avoid worst impacts of coronavirus

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said he is "increasingly confident" Australia will avoid the kind of devastation the coronavirus has caused in countries like Italy and the United States.…

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Australia begins coronavirus vaccine tests

Australian government scientists have begun the first stages of testing for a potential vaccine against the SARS CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19. Australia's national science agency CSIRO said…

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Australian court to rule on ex-Vatican treasurer’s sex offences appeal on April 7

Ex-Vatican treasurer George Pell will learn on April 7 whether he can walk free from jail, when Australia’s highest court hands down its judgment on his appeal against historical child…

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Photo story: Coronavirus restrictions enforced in Australia

A police officer asks a person to move on due to coronavirus restrictions, while patrolling at Rushcutters Bay park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 01 April 2020. New South…

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Photo Story: Social distancing in Australia

A sign reminding people about social distancing is seen at the entrance to a shopping centre in Toowoomba, Australia, 01 April 2020. The Australian government has restricted gatherings in public…

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Australia limits public gatherings to only two people

Australian officials will use fines and the threat of jail to enforce a new rule limiting public gatherings to two people, as the country’s coronavirus infection rate slowed but the…

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Australia tightens social distancing rules to combat coronavirus

Australia stepped up enforcement of social distancing rules on Saturday to contain community transmission of the novel coronavirus, implementing fines, closing beaches and threatening stricter measures if people defy…

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Photo Story: Covid-19 precautions in Australia

A local council worker sticks a notice advising pedestrians not to push the button that triggers the traffic lights, in Brisbane, Australia, 27 March 2020. The Australia Federal…

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Australian troops to enforce self-isolation rules

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday tightened enforcement on self isolation for thousands of citizens returning from overseas, saying states and territories would quarantine all arrivals in hotels. The…

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Photo Story: Life amid coronavirus pandemic in Brisbane

A health message regarding social distancing sits at a bus stop in Brisbane, Australia, 25 March 2020. A shutdown of non-essential services as well as domestic and international travel restrictions…

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Australia boosts lockdown measures as coronavirus cases increase

Australian officials warned that an accelerating number of coronavirus infections could start overwhelming the country’s intensive care units, as stricter social distancing measures came into force on Wednesday. Prime Minister…

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A message from the Australian PM on why social distancing matters

Australian Prime Minister issued a tweet explaining in simple terms why social distancing in the coronavirus pandemic is of outmost importance. The strident government’s message about social distancing to stop…

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Australia starts lockdown measures

Australia started shutting down pubs, clubs, gyms and houses of worship on Monday after a jump in coronavirus cases and after thousands disregarded social distancing advice and crowded beaches,…

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Australia adds A$66.4 billion in stimulus to protect the economy

Australia’s government will spend additional A$66.4 billion ($38.50 billion) as part of a second stimulus package to shelter the economy from the financial impact of the coronavirus, Prime Minister…

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Australian PM warns of lockdowns, NSW moves to comprehensive shutdown of non-essential services

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warns the country could see lockdowns in a bid to curb coronavirus. The potential measures come after large crowds gathered on Sydney's beaches including Bondi…

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Australia closes borders to coronavirus, pumps $56 billion into economy

Australia is closing its borders to foreigners and pumping about A$100 billion (49 billion pounds) into the economy as it seeks to minimise the blow from the coronavirus epidemic. Australia…

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Qantas suspends all international flights due to coronavirus pandemic

A Qantas aircraft takes off from Sydney Airport in Sydney, Australia, 19 March 2020. According to media reports on 19 March 2020, Qantas has suspended all international flights and will…

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Australia bans non-citizens and non-residents from entering into country

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the enhanced border measures in response to the coronavirus outbreak. It applies to all non-citizens and non-residents. Australians will still be able to return from…

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Special hours in Australia for shopping by elderly, people with disabilities

Woolworths in Australia has introduced special hours in its supermarkets to ensure that elderly and people with disabilities will be able to shop in less crowded aisles during the coronavirus…

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Western Australia freezes ‘all household fees’ as part of a major economic relief package

The Australian state of Western Australia has frozen all household fees, including electricity, water, public transport fares and motor vehicles charges. The state has declared a state of emergency. WA…

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Australia imposes self isolation, bans cruise ships

Australia will impose a 14-day self isolation on all international passenger arrivals from midnight Sunday to try and contain the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. Australia will…

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Everyone entering New Zealand must self-isolate, cruise ships banned

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Saturday that everyone entering the country from midnight Sunday must self isolate for 14 days in an effort to contain the spread…

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Photo Story: Rex on the loose in Canberra

A hot air balloon in the shape of a tyrannosaurus rex is seen on Thursday next to other hot air balloons at the Canberra International Balloon Festival in Canberra, Australia.…

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Australian Minister Peter Dutton, who recently met Ivanka Trump, has the virus

Australia’s minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton, who last week met with Ivanka Trump, President Trump’s daughter and senior adviser, said he had contracted the new coronavirus. Mr. Dutton, a…

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Australia limits public gatherings to contain coronavirus

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday urged people not gather in groups of more than 500 as health officials warned millions of residents will contract coronavirus within months. Australia…

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Formula One opening race in Australia cancelled

Formula One confirmed it will cancel this year’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix event in Melbourne, adding to the ranks of major global sports disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. The decision…

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Australia’s High Court hears what may be Pell’s last appeal

The most senior Catholic to be convicted of child sex abuse took his appeal to Australia’s highest court Wednesday in potentially his last bid to clear his name. Cardinal George…

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Australia to sign deal with US to boost emergency stockpile of oil and petrol

The federal government will sign a new agreement with the United States to boost Australia’s emergency fuel stockpiles. The energy minister, Angus Taylor, will sign a deal in Washington to…

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Australia ramps up epidemic preparation as third man dies, first death from coronavirus in Latin America

A man in his 80s died in a Sydney hospital after testing positive to COVID-19, becoming the third coronavirus-related casualty in Australia, state health authorities said on Sunday. The total…

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Greece and Australia shut schools as WHO warns about local transmission

Australia ordered its first school closure on Friday after a 16-year-old pupil tested positive for the coronavirus, as the country’s prime minister warned the public bill for treating infected patients…

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Australian newspaper prints extra eight pages to be used as toilet paper to help readers tackle shortage

An Australian newspaper has printed an extra eight pages to be used as toilet paper after coronavirus fears prompted customers to bulk buy supplies, leaving some supermarket shelves bare. In…

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Toilet paper makers reassures Australians and steps up production

Toilet paper manufacturers in Australia say the country will be spared from a shortage, even though panicking shoppers are buying extra supplies from big supermarket chains amid coronavirus outbreak fears.r…

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Australia warns it can’t stop the spread of coronavirus from overseas

Australia’s chief medical officer said on Monday it was no longer possible to completely prevent people with the coronavirus from entering the country, citing concerns about outbreaks in Japan and…

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World about to be gripped by coronavirus pandemic – Australian PM

There is every sign the world is about to be gripped by a pandemic of coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned on Thursday, as Australia kicked off emergency measures to…

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Coronavirus Briefing Update

The coronavirus death toll climbed to seven in Italy on Monday and several Middle East countries were dealing with their first infections, sending markets into a tailspin over fears of…

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Australian share market tumbles as investors fear coronavirus spread

The Australian share market has tumbled, with investors rattled by concerns about the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, and the selling could continue, with US futures sharply lower. Investors are…

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Police shoot man dead in Brisbane after tourist stabbed

Police have shot and killed a man in central Brisbane, after he broke the nose of a male tourist and stabbed him in the back. It is understood the attacker…

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Two dead as Sydney-Melbourne train derails

Two people have been killed after a Sydney to Melbourne express train derailed near the Victorian town of Wallan, officials say. Several other passengers were being treated for injuries, emergency…

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Brisbane car fire killings of mother and her three children leave Australia reeling amid calls for action on family violence

The deaths of a Brisbane mother and her three children have prompted an outpouring of anger, sadness and disbelief among family members, politicians, domestic violence advocates and the Australian community.…

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Photo Story: Car rams into Police Station in Australia

Ruined cars sit at the Reservoir Police Station following an incident in Melbourne, Australia, 20 February 2020 after a car rammed into the Reservoir Police Station. A man is in…

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Photo Story: Australia team trains ahead of SailGP in Sydney

Team Australia's F50 catamaran is lowered into the water for a training session ahead of round one of the SailGP in Sydney, Australia, 19 February 2020. The SailGP will take…

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Australia’s former PM says Malaysia believed pilot downed MH370 jet in murder-suicide

MH370 flight, which went missing in March 2014 with 239 people on board, was downed by the pilot in a murder-suicide plot. The Beijing bound Malaysia Airlines jet went missing on…

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Photo story: Fatal plane crash kills four people in Victoria, Australia

Emergency service personnel attend to the wreckage of a light aircraft on a property in Avenel, Victoria, Australia, 19 February 2020. Four people are dead after two planes, one of…

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Sydney hit by violent storm

Photos of the aftermath of a storm that hit North Bondi, Sydney, Australia, 19 February 2020. A man is dead, thousands of people are without power and transport services…

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Children among dead in Australia car fire

Four people, including three children, have died after a car was allegedly set alight in the Australian city of Brisbane, police said. The children, all under the age of 10,…

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Britain ready for basic agreement like EU – Australia one

Britain is ready to trade with the European Union on basic international terms that the bloc currently follows with Australia if a more ambitious free trade agreement cannot be reached,…

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Feb