Daily Telegraph News & Politics

Premier Dominic Perrottet has urged the community to “stay strong” through what he described as a challenging time. Health care workers have been asked to cancel holidays and work extra shifts to cover for colleagues off due to Covid, as leaked emails shed light on how widespread exposure is in health care workers.  Forget simply paying $1m for a house – seven figures was the sum many home sellers received over already high reserves at frantic Sydney auctions this year. And Boxing Day sales could result in Sydneysiders splashing out big, regardless of whether the coronavirus keeps them at home or not. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Masks are once again compulsory indoors as NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made a significant backflip on his policy  in the face of record Covid-19 infections.A fight between former flatmates over unpaid rent, a playstation and a cat has left one man dead and his son fighting for life after a wild brawl in Sydney’s western suburbs.Holiday-makers eyeing a coastal escape this festive season have been warned to prepare for bumper delays on their journeys to destinations in the state’s north and south.Justin Langer will ask Cricket Australia for a fresh contract after this summer with an eye to leading next year’s Test tours of the subcontinent,the Twenty20 World Cup title defence at home, and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Free rapid antigen tests will be mailed directly to households and QR code check-ins will be brought back for NSW supermarkets and restaurants under changes to the Covid policies in NSW Volunteer lifesavers who dodged crackling powerlines and ignored the threat of flying debris to reach three women struck by a tree during a savage Sydney storm are being hailed as superheroes. Celebrity chef Manu Feildel is steaming after a battle with his local council which rejected his plans to turn his TV kitchen into a late night function centre. Marnus Labuschagne has been crowned the world’s No.1 Test batter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Central Coast public school gave children as young as seven a lesson telling them gender is “the way you feel on the inside”, Fast-tracked booster shots, mandatory masks and new worst-case scenario modelling will be on the ­agenda at today’s national ­cabinet meeting.Mining billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest is pursuing legal action against Facebook for failing to stop his name A new national cemetery for Australia’s heroic war dead that will become “a contemporary sacred site” has been put on the drawing board by newly sworn-in Veterans Affairs Minister David Elliott.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia has smashed England by 275 runs in the second Ashes test to take a crucial 2-Nil lead. Every teacher in NSW will be placed on a register so parents can check their suitability for the classroom after new data revealed a record number of public school staffers were fired for misconduct last year. Early data on the Omicron strain is “encouraging” as experts hit out at sections of the scientific community pedalling concerning predictions.NRL players will have to ­undergo rapid testing for Covid-19 up to six days a week from the moment pre-season training returns next month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The public is paying the bill for convicted criminals in the state’s jails to freeze their sperm, while an embarrassed health department has tried to cover up the details. Premier Dominic Perrottet has boldly declared it is time for more “personal responsibility”   as he strives to keep NSW firmly open while other jurisdictions stare down the barrel of another Christmas under Covid restrictions.  A woman was killed and two others were taken to hospital after a freak storm   some likened to a “mini tornado’’ smashed Sydney’s northern beaches on Sunday.  And in sport, as Marcus Harris’ Test career slipped on to life support, the reality sunk in that David Warner is destined to be remembered as a Batman who never quite found his Robin. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bombshell allegations have been made in court that cricketer Stuart MacGill facilitated cocaine deals at his restaurant on Sydney’s North Shore. Luke and Tiffany Hale had spent five years saving up a deposit for a house – only to see it vanish in seconds thanks to scammers. Two years after retired cricketer Michael Slater was kicked off a Qantas flight for being “disruptive”, it has emerged that one of the women he argued with on that short-haul Sydney to Wagga Wagga flight was the same woman who sought and obtained an AVO against Slater in October. Mandatory masks are out and school excursions and sports carnivals back on amid plans to make 2022 a “disruption free” year of schooling.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state’s health system is bracing for a third wave of Covid patients, with  some hospitals fearing the  numbers of this new outbreak could overload emergency and intensive care departments. Pokie profits for clubs and hotels are continuing to soar in the pandemic, with new gambling data showing punters in NSW lost more than $630m last month. The hills are alive with the sound of buyers demanding a slice of some of NSW’s hottest suburbs.  And tennis bad boy Bernard Tomic wants a second chance, telling Saturday Confidential - you won’t be seeing the same attitude when he takes to the court for the Australian Open in January. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retired NRL star Brett Finch is feeling “stressed and distraught” after being charged earlier this week over allegations he commented on child abuse ­material in an online chatroom. Five primary school classmates were killed and a three others were fighting for life last night after falling from a windswept jumping castle on what was meant to be a fun day to celebrate the end of school on Thursday. In a ringing indication the state’s rule makers are set to hold their nerve against ­Omicron, Sydneysiders are being encouraged to look forward to a jam-packed January crammed with dozens of sporting, musical and arts events.  And in sport, Eels prop Junior Paulo says his desperation to “create our bit of history” by ending Parramatta’s 35-year premiership drought helped convince him to sign a new four-year contract extension. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info

A $7 billion fighting fund will be set aside by the state government to counteract potential Covid impacts and to invest in key reforms in a bid to kickstart the economy if it faces another shock. Residents of upscale Mosman have shut down a Covid testing site in their exclusive north shore enclave, claiming they were at risk of catching the virus from drivers getting out of their cars to “stretch their legs’’. Former NRL star Brett Finch was preparing to coach a junior rugby league team before he was arrested on charges of commenting on child abuse in an online chat room.  And in sport, Wigan fullback Bevan French will meet with Parramatta and Canterbury officials about a shock return to the NRL in 2023. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Embattled former NRL star Brett Finch has been ­arrested for allegedly making comments about child abuse material in an online chatroom. Fully vaccinated “close ­contacts” of a Covid case should only need to get a test and isolate while waiting for their results, a number of senior NSW ministers say. More than one in five Year 9 boys in the state still cannot meet the national minimum standard in writing, while now one in eight boys also cannot make the grade when it comes to reading. And in sport, concerns are growing over David Warner’s fitness for Thursday’s Test match at Adelaide Oval with the opener struggling to recover from a painful rib injury.  For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work-shy young Aussies should have their welfare cut to force them off the sofa and into hospitality jobs, a sector that is desperate for workers. Senior ministers have reiterated their concerns over a proposed cashless gaming card that would be regulated by the government warning it would unnecessarily punish casual poker machine players. A lonely Christmas locked inside could still be a reality for NSW residents with a return of strict health policies despite a record vaccination rate. And in sport, the fast bowler who once bought land on the moon is set for an epic Australian comeback after a report from Test players declared he was bowling on another planet. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A $632 million extension to a western Sydney hospital will fail to increase it’s bed capacity when it opens next year, furious senior doctors have said. Secret mobile speed cameras have issued more fines and collected more money in the past 12 months than in the preceding five years Queensland Police expect as many as 60,000 cars to drive across the border with up to 500 officers needed to check travellers’ vaccin And English star Stuart Broad has declared he could have made a positive impact at the Gabba See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cameron Munster is like any young bloke who loves an afternoon at the pub, a beer and a punt. However, being a professional athlete, earning $20,000 a week, he has a lot more to lose. Anthony Albanese has signalled Labor won’t back the return of mass immigration ahead of next year’s election after the government revealed it wants to take 160,000 new migrants each year. Paying nearly $2m for a house will be the norm in Sydney in the next five years if property values continue to grow at the same rate they have over the past decade. And Australian sport would be a very different place if Kerry Packer didn’t love a punt or watching cricket and footy. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mother of Oatlands crash ­victim Veronique Sakr has lodged her nomination to become the ­Liberal candidate for the Sydney seat of Strathfield in her quest to ­become a  “voice for the voiceless”.Australia’s health insurance funds bid to charge customers higher premiums, has been rejected by the federal government. Australian athletes at the Beijing Winter Olympics can expect China’s cyber spies to monitor their communications, track their movements and harvest their data, Homeowners in pockets of Sydney have struck the jackpot after watching the value of their properties increase by up to $2.8 million in just five years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's biggest radio star Kyle Sandilands is taking police to court after they rejected his application for a gun licence. Dominic Perrottet’s pledge to beautify Sydney will be enshrined in NSW planning rules,  Terrified for his life, OneFour gang associate was being pursued though the streets of Western Sydney when his SUV slammed into a ditch, leaving him nowhere to run. And Travis Head copped it on the chin, but it was England who finished on the canvas after a devastating Ashes knockout at the Gabba  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buying takeaway wine or cocktails with a meal from your favourite restaurant is here to stay, with the state government permanently adopting a number of initiatives that were introduced to slash red tape during the pandemic. Lawyers, mafia figures and bikies are among 160 people being targeted by police after being caught organising crimes, including drug-smuggling and money-laundering, via the secret police Trojan horse app AN0M. Penrith Stadium will be knocked down and rebuilt to create a world-class sporting and cultural destination, as part of the state government’s suburban stadium masterplan. And in sport, on his first day in the job “Perfect Pat” Cummins positioned himself to become the first fast bowling captain in history to lead Australia to a Test victory. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese hackers came within minutes of shutting down a series of power stations capable of lighting three million homes in a sneak cyber attack of a sort experts warn are becoming increasingly common – and which could be used to limit Australia’s ability to respond to a military crisis in the future. Doctors and nurses who move to work in regional Australia will have their university debt completely cleared by the federal government under a new scheme to fill critical GP shortages in the bush. Sydneysiders have ranked the Harbour City’s once-vibrant night-life among the world’s worst party destinations on its ­global report card. And in sport, Pat Cummins’ friendship with Steve Smith started many years ago sleeping on the batsman’s couch, but now he’s leaning on his shoulder for support as Australia’s history-making fast bowling captain. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/liste

Sydneysiders can expect more chaos due to strike action The treatment of Gladys Berejiklian by the NSW corruption watchdog has been slammed as “shameful” by Prime Minister Scott Morrison  Tasmania could be prepared to pay up to $1 million a day for the fifth cricket Test  And Craig Bellamy has fiercely defended the Melbourne Storm in the wake of Brandon Smith’s claims of a boozy drinking cultureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving down waste through recycling and reusing materials such as tyres to make roads will feature in a new “remade in Australia” campaign as part of a “practical” environmental pitch to battleground electorates.  Up to 10,000 people could be lured into the city every year for an annual event turning more than a kilometre of George Street into a food and entertainment hub under an ambitious plan to take Sydney’s long lunch to the next level. A cancer-causing drug pulled off shelves in the 1980s is being mixed with cocaine being shipped into Australia, in a warning for partygoers planning a “white Christmas”. And in sport, Chaz Mostert defied the memory of the Mt Panorama crash that ­almost killed him, a blown tyre and a rampaging Shane van Gisbergen to become a two-time Bathurst champion. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at dailytelegraph.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.