Tag: New South Wales

Coal Protesters Blocking Railway Face Up To 25-Year Sentences

New South Wales (NSW) police have assembled a new strike force aimed at targeting environmental protesters who have continued to block trains near the world’s biggest coal export hub, the Port of Newcastle. Codenamed Touhy, the operation will comprise of officers from Police Rescue, Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, Public Order and Riot Squad and…


Thousands of Australians Told To Evacuate As Flood Waters Rise

Thousands of Australians in New South Wales (NSW) have been told to evacuate their homes after torrential rain brought flooding to much of the state over the weekend. State Emergency Services (SES) have given residents in low lying areas in the town of Forbes—a town of 8,000 residents, 350 kilometres west of Sydney—until 9:30 p.m….


Australian Paramedic Loses COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Bid in Supreme Court

An Australian paramedic who launched a legal challenge to be exempted from receiving COVID-19 vaccines has had his case dismissed by a Supreme Court justice. John Larter, a veteran New South Wales (NSW) paramedic and deputy mayor of the Snowy Valleys Council, filed a lawsuit against the NSW State Health Minister Brad Hazzard challenging a public health order mandating…


Sydney Airport Agrees to $23 Billion Takeover Deal

Sydney Airport, Australia’s biggest and busiest airport, could soon change hands, thanks to the huge losses brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and border closures. The airport has accepted an AU$23.6 billion (US$ 17.5 billion) bid with an international consortium, which plans to buy 100 percent shares of the Airport, according to an announcement to the…


NSW Opens up for Fully Vaccinated From Nov. 8

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has opened up for fully vaccinated people from Nov. 8, with most restrictions being eased. Caps on home visitors and density limits for outdoor events of less than 1000 people have been lifted (COVID-19 Safety Plans required if over 1000 people attend), according to the government’s website….


Baristas Offered $50 Per Hour as Sydney Bars Compete for Staff

Sydney bars and restaurants are competing fiercely for staff, with some employers offering baristas an hourly rate of $40 to $50 (US$29 to US$36). The hospitality industry is in desperate need of labour after the New South Wales (NSW) lockdown was lifted. This is because the industry is supported heavily by backpackers on holiday visas…


New Rules for Travellers Entering Australia as Expert Calls to Test Arrivals at Airport

An Australian epidemiologist is calling for the federal government to have international arrivals tested for the CCP virus before leaving the airport. Mary-Louise McLaws, an epidemiologist professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), doesn’t think testing less than three days before boarding is enough, which has already been required for travellers entering Australia….


Australian State Drops All Restrictions on Vaccinated Residents

The Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) announced on Tuesday it will give back freedoms sooner to fully vaccinated people while postponing the same freedoms to those who are unvaccinated. The COVIDSafe roadmap freedoms, which were scheduled to end on Dec.1, have now been brought forward to Nov.8 for those who have got two…


Australian Nurse’s Lawsuit Against Vaccine Mandate Rejected

A nurse’s challenge against vaccine mandates for the state’s health profession has been rejected, according to a decision by the Civil and Administrative Tribunal (CAT) released on Oct. 25. Danielle Davis is employed at Ballina Hospital, in northern New South Wales (NSW)—Australia’s most populous state—where she was fighting a government-mandated public health order and letter…


New South Wales to Get Pilot RNA Manufacturing and Research Facility

NSW is committing $96 million to establish a facility to develop and manufacture the emerging medical technology of mRNA and RNA drugs used to develop vaccines like those created for COVID-19 by Pfizer and Moderna. Premier Dominic Perrottet said the facility—at a site yet to be determined—would position the state as a world leader in…