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Cheaper Australian-made ventilator offers greater ICU capability option amid coronavirus pandemic

An Australian-made ventilator that costs a tenth of the price of existing models is brought to life in just four weeks, which could revolutionise intensive care capability in the fight against COVID-19.




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Quest backs down after trying to 'bully' apartment owners into accepting rent holiday

Since the 1970s, the Degenhardts dreamed of retiring to Gerroa. Their dream became a reality — but retirement got tougher this month when they were told their supposedly guaranteed monthly income would not be paid until July due to coronavirus.




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Australia's tallest building to be built in Melbourne as Government fast-tracks development

The Victorian Government announces a proposal for a 101-storey building is one of four to be approved amid moves to fast-track development in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.



  • Business
  • Economics and Finance
  • Urban Development and Planning
  • Government and Politics
  • Building and Construction
  • States and Territories
  • Architecture

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Feeding the needy skilled migrants, students and working holidaymakers

Jobless international hospitality workers deemed ineligible for the Federal Government's JobKeeper and JobSeeker programs are "heartbroken" at their treatment and turning to restaurants providing free meals during the coronavirus pandemic.




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NT Government suspends debate as emergency coronavirus legislation rushed through Parliament

Renters in the NT will be protected from eviction for up to four months after more coronavirus emergency legislation passes parliament. But the Opposition and independents say Labor is avoiding scrutiny of its measures, following the suspension of Question Time.




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How insulated is Australia's space industry from the COVID-19 crisis?

An Australian company that's set to own the world's largest privately operated rocket test range says the Australian space industry is well protected from the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.




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Top Sydney restaurant delivers fine dining in a $110 takeaway box

The COVID-19 outbreak may have forced them to close their doors, but some of Sydney's most revered restaurants won't let that stop them from giving their customers the fine dining experience at home.




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These three people's lives have changed because the pokies have shut down

The coronavirus shutdown has negatively affected so many aspects of the economy, but for these Australians, the closure of pokies rooms has changed life for the better.




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Coronavirus relief loans offered via SMS prompt call to ban payday lenders

Consumer advocates call for a ban on short-term loans because of concerns loan sharks are using text messages to target vulnerable people affected by the coronavirus pandemic.




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Arnhem Land opened up to Aussies like never before with spectacular online concert series

As artists worldwide launch livestream concerts from home, Yolngu musicians in one of the most remote parts of Australia are offering up a unique series of performances from north-east Arnhem Land.




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Call centre staff in the Philippines have been sleeping at work to help Australian customers

A union for call centre workers in the Philippines claims staff have been sleeping in the office in potentially unsafe conditions to help Telstra and Optus customers, despite the risk of the coronavirus.




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Catch a fish, win $1 million, but fast-falling numbers are starting to bite

The Million Dollar Fish competition was designed to lure fishermen to the Northern Territory. But a consultant's report obtained by the ABC shows registrations have fallen by half in five years.




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Workers are due their superannuation today but many employers are struggling to pay

Today is the deadline for employers to pay superannuation they owe workers for the first quarter, but many may struggle to do so amid the COVID-19 economic shutdown.




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Adelaide buildings turn blue for senior police officer killed in car crash

Adelaide landmarks were illuminated with blue light overnight amid more tributes for SA Police Chief Superintendent Joanne Shanahan and Tania McNeill, who were killed in a three-car crash on Saturday.




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Apartment tenants in line for rent discounts as short-stay market dries up

Real estate agents are resorting to discounting to try to secure tenants as COVID–19 hits the apartment rental market.



  • COVID-19
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Building and Construction
  • Industry
  • Business
  • Economics and Finance
  • Urban Development and Planning
  • Community and Society

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Why are some of the world's largest planes being parked in Alice Springs?

The small town in the middle of Australia is hosting a collection of very expensive aircraft, including double-decker Airbus A380s. Why are they being stored here?




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Military leaders warn we must prepare for a crisis worse than COVID-19

A confidential report commissioned by the Department of Defence predicted medical shortages, panic-buying and mass job losses a year before the COVID-19 outbreak.



  • Disaster Prevention
  • COVID-19
  • Diseases and Disorders
  • Health
  • Disasters and Accidents
  • Pollution
  • Disasters and Safety
  • Climate Change - Disasters
  • Government and Politics
  • International Aid and Trade
  • Epidemics and Pandemics

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'A form of self-medication': The limitless power of music during times of crisis

From balconies to lounge rooms, songs of joy and sadness are helping us cope and keeping us connected. And if we look to the past, we'll find that our tendency to turn to music during times of crisis is nothing new.




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Rex to double regional flights after second cash boost in a week

Fresh support from the Federal Government and several states means the key carrier will be able to increase services across its network.




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Lebanon rocked by riots over economic hardship, as one protester dies in Tripoli

A shutdown to fight the spread of COVID-19 has made a dire situation even worse in Lebanon, with its currency plunging in value.




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Holiday homes turned long-term rentals add to surge in listings

The major online platforms say rental listings are up 8-10 per cent compared to last year, as thousands of Airbnbs and other short-term rentals are expected to move to the long-term market as coronavirus halts travel.




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Businessman's dairy proposal puts pressure on Government to help struggling farmers

A Victorian businessman has given the Federal Government a detailed plan to help the struggling dairy industry get back on track — and give more money to farmers.





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Outback charter companies nosedive as pandemic grounds flights

While the fate of Virgin and Qantas makes headlines, Australia's outback aviation companies say they've been forgotten by authorities.





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Company buys coal mine for $1 and receives $35 million environmental refund. Here's how

A company linked to Labor figures that bought a mine for just $1 enjoyed multi-million-dollar refunds from its environmental bond after concessions from the Palaszczuk Government, documents show.




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Solid demand and favourable weather buoy agribusiness confidence

Solid rainfall has boosted farmer confidence this season and, while uncertainty hangs over the global economy, many remain optimistic that agriculture will weather the storm.





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Property values fall slightly in parts of Queensland but steady overall

Property values fell slightly in some parts of Queensland in April but rose in others amid a sharp drop in sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.




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From hobby cook to burger king with little savings or experience – and dad as the delivery guy

At 14 years of age Zaynn Bird was a sub-par McDonald's employee. At 23 he owns one of his state's most impressive burger joints.




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Flight Centre stops charging cancellation fees for trips affected by coronavirus

The travel agent chain backs down from charging hundreds of dollars in cancellation fees for trips cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, following pressure from customers and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.




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As restrictions are lifted in parts of Australia, some states announce more rules to be eased

Children in SA will soon be able to return to playgrounds and in NSW, real estate watchers could be heading to open homes and auctions as soon as next weekend, as some state governments announce further easing of restrictions. These are the key coronavirus developments from today.




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In what's left of the Australian TV industry after coronavirus, will the next Secret Life be made?

Some are warning Australia's television industry is facing a crisis that could affect how much viewers pay for entertainment in the future, and whether the kinds of shows that have been hits in the past will continue to be made.




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Coronavirus update: Italy sends millions back to work after two months at home

After two months in almost total lockdown, 4.5 million Italians are allowed to return to work today as the country with the second-highest coronavirus death toll begins to wind back some restrictions.




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On World Press Freedom Day, Malaysia investigates journalist over 'provocation'

Police in Malaysia confirm they are investigating a journalist over her reporting on mass raids targeting migrants and refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic.




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In the blink of an eye coronavirus has turned the property market upside down

Within the space of a month, the coronavirus pandemic has upended the property market for buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords.




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Canberra petrol stations to face 'weekly fuel price challenges' as cost drops to $1 per litre

Canberra petrol retailers will need to meet weekly fuel price targets to avoid the ACT Government regulating the market, despite prices dropping to about $1 per litre after the Chief Minister threatened to cap margins.




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Transurban pushes West Gate Tunnel deadline out a year, citing contaminated soil dispute

Transurban reports to shareholders that construction on the West Gate Tunnel has been set back, with the project now expected to be completed by in 2023.




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Trump takes swipe at China, bickers with journalists during virtual town hall meeting

The US President said China tried to cover up the coronavirus outbreak before trying to blame other countries for the ensuing health pandemic.




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Shutdown costing economy $4 billion a week as Cabinet prepares to assess restrictions

Josh Frydenberg will tell the National Press Club he is happy a discussion about lifting coronavirus restrictions is taking place earlier than first planned as new analysis says the Australian economy is losing $4 billion a week.




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Couple's battle for $10,000 luxury holiday refund as hundreds consider class action

James and Victoria Sylvester were refused a refund when their $10,000 holiday to Dubai was cancelled because of coronavirus. Now hundreds of consumers in similar situations are considering launching a class action.




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ASX rises as Qantas rallies, Wall Street rebounds on tech gains

Australian shares rise, Qantas secures extra funding to get through the coronavirus crisis and US markets edge higher led by Microsoft, Apple and Amazon.




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RBA expects 1 million Australians to stay unemployed until end of next year

Up to a million Australians may have lost their jobs since social-distancing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 ramped up, new ABS data suggests, while the Reserve Bank expects the economy to take a 10 per cent hit.




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Take a seat: This tiny Australian territory is allowing diners back in cafes and restaurants

Norfolk Island is the only place in Australia you can dine in a cafe and gather outdoors with 50 people.




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Work begins on the Gold Coast's $1 billion Pacific Motorway upgrade

Work begins on the Gold Coast's $1 billion Pacific Motorway upgrade, with promises it will benefit motorists and the economy.




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Murray Bridge journalist launches online service after ACM suspends newspaper

A journalist left out of work after Australian Community Media shut down his regional printing press starts his own online newspaper in an effort to keep the community informed.




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Hotel industry body calling for pubs to reopen later this month under loosened restrictions

A peak industry body says South Australia's 12-day stretch without any new coronavirus cases has created a "high level of expectation" that pubs will reopen.




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Security worker jailed for stealing $340,000 from Catholic Church to fund 'indulgent' lifestyle

An Adelaide mother is jailed for stealing from the Catholic Church to pay for expensive overseas holidays and indulgent consumer goods, while a former accountant is also sentenced for stealing from his clients.




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'They got us a beauty': Farmers speak up about falling victim to tractor ad scam

One WA couple who fell victim to a tractor ad scam wants others to know about the dangers, as NT Consumer Affairs uncovers more than 20 similar sites.




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COVID-19 checklist released: Here's what NT businesses must do before reopening ahead of May 15

Are you a business that wants to reopen on May 15? The Government has released the COVID-19 Safety Plan checklist you must complete before doing so.