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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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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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'Look at it fly!': Pentagon releases footage of 'unidentified aerial phenomena'

Videos of unidentified flying objects have been officially released by the Department of Defense after unauthorised distribution in 2007 and 2017.




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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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Superannuation early withdrawal risks collapsing retirement system

Super funds and prominent professional investors warn that the mass withdrawal of funds from superannuation during the COVID-19 crisis risks undermining the whole retirement income system.




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Can't get a refund on your cancelled trip? Here's what to do

More than 6,000 people have complained to the ACCC about their travel company's handling of refunds. We've looked into what your options are for getting your money back.




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Almost half the businesses interested in JobKeeper have not signed up. Here's why

Hundreds of thousands of employers who registered interest in JobKeeper have not signed up for the payment, citing ineligible workers, confusing rules and cashflow problems.




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Stimulus payments leave households better off so far, but analysts warn of looming $60b hit

The Federal Government's stimulus package is supporting Australian households during the coronavirus pandemic, with a surge in unemployment payments more than offsetting the fall in income from job losses, according to the Commonwealth Bank.




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Jay wasn't after handouts, but her pantry was empty

For many people like Jay, the COVID-19 pandemic means that for the first time, they're truly struggling to get food on the table.




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Coronavirus shutdowns leave expats unable to sell their homes in time to avoid hefty tax bills

Thousands of Australian expats fear they could be hit with large capital gains tax bills because they've been unable to return home due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, before a June 30 deadline that would have allowed them to sell their property to avoid liabilities.




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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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Victoria criticises 'completely inappropriate' independent schools funding offer from Federal Government

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino accuses the Federal Government of using funding to "force" independent schools to undermine the state's strategy on face-to-face learning during the coronavirus pandemic.




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Key points from the PM's press conference

Where coronavirus came from, Australia's relationship with China, and the possibility of being able to jump on a plane to New Zealand were all canvassed by the PM in his latest press conference.




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Chinese company suggests PNG relationship will suffer amid mine lease dispute

A major Chinese mining company warns the Papua New Guinean Government it faces "significant negative impact" on bilateral relations with China if the company doesn't get a lease extension on a gold mine in the country.




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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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Samuel felt he had no option but to withdraw money from his super

Samuel Clarke knows withdrawing his retirement savings early is not ideal, but he says the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent loss of business has left him no option.




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Surging grocery costs blamed on fires, droughts and COVID-19

Australians have seen a rare rise in inflation, as a series of crises conspired to push up the cost of essential groceries, but economists say consumers should see cheaper prices again now that panic buying has subsided.




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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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About 750,000 customers could pay thousands extra after bank cuts home loan repayments

Commonwealth Bank customers could end up paying tens of thousands of dollars more on their home loans because of changes to repayment levels, a financial expert warns.




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Markets surge on Fed's promise to act 'aggressively' to save a stalled economy

The ASX joins a global rally after the Federal Reserve says it will "aggressively" use its "full range of tools" to aid the recovery, as the US economy records its worst slump since the global financial crisis.




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Metro West plan revealed: Rydalmere station scrapped, 150 properties to be acquired

The NSW Government releases the blueprint for the promised Metro West, revealing it will acquire 154 properties to accommodate the multi-billion dollar project.




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'Unacceptable' gas fracking in Channel Country should stop, leaked department report told Queensland Government

A leaked expert report shows the Queensland Government was advised to stop further gas fracking in the state's sensitive Channel Country, but a separate department already extended gas exploration until 2030.




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Energy operator wants to remotely switch off rooftop solar systems amid 'uncontrolled growth'

Australia's electricity grid operator wants the authority to remotely switch off new rooftop solar systems in SA in order to manage their "invisible and uncontrolled" growth.




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Coronavirus update: China's Hubei province lowers emergency response level

The initial epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak will lower its emergency response level from tomorrow. These are the key coronavirus developments from Friday.





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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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This university student pulls in nearly double his usual earnings thanks to JobKeeper

Thanks to a loophole in the Federal Government's JobKeeper legislation, Lewis Mullins has been earning far more than he did before the coronavirus pandemic. But the same can no longer be said for his younger colleagues.




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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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House prices edge higher as both buyers and sellers leave the market during COVID-19 crisis

Despite coronavirus restrictions sending auctions online and seeing many home sales abandoned, CoreLogic figures for April show prices continued to rise for the few properties that did sell.




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'No going back to everything the way it was': ANZ boss warns of 'slow grind' recovery

ANZ's chief executive warns the Australian and New Zealand economies will be reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and take years to recover from the economic fallout.




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Key points from the Prime Minister's latest press conference

The Prime Minister and Chief Medical Officer urge people to download the tracing app to speed easing of restrictions, while another large support package to help keep aged care resident safe is announced.




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Pub owners to pay $380,000 in damages over secret beer tap deals

The directors of a prominent Adelaide hotels syndicate are ordered to pay $383,000 to their former business partners after a court found they concealed deals with major breweries over access to beer taps.




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Coronavirus update: New York City nursing home reports 98 deaths as FDA approves experimental drug

US President Donald Trump seemingly increases his estimate of possible deaths from coronavirus to 100,000, up from 70,000 earlier in the week, as South Africa, Spain and some American states loosen their restrictions. These are the key coronavirus developments from today.




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Tesla shares tumble after Elon Musk tweets they're too expensive

Elon Musk has seen Tesla's share price falling after a series of unusual tweets, including saying he would sell all his possessions.



  • Business
  • Economics and Finance
  • Science and Technology
  • COVID-19
  • Diseases and Disorders

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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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Why this former US Congress hopeful is betting on a small country newspaper

Michael Waite ran for office in Washington and worked for Bill Gates' private investment company, but helping establish a community newspaper could be his toughest challenge yet.




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How an elderly island enclave warded off COVID-19 ... without blowing up the bridge

The community of mainly over-60s on St Huberts Island in NSW manages to stare down the threat of COVID-19 with music, exercise and good wine — and a fresh catch of fish delivered by doting grandsons.




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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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Goodbye Game of Thrones, hello Normal People: Is the era of gratuitous on-screen sex over?

Sex and nudity is strewn across our TV and cinema screens, but for actors and audiences, there can be a cost. That's starting to change, says Normal People's on-set intimacy coordinator.




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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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Fine-dining restaurants turn to takeaway to keep staff employed during virus lockdown

With dine-in service off the table many restaurants struggle to retain staff who are ineligible for JobKeeper payments.




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COVID-19 losses just the start of Westpac's woes amid escalating money laundering, tax problems

Westpac joins ANZ in deferring its interim dividend as it braces for the financial impact of COVID-19, but mounting issues around money laundering and tax reporting may cost it almost as much.




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Majority of shut-off WA businesses 'confident' they will survive pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is understandably weighing heavily on the business sector, but there are early signs of green shoots as one state begins to open up.