How do we revive the economy once the pandemic passes? Coronavirus has Australia headed for a deep recession, so what can we do now to plan our way out of it? Is the answer more government intervention and state planning? Or, is now the time to launch a new reform agenda that sharpens the incentives to work, save, invest and hire? And, Alexander Downer: “I don’t know what China’s problem is” Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called for an investigation into the origins of the virus. But China’s Ambassador in Canberra upped the stakes this week by threatening a trade and tourism boycott of Australia. Australia’s longest serving Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer says China’s Cold War style rhetoric will backfire on it, and it is in everyone’s interests to investigate the origins of the virus. But as we head into recession, can we afford to aggravate our largest trade partner?

Crocodiles have been reported as far south as Angourie in northern New South Wales, but did they ever inhabit the region?

Three-dimensional zebra crossings have turned up in Iceland, England and even the tiny outback town of Boulia in Queensland and now one Sydney council is exploring whether it could join the trend.

Bull riding has always been the cowboy's domain, but young cowgirl Riley O'Dell is bucking the trend and taking home prized buckles in outback Queensland.

The outback Queensland town of Barcaldine has officially set a new world record for the longest line of motorhomes.

Emus have once again mobbed the streets of Longreach in search of food and water. While some locals say the number of chicks is a good omen for the wet season, an expert says the birds simply "lay and hope for the best."

The first fall in the small town of Ilfracombe in Central West Queensland since 3mm was measured in March

Outback Queensland towns are celebrating after much-needed rain, but the effects may not flow on downstream.

Governor Hutchinson's May 4 directives on the re-opening of indoor and outdoor venues indicate closures will be lifted on May 18, but that's not what the event calendar at Fort Smith's Temple Live says.

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A museum can reopen May 18 to 50 people. Casinos can reopen to hundreds and they can smoke as well. What's wrong with this picture?

The post The gathering clouds on crowds at casinos, museums, music halls and more. UPDATE: Clouds lifting appeared first on Arkansas Times.

Code revisions, short-term rentals and a donation of city land to the state's proposed billion-dollar freeway project through downtown are on the agendas of city meetings next week.

The post Little Rock schedules video ‘town hall’ Monday on code revision; city Board meeting Tuesday includes conflicting opinions on short-term rentals in Hillcrest appeared first on Arkansas Times.

A bushfire that was threatening lives and homes in Bridgetown in Western Australia's South West is contained and an emergency warning downgraded.

While capital cities struggle to handle their swelling populations, country towns are still crying out for more people.

A 15-year journey to build the world's largest wooden clock hit several hurdles, but the biggest was finding somewhere to put the 6-metre tall wooden timepiece.

To many, a postcode is just four numbers that direct your mail. To the small community of Cookernup it's the town's identity.

Owners of the world's largest lithium mine predict production can top 2 million tonnes if expansion projects get the green light.

A WA university has removed an activity from a camp for high schoolers after a mother complained that teenagers were told to change out of wet clothing behind a bush.

A prison in WA's South West remains in full lockdown as a three-day raid uncovers a significant haul of drugs and syringes.

DAILY BRIEFING: The search is on for a thief who stole a "large quantity" of citrus trees, while the Launceston City Council "sincerely apologises" to a homeless man

DAILY BRIEFING: More than 30 little penguins are found dead near Wynyard, a family raises money for their three-year-old daughter's cancer treatment and a coroner hands down his findings into four boating deaths.

Tasmania's east coast is experiencing some of its driest conditions on record, but in the west there has been record high winter rainfall. How can the weather vary so much in such a small state?

Most beef you eat comes from around two-year-old cattle, but some farmers are singing the praises of dry-aged beef from what they call "vintage" cows.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White vows to ditch the Greens as party faithful meet in Burnie for Labor's first Tasmanian gathering since suffering a bruising federal election defeat.

DAILY BRIEFING: Police are still looking for escapee Jake Mark Pearce, the Greens want an end to wildlife culls after six permits were issued to kill platypus.

DAILY BRIEFING: Tasmania's Speaker pauses parliament as tensions run high over her bid for a pay rise, and a police officer charged over the strip search of an 11-year-old boy indicates she'll plead guilty.

Politicians bearing promises have disappointed many miners in Tasmania's wild west in recent times, but increasing demand for metals for electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels is now driving more exploration.

A typical show day for Gary Clarke involves getting up early to wash and blow-dry his Hereford cattle before the crowds arrive. It is dedication like this which has helped the humble Burnie Show reach its 100th year.

Authorities downgrade the alert for a fire in Tasmania's Central Highlands which has destroyed more than 100 hectares.

Tourism operators on one of Tasmania's breathtaking islands are riding a wave of untapped beauty and are reeling in visitors with locally grown produce.

Think rural women are all farmers' wives? You need to meet my netball team.

It's Holmes versus Moriarty in this lacklustre sequel that fails to add much to the detective-action franchise.

Johnny Depp makes a good vampire, but there really is no life in this lavish laugh-fest from Tim Burton.