The Herald Sun - News Feed

Hotel quarantine workers will be paid to have a coronavirus tests on their days off in an attempt to help protect Victorians from more transmissions in the program. State school parents are paying twice as much for school photos than those in some private schools. The children’s charity Barnardos has abolished its Mother of The Year award after 25 years. The decision was made because it does not celebrate other caregivers. Australian Open organisers were plugging all-day tickets and two-for-one deals at the Grand Slam event on Monday following a disappointing turn out at day one of the Australian Open. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at herald sun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Authorities have called for a review into prescribing anti-depressants, following concerns the drug could be driving up youth suicide rates. It's understood one in 33 children including preschoolers are taking the medication. Police investigating the disappearance of a young Melbourne mum say her Boyfriend returned to the site where she was last seen in search of security footage. Melbourne researchers have developed a laser that can detect who is at immediate risk of a heart attack....in what’s being described as a game changer in prevention of deadly episodes. The World League League says their optimistic the Rip Curl Pro will be back at Bells Beach next year....after the event was shifted away from Torquay for the first time in 60 years. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at herald sun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The colleagues of a hotel quarantine worker who tested positive to Covid-19, attended a staff party, to celebrate the success of isolating tennis stars....just days before the 26 year old received his diagnosis. Hotel quarantine workers will have to undergo testing on their days off, after a recent infection highlighted that coronavirus could be spread through the air. The Australian Open could be played with no crowds....if a new coronavirus cluster grows in Victoria. The captain of Collingwood Football club has led the charge of a powerful apology, following the club’s damning racism report. For updates and breaking news throughout the day you can take out a subscription to The HERALD SUN at heraldsun.com.au/ or download the app at your app store. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian researches turning a cheap blood thinning medication into a nasal spray that could block COVID-19, stop it spreading, and treat the virus. Parents are being encourage to add faces to boiled eggs...and make “stripy zebra” sandwiches...to attract kids to healthy food.. We can expect a few spare seats at the Australian Open...as the Tennis Chiefs serve up the biggest sporting event before spectators during the COVID era... Chris Fagan has re-signed as coach of the Brisbane Lions until the end of 2023.. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been revealed the cost of wealthy public servants has tripled in just six years with more than twice as many executives working in the Victorian Public Service than when Daniel Andrews came into office. The second phase of coronavirus vaccinations are expected to begin in late March...covering Australians over the age of 70...and around 2 million other vulnerable people. The President of Collingwood Football club has back-flipped on a controversial statement made during a Press Conference on Monday... Carlton co-Captain Patrick Cripps has denied claims he’s moving home to Western Australia For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indigenous AFL Great Nicky Winmar has slammed Collinwood's response to a damning report that uncovered "systematic racism" at the Club. It’s the great Australian pastime and now resident's of some of Melbourne's exclusive suburbs won’t have to retire the humble backyard barbie. The AFL is confident the regular season will kick off as planned on March 18...despite the positive COVID-19 case in WA. And bikie boss Toby Mitchell has been ordered to undergo Anger Management counselling for six months before he is sentenced for two separate STREET FIGHTS late last year. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world-first move, dangerous cladding will be banned from use on multi-storey buildings in Victoria. A major law introduced to break up bikie gangs has been officially branded a failure, as gang memberships soar. The Andrews Government spent more money representing itself at the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry than the inquiry itself. Girls should not be complimented on their looks, beauty, clothes or bodies, according to authors of a new book who suggest we should take deliberate steps to make beauty less important, rather focusing on what girls do instead. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 5,000 convicted criminals including serious violent offenders will be released from prison early because of coronavirus, shaving on average just under a month off their sentence. A search continued on Saturday night for a 20 year old woman who went missing while snorkelling off Altona beach. The number of people relying on JobKeeper payments has declined by more than 35,000 employees in November from the previous month. Pop princess Kylie Minogue has made a surprise appearance in country Victoria, photographed moments before she was due to appear at a concert in Mallacoota. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorians forked out $78 million for hotel quarantine workers to do nothing. The Saturday Herald Sun can reveal payments were made to over one thousand workers for five months when there were no flights into Victoria and the program was on standby. Bourke Street Mall security will be reviewed and bollard upgrades considered after a manic driver sped down the shopping strip on Thursday evening forcing pedestrians to run for their lives. While cashless payments are on the rise, experts have warned it could disadvantage consumers, including those at risk of budget blowouts. Some of the biggest names in tennis are out of hotel quarantine in Adelaide. Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal were among the players who finished their 14 days of quarantine on Friday. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Terrified pedestrians were forced to flee for their lives as a speeding car drove erratically through Bourke Street Mall on Thursday night. Aged care homes have been busted breaking COVID-19 rules months after the pandemic killed hundreds of elderly residents. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has been notified of potential betting irregularities involving the naming of Australian of the Year winner Grace Tame. The first of almost 1000 Australian Open players and staff have left quarantine, while others confused by their release date have complained about remaining in their rooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youth crime is on the rise in Victoria with violent robberies by the state’s youngest criminal offenders surging by 85 per cent in five years. Delays getting Chinese-made steel to Australia is putting more strain on the problem-plagued West Gate Tunnel project. One in three Victorians who arrived at a public hospital emergency department were not treated on time. Two cattle-herding Melbourne brothers are set to make more than $80m after selling their Nar Nar Goon farm. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 230 Victorian childcare providers were closed or issued with serious safety notices by the state government in the past two years, that’s more than one childcare provider a week. Thousands of ‘Invasion Day’ protesters marched through Melbourne’s CBD on Tuesday. A big police presence jumped into action when counter protesters arrived. Police are bracing for a surge in home burglaries as thousands of Victorians return to the office leaving homes empty for the first time in almost a year. Parents of kindergarten students should expect their child’s accent to radically change from an echo of their immediate family to sounding more like their classmates during their first year of school. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s first COVID-19 vaccine has been approved, the TGA has declared the Pfizer vaccine is safe for use and effective at preventing serious illness. Thousands of people are expected to attend Australia Day protests across the city despite a 100 person limit on public gatherings. The historic Melbourne House on Little Bourke Street is set to be saved from being demolished and instead turned into a 14-storey tower under a new $34m development plan. It was a memorable day in more ways than one on Saturday for newlyweds Ashleigh and James Foster, the Wodonga couple welcomed their daughter Stevie and tied the knot all in less than 12 hours. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Temperatures are expected to peak 45 degrees across parts of Victoria today. CREDIT card records have revealed the full extent of the former Australia Post boss’ spending. THE ABC has been accused of dividing the nation by referring to Australia Day as “Invasion Day.” AUSTRALIA will spend $1bn on the first phase of a weapons modernisation plan. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Human remains found ata Norlane property believed to belong to 26-year-old man. An accused drug lord compared to El Chapo and Pablo Escobar – faces extradition to Australia after a shock arrest orchestrated by the Australian Federal Police. TWO men died in separate tragedies on Victoria’s surf coast on Saturday. A new-look Melbourne Park — tweaked to be COVID-safe — will be unveiled for restricted numbers of fans at next month’s Australian Open. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Victorian man is feared killed by a shark, after going missing whilst snorkeling in South Australia. Google is threatening to block Australians from using it’s search engine. Mixed messages on whether the Tokyo Olympics will go ahead in 2021. Controversy over Margaret Court’s Australia Day honors. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First Australian open player testes positive to Covid-19 without the case involving viral shedding. INDIGENOUS Australians Minister criticised Cricket Australia’s decision to drop “Australia Day” from Big Bash League material. THE number of Victorians on the dole has fallen to the lowest level since April last year. Facebook and Google are preparing for a bitter showdown with media companies. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Victorian government has given eye-watering pay deals for senior bureaucrats on major projects. January 26 Big Bash will no longer be referred to as “Australia Day”. Local streets could drop down to 40km/h. Ash Barty is gearing up for the Australian Open with a message to players in quarantine. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Open men’s players are proposing a best-of-threes format, as 72 players miss quality training whilst in lockdown. Victoria Police memo sparks concerns about people yet to pay Covid-19 fines. A new study has found toddler snacks and milk are just as unhealthy as normal food. Footy fans could return to the MCG by Round 1. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Open men’s players are proposing a best-of-threes format, as 72 players miss quality training whilst in lockdown. Victoria Police memo sparks concerns about people yet to pay Covid-19 fines. A new study has found toddler snacks and milk are just as unhealthy as normal food. Footy fans could return to the MCG by Round 1. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Open preparations have been thrown into chaos after two planeloads of tennis stars and their entourages were sent into hard hotel lockdown, due to three positive COVID-19 cases. Tourism chiefs are pleading with the Victorian Government to make New South Wales border towns free-travel zones, amid fears its new permit system is “decimating” Murray River trade. It’s been revealed more than $10 million was poured into advertising Victoria’s “Big Build” infrastructure blitz over two-and-a-half years. And one in five children will head back to school with an undetected vision problem, prompting a warning from one of Australia’s peak healthcare bodies. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homicide detectives believe a mother was responsible for the deaths of herself and her three children in northwest Melbourne. Chinese students in Australia are being targeted by classmates linked to the Communist Party. COUPLES who split up would be forced to wait two years to be divorced. The debate rages over allowing Tennis stars to enter Victoria whilst thousands of residents remain stranded interstate. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homicide detectives are still investigating what led to the death of a mother and her three children in Tullamarine. A woman who was swept off the rocks and died at Mornington Peninsula is being remembered as an “angel”. The Police Minister shuts down concerns over a U-S Tennis player travelling to Melbourne after testing positive to Covid-19. Back to work in the CBD from Monday. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s top doctor has slapped down medicos criticising our coronavirus vaccination plan. Daniel Grollo’s multimillion-dollar penthouse apartment in the Eureka tower in Melbourne may be on the auction block. Genetics could be the answer to a difference in traits among identical twins. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The delayed Melbourne Grand Prix has now got a start date. The government is due to make a decision on allowing more workers to return to offices in the CBD. The Covid-safe rules are locked-in for next month’s Australian Open. A $1 million reward to solve a 34-year-old murder. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawthorn’s Jonathon Patton is under investigation over alleged lewd images he sent to various women. Victoria’s new travel permits website crashes upon opening. Over four hours of gaming and the internet every night is worsening children’s skills. New fines for cover-ups of aged care abuse. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawthorn footballer Jonathon Patton is under mounting pressure after at least four women accused him of sending them unwanted lewd messages, images and videos. A group of leading medics are urging type 2 diabetics to end their illness and reliance on medication by overhauling their diets. Victoria will introduce a traffic light system to streamline warnings and restrictions for people travelling across all states from today. India are adamant that their young bowling star Mohammed Siraj was again racially vilified at the SCG despite crowd claims it was more banter than hardcore abuse. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hawthorn star Jonathon Patton is under investigation by the club following allegations of lewd behaviour on social media. Carlton's popular Cinema Nova has sparked controversy by removing an Australia Day advert from its pre-movie advertising amid a complaint it was “propaganda” and insensitive to Indigenous viewers. A woman in Victoria’s hotel quarantine system infected with the UK coronavirus super strain, returned to Queensland after just 10 days in isolation, sparking a new contact tracing effort. South Australia has stolen top tennis players away from Victoria as our hotels struggle to cope with an influx of people in quarantine. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian Grand Prix looks set to be shifted to the end of the year, with officials expecting an announcement as early as this week. Thousands of people who travelled to Victoria from southeast Queensland over the past week have been ordered to immediately get tested and isolate this weekend. Police helicopters are using heat-seeking technology to pinpoint cannabis grow-houses in suburban Melbourne. Tim Paine was made Test captain to stop Australia becoming too nasty only having to guard against them becoming too nice, claiming that the Test is going to be fascinating. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has vowed to peacefully leave the Oval Office after a day of shocking violence in which his supporters stormed the ­Capitol that left four dead. Nursing home residents and hotel quarantine workers could be rolling up their sleeves to receive one of the first COVID-19 vaccinations in just six weeks. Victorians trapped in NSW have been given a glimmer of hope, with Daniel Andrews flagging border rules could change by next week. World No.1 Ash Barty will kickstart her bid for Australian Open glory at one of the WTA 500 tournaments in Melbourne the week before the grand slam. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All international travellers coming into Australia would be forced to have pre-flight tests and could face longer quarantine periods. Health authorities race to uncover how a man was infected with coronavirus possibly at the MCG or Chadstone Shopping Centre. Robert Irwin may have breached guidelines for helicopter operations in wilderness areas by flying at low levels through declared sensitive areas. Will Pucovski made the world’s No.1 attack “feel like very slow bowlers” in the SCG nets to help secure a Baggy Green. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

COVID-19 vaccinations expected to start by early March with priority given to people in residential aged care along with health, hotel quarantine and border workers. Formula One great Alan Jones says only a “bloody miracle” will allow the Australian Grand Prix to go ahead in March. Radical new skin gel showing potential to prevent skin ageing and help avoid skin cancer. Danielle Hardwick breaks silence on Damien’s new relationship with younger colleague. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health authorities are aiming for a zero-case day by the weekend and hope to ease restrictions as early as mid-January, if the state can sustain a COVID-free streak. New data has revealed about half of all businesses which sought JobKeeper support are still reliant on the wage subsidy program which is being cut today. Managing the back-to-school budget can be tough at the best of times, but a new government report has found Aussie parents will be slugged with a 10 per cent price increase on key items this year. And in sport, Australia is hopeful a misunderstanding over quarantine protocols may avert another showdown with India over the Gabba Test. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria’s latest coronavirus cluster has continued to grow over huge areas of the state, but Health authorities say they are on top of the outbreak. COVID testing sites across the state are being so overrun, people are being turned away as authorities scramble to meet demand. Child’s play based on butterflies and building blocks will be a key part of formal early learning under the first curriculum changes to daycare in a decade. And in sport, as David Warner fights to overcome a groin strain in time for the third Test against India on Thursday, fresh doubt has been cast over whether he’ll be able to play out the series. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More cases are expected to emerge in Victoria’s latest coronavirus cluster as investigators fear it may have already branched off into other undetected chains of transmission. If you’re not back in Victoria now, don’t bother trying to cross the border. That’s the message from health authorities for anyone holidaying in NSW who didn’t make it across state lines last night. A new national warning system to alert people to bushfires, floods, storms, extreme heat and severe weather systems is being rolled out across the country. And in sport, Fremantle will resume post-Christmas training with about one-third of its squad in quarantine, as the national COVID-19 border drama rages on. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health authorities working around the clock to track down thousands of people who may have been exposed to coronavirus. Tens of thousands of Victorian holidaymakers in NSW are rushing to get home before midnight tonight, get tested and isolate at home, as the Andrews government shuts the border to the northern state. Despite fears of another coronavirus outbreak, Victorians have made the most of a scaled-back New Year’s Eve last night after tough bans put a dampener on the night. And Australians will soon be singing a slightly different national anthem after Scott Morrison used his power to change the song to better reflect the country’s Indigenous history. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian health authorities are on high alert after three new positive coronavirus cases were detected across suburban Melbourne. Victorian dairy farmers will get a boost to help their products into the Indian market as part of a move to diversify away from China, where trade tensions continue to ­escalate. New Year’s Eve revellers have been put on notice, that police will move swiftly to break up crowds and clamp down on unruly behaviour at end-of-year celebrations tonight. And delisted former Swans player Elijah Taylor still plans to reboot his football career in Victoria next year, in a bid to one day return to the AFL. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Court documents have revealed the Eastern Freeway Porsche driver who is accused of taunting and filming a dying policewoman, allegedly placed a noose around a female relative’s neck just hours before a dramatic rooftop standoff with heavily armed police. No midnight kisses or hugs with old friends, no fireworks, and toned-down celebrations will make New Year’s Eve in Melbourne a whole new ­experience. An ex-AFL player’s fight for a $21 refund has cost him $10,000 after a tribunal found he defamed the seller by calling her a “thief” on Facebook. And in sport, Tim Paine has accused TV umpire Paul Wilson of ending his innings, and any real hopes Australia had of salvaging the Boxing Day Test. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The man accused of taunting and filming a dying police officer following the Eastern Freeway tragedy was behind bars again last night, after an alleged violent assault in his home that sparked a late night stand-off with police. Figures show more than 350 Victorian businesses went bust between the start of April and the end of September, and experts are warning of more economic carnage to come in 2021. Thousands more Australian doctors are prescribing medical cannabis to patients now compared to just four years ago, as the industry continues to grow. And Pakenham has been crowned Victoria’s top selling suburb of 2020, with more than 730 properties successfully changing ownership. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The new Melbourne Airport Rail Link will soar 55m above the Maribyrnong River and travel over the Western Ring Road via a series of elevated bridges. Drivers are facing a New Year filled with long tailbacks and traffic jams with the annual West Gate roadworks already causing traffic chaos. Thunderstorms are set to hit parts of Victoria over New Year’s, but the forecast won’t dampen Melbourne’s First New Year Street Feast. And one of the world’s largest ever baby studies could place Victorian scientists at the forefront of medical research for decades to come. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.au the-sky’s-the-limit-for-new-melbourne-airport-rail-link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria’s youngest killers and sex offenders would have their criminal records kept secret under a proposed state government law change. There are calls to ban access to high-tech spying devices, following revelations women are being increasingly watched and hunted down by men using them. Shoppers have turned out in force to snap up Boxing Day bargains, with Victoria’s multibillion-dollar buying bonanza not expected to end anytime soon. And in sport - Australia has been stunned by a patched-up India side, that landed punch after punch at the Boxing Day Test. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas Day tragedy in the state’s north, with a young boy killed in a quad bike accident. Retailers are tipping bumper Boxing Day sales where there will be massive discounts of up to 75 per cent. Aussie families are wasting a shocking amount of food each year, worth an average of $3800 a household. And in sport - cricket legend Dean Jones will be honoured at the Boxing Day test today. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A multi-million dollar class action has been launched against fertility giant Monash IVF following revelations healthy embryos may have been destroyed in a bungled genetic screening test. The latest federal government modelling shows the cost of some childcare is tipped to jump more than 16 per cent over the next four years. Human remains believed to belong to missing Ballarat mum Kobie Parfitt have been found dumped in a mineshaft. And in sport, the AFL has extended its broadcast rights deal with Foxtel until the end of 2024. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is set to introduce the world’s toughest take-down laws for online abuse, with trolls facing six-figure fines for posting revenge porn, bullying children or abusing adults online. Close to 700 police will miss out on Christmas with their families this year, so they can man border checkpoints between Victoria and New South Wales. Artificial Intelligence could be the key to radically improve the detection of women at risk of breast cancer. And for the first time in the history of the tennis Grand Slam, fans will not be allowed to roam freely around Melbourne Park for the Australian Open. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has let rip following the release of the final report into the hotel quarantine inquiry, claiming it failed to answer key questions. An investigation into Victorian aged care facilities has found workers hurriedly hired to fill staff shortages at two centres were “young”, “inexperienced” and only had basic English skills. Almost 300 suspected criminal transactions linked with junket tours were made at Victoria’s Crown casino last year, according to Australia’s financial crime watchdog. And a dying western suburbs landlord has left investment properties to his tenants and an incredible $17.5m to the hospital that gave him a kidney 30 years ago. For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atheraldsun.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victorian residents returning from NSW red zones must seek an exemption to return, get a coronavirus test within 24 hours and isolate in their homes for 14 days from the date they were in the area. Anyone who arrives after midnight must serve 14 days in hotel quarantine. Power prices are set to plummet for the next two years, saving Victorian households hundreds of dollars on their electricity bills. A new report has painted a bleak picture of Victoria’s economic record. The Australian Population Research Institute study said the lack of a decent manufacturing base had left the state vulnerable. Gold fever has struck Victoria with local experts saying it has been the biggest year for prospecting despite the pandemic. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost 90,000 people from NSW are preparing to flee to Victoria for Christmas to escape coronavirus and tough new restrictions in Sydney. Police are investigating whether the deaths of two elderly people in a fire in Melbourne’s north were the result of a suicide pact. A $52 million prison built to house some of Victoria’s most dangerous criminals has sat almost empty since being built. The Boxing Day Test could be moved to Melbourne as Cricket Australia sought to find emergency alternatives for the COVID challenged Sydney Test. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The total closure of the border with NSW is being considered by the Victorian government in a desperate bid to avoid a third wave. Hundreds of Victorian households have had their power cut off by an energy provider for not paying their bills. Victoria’s fire management authorities say only half of the state’s planned burn targets were reached in the past 12 months because it was “one of the most difficult and challenging on record”. More than a third of Victorians have admitted using their phone while driving with young drivers the worst offenders. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Victorian government isn’t ruling out shutting the border with New South Wales before Christmas after a coronavirus cluster in Sydney’s Northern Beaches surged to 17 on Thursday night. Thousands of Melburnians locked in public housing towers during the pandemic could take legal action against the State Government for false imprisonment and breaches of their human rights. Police are bracing for the busiest summer break ever on our roads as Victorians unable to fly overseas take road trips locally and interstate. The force is using holiday booking information to decide where and when to deploy officers on the roads over Christmas. There was a nationwide shortage of Corona Extra Dry in November due to an unprecedented thirst for the beer that shares a name with the virus that defined 2020. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian’s over 70 will be the first age-group to given access to the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available in March. It’s been revealed Australia’s population will be divided into five-year increment age groups for the roll out of the vaccine program. A Heartbroken mother says she feels “utterly betrayed” after her partner Joseph McDonald was sentenced to just nine years’ prison for killing their seven-week-old son before returning to his PlayStation. Brighton Secondary College has apologised after year 7 girls were ordered to kneel in a line so their hemlines could be checked to ensure they weren’t too short. Angry parents took to the college Facebook forum to voice their disapproval, dubbing the exercise “patriarchal”. Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has split from his wife Danielle, the break-up was confirmed on Tuesday. For updates and breaking news throughout the day take out a subscription at heraldsun.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.