Monday’s ceremonial opening of federal Parliament showed up stark divides on COVID-19 health measures between Labor and the Coalition.
But an address by the Governor-General, the swearing in of trailblazing teal independents, and aweren’t enough to paper over some of the nation’s toughest ideological battle lines.
One politician counted the number of masked journalists in the press gallery above, with just three of 16 present wearing masks. He observed maybe the media wasn’t as left-wing as many think.Sensitive to criticism from further afield, Labor won’t allow a mask mandate to be implemented inside parliament at the same time average Australians are only being encouraged to cover their faces.
Paying tribute to predecessors including former Liberal speaker Tony Smith, the MP for Oxley said he would work across the political divide, including with the 35 newly elected members.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘Chaos’, confusion and 19 deaths: How COVID-19 took hold inside Newmarch HouseOn April 11, 2020, an aged care facility recorded its first case of COVID-19. By the end of the month, an inquest has heard, 19 people had died | marywardy
Read more »
AFR readers want COVID-19 mask mandateA clear majority of readers of The Australian Financial Review say they would like to see governments implement some form of mask mandates and sensible restrictions, amid the current COVID-19 wave.
Read more »
Live: NSW Now: COVID-19 inquest into Newmarch House aged care resident deathsMORNING BRIEFING: An inquest due to start today will examine the deaths of 19 aged care residents after COVID-19 spread at Sydney's Newmarch House.
Read more »
A new threat on Aussies shores shows we haven’t seen the back of COVID-19 yetThe rapidly spreading BA.5 Omicron subvariant is driving infections across the country - but health experts are now on alert over a new looming threat. 7NEWS
Read more »
Will falling house prices do to JB Hi-Fi what COVID-19 couldn’t?The big-screen TV and appliances retailer sailed through the pandemic after a shaky start, but house prices dropping are a new thorn.
Read more »
Hundreds of NSW children paid off COVID-19 fines through ‘work orders’The vast majority of the children on the program undertook mentoring and counselling programs, not unpaid labour, Revenue NSW said.
Read more »