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Clare ArmstrongNational political editor

Clare Armstrong is the national political editor of the Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, Adelaide Advertiser and Courier Mail based in Canberra. She was previously a federal political reporter at the Daily Telegraph, and has also reported for the Townsville Bulletin. In 2021 Clare received the Wallace Brown Award recognising the best young journalist in the federal parliament press gallery.

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Clare Armstrong

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NSW

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Defence Minister Linda Reynolds speaks during a press conference alongside David Littleproud (left) at Parliament House on January 05, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. One person has died in Batlow and four firefighters were injured in NSW overnight. 14 people have now died in the fires in NSW, Victoria and South Australia since New Year's Eve. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday announced army reservists were being called up to help with firefighting efforts across Australia, along with extra Defence ships and helicopters. The Prime Minister has faced ongoing criticism over his handling of the ongoing bushfire crisis, most recently over the Liberal Party's release of advertising detailing the Government's bushfire response. (Photo by Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)

Defence minister holidayed in Bali during fires

Another senior minister from the Morrison Government has admitted to taking a family holiday overseas as fires raged across Australia over the Christmas break.

NSW

Senate Estimates AFP in Parliament House in Canberra. AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin. Picture Gary Ramage

Ex-cop to lead new bushfire recovery agency

Former Australian Federal Police chief Andrew Colvin will work with state and defence personnel as part of his new role to lead a large-scale national bushfire recovery effort, announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison today.

NSW

Sydney Olympic Games 2000 @Stadium Australia.Cathy Freeman wins the womens 400m final,Pic Gregg Porteous.

Countering Sydney 2000 Olympics chemical weapon threats

Sydney was so ill-equipped to combat a possible chemical weapons attack on the 2000 Olympics that millions of dollars had to be redirected from the Defence budget to help counter any threat. SEE WHAT 1999 CABINET PAPERS REVEAL

EXCLUSIVENSW

Rural Fire Service employee, Mr Allen Madden prepares to be winched down in the Lithgow area by Petty Officer Aircrewman Jason Wickman from an 808 Squadron MRH90 Taipan Military Support Helicopter over the Grose Valley bushfire in the Blue Mountains National Park. *** Local Caption *** The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is continuing to support Emergency Management Australia in firefighting efforts around the country. Navy’s MRH-90 Taipan helicopters based at HMAS Albatross in Nowra have evacuated residents at risk on the New South Wales South Coast and continue with day and night time aerial fire mapping. An additional MRH-90 forward-deployed to western Sydney, has facilitated access by specialist RFS personnel to properties under threat from advancing fire in the Hartley Vale region. The helicopter was also tasked to support personnel evacuation and property assessment in the Blue Mountains – Lithgow region. ADF liaison officers are working side by side with emergency services personnel in the State Disaster Coordination Centre (SDCC) and within the New South Wales Rural Fire Service Headquarters. Defence is also providing transport and other capabilities such as aviation ground support, logistics, engineering and accommodation to support the firefighting effort.

Military boost for NSW bushfires

Australian Defence Force personnel will be deployed to every NSW fire coordination centre after the state asked for more help fighting blazes across NSW.

NSW

Scott Mudford, pictured with his 11-month-old daughter Fearne, helps run his family sheep and grain farm north west of Dubbo. They have been applying for state and federal government drought assistance. Picture: Dylan Robinson

Five months of rain needed to get rivers flowing

With 2019 now the second driest year on record, NSW farmers need multiple significant rain events to get rivers flowing, fill dams and moisture into the soil in order to save their livelihoods.

NSW

Facebook photo by Daniel Sutton ofhis brother in law Aaron Smith dancing in the rain at his parents' Upper Lansdowne property near Taree this morning. Must Credit Pic: Daniel Sutton, 10 News First. Source: Facebook Daniel Sutton - https://www.facebook.com/daniel.sutton.547?epa=SEARCH_BOX

How NSW celebrated Christmas

Patchy showers along the east coast were a welcome sight for farmers, with some even dancing in the rain on Christmas morning.

NSW

Scott Morrison defence message to the troops

PM expresses gratitude to Aussies despite challenges

Scott Morrison paid tribute to the two firefighters who died fighting bushfires in NSW as he addressed the nation in his Christmas message. While the PM acknowledged the tough times Aussies faced this year, he also encouraged everyone to look ahead to 2020.

NSW