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Linda Silmalis has been covering politics for more than two decades, breaking both state and federal stories and investigating issues that impact NSW voters. As author of The Sauce political gossip column, she goes behind the scenes to expose what really goes on in the corridors of power.

@LindaSilmalis

Linda Silmalis

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NSW

ESCAPE: The Scenic Skyway cabin at Scenic World Katoomba passing over the Jamison Valley in the Blue Mountains. Picture: Destination NSW

Push to give the gift of holidays at Christmas

With tourism operators struggling without international travellers, Tourism Australia is urging Australians to give each other holidays for Christmas this year.

ExclusiveNSW Coronavirus News

Cruise ships docked in Sydney during the Coronavirus crisis continues. The Celebrity Solstice docked at Circular Quay. Picture: Toby Zerna

Cruise ships unveil new COVID health protocols

As NSW clocks up its 22nd with no community transmission of COVID, the cruise industry is coming up with strategies for keeping travellers safe at sea.

ExclusiveNSW

Builder Nathan Feller from Bondi said business has been booming since the COVID-19 epidemic. Economists say because people are spending so much time at home they are seeking to make improvements. Pictured at a renovation in Randwick. Picture Rohan Kelly

Building bonanza as government extends grants

The HomeBuilder stimulus scheme will be extended by three months, allowing for an extra 15,000 new homes to be built and taking total handouts to $900 million.

ExclusiveTasmania

Reprieve as HomeBuilder stimulus deadline eased

After lobbying from housing and building industry groups, the federal government will extend the HomeBuilder stimulus scheme. SEE HOW MUCH LONGER YOU HAVE >>

NSW

Greens senator Sarah Hanson Young poses for a portrait after retaining her senate seat in the 2019 Federal Election in Adelaide, Sunday, May 19, 2019. (AAP Image/Kelly Barnes) NO ARCHIVING

Activists harass cancer patient on pollie’s old phone number

A stage 4 cancer patient with a Greens Senator’s old phone number is being harassed by activists protesting against a planned radioactive waste facility.

NSW

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 04: Registered Nurse Reem Jabbar prepares for the arrival of people requiring COVID-19 tests at the Bondi Beach testing clinic on November 04, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. The COVID-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach has been expanded ahead of summer to increase testing capacity as NSW health authorities encourage residents to remain vigilant for coronavirus symptoms as restrictions ease. The Bondi Beach COVID-19 testing clinic, operated by St Vincent's hospital, has tested over 50,000 people since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in Australia in March. The new shelter will give the capacity to test 16 cars simultaneously and will be able to conduct around 2,500 tests per day in the event of a major surge in community screening demand. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

NSW marks zero virus cases for 21st day

NSW has marked its third week straight with no locally acquired case of COVID-19 but authorities remain concerned transmission may be continuing undetected.

NSW Coronavirus News

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: A passenger, off a Melbourne to Sydney flight, arrives at Sydney domestic airport on July 08, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. The NSW-Victoria border closed at midnight, Wednesday 8 July. It is the first time in 100 years the border between the two states has been closed and comes as Victoria continues to record high numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases through community transmission. NSW residents returning from Victoria will need to self isolate for 14 days, while Victorian residents are banned from travelling to New South Wales unless they have a permit. Special provisions will be in place for border communities such as Albury-Wodonga as well as freight operations and other critical services. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

How Victorian COVID rules differ from NSW

There is a growing push from the hospitality industry to further relax NSW’s COVID restrictions, the toughest in the nation, as Victoria races ahead with rule changes.

ExclusiveNSW

WEEKEND TELEGRAPHS SPECIAL. MUST TALK WITH PIC ED JEFF DARMANIN BEFORE PUBLISHING.., 28 criminals were removed by two Australian Border Force charter flights to Auckland this week, on 17-18 November. These 28 are New Zealand citizens who had been held in immigration detention facilities throughout Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney prior to removal., , Of those removed, criminal convictions included trafficking methamphetamine, causing grievous bodily harm, domestic violence, assault occasioning bodily harm and affray and child sex offences. One man had recently been released from prison after serving six years in jail for pretending to be an international pop star online to prey on young girls., , Provisions under the Act allow the Minister for Home Affairs to cancel a visa if a person is considered to not be of good character. A person can fail the character test for a number of reasons, including but not limited to circumstances where a non-citizen has a substantial criminal record., , The majority of those removed had their visas cancelled under s501 of the Migration Act 1958 for failing the character test. Non-citizens who are found to not meet character requirements, and whose visas are cancelled, are not entitled to remain in Australia.

28 criminals deported to New Zealand

A convicted paedophile who pretended to be pop star Justin Bieber to lure young girls is one of 28 criminals flown out of Australia during a special Border Force operation.

ExclusiveNSW

WEEKEND TELEGRAPHS SPECIAL. MUST TALK WITH PIC ED JEFF DARMANIN BEFORE PUBLISHING., Prime Minister Scott Morrison gets a Covid test on Day 3 as part of the ACT Health quarantine rules when isolating for 14 days when returning from oveseas travel. Picture: Adam Taylor /OFFICE OF THE PM

ScoMo’s iso life in lockdown at The Lodge

How does a prime minister pass the time while in quarantine? The Sunday Telegraph has spoken to Scott Morrison and obtained exclusive pictures in lockdown.

NSW

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos NOVEMBER 19,2020. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, provides a COVID-19 update at NSW Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Christmas dinner headache for Gladys

THE SAUCE: Why did politicians’ WAGs force Premier Gladys Berejiklian to host three separate Christmas dinners for Liberal pollies this year?

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/linda-silmalis/page/109