Our Journalists

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

Latest

ExclusiveInnovation

Pic of Opal card being swiped.Paper tickets will no longer be issued at train stations, you will need to use an opal card. Please shoot queues at central station for ticket machines and at ticket windows.

Opal card faces massive overhaul

THE death of the Opal card has begun with other methods being rolled out on ferries, followed by buses and trains.

ExclusiveNSW

Sydney,Australia - November 2,2014: A 'Waratah' train approaches Central Station with a local service.

Retired train drivers begged to fix crisis

Long-retired Sydney train drivers and trainers are being urged to come back to work as the State government scrambles to fill 150 vacancies to break an impasse with the rail unions over pay.

NSW

Strike strife derails relationship

THE train union boss and the NSW Premier seemed to have developed a cosy affinity over seven years. It’s not the same after the current rail bust-up.

Babies

Ayra Stark (Maisie Williams) in Game of Thrones season seven episode six

Games of Thrones link to popular baby girl name

IT’S one of the most popular shows on television and now a name inspired by Game of Thrones has shot up the list of NSW’s most favoured children’s names. And the royals have also been linked to the comeback of George and Charlotte.

ExclusiveNSW

An artist’s impression of the Hunter Correctional Centre at Cessnock,

Games room proposed for new jail

AN amusement arcade has been proposed for a new maximum security prison to calm tensions among inmates forced to sleep in 26-man dormitories. The plan is part of an incentive-based scheme to encourage good behaviour and simmer tensions in jail.

NSW

Labor's candidate Kristina Keneally reacts as she accepts defeat against John Alexander for the seat of Bennelong at the Phoenix room at Club Ryde in Sydney, Saturday, December 16, 2017. (AAP Image/Ben Rushton) NO ARCHIVING

Fallback position for ‘Senator’ Kristina

FORMER NSW premier Kristina Keneally looks certain to replace disgraced Labor senator Sam Dastyari in Canberra after failing to win her own place in the lower house.

NSW

Bennelong: Alexander clinches it for Libs

UPDATE: Bennelong voters swung towards Labor but not enough to send star candidate Kristina Keneally to Canberra, meaning John Alexander, who vacated the seat over the citizenship saga, will be returned as MP.

NSW

YEAR IN REVEIW 2011 - A section of the John Morony Correctional Centre at near Windsor will be refurbished into a drug and alcohol jail to help rehabilitate drug and alcohol offenders. Senior Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Waters watches over an inmate in his cell.

Prison guards allegedly in wild pub brawl with bouncer

IT started as farewell drinks but ended with a deputy prison governor and some of his senior managers under investigation.

NSW

DAILY TELEGRAPH EXCLUSIVE. THE AUSTRALIAN OUT. NEWS.COM.AU OUT. The Police mug shot of disgraced NSW Labor politician Eddie Obeid. NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PICTURE DESK PERMISSION 0292883511

Powerbroker Obeid a jail librarian

HE’S turning over a new leaf — disgraced Eddie Obeid has slimmed down and taken on a job as a librarian behind bars.

NSW

Prisoners to get pizza nights and goodnight phone calls

PRISONERS would be able to participate in pizza nights, receive “goodnight calls” and enjoy barbecues with families under a controversial plan to keep peace at a Sydney jail.

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/linda-silmalis/page/119