A sweeping phase out of plastic items will be ordered by the NSW government, sounding the death knell for not just “single-use” plastic items like bags and straws, but also the end of cotton buds.Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith has a “very high” enemy kill count,  but he is not a murderer or a war criminal.Annastacia Palaszczuk became the last eligible state and territory leader to receive a Covid-19 vaccine on Monday, with the Queensland Premier blaming a dog bite for the delay. And in sport, Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos are facing the biggest squad overhaul in decades, with only five of the 34 players in State of Origin I locked in for a green and gold jersey.For updates and breaking news throughout the day, take out a subscription atdailytelegraph.com.au