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Tom MinearUS correspondent

Tom Minear is News Corp Australia’s US correspondent. He was previously based in Melbourne with the Herald Sun, where he started in 2011 and held positions including national political editor and state political editor. Minear has won Quill and Walkley journalism awards.

@tminear

Tom Minear

Latest

Coronavirus

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Thursday, April 16, 2020. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch) NO ARCHIVING

PM accuses health worker of lying as China’s death toll rises

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has blasted a health care worker for being dishonest during virus contact tracing, as China’s death toll increased dramatically.

Coronavirus

A kayaker is seen paddling at Mordialloc beach at sunrise in Melbourne, Friday, April 3, 2020. Victoria's first weekend since harsher social distancing laws were implemented will start with a ban on all but the most basic outdoor activities. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING

Boating ban lifted, golf ruled out in bizarre backflip

Stand-up paddleboards, canoes and kayaks can hit the water again after the Andrews Government amended its restriction on recreational boating, while golfers who had hoped to tee off this weekend will have to think again.

Coronavirus

The three things needed before restrictions can be eased

There is plenty of talk about how and when stage 3 restrictions could be eased when Victoria’s state of emergency ends in May. Here’s what’s needed before there will be any change.

National

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: A lone man crosses the usually busy now empty Flinders Street on April 15, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. The Federal Government has closed all non-essential business and implemented strict social distancing rules, while public gatherings are now limited to two people. New South Wales and Victoria have enacted additional lockdown measures to allow police the power to fine people who breach the two-person outdoor gathering limit or leave their homes without a reasonable excuse. Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have all closed their borders to non-essential travellers and international arrivals into Australia are being sent to mandatory quarantine in hotels for 14 days. (Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

What eased restrictions could look like

Authorities have hinted at what the easing of stay-at-home rules might look like in Victoria after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

VIC News

Victorian Fires Special. Mallacoota fire recovery feature. CFA firefighter Lindsay McHugh from South Morang checking smoldering trees and ground near the town. Picture: David Caird

Inquiry chair sends pointed message on bushfire commission

The Royal Commission into Australia’s horror bushfires begins today, with the chair of the inquiry warning it won’t be looking to “point fingers”, but rather “looking for lessons for the future”.

Coronavirus

The Haider family has four children at Berwick Primary School. The kids from prep to Grade 5 have made an at-home classroom to work in and run school. Amani, 10, Sodia, 9, Anisa, 6 and Zaine, 6. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

States a class apart as confusion reigns over schooling

Victoria will continue to demand children learn from home if they can as the National Cabinet locked in new principles on schooling after confusion reigned on Thursday when mixed messages from state and federal goverments baffled parents.

Opinion

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with the Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture Gary Ramage

Amiability of National Cabinet may not linger

Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicates the National Cabinet could be permanent, proving “to be a better way for our federal system to work in the future”. However, politics will likely eventually get in the way, writes Tom Minear.

Coronavirus

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Medical professionals administer COVID-19 tests at the Bondi Beach drive-through COVID-19 testing center on April 06, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. NSW health authorities have set up additional COVID-19 testing centres in Sydney's eastern suburbs of Waverley and Bondi due to a cluster coronavirus outbreak in the area which has led to a rise in community transmissions. The Australian government has introduced further restrictions on movement and gatherings in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Public gatherings are now limited to two people, while Australians are being urged to stay home unless absolutely necessary. New South Wales and Victoria have also enacted additional measures to allow police the power to fine people who breach the two-person outdoor gathering limit or leave their homes without a reasonable excuse. Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory have all closed their borders to non-essential travellers and international arrivals into Australia are being sent to mandatory quarantine in hotels for 14 days. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

‘No evidence’ kids are super spreaders of virus

Australian children who unknowingly attended school with coronavirus have not caused the same widespread outbreaks as adults, health chiefs say, as the controversy over closures grows.

Coronavirus

Local surfers are seen at Bells Beach in Torquay, Friday, April 10, 2020. The famous Bells Beach Classic surf completion is usually held this Easter holiday weekend but was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Only local residents are allowed to surf this weekend as Victoria's stage three social distancing laws started with a ban on all but the most basic outdoor activities. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING

Police out in force as Victorians urged to stay home

Popular coastal towns were largely free of crowds on the first day of the Easter long weekend as police swarmed holiday hotspots. Authorities have vowed to keep up the pressure after a man in his 80s became Victoria’s 13th coronavirus victim.

ExclusiveVIC News

G8 Education. Childcare generic. Photo: iStock

Council-run childcare centres ineligible for cash relief

State and federal governments are arguing over who should fix a 50 per cent funding shortfall at council-run childcare centres because existing subsidies have been paused due to the coronavirus.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/tom-minear/page/184