Chief Reporter - The Sunday and Saturday Telegraph. Science graduate. NSW Press Gallery 2000-2012. Ex National Parks. The Sauce: Linda.silmalis
@news
.com.au
A father and his daughter watch smoke from the out-of-control Currowan Fire sweep over the South Coast town of Currarong. The fire has turned pyrocumulus, resulting in ash rain. We are in the “safe” zone by the water
#AustraliaOnFire
#NSWfires
@dailytelegraph
Sitting in my car with the engine running opposite Currarong Beach. Windscreen covered in ash rain, which continues to fall. It is so dark the streetlights have come on. Currowan Fire now at emergency level
#NSWfires
#australia
@dailytelegraph
Fury among NSW Liberals tonight after former PM Scott Morrison’s rep on State executive - Alex Hawke - TURNED UP to tonight’s post-election meeting. Hawke being blamed by the left for the preselection debacle. Stay tuned!
#auspol
#nswpol
Something’s up. Premier Gladys Berejiklian last night cancelled her appearance as guest speaker at Liberal Party virtual town hall meeting with hundreds of members at short notice while pushing back crisis Cabinet today from 11am to 4pm …
#nswpol
I was treated in an emergency ward last night for a burn. I asked the nurse if they were vaccinated. Nope. Not even frontline ED staff are vaccinated despite being in the priority group.
#nswpol
#auspol
#COVID19nsw
ScoMo has a vested interest in ensuring
@GladysB
quickly stomps out delta outbreak .. an analysis of reader comments today show sydney-siders are blaming him for vacc stuff-up as much as the NSW govt for the initial lax approach
#nswpol
#insiders
Election alert: Liberals have brought forward preselections in key federal NSW seats. Nominations will open TOMORROW in WARRINGAH. Noms also opening in GREENWAY, WERRIWA, PARRAMATTA and EDEN-MONARO (are we going early?)
#auspol
#nswpol
Here is the actual health form the Ruby Princess filled out just before it was allowed to dock in Sydney. It reveals 110 sick passengers on board. Temps of over 38C. Headache. Vomiting. Did medics really not suspect COVID-19
#coronavirusaustralia
#Covid_19australia
#RubyPrincess
Ex premier Mike Baird said he was “incredulous” when he learned Gladys Berejiklian was in a relationship with Daryl Maguire: “Certainly I think it should have been disclosed..(to) myself as the premier” to avoid potential conflict of interest issues
#nswpol
#icac
ICAC using senior bureaucrat Michael Toohey to set the scene. Toohey ripping apart business case for the clay target grant approved under Gladys. Toohey: “No detailed design.. no lifecycle cost. No way of knowing that the costs were right.. it was quite deficient…”
#nswpol
#ICAC
“I got fired”!! The farewell email sent by sacked former top NSW public servant Jim Betts to staff after Premier Dominic Perrottet replaced him as head of NSW Dept Premier and cabinet where he’d just been promoted with Michael Coutts-Trotter
#nswpol
Emails obtained by Labor have confirmed my story from Sunday - Nationals MP lobbied against koala SEPP on behalf of property developer and party donor
#nswpol
NSW and Feds are sitting on a $1 billion plus flood assist package, which includes “back home” grants to get people back home. Also more LGAs included for assistance. Finalised last night & supposed to be announced today. Why the delay? PM in WA?
#nswpol
#auspol
The fury is from Libs not on executive, but messaging me. As for the meeting itself, executive member Sally Betts has allegedly blamed a LACK OF POSTERS for the loss of Wentworth
#auspol
#nswpol
I can reveal NSW Liberal Party president Don Harwin has written to the NSW Electoral Commission, requesting a 7-day extension to lodge the nomination forms of 140 council candidates. Let’s see how the Commission responds
#nswpol
Scomo the activist! I found this pic doing a Hansard search of protests in the 1990s. That’s Canberra lobbyist Michael Photios on the right 😂 In today’s The Sauce
#nswpol
#auspol
#activism
What you get for vaccinating elsewhere:
⁃Czech state employees: 2 days paid leave
⁃Italy: “Green pass” allowing entry to pubs/bars
⁃Russia: car, holiday raffles
⁃Greece: $150 Euro debit card
⁃Serbia: cash payments
⁃Romania: free sausages
#auspol
Nationals leader John Barilaro attacked Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs after she posted this about Labor MP Mike Kelly after the federal election. A Liberal councillor was among those to join Barilaro. I believe the Kelly post was later removed
#auspol
#nswpol
#EdenMonaroVotes
Meanwhile, ScoMo himself is supposed to be going to the Swans tonight. Also hearing Angus “Gus” Taylor might become Peter Dutton’s rep on executive. What happens to Hawke?
#auspol
#nswpol
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant wants people to make vaccination bookings on behalf of their loved ones “with their consent”
#nswpol
#covidsydney
Nationals MP Leslie Williams is not joining the revolt to the crossbench, giving Libs 36 votes (against ALP 36). Williams is MP for Port Macquarie, home of the koala hospital
#nswpol
#koalas
Are some Liberal Party members booing at the reference to the “traditional owners” of the land on which the NSW State Convention, “A New Hope” is being held?
#nswpol
LEAKED highly sensitive NSW govt report finds organised crime groups used 170+ venues to launder money. This is THE report that led NSW gaming regulator chairman to call for a royal commission-style inquiry. It was rejected
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
Separate to this are concerning claims some ministers/MPs requested “at a high level” to have their classifications reversed from close to casual
#nswpol
NSW Health orders minister into isolation after incorrectly releasing him via
@dailytelegraph
EVERY charity that has received bushfire donations from the public needs to show where every dollar is being spent, including on admin and staff
#nswpol
The re-introductions of some restrictions is necessary. The plan was to live WITH the virus. Ripping off masks and scrapping social distancing was not living WITH the virus. It was living as if the virus didn’t exist
#nswpol
NSW Govt is sitting on a flood modelling report for Hawkes-Nepean which guides evac routes + where housing should/shouldn’t occur. Cabinet signed off on it in Jan, yet public remain in dark.
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
A detainee at Cobham Youth Justice Centre has tested positive to Covid, a/c to a staff member there. It is believed to be the first case in a youth justice facility and comes amid concerning claims some staff there are active “anti-vaxxers”
#nswpol
#COVID19nsw
#COVID19Aus
Have two dogs in my care (both asleep). Have the aircon cycling air. The dog on the back seat is snoring so loudly that it’s hard to hear the emergency radio. Definitely not stressed!
#NSWFIRE
Sally Betts also asked the NSW Govt rep on executive - Mark Coure - if he would make himself available to have candidates for the State election in the field as quickly as possible. Unconfirmed report that Coure said yes
#auspol
#nswpol
THE NSW Upper House has been recalled. It will sit from August 25-27. It is understood the Labor and other MPs who sought the recall will press for documentation in relation to the iCare scandal
#Nswpol
#icare
“Yes but I can overrule them” former premier Gladys Berejiklian tells her then lover Daryl Maguire in a phone tap when he complains about bureaucrats blocking a stadium for Wagga
#nswpol
#icac
Hearing all hell is breaking loose in some of the quarantine hotels with not all travellers happy to have to stay indoors. And we’ve only just started. Sorry, have to suck it up. It’s 14 days. My elderly parents in lockdown for 6months
#coronavirusau
#COVID19Aus
NSW Nationals crisis meeting underway in Parliament House with MPs not present joining via Zoom. One Nat just gave me their private mobile number “in case we’re all sacked”
#nswpol
Warringah Mall on Sydney’s Northern Beaches - I’d say about half of staff/shoppers were NOT wearing a mask. I was “reminded” by a shopkeeper that they were no longer necessary. Local cafe in Newport - no staff and majority of customers NOT wearing a mask
#auspol
While hundreds were gathering at a Bronte Beach Christmas party, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has Christmas lunch in front of a computer
#nswpol
Covid Christmas Day 2020 with Dr Kerry Chant & senior NSW Public Health doctors at Health HQ. Entre: small salad . Main course: computer analysis of Covid data. Thank you to all public health and
@NSWHealth
staff working today to keep us all safe. Beyond dedication.
A left-wing Liberal source warns that a “civil war” like no other is about to erupt in the Liberal Party after the “teals” victory with “retribution” for right and centre-right MPs
#ausvotes
#auspol
Spoke to the deputy RFS capt for this region this morning. Locals have been fighting for a hazard reduction burn in bush bordering properties for 4yrs. Won’t stop a fire in these extreme conditions, but may reduce the ferocity of the burn
#NSWbushfires
#AustraliaOnFire
Union pulls its support from Labor Right faction over “lazy” deal allowing Kristina Keneally to run for safe Western Sydney seat
#auspol
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
VIDEO: Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce confronted by a very angry Labor supporter who does a U-turn on across a highway before stopping and launching into Joyce and an AFP officer in furious roadside verbal attack
#auspol
via
@dailytelegraph
“Daryl fired up”; Gladys wants it”; Gladys put (grant proposal) back on (the ERC agenda); “Sometimes you gotta say WTF”; “No doubt they’ve done a sweetheart deal with Daryl”: emails by exBaird adviser Nigel Blunden on Daryl’s grant proposal that wouldn’t go away
#nswpol
#icac
“I feel that the party has become sexist, ageist and misogynistic” - NSW Liberal candidate hopeful Dr Carolyn Currie announces her decision to withdraw in a scathing letter (which I have) to NSW Liberal Party office …
#nswpol
Text from a rural contact: “There is an upside to these tragedies. Old fueds are being repaired out of necessity to join in fighting a common enemy. This has happened to neighbours, family members and organisations.”
#AustraliaBurning
#nswbushfire
I have some excerpts from Chandler’s resignation letter. Here’s what I know: He raises concern about relationship b/w Min Petinos office and developer Coronation MORE
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
High drama at state parliament with one NSW MP being denied entry to take part in the leadership ballot after twice failing a Rapid Antigen Test
#nswpol
#Leadership
Shutters down and sign on the gate. One of many homes in the South Coast holiday town of Currarong that have been locked up and left to face the elements
#AustraliaOnFire
#NSWfires
@dailytelegraph
BREAKING: Explosive letter from Barilaro ex-staffer drops in parliament. “I don't want to go to London, f…k that, I'm off to New York
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
Along with property losses, badly injured animals are turning up at peoples houses. A plea from the Mid-North Coast livestock recovery page: “We have about 6 horses that have turned up. Two have injured legs, one badly so and needs some help..”
#NSWFloods
Late last week, ScoMo was on the phone to several senior NSW ministers. While his office say no offer of troops has been made - and it is true NSW govt has not made any request - govt source says the “existence” of COVID-19 Assist has been “mentioned”
#auspol
#insiders
ScoMo has a vested interest in ensuring
@GladysB
quickly stomps out delta outbreak .. an analysis of reader comments today show sydney-siders are blaming him for vacc stuff-up as much as the NSW govt for the initial lax approach
#nswpol
#insiders
Minister Stuart Ayres ALSO told Budget Estimates the reason the US trade post selection was disrupted was due to Covid. Later he tells parliament there were no suitable candidates …
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
@CorpGovResearch
That was my comment yesterday. Everyone diligently filled out the forms, but at no stage did anyone take charge and suggest the obvious - that passengers may have been infected. The ship medics surely must have suspected.
The detection of virus in Newcastle sewage comes after residents there had their Pfizer appointments cancelled to allow for doses to be redirected to western Sydney hSC students
#nswpol
#auspol
#COVID19nsw
There were very strong rumours up here that “Alf” from “Home and Away” was one of the confirmed cases. I have on good advice this is NOT TRUE
#nswpol
#COVID19nsw
Currarong, 8.30pm - residents appear to have left town along with tourists. Caravan park is deserted. Beach is covered in ash. Eerily quiet. Some houses have handwritten signs on fences, alerting RFS to water tanks.
#AUSTRALIANBUSHFIRES
#NSWfires
Based on ICAC’s opening address in relation disclosures Gladys Berejiklian made about cousins/supporters taking up govt jobs, her earlier claim for not revealing her relationship with Daryl Maguire was due to it not being of sufficient status is looking flimsy
#icac
#nswpol
As someone who has fish - and knows how clean the tank must be kept in order for them to remain alive, I couldn’t help but notice the tank in
@KristyMcBain
’s photo. Is it a fish tank or decorative algal blooms?
#auspol
#EdenMonaroVotes
EXCLUSIVE: NSW twice rejected flood assistance from the Australian Defence Force .. only to ask for it three days later
#nswpol
#auspol
via
@dailytelegraph
NSW Labor leader
@ChrisMinnsMP
pledges $224m flood protection plan for Western Sydney - as NSW govt sits on an evac and flood modelling report that passed Cabinet back in Jan
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
If cows are allowed to graze in national parks, then they’re no longer national parks .. they’re cow paddocks. The whole point of national parks is to provide sone kind of haven for what’s left of our wildlife
#Nswpol
#nationals
@NSWNationals
#lunacy
Premier Gladys Berejiklian cannot survive politically. She did not shut down a person she was having a relationship with who was clearly engaged in questionable activities
#Nswpol
#nswicac
Wishing my mum all the best as she undergoes open heart surgery today. Thinking about everyone who needs to be in hospital at this time while being so grateful to be in Australia
#StayAtHome
#coronavirusaus
#westmead
“Live with it” - Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared NSW will have to accept they will have to live with the Delta virus “given where the numbers are”: “We now have to live with Delta in one way or another and that is pretty obvious”
#NSWpol
#COVID19nsw
#auspol
#covidau
The confidential resignation letter of Building commissioner David Chandler raises “concerns” about a minister’s office - Premier Perrottet has now revealed the letter was referred to ICAC
#nswpol
via
@dailytelegraph
Former treasurer Matt Kean’s pick James Wallace has won the Hornsby preselection. Wallace, who had the support of Gladys Berejiklian, beat Michael Hutchence, who was backed by Tony Abbott
#nswpol
Fire storm warning: Crews fighting blazes in the Shoalhaven region have been warned over emergency radio to watch out for possible lightning and microbursts with the Currowan fire “turning pyrocumulus”
#AustraliaOnFire
#NSWfires
@dailytelegraph
Backdown by Nationals leader John Barilaro follows party room meeting where MPs agreed to “hold firm”. “He walked the govt to the brink and he’s got nothing out of it,” said a Lib source. “He’s totally capitulated”
#Nswpol
A left-wing Liberal source warns that a “civil war” like no other is about to erupt in the Liberal Party after the “teals” victory with “retribution” for right and centre-right MPs
#ausvotes
#auspol
Health warnings about social distancing fall flat when major events are continuing. “Oh it can’t be that bad, the footy/festival/show is still going ahead”. The public are receiving a very mixed message
#CoronaOutbreak
#coronavirus
Thousands of people are home with Covid. They’re not allowed to leave “iso” until discharged by health. But in a sign the system is overwhelmed, some - such as this teen - appear to have been forgotten
@LyndaVoltzMP
#nswpol
#COVID19nsw
via
@dailytelegraph
The “ScoMo” faction of the NSW Liberal Party has been all but wiped out. Voting results in and State Executive - the decision-making body of the party - is now made up of majority moderates and right-wingers with just four centre-right members
#nswpol
Govt agencies were not prepared for these fires a/c to the crews on the ground. One example told is how fuel drums at an aircraft depot on the Sourh Coast were not fill ahead of the bushfire season as required (a story I wrote a few weeks ago)
#NSWbushfires