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Linda Silmalis Profile
Linda Silmalis

@LindaSilmalis

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Chief Reporter - The Sunday and Saturday Telegraph. Science graduate. NSW Press Gallery 2000-2012. Ex National Parks. The Sauce: Linda.silmalis @news .com.au

Joined June 2011
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 months
BREAKING: A NSW Liberal MP has been charged with five counts of sexual intercourse … More to come #nswpol
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
Of the 14 seats nationally that have changed hands, TWELVE have been won by WOMEN #auspol
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
“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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 months
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
Lib source says Premier Gladys Berejiklian has booked Government House should she be required to swear in a new ministry #nswpol
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant wants people to make vaccination bookings on behalf of their loved ones “with their consent” #nswpol #covidsydney
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
11 months
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
In breaking news, the baby kookaburra that has been growling from the nearby tree for weeks landed on the balcony this morning #sydney
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
Celebs join koala fight as Lib casts doubt on law #nswpol @talkingkoala
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 months
BREAKING: NSW Libs to abandon legal action over the council nominations bungle #nswpol
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
Five deaths, 262 new cases and you can still go buy a rake at Bunnings #nswpol #covidnsw #covid19nsw
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
“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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
Telephone intercept hears Maguire telling Premier about his “little friend with a polished head” #nswpol #nswicac
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
Tuesday morning in Sydney #sydney #avalon #dawn
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
@BradHazzard
Brad Hazzard
4 years
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.
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 months
The party office has one job #nswpol
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 months
It can be revealed Mr Perrottet is heading to the US to lead BHP’s office in Washington DC as head of corporate and external affairs USA #nswpol
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
“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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
The water section at the Culburra supermarket #AustraliaBurning #NSWfires
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
“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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
Signs of life in fire-ravaged terrain near Lithgow. A thick fog has enveloped the region. Eerily quiet and damp. Going to be a slow drive out of here #AustralianBushfireDisaster #AustraliaFires #NSWfires
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
A grim warning from Israel: Vaccination blunts, but does not defeat Delta #auspol #nswpol #COVID19nsw
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
8 years
It's a wet end to summer - here's a baby magpie sheltering from the rain in my window at Manly @dailytelegraph
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
@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.
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
@KristyMcBain
Kristy McBain MP, Member for Eden Monaro
4 years
This is an appropriate outfit for this morning's candidate debate on ABC South East radio. I won't be taking any further questions at this time.
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
Health Minister Brad Hazzard tells @sunriseon7 just now that he is “fairly happy” with the new case numbers to be announced today #nswpol #COVID19
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
“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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
She is just 42. COVID-19 sufferer goes home after 81 days in ICU #nswpol #COVID19Aus #coronavirus
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
Lightning over the Pittwater #sydney
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 months
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
The Liberal Party is “in crisis”, according to another moderate, who suggested some left-wing MPs may quit altogether #auspol
@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
2 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
Who will live and who will die. A Barcelona nurse with a message to Australia #coronavirus #coronavirusaustralia
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
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
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
1 year
Sunday Sydney weather report
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
4 years
“Not after the events of this I wouldn’t be” Maguire tells #ICAC when asked if he was still in a close, personal relationship with @GladysB #nswpol
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
Animal Justice Party voter for sure #auspol #Newport
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
Burnt leaves and ash cover Currarong Beach on the NSW South Coast #NSWfires #AustraliaBurning @dailytelegraph
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
5 years
INCREDIBLE dust storm underway in central western NSW right now. Severe-warned storms producing winds of up 100km/h, picking up the topsoil #duststorm
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@LindaSilmalis
Linda Silmalis
3 years
For a country with a population of less than 2million, that’s a hell of a turnout #ukraine #latvia #SlavaUkraini
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