Australians

Australians desperate for tests amid Omicron surge

Last month Australia lifted most of its strict domestic restrictions after reaching a 90% vaccination target.

But the Omicron variant has fuelled a surge in cases - now totalling over 25,000 a day.

That's put intense pressure on testing and hospital systems, causing anxiety around the country.

PCR tests have always been widely available in Australia, but last week the government began limiting who is eligible to receive them for free.

Aussies take advantage of Fiji holiday offer amid Omicron threat

Australia's High Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes, said Australians are travelling to Fiji because of its high vaccination rate

"You'll see thousands of Australians will be coming in. You see the bookings are astronomical so I'm very confident that Australians will be spending time here, before Christmas, after Christmas and way into next year."

He said Fiji remains the most desired holiday destination in the world for Australians.

Another four flights from Australia are landing in Fiji today and Jonathan Feakes said the bookings are astronomical.

Six Aussies named in Barbarians squad

Test players Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Luke Jones and Matt Philip have been picked in the initial squad, along with uncapped Rebels duo Billy Meakes and Angus Cottrell.

The Baabaas will take on a Fiji XV at Twickenham this weekend before travelling to Brazil to take on the South Americans on their home soil in a week's time.

Their final match of 2019 will be back in the UK, against a Wales XV at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Australians in cave rescue to receive honours, PM Turnbull says

Mr Turnbull confirmed the as yet unspecified honours would be awarded to Richard Harris, an anaesthetist, and Craig Challen, a vet.

The men entered the Tham Luang cave as part of the international rescue. Dr Harris helped give medical assessments.

It embodied "every Australian value we hold dear", Mr Turnbull said.

Dr Harris was one of the last rescuers to emerge from the cave after three days of the mission to extract the Wild Boars football team and their coach last week.

He and Dr Challen, both experienced divers, helped move the boys out of the cave.

Two Australians jailed after sex assault death

Adrian Attwater and Paul Maris attacked Attwater's partner, Lynette Daly, during a camping trip on a New South Wales beach in 2011.

The case drew attention for the length of time it took to prosecute the men. State prosecutors have apologised for the delay.

It also highlighted issues of how race is dealt with in prosecutions.

'Sincere regrets'

The court determined that Attwater had performed a violent sexual act on Ms Daly that caused her serious injuries while she was too intoxicated to consent.

Australians rally against 'horrible racists'

 The ad was taken down from a Melbourne street this week after threats were made to the billboard company.

The digital image was accused of being "propaganda" and not reflecting Australian culture.

The campaigners have raised funds to pay for "multiple billboards across Australia".

Dee Madigan, the creative director behind the advert, which was promoting a series of government-backed events, organised the crowd-funding campaign to show that "most Australians are not horrible racists".