National News

Australians stranded overseas have been dealt another blow, with passenger numbers halved on three repatriation flights because of new caps on international arrivals.

There's no doubt Gold Coast are excited to unleash Matt Rowell on the AFL in 2021 but Suns coach Stuart Dew has dismissed concerns his team is in danger of becoming a one-man band.

The threat posed by an uncontrolled bushfire to the South Australian southeast township of Lucindale has eased but livestock, buildings and fences have been lost in the area.

The partner of the Brisbane cleaner who tested positive to the UK COVID-19 variant has also become infected but the city's lockdown won't be extended.

Victoria will reopen to regional NSW, with the introduction of a new "traffic light" system for interstate travel.

The NSW government has committed to only 11 of the 42 recommendations made by a parliamentary inquiry into koala protections conducted in the aftermath of the 'black summer' fires.

Retail spending in the run-up to Christmas was even stronger than first thought, with Melburnians particularly rampant at the shops after emerging from a lengthy lockdown.

Retail sales in November were up 7.1 per cent on the previous month, after statisticians increased their preliminary estimate by 0.1 per cent.

Richmond vice-captain Jack Riewoldt is adamant the situation surrounding coach Damien Hardwick and his new relationship with a club staffer will not have any impact on the playing group.

Australian motorcycle star Toby Price has had the lead snatched away from him in the Dakar Rally by Chile's Jose Ignacio Cornejo.