Here's what you need to know this morning.
New witness in Ben Roberts-Smith trial
A new witness, another SAS soldier identified only as Person 16, is expected to be called in the defamation trial of war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith.
The Victoria Cross recipient is suing three newspapers and three journalists over reports accusing him on unlawful killings in Afghanistan, bullying and domestic violence.
Person 16 will be called as publisher Nine Entertainment seeks to establish a truth defence.
Under cross-examination yesterday an elite soldier identified as Person 14 denied trying to "smear the reputation" of Mr Roberts-Smith, saying he had told the truth.
COVID-19 inquiry to resume
A NSW upper house inquiry into the state's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue today, with the Health Minister and Chief Health Officer to appear.
Among other things, the committee will look at the reopening of NSW, and the recent pressures placed on the health and aged care sectors.
Other prominent health figures set to appear today include NSW Health secretary Elizabeth Koff, the Health Services Union's NSW secretary Gerard Hayes and the Australian Medical Association's Danielle McMullen.
The parliamentary committee is chaired by Greens MLC David Shoebridge.
Koalas now listed as 'endangered'
The federal government has updated the conservation status of koalas in NSW, Queensland and the ACT from vulnerable to endangered.
The Threatened Species Scientific Committee advised the government boost koala protections following a review sparked by a response to the devastating bushfires in 2019 and 2020.
The move also follows the impact of prolonged drought, the Black Summer bushfires, disease and habitat loss over the past 20 years.
Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the government had taken "unprecedented action" to protect koalas, and had recently committed $50 million to conservation strategies.
"The new listing highlights the challenges the species is facing and ensures that all assessments under the act will be considered not only in terms of their local impacts, but with regard to the wider koala population," she said.
The federal government will seek an agreement with its counterparts in NSW, Queensland and the ACT on a national recovery plan.
Veterans trace forgotten diggers
A small group of veterans from the NSW Hunter Valley has identified dozens of ex-servicemen and women who have not been publicly honoured.
The Kearsley Community Dawn Service Committee near Cessnock says it started a research project to honour people from the area who had served in conflicts.
The group has now traced more than 170 local servicemen and women, including 24 who it identified during a research blitz in last year's Delta lockdown.
The committee's Jordan Fallon said the group's been given a state government grant to install plaques for the latest veterans identified.
"It will give an opportunity for our community to understand and appreciate their stories and experiences that have never been publicly shared or honoured," he said.
Woman charged with $380,000 fraud
A woman will face court today charged with allegedly defrauding investors of $380,000.
Police began an investigation after four people came forward alleging they were defrauded between September 2016 and May 2021.
About 9:50pm yesterday, officers arrested a 60-year-old woman at an address on Saunders Street, Pyrmont.
She was taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with four counts of dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Police will allege the woman stole more than $380,000 from four people who believed the money was being invested into a trust, however, the trust did not exist.
The woman has been refused bail and is due to appear in Central Local Court today.
Red tape cut for business, construction
The NSW government has announced changes to planning rules to help critical industries bounce back from the Omicron surge.
The move will also extend measures allowing pubs and restaurants to use privately owned spaces, such as car parks and bowling greens, to seat customers until June 30.
Emergency construction laws will allow sites to operate on weekends without the need for prior planning approval until March 31.
There will also be changes to planning rules to allow 24-hour deliveries in industrial and business zones.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the measures would support the industries which had been hardest hit by the pandemic.
"We are changing the rules to make it easier for businesses to get those critical supplies — 24 hours a day in business and industrial areas," he said.
"We've already changed the rules to let diners onto the footpaths and public spaces, and now we're extending measures to let pubs and restaurants use privately owned car parks and open space until 30 June."
Appeal to find man wanted over alleged indecent exposure
Police are searching for a man who allegedly exposed himself at Sydney's Central Station.
Police said the man approached a 37-year-old man at about 9:30pm on December 29 last year and exposed himself. He then issued a threat before boarding a train, they said.
Officers have been investigating and have appealed to the public for help.
The man was wearing a blue shirt with white writing on the sleeves and chest.
