Australia’s drug regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administer, rejected an application seeking to have two currently prohibited drugs rescheduled as controlled medicines.

The proposal aimed to make it easier for doctors to prescribe psilocybin and MDMA to people suffering from chronic anxiety, depression and PTSD.

However, the regulator did not rule out future use of psilocybin in treatment of mental illness, stating that more research was necessary to prove its safety and efficacy. 

International travel restrictions are impacting the mental health of Queensland fruit and vegetable growers.

Without the backpacker workforce that Queensland’s fruit and vegetable industry rely on to pick produce, crop losses from the labour shortage have doubled in the last month.

Peak body GrowCom has found that these losses have resulted in 25 per cent of growers facing a decline in mental health and 75 per cent experiencing financial stress.

Several federally-funded infrastructure projects will begin across South Brisbane and West End under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grant program.

The Davies Park upgrade will receive an additional $850,000 of funding in order to speed up works.

Kurilpa Hall will receive $50,000 to help complete important repairs. 

Musgrave Park Pool will receive a floating divider to separate the pool into two twenty-five metre sections to ensure swimming squads and training do not interrupt leisure. 

Volunteers in North Queensland have stepped in to help save sea turtles.

The Magnetic Island Network for Turtles has rushed to the animal’s rescue, taking over from the regions only dedicated hospital, Reef HQ Turtle Hospital, whilst it closes for renovations.

Anywhere between 20 and 200 turtles become stranded every year in the region.

The mortality of stranded turtles is high with turtles suffering from conditions brought on by pollution and excessive heat.

New Zealand is preparing for the vaccine rollout as they provisionally approve the Pfizer vaccine.  

The vaccine is expected to arrive in New Zealand by the end of march with pressure mounting on the Government to approve doses.  

Opposition leaders have criticised New Zealand Prime Minister for falling behind and losing their advantage after eliminating COVID-19 through tough lockdowns. 

The Government has been in contact with world regulators studying the rollout of the vaccine to ensure citizens have safe access. 

Thousands of Perth residents and properties are in immediate danger due to a bushfire burning in the cities north-east this morning.  

Currently, over ten thousand hectares of land has been burnt, hundreds of people have been evacuated, and at least seventy homes have been lost. 

The Western Australia Department of Fire of Emergency Services says it is now too late for impacted residents to leave and they must instead shelter in place. 

Authorities warn the fire will be challenging until at least the weekend when the weather conditions are predicted to improve.

Victoria has reintroduced COVID-19 restrictions after a hotel quarantine worker tested positive for the virus yesterday.

The new restrictions require Victorians to wear masks indoors and limit private gatherings to 15 people. 

A plan to have up to 75 per cent of workers back in the office from Monday has also been paused.

Victorian authorities urge anyone who has visited any exposure sites listed on the Victorian Health Department’s website to get tested and isolate for 14 days.