Australian Electoral Commission data shows that 1 billion dollars worth of donations to political parties has come from unknown sources in the 2 decades since 1999.

The weak donation laws in Australia allow political parties to hide the origins of the dark money, which is about 35% of contributors.

This analysis also finds that 5 donors have contributed 25% of money given to political parties since 1999.

The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency meeting this morning in response to the military coup in Myanmar.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric says it is important that the international community speaks with one voice on the issue.

Key members of Myanmar’s democratically elected government were arrested yesterday as the military seized control of the country and declared a one year state of emergency.

The Brisbane City Council is finalising a ten million dollar business case to build a transport corridor in north west Brisbane.

The road, stretching from Everton Park to Carseldine, will alleviate pressure on the congested route servicing North West Brisbane, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

The move follows a report saying that congestion in the area will cost Brisbane’s economy eight hundred and fifty nine million dollars by 2041.

Queensland government data has shown the birth rate has been declining over the past decade by almost 7 percent.

Predictions say, 56,000 fewer babies will be born every year from 2019 to 2024.

Demographer Mark McCrindle said, sharp drops in birth rate are usually linked to periods of depressions or recessions, so it’s no surprise we’re experiencing similar events as a result of COVID-19.

Clive Palmer donated $5.9m to his United Australia Party, leading the list of donors increasing their influence in federal politics last year.

University of Melbourne professor Joo-Cheng Tham says the annual figures highlight a handful of donors dominating the funding of political parties, after the annual disclosure figures were released by the Australian Electoral Commission today. 

The Greens want to cap donations at $1,000, lower the disclosure threshold and stop donations from mining, banking and other industries

Queensland’s borders have finally opened to all states but WA as of 1am this morning. 

The Queensland-New South Wales border barricades are finally being taken down by authorities today and the Palaszczuk Government has confirmed that border declarations will no longer be needed to enter the State. 

Plans to open the Queensland border to all states and territories this morning were hampered by the recent case of COVID-19 found in Perth.

UberEats drivers are feeling exploited as updated worker contracts have been sent out to each driver this week.

The contract requires drivers to have individual ABNs and take out their own injury or death insurance or face losing their jobs, amongst other requirements.

Slater and Gordon Principal Lawyer Andrew Rich says the move appears to be aimed at stopping claims that drivers should be treated as employees and making it more difficult for them to advocate for their own industrial rights publicly

Fire insurance premiums in the north of Western Australia have more than doubled, forcing Indigenous ranger groups to stop their bushfire control work.

Land and sea manager of the Kimberley Land Council, Will Durack stated the service is not only essential for local people in Kimberley, but for the WA community and for the entire nation.

Aboriginal rangers manage fire across hundreds of thousands of northern Australia, in the Kimberly area working across a region almost twice the size of the state of Victoria