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.

The Brisbane City Council is being accused of making political appointments to key council positions over the summer recess, including a former LNP councillor.

Former Councillor Michael Caltabiano accepted a contract to be on the board of Transport for Brisbane after being approved by the council for a 2-year appointment in October last year.

Greens councillor for the Gabba Ward, Jonathan Sri, is reprimanded for ‘inappropriate conduct’ over social media comments on renters’ issues. 

Councillor Sri offered council resources to put renters in touch with landlords to negotiate rental reductions last year.

Councillor Sri says the Brisbane City Council’s councillor ethics committee process was not “fair or independent” and says a complaint made so close to a council election is “almost certainly politically motivated”.

The Queensland Government is considering tracking youth offenders with tracking devices to eliminate crime. 

Commissioner Bob Atkinson recommended trackers as an alternative to youth detention back in 2018 but the state government has since renewed calls for the tracker. 

The ankle devices would track individuals via GPS and provide local authorities with location information.

Queensland Police said the device would allow them to intercept and act if a threat is identified. 

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian (Barra-jik-lian) plans to ease COVID restrictions from next Friday February 12th unless there are unexpected outbreaks. The decision has come as the state recorded no new local infections overnight.

The new restrictions will replace the 4 square metre rule with the 2 square metre rule for venues such as restaurants, bars and places of worship.  Singing and dancing at nightclubs are still considered high risk and will not be allowed.