More than 70 people have been arrested in Melbourne over the weekend following anti-lockdown protests. This has been the second weekend of self-proclaimed “Freedom Walk” demonstrations, which protests against Melbourne’s prolonged stage-4 Coronavirus restrictions. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews labeled the protest “selfish, stupid and dangerous” and warned Melburnians who breach the Chief Health Officers’ stay-at-home order can face a $1600 fine and possible criminal charges.

For the first time in Queensland's history, correctional center inmates will be given the right to vote in the upcoming state election. Legislative changes came about in January, relaxing the state's tough laws that barred inmates voting in local and state elections. Prisoners serving sentences of less than three years will be able to vote, which brings Queensland’s laws in line with the rest of the country.

Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles has accused national LNP politicians of leading a 'planned and orchestrated’ attack against Premier Annastacia Palazczuk over the state’s border restrictions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann all publicly condemned the Premier labeling her 'nasty' and 'cold-blooded'.

Oakey Beef Exports – a South-East Queensland abattoir – are taking the Australian Defence Force to court over claims of chemical contamination. The abattoir claims the Army Aviation Centre in Oakey had an historical record of processing chemicals, significantly affecting their products and employees. Per and poly-fluoroalkyl, also known as PFAs, were once used widely in Defence Force fire-fighting foams. Defence have upheld they had continued discussions with the abattoir and the Oakey community surrounding the contaminants up until they ceased using the products.

Bob Woodward, a renowned American investigative journalist, has a released a new book called ‘Rage’, which unveils the truth behind Donald Trump’s decision to play down the effects of COVID-19. Woodward was given consent to conduct over 18 interviews with The President, who also permitted Woodward to release such information. Woodward has publicly exposed Trump for blatantly avoiding communicating early reports and associated risks of COVID-19 transmission through children and young adults.

Wildfires are blazing throughout San Francisco as the state’s Governor announces hundreds of houses victim to the flames. Winds continue to push fires into outer-region towns with firefighters announcing thousands of residents need to evacuate. According to the National Interagency Fire Centre, 2020 has seen nearly 1.9 million hectares burnt across the United States. 

A recent study released by the Society for Conservation Biology revealed that over 52% of public sector ecology workers have received frequent encouragement from management to withhold crucial information, known as public-good science. Participants of the study included university academics, politicians, ecological industry officials, and NGOs. A government respondent stated these claims; such as the impact of feral animals, were withheld in the name of risk management. 

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones has announced her retirement from politic in light of the upcoming election. Ms Jones, a strong arm of the Labor Government, is the third of the Palaszczuk Government to withdraw from their position within the last week. Mines Minister Anthony Lynham and Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke have also announced their decision to not run in the upcoming elections during October.

The global pandemic further impacts rural communities as agricultural shows are cancelled across the state. Travelling amusement ride operators remark the show rides have become a financial burden as work opportunities remain slim. In the heavily financed industry, show operators and carnival representatives are calling on local and national governments for financial assistance during these unprecedented times.