Number of koalas hospitalised almost doubled in area dubbed the ‘triangle of death’

The number of koalas hospitalised at the RSPCA’s Brisbane headquarters has almost doubled in a year to a record 690. 

Many of the koalas killed were hit by cars or attacked by dogs in a small area dubbed the ‘triangle of death” from the Eastern Brisbane suburb of Cannon Hill.

The threatened species are cornered in islands of bushlands surrounded by urban developments causing their run-ins with cars and dogs.   

Natural disasters hit Queensland economy

According to the latest Deloitte Access Economics report, Queensland’s economy is in the middle of a slump which has been exacerbated by recent natural disasters. 

The state government has already announced $1.3 billion of economic damages caused by the summer of draughts and floods, however the Deloitte report estimates the figure is closer to $6 billion.

On Sunday the Queensland government outlined the first round of projects funded through its $38 million Queensland Disaster Resilience Fund.

A recent Grattan report finds Australia’s private health system is unfair

Australia’s health system depends on the federal government’s approach to private health insurance after findings in a recent according to a Grattan Institute report.

An “unhappy mix” of partially public and partially privatised healthcare in Australia has led to a system “riddled with inconsistencies and perverse incentives” according to a report released on Tuesday.

Data showed all age groups over 65 were increasing their insurance while the remaining Australians were reducing their coverage.

Australian defence department gave contract to US business blacklisted for bribery

Australia’s defence department contracted the company Lock N Climb, a US firm blacklisted for corruption and bribery, providing them with tens of thousands of dollars of work.
 

According to the Guardian Australia the work was awarded through a limited tender process, meaning other firms were restricted from applying for the contract and was awarded to Lock N Climb whilst the firm’s president was serving a court imposed probation for a bribery offense.

President Donald Trump tells US congresswomen to leave US

The four Democratic congresswomen attacked by US President Donald Trump in ‘racist’ tweets have collectively retaliated in a press conference, vowing they will ‘not be silenced’ and accusing the President of promoting a ‘white nationalist agenda’.

It comes after President Trump defended the tweets, saying he was not concerned if people thought they were racist and accusing the politicians of hating America.

Retail stores investigate after forced labor reports

Jeanswest, Cotton On and Target are investigating their cotton suppliers in the wake of forced Labor reports of Uighur people in China.

The program ‘4 corners’ released an investigation detailing instances of detained Uighurs being funnelled from so-called re-education camps to involuntary labour in factories.

It was reported earlier in the year that China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ may be a cause of the escalating oppression and declining standards.

Clive Palmer vs Liquidators

Government appointed liquidators of Queensland Nickel brought Clive Palmer to Brisbane Supreme Court yesterday in a bid to take back $200 million owed over Q-N’s collapse in 2016.

The trial was immediately delayed, with Mr Palmer today pleading for further postpones it because expert defence witness, Peter Dinoris, is unavailable to testify. 

Qld government starts conversation on Indigenous treaty

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, Jackie Trad, has outlined plans to establish a treaty with Indigenous tribes of Queensland.

She released the government's plan, ‘Tracks to Treaty’ on the weekend which aims to create a more constructive relationship between Indigenous peoples and the government.

Ms Trad admitted that it may take years to develop an appropriate treaty and there also may be more than one developed.