Brisbane motorists campaigning for cheaper tolls
Brisbane motorists are arguing tolls should be cheaper as part of a parliamentary inquiry into the operation of tolls roads in Queensland.
More than 50 submissions have been published, with most drivers arguing tolls should be cheaper and discounts should be offered for regular users.
Submissions for the parliamentary inquiry close on August 7th.
NSW to introduce gender neutral school uniforms
New South Wales schools have overhauled their uniform policy to allow girls to wear shorts and pants to school.
The gender neutral changes give school girls from New South Wales more options than just dresses and skirts in a move that is aimed at making uniforms more affordable and comfortable.
Premier Gladys Berijiklan said students are welcoming the chance to have more “flexibility in their uniform".
8am Zedlines
8am Zedlines with Nilsson and Amy.
Millions of Australians are choosing to opt out of My Health Record as backlash about the scheme continues to build.
Health minister Greg Hunt says it has been projected that 10% of Australians will opt out of the program due to privacy concerns.
Australian Medical Association President Kerryn Phelps says many of her colleagues are “deeply concerned”.
A petition calling on the government to change My Health Record to an opt-in-model has received 20,000 signatures.
Brisbane Reclink Community Cup
Where: Bendigo Bank Oval, Hickey Park in Stafford
When: 29/07/2018
How much: Presale tickets available thru Oztix, flash your sub card for discounted entry if buying tickets at the gate!
Come see the legendary Reclink Community Cup match where the Brisbane Lines (media) face off with the Rocking Horses (musicians) to raise funds for Reclink Australia.
11am Zedlines
This is Patrick and Nic with your 11am Zedlines
Image credit: Wikimedia
NDIS fraud task force established
A new task force has been set up to prosecute NDIS frauds, established by the Federal Police, Department of Human Services and National Disability Insurance Agency.
Law enforcement minister Angus Taylor says schemes such as the NDIS have historically attracted organised crime.
A number of investigations are already underway, with intelligence suggesting minimal fraud is taking place currently.
At-home screening for genetic disorders in babies
At-home screening for 60 rare genetic disorders in babies is now a reality thanks to Sydney pathology company, Genepath.
Laboratory director Dr Ben Shum said the test checks for 50 conditions not currently subject to genetic screening in Australia.
While the test is not cheap or covered by Medicare currently, the hope for the future is to change this.
High cyber crime rates across Australia
Nearly half of all Australian companies are being affected by cyber crime, according to a PwC global survey.
According to PwC cyber markets leader Steve Ingram, hacking is becoming simpler and easier for hackers, as well as cheaper.
60 percent of economic crimes in Australia are committed by a “frenemy”, an individual under the guise of a customer, supplier or employee.
North Korean denuclearisation begins
Dismantling of rocket launch sites has seemingly begun in North Korea, with part of a key rocket site being destroyed spotted by satellite images.
The action comes as part of a promise made between US and North Korean leaders in June.
US leaders are unsure whether the site is a satellite launch site, as suggested by Pyongyang officials, with the US believing the site was used as a ballistic missile testing facility.
Syrian white helmet rescue workers evacuated to Jordan
Hundreds of Syrian White Helmet rescue workers and their families have been evacuated to safety in Jordan with help from Israeli soldiers.
The request for the evacuation came as the volunteers and their relatives were threatened by advancing forces of the Syrian government in the south of the country.
The Syrian government has condemned the evacuation, accusing the White Helmets of being a Western-sponsored terrorist organisation.