On Sunday Queensland recorded three COVID-19 deaths, with 670 patients in hospital, 49 in intensive care and 16 on ventilators.

29 people in QLD have died of the virus, however, quoting Chief Health Officer John Gerrard, “there have been relatively few surprises in terms of the type of people who have died from COVID-19, older people with pre-existing conditions”.

Queensland health staff were bearing the brunt of a surge in Coronavrius cases as one-in 20 staff were away from work due to COVID-19 infections.

The data was released after an urgent directive to procure protective equipment at one aged care facility as case numbers increased.

The State Government is to consider who will use a 1000 room quarantine facility at Toowoomba that has nearly finished construction.

It is uncertain who will use the multimillion dollar 'Wellcamp' facility after quarantine requirements had reduced and after widespread vaccination.

Potential guests are expected to have to pay $3220 for a 14-day stay at the facility which is leased to the QLD government for 12 months.

In an interview with ABC News, Labor home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally called for the government to release refugees and asylum seekers detained in a hotel in Melbourne into the community while their applications for residency are assessed.

The Senator's statements came after comments made last year by Minister for Defence and Leader of the House Peter Dutton, who acknowledged that it would cost taxpayers less if those in detention hotels were allowed to out.

Commercial free to air television stations requested the Commonwealth Government ensure free to air channels are presented prominently on Smart TV screens.

Free TV Australia, an organisation representing channels seven, nine and ten, called for legislation that would require TV manufacturers make it easy for Australians to find free-to-air channels and apps on Smart TVs.

A report published on 17/01/2022 by the Australia Institute found Western Australia’s offshore gasfields paid minimal royalties.

The report, titled 'Gas-fired Robbery', showed how only $430M was paid to the state despite the industry having generated $27B in exports in 2021.

Demonstrators said the Taliban peppered sprayed crowds who were demanding the protection of women’s rights in Afghanistan on Sunday.

A crowd of around 20 gathered in front of Kabul University, chanting "equality and justice" and carrying banners that read "Women's rights, human rights".

The protest came in the wake of the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan and their imposition of increased restrictions on women.