Paralympian and disability advocate Dylan Alcott has been named 2022 Australian of the Year. 

This is the first time in the award’s 62-year history, a person with a disability has been named Australian of the Year, with Alcott saying he would use the role to draw more respect and acceptance for others like him. 

Alcott’s tennis career has seen him be the first male in history to win a golden slam in any form of tennis.

The Federal Government has paid Luritja artist Harold Thomas more than $20 Million to secure copyright for the usage of his Aboriginal Flag design. 

Efforts to “free the flag” from intellectual property laws have long been campaigned for by first nations peoples, however there are now fears free public usage of the flag could lead to further misuse and appropriation. 

Two dozen personnel on Australian navy ships carrying humanitarian supplies to Tonga have been tested positive to COVID-19. 

The news has set uncertainty to Australian’s latest aid mission, which previously was an effort along with several other countries to send crucial supplies to Tonga in wake of last week’s huge volcanic eruption and tsunami. 

The Federal government has today opened a Hypersonic Research Precinct at Eagle Farm. 

Defence minister Peter Dutton launched the $14 million precinct which provides a location for defence, industry, universities and international partners aimed to assist hypersonic technology through flight test vehicles. 

The research centre was helped developed by the University of Queensland, and hopes to ‘better defend against the malign use of technology’ and deter aggression against Australia’s national interests. 

A Gold Coast funeral home claims it has run out of room to accommodate deceased persons, and are struggling to find a solution due to COVID related staff shortages.

Rowan Steer from Integrity Funerals says his business has required assistance from competitors to take care of a number of planned funerals, as isolation requirements have left him without staff.

While the lack of staff has not only impacted business output, Mr. Steer’s greatest concern is the delays on funeral services, with some families having to wait weeks to say their farewells.

Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission boss Alan MacSporran has resigned after a parliamentary committee found he failed to ensure the watchdog “acted independently and impartially”. 

This comes as criticisms of the CCC in the past weeks have led to a series of failed prosecutions, with the Parliamentary committee recommending a commission of inquiries into the CCC following failed prosecution of eight Logan city councillors. 

The Murugappan family from Biloela have won a Federal Circuit Court case against Immigration Minister Alex Hawke.

The court described Mr Hawke’s efforts to prevent the family from applying for bridging Visas as “procedurally unfair,” and they are now eligible to reapply for bridging visas.

The family’s lawyer Carina Ford says the next decision regarding what happens in this ongoing saga is up to the government, however she hopes this decision will apply some much needed pressure in order to resolve the issue once and for all.

Amnesty International has put pressure on Iran to free an Iranian LGBTIQ+ activist, currently being held three months after an appearance in a documentary on gay rights in Iraqi Kurdistan. 

Zahra Sedighi-Hamadan was arrested last October by Iranian Revolutionary Guards, while seeking to flee a neighbouring Turkey. 

Western diplomats are demanding the Taliban acknowledge improvements to human rights amidst ongoing discussions in Norway.

The Taliban is currently demanding additional funding in humanitarian donations to Afghanistan, however the United States are requesting increased rights for women, such as opening schools for young girls, which the Taliban has allegedly agreed to comply with by March.