Scientists are releasing two spotted quolls into a sanctuary in order to trial a reintroduction of an apex predator for endangered species to adapt to as well see what the impact the predators have on the ecosystem.

The two quolls named Boofhead and Sid are two desexed males, set to be the first with scientists hoping to reintroduce a breeding population.

Scientists are hoping the aggressive predator will help to breed smarter bettong, in a bid to make the bettong population more predator savvy.

Russia has been warned of harsh consequences if it invades Ukraine, a number of G7 nations have warned. 

UK foreign secretary Liz Truss says the group wants Russia to stop its aggression in the area, while President Putin has told President Biden that Russian troops do not pose a threat to anyone at a virtual meeting.

Mr Biden says “there will be economic consequences like none he’s ever seen” if Mr Putin invades Ukraine.

Russian backed rebels have been fighting Ukrainian troops since 2014.

Australians will be able to get the booster sooner with authorities cutting the wait time from 6 months to 5 months.

Health Minister Greg Hunt says data from Israel shows booster have supported reductions in infection. With more than 670,000 Australians having already received the booster shot, Associate Professor Paul Griffin from the University of Queensland says the booster shot do not mean the previous two shots are ineffective rather it will top up antibody levels.

The Queensland government has announced a change in the quarantine requirements for close contacts from January 1st.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’ath says those who are fully vaccinated and deemed close contacts will only need to quarantine for seven days with a test being conducted on day 5. 

Ms D’ath says the changes are expected to alleviate stress on businesses considering COVID19 cases are expected to rise within the new year.  

Ipswich residents are relieved at the announcement of new measures to prevent negative impacts from landfills.

Ipswich mayor Teresa Harding has welcomed the new landfill controls to offset the cost to councils of waste management as part of a 2.1 billion package by the Queensland government.

Smells, burning fires and unsustainable landfill projects are at the top of community group concerns with residents concerned with proposed energy to waste sites that aren’t engaging with communities within the consultation process. 

The Geminids meteor shower will be visible to Brisbane residents in the early hours of Tuesday the 14th. 

Annually, earth passes through debris from Asteroid 3200 Phaethon which causes the bright meteor shower.  

The best time for those in Brisbane to view the meteor shower will be between two and three tomorrow morning.

Counsellors are asking to be brought into the Medicare Benefits Scheme as growing demand for mental health services in rural, regional and remote areas wait times increase.

Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) president Di Stow says despite the inability for counsellors to diagnose clients, they could provide essential care for those struggling while awaiting for psychologists with counselling costs proving a high barrier to clients in remote areas.

The majority of votes counted in a New Caledonian referendum opposed proposed independence from France. 

Less than 44% of New Caledonians voted in the referendum, with the low turnout partly because of a boycott called by members of the Indigenous Kanak population who are in a 12-month period of mourning over COVID-19 related deaths. 

The referendum was the third under the Noumea Accord, a peace agreement signed in 1998.