Despite new COVID restrictions, the Palaszczuk government has not yet called for lockdown, with the NRL grand final match still set to go ahead this weekend. 

It’s a move that has prominent music figures once again criticising what they see as a double standard for the music industry compared to sports. 

The bureau of meteorology has warned South East Queenslanders of possible thunderstorms today. 

The south coast of Queensland was hit with extreme weather events yesterday, including lightning strikes and hail across south east Queensland, causing approximately 11,000 homes to go without power. 

Also experiencing the devastating effects of wild weather was the regional town of Bathurst, New South Wales.

Reports said that houses, powerlines and trees were damaged in the Clear Creek area, North-East of Bathurst after a tornado swept across the area.

The reports of damage stretched 25 to 30 kilometres.

The Ethiopian government has expelled seven top United Nations officials from the country, following reports of a de-facto blockade of aid resources that could be leaving thousands in the Tigray region starving.

The expelled officials include the country heads of the United Nations Childrens Fund and the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 

Parcel delays are expected to occur across the Nation due to COVID-19 disruptions, Christmas-level parcel volumes being delivered every week, and ongoing industrial action.

COVID restrictions have tightened in parts of south east Queensland and north Queensland as six more locally acquired cases were recorded yesterday.

From 4pm on Thursday the 30th of September, the number of guests allowed in a person’s home has been limited to thirty and seating capacity has been limited to seventy five percent in large venues and fifty percent in smaller venues.

Queenslanders are set to receive more information surrounding border restrictions as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk meets with National Cabinet today. 

The Premier said in a press conference yesterday that discussions of a roadmap could take place in this meeting. 

Australia's switch to nuclear-powered submarines is prompting a government push for the fleet to be built faster, possibly at the expense of local industry content, to make up for time lost under the now-scrapped French deal.

The previous deal would have seen the submarines built at Adelaide's Osborne facility, using the winning French design.

Stay at home orders have been put in place in Kyogle owing to an increase in COVID-19 public health risk. 

Everyone in this local government area must stay at home unless for an essential reason including food shopping, urgent medical care, getting vaccinated, exercise or work if it cannot otherwise be carried out at home.