The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries have assessed the survey responses and written submissions on the review of the Animal Care and Protection Act. 

Minister for Agriculture Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner says the goal is to ensure Queensland animal welfare laws continue to meet community expectations. 

He says “a wide range of issues were raised which reflects the community’s deep interest in this topic.”

In a new deal with pharmaceutical giant Moderna, Australia is set to manufacture mRNA vaccines for Covid-19 and other diseases, in Victoria. 

The long-term partnership between the federal government, Victorian government and Moderna will see 100 million vaccines produced each year in a pandemic starting in 2024. 

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says “this investment will mean world-leading clinical trials, a strong local workforce and creating opportunities … to drive Australia’s economy forward.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is warning of a “tidal wave” of new cases as the Omicron variant continues to spread in the UK. 

In a televised statement Mr Johnson urged those aged 18 and over to get their third dose of the vaccine by the end of the month.

This comes after the government had raised the official Covid threat level from a 3 to a 4, warning the Omicron variant is now spreading rapidly. 

New data has found Queensland hospitals are failing to see patients within a timely manner. 

In an annual report released on Monday, it was found hospitals from far north Queensland missed their target to see 100% of patients with the most life-threatening injuries within 2 minutes. 

The data also revealed the Gold Coast University Hospital, Logan, Ipswich and West Moreton emergency departments saw only 50-54% of category 2 patients within the first 10 minutes. 

A 25 year old man has been rushed to hospital after being bitten by a shark in Far North Queensland off the coast of Yarrabah. 

The Cairns Hospital and Health Service has confirmed the man is in a stable condition. 

This comes weeks after a 34 year old man was bitten off the coast of Airlie Beach. 

The Queensland government is in the process of introducing a $4 million pilot program for new technology to mitigate the risk of shark attacks.

Sydney train commuters have been warned to expect a morning of chaos as rail workers go on strike. 

A limited number of trains will be in service as train drivers will not be operating overseas made trains as they campaign for a pay rise. 

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Alex Claassens says “We are trying everything we can to continue to run the service, rather than having a total stoppage.”

The strike is expected to last 24 hours with staff asking for a 3.5% increase in pay. 

The New Zealand Health Authorities are investigating claims the man visited multiple vaccine clinics and was paid to get the vaccine on behalf of other people. 

Covid-19 vaccinations and immunisation spokesperson Astrid Koorneef says “To assume another person’s identity and receive a medical treatment is dangerous… this could affect how their health is managed in the future.”

Longreach regional council is moving to change the currently racist name of a local creek. 

The creek will be renamed to Watyakan Creek which pays tribute to those who historically camped near it. 

Local Kerry Thompson says “these names have been offensive and derogatory to all Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people.” 

Darumbal Elder Aunty Sally Vea Vea says there are still dozens of places throughout Australia with names that needed changing. She says “They’re just memorials to a racist past.”