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.

With a 10 percent jump in hospitalizations on Saturday, Chief Health Officer John Gerrard said the greatest pressure remains on the Gold Coast and Brisbane.

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.

The legislation is proposed to counter the influence major streaming platforms have over TV manufacturers.

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.

Brisbane: Forecast top of 31 degrees, partly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers. The UV index is predicted to reach Extreme.

Frustrations continue for residents of Brisbane’s Western Suburbs as they deal with traffic congestion and limited access across the river.

Both special interest groups and residents claim the Western suburbs are being neglected of necessary infrastructure and are calling on the governments to construct a bridge to connect Belbowrie and Moggil to the Wacol area.

Despite significant planning and analysis of transport in the area, there exists no strategy for cross river connections and the community is divided on the best solutions.  

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Deputy state coroner Jane Bentley criticised Queensland Police’s response to a missing person in a report published last week.

Ms Bentley determined the police were not thorough enough in their search for Monique Clubb 9 years ago and that the investigation was marred by poor intra-police co-operation.

Ms Clubb is remembered as a “second mum” to her five siblings and as a “promising young student and with hopes of a bright future”.

Access to the beach at Emu Park has been improved in a collaborative project between Livingstone Shire Council, the Iwasaki Foundation and the Emu Park Surf Lifesaving Club.

The Livingstone Shire Council is currently auditing the accessibility of all it’s beaches.

In speaking to the ABC, lobby group Accessible Beaches and Sasha Job from CQUniversity pointed to evidence of the inaccessibility of most Queensland beaches and called for more councils to include people with disabilities in decision making in projects that propose to improve accessibility.