More than 8% of Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service workers have failed to comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, forcing staff cuts from surgical, medical and mental health beds. 

Data showed that three hundred and eighty five workers in Rockhampton, Gladstone and Emerald hospitals have provided no evidence of having two COVID-19 vaccine shots. 

Environmental activists from Extinction rebellion are set to gather outside the Newscorp offices in Bowen Hills this morning to protest against Rupert Murdoch’s apparent media monopoly.

The protests come in retaliation to the Courier Mail’s latest daily ‘Mission Zero’ segment, which protesters are describing as an attempt to Greenwash more harmful narratives.

At least 40 protestors gathered outside the Eagle Farm Racecourse yesterday afternoon to draw attention to animal cruelty in the racing industry and the slaughter of racehorses. 

The protest was organised by Animal Liberation Queensland in conjunction with the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses.

The protestors showed graphic footage of racehorses being slaughter, and made references to ABC’s  7.30 report ‘The Final race’ which aired in 2019. 

Australia is refusing to join global superpowers including the United States and the European Union in a pledge to cut methane emissions at the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

The pledge is being described as one of the key global actions required at the conference in the fight against climate change, with methane being the second largest contributor to global warming behind carbon dioxide.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne will conduct a major visit to South-East Asia in the  coming days in aims of easing fears over Australia’s nuclear submarine program, and to build a partnership with the peak regional body Association of Southeast Asian Nations. 

Senator Payne’s visit includes countries such as  Indonesia and Malaysia, who have strongly criticised Australia’s plan to build nuclear powered submarines under the technology pact with the US and UK. 

Central Queensland’s tourism and economic development boss has welcomed news business woman Gina Rinehart is looking to develop Great Keppel Island. 

It is understood Ms Rinehart’s company, Hancock Prospecting has plans to develop the land into a resort island. 

Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll says, “We welcome this investment from a great Australian company to this region on Queensland’s southern Great Barrier Reef.” 

If approved, the development will stretch over 970.9 hectares of the island and is believed to cost around $50 million.

Queensland researchers are turning blood samples from epilepsy patients into functioning human brain tissue, allowing for them to test the effectiveness of different anti-seizure drugs.

University of Queensland scientist Ernst Wolvetang hopes the approach will take the guesswork out of prescribing medication to patients.

Roughly a third of people with epilepsy never achieve effective seizure control.

Professor Wolvetang says, “"Our approach, because it is personalised to the patient with the organoids … has the potential to fundamentally transform epilepsy care."

New South Wales residents are set to enjoy new freedoms earlier than planned after the premier announced the road map would be fast tracked.

The next wave of freedoms was set to be introduced on December 1st but have been pushed forward to November 8th for fully vaccinated locals.

Unvaccinated people will now have to wait until the state achieves the 95% double dose target, which is set to happen mid-December.

The decision was made after a crisis cabinet meeting took place on Monday to discuss the roadmap.