Despite being a priority group, COVID-19 vaccinations in Indigenous Australians continue to cause concern for politicians desperate to reopen borders, however one community near Alice Springs have turned that on its head with 94% of the eligible population having received at least one dose. 

Around 200 people living in the community nestled in sandstone valley said the vaccination rate can be accredited to the Indigenous-controlled central Australian congress, and not the North Territory government. 

New Forecasts from the International Monetary Fund place Australia in the fastest growing region in the world. 

The IMF has cut its economic outlook for the Asia Pacific by 1 point 1 per cent, but the area is nonetheless predicted to experience an overall growth of 6 point 5 per cent this year. 

Australia itself is experiencing a commodities boom, driving a 3 point 5 per cent growth for the nation this year.

Facebook will pay up to $19 million to settle civil claims brought by the US government that the social media company discriminated against workers and violated other federal recruitment rules. 

The lawsuit announced last December accused Facebook of giving hiring preferences to temporary workers, including those who hold H-1B visas that let companies temporarily employ foreign workers in certain specialty occupations. 

Extinction Rebellion protesters have used tactics again to draw public attention to their latest message by carrying fake human corpses around King George Square in the CBD yesterday afternoon. 

It is believed the protest is in response to Minister Ley approving three new New South Wales coal mine extensions in the space of a month. 

The protest was also part of a coordinated action around the continent to call a climate code red.

It was believed four arrests were issued for public nuisance.

Traditional owners in the Cape Yorke Peninsula Heritage Area have been granted water licences under the region’s water plan for the first time. 

This decision from the Minister of Water Glenn Butcher follows a lengthy development plan working with Traditional Owners to ensure they receive greater water resource management in the country. 

This announcement was made as part of national water week and includes two water licenses, accounting for more than five thousand megalitres in the Coleman and Normanby catchments.

A controversial school funding model will be reviewed as the Northern Territory government promises an overhaul of efforts to boost school attendance, particularly in remote areas. 

Northern Territory Education Minister Lauren Moss has launched a 10-year “engagement strategy” this week in aims of strengthening Indigenous culture and language in schools and increasing the Aboriginal teaching workforce. 

Queensland businesses that allow unvaccinated staff and customers will face tighter COVID-19 restrictions imposed under a plan being developed by the state government. 

This comes as the Queensland government is in the process of developing another restrictions roadmap with businesses, ahead of the state opening its borders to the declared hotspots of NSW, ACT and VIC on December 17. 

This plan has sparked concern among politicians and business groups who fear asking hospitality staff to police patrons vaccination status could lead to a spike in abuse.

Myanmar’s military government plans to free hundreds of political prisoners from the notorious Insein prison.

This release has been described by some activists as a ploy by the ruling military to try to rebuild its international repudiation after the Association of Southeast Asain Nations took the unorthodox step of not inviting Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to their summit later this month.

It is believed more than 5,600 people arrested over their roles in anti-coup protest will be freed on humanitarian grounds.