The Queensland government is partnering with twenty nine community clubs across the state to hand out gift vouchers to Queenslanders who receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination.

A total of 7,250 vouchers worth $10 each are up for grabs across major regional centres, including Townsville, Rockhampton, and Toowoomba, in an effort to further increase vaccination rates statewide.

The Queensland Government’s ‘transition to success program’ has partnered with TAFE to deliver a farm-hand course for teenagers in the youth justice system that aims to cover essential skills they need for a life on the land. 

This decision is targeted towards Townsville teens and aims to cover areas such as farm machinery operation and weed and pest control. 

This is the first time TAFE has offered the course, and hopes it can be a positive alternative for young people in the justice system that have often experienced difficulty with mainstream education.

Disgraced Victorian Liberal MP Tim Smith’s future career in politics is in doubt as Liberal leader Matthew Guy has publicly urged him not to contest the next election.

Guy’s request comes after Smith crashed his car while driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.131, which is more than twice the legal limit. 

Smith says he is currently reflecting on his current position, however he has not ruled out running for preselection.

The Federal Government’s proposed voter ID laws have been criticised by human rights advocates and political opponents describing them as a hindrance to democracy. 

The Morrison government’s legislation would require voters to present a form of ID at polling stations,  in an attempt to crack down on voter fraud to improve the integrity of the electoral system. 

However human rights and social justice advocates are concerned the move will disenfranchise some voters including indigenous people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

US President Joe Biden has accused China for failing to show leadership on climate change by criticising the leaders for not attending the COP26 summit in Glasgow.

Speaking at the UN summit, Mr Biden has aimed to forge a new climate agreement and left to question China on what value they are providing on the issue. 

With China currently the world’s largest producer of carbon emissions responsible for climate change, Xi Jinping has not travelled outside of china since early 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

Israel’s energy minister Karine Elharrar was unable to participate in the first full day of the United Nations COP26 summit because the venue was not accessible by wheelchair. 

Ms Elharra who has muscular dystrophy says she was taken to several entrances but could not gain access to the conference grounds. 

The UN’s lack of accessibility options has been criticised by Israeli ambassadors saying it is impossible to safeguard our future and address the climate crisis, without first and foremost caring for the people involved. 

The Queensland Government’s four hundred million dollar  program to eradicate  fire ants has failed to deliver its goal in stopping the march of pests in areas of the State’s southeast. 

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud says we are halfway through the ten-year national program lead by the Queensland Government, and it is not on target or budget. 

An independent review into the program is being undertaken and aims to improve results.

The Queensland Human Rights Commission is struggling to deal with the ongoing influx of enquiries regarding public health directives amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The state’s top human rights body which normally deals with complaints surrounding discrimination and harassment have been overwhelmed with calls about the ever-changing restrictions facing Queenslanders, so much so that they have released an FAQ sheet.