Brisbane-based biotechnology company, Vaxxas, is set to launch clinical trials delivering a COVID-19 vaccine with needle-free patches from mid-next year. 

Vaxxas head of medical device and process engineering, Michael Junger, told ABC Radio Brisbane the company was planning to conduct the human trials from mid next year, hopefully in Australia, and the technology has the potential for self-administration.

Queenslanders yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccine are being offered $10 vouchers to spend at their local club if they roll up their sleeves.

To receive the voucher, residents must first visit their local vaccination hub to get their first jab where they'll receive the voucher. 

Health Minister, Yvette D’Ath, revealed the partnership with Clubs Queensland on Wednesday which will see some who receive their first dose of the vaccine offered one of 7,250 food and beverage vouchers.

A study by The Burnet Institute and the Kirby Institute which was relied on by the Victorian government to justify its strict mask mandate that saw thousands of Victorians fined has been criticised by some doctors and epidemiologists as extremely “low grade” evidence. 

Israel’s minister of energy and water resources, Karine Elharrar could not attend the COP26 climate summit on Monday due to the venue’s lack of wheelchair accessibility. 

Elharrar (EL HAR ARE) also has muscular dystrophy and waited for two hours outside after organisers refused to let her enter the compound in her wheelchair. 

Her office said she was eventually offered a shuttle transport to the summit area, but the shuttle was not wheelchair-accessible, forcing her to return to her hotel in Edinburgh. 

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.