FRIDAY 24/09/2021 10AM ZEDLINES
With David and Annan
Image Credit: ABC News
$750 Million Brisbane M1 Upgrade Now Open
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey and Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick De Brenni have officially opened the $750 million M1 upgrade between Eight Mile Plains and Underwood this morning.
The upgrade has been in progress for the last year and aims to reduce peak hour congestion and improve safety in the area.
Youngest Daughter of Bioela Tamil Family not Granted Visa Extension
The Biloela Tamil family will not be able to return to their home in Queensland as their youngest daughter was not granted an extension to her visa.
Both parents and the eldest daughter of the Nadesalingam family have been granted 12-month bridging visas.
However, the family will have to stay at a designated address in Western Australia unless youngest daughter Tharnicaa is granted a visa extension as well.
Call for Parliamentary Inquiry into Far-right Nationalism and Anti-Vacc Groups
The Victorian Greens have called for a parliamentary inquiry into far-right nationalists and anti-vaccine groups.
This comes as far-right groups have been seen influencing this week’s protests in Melbourne.
The Greens are expected to introduce a motion to parliament in two weeks to investigate the Victorian far-right and links to vaccine misinformation.
Half of Eligible Aussies Fully Vaccinated
Latest Federal Government figures show that over half of eligible Australians are now fully vaccinated.
This comes after a record 2 million doses were given out across the country this week
The nation’s leaders have agreed restrictions will begin to ease once vaccination targets of 70 and then 80 per cent are met.
Low-lying Island Nations Demand Climate Action from UN
Leaders of low-lying nations have joined to demand climate action at the UN this week.
Maldives president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that the difference between 1.5 and 2 degrees in global temperature rise is a death sentence for his country.
Guyana President Irfaan Ali accused large polluters of deception and failure, saying it is unfair that his nation will suffer the worst effects of climate change caused by larger countries.
FRIDAY 24/09/2021 9AM ZEDLINES
With David and Annan
Image Credit: ABC News
Hundreds of Daily Covid Cases Expected on Southern Border Reopening
Queensland experts are predicting hundreds of daily COVID cases once the southern border reopens.
The Queensland Premier is yet to put a date on the borders reopening, but infectious disease physician Paul Griffin has said that maintaining zero cases is not something we can sustain forever.
UQ Virologist Ian Mackay, has said that hitting 80 per cent vaccination will not stop an outbreak.
However, Mr Mackay expects high vaccination rates to curb hospitalisations and deaths.
Barnaby Joyce says LNP 'Has Final Say' Over Emissions Targets
Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has acknowledged that his party’s MPs have final say over the Coalition Federal Government’s emissions targets.
Any decision at all will need a majority of the 21 Nationals MPs to support it, and the Nationals from Queensland have been vocal about preserving coal jobs in the state.
This comes as the coalition moves towards a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.
US Bans use of Patrol Horses along Mexican Border after Horrific Photos Surface
The White House has said horses will no longer be used along the US border after images surfaced of a US border guard on horseback attempting to capture a Haitian migrant.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki condemned the US border patrol agents' use of reigns to intimidate migrants trying to cross the river and said an investigation is in progress.