Coles and Woolworths to Sell COVID-19 Rapid Testing

Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will start selling rapid antigen COVID-19 tests from early November. 

It is believed the tests can deliver a result in 15 minutes and can already be pre-ordered (alongside your groceries)  from ten to fifteen dollars. 

A Coles spokesperson said the tests would initially be stocked in all states except South Australia and Western Australia.

 

 

PM'S Net Zero 2050 Plans

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled his government’s plans to reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, ahead of the United Nations COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.

Morrison made specific reference to maintaining a balance between reducing emissions and protecting jobs and growth, anticipating the effect decarbonisation will have on the economy.

The lack of commitment to a more short term 2030 target has drawn criticisms, as Morrison said his plan would not involve shutting down current Australian coal or gas productions. 

 

China's Wine Tartiffs Under WTO Investigation

The World Trade Organization has agreed to examine China’s tariffs on imported Australian wine, amid ongoing political and economic tensions. 

Australia has referred China to the organisation earlier this year arguing Beijing’s decision to impose a five year tariff of up to 220 per cent had caused serious harm to Australia’s wine industry. 

This is the third time Australia has sought international trade support over an agricultural commodity in less than a year. 

 

$1.6b Animal Bypass Used Mainly By Feral Animals

It has been revealed the $1.6 billion Toowoomba bypass wildlife corridor has only been used by a  handful of koala’s and native animals in the past year.

The study conducted by researchers from the University of Southern Queensland implemented camera traps to monitor animal movements for 12-month.

It was found that  that 75% of the wildlife using the underpasses were invasive and feral species and that seven koalas and possums were recorded as roadkill on the bypass in the same period. 

The report will be given to the Department of Transport and Main Roads. 

Coastal Property Price Boom

Property prices on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts are expected to overtake Brisbane in the next few years according to the most recent Australian Housing Outlook by Oxford Economics.

The boom comes after a significant increase in interstate buyers have opted to move, making it more difficult for local renters and buyers to budget effectively. 

The report further outlined that while Brisbane prices are still steadily increasing, prices will remain relatively affordable compared to Melbourne and Sydney, with coastal cities set to skyrocket.

 

Queensland to Control Norfolk Island's Services

The Queensland government is set to have control of Norfolk Island services, following NSW stepping away from governance which caused uncertainty to the island.

The federal and Queensland governments announced on Tuesday they had reached an agreement for Queensland to provide essential health and education services to the island, which has a population of more than 1,700 people. 

NSW has provided the services since Australia made a decision in 2015 to revoke Norfolk Island’s autonomy.

 

Melbourne Park Asylum Seeker's Plead

Asylum seekers inside Melbourne’s Park Hotel are pleading to be released into the community as a COVID-19 outbreak infects over twenty detained immigrants. 

The outbreak is believed to be connected to  Australian Border Force service contractors working at several sites across Melbourne, with the ABF saying contractors are working with the Victorian Public Health Unit to ensure a comprehensive response.

Australian Government Urged to Condemn Israeli Terrorists

Human Rights groups are urging the Australian Government to condemn Israel’s recent decision to outlaw six Palestinian civil groups as terrorist organisations. 

In a joint statement from the Australian Council for Trade Unions and Amnesty International, advocates described Israel’s labelling as a dangerous attack designed to criminalise, persecute, and silence Palestinian civil society for documenting history of violations under Israeli occupation.