New vaccine a breakthrough for malaria treatment

The World Health Organisation is celebrating a breakthrough in malaria treatment after recommending the only approved vaccine for wide-scale implementation across countries in Africa. 

A large scale pilot program by the WHO has seen two point three million doses of the Mosquitrix vaccine administered to babies in Malawi Ghana and Kenya since 2019. 

State funding boost for trade apprenticeships

A tradie-led recovery is in the books for the state government, who yesterday committed $25 million for Group Training Organisations (GTOs) across Queensland. 

GTOs offer places for apprentices when they can’t be supported by employers, and some also function as labour hire services. 

The Palaszczuk government says the investment will bolster labour in the construction, engineering and hospitality industries.

Aussie scientists lead innovation in net-zero fuel

Researchers from Monash University and Hokkaido University have developed a method that converts carbon dioxide into a diesel-range fuel.

 The method has the potential to produce a net-zero liquid fuel alternative to power cars more sustainably. 

When coupled with green hydrogen, the manufacturing method can ultimately provide net-zero liquid fuel. 

The project has received funding for further research into the industrialisation and scale-up of the process from an Indian petrol corporation.

 

State calls for federal health funding continue

The Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D'Ath has said Queensland needs federal funding to face as pressures on the state hospital system mount up. 

Yvette D’Ath has previously criticised the federal government for failing to support the state's public healthcare system, saying patients are stuck in hospitals as they wait for NDIS funding and aged care places, in a letter to the Prime Minister signed by state and territory health ministers last month. 

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Image: East Brisbane State School (https://eastbrisbaness.eq.edu.au/) 

Refugee Immigration Legal Service funding to assist Afghan refugees

The state government has committed $400,000 to the Refugee Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) to support immigration pathways for Afghan refugees. 

State Attorney general Shannon Fentiman says RAILS received 650 requests for assistance from members of Queensland’s Afghan community in the first fortnight following the fall of Kabul. 

The federal government has devoted 3000 places in Australia’s existing humanitarian intake for refugees from Afghanistan. 

That intake is down from last year, with 13,750 visas offered in 2021, compared to 18,750 in the previous year.

Brisbane School to be demolished for Olympic Gabba upgrade

East Brisbane State School is set to be demolished and rebuilt for the 2032 Olympic Games, after the neighbouring Gabba sportsground was announced as the main Olympic stadium. 

The stadium is likely to be upgraded to increase capacity from 42,000 to 50,000 spectators, a redevelopment anticipated to cost around $1 billion. 

The 122 year old red brick school was added to Queensland’s Heritage Register in 1994.

Offshore processing for asylum seekers in PNG set to end

 Australia’s offshore processing centres in Papua New Guinea will officially close by the end of 2021.

Detainees and advocates have long criticised Australia’s system of mandatory, offshore indefinite detention for refugees and asylum seekers, which began in 2013.

The PNG courts in 2016 ruled the operation of the detention centres on its soil unconstitutional.

Australia has since replaced detention centres with ‘transit accommodations' that share some similar features. 

Taiwan-China tensions reach new heights

Taiwan’s Defence Minister has warned tensions are building in the island nation’s relationship with China. 

Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng said a record number of Chinese warplanes breached Taiwan’s airspace since Friday, and warns any miscalculations could spark crisis that may ultimately lead to the island’s invasion. 

Taiwan faces a constant threat of invasion from China, who views the nation as a sovereign territory to one day be annexed.