Some COVID-19 to stay even if vaccination target is reached

A new scientific paper has delivered a reality check for people hoping to be freed from their face masks when Australia reaches its 80 percent COVID-19 vaccination target.

The new research suggests that states should move away from aiming to achieve zero daily cases of COVID-19, saying that the goal for zero cases is unrealistic. 

Epidemiologist Catherine Bennett says easing restrictions should not be used as a reward and that some restrictions will be in place until the first half of 2022. 

 

Australian Defence Force members allowed to quarantine in QLD

Queensland Health Minister, Yvette D’Arth has announced that all Australian Defence Force members returning from Afghanistan will be approved to come back into Queensland and will be allowed to quarantine in their own travel bubble. 

This comes after criticism from Opposition Leader, David Crisafulli, who commented on Australian Troops being stuck in Dubai due to a lack of room availability in hotel quarantine. 

 

Mexico decriminalizes abortion

Mexico has taken a historical step with the supreme court's decision to decriminalize abortion. 

Mexico's Supreme Court unanimously ruled on Tuesday that penalizing abortion is unconstitutional, a major victory for women's health and human rights

The Mexican ruling opens the door to the possibility for the release of women incarcerated for having had abortions. It could also lead to US women in states such as Texas deciding to travel south of the border to terminate their pregnancies.

 

WA state government criticized the proposed Aboriginal heritage bill

A group of Aboriginal landowners from across Western Australia have criticized the state government’s proposed Aboriginal heritage bill, saying there are real concerns that further sacred sites risk being destroyed.

Traditional owners are calling for a redraft of the Western Australian government’s proposed Aboriginal heritage law, which will allow the state government to have the final say on what happens to sacred sites threatened by mining.

 

Scott Morrison criticized after posting disgraceful photo

Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has been called out by Victorian Labor MP, Julian Hill, after posting a photo of a remembrance event for four deceased children as a fake father's day post. 

Hill reprimanded the Prime Minister, saying he has “shamelessly turned this photo into a tribute to himself” and that “there is something seriously wrong with this bloke and his character”.

The image was of the Prime Minister and his family, releasing a dove in tribute for one of the four deceased children.