QLD Premier - No new cases 7/9/21

Premier Annatascia Palaszczuk announced no new cases in Queensland today, and currently there are only 18 active cases in the state. 

The Premier says more than 50 per cent of eligible Queenslanders have had their first dose of the Covid vaccine, and 200 police officers will be vaccinated at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre vaccination hub opening tomorrow.

 

Police cop heavy criticism over QR data intrusion

Police are facing heavy criticism for using QR check in data to solve crimes on at least six occasions. The nation’s privacy watchdog is calling for police forces to be banned from accessing information from contact tracing data. 

Queensland Police gained access to the Check in App in June over the theft of a police-issued firearm, while Western Australian Police used it twice before being banned altogether.

There are growing calls from backbench MPs and civil liberty groups to phase out compulsory check-in applications when the worst of the COVID pandemic is over.

Outrage grows over QLD hard border policy

A Gold Coast mother said she hasn’t seen her son in 10 weeks due to Queenland’s hard border policy is adding to the growing public outrage regarding lockdown measures.

The mother, identified as Simone, told 2GBFM how her attempts to gain a travel exemption for her son have been rejected by QLD health authorities, adding to a growing list of double-standards shown by state health authorities in recent months. 

Only last week, QLD allowed more than 100 NRL stars and their families permission to enter the state.

Koala Kiss Project

September marks Save the Koala Month, with the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) launching the Koala Kiss Project. The project aims to connect the marsupial’s habitat spanning more than 2,500 kilometres. 

Acting as a koala ‘atlas’, the Koala Kiss Project will use software to plot locations of koala groups across more than one million square kilometers of land. Once identified, locations will be used by experts to plan and implement regeneration and restoration of the landscapes across Australia. 

Investigation over Tasmanian tree poisoning

A southern Tasmanian council is investigating the deliberate poisoning of nearly a dozen trees that authorities suspect were targeted to improve the coastal view.

The Clarence City Council says the trees, which are located on Hobart's eastern shoreline, were found drilled with holes of varying sizes for the purpose of administering poison. The council has referred the incident to police.

An arborist reported the estimated total value of the native trees to be almost $200,000 dollars

Brazilian President signs decree to prevent tech giants

Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro signed a decree aimed at restricting the powers of social media companies. 

Mr Bolsonaro claimed a new regulation is needed to combat the ‘arbitrary removal’ of content made by his supporters as well as his own by the tech giants. 

His office claimed the new rules will help protect freedom of speech and provide clarity on the powers of social media giants in policing content on their platforms. 

Blue Tongue Lizard nearly impervious

Researchers at the University of Queensland’s Venom Evolution Lab are investigating if any animals have developed defences against the red bellied black snakes’ venom.

They found the blue-tongued lizard to be virtually impervious to the venom, as they tested the lizard’s blood against the venom and found almost no effect.

The tests will provide an understanding of how animals interact with each other in the environment, and is vital for sustainability and conservation efforts. 

 

Sunshine Coast radio stations on sale

Talent Manager and industry veteran Glenn Wheatley alongside Oceania Partners are looking to sell two radio stations - 91.9 Sea FM and 92.7 Mix FM on the Sunshine Coast.

In 2013, Mr Wheatley purchased the Sunshine Coast stations with the South African company for $17.75 million.

Sales talks are in the early stages with the owners looking to find interested buyers.

 

Moreton Bay Council - new wildlife protection property

Moreton Bay Regional Council has purchased a second property to protect wildlife and native habitat for future generations through the Land Buyback Program.

The environmental program will take place at the new site located on Flowers Rd, Caboolture, will be a continuous corridor from Elimbah to Beachmere. 

The council says the property is home to important hollow-bearing habitat trees, various bird species and vulnerable listed fauna species such as koalas.