More economic packages for NSW as lockdown looms

Further economic assistance is expected to be announced today for Sydney as the city’s lockdown is to be extended by one month. 

The Prime Minister, the NSW Premier and the Treasurer have talked about bolstering financial support in the state to keep businesses and workers afloat.

According to estimates, NSW is losing about $180 million every day while lockdown restrictions are in place. 

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham has said the new financial packages that have been proposed will help fill in the gaps for struggling businesses.

 

Tokyo records highest daily COVID cases during Olympic games

Severe COVID cases are surging in Tokyo while the Olympics are going on, as the Japanese capital reported a record number of new infections.

New daily cases hit 2848 in Tokyo, exceeding 2500 for the first time since the start of the pandemic, according to Tokyo’s officials and the record comes Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in its fifth day of official competition.

Fires wreak havoc in Europe

A forest fire that took over 300 firefighters to put out, just a short distance from Greek Capital, Athens, wreaked havoc yesterday causing mass evacuations.

The cause of the fire has not been announced by Greek officials, however, several Greek districts are now on high alert for fires. 

Devastating blazes  have also been reported on Spanish island, Catalonia causing officials to announce a state of emergency and the Italian island of Sardinia where over 1000 people have been evacuated.

 

Victoria lifts lockdown

Victorian Health officials have eased more restrictions this morning, allowing citizens more freedoms. 

From today, the state's five reasons to leave home rule will be scrapped, along with the five-kilometre travel limit, however the ‘no visitors at home rule will remain in place’. 

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has warned Victorians not to become complacent as he reminded the state that the virus is still active within their community.

 

Sydney Lockdown expected to extend

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian is expected to announce an extension on Greater Sydney’s lockdown later today when she gives her daily update. 

More than six million residents across Greater Sydney are likely to be stuck at home for another months as the state prepares to announce a four-week extension to the city's lockdown. 

The new rules will be in response to case numbers, which remain stubbornly high despite a lockdown being in place for a month already.

 

Campbell Newman bid for federal senate

Former Liberal Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman, is expected to make a bid running for the federal senate after his resignation from the party yesterday morning. 

A statement through twitter made by Newman expressed his dissatisfaction toward the LNP claiming the party and leadership, “never stand up for anything”.

 

Getting ready for the Brisbane Olympics

Almost 50,000 hotel, cruise and alternative accommodation rooms have been secured in light of the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games. 

The State Government’s olympic taskforce has secured the rooms in multiple locations all over Queensland, such as Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville and the Gold Coast which will house International Federations members, sponsors, media and governing officials.