Documentary screening will raise funds this Thursday

In the mood to be uplifted by a feel good story with inspiring music? 

Multicultural Australia is partnering with the World Wellness Group and the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma for the screening of Scattered People, a documentary about bringing cultures together through music while exploring the themes of refugees and asylum seekers. 

Frontline workers to undergo training in First Nation culture

Frontline child protection workers in South Australia will receive specialised training to support Stolen Generation families in order to reduce the rates of indigenous children entering state care. 

More than 300 workers from government and non-government groups will participate in a two day training program that will include Indigenous Australian history and traditional customs. 

Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink says the two hundred thousand dollar program launching this month is a quote “significant step in a total reform of the child protection system”.

WA introduces new Covid bills to track movements

On Tuesday, WA Premier Mark McGowan will introduce several new bills to stop people breaking self-isolation and social distancing rules. These new measures include electronic tracking devices, criminal charges for assaulting or threatening to assault frontline officers, and fines for failure to social distance. 

WA Police are now using drones in public places to implement the new two-person social distancing rule.

These extraordinary new laws will only be used during the State of Emergency and will be repealed after 12 months.

 

Cairns tourism industry struggling in lockdown

The Australian Tourism Industry Council has called for the federal and state governments to take action by approving a proposed Three-Point Plan to minimise burdens from the lockdowns.

The three areas cover the following: having a targeted financial support program to support operations and staff, reintroduction of flexibility provisions in the Fair Work Act, and a detailed Covid 19 transition roadmap to provide certainty for recovery. 

ATIC Deputy Chair Daniel Gschwind says “In our darkest hour, we are asking the government to stand with us”.

 

US reaches record job vacancies

Job vacancies have hit a new record in the United States as numbers have jumped from around 9.5 million to over 10 million, surpassing economists’ expectations.

This comes as businesses struggle to find workers in industries such as leisure and hospitality as the economy reopens. 

Despite the easing of restrictions, workers have not rushed back to the workforce and economists say “low skilled” jobs are being advertised with not enough suitable candidates. 

QLD raises most for Seeing Eye Dog Fundraiser

Vision Australia and the Petbarn Foundation have raised over $850,000 for the 2021 Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal to cover the costs of training and caring for 17 Seeing Eye Dog puppies. 

Queensland raised more money than other states, contributing over a quarter of the national total with over $220,000 raised in the Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal.

The initiative began in 2014 has succeeded in helping vision impaired Australians by training over 100 dogs and raising a total of nearly $5 million.

 

Job vacancies in US have set a new record

Job vacancies have hit a new record in the United States as numbers have jumped from around 9.5 million to over 10 million, surpassing economists’ expectations.

This comes as businesses struggle to find workers in industries such as leisure and hospitality as the economy reopens. 

Despite the easing of restrictions, workers have not rushed back to the workforce and economists say “low skilled” jobs are being advertised with not enough suitable candidates.