Former UN chief warns Australia of international punishment

Former UN chief Ban Ki Moon has warned that Australia faces international punishment for lagging on climate change action. 

Moon claimed Australia is ‘out of step’ with the world on tackling climate change and that the nation is only doing half as much to reduce emissions compared to other developed nations.

The federal government has so far refused to join other nations in committing to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

 

Matt Canavan receiving backlash after controversial tweet

Federal Senator Matt Canavan has been under fire after posting a controversial tweet, questioning whether the Taliban are going to commit Afghanistan to a net zero policy.

Nationals Leader, Barnaby Joyce, criticized Canavan, saying “The two issues are disparate and should not be conflated,” and former Nationals Leader, Michael Mccormack said the tweet was, “disappointing, insensitive and unnecessary”

Canavan claimed the tweet was intended to provoke and shock people out of their so-called first-world problems.

 

Playgrounds and skate parks closed in Victoria

Local Playgrounds and skate parks across Greater Melbourne have been roped off to prevent the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.

It comes after two playgrounds and skateparks were added to the states covid-19 exposure site list, forcing health authorities to renew their warning about the dangers of coronavirus in children. 

There are currently 50 children under the age of 10 fighting the virus in the state.

 

Grim warning for Queensland's tourism industry

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has warned that Queensland's tourism industry will see its toughest days if New South Wales does not get a hold of the delta variant. 

While making an announcement to help the struggling tourism industry, the premier made a grim prediction that New South Wales could still be in the grips of the Delta variant at Christmas. 

She said Queensland economy’s “toughest days” would still be ahead should NSW, and potentially Victoria, still be under tight restrictions in December.

 

Deal secured for the construction of new quarantine facility

The Queensland Government has secured a deal with the Federal Government over the construction of the proposed Pinkenba Quarantine Facility with hopes it’ll be in use by mid-2022. 

The facility will have a thousand beds and will be constructed under federal management, however, once completed the site will be managed by the State Government.

 

Police presence to be beefed up on QLD-NSW border

Police presence along the Queensland New South Wales border is set to increase after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the police force along the border the last line of defence for Queensland. 

It comes after more than 1,000 vehicles were turned around at the state border in the past 24 hours. 

The premier said the big police presence is to make sure Queenslanders are safe.

 

Scott Morrison states "Australia will not be able to rescue all Afghans that served alongside our military"

Australia will not be able to rescue all Afghans that served alongside our military, says Prime Minister Scott Morrison. 

After accusations of a delay in launching a rescue mission to save stranded Australians in Afghanistan, Morrison defended his government saying that they, “will continue to do everything we can for those who have stood with us” but despite their best efforts, they doubt they can reach everyone.

A rescue mission is anticipated within the next few days.

 

Defence Force Troops being Sent to Western NSW at attempts to stop spread of COVID-19 in Vulnerable Communities

Defence Force troops are being sent to western NSW today to try and stop the spread of COVID-19 through vulnerable communities.

About 60 per cent of the 116 cases recorded in the region are Indigenous, with just nine per cent of Indigenous residents there fully vaccinated.

Five ADF vaccination teams will arrive in Dubbo this morning to assist with the vaccine rollout in rural areas.

 

Australian Health Authorities are Confident that 80% of Australians will be Fully Vaccinated by Mid-November

Australian health authorities are confident that 80% of Australians will be fully vaccinated by mid-November. 

It comes after world health authorities expressed their concern about Australia’s low vaccination rates. 

Results reveal that more than one-fifth of eligible Australians have been fully vaccinated so far, and the national cabinet predicts 70 per cent will be fully vaccinated by November 1, climbing to 80 per cent on November 22.