New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has announced the country will go into a 3-day lockdown after recording it’s first community COVID-19 case in over 6 months. 

An unvaccinated man in his late 50s tested positive to the virus with authorities anticipating the highly contagious delta-strain. 

This will be New Zealand’s strictest lockdown with all businesses to shut, aside from essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.