Lang Park conducts major events during COVID times
Brisbane's Lang Park conducted major events this weekend despite a similar case in Melbourne being linked to an outbreak of a highly infectious COVID-19 strain.
Lang Park hosted the Australia vs France Rugby Union test match on Saturday, followed by back-to-back NRL matches on Sunday.
The Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young assured Queenslanders as she claims she is confident any infections could be traced if there was an outbreak, especially if fans were diligent about mask-wearing
Australian Surf Life Saving Championships secured for Queensland
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships have been secured for Queensland with a decade-long deal expected to deliver more than $100 million for the Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe says Tourism and Events Queensland has secured the agreement in partnership with Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC) and Sunshine Coast Council.
The championships is marked as one of the iconic Queensland events, bringing more than 7,000 competitors annually from more than 315 Australian clubs.
Ipswich couple working to end the cycle of domestic violence in their culture
A Pacific Islander couple are speaking out about breaking the cycle of domestic violence within their culture.
Ipswich couple Moughan Sali-Siaki and Judy Fakaosi are working to unlearn the behaviours modelled to them when growing up, which often placed the father as the sole decision-maker.
After some troubling times in their relationship, the pair made a promise to do better by each other, especially to encourage change for future generations.
They now facilitate the relationship program that once helped them.
UNESCO wants to declare Great Barrier Reef as an endangered natural site
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is pushing ahead with plans to declare the Great Barrier Reef as an endangered natural site despite federal government objections.
Tain Xuejun, president of the 44th session of UNESCO, dismissed speculation that the decision was related to any political tensions between China and Australia.
Discrimination of Muslims in Australia revealed in report
An Australian Human Rights Commision project survey, which closed in 2019, shows 80% of Muslims in Australia say they have experienced discrimination in their lifetime..
The finalised results of the report show half of the thousand people who took the survey said the discrimination took place when dealing with law enforcement, in workplaces or when seeking employment and in educational institutions.
The project ‘Sharing the Stories of Australian Muslims’ aims to promote social cohesion, identifying community concerns and priorities and providing evidence for change.
Nelson Mandela's birthday celebrated in a special way in South Africa
South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa has urged people to honour the legacy of the anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela by helping to rebuild the country after days of riots that left 212 dead.
The violence was sparked by the jailing of ex-President Jacob Zuma.
Each year on Mr Mandela's birthday 18 July, people are urged to spend 67 minutes helping others, to mark his 67 years of public service.
The president says he is impressed by South Africans' resilience - reflecting Mr Mandela's spirit.
Monday 19/07/21 9am Zedlines
Your 9am Zedlines with Imogen, Shreya and Sitara.
Image credit: Dr P. Marazzi (Science Photo Library).
Call out against COVID restriction "double standards"
Live music venue owners have called attention to the Queensland government’s COVID “double standards”, after again being hit by extended restrictions.
Kim Ferguson, director of Mo’s Desert clubhouse in Burleigh Heads, is stumped by how the State of Origin could go ahead at such a large capacity, when the hospitality and arts sector are heavily impacted by restrictions.
Ms Ferguson said, “Wednesday night there were 26,000 people five minutes down the road from our business that’s now crippled to 56 people...where’s the standard in that?”
$500,000 funding announced to improve road safety
The Queensland Government announced almost $500,000 will be shared among 55 grass roots education initiatives to improve road safety through awareness and learning.
This money goes towards reaching the Palaszczuk Government’s vision of zero road deaths and serious injuries, by building a positive road safety culture from a young age.
Other efforts by the Government to achieve this goal includes a roll-out next month of road cameras that detect drivers illegally using their mobile phones and not wearing their seatbelts.
Southern Gold Coast land to become eco-park
Southern Gold Coast land is set to be transformed into one of the largest eco-parks in the country through compulsory acquisition from the defiant owners.
The state government has announced it will begin the process to acquire 148 hectares for the Currumbin Eco-Parkland locally known as Martha's Farm or Martha's Vineyard.
Minister for the Environment Meghan Scanlon says the decision would deter the ambitions of new developers and protect natural and delicate rainforest.