A hard police crackdown is underway on those flouting stay-at-home orders in Queensland with a few infringement notices being issued for non-compliances. 

The concern over rallies in Brisbane today are also rising, with a strong presence of police throughout CBD Brisbane ahead of those expected anti-lockdown protests.

The Deputy Commissioner Shane Chepley says, “now is not the time.”

Economists are warning the 2032 Brisbane Olympics could badly affect the economy as the financial windfall from the event is over-blown while dragging money away from necessary community investments.

The Federal and Queensland governments have both cited research by accounting firm KPMG, commissioned by the state tourism department, which found the 2032 Games would deliver up to more than $17 billion in benefits to the nation.

Around three hundred members of the Australian force are set to deploy to Sydney’s eight high-risk local government areas starting today. 

These measures have been implemented to ensure the city’s COVID-19 hotspot suburbs are following the rules. 

The ADF members will be helping police on the streets with compliance checks, deliver food parcels and conduct welfare door knocks, making sure confirmed cases remain well and isolated at home.
 

Canberra Institute of Technology is running a new program for Indigenous youth to learn practical skills and life skills. 

For four days per week the students work and learn on-the-job skills in Worldview's e-waste recycling warehouse in Fyshwick. 

On Friday, they take classes at CIT in practical construction skills such as first aid, working at heights and scaffolding.

The twenty-week course has been funded by the Australian government's foundation skills program.

On Sunday, Canada officially marked the abolishment of slavery nearly 200 years ago in its first nationwide Emancipation Day.

Canadian parliamentarians unanimously voted in March to recognise Emancipation Day across the country on August 1st, the same date in 1834 that an act came into effect banning slavery in former British colonies, including Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says, “Emancipation Day is a representation of social activism, justice, and our commitment to an equitable future.”

UPDATE: The Ekka has now been cancelled.

The Royal Queensland Show at Brisbane’s Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association Showgrounds was put on hold on Sunday for another 24 hours due to health concerns related to the latest COVID-19 outbreak.

While the Ekka is still due to run from August 7th to 15th, the RNA announced the Stud Beef Cattle Show, due to start at the showgrounds on Tuesday, is cancelled. 

The status of the main Ekka preparations will be reviewed again by Queensland Health today.

As the second full day of lockdown begins for thousands of Queenslanders, the list of exposure sites has grown enormously.

While the main concern areas remain around Indooroopilly, Saint Lucia, and Parkwood, the close contact list has expanded as far as Caboolture, Mermaid Waters and Ipswich.

Queenslanders are urged to get tested if they have been in contact zones or are symptomatic.

For a full list of contact tracing sites go to the Queensland Health website.

A new exhibition, led by Sunshine Coast photographer Megan Gill, aims at cutting male suicide rates by highlighting these men are not alone.

​​The ‘Portraits of Mankind’ exhibition puts faces to men’s mental health issues, showing that the problems are real and closeby.

Ms Gill has captured the images of a number of males between twenty and sixty years old who have overcome their mental health battles.

The exhibition hopes to inspire struggling men to seek help.

If you or anyone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Youtube has barred Sky News Australia for one week over COVID-19 misinformation concerns.

The ban comes after a review of online shared posts, with some questioning the reality of the pandemic and the efficacy of vaccines, have spread virus and vaccination misinformation.

A Youtube statement says, “we have clear and established COVID-19 medical misinformation policies ... to prevent the spread of COVID-19 misinformation that could cause real-world harm."