30/07/2021 9AM ZEDLINES
Your 9am Zedlines with Ivy, Chloe and Alayna.
Image credit: ADAPTATIONS
National Tree Planting Day in North Harbour
As part of the rehabilitation and conservation of the Caboolture Riverbank, a team in North Harbour aims to plant 1000 native trees on August first, the nation’s tree planting day.
The riverbank was previously eroded and degraded by invasive native plants.
Project director Bryan Finney said events like tree planting days not only show the community how a sustainable ecosystem is being achieved but also bring families together to plant a tree that they can visit together in the future.
Since 2006, 10,000 trees have been planted on National Tree Day.
Slavery apology
Descendants of the South Sea Islanders forced or duped into a form of slavery on Australian plantations hope a historic apology from the mayor of Bundaberg will set a national precedent and provide the catalyst for atonement at the highest reaches of government.
This will be especially welcomed after Prime Minister Scott Morrison last year dismissed the notion of slavery ever existing in Australia.
Triple C finds Education Department at fault
The Crime and Corruption Commission has confirmed former Education Department deputy director-general Jeff Hunt was on paid leave during his 14 month suspension after being stood down for corruption.
Hunt was paid his salary of $334,000 during the ongoing investigation into the controversial hiring of a Brisbane school principal.
The triple C found that former Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad who was initially investigated and stood down from the cabinet for this incident did not commit a crime or show “dishonest or corrupt intent”.
Paralysed lorikeets in QLD and NSW
High numbers of wild lorikeets in South East QLD and Northern NSW have fallen victim to the seasonal Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome in recent summers.
Affected birds are unable to fly and in severe cases unable to blink or swallow.
There is an investigation underway by wildlife disease experts to find the cause of the syndrome, however, so far there has been no evidence of an infectious disease being the cause and is likely an unknown plant toxin.
China announces new ambassador to the U.S.
China dispatched a veteran diplomat known for pushing back against Western criticism to serve as its next ambassador to the U.S., an appointment that suggests Beijing is bracing for a period of prolonged tension with Washington.
Qin Gang, who most recently served as vice foreign minister, arrived in the U.S. Wednesday to fill the post vacated last month by long-time ambassador, Cui Tiankai, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy.
Tigray days away from no food
Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray risks running out of food within days if the critical aid routes are not reopened.
The only access route into the region was cut off last week after an attack on a World Food Programme convoy.
One hundred and fifty trucks with food and supplies are held up in Semera allegedly “pending security clearances".
The United Nations has called for the reopening of the route as the region which is already threatened with famine could run out of rations completely.
30/07/2021 8AM ZEDLINES
Your 8am Zedlines with Ivy, Chloe and Alayna.
Image credit: Australian Financial Review
Adani to reveal allegations against Ben Pennings
Ben Pennings will be able to see the confidential information that underpins Adani’s allegations against him, as the Supreme Court has formalised orders agreed out of court by both Adani and Ben Pennings in relation to the decision handed down on June 25.
Pennings after fighting hard to receive this outcome stated Adani wanted him to defend himself in the Supreme Court without seeing specific allegations against him. He says he is happy he can now defend the case knowing exactly what Adani alleges.
QLD budget outlines housing crisis
Brisbane is running out of land for new homes according to documents released during the Queensland state budget hearings.
Under current state government rules, all local government areas should have 4 years’ worth of approved lots.
However, Brisbane has less than three years and Noosa has less than 1 year.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles says the reason for the housing crisis is due to, quote, “the interstate migration which has put pressure on land supply across the state [during the pandemic]”.