Sydney’s lockdown is reportedly expected to be extended by at least another week. 

The report comes after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian spent most of Tuesday locked in meetings with health experts who recommended that the stay-at-home orders for Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, should be extended. 

Berejiklian is expected to announce the extension at an 11am press conference on Wednesday morning.

Investigations are underway as a Northern Territory Miner is suspected to have caught COVID-19 through an air conditioner after quarantining in a Brisbane hotel.

A couple and another individual located on the same floor also tested positive, with officials believing it was related to the Mineworker case. 

The Queensland Premier has defended her decision to fly to the Tokyo Olympics this month, as an online petition trying to stop her surpasses 30,000 signatures.

Many of those signing the Change.org petition are believed to be Australians stranded overseas who are calling for Annastacia Palaszczuk to remain in Australia until she changes her stance on cutting hotel quarantine numbers.

Those stranded say it would be unfair for the premier to take one of their spots in hotel quarantine when she returns from the Tokyo trip.

Brisbane Businesses are now facing random compliance checks from the Queensland Government to ensure businesses are correctly complying with the new mandatory contact tracing laws coming this Friday. 

The checks will monitor the businesses usage of the “check in Queensland” app and alternative sign in methods. 

Businesses could face a $13’000 fine or 6-months in prison if they fail to comply with the restrictions.

The Australian Government will continue to support job seekers in the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast region as part of its $276 million Local Job Program. 

The Program extended to June 30 2025, will continue to identify areas of opportunities in the health, social services and construction industries, while conducting training for job seekers. 

The government’s goal was for local problems to be solved by local solutions in the form of local workers.

This Thursday as part of NAIDOC week celebrations, the Birrunga Gallery & Dining in the CBD is hosting the ‘We are Country, country is sacred’ art exhibition. 

Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners will form a panel for Q&A discussion with a two course lunch being served.

At the event, untold stories of the Brisbane river, a water so important to Jagera and Turrbal peoples will be told to the public for the first time. Tickets are available on eventbrite.com 

A Mango Hill not-for-profit organisation will help First Nations women and girls make their mark in business and use a Federal Government grant of more than $777,000.

The grant is part of the Federal Government’s Women’s Leadership and Development Program in a bid to help First Nations women identify and pursue business ideas and build a platform for success. 

Carole Vale founded the organisation five years ago, called Tiddas in Business. Tiddas meaning sister or very good friends.

The six winning projects of the “No Ordinary Black” short film initiative held by Screen Australia and NITV announced with Screen Australia’s CEO Graeme Mason said each project is bold and ambitious.

The initiative will bring thought-provoking First Nations stories to the screen, created by First Nations people, showcasing their distinct creativity and voices.

The short films will air on NITV in 2022 and the full list of winners can be viewed at the indigenous.gov.au website.

According to the Australian Competitor and Consumer Commission’s latest petrol monitoring report, the major Australian capitals have seen a 12 cents per litre rise in average fuel prices since the December 2020 quarter. 

ACCC Chair Rod Sims stated this increase is a flow-on effect from increased international crude oil and petrol prices. 

The report also showed the demand for fuel remains below pre-pandemic levels this quarter, with sales impacted by the nation’s latest round of lockdowns.