A West Australian backpacker has tested positive after completing hotel quarantine returning back to Australia from the Philippines

The man has been infectious in the community since July 22nd and was residing in a backpackers hostel in rural-town Roma says Queensland Health Minister Jeanette Young.

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called Australia’s vaccine rollout a colossal failure. 

Turnbull said the Australian government failed to buy enough vaccines so our borders are therefore likely to remain closed until at least early 2022.

He also stated that the very reason Australians are locked down is simply because the  government failed to buy enough vaccines.

Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate, has threatened to remove face-to-face consultations for the Cooloongatta light rail expansion after protesters have been reported as “verbally abusive” toward council staff during the community sessions. 

“They’re there to help you, not to be abused by you,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

Construction work has begun in north-west Brisbane suburb, Ferny Grove, this morning after a plan to invest $140 million into a renewal project to revive Ferny Grove’s livability by the State Government several years ago. 

Ferny Grove is expected to receive renovations to the railway station, a new retail centre, apartment living, an entertainment precinct and a 1400 spot multi-level parking facility.

A potential welcome-home parade for Olympic Superstar, Ariarne Titmus, who was revealed to have grown up in the West Brisbane suburb of Chelmer has stirred some local excitement.

A  Chelmer Resident posted in a popular Facebook group advocating for a welcome home parade and received over 600 likes, with fellow residents offering to help out and expressing interest. 

The Pentagon has announced that the US military will be intensifying air strikes this week to support the Afghanistan Government against the Taliban despite promises to fully withdraw all remaining troops by August 31st. 

The removal of the troops has raised global concerns that Afghanistan could once again fall into terrorist authority.

Victoria has recorded eight new local coronavirus cases on the first day of the state's lockdown lifting. 

The cases were all linked to current outbreaks and were all in quarantine throughout their entire infectious period.

As of midnight, a raft of restrictions eased across the state, with schools, gyms, and hospitality and retail outlets reopening today.

This story contains themes including Indigenous persons, those past and present. We also acknowledge the traditional owners of this land. 

The Hobart City Council has rejected a development application for a cable car to be built on Kunanyi, also known as Mount Wellington.

Aboriginal Heritage advocates have vocalised their concern for the two-way cableway stating that the “cultural value of the mountain could be damaged forever”.

The decision to reject the cableway passed 9-3.