Indonesia's rapid increase in COVID-19 cases has put the nation on the edge of a "catastrophe" as the more infectious Delta variant spreads. 

Indonesia has reported record daily COVID-19 infections of more than 20,000 in recent days, in a new wave of infections fuelled by the emergence of highly transmissible virus variants. 

Hospitals in several designated "red zone" areas have reported overcapacity, forcing many patients to be turned away with no medical attention. 

Almost half of all Australians are in lockdown as the country battles a wave of the coronavirus affecting almost all corners for the first time during the pandemic.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is proving to be so contagious that state leaders are shutting down large portions of their states after only a few cases each, with now more than 11 million people nationally now in the grips of the strictest virus restrictions.

The auditor-general has found that a $660m federal government scheme ignored areas most in need and targeted Liberal-held or marginal seats before the 2019 election. 

A scathing review from the Australian National Audit Office lashed the Commuter Car Park program, part of the $4.8billion Urban Congestion fund, as “ineffective” and found money was allocated based on “political profile” 

A recent study shows that families spend more on childcare than on groceries or bills. Nearly one in three families spend more on childcare than on groceries and more than 80 per cent spend more that they do on their utility bills, therefore making childcare unaffordable for thousands of people across Australia. 

An analysis by education and health policy experts, the Mitchell Institute, has found childcare is too expensive for 386,000 families. 

The infected Brisbane hospital receptionist who tested positive for COVID-19 before a snap lockdown was called was offered the vaccination, but Health Minister Yvette D’Ath says she did not “take the option up”.

It comes after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she is furious that the health care worker was not vaccinated. 

Ms D’Ath has said the receptionist, who worked at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane’s north, had been offered the vaccine as all health workers were, but did not take up the opportunity to get vaccinated.

Annastacia Palaszczuk has confirmed that there have been 4 new COVID-19 cases in Queensland overnight. 

In the premier’s daily covid-19 update, Ms Palaszczuk has said that there have been three new locally acquired cases and one new overseas acquired case. The Premier has thanked the state for following lockdown and mask restrictions as 18,447 people got tested on Tuesday. 

The Premier has urged anyone who has been to the exposure sites or anyone who is feeling sick, to get tested immediately. 

Singapore has revealed its new approach to living with the Corona Virus. Last week senior minister from the city state announced that in the future Covid would be treated like other endemic diseases such as flu.

Previous goals of zero transmissions, quarantine for travellers and isolation of close contacts would be out, and replaced by breathalyser tests done before going to work or the shops. 

Recycling industry says it’s ‘not ready’ for ban on exporting plastic waste. 

An export ban on sending mixed plastics overseas for recycling comes into effect today, but it could see recyclable items sent to landfill. 

The waste and recycling sector said it was not ready for the change, with some states more than a year away from having the capacity to recycle all of their plastic. 

This ban comes into force tomorrow on July 1st.