A South Korean strawberry grower, working in Queensland since 2009, will face deportation if his visa appeal is rejected.

Ray Kim has made Australia home for more than a decade, and hopes to continue doing so. He is appealing his declined permanent visa application to keep working and living here.

As Australia faces a shortage of agricultural workers, there is criticism that sending anyone back, particularly those filling such essential roles, is not a wise idea. 
 

Australia's big four banks have offered support including loan deferrals or waiving fees for customers under financial strain as a result of NSW's COVID-19 lockdown, amid warnings the cost to the economy could top $1 billion a week.

Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn on Sunday urged customers who may be already financially affected by the lockdown or worried about the knock-on effects to contact their bank in order to find out what support could be tailored to them.

A dance performance put on by members of the LGBTQI+ community outside a cathedral in the small Colombian city of San Gil has caused an uproar among some residents.

A local councillor Ciro Moreno says the protest has been referred to as an artistic protest and the community sees it as a provocation.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian faces criticism for the current Great Sydney lockdown, after previously making a point about avoiding lockdowns in the state.

Just after last week’s state budget, which showed New South Wales’ positive economic recovery, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet claimed the state has “gold standard testing, tracing, quarantine.”

As a result, Ms Berejiklian has been questioned over whether the initial delay in lockdown measures was political, which she claimed it was not.

South East Queensland faces new restrictions from 1:00 am tomorrow, in light of recent COVID-19 cases.

Masks will be required in southeast regions for two weeks, in indoor spaces and where social distancing is not possible.

Hospitality venues will have a limited seating capacity, and customers must remain seated.

Other restrictions apply to gatherings.

Go to the Queensland Health website for more information.

Plans to replace the derelict Urban Paradise Gallery on Annerley Road, with a private hospital is being contested.

It is estimated to provide care for approximately 100 patients, with full-time staff numbers reaching an estimated 355. 

State Member for South Brisbane Amy McMahon and Councillor for Woolloongabba Jonathan Sri have expressed concern over the potential negative impacts the project would have on the community primarily due to the implications a private hospital would have on already-busy streets.

A Redland-based service for men has been awarded a $15,000 grant to help raise awareness about abuse, promote healing and reconciliation for male victims of sexual assault and institutional child abuse.

The Men & Co service manager Millie Knight says the funding would be crucial in developing videos that would allow men to share their experiences and encourage reconciliation.

ABC’s current affairs program 7.30 will begin to acknowledge Indigenous land names when it introduces places on its program.

This comes as the national broadcaster moves to improve representation and public awareness and knowledge of the Indigenous community during programming.

In the next few weeks the traditional land names will appear on the screen along with the official government name for cities and towns.

Increasingly, Australians are receiving a ‘vaccine passport’, but the government has not attached any rights or freedoms to it, yet.

Tourism Minister Dan Tehan hopes the vaccine passport will, in the future, prevent extended lockdowns or border closures.

As the winter school holidays arrive, the current lockdowns and restrictions have meant the tourism industry, yet again, faces negative consequences.

Already, parts of the European Union are now allowing vaccinated individuals to travel quarantine-free, and there are hopes Australia will follow.