Privacy information might be breached by AFP says Commonwealth ombudsman

The Commonwealth ombudsman has released its report into the australian federal police's use and administration of telecommunications data powers.

Compliance issues were raised into the AFP’s handling of telecommunications data and location-based services.

The Commonwealth Ombudsman, Mr Michael Manthorpe said that privacy of individuals may have been breached and location based services may have been accessed unlawfully.
 

Olympians will be prioritised to receiving vaccines ahead of the Tokyo games

The Australian Olympic Team will be prioritised for vaccines as early as next week so they will be able to participate in the Tokyo games. Earlier, National Cabinet agreed to fast-track access for the 2,000-strong team and support crew.

Australian Olympic Committee chief executive, Matt Carroll described the decision as a great relief for the Olympians and their families, as Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck says it will be inevitable that COVID-19 will be spread at the games in July.
 

WA households installed 300 megawatts of rooftop solar power in 2020

Western Australian households installed a record amount of solar power in 2020, bringing demand for electricity from the state's main grid to a new low.

The WA government said that 300 megawatts of rooftop solar power was added last year.

WA's single biggest coal-fired power plant, the Collie generator produces a similar rate at 340 Mega Watt. 
 

UN urges to monitor supplies from the western Chinese province of Xinjiang over the concerns of Uighurs

The United Nations has urged companies and countries to closely scrutinise their supply chains over concerns about the alleged detention and forced labour of ethnic-minority Uighurs in the western Chinese province of Xinjiang.

A parliamentary committee is considering an import ban on products and components produced in Xinjiang under proposed laws put forward by independent Senator Rex Patrick.  

Labour shortages continue in rural areas

To fill labour shortages in rural areas and produce farms, work hire agencies are looking into new ways to fill positions.

International students are being approached for fruit picking roles although students say that there is a lack of awareness about opportunities.

Outback roadhouse owners want grey nomads to fill temporary roles that have been left vacant by backpackers during the pandemic.
 

Queensland researchers discovered a new planet

Queensland astronomers have discovered a new planet about 490 light years away from earth and its one of the hottest planets ever recorded. 

The newly discovered planet has daytime temperatures reaching 2,700 degrees Celsius.

Researchers at the University of Southern Queensland's Centre for Astrophysics in Toowoomba led the global team that made the discovery.
 

First permanent mental health hub opened up in Ingham

The first permanent mental health hub has opened up in the north queensland coastal town of Ingham to provide support and community programs.

Ingham is an hour and a half drive north of townsville and the access to permanent mental health service in town is vital for some residents.

Ingham resident and PTSD sufferer, Shane Barbi, says that the hub would make a big difference to his life.
 

Calls for an investigation into environmental consultants profiting off conservation offset programs

NSW greens and environment groups are calling on the Berejiklian government to look into environmental consultants profiting off conservation offset programs.

It comes after an investigation by the Guardian revealed that an environmental consultant holding interests in a property made more than 40 million dollars selling conservation offsets to governments.

The same consultants are reported to be a part of a consortium that has made tens of millions of dollars profiting from the scheme that was set up to protect and restore endangered habitat elsewhere.
 

WHO warned India of blaming new variants as the single cause of Covid-19 second wave

The World Health Organization has said India’s Covid-19 second wave was caused by a perfect storm of mass gatherings, low vaccination rates and more contagious variants.

WHO spokesperson warned against blaming new variants as the sole cause of the rise of cases, pushing the country’s healthcare system to the brink of collapse, and said that complacent behaviour had also played a role.