Four people from Sydney have been caught and fined over $4000 each for breaking Sydney lockdown rules by entering Queensland and providing false information. 

The boaties were caught last week and had entered the state via a super yacht.

Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Angus Mitchell said the crew tested negative to Covid 19, which is a relief considering they had been in attendance for the Wallabies versus France rugby match.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison fights accusations the government has been too slow to sign a deal with Pfizer as the country lags behind North America and Europe in getting vaccine supplies. 

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government will purchase additional supplies if needed, as the current contract promises 66 million doses. The federal government current plan has Novavax providing 51 million doses and for Moderna to add 15 million boosters shots.

Researchers from the University of Queensland developed a treatment in helping patients suffering from sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The recent breakthrough shows promise in improving recovery times for heart attacks, extensive burns or major traumas. This developed protein called EphA4-Fc may be able to repair and prevent damage to cell lining blood vessels damaged by inflammation.

UQ’s research commercialisation company, UniQuest partnered with biotech firm CSL Behring to further develop the treatment.

This year’s census conducted by Australian Bureau of Statistics will have 2 new questions added to survey. 

The new questions involve long-term health conditions as well as past or current Australian Defence Force service. These new questions have been added after the ABS conducted a public submission on topics in 2018 and is the first time since 2006 new topics have been added to the survey.

The ABS will drop the question relating to household internet access due to widespread enhancements in technology.

The New South Wales and federal governments set to announce payments to struggling businesses in Covid lockdown. 

The upcoming announcement came as the NSW government had been negotiating with the federal government terms on a financial relief package to provide cash flow and to keep workers employed for many struggling businesses.

The announcement is set for later during the day.

Thousands of Cubans call for President Miguel Diaz-Canel to step down.

Cubans took the streets to join the country’s largest anti-government protest against poor economic conditions and the slow Covid vaccination rollout

Havana resident Maykel, who declined to give his surname in fear of retaliation, said it's becoming impossible to live in Cuba.

At least 80 protesters, activists and independent journalists have been detained nationwide according to exiled rights group Cubalex.

The Queensland Government is expanding the state’s protected wildlife habitat areas by more than 4,600 hectares.

There will also be half-a-million dollar funding to property owners to safeguard their nature reserves.

These conservation efforts will also create jobs for more Queenslanders, through park rangers and local business engagements.

The Queensland Government has announced there will be more funding for outback roads and upgrades.

A $24 million upgrade on Richmond-Winton road is already underway, with more around the Winton-area expected.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Federal Member for Maranoa, Queensland, David Littleproud has said, quote “This is also an investment in improving access for remote and Indigenous communities to health and social services.”

Katter’s Australian Party Leader Robbie Katter argues that the lack of palliative care specialists in North Queensland goes against the Government’s proposed euthanasia laws to provide dignity in death.

Figures reveal an almost 70 per cent shortfall to nationally-recommended standards of palliative care specialists in these areas is due to state government under-funding.

Mr Katter believes this shortfall means more sick Queenslanders would feel compelled to seek out voluntary assisted dying should the laws pass in September.