Regional Queensland will have easier access to their COVID-19 vaccination after a deal was secured between the Federal Government, the Queensland Government and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia who announced local chemists will be offering free vaccinations later this month.

Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, Mark Coulton, held a press conference in Boonah earlier this morning to announce the beginning of the distribution of AstraZeneca vaccines in local pharmacies. 

New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, has declared gun violence a disaster emergency, a first for any state in the United States.

In order to prevent more gun violence, Cuomo unveiled a set of executive orders, such as border control with the southern states which are said to be where the guns are coming from. 

Cuomo has additionally initiated the forming of a “special unit” specifically targeting gun trafficking investing $138 million into gun violence prevention efforts and more. 

Federal MP, Matt Canavan, has criticized state governments saying that they have handled quarantine poorly and that the states wouldn’t have to halve the international arrivals if quarantine was handled better.

An agreement that deemed each state will be responsible for managing hotel quarantine was made last March, between the federal government and the state governments, despite the constitution stating that quarantine is a federal responsibility.

Large workplaces could possibly begin vaccinating their own staff from September, the same time the vaccination rollout also opens up to younger Australians, as the new COVID-19 taskforce boss works on an updated rollout plan.

Large business groups are expected to meet with the Commonwealth to discuss the vaccine rollout, with Woolworths being one of the first businesses to offer space for public pop-up clinics in regional shopping centres and other distribution facilities.

The National NAIDOC Committee has announced NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from the until the 11th of July. 

The theme for this year is Heal country and seeks substantive institutional, structural, and collaborative reform.

It is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

Queensland cafés and restaurants will be empowered to offer healthier menus for children, thanks to the state’s first Healthy Kids Menu initiative launched by Health and Wellbeing Queensland. 

Chief Executive of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Dr Robyn Littlewood said that from today, food venues across the state can become a part of a new initiative that supports cafés and restaurants to offer healthier menus for kids, in order for families to make more nutritious choices when eating out. 

The Palaszczuk Government has struck a deal to secure land for training of Australian and Singaporean military personnel in North and Central Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said growing Queensland’s burgeoning industry sector was an important part of the government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

The Premier has said that the “base will inject millions of dollars into Queensland’s economy and create local jobs,” and that leasing arrangements have already been finalised.

Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine is appearing to be less effective in halting the spread of the Delta strain of the virus, but it is said to be shielding people against severe cases, according to data from Israel's government.

The vaccine protected 64% of people against the illness between June 6 and early July, down from 94% between May 2 and June 5, the Israel Health Ministry said.

The drop in effectiveness coincides with the government lifting virus restrictions at the start of June, just as the new variant was beginning to make inroads.