US warned that they will need to prep for Space wars

In space news the US has had a report published by the Air Force Research Laboratory suggests the U.S. Space Force must prepare for operations beyond the earth's orbit. This comes as Joe Biden has asked for an increase of $2.2 billion in additional funding.

 

“A Primer on Cislunar Space” was released June 23 by AFRL’s Space Vehicles Directorate. Its intended audience are military space professionals who one day might have to develop spacecraft and concepts for operations in regions beyond Earth’s orbit.

 

Vietnamese man has won the Goldman Environmental Prize

A Vietnamese man has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for his role in protecting one of the world's most trafficked animals -  the Pangolin. 

As well as establishing Vietnam’s first anti-poaching unit to destroy animal traps, and arresting nearly 600 poachers between 2014 and 2020, conservationist Thai Van Nguyen won the Asia award for rescuing more than one and a half thousand Pangolins from the illegal wildlife trade.

Nguyen’s role will continue to make immense positive changes for the species.

Government increasing Australian citizenship fees

The federal government will increase Australian citizenship application fees by seventy five percent as of next week on July 1st. 

 

This will see the current fee of two hundred and eighty five dollars go up to four hundred and ninety dollars. 

 

Immigration minister, Alex Hawke, says the increased cost better reflects the complex process of approving applications and allows the government to recoup 100% of the fees, unlike the 50% that they were recouping before.

 

Queensland might close all its borders to NSW, Gold Coast mayor wants Tweed travel bubble

Queensland might close its borders to all of New South Wales, but the Gold Coast Mayor wants a travel bubble with Tweed.

 

Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said yesterday there was “absolutely” a chance all of New South Wales could again be shut out of Queensland.
 

Dr Young is advising Queenslanders to reconsider travelling to New South Wales, but Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is concerned about people who live and work on either side of the border.

Mr Tate said Tweed residents should not be punished for “Sydney COVID issues”.

Townsville to form a new Co-Responder team to fight youth crime

Two state ministers, Mark Ryan and Leanne Linard, along with police commissioner, Katarina Carroll, announced the formation of a second co-responder team targeting youth crime in Townsville yesterday. 

 

Co-responder teams are made up of police and youth workers. The first team proved successful in limiting youth crime after being introduced more than a year ago. 

 

The second team aims to stop crime before it happens and prevent youth from reoffending which will hopefully break the cycle. 

 

Queensland to make Redland bay a new growth area

The Queensland Government has chosen a bayside precinct near Redland Bay, to be a priority growth area for the influx of interstate residents.

Following the new Covid outbreaks along the Australian south east, Queensland is expected to gain nearly 62 thousand residents over the next three years.

The development will contain a new town centre, 3000 homes, a potential primary school and new wastewater system, opening up over 700 jobs a year during the expansion.

New mandatory check in rules

Starting at 1am this morning, the Check In Queensland contact tracing app is being expanded to include shops, gyms, and some cultural events.

There will be a two-week period before the new rules are mandatory.

Checking in will become mandatory for most venues where people gather, including hospitals, supermarkets, university campuses, and places of worship.

$200 million for 12 south east QLD councils

The state government says it will give $200 million dollars to twelve councils across south east Queensland over the next six years.

The twelve eligible councils extend from the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast regions.

The state government has currently committed the first $100 million dollars to one hundred and thirteen projects with the goal of creating approximately fifteen hundred jobs for south east Queenslanders.

Update on friendlyjordies defamation case

Producer of the political commentary YouTube channel friendlyjordies, Kritso Langker, has had his bail conditions lessened and most gag orders unsuppressed ahead of his trial today.

The NSW terrorist unit arrested Langker last week for stalking John Barilaro, of which he is pleading not guilty to. Activists “including prominent political activist and former Kevin Rudd '' were worried about suppression orders, as it comes as a direct result Deputy Premier has launched a lawsuit at the youtuber Jordan Shanks AKA friendlyjordy.