UK and Australia strike trade deal

Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson agreed to a trade deal between Australia and the United Kingdom in principle over dinner.

The deal envisioned to give food producers and businesses from both nations easier access to each other’s markets and away from the volatile Chinese market.

Additionally, a substantial revamp of visa requirements for professionals and travellers desire to live and work in each other’s countries is expected to be included.

This trade deal is considered a major step in Britain joining a wider Asia Pacific free-trade agreement.

Avocados selling for $1

Avocados sold for $1 each in supermarkets after farmers upped production for this season.

Although this is welcomed news for consumers, growers are at a disadvantage. Chief Executive of Avocados Australia John Tyas said demand for avocados has not matched up with the sheer volume of product available this year, leaving growers doing it tough with the marginal prices.

However, these low prices increased the number of avocados being exported offshore, so it isn’t all bad news for the industry as a whole.

QLD state budget 10am UPDATE

The state budget so far indicated little spending changes to improve housing conditions for lower income Queenslanders.

Queensland Greens Member for South Brisbane Amy MacMahon said resources for an adequate public housing strategy are noticeably absent from the new budget.

Ms MacMahon said it’s quote “astounding when we have 40,000 people on the social housing wait-list".

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6. DZ Deathrays - Make Yourself Mad (Single)

7. Miiesha - Damaged (Single)

8. The Glycereens - Atomic Army

9. Olivia's World - Tuff 2B Tender EP

10. Dry Cleaning - New Long Leg

11. loulou - Depend On Me (Single)

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13. Clowns - Does It Matter? (Single)

14. The Chills - Scatterbrain

Second report on Anglo American Coal Mine explosion

A report released yesterday found risky practices caused an explosion at Anglo American’s Grosvenor Coal Mine injuring six workers.

The Queensland Coal Mining Board of Inquiry’s second report revealed no adequate gas drainage system was installed before the production started at the mine on 9 March 2020

The report said overproduction of coal, constantly exceeding the capacity of the critical control of gas drainage, subjects coal mine workers to an unacceptable level of risk.

Tamil family UPDATE

An update on the Tamil family from Biloela.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke approved the family to reunite in Perth temporarily, but their long term future remains unclear.

Mr Hawke said he used his powers under the Migration Act to allow the Murugappan family to reside in a community detention placement in Perth while four-year old Tharnicaa receives medical treatment.

Victoria Covid cases UPDATE

Victoria recorded 0 local Covid cases and 3 new overseas cases that are in hotel quarantine. 

As of yesterday, 15,067 tests were received and nearly 10,000 doses were administered.

Authorities are quarantining residents in a Melbourne townhouse complex to contain a potential outbreak, which is suspected to have an infected transmission take place on site.

Novavax a potential vaccine option for Australia

US based Novavax said its COVID-19 vaccine is more than 93% effective against the predominant transmissible varients.

The clinical trial studied nearly 30,000 volunteers in the U.S and Mexico, with the biotech company claiming side effects are minimal.

The protein-based vaccine is placed on fast track by the U.S government for late 2021 and could be a third vaccine option for Australia if approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.