The Australian Council of Social Service is calling for the Federal Government to introduce plans to protect jobs and incomes during lockdowns.

ACOSS petitioned the government during this week's national cabinet meeting with concerns for the livelihoods of Victorians in lockdown. 

The push for a plan comes after the Service's CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said that a reinstated JobKeeper payment during extended lockdowns would ensure decent, timely income support for all who need it. 

6 new COVID-cases have been reported in Victoria this morning (2/6/21) with expectations for the Victorian Government to extend the lockdown.

There are currently 67 active cases in Victoria. New South Wales Health officials are on high alert for a potential COVID breach, although recorded no new cases overnight.   

Singapore is one of the first countries to vaccinate children, with under-eighteens now able to receive the jab. 

The city-state is among the first countries in the world to offer vaccines to teenagers before completing inoculation of adults. 

The decision to offer vaccines to children comes after the neighbouring countries introduce new restrictions and lockdowns as COVID cases in Asia rise. 

A Winder Wonderland along the Brisbane River is set to be the hottest destination this winter. 

The festival type event will consist of a 20m ice-skating rink, bar, kitchen and snow showers as well as 25 transparent igloos to keep you warm. 

Starting from this Thursday, the village will host different kinds of live entertainment every weekend, including the performances by professional skaters. 

The event will be open for the entirety of winter with hopes to entertain visitors. 

Rain is set to soak parts of Queensland, NSW and Victoria today, as a low pressure trough passes over Australia from East to West. 

The low pressure trough will interact with the moisture-laden air to cause this mid-week soaking in the nation's east. 

Clouds are already starting to build over Australia's eastern states. 

The Queensland Police Service have confirmed the arrests of 8 protesters at the Land Force Expo yesterday. 

The protesters have been charged with public nuisance, willful damage and police obstruction offences.

The protests continue, as the arms expo enters its second day today. 

For the first time since July 30th 2020, the UK has recorded no covid-related deaths.

Official figures on Tuesday showed the four nations of the UK recorded no new deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID test, for the first time since July 2020.

The positive statistics have now raised optimism in Downing Street that England could forge ahead with the final stages of easing COVID restrictions. 

Despite positive results scientists warn that extra restrictions might be needed to control a third wave.

The Guardian says former Attorney General Christian Porter offered to settle his case against the ABC, just weeks before both parties agreed not to pursue the case. 

The ABC rejected Christian Porter’s offer to settle his defamation case against the public broadcaster, with both parties entering mediation shortly after on the 28th of May.

 The case has now been dropped after Porter made an agreed settlement with the ABC.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath will officially open the new $1.6 million expanded and refurbished paediatric treatment area in Townsville University Hospital’s emergency department.

The Palaszczuk Government contributed $1.6 million towards the project, which has expanded the number of beds from seven to 12 and created a separate waiting area for children and their families.

Residents of Bulimba are calling for a pedestrian bridge to be built from Bulimba to Teneriffe or Newstead. 

The move comes after leaked Brisbane City Council reports revealed such a bridge would be feasible, last week. 

Residents believe a short walk over the usually busy Wynnum and Riding Roads would be more efficient than being stuck in traffic.

Residents also expressed how much they would love a nice walk on a new bridge, saying that it will help attract people to the neighbourhood.