Four new electric buses to run through the city

Four electric buses will start running the City Loop from the first week of July.

The route will cover Adelaide Street, Wharf Street, Eagle Street, Margaret Street, Alice Street, and the Botanical Gardens. 

It has an electric display that shows the next couple of stops and how long it will take to get there.

Electric buses will produce zero-emission themselves, and the 60 electric Brisbane Metro megabuses will also produce zero emissions, although most of the electricity they run on is produced from coal.

LNP assures $500,000 for employing vulnerable people

The Liberal National Party assures access to up to half a million dollars to create jobs for vulnerable people including those with a disability and refugees, under the future government.

LNP leader David Crisafulli announced an annual $20 million social entrepreneurs loan scheme, with loans to be capped at $500,000.

Applicants for interest-free loans would be required to meet certain conditions, which have not yet been revealed.

Victorian Government set to fast-track formal recognition of Traditional Owner groups

The Victorian Government is being urged to fast-track the process of formally recognising Traditional Owner groups.

The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, which is tasked with building the treaty negotiation framework, expressed disappointment that certain Traditional Owner groups are still not formally recognised.

Without formal recognition status, they are unable to claim a seat with the assembly.

US Government announces gender confirmation surgery for trans veterans

The US government has announced it will offer gender confirmation surgery for trans veterans through its health care coverage for the first time.

Department of Veterans Affairs secretary Denis McDonough announced the change at a Pride event in Florida.

Gender confirmation surgery, also known as sex reassignment surgery, covers a range of procedures that alter a person's anatomy to match their gender identity.

Mr McDonough says this will help in overcoming the "dark history" of discrimination against trans veterans.

New Brisbane COVID-19 case not a Delta variant

Brisbane residents are urged to monitor any possible COVID-19 symptoms after a flight cabin crew member, who had completed fourteen days of quarantine, tested positive for the virus on Saturday night.

The crew member visited multiple locations on Saturday around the CBD, as well as DFO and a family centre in Ellen Grove.

It has been confirmed the case was not a highly contagious Delta variant.

Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk says the positive case should not affect the recent easing of restrictions that saw some limits on gatherings and maximum capacities lifted.

Brisbane's Riverfire to return

Riverfire will mark the end of the Brisbane Festival on Saturday 25th September.  

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the return of Riverfire will once again captivate and delight spectators who cram every vantage point along the city reaches of the Brisbane River.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch says arts is the key part of the plan for economic recovery contributing $8.5 billion into the state’s economy and supporting 92,000 jobs for Queenslanders.

Sydney Harbour ferry to showcase Indigenous designs and clan names

A ferry in the Sydney Harbour will permanently feature Aboriginal clan names and traditional wave designs.

The ferry, the Ocean Dreaming 2, was designed by New South Wales Indigenous artist, Warwick Keen, to acknowledge and showcase the rich cultural history of Australia.

The ferry will be used for Aboriginal experience tour cruises, and to hopefully start conversations about Indigenous history for both tourists and locals.

Western Australia COVID-19 restrictions ease

Western Australia will move to phase five COVID-19 restrictions from Wednesday. 

The two-square-metre rule and 75% restrictions for the state's hospitality industry will be removed, with some venues allowed to return to 100% capacity.

Any locally acquired case will put WA back into lockdown.

Premier Mark McGowan says the decision is based on the latest health advice, assuring they have tightly managed quarantine hotels.

 

Poland's Pride event to combat anti-LGBTQI+ sentiment

Thousands of people have marched in Poland’s Pride event in Warsaw. 

The parade was held because of rising discrimination against the country's LGBTQI+ community.

Poland's right-wing president Andrzej Duda has described what he calls quote "LGBT ideology" as being worse than communism and has vowed to block gay marriage and adoption.

Same-sex couples are barred from adopting children as couples, while some local authorities have allowed applicants to adopt as single parents.