Queensland Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk has today announced funding for a new public hospital in Springfield, in partnership with private firm Mater Health.

The announcement comes as a result of the continuing emergency department crisis in State hospitals.

The initiative will cost approximately three-hundred million, with the state government expected to allocate $177 million towards it in next month’s budget. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

Mount Coot-tha botanic gardens is celebrating its 45th year on the national botanic garden day.

Curator Carl Davidson says they are encouraging people to visit the botanic collections. 

The garden is developing an interpretation strategy over the next year with audio tours, which will provide access for people who have a vision impairment or physical disability.

The Victorian health authorities have announced five new cases of community transmission in the state, taking the total number of infections linked to the recent outbreak to 45.

One of the five cases was a woman working in the Arcade Maidstone aged care facility, which is now in lockdown with residents required to stay in isolation in their rooms. 

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation told the ABC this morning that the Federal Government has been too slow with their vaccine rollout, leading to a lack of vaccinations for aged care workers and residents.

A World Health Organization ("WHO") scientist has come out against a theory that COVID-19 was leaked from a Wuhan laboratory, claiming China's silence comes from a misunderstanding from other countries. 

Dr Peter Daszak, a leading zoologist and member of the WHO investigation team, travelled to China in January, reporting COVID-19 was unlikely to have escaped from a Wuhan lab. 

The International Olympic Committee is adamant that the Olympic and Paralympic games will go ahead in Tokyo from July 23rd.

However, there has been growing sentiment from the Japanese public that these events should not go ahead amid COVID fears.

While cancelling the games would cost Japan more than 23 billion dollars, it would still be smaller than the economic loss if a post-Olympic public health emergency were to unfold.

According to a Gender Equality report published by the Queensland Government, women earn on average 15% less than men and have 30% less superannuation. 

Emundi Chief Executive Office Suzanne Jacobi-Lee told the ABC she faced continued discrimination and a lower salary than that of her male counterparts over her 30 years in business. 

Ms Jacobi-Lee is one of just five women CEOs of ASX-listed companies in Queensland.

The family of a missing surf ski rider are calling on the Moreton community to help out in search efforts. 

North Stradbroke Island is reeling after 26-year-old surf ski rider Jordan Kelly went missing on Saturday.

Police will continue the search for the man until Thursday, and there remains hope that Mr Kelly somehow made his way to the sandbank.

Mr Kelly’s family flew in from New Zealand on Sunday to help police in the search.

South Australia is set to bring back international students. 

The State’s Chief Public Health Officer has approved a plan to allow international students back into the country for study, after serving two weeks' quarantine at the existing facilities.

CBD Medi-hotels will continue to be used for returning Australians under the plan.

Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge says the council will do its best to work with the Government and ensure the safety of its community. 

The Australian and New Zealand prime ministers are discussing China’s barley tariffs.

Already, Jacinta Ardern has shown support towards Australia over these discussions, however, a formal discussion is expected to take place today.

The two prime ministers have emphasised the strong relationship between the two countries, using the trans-Tasman travel bubble as an example of unity.