Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended pay rises for Queensland politicians as the economy rebounds after the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year in August, Ms Palaszczuk declared there would be no pay rises for Queensland MPs until 2023, amid the pandemic.

However, from September MPs are expected to receive a gradual pay rise under the Independent Remuneration Tribunal’s decision.

She claimed that the MP’s pay rise is less than that granted to public servants, and has been frozen since 2017.

A new Regional Queensland Pride group hopes to raise awareness and connect isolated LGBTQI+ people.

Michael Ogilvie, a co-founder of the group, wanted to create a support network for regional community members after experiencing homophobia when he moved from Victoria to Gladstone last year.

He found members of the LGBTQI+ were not so comfortable being in public in regional areas, where more conservative attitudes remain. 

He wanted to create a safe space for members, and put on community events that cater to everyone.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says “A regional quarantine centre could be built if only Scott Morrison could respond to the proposal.”

She insists her plan for a 1000-bed facility near Toowoomba is not dead, however the AAP has learned the sunshine state's proposal isn't up to federal expectations.

Mr Morrison confirmed on Friday the Commonwealth would meet the capital costs for a 500-bed facility in outer Melbourne, while Victoria would cover operational costs.

New South Wales has proposed new safety laws after recording an increase in the number of worker deaths in 2020.

According to the laws, food delivery platforms will have to provide workers with protective equipment and induction training.

The workers will also be given identification numbers and penalised for “repeated unsafe practices”.

The Transport Workers’ Union say the “targeting and punishment of exploited riders” will add to the “deadly pressures” they face on the job.

Workers who have lost their livelihoods due to extended pandemic lockdowns could be eligible for up to $500 a week in a new national scheme.

Victoria’s current pandemic outbreak has prompted this response. The hope is that the scheme will support those struggling to pay their bills.

It applies to any part of Australia that is designated as a virus hotspot and locked down for more than one week.

Eligibility depends on location, employment status and personal economic circumstances.

G-7 nations signed an agreement on Saturday committing them to confronting corporate tax avoidance and making sure that giant tech companies pay their fair share.

Chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak says the agreement will reform the global tax system to make it fit for the global digital age and crucially to make sure that it's fair, so that the right companies pay the right tax in the right places.

The G-7 ministers agreed in principle to a global minimum tax rate of 15% for multinational companies in each country they operate in.

Brisbane is set to construct a new $60 million manufacturing hub which will produce COVID-19 vaccines and personal protective equipment. 

It is expected to create 500 jobs over the next 10 years. 

The state government will put forward $20 million from its new $1.8 billion jobs fund while the remaining $40 million will be contributed by the federal government.