Mandatory QR code laws in Victoria
Victoria is introducing new laws which will make it mandatory to sign in with QR codes when visiting venues.
Businesses now face fines for up to one thousand and six hundred dollars for not complying with enforcing QR sign ins.
There’s concern for older Australians and Australians from migrant backgrounds regarding this new law, as Victorians need a smartphone to use the Service Victoria app to sign in and may be unaware how to.
China bans Tiananmen Square vigil in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Citizens are seeking alternative ways to pay tribute to the Tiananmen Square anniversary, after the Chinese government has banned this years’ vigil.
China cited Covid-19 as the reason for the ban, despite Hong Kong reporting zero cases of locally-transmitted Covid-19 for over a month.
This came after China’s increasing pressure on Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, with human rights group Amnesty International claiming that China has used Covid-19 to ‘muzzle’ the freedom of citizens.
Crime and Corruption Commission boss's job has been threatened
The chairman of the Crime and Corruption Commission that sacked the Logan City Council two years ago is now battling to keep his job.
Chairman Alan MacSporran has been faced with a targeted probe into his commission, which saw the former Logan City Council mayor, Luke Smith and seven fellow councillors charged with fraud.
Whilst still pursuing criminal charges against Mr. Smith, prosecutors dropped the fraud charges against the seven former Logan councillors, who threatened legal action.
Father wants to change smoking laws in Gold Coast strata schemes
A Gold Coast father, Sean Hardman, has launched a petition on the Queensland Parliament website to change the bylaws of smoking in strata schemes, after receiving second hand smoke from neighbours and causing health threats to his family.
The Body Corporate and Community Management Act stated people living in strata schemes must not cause a nuisance or hazard, but smoking was not listed.
After being voted down by body corporate, Mr Hardman took the concern to the Queensland Government.
Brisbane is not prepared for new electric scooters, according to transport sector
Transport sector groups have said that Brisbane’s infrastructure is not ready for the incoming wave of electric scooters and bikes.
The Brisbane City Council signed contracts to bring an additional 1800 electric vehicles to Brisbane’s streets in coming weeks.
The transport sector has once again called for the state government to review the laws that bar e-scooters from roads and bike lanes.
NDIS boss has acknowledged fears about independent assessments
NDIS chief Martin Hoffman has acknowledged fear and concern around proposed changes to the disability insurance scheme.
People with disability have raised concerns they will be left without the support they need under the proposed reforms.
These reforms shift NDIS assessments from medical experts to bureaucrats.
In a recently released consultation paper Mr Hoffman said he regretted the reforms had not met community expectations.
Rodent bait has killed hundred of native galas in New South Wales
The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority has confirmed native birds are being killed by rodent bait.
Mice and rats were baited with grain coated in a poison that native birds are susceptible to.
Hundreds of dead galas were found in western New South Wales with blood in their faeces.
Medication for Transgender and Menopausal women in shortage nationwide
The national shortage is expected to continue until May 2022.
Estradiol valerate, also known by the brand name Progynova, replaces the hormone estradiol in the body.
This hormone declines with menopause in women and is used in the treatment of gender dysphoria.
The shortage has come due to a manufacturing problem at the pharmaceutical company Bayer earlier this year.
If you are concerned about the impact this may have about you, consult your doctor for advice or a change of scripts.
'Brisbetter' reportedly costing four million dollars
The Brisbane City Council is set to spend an additional one-point-six million dollars on their ‘Brisbetter’ marketing campaign.
This puts the total spend on the campaign at over four-million dollars.
The state opposition said ‘Brisbetter’ is a promotional campaign.
Labor Leader Jared Cassidy alleged the LNP are trying to “fudge” how much they spend on advertising.
Lockdowns see Brisbane crime rate reduction
A global study conducted by the University of Queensland found urban crime rates in Brisbane decreased by forty percent since Covid-19 lockdown measures were introduced.
The study compared statistics of urban crime during lockdown, to statistics of urban crime prior to Covid-19.
Scholars of the study want to use these findings to discover and predict how cities build resilience to recurrent system changes.