Government backbencher George Christensen has confirmed he will retire from politics next election.

Christensen says Australian politics aren’t working for conservatives on issues such as freedom of speech, religious liberty, and coal-fired power.

He plans to continue speaking out on issues even after his retirement.

Six hospitals in India’s capital Delhi have completely run out of oxygen, and more said they only have a few hours of oxygen supply left, as a second wave of COVID grips the capital. 

More than 99% of intensive care beds are full, with a recorded confirmation of 16 000 000 infections. 

A quick content warning: this story mentions domestic violence.

Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Codd said yesterday Queensland Police would be reviewing its handling of domestic violence cases in the wake of the Kelly Wilkinson murder case.

A Holland Park resident, Tanya Wright, said she had paid thousands of dollars in damage after her car engine’s wiring was almost entirely stripped by rats.

Wright said her insurance policy did not cover rat damage. 

She urges people to double check their insurance policy to avoid a steep bill.

The Queensland government will take over from Brisbane City Council in overseeing ANZAC Square from July next year.

The Queensland Veterans Council will be responsible for the square’s maintenance.

The Veterans Council will also advise the government on veterans issues, and take on responsibility for administering payments to organisations supporting veterans through the ANZAC day trust.

The European Union has assured the Australian Government it will not block an AstraZeneca vaccine shipment to Papua New Guinea. 

It comes after the EU blocked a shipment of 250,000 vaccines to Australia in March. 

25 organisations including Uber, Volkswagen, and Environment Victoria have called on Victorian MPs to oppose a proposal that would introduce road usage fees for electric and hybrid vehicles.

The proposal would have electric car users paying 2.5c per kilometre while hybrid vehicles would pay 2c per kilometre.

The ACT Barnardos Foster Mother of the Year, Maria Worner, has called for an ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry into the child protection system.

Worner says inexperienced caseworkers are overloaded with cases.

Gold Coast hinterland fire departments are considering indigenous fire management techniques as an alternative to standard hazard-reduction burns.

The initiative follows a recent incident in which a hazard-reduction burn spiralled out of control.