Unions demand clarity on aged care and disability support workers vaccine rollout

Unions are demanding clarity on the vaccine plan for aged care and disability support workers from the government. 

The Australian Council of Trade Unions Assistant Secretary Liam O’Brien says these workers are the last healthcare workers in the country to be vaccinated and need answers. 

"Workers really just want to know how and when they are going to be vaccinated. The Morrison government needs to come out with a clear plan as to how this is going to occur," says O'Brien

 

TikTok facing privacy lawsuit after allegedly collecting users information

A social media platform and its Chinese parent company are facing a billion-dollar privacy lawsuit in London’s high court. 

The class-action claim children who used the app, TikTok, from May 2018 may have had their private personal information illegally collected. 

Former children's commissioner of England Anne Longfield says parents have the right to know if their children's physical location, phone numbers and videos are being illegally distributed.

Australia to fund low-emissions research

Australia will help new fund research into low-emission technology. 

PM Scott Morrison announced a $566-million investment in research partnerships with other countries for new technology like green steel, small modular nuclear reactors, and soil carbon sequestration. 

“The world is changing and we want to stay ahead of the curve by working with international partners to protect the jobs we have in energy-reliant businesses and create new jobs in the low emissions technology sector,” says Morrison.

Toondah Harbour development agreement will not be made public

Toondah Harbour development planned for protected wetlands in Moreton Bay will not be made public following a tribunal ruling. 

The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal ruled in favour of the Queensland Government and Walker Corporation preventing the release of their development.  

Environmental Defences Officer Lawyer Andrew Kwan says it's impossible for the public to understand public benefit without transparency. 

Rural mental health initiatives having positive impacts

Experts say mental health initiatives and campaigns in rural Queensland are having an increasing impact. 

Royal Flying Doctor Service councillor Alex Donoghue says more and more men are taking responsibility for their mental health. 

"We've gone from really having to lobby hard to seeing more and more people coming forward," says Ms Donoghue.

"Talking creates awareness, awareness creates people taking responsibility, and people taking responsibility creates better mental health outcomes."

Brisbane and Whitsundays holiday vouchers initiative

More than 4 million dollars worth of holiday vouchers will be up for grabs in Queensland in an attempt to boost tourism in Brisbane and the Whitsundays.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the initiative, which will see 30 thousand vouchers valued at 100 dollars given to recipients for select tourism experiences and accommodation, early this morning. 

"This will pump millions of dollars back into our economy and help tourism operators doing it tough,” says Ms Palaszczuk.