Prosecutors in Brazil have investigated allegations that illegally mined gold has been exchanged for coronavirus vaccines on an indigenous reserve. 

The Hutukara Association, which represents the Yanomami people from the Amazon region, reported a health worker for dealing vaccines to illegal miners. 

The Association’s letter to the Health Ministry emphasised that the Yanomami people have “long complained that materials and medicines intended for Indigenous health are being diverted to wildcat miners."

South Australia has recorded its first case of the tick-borne disease canine ehrlichiosis.

The disease, which can be fatal to dogs, was believed not to exist in Australia until a case was recorded in Western Australia in May last year.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced Australia’s remaining 80 troops will pull out of Afghanistan by September.

This move echoes the withdrawal of American troops by US president Joe Biden, signalling the end of a conflict that started in 2001 following the 9/11 attack. 

The PM states the Australian government will continue to support negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban. He says allegations of war crimes committed by the Australian military will be discussed at a later time.

Australia’s largest medicinal marijuana farm will be built in the outskirts of Toowoomba.

Construction on the facility will begin within the next six months; the completed farm is expected to produce 500 tonnes of marijuana per year.

The facility’s $400 million construction plans have been fast tracked by up to two years thanks to the merger of Australian-owned Australian Natural Therapeutics Group and Canadian-owned Asterion Cannabis Inc.

Tweed Heads Shire Council has announced a Plan of Management to ensure land at the Jack Evans Boat Harbour precinct will serve as a recreational and tourism point for the Tweed Heads region.

The plan describes the future planning and management of the precinct, including several parklands and sections of the waterway.

Mayor of Tweed Chris Cherry says the plan will ensure the land will be enhanced, protected, and managed, in accordance with the needs of the Tweed community.

In a private letter to a Toowong’s residents’ group, the Queensland Environment and Heritage Protection Minister has agreed legislative changes are needed to better protect the state’s historic character homes.

Minister Meaghan Scanlon was responding to community complaints surrounding the demolition of a Tudor style home in Toowong last month, which was once home to the Webster family: founders of the Shingle Inn tea house and Webster’s biscuits.

Near 600 non Indigenous organisations and corporations are being given millions of taxpayers money under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy. 

Crown resorts is one of many corporations being funded, receiving 2.29 million from the National Indigenous Australians Agency. 

Greens senator Lidia Thorpe criticised the agency’s funding choices, asking why non-indigenous organisations are taking billions of money needed to advance indigenous Australians.

Queensland banana growers will receive an additional 50 thousand dollars in grants after 1,200 hectares of crops were affected by Tropical Cyclone Niran in March. 

Initially, only 10% of primary produce farmers were originally offered 25 thousand dollars in emergency grants, but they were adamant that was inadequate. 

The growers said there has been a lack of engagement from the Queensland government over the last six weeks after the storm, with the matter passing through three different ministers' hands.

European Union members have agreed to use digital COVID-19 certificates, in order to facilitate travel in the bloc by the summer. 

The certificate will show whether or not someone is vaccinated, or has tested negative for the virus. 

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa says it will enable the free movement that is so important for citizens, societies and economic recovery.