Extinction Rebellion postpones protest due to weather
Climate activist protest group Extinction Rebellion have had to postpone an action in Brisbane’s King George Square this morning due to the severe wet weather and flooding.
It comes at the start of their reported national week of action, which was due to highlight what the group say is an urgent need for truth-telling regarding the climate crisis.
South-east Queenslanders have been inundated with rain and flooding over the weekend, with some areas reporting up to 200 millimetres.
Brisbane Cycling Festival kicks off
The Brisbane Cycling Festival is kicking off this week, with major events starting from 24 March.
More than 75 events will be held until the festival concludes on 12 April, with highlights including the Tour De Brisbane, Spokes N’ Jokes comedy, a mini Craft Beer Festival and the Brisbane Pololympics.
Last year, then-Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the festival generated over $150 million for the local economy every year.
Travel restrictions from New Zealand to Queensland eased
Flights from New Zealand to Queensland have resumed over the weekend, with Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young confirming the ease to travel restrictions on Saturday.
People in deemed ‘green zones’ in New Zealand are now able to travel to Queensland without undertaking the compulsory two week quarantine.
Ms Young confirmed those who were in quarantine at the time of the announcement after travelling from New Zealand to Queensland could leave quarantine on Sunday if they returned a negative test result.
ABC program highlighting rural communities celebrates 30 years
The iconic Australian Broadcasting Corporation farming program Landline is celebrating its 30-year anniversary this week.
The program is well known and loved for highlighting stories and issues from Australian farming, agriculture, rural and regional communities.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management and Deputy Leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, says “for the last 30 years, Landline has kept Australia in the loop on the stories that matter to primary producers in our regional and rural areas.”
Spain to trial four day work week
Spain is set to become one of the first countries in the world to trial a four-day working week, with estimates that the pilot could begin as early as autumn 2021.
The pilot will run for three years, with the government providing over 50 million Euros to the program, which would allow companies to trial reduced hours with minimised financial risk.
Business owners have expressed concern over the project, with Ricardo Mur of CEOE described it as “madness” following Spain's worst recession since the civil war.
UK initiative to avoid arrests relating to medical cannabis
A new scheme is being released in the UK to allow patients taking medical cannabis to identify themselves to police who may otherwise arrest them.
In 2019, there were over 1.4 million people already using cannabis for medical conditions. With limited accessibility through expensive private healthcare providers, people in need of medicinal cannabis who cannot afford prescriptions are buying it illegally.
Yes, Prime Minister presented by the Centenary Theatre Group
Yes, Prime Minister presented by the Centenary Theatre Group
Directed by Michael Lawrence
CTG Theatre, Chelmer
6th-27th March 2021
Dr Gemma Regan
Michael Lawrence was a rival for any sesquipedalian orator!
8am Zedlines, 22 March 2021
Your 8am Zedlines with Kat Housego and Justin Yip.
Image Credit: Queensland Government
First Nations and elderly eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Queensland
The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout begins in Queensland today, with elderly adults over 70, people with underlying medical conditions, First Nations people over 55 and critical and high risk workers eligible for the jab.
Dr Bruce Willett, Queensland chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, says there’s been issues with supply and demand of the vaccination, telling the ABC that GP practices like his have tens of thousands of patients on their books and are only receiving about 80 vaccines a week.
Committee hearings into contentious Youth Justice bill conclude
Committee hearings into the contentious Youth Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill conclude in Brisbane today.
The bill was introduced by Mark Ryan, Queensland Minister for Police and Corrective Services in February and has been the subject of ongoing criticism from human rights and youth advocates.
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak told the committee that the proposed use of GPS trackers on repeat offenders as a bail condition would fail to improve community safety and breach their human rights.