Government considers removing humpback whales from threatened species list
The Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is considering removing humpback whales from Australia's threatened species list.
More than 33,000 humpback whales are estimated to migrate through Queensland annually, with over 40,000 humpback whales migrating through Australia.
Griffith University research fellow in Marine Science Dr Olaf Meynecke, said it was too early to delist the species.
"What now is an issue, is a combination of other threats that are a lot harder to address," he said.
Proposed pipeline would impact endangered and vulnerable animals
An environmental assessment has found a 585 kilometre pipeline considered by the Queensland Government would significantly impact vulnerable species.
The pipeline construction proposes to clear over 140 hectares of koala habitat in central west Queensland.
A Federal Department of Environment assessment completed in 2019 found the proposal would significantly impact 2 endangered and 15 vulnerable species.
Murri Court providing culturally appropriate court, says report
A report on the Murri Court has found the Indigenous-owned court system is operating positively across Queensland.
The Ipsos report due to be released this week found the culturally-informed specialist court is generally viewed as somewhere offenders can have a "fair go".
“Importantly, the report showed that Murri Court is valued highly by participants, community members and elders as a means of justice that is Indigenous-owned and more culturally appropriate than mainstream courts,” said State Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.
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Taiwan will fiercely defend itself if China attacks
Taiwan says the island will defend itself ‘to the very last day’ if China attacks.
Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said China had sent naval strike groups into Taiwanese territory, and military aircraft into its air defence zone.
"We are willing to defend ourselves without any questions and we will fight the war if we need to fight the war. And if we need to defend ourselves to the very last day we will defend ourselves to the very last day," said Mr Wu.
Aboriginal led clinics in Northern Territory rollout COVID-19 vaccine
Remote Aboriginal-controlled clinics in the Northern Territory have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Independent Corporation Miwatj Health spokesperson said the clinics aim to build trust and make information accessible for remote communities.
The organisation also continues to run question and answer sessions and create in-language vaccine information videos despite additional government funding.
Queensland strawberry industry offers $100,000 to entice workers
The Queensland strawberry industry is offering a $100,000 cash prize to lure in workers.
The Queensland Strawberry Growers Association plans to turn the upcoming season into a competition to increase worker involvement.
Association president Adrian Schultz said the industry will need around seven thousand workers to pick Queensland strawberries over winter.
"What we're asking people to do is work hard and play hard," president Adrian Schultz said.
Concerns NDIS assessment reforms won’t meet needs of Indigenous communities
Advocacy groups are warning NDIS assessment reforms will not meet the requirements of people from culturally diverse and Indigenous communities.
Currently, people with disability submit specialist evidence to the NDIS for evaluation. However, the proposal would have peoples’ support and funding eligibility assessed by independent contractors.
The Australian Lawyers Alliance said the assessments would not provide the specialist and culturally competent services culturally diverse and Indigenous people need.
Outback tourist operators fear they won't have enough staff to handle peak season
Regional Queensland is struggling to attract tourism workers for this upcoming season.
According to The Outback Queensland Tourism Association, there has been a 30 per cent increase in the tourism sector compared to 2019.
Yvonne Tunney, who runs holiday accommodation in the Gulf of Carpentaria town of Karumba, said local business usually rely on backpackers as there are limited locals seeking casual work.
"It's been increasingly difficult to staff backpackers to run through the tourist season."
"It's definitely making us very nervous," said Ms Tunney.
Claims the Toondah Harbour development will put koala habitats and wetlands at risk
Brisbane residents are campaigning against the Redlands Toondah Harbour development over concerns it will damage koala habitats and protected wetlands.
The development is listed as a priority development area (PDA), which plans for three thousand six hundred apartments to be built over the water.
The PDA status means developers are not required to comply with environmental regulations.
Koala Action Group President Debbie Pointing said the development will be a death sentence for local shorebirds and koalas.