Two Australians have been detained in Myanmar after attempting to leave the country on a relief flight on Friday. 

Matthew O’Kane and Christa Avery, a dual Canadian-Australian citizen, run a consultancy business based in Yangon and are reportedly being held under house arrest.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance for two Australian nationals.

The US is proposing a new missile defence base in their Pacific territory of Guam. 

The base would have capabilities to destroy incoming missiles as well as fire on targets over 500 km away. 

The proposal supposedly aims to obstruct China’s military expansion into the Pacific. 

However, many Guam residents object to the construction of the base on their island, even those that work within the US military. 

Other Pacific Islanders fear a development in Guam foreshadows the increased militarisation of their homes by the US.

The Chief Executive of the Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea, Dr. Paki Malumi, said the COVID-19 situation in Papua New Guinea was staggering and frightening.

1791 cases have been recorded in Papua New Guinea since the start of February. Roughly 10% of the hospital's workforce has contracted the virus, but it's likely this is the result of rampant community transmission rather than transmission from patients. A four-week national isolation strategy will begin on Monday and will see schools close and travel restricted.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says there is not enough public support among Australians for constitutional recognition of First Nations people. 

In 2017 the Uluru Statement From The Heart called for a constitutionally-enshrined Indigenous advisory body. However, Scott Morrison says his government is focused on pursuing a voice to parliament and on closing the gap.  

A new building was opened yesterday at the Ashmore TAFE campus. The $10.5 million training centre will deliver building and construction courses. 

This investment comes as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $150 million program to revitalise TAFE campuses across Queensland.

Southern Cross University in partnership with Young Change Agents has rolled out a program that challenges high school students to develop social enterprise solutions to problems in their local area.

The Gold Coast Changemaker Challenge consists of a one-day design-thinking workshop where teams will come up with innovative ways to improve their social and physical environment.

The Vice President of Engagement at Southern Cross, Mr. Ben Roche, said the university believes in the importance of young people contributing to broader social issues in their communities.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has announced he will continue with a proposal to create a cableway in the hinterland despite a petition opposing the development.

14,000 signatures were gathered on the petition. Residents argue the money could be better spent without impacting residents and the environment.

The petition will be forwarded to Environment Minister and local MP, Meaghan Scanlon.

Mayor Tate says the cableway is vital for supporting the struggling tourism industry.