Queensland Pacific Metals say they may have found a way to make their planned Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub a net negative CO2 producer. The nickel refinery is set to produce 36% less CO2 than the industry average, with QPM saying it could take this into net negative territory if it can find a way to use methane from Queensland’s coal mines for extra CO2 credits. The Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub is set to be the latest Queensland producer of nickel sulphate, placing our state at the centre of the emerging lithium ion battery and electric vehicles industries.

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is free to challenge current president Jair Bolsonaro in next year’s elections after his corruption conviction was annulled. Lula, who previously served as president from 2003 to 2011, was convicted in 2018 on corruption charges he denounced as politically motivated. Prior to his conviction, Lula and his left-wing Worker’s Party enjoyed widespread popular support, making him a serious challenger to struggling President Bolsonaro.

Protests are ongoing in the Senegalese capital Dakar following opposition leader Ousmane Sonko’s formal indictment on rape allegations.The protests began last week in response to Sonko being taken into police custody in what many see as a politically motivated attempt to suppress dissent. While they centre around Mr. Sonko’s detention, many see the street demonstrations as a statement of general anger about rising inequality, corruption and the government’s poor management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former deputy leader Julie Bishop has criticised how senior Morrison government ministers have handled the sexual assault allegation raised by Brittany Higgins and the historical rape allegation against Christian Porter saying she would have felt a ‘duty’ to report an allegation of rape to the police. Speaking to ABC’s 7:30 Ms.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says supply issues are behind the state’s slow rollout of the AstraZaneca COVID-19 vaccine. The first two vaccine hubs opened on Monday in Logan and Bundaberg as Ms Palaszczuk says it can only be rolled out as fast as it’s being supplied and no concerns about this were raised in the national cabinet meeting last week. The process and rollout is being done in consultation with the Commonwealth and Health Minister Yvette D’ath says we are adapting quickly to the number we’re getting.

Brisbane City Council has approved a proposal for a commercial building between the Heritage-listed Boggo Road Gaol and a CSIRO building despite the surrounding residents' complaints against the development. Stockwell, a Brisbane property company proposed the development in 2019. Months of delays were due to the council needing more information before approving the proposal. Residents say the site is not appropriate and will increase traffic congestion and less access for the public.

Queensland Greens MP Amy McMahon says sex education should be made compulsory in Queensland schools. McMahon, the state member for South Brisbane, wrote to Education Minister Grace Grace yesterday in a bid to curb sexual violence. As people around the world celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday, Ms McMahon said compulsory sex education was just one thing the government could do to improve the lives of Queensland women.

Protesters marked three years since a family of Tamil asylum seekers were taken into immigration detention, with a protest in Brisbane’s CBD this weekend. 

The Brisbane protest came on the same weekend a candle-light vigil was held in support of the family by neighbours and friends in their home town of Biloela.