World watch

COVID: A number of Melbourne flights have been cancelled. QLD reportedly have police patrolling the NSW/QLD border. (SkyNews). State of Origin schedule is yet to be determined.  China has reprimanded Biden over his call for further investigation into COVID emerging from a laboratory. NSW Parliament: Jodi McKay, NSW Opposition leader (Labor Party) has resigned. At this stage, Chris Minns seems like the most likely contender.  Israel: The International Criminal Court is raising questions about Israel's actions during the Israel-Palestine conflict. It seems odd that they don't raise questions about the indiscriminate firing of thousands of rockets at civilian areas by Hamas targetted at Israel.

COVID: Victoria calls snap lockdown. The SuperCars round at Winton, which was due to occur this weekend, has had to be postponed. Airlines are also cancelling flights to Melbourne. The other States and Territories in Australia have imposed various levels of restrictions. Experts are reportedly concerned that the Olympics in Tokyo may create a new Olympic strain of COVID. Facebook has decided not to block posts that suggest COVID could be man-made and Biden calls for redoubled efforts to establish the origin of the virus. Climate Change: The Federal Court (single judge) has ruled that the Environment Minister has a duty of care to children to consider the impacts of Climate Change when considering coal mine extensions. Jack De Belin: After two trials, the DPP has reportedly notified De Belin's legal team that the charges have been dropped. He has not been able to play for the Dragons for two years. This case raises the issue of whether organisations should be able to stand a person ...

 NSW Labour Party: Chris Minns says that ALP politics is too negative as he resigns from the opposition front bench. Minns says that the ALP needs to put forward positive policies. Minns will now discuss with his colleagues over the next couple of days the path forward for the NSW ALP. Minns said it is not the opposition's role to oppose everything but to put forward positive solutions. (Source: Press Conference). Jodi McKay claims to still have the numbers. COVID: 5 new cases overnight in Victoria leading to a total of 14 cases. New Zealand has suspended flights from Victoria and other states within Australia have imposed various limitations on travel. (SkyNews) Electric Vehicle Tax: Victoria has imposed an Electric Vehicle Tax with drivers required to pay 2.5 cents for every kilometre. The Greens opposed the bill. South Australia and New South Wales have indicated the intention to pass similar bills. (New Daily). Parliamentary Sex: Numerous reports have been made of potential se...

 George Christenson attempted to initiate parliamentary contempt proceedings against Facebook for limiting his political communication. The Speaker of the house declined to refer the matter to the privileges committee. The Federal Police have revealed that a brief of evidence will be sent to the ACT DPP relating to the Brittany Higgins allegations. One of the COVID cases in Victoria went to the MCG leaving the health authorities with thousands of people to trace. Queensland has introduced a voluntary euthanasia bill into the parliament for a consideration phase (SkyNews) With multiple front bench members resigning from the NSW opposition front bench, it seems that it is only a matter of time before Jodi McKay is subjected to a challenge.

 The by-election in the NSW Hunter Valley seat has returned an unexpected increased 2-party preferred vote to the National Party. Although, this is a very safe National Party seat, the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the sitting member and the heavy coal-based electorate had predictions questioning whether the Nationals would retain the seat. Consequently, this has led to calls for the ALP Opposition Leader, Jody McKay to step down from the leadership. Victoria now has five (5) cases of COVID and has reimplemented some restrictions. QLD has also implemented 14-day quarantine requirements for anyone who has visited an exposure site. The issue of sexual assault complaint mechanisms in the Commonwealth parliament continues to raise its head, aided by Grace Tame who reportedly repeated part of a private conversation with the Prime Minister. Unfortunately, the timing of the press reporting seems to indicate that Tame is being used by the media for political anti-LNP purpose...