National:
Cabinet Minister at the center of historical rape allegation to give public statement today.
- An anonymous letter sent to several members of Parliament last week has alleged the Cabinet Minister raped a 16-year girl in 1988.
- Scott Morrison has said the Minister ‘absolutely rejects’ the sexual assault allegation.
- NSW police have confirmed the investigation into the allegation was closed.
The Chairman and a board director Rio Tinto to resign over the Juukan Gorge caves destruction.
- In 2020, Rio Tinto destroyed two 46,000 year old caves in the Pilbara region against the wishes of the traditional owners, the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura (PKKP).
- Chairman Simon Thompson said that as chairman, he was ultimately accountable for the destruction of the sacred Aboriginal site.
Victoria:
Yesterday the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System made 65 recommendations.
- Six mental health priority sites to be opened by the end of 2022.
- Each site will help Victorians access mental health support in the community before they need to access a hospital support or when they reach a crisis point.
- The Andrews Labour Government is committed to implementing each of the 65 recommendations to rebuild our mental health system to support all Victorians.
Tasmania:
Tasmania leading the nation as Week 2 of COVID vaccine is underway.
- 1,159 Tasmanians have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine under the state-based vaccination program.
- Frontline workers, staff working at testing clinics and quarantine/border workers are the first to have received the vaccination at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
- Launceston General Hospital and North West Regional Hospital vaccination programs to commence mid-March.
- The COVID vaccines are free for every Tasmanian.
International:
Texas becomes biggest US state to lift COVID restrictions.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott has lifted most of the state’s coronavirus restrictions.
- Businesses will reopen at full capacity next week and residents are no longer required to wear face masks.
- Concern is raised as experts warn after recent extreme Winter weather Texas could see greater disease spread.
- Texas has had 42,000 coronavirus related deaths
Sources:
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/cabinet-minister-anonymous-letter-allegation-to-speak/13208284
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-03/lawyer-woman-cabinet-minister-historical-rape-allegation/13209906
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-03/rio-tinto-chairman-simon-thompson-resign-juukan-gorge-disaster/13210416
- https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP
- https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/giving-victorians-mental-health-support-close-home
- http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/site_resources_2015/additional_releases/tasmania_leading_the_nation_in_vaccine_roll-out,_as_week_2_of_the_program_gets_underwa
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-03/texas-becomes-biggest-us-state-to-lift-covid-19-mask-mandate/13210142