Hi there, it's Thursday, June 30. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
One thing to know right now: Our COVID vaccine deals under the spotlight
The new federal government says it'll review the Coalition's vaccine deals. Here's the lowdown:
- Health Minister Mark Butler wants a fast-tracked review into how vaccines were bought and the current arrangements with vaccine companies
- And how fast? The government wants the review done in weeks, not "many months"
- Senior public servant Jane Halton is in charge (she also looked into the nation's hotel quarantine)
- But it *isn't* a full inquiry into the pandemic response. Mr Butler said it'll focus on providing advice to the government about what it should focus on in the next few years
And the Commonwealth Bank has increased its fixed mortgage rates by a huge 1.4 per cent
- It comes just days before the next Reserve Bank board meeting
- RateCity.com.au research director Sally Tindall expects other major banks will lift rates in response
- CBA's lowest fixed rate is now just under 5 per cent
- Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank is tipped to increase interest rates again next week
We heard a lot about: Bees being destroyed
And it's pretty heartbreaking stuff. Here's what's happening:
- Authorities are destroying millions of bees to try and control NSW's varroa mite outbreak
- The bees are gassed or doused in petrol and left overnight before the hives are torched
- The NSW Agriculture Minister says discussions about compensation are underway, but beekeepers want more help and updates
- Commercial apiarist Roland Inman said the measures would hurt many businesses — and while he's just outside the eradication zone, he has fears:
News you might have missed
Let's catch you up.
- Moments after being found guilty in an Adelaide court, National Crime Authority bomber Domenic Perre collapsed. The drug trafficker, who was convicted of the notorious 1994 crime today, has been taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital
- NSW Transport Minister David Elliott says his former Coalition colleague John Barilaro should withdraw from his new trade job in New York
- The Queensland government will release cabinet papers after 30 days, instead of 30 years, in response to a damning report into the state's public service
The news Australia is searching for
- Maya Hawke: The actor and daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke was on Jimmy Fallon's late-night show in the US — and she took those behind the Roe v Wade decision to task, talking about her mother's abortion as a teenager and ending with: "F*** the Supreme Court"
One more thing: This bison …
Here's what happened when a man got too close to a bison at Yellowstone National Park in the US:
The man ran up and appeared to be trying to keep himself between the bison and his family.
It was the second time this year that one of the animals has responded to someone getting too close by goring them.
Visitors to the park are advised to stay at least 23m away from the animals.
The man who filmed it, parkgoer Rob Goodall, said:
That's it for now
We'll be back tomorrow with more.
ABC/wires
