Queensland is closing its borders to residents of Greater Sydney from 1am Saturday, 1 August 2020. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has declared the Greater Sydney region a COVID-19 hotspot. More on the border restrictions here.

Victoria has recorded another 13 deaths and 723 cases overnight – the highest daily figures for the state. Face masks will be mandatory in public from Monday in that state for every single Victorian. More here.

In NSW, 18 new cases have been recorded in the 24 hours up to 8pm 29 July 2020. Parklea Correctional Centre in Sydney's north-west has been placed in lockdown after an inmate tested positive. Border restrictions for the NSW-Victorian border are in force and fines apply. Information on current NSW restrictions, cases and hotspots available here.

From Saturday 1 August 2020, new rules will be in place for gyms and fitness centres to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in NSW. More here.

Changes to stamp duty thresholds, which will eliminate stamp duty on newly-built homes below $800,000 as part of the government’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan, will take effect from Saturday 1 August 2020. Under the changes, the threshold above which stamp duty will be charged on new homes for first home buyers will increase from the current $650,000 to $800,000, with the concession reducing on higher values before phasing out at $1 million. More here. 

The NSW Government will introduce a land tax discount for new build-to-rent housing projects until 2040 and a new Housing Diversity SEPP to provide more housing options, greater surety for renters, boost construction and support jobs during the COVID-19 recovery. More here.

Information for the legal profession about how courts and tribunals are changing to respond to the pandemic is available on the Law Society’s COVID-19 portal.

The Law Society’s new Solicitor Outreach Service (SOS) provides NSW solicitors direct access to a dedicated and confidential mental health and wellbeing support service. Call 1800 592 296 to access up to three free psychological sessions per financial year, or to speak with a psychologist if in crisis or distress. Learn more.

The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission will now shift its focus to creating jobs and stimulating the Australian economy. More here.

The number of dwellings approved fell 4.9 per cent in June, in seasonally adjusted terms, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today. More here.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has launched the next phase of its action plan to combat scams, unveiling a suite of new resources designed to help Australians protect themselves on their home and mobile phones from scams. The ACCC's Scamwatch has received more than 3,000 scam reports mentioning the coronavirus, with over $1.3 million in reported losses since the pandemic began. More here.

The Law Society’s Dining Room Delivers bookings portal is now open. Book by 8am Tuesday to have your meal hamper delivered to your door next Friday. All profits go to Foodbank NSW & ACT to assist families in need. View menu and order here.