1. Fair Work Ombudsman says some employers may be able to make vaccination mandatory

The Fair Work Ombudsman has updated its guidance to employees on mandatory vaccination of workers. The regulator said it is "more likely to be reasonable" for employers to direct employees performing 'Tier 1' work such as hotel quarantine and border control and 'Tier 2' work such as health and aged care to get vaccinated. "Whether a direction is lawful and reasonable will be fact dependent and needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis," the ombudsman noted.

2. Baby Bunting reports 76% rise in net profit

Baby Bunting has announced a 76% rise in full-year net profit to $17.53 million and a fully franked final dividend of 8.3 cents per share for a total dividend of 14.1 cents for the full year, up 34.1%. "We had a tremendous year delivering great growth, both in earnings per share and returns for shareholders," said CEO and MD Matt Spencer.

3. Tony Abbott calls for coronavirus royal commission

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has told The Australian that Australia needs to have a "long, hard look" at how the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled in a "serious inquiry, a royal commission if you like" to prepare for future pandemics. "It might be in a year, it might be in a decade, it might be in a century – but there will be another pandemic, and it’s important that our successes have the benefit of our considered reflections on what’s gone right and what’s gone wrong in this one," Abbott said.

4. Olympic officials to replace gold medal that was bitten by mayor

Japanese softball player Miu Goto will be given a fresh new medal after Takashi Kawamura, the mayor of the city of Nagoya, caused controversy last week by biting into her medal at an event. The mayor apologised and offered to pay for a new medal, but the International Olympic Committee said it will cover the replacement costs.

5. Wall Street stocks close higher on Thursday

Both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 reached new record highs again on Thursday. wth the Dow rising 14.88 points or 0.04% to 35,499.85 and the S&P 500 gaining 13.13 points or 0.30% to 4,460.83. The Nasdaq also closed higher, moving up 51.13 points or 0.35% to 14,816.26.