Queensland budget forecast to be at least $3b deficit
Queensland's treasurer has revealed the upcoming budget will forecast a $3 billion deficit as the government spends on cost-of-living relief measures.
government
Social media use linked to spike in teen self harm
Queensland's chief health officer has issued a warning about the "public health problem" of social media to young people.
Nation’s only Liberal government suffers first-day loss
Tasmania's minority Liberal government has lost the position of Speaker on the first day of parliament since the state election in March.
Reforms target scrutiny of fertility clinic services
Proposed laws in Queensland will bring greater scrutiny to IVF and fertility services, as well as the introduction of a donor conception register.
Doctors demand answers over end-of-life care funding
A peak medical body is calling for urgent end-of-life care funding in the Queensland budget and an explanation as to where previous funding has gone.
Palaszczuk begins post-politics life in new role
Annastacia Palaszczuk will be an international ambassador for a smart energy council in her first role since stepping down as Queensland premier.
New resources tax not a ‘fair return’ for Australians
A parliamentary inquiry has ruled in favour of offshore petroleum tax changes but critics say Australians will still not get a fair return on their resources.
Revamped emergency services to improve response times
Queensland emergency services will fall under new departments after state parliament passed laws to better align diaster management responses.
Gillnet-free zones to protect endangered marine species
Five net-free fishing zones have been given approval in northern Australia to the delight of marine conservationists.
Govt under fire with kids ‘suffering’ in watch houses
Advocates say children are suffering in Queensland watch houses and a state government Youth Justice Act tweak will only make the problem worse.
State parliament votes to make sex work legal and safe
A fourth Australian jurisdiction has voted to fully decriminalise sex work in a bid to prevent discrimination and ensure safety.
Qld homes receive nation’s biggest energy bill support
The Queensland government is delivering a major rebate amid the cost of living crisis in Australia's biggest energy cash splash for households.
Concerns raised over police stop and search powers
The Queensland government's decision to expand police stop and search powers after a spate of NSW knife attacks has raised concerns.
Weapon search laws extended in $1.2b safety pledge
Shoppers and pub patrons could be searched for weapons by police under a proposed expansion of "wanding" laws that have attracted interstate attention.
‘Take responsibility’: PM’s $1b domestic violence fund
National cabinet has agreed to a $925 million fund that will provide $5000 to women escaping domestic violence, as part of a suite of reforms.
Youth detention law change sparks widespread outcry
The Queensland government has been accused of breaching its international human rights commitments over a planned youth justice law change.
Action threat over ‘children assaulted in watch houses’
Children in Queensland police watch houses have been sexually and physically assaulted, with an advocacy group saying the system is not coping.
Opposition parties combine in race to govern Solomons
Two opposition parties in the Solomon Islands have joined forces as they court independents in a bid to reach the 26 seats needed to form a government.
Crisafulli coy on poll numbers as LNP extends Qld lead
The Liberal National Party opposition is on track for a huge Queensland election victory in October based on the latest YouGov polling.
Troubled forensic lab’s DNA backlog blows out to 41,000
A backlog of cases at a Queensland DNA lab has increased as the state opposition calls on the government to release a full strategy to address its issues.
‘Immensely grateful’: MP back in parliament after crash
Two months after being seriously injured in a car crash, Queensland Greens MP Amy MacMahon has made an emotional return to state parliament.
Parents fear kids sent back to asbestos-riddled rooms
Children may have been exposed to asbestos for months or years after the hazardous material was detected at a primary school, parents say.
Help for farmers to get best price amid ‘dirty’ tactics
A trial designed to help farmers negotiate better deals with Australia's supermarket giants will be rolled out across Queensland amid claims of "dirty" tactics.
Treasurer admits ‘difficult’ budget ahead for Qld
The Queensland government will maintain its commitment to cost-of-living relief for households despite the treasurer warning of a difficult budget ahead.
State’s bold emissions targets enshrined into law
Commitments to renewable energy generation and emission reductions have been legislated into law in Queensland.
Homeschooling changes axed from education reform
Homeschooling and suspension appeal rights have been removed from major education reforms proposed by the Queensland government.
Conditions apply in return of famous magpie to family
Molly the magpie will be returned to a family and their two dogs if certain conditions can be met with Queensland's environment department.
Migrant water safety cash call after double drowning
The Victorian government is being urged to invest more in multicultural water safety education after the deaths of two men from Melbourne's Indian community.
Victoria to make driver’s licences available on phones
Victorian drivers will soon have the option to carry their licence on their phone, more than six years after those in South Australia were given the choice.
Make-up of Tasmanian parliament finally settled
With the final seat going to an independent, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says the make-up of Tasmania's parliament has finally been decided.
Electrolyser factory puts regional town on hydrogen map
The first manufacturing facility in Australia to build hydrogen electrolysers at a commercial scale has opened in Queensland.