Inland Rail $14.5b project ‘way over budget’, schedule
One of Australia's biggest transport projects is over budget, behind schedule and has been treated like a "vanity project", the federal minister has warned.
politics (general)
Qld youth justice reforms ‘would cause more crime’
Top Queensland legal bodies have criticised the lack of consultation on the Palaszczuk government's youth justice bill, saying it's likely to cause more crime.
Professor freed from PNG criminals returns to Australia
Archaeologist Professor Bryce Barker has returned to Australia after being released by criminals who took him and three others hostage in Papua New Guinea.
Public servants afraid to speak out, hearing told
Public servants were afraid to raise problems with former coalition ministers because of the potential consequences for their jobs, an inquiry has heard.
Lost and unclaimed super reaches $16 billion, ATO says
Tax authorities have found another $2.1 billion in lost and unclaimed superannuation since last financial year, taking the nation's total to $16 billion.
Watchdog says Qld youth laws will ‘erode basic rights’
National Children's Commissioner Anne Hollonds says Queensland's plan for tougher bail laws and more children's prisons will fail to improve community safety.
Qld police shootings ‘touched soul of the nation’
Queensland parliament has heard tearful and heartfelt tributes for two police officers and a neighbour gunned down during a domestic terror attack in December.
New laws prep Queensland for coercive control offence
The Queensland government is preparing to introduce a standalone coercive control criminal offence as updated domestic and family violence laws pass parliament.
Qld govt defends bail crackdown limiting child rights
The Queensland government says its criminalising breaching bail as part of its youth crime crackdown because the community has called for it.
First Nations treaty bill tabled in Qld parliament
A Queensland government bill that sets out a proposed map to a treaty, including a new truth and healing inquiry, has been introduced to parliament.
Santos wins approval for 116 gas wells in western Qld
The federal government has given Santos approval to drill 116 new coal seam gas wells in Queensland's Surat Basin with an operational life of 30 years.
BHP urged to support coal communities as they exit
BHP's decision to sell two Queensland coal mines has riled unions and renewed calls from the resource industry for a review of the state's royalty rates.
Qld to decriminalise possession of most illicit drugs
Queensland will move to decriminalise drug possession with police to refer people caught with illicit substances or utensils to diversion programs.
Qld youth crime laws criticised as ‘knee-jerk reaction’
The Queensland government will make it a criminal offence for a child to breach a bail condition after a number of high-profile crimes involving teenagers.
Qld govt’s gas well approvals slammed by activists
The Queensland government's decision to approve dozens of new coal seam gas wells on the Darling Downs has been slammed by environmental activists.
Breach of bail to return for young Queensland offenders
Queensland's government has pledged to restore breach of bail as a standalone offence despite cabinet ministers previously rejecting the measure as ineffective.
Qld to make it easier to end community title schemes
Queensland wants to allow community title schemes to be wound up with the nod of 75 per cent of owners, and to let bodies corporate ban smoking, but not pets.
Complete Gabba rebuild in $7b Brisbane Olympics deal
A complete rebuild of Brisbane's Gabba stadium and a new 17,000 seat arena in the city will form the cornerstone's of Queensland's Olympic infrastructure.
Teal MP in ‘robust’ negotiations with chief of staff
An unfair dismissal claim brought against teal MP Monique Ryan will go back into mediation after "robust" discussions failed to resolve the case.
Qld govt approves 55 gas wells near contaminated site
Queensland's environmental watchdog says there are "strict conditions" on its approval for Arrow Energy to drill 55 gas wells near a contaminated site.
Electric vehicle tax hearing recharges political row
A battle between state and federal governments over how electric vehicle owners will be charged for using roads continues inside and outside the courtroom.
Silent ‘life and death’ risk lurking in electric cars
Electric cars are too quiet to be safe, according to lobby groups and researchers, who say urgent policy changes are needed in Australia to protect pedestrians.
Petrol car ban will force Aussie drivers to go electric
Australians drivers may not be able to buy a new petrol or diesel car in 2035 after restrictions on their sale was approved in Europe.
Axe falls on Australia’s last white paper manufacturer
Dwindling timber supplies have been blamed for Australia's last white paper manufacturer shutting its eastern Victorian plant, with 200 jobs to go.
Treaty vision includes new truth and healing inquiry
Queensland will set up a First Nations Treaty Institute and Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry under legislation to be introduced next week.
Farmers, truckies, councils want $5.5b rural road fix
A new alliance of farmers, livestock carriers and local councils are calling on the federal government to provide $5.5 billion in emergency funding for roads.
Signing off: Job losses as Australia’s last white paper plant closes
Dwindling timber supplies have been blamed for Australia's last white paper manufacturer shutting its eastern Victorian plant.
Queensland learner drivers to pay less for L plates
L-platers in Queensland will pay less for their learner driver permits after the state government lowered the price following months of pressure.
Crucial court battle to set road tax for electric cars
How much electric vehicle drivers will pay to use Australian roads, and who will charge them, could be determined during an upcoming high-profile court case.
Housing advocates call for Queensland rent hike limits
Queensland housing advocates are calling for the state government to limit the number and size of rent rises allowed each year to protect tenants.
Australia may return Norfolk Island to self-governance
Almost 2200 people living on Norfolk Island could have self-rule returned more than seven years after the federal government took over the remote island.