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Exclusive: timeline for creation of body to end practice of police investigating police in doubt as state government mulls optionsGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastA critical recommendation to stop police investigating police is “unlikely” to be fulfilled by the 18-month deadline set out by an inquiry that heard evidence of racism, sexism and misogyny within the Queensland...

This blog is now closed.Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastMelbourne: two suspected arson attacks could be linked to crime group conflicts, investigators say Two suspected arson attacks that destroyed a Melbourne tobacco shop destroyed by fire could be linked to ongoing violent conflict between crime groups, investigators say, AAP reports.In Spain, improved public understanding of the dangers...

State government says concrete issues mean wall can’t be repaired as planned so new dam will be built to provide irrigation water for agricultureThe Queensland government is facing criticism over the decision to spend billions of dollars replacing an unsafe 20-year-old dam before completing a business case for the scheme.The 3,000-megalitre Paradise Dam was built near Bundaberg in 2005 to serve the surrounding agricultural...

Footage of a tiger shark caught in drum lines being euthanised renews debate about shark control measures used since the 1960sFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastMore than 700 marine animals – including nine dolphins – were killed by shark nets and drum lines off Queensland’s coast last year, according...

BoM forecasts show communities hit hard by recent floods may see more wild weather and flash flooding in coming daysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastResidents of far north Queensland still recovering from the devastation wreaked by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper could be hit by more heavy rain from a monsoon...

Queensland premier rejects opposition’s interpretation of numbers, as the total crime rate remains below mid-2000s levelsGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastThe Queensland premier, Steven Miles, says crime is “not clearly worsening” after the release of new police data that showed significant spikes in assaults and domestic violence offending.The state opposition and several media reports have called the...

On recent floods in Victoria and Queensland, Albanese said Australian defence force was a vital asset but that future recovery mitigation may need a re-thinkGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAnthony Albanese and the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, say a re-think of disaster recovery and flood mitigation may be needed due to climate change, with at least 26...

Qantas and Jetstar to offer special airfares, with accommodation deals to come, as Queensland premier insists region is ‘open for business’ after Cyclone JasperImages of Tropical Cyclone Jasper’s devastating impact on far north Queensland may have driven away tourists during peak season.But the Queensland premier, Steven Miles, insists the region is “open for business”, making a $5m pitch to lure visitors back. Continue reading...

Expert says if you see a snake you should leave it alone and call for a professional catcherWhen Tennille Bankes walked into a toilet cubicle in Goondiwindi, Queensland, she was greeted by the scaly tail of a spotted black snake peaking out beneath a closed lid.The wildlife carer and snake catcher was called by police to the public bathroom after a local, surprised by...

Queensland woman arrested after victims alleged dresses bound for dry-cleaning ended up for sale on social mediaA woman has been charged with running an alleged wedding dress business scam on dozens of unsuspecting brides in Queensland.The six-month police operation was launched after a Cairns woman allegedly gave her custom wedding dress to a bridal company in September 2022 for dry-cleaning, before spotting on social...

Two men, who have been denied bail, claim three boys were trespassing in Mareeba when they allegedly assaulted and handcuffed themA pair of alleged vigilantes have been charged with assaulting and handcuffing three boys they believed to be trespassing in an industrial area in Mareeba, near Cairns.A 36-year-old man and a 27-year-old man, both from Biboohra, have been denied police bail over the incident,...

Dozens rescued from flood waters and thousands remain without power as BoM warns of wild weather in Melbourne, south-east NSW and QueenslandThe first week of 2024 is off to a wild start, with storms continuing to lash Australia’s east coast and a heatwave baking the north of the continent.Thunderstorms were headed for central Victoria on Wednesday and were forecast to become widespread over the...

Tyalgum residents hit by devastating flooding in 2022 have stepped up to support each other again after being isolated for nearly two daysResidents of a small town near the New South Wales-Queensland border still grappling with the fallout from major flooding in 2022 have banded together to support each other after the community was again hit by severe weather.Tyalgum, a Tweed Shire village of...

Fisherman who narrowly escaped attack north of Mackay said he had fished in the spot for decades but never seen a crocodile behave in that way A report of a large crocodile leaping into a fisherman’s boat has triggered an investigation into possible threats to public safety and whether to relocate the animal.A man was fishing from his tinnie at Jane Creek near St...

Australian federal police notified after 23-year-old woman allegedly became abusive on board a plane at Gold Coast airportA Victorian woman allegedly assaulted airline staff at Gold Coast airport on New Year’s Eve while on board a plane bound for Melbourne.The 23-year-old was arrested after airline staff notified the Australian federal police that a passenger was allegedly being verbally abusive on the plane, the AFP...

State government says group has specialist skills and appropriate agency is chosen at federal levelThe Australian defence force was not deployed after storms hit the Gold Coast because it was determined other agencies would be better suited to the clean-up task, according to the Queensland disaster coordinator.Acting deputy commissioner, Shane Chelepy, told media on Monday afternoon that the state response to continued thunderstorms and...

BoM forecasts heavy rain for south-east Queensland and northern NSW, while across the far north temperatures will remain in the 40sParts of south-east Queensland are being battered by heavy rain in a soggy start to the new year, with dangerous flooding predicted.Intense falls in some areas could lead to life-threatening flash flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology warned on Monday afternoon. Continue reading...

Trains, buses, trams and ferries: here’s what you need to know, for your state or territoryAs revellers prepare for the trek home after New Year’s Eve celebrations, most cities are offering free public transport, and more of it.Here is what you need to know, depending on your state or territory. Continue reading...

Illegal use of fireworks can lead to thousands of dollars in fines and even jail. Here are the rules around the countryHefty fines and even jail time are on the cards for those who set off illegal fireworks this New Year’s Eve.People right across the country used to partake in the annual “cracker night” festival, setting off fireworks in their backyards, but most states...

Several waves of thunderstorms batter state as thousands in region remain without powerTwo people have been hospitalised after their vehicles were struck by lightning in two separate incidents in Queensland on Saturday, as severe thunderstorms return to the south-east of the state.Queensland Ambulance said one man was transported to Caboolture hospital – between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast – in a stable condition after...

Conditions 8C to 12C above average across large parts of Australia’s north, with little reprieve for storm-ravaged areasA severe heatwave is expected to affect parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia heading into the new year.Large swathes have been put on alert, with conditions 8C to 12C above average. Continue reading...

Many homes in Jimboomba are still without power. Now temperatures are nearing 40C, and more storms are forecastInside an unassuming hall in Jimboomba, north-west of Queensland’s Gold Coast, Sarah Weir is offering a reprieve from the heat, cool drinks and food, wifi, and even her shoulder to cry on.“There’s been some tears,” she says. Continue reading...

This blog is now closedGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastTasmanian yacht Alive is in the box seat to take out Sydney to Hobart yacht race’s overall honours, with skipper Duncan Hine confident the 66-footer has a winning time on the board.Hine and his crew finished the 628-nautical-mile blue water classic yesterday afternoon as clubhouse leaders on handicap...

Surging consumption comes despite ‘very sleepy period’ for electricity use, energy expert saysFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesQueensland’s electricity supplies are expected to be strained for a second day in a row as the heatwave roasting much of northern Australia lifts power demand to near-record levels.The mercury exceeded its forecast maximum for Brisbane of 37C by early afternoon and was recently...