Only 22% of the three hundred million dollar grant assistance scheme to rebuild after floods has been claimed by North Queensland farmers.

With an estimated 850 sheep and cattle properties eligible to apply for the money, the grants deadline is now being extended. 

Former Northern Territory chief minister Shane Stone says it’s disappointing the take up has been so poor.

The Palaszczuk Government’s move to increase regulation to farming near the Great Barrier Reef crushes plans of sugarcane growers.

Growers say the proposed new rules are unnecessary.

Cane growers chief executive Dan Galligan says the state government appears to be working at cross purposes when deciding to impose the measures on growers

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced this morning courts will be allowed to fit repeat-offending minors on bail with GPS trackers. 

Additionally, she says Gold Coast police officers will carry metal detecting wands to help combat knife crime in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

These new laws follow a series of deaths and critical injuries due to minors stealing property.

Hackers in Florida have attempted to break into a water treatment facility and poison the water supply.

They increased the amount of sodium hydroxide in the water through a software program which regulates the chemicals. 

Authorities say the targeted treatment plant provides water to businesses and about 15 thousand residents.

The plant was able to override the attack and nobody was harmed, and the FBI has been called to launch further investigation.

Germany, Sweden and Poland are expelling three Russian diplomats from their respective countries in coordinated retaliation for identical measures taken by the Russians earlier this week. 

Russia expelled the EU diplomats after they allegedly participated in anti-Kremlin protests currently sweeping the country.

Germany’s Federal Foreign Office says Russia’s expulsion of its diplomat was "in no way justified" and defended their employee as he was merely observing developments.

A shortage of tech skills in Australia could harm the economy for the next two centuries. 

It’s estimated over the next 4 years a boom in the technology industry could be worth 10 billion dollars, becoming the backbone of the economy

A report finds Australia will need another 156,000 new technology workers by 2025.

The Brisbane City Council has begun harvesting leaves from its new koala food tree farm in Wacol.

The farm, which will provide food for the RSPCA and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, is one of the biggest of its kind in the world.

The World Wildlife Foundation says last year’s bushfires impacted more than sixty thousand koalas and caused significant food shortages.

Just 22 per cent of the 300 million allocated to the flood recovery program has been claimed by north Queensland farmers. 

Officials say the slow take-up could be due to record high cattle prices, ongoing drought and a cultural opposition to government assistance. 

Program coordinator Shane Stone says farmers should see the scheme not as a hand out, but a hand up to help them after the devastating flood season.

The Queensland Transport Union are considering protective screens on buses after a driver was hospitalised following a suspected chemical attack yesterday.

The man in his 30’s was driving south of Brisbane suffered irritation to his face when he was hit with an unknown liquid by a passing car.

Transport union representative Peter Biagini says bus drivers are regularly physically attacked and abused.