The High Court has referred George Pell’s application to appeal his convictions to the court’s full bench after being found guilty of sexual abuse last year.
 
Although Wednesday’s decision does not mean the Cardinal has the right to appeal, his case will be considered by the full bench of up to seven judges.
 
President of the Victorian Bar Matt Collins says "It could be that the court has seen something that needs to be clarified as a question of law. Or it could be to allow the oral appeal, either from Pell's lawyers or the OPP, in the interests of justice.”

Lightning strikes are likely to spark fired as thunderstorms are forecasted for tinder-dry Queensland.
 
The state remains so dry that thunderstorms forecast for the weekend could bring lightening but no rain, a potential spark for more bushfires but no relief.
 
The Bureau of Meteorology national operations leader Richard Wardle says “In terms of the longer-range outlook for rainfall it is looking like it’s going to stay dry. We’ve had a very dry 2019 and we expect those very dry conditions to continue until 2020.”

Two people have been injured in a truck and car collision near story bridge.
 
Roads have been closed following the collision and two people have been taken to hospital after the incident.
 
Delays were expected for motorists after yesterday’s accident.
 

Police are seeking public assistance following the attempted break-in at a South Brisbane home this morning.
 
Police were called to a Bourquet Street unit complex just before 5am this morning after reports came through that men were trying to gain entry to a storage area.
 
A 30-year-old female Senior Constable was taken to hospital after being knocked to the ground by the perpetrator’s car in an attempt to escape.
 

Two people in China are being treated for pneumonic plague, commonly known as the black plague, one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. 

The two patients from the Chinese province of Inner Mongolia were diagnosed by doctors in Beijing. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says it understood that close contacts are being screened and managed. 

 “The Chinese National Health Commission are implementing efforts to contain and treat the identified cases and increasing surveillance,” said WHO China. 
 

A strong earthquake hit off the Indonesian coast in the Molucca Sea early today, prompting a tsunami warning for nearby areas. 

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climate and Geophysics Agency said the tsunami warning issued for North Sulawesi and North Maluku was cancelled about two hours after the quake hit. 

Authorities have told residents to return to their homes. 
 

The state government of Western Australia announced yesterday a new rule of racing where the industry must aim to re-home all healthy and behaviourally sound horses when their career ends. 

Racehorses in Western Australia will get a ‘passport’ to track their condition and whereabouts under new proposed animal welfare reforms. 

Western Australia Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said owners should be compelled to make and effort. 

The proposal also includes financial incentives for new owners taking on retired horses. 
 

It was revealed The Brisbane City Council spent more than $44 million on recruitment and labour hire agency contracts across one year, after the LNP administration released the figures. 

Finance and administration committee chairman Adam Allan did not respond to questions about why the council was spending so highly on multiple recruitment agencies.  

A spokeswoman from the lord mayor’s office said Brisbane City Council uses agencies to find the best qualified people.

Brisbane City Council released a strategy document yesterday that emphasises their desire to see more green landscapes, public art and easier accessibility  in future development. 

City planning chairman Matthew Bourke said the council’s strategy was focused on utilising public spaces and buildings with more community events, workshops and festivals.

“We want these spaces to be enjoyed by all our residents and visitors, so we’re encouraging the development of fully accessible pathways and buildings,” said Mr Bourke.