A national study has found that longer rural doctor postings and more rural training positions are needed to provide regional areas with the right doctor, at the right time and in the right place.

Rural doctors, supervisors, and trainees took part in The University of Queensland-led study to identify ways to improve medical services and physician training for rural communities, which make up 30 per cent of the Australian population.

The Federal government plans to extend taxpayer assistance for regional newspapers but refused to water down media ownership rules of cut down licence fees for regional TV.

Communications minister, Paul Fletcher says the license fees are ‘very low and media companies are profiting from 2017 changes that diluted cross-media ownership laws.

Mr Fletcher says the one-to-a-market rule had been in place for almost 40 years and despite “some advocacy” for its abolition from Prime Media, the company had already submitted a plan to merge with Seven.

Single-use plastics could be banned in Queensland as early as next year after the Palaszczuk government announced a proposed plan to tackle pollution. 

Plastic straws, cutlery, and plates could be scrapped under the new legislation followed by coffee cups, plastic cups, and heavyweight shopping bags later down the track. 

Environment Minister Leanne Enoch said the scope of the strategy was an "Australian first" and was a chance for Queensland to set a national standard.

Sixty people have fallen ill after drinking water at Moreton Island’s Tangalooma Island Resort was contaminated. 

Health authorities are investigating the possibility of the island’s natural groundwater being polluted by sewage or other contaminants. 

Dr Kari Javenin from Queensland's Public Health Unit advised guests to only use bottled water as the bacterial infection may not be avoided by boiling.

Passengers have been evacuated from a plane at Amsterdam's Schipol airport after the pilot mistakenly triggered the hijacking alert on an Air Europa flight. 

The alerts prompted the arrival of heavily armed police, trauma helicopters and ambulance to the airport. 

Air Europe reassured passengers that nothing happened and all passengers were waiting to fly safely.

Africa’s southern drought is killing Zimbabwe’s elephants and leaving other wildlife vulnerable. 

Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa have been feeling the effects of the drought since late last year, threatening wildlife and an estimated 11 million people with hunger.

Rangers have been forced to abandon their ‘non-intervention’ policy, but are struggling to save the animals without financial support. 

Wildlife officer Munyaradzi Dzoro says letting nature take its course is no longer an option in the face of climate change. 

A Sydney council is considering scrapping Australia Day celebrations and instead encouraging residents to attend the Aboriginal Yabun festival, in an effort to mark January 26 in a way that's more respectful’ to the indigenous community.

Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne says for Aboriginal people, January 26 marks the beginning of colonisation, dispossession, the removal of children and deliberate destruction of language and culture. 

Former head of the National Farmers’ Federation Jock Laurie, has been removed from his role as the New South Wales government’s drought coordinator after less than a year. 

The deputy NSW premier, John Barilaro says there is a dedicated office of drought establishing by the government, assisting for regional communities.

“State drought co-ordinator Jock Laurie played an important role in helping to lead the immediate response to the drought on behalf of farmers,” Mr Barilaro said.

Sunnybank State High School has trialed a new program that brings ex-students back into the classroom for ‘Year 13’, where teachers provide practical help with finding, preparing for, and securing work.

The program — funded from the school's own budget — started at Sunnybank when teachers realised nearly half their 2017 graduates hadn't found full-time work or study six months after leaving.