Members of New South Wales’ lower house voted to decriminalise abortion late last night, following several amendments and three days of debate. 

The bill, which was introduced by independent MP, Alex Greenwich, was passed 59 to 31

Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, who was one of 15 co-sponsors of the bill, said this is the opportunity to write a wrong that was enacted into law.

The University of Queensland will become the second institution to offer a Western civilisation program from next year after signing a $50 million deal with the Ramsay Centre.

The extended major will teach subjects ranging from The Classical World and European  Enlightenments to American Epic and Situating Australia.

Peter Hoj, University of Queensland vice-chancellor says the investment came at a time when opportunities to fund the humanities were diminishing.

Several fire crews rushed to Bonogin, Gold Coast, after a grass fire broke out in bushland on Thursday. 

It is understood the blaze is burning near Aylesham Drive and Ferny Ridge Court.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesperson says the fire is posing no threat to any properties at this stage.

An Indian transgender couple have tied the knot in what is believed to be the state's first "rainbow wedding".

They have waged a lengthy battle to protect their rights and end discrimination with India's Supreme Court  recognising them as a third gender in 2014. 

The bride, Tista Das said they feel awesome to be able to celebrate their bond of love, liberty and the solidarity of their souls.

Security forces in the central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan have stormed the home of former President Almazbek Atambayev in an attempt to detain him.

Mr Atmbayev house was filled with his supporters, driving the special forces back, in a clash resulting in one officer dying from a gun wound.

Mr Atambayev has been accused of corruption, which he denies. Parliament stripped him of immunity in June.

Street artist, Luke Cornish,  found out his controversial Bondi Beach mural challenging Australia's asylum seeker detention system saying "Not Welcome to Bondi" has been painted over.

“It wasn’t the best way to find out,” he told SBS News, a day after Bondi's local government voted in favour of the temporary mural staying.

Mr Cornish, explained he wasn’t dismayed by the situation and would still continue to paint murals that caused conversations.

The Australian Privacy Commissioner is cautioning Facebook to learn from its mistakes and explain exactly how it will protect people's financial information when it launches its own cryptocurrency.

Facebook said its new cryptocurrency company, Libra, will allow money to be sent the same way as a text message.

Brisbane Airport flight paths will be changing and more flights coming and leaving with new $1.3 billion runways set to be finished by early next year.

Neil Hall from the Brisbane Airport Corporation says new flight paths will start in May next year, and wants people to be aware that the new runway will mean flights overhead in suburbs like Bulimba, New Farm and St Lucia.

The council are calling the Queensland Government to cancel a 15-year-old plans to clear six hectares of bushland at Stafford Heights where it wants to build an aged care centre.

However, on Tuesday night every Brisbane City councillor - LNP, Labor and Greens - unanimously voted no to granting this extension to the Queensland government.

The remnant bushland is diagonally across Rode Road from Brisbane City Council's Downfall Creek Bushland Centre and its network of walking trails.