Today the ACT Greens are calling for optional voting for 16 and 17 year-olds in the 2020 Territory election.

Greens Democracy spokesperson Caroline Le Couteur says the recent School Strikes sparked the need for change in voting. 

"As the recent School Strike made clear, we saw thousands of children taking direct action on climate change,” Ms Le Couteur said. 

“It's clear that young people are more engaged than ever in our democratic process,” she said. 

Two measles cases have broken out in Brisbane’s south and Logan in the past week.

Metro South Health public health physician, Dr Kari Jarvinen says, people who are vaccinated with two recorded doses of measles mumps rubella vaccine are unlikely to contract the disease.

Complications from measles can include pneumonia and encephalitis, and health authorities are warning those who may have been affected to contact their doctor. 

The Federal Department of Environment and Energy has published data revealing Queensland is producing more of Australia’s carbon emissions than it was in 2015.

According to the State and Territory Greenhouse Inventories report, Queensland’s contribution to the nation’s greenhouse-equivalent gasses increased from 28.3% in 2015 to 30.3% in 2017.

Queensland’s energy and transport sector, including cars, trucks, buses and aircraft are the largest contributors to carbon emissions in Australia.

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden has called for US President Donald Trump’s impeachment for the first time. 

Mr Biden refrained from making an outright plea for the move after he and his son featured prominently in the actions that led congressional Democrats to start impeachment proceedings. 

During a campaign event in New Hampshire Mr Biden said President Trump had indicted himself and obstructed justice. 

Today is World Mental Health Day which aims to highlight global mental health education, awareness and advocacy. 

The initiative by the World Federation for Mental Health encourages people to see beyond the stigma that surrounds mental health issues and make mental health more visible.

Mental Health Australia CEO Frank Quinlan says the organisation wants people to make a mental health promise online, to battle stigma. 

"To date more than 20,000 people have made a mental health promise to help reduce stigma and create awareness," Mr Quinlan said.

Prime Minster, Scott Morrison has been criticised for his comments that transgender teenagers are dealing with ‘the pressures of identity politics’. 

Mr Morrison’s statements have been described as “totally inaccurate, dismissive and patronizing” by Transgender Victoria’s Sally Goldner.

They also typify his patronising attitude to young people generally and his attitudes to trans and gender diverse people of all ages,” Ms Goldner said

A wave of planned fossil fuel development across northern Australia would push the Paris climate agreement goals further beyond reach, according to a new investigation. 

The proposal of the developments by a number of major companies indicates a significant increase in the amount of coal and gas Australia sells to Asia. 

According to the Climate Analytics Institute, if the proposals go ahead, Australia will be linked to about 13% of the greenhouse gases that will be emitted in 2030.

Ten Extinction Rebellion activists have locked themselves to a pink catamaran in Brisbane’s CBD on day four of rolling protests. 

About 20 police were working to remove the vessel which blocked George Street and slowed traffic to one lane on Elizabeth Street. 

Extinction Rebellion sung ‘power to the people’ as they demand 100 per cent renewable energy and giving nature legal rights.

The group has vowed to hold protests every day in the city this week. 

Queensland Fire and Emergency services will pause for a moment of silence today to honour fallen colleagues.

Craig Crawford, Fire and Emergency Services Minister, said Firefighters Remembrance Day, is an opportunity to honour the 53 firefighters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty since 1877. 

“As we’ve seen recently with severe fires around the state, it’s evident our firefighters put life and limb on the line to help protect local communities,” Mr Crawford said.