The Federal Court has rejected a scientist seeking $300 000 in compensation from CSIRO after claims she was punished for making complaints about sexual harassment and sex discrimination. 

Dr Katherine Morton sought damages after she was made redundant after being diagnosed with a psychiatric injury during her employment, and complained about inappropriate comments and gestures made by her senior colleagues. 

HMAS Brisbane has completed a live missile engagement, a first for the Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy.

Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds stated the trials mark a ground-breaking milestone for Australia.

Minister Reynolds said this missile-firing demonstrates the very highest levels of interoperability between the US and Australian navies.

The Gold Coast Council has voted to save Black Swan Lake after community groups have campaigned for the last five years.

A majority of councilors voted to preserve the remaining 20 percent of the lake, with only Mayor, Tom Tate voting against the decision.

Jess Abrahams, from the Australian Conservation Foundation, says the decision shows hope for other small communities around the country.

“When communities do band together and fight for their local patch they do win,” Ms Abrahams said.

Chiles has pulled out of hosting two major international summits, including a UN climate change conference mid-anti-government protests. 

The climate summit was scheduled for the 2nd to 13th of December where world leaders would meet to discuss the implementation of a landmark international climate agreement.

President Sebastian Pinera says his government needs to prioritise re-establishing public order.

Twitter will ban all political advertising internationally as social media firms are being criticised ahead of the US 2020 elections.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey believes that the reach of a political message should be earned not bought.

"While internet advertising is incredibly powerful and very effective for commercial advertisers, that power brings significant risks to politics," Mr Dorsey tweeted.

The Institute of Company Directors shows the number of women on boards of Australia’s top companies has stalled and may be in danger of tumbling.

The rate at which women are appointed to boards has decreased from 45% of the available seats to 31.7% since December last year.

There are no women on the boards of seven top 200 companies, including telco and takeover target TPG.

The ACID chief executive, Angus Armour says he was surprised and disappointed about the results, claiming it was the worst drop since 2015. 

Taxpayer spending on climate programs will need to be dramatically increased if the federal government does not introduce new policies, warns farming, industry and investor groups. 

Emissions Reduction Minister, Angus Taylor, received a joint letter by 10 business groups, stating the government will either need to back new policies that drive private-sector action or boost taxpayer funding now and into the future.

Residents of drought-stricken parts of southern Queensland are being warned of the increasing number of people affected by Q fever, a nasty bacterial infection spread from animals. 

University of New England Institute of Healthcare Research director Frances Quirk says prolonged drought conditions have seen the disease pop up in new areas.