When an aged care facility in Peregian Springs realised they didn’t have the resources to evacuate safely from the fires burning recently, firefighters surrounded the building and formed a protective front for the facility.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) chief superintendent says that they were originally going to evacuate, but discovered that their crew were needed on the fire ground.

The former Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale, has been charged with over a dozen crimes, including fraud, official corruption, perjury and sexual assault.

Sexual assault was allegedly committed twice by the 68-year-old in 2016, while he was mayor.

The Brisbane Magistrates Court held his committal hearing, where he was accused of “dishonestly applying” a $10,000 cheque meant for charity, among other crimes.

Indonesian police say they have arrested 185 people suspected of starting forest fires affecting Southeast Asia.

National police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo said suspects could serve a maximum of 10 years in prison for setting fires to clear land.

23 people were tried last week, while 45 will be tried later this month.

Investigations will continue for the rest.

An attack on Saudi Arabia that has sent oil prices soaring worldwide was carried out with Iranian weapons, says Saudi officials.

The strikes eliminated half of the country’s oil capacity, and five per cent of the world’s oil capacity.

President Donald Trump says Washington is “locked and loaded depending on verification” for a response.

New figures show the number of silicosis cases in Queensland have more than tripled since November, and those affected are calling for action.

People who have developed the disease while working with engineered stone products claim this surge is due to trying to meet consumers’ demand for stone in their kitchens and bathrooms.

There are now 260 cases of the lung disease across Australia, and 66 cases in South Australia where workers require specialist follow-up.

Anti-abortion Liberal MPs have called off a proposed spill motion against NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian this morning over the handling of the abortion decriminalisation bill.

The MPs released a statement last night after the key amendments they wanted made to the bill were “rejected in full or in part”.

Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies is among those critiquing the controversial bill, and she said her and her colleagues want to “hold the Premier to account for presiding over this shameful process”.

The Royal Flying Doctors’ Service (RFDS) has recently launched an aviation mentoring program to bring in recruits.

Mount Isa senior base pilot Dave Keavy says that a combination of a global pilot shortage and the large amount of flight hours required have made it hard to find pilots.

This program hopes to address that issue by giving young pilots the chance to gain the 4,000 flight hours required for them to become aeromedical pilots.

A new mine located in the Bowen Basin has been approved and is expected to provide a boost for the Central Queensland economy.

Given the nod by the Queensland Government and the miner’s union, the mine is predicted to provide over 1,000 jobs. 

The Red Hill mine, situated near Moranbah, will be partly staffed by fly-in, fly-out workers but will also employ locally, giving the local community a boost. 

Image: Australia's Mining Monthly