Qld government loses solar regulations appeal

The Queensland government has lost an appeal to uphold its solar regulations after Queensland’s Court of Appeal ruled the laws, which require licensed electricians to install panels in solar farms, invalid. 

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace says the regulations were important to protect the safety of electrical workers and denied regional jobs had been threatened by the laws. 

Aged care operator disputes Royal Commission findings

Aged care facility owner Japara Healthcare Limited has dismissed the Aged Care Royal Commission’s findings suggesting there is a systemic problem with staff assaulting residents in their 49 nursing homes. 

The commission's senior counsel Peter Rozen claims almost 300 reports of suspected assaults on residents were made at Japara facilities between September 2015 and May 2019.

Japara Healthcare Limited CEO Andrew Sudholz says fewer than 100 of those were substantiated, also adding the company is soon to trial CCTV cameras in one facility.

Wind farms impacting endangered birds in Tasmania

Conservation group BirdLife Tasmania is calling on state and federal governments to implement a strategic approach to wind farms that considers all environmental effects. 

BirdLife spokesman Dr Eric Woehler says wind farms have an unintended impact on critically endangered birds, with 29 cwedge-tailed eagles flying into overhead power-lines on Tasmanian wind farms just last year alone.

Asylum seeker on Manus Island prosecuted for attempted suicide

A Manus Island asylum seeker who set himself on fire will be charged with attempted suicide and arson by Papua New Guinea police.

Under the PNG criminal code, attempting suicide is considered a misdemeanour which carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, whilst arson can result in a sentence of up to life in prison.

The chief of Manus police, Inspector David Yapu, says the incident was the fourth deliberately lit fire at the refugee centre and says incidents of suicide and self-harm were beyond the control of police.

Schools closed in Malaysia over chemical pollution fears

More than 400 schools in the Malaysian state of Johor have been closed after 75 students experienced breathing difficulties and vomiting. 

Johor’s Chief Minister Dr Sahruddin Jamal says the exact cause of the ailments are not clear but it may be linked to a previous pollution case in March which left over 100 schools closed and thousands ill after inhaling toxic fumes from an illegal chemical waste river dump. 

Queensland Rail adding 430 additional services from July 29

Transport Minister Mark Bailey has announced Queensland Rail will add 430 services and 200,000 seats across the network from July 29.

A Queensland public transport crisis began in October 2016 following the opening of the Redcliffe Peninsula Line, which caused the sudden cancellation of train services and an unsustainable reliance on overtime due to a shortage of drivers. 

WA Indigineous community preventing suicide using music and song

The Indigenous community of Yulga Jinna in Western Australia is using music and song to engage at-risk youth and prevent suicide, with the self-managed community recording zero suicides since it was established in 1992.  

Youth Focus coordinator Robert Binsiar, who helps run the program, says art and music are foundations of Aboriginal culture which can help young people express themselves and address issues relating to intergenerational trauma. 

Indian Government rejects US State Department report on religious intolerance and violence

India’s Government has rejected a US State Department report which shows religious intolerance and violence against minorities have spiked since right-wing Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.

The annual report on international religious freedom says Hindu groups used "violence, intimidation, and harassment" against Muslims and low-caste Dalits in 2017 to force a religion-based national identity.

Unathorised drone flights in the airspace of Changi Airport

Unauthorised drone flights in the airspace of Singapore’s Changi Airport are continuing to cause issues for the world transit hub, with drone sightings in the last week suspending a runway and delaying dozens of flights. 

Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority has been battling security concerns associated with increased popularity of drones, stating offenders are at risk of up to a $14,780 AUD fine or 12 months’ imprisonment.