A "stolen wages" class action against the state of Queensland for unpaid wages led by Hans Pearson involving approximately 10,000 Indigenous workers in Queensland could be expanded to include more people.

The trial date could also be postponed until next year following a hearing in the Federal Court in Brisbane on Monday.

For decades leading up to the 1970s, the wages of Indigenous workers in Queensland were not paid directly to them and instead paid to the state under so-called "Protection Acts" that deprived workers of wages they earned.  

Auditor-general Brendan Worrall has warned long-term financial sustainability is a major and increasing risk for many Queensland councils as the sector deals with a $5.4 billion debt.

After examining the books of 76 of Queensland's 77 councils for 2017 and 2018, the Queensland Audit Office report that was tabled in parliament on Wednesday warned the five-year average operating surplus ratio continued to deteriorate as the sector was still spending more than it earned.

NASA’s Artemis project has just received a $1.6B funding boost, which the chief says is a ‘good start’ to landing the first woman on the moon by 2024.

The project to send a man and woman to the south pole of the moon is named after Artemis, the god of the moon and sister of Apollo in Greek mythology.

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine says he wants his 11 year old daughter to see herself in the same position as the astronauts currently do, having the opportunity to go to the moon.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has politely rejected a bribe to fund dragon research.

The prime minister replied to 11 year old, thanking her for getting in touch with the government, returning the $5 New Zealand banknote.

Ms Ardern did add, however, she would look out for those dragons.

A Tamil family from Biloela in central Queensland facing deportation has lost a bid to have their case reviewed by the High Court.

The parents Nades and Priya, and their two children have been in immigration detention in Melbourne since March last year, and fear if they return to Sri Lanka they could be persecuted for past family links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

Former Rotary scholarship holder, business leader and author, Angie Bell will be the first openly gay woman to represent a major party in the House of Representatives if she gets elected on Saturday.

Following the retirement of Defence Industry Minister Steven Ciobo, Ms Bell was pre-selected for the Liberal National Party in the Federal blue ribbon seat of Moncrieff on the Gold Coast last month.

Researchers have discovered dozens of new genes that contribute to the development of four serious mental health disorders.

A study, led by QIMR Bergohfer’s Translational Neurogenomics Group, has seen the discovery and extended research of genes which can make people more vulnerable to bipolar disorder, ADHD, depression and schizophrenia.

Professor Eske Derks, who is guiding the researchers, has identified 70 previously unknown genes related to the disorders and says “in this study, we are honing in on the biological causes of these mental illnesses.”