Controversial Reappointment of Head of South Australia's Aboriginal Lands

South Australia's Premier Steven Marshall has signed off on the controversial reappointment of the head of the state's remote Aboriginal lands for a further three years.

The Premier confirmed he had reappointed Richard King as Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara general manager.

The move has drawn criticism from some traditional owners from the APY Lands, which encompass some 105,000 square kilometres in the north of South Australia, an area larger than Iceland, and home to around 2,500 people.

Flight Centre Faces Court Action for Underpaying Workers

Federal Court action will be launched against Australian travel giant Flight Centre today, alleging the systemic underpayment of employees — a claim the company rejects.

The claim is being brought on behalf of five current and former employees by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers and the union, Together Queensland.

Maurice Blackburn's Employment Law Principal Giri Sivaraman said the company failed to pay minimum wages, penalty and overtime rates, annual leave and leave loading at the correct rate and did not provide the correct rest and meal breaks.

Palm Island's Primary Health Care Centre Open

Palm Islanders will have access to a bigger and better medical service with the official opening of the Palm Island Primary Health Care Centre on Wednesday.

Health Minister Steven Miles says the $16.5 million centre, funded by the Palaszczuk Government, was vital to the health and wellbeing of people on the island.

All Queenslanders, no matter where they live, should have access to the same world-class healthcare, Infrastructure Minister Cameron Dick says.

Queensland's Prickly Job

Biosecurity Queensland has seized more than 300 illegal potted cacti, which could have caused serious environmental problems if allowed to spread, in the past year.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Mark Furner says the 315 plants were being sold by internet traders or nurseries in south east Queensland.

UK and US Warn Citizens to Avoid Sri Lanka

The UK and US foreign offices have told their citizens to avoid Sri Lanka warning that further terror attacks are likely over the weekend.

Britain updated its travel advice last week telling citizens to avoid the country unless absolutely necessary.

Australia’s Smart Traveller website, run by the Department of Foreign Affairs, advised nationals to reconsider any upcoming travel to Sri Lanka.

Scott Morrison Condemns Building on Bali Bombing Site

The ABC has revealed that Balinese developers plan to build a five-story “restaurant and monument” at the site of the Sari Club, where 88 Australians were killed when a car bomb went off in 2002.

A building permit has been issued and local vendors who have been using the vacant lot have been told to “clear out” next week, with construction scheduled to begin on May 9.

In a series of Tweets Prime Minister Scott Morrison slams the decision of a development at the site of the Bali bombings, describing it as “deeply distressing”.

Hobart Nurses Call for Separate Flu Clinic

Nurses at the Royal Hobart Hospital are calling for a separate flu clinic to open to take the strain off emergency departments.

Data from the Department of Health and Human Services has recorded an increase in statewide influenza A and B notifications this holiday season compared to last year.
 

Andrew Brake, chief of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmania says he has scheduled a meeting to address the nurses’ concerns with the Department of Health on Monday.

Huge Swell Forecast to Hit Victoria

A huge swell is forecast to hit Victoria’s coastline today, with waves as big as 10-15 metres set to occur according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

 

Senior forecaster Chris Godfred said a strong cold front is expected to move across Bass Strait to create large waves.

 

Mr Godfred said the waves would not be that big close to shore, but would still provide some spectacular conditions at Bells Beach

 

University of Queensland Community to Build Art Installation

Australian Artist Lara Merrett will harness the community’s creative input in a 10-day outdoor studio starting at The University of Queensland Art Museum on Monday.

Art Museum Senior Curator Peta Rake says the St Lucia Campus community would help produce 60 paintings to be included in High Stakes, a large-scale art installation opening at the Art Museum later this year.

 

Forty volunteers will work with Merrett over 10 days, painting 60 fabric canvases suspended in the outdoor studio.