The Palaszczuk Government is under pressure to release its funding commitment for the next stage of the Gold Coast light rail project.

The focus remained on both the Morrison Government and Labor’s Gold Coast-based Senator Murray Watt after it was discovered the federal funding offers from both major parties was $45 million short.

Federal Labor has allegedly been refusing to fight for extra funding above the Commonwealth commitment of $112 million for the project, which will see the trams extended from Broadbeach to Burleigh.

A Bill aiming to tackle gun crime introduced into the Queensland Parliament will allow police to impose orders giving officers the right to search suspects without a warrant.

As part of the LNP’s gun reform proposal, opposition police spokesman Trevor Watts is introducing a private member’s bill that gives the police commissioner discretion to ban ‘high-risk’ Queenslanders from purchasing and operating  firearms if they are not, in the public interest, considered fit to possess a firearm.

Australians will be able to get quicker access to free and affordable medicines regardless of who wins the federal election as a result of Labor matching a coalition promise.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the most substantial change to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since 1986 on Thursday, giving more affordable and free medicine faster to 1.4 million Australians.

This policy, which costs $308 million, is set to save patients up to $80 per year.

The Queensland Government has introduced new laws into Parliament that will allow prisoners serving sentences of less than three years to vote in elections and referendums.

The Palaszczuk Government argued the bill will bring Queensland in line with a 2007 High Court decision, with Queensland Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath saying Queensland is the only state not allowing prisoners to vote.

Two dogs have attacked and killed 14 sheep kept by Rochedale State High School for their award-winning agricultural program, leaving school students and staff distressed.

A Department of Education spokeswoman said the school is now seeking replacement stock to allow the program to continue.

AMP announced its new Chief Financial Officer ahead of the financial services company’s Annual General Meeting in Sydney.

John Patrick Moorhead will replace Gordon Lefevre after he retires on June 1, following 5 years with the company, including what it described as a “challenging” 18 months.

AMP chief executive Francesco De Ferrari said Mr Moorhead’s international experience in leading finance will be valuable to the company.

An Uber-style bus proposal for Adelaide has been criticised by union officials.

The service involves passengers requesting a bus through an app and being picked up and taken to their location along an undesignated route, but the Transport Workers Union said the service will be unpredictable due to multiple pickups increasing travel time.

The South Australian government invited proposals to trial the “demand responsive” service in areas with lower bus use as a part of an overhaul of the public transport network.

Russia passed the 'sovereign Internet' law on Wednesday, which is likely to come into effect in November this year.

President Vladimir Putin signed the bill on Wednesday which will allow Russian authorities to isolate the country's internet.

Russian lawmakers insist the new law is essential to ensure the security of Russia's online networks despite facing criticisms from rights group.

Indian emergency personnel have been deployed and placed on standby for a huge cyclone heading towards India’s east coast.

Tropical Cyclone Fani, located in the Bay of Bengal and carrying wind speeds of 205 kilometres per hour, is expected to make landfall at Odisha on Friday.

Authorities have also ordered the evacuation of thousands of people from coastal districts likely to be affected, with the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu also being placed on high alert.