Minister for Health Steven Miles is reminding Queenslanders to book in for their flu shot ahead of this year’s peak flu season.

Mr Miles says It’s so important for Queenslanders to get vaccinated every year because it’s the best way to protect yourself from the flu.

The best time to get vaccinated is sometime between mid-April through to the end of May, this ensure the best protection during the peak of the season according to the health minister.

A Chinese-Swedish actor has been criticized for comments he recently made online regarding the Second Sino-Japanese War in which he appeared to defend the Japanese invaders.

Actor Zhao Lixin questioned on Tuesday why the Japanese military did not pillage and destroy the Beijing Palace.

While some have defended Lixin, saying it’s normal to discuss historical topics in a public forum, many Chinese internet users have criticized the actor for forgetting his roots.

Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing’s chief executive officer has apologised in a letter made public on the company's website for the tragedies, caused by crashes of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia .

Muilenburg wrote "We at Boeing are sorry for the lives lost in the recent 737 MAX accidents,"  and went on to say that he could not remember a more heart-wrenching time in his career with Boeing.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a disability royal commission, having gained the approval of the Governor-General and support from the states and territories.

The Royal Commission will extend over three years and will be based in Brisbane, with the focus to be on examining violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

"We have to establish a culture of respect for people living with disabilities and the families who support, love and care for them," Mr Morrison said.

Bill Shorten's pitch for Prime Minister begins with a promise of massive investments into health and education, as well as tax cuts on workers income.

In the labor party leader’s budget reply speech, Shorten proposed spending $1.2 billion to ensure almost all cancer scans are free and another $1 billion to create 150,000 apprenticeships.

Shorten also proposed, to match the coalition’s tax cuts, for incomes ranging from 48,000 to $126,00 and an even higher tax break for incomes of $45,000 and under.

Accommodation has been found for 220 students who fled a fire at their residential college at James Cook University in Townsville early on Thursday morning.

No one was injured but 14 people were assessed for smoke inhalation from the blaze, which caused moderate damage to the campus building.

The university's vice-chancellor Sandra Harding said the majority of the students could be accommodated at the campus, with 90 others set to stay with family and friends nearby.

A $1 million pedestrian and cycle bridge will be built across Cabbage Tree Creek – improving accessibility to the $6.5 million Carseldine Urban Village sport and recreation precinct, which is currently under construction.

Member for Aspley Bart Mellish says the bridge will divert locals away from nearby roads and give them safe, direct access to sporting activities and transport.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen — are skipping meetings in France this week as the Group of Seven countries gather to try to find solutions to world security challenges.
 

France's Foreign Ministry has listed the main issues for discussion this week are cybersecurity, the trafficking of drugs, arms, and migrants in Africa's troubled Sahel region, as well as fighting gender inequality. Including ways to prevent rape and violence against women, especially in Africa.