Thailand could have a pro-military government despite opposing democratic front's election dominance

The long delayed results of Thailand’s first election since the 2014 military coup that have come in six weeks after the election show the opposition “democratic front” alliance have secured the most seats, but the ruling military junta’s existing policies mean a pro-army party could potentially choose the nation’s next prime minister.

The opposition threatened to take legal action over the results that were released on Wednesday saying that a new seat allocation formula deprived the alliance of a majority in the 500-seat House of Representatives.

Lack of health funding in Gaza could result in amputations, UN warns

The UN humanitarian coordinator has warned that a lack of health funding in Gaza could mean 1700 people shot by Israeli forces could face amputations in the next few years.

Jamie McGoldrick said 1700 people need serious and complicated surgeries to be able to walk again after being shot at protests in the past year and without surgery, are at risk of needing an amputation.

The UN is seeking $20 million to fill the gap, with 120 amputations already having been carried out in the past year.

Measles alert for Sydneysiders after female traveller diagnosed

A woman who returned to Sydney after travelling in south-east Asia has been diagnosed with measles, as health authorities warn people who frequented the same areas to be on alert for symptoms which may take 18 days to appear.

Between the period from 29th of April to 6th of May, the woman visited Capitol Square and World Square and travelled on public transport between Town Hall and Artarmon stations in the Sydney area.

Western Australia budget expected to show surplus ahead of its release

The Western Australia budget is expected to show a surplus a year early after iron ore in Brazil experienced supply disruptions.

WA treasurer Ben Wyatt has delivered his third budget, which is expected to show high iron ore prices and put the State’s books back in the black earlier than expected.

Premier Mark McGowan has not confirmed the expected surplus but said “good financial management has a consequence”.

Climate change to cost housing industry $571 billion

A report has found that extreme weather could wipe $571 billion off Australia's property market by 2030 unless immediate action is taken to address climate change.

The Climate Council report also found the risk for Queensland was double that of other states and territories, with the Gold Coast, Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast local government areas being identified as facing some of the highest risk to extreme weather and climate change, as one in 19 property owners face nearly unaffordable home insurance premiums by 2030 as a result.

Queen Street Pig ‘n’ Whistle set to be demolished

The Brisbane City Council will evict popular pub Pig ‘n’ Whistle out of its Queen Street Mall site after deciding to put out a tender seeking bids for demolition and a new lessee.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council's decision is part of the Queen Street Mall Visioning Plan focusing on revitalising the mall for everyone through incremental improvements on existing facilities on the ‘much-loved’ Queen Street.

Brisbane vegetation overhaul awaits approval from state government

Brisbane City Council has delivered a major overhaul of Brisbane’s biodiversity mapping to the state government for approval.

The biodiversity overlay includes citywide maps of vegetation that is either endangered or needed for other wildlife like koalas and will affect property development.

The overhaul began in 2016 and Brisbane City Council accepted public consultation on key issues in 2017, with around 300 submissions received.

Social factors influence public transport use, research shows

A report has shown that the amount of people taking public transport is largely reliant on social stigma.

University of Queensland researcher Dr Dorina Pojani said that cultural barriers are some of the most difficult to overcome when trying to increase public transport use and that urban planners should to take into account social factors when planning transport options.