Brisbane’s largest Indigenous cultural markets will start up again

Brisbane’s largest Indigenous cultural markets will start up again, following their introduction during last year’s Commonwealth Games.

The Meeanjin Markets will be supported by the state government until 2021, with more than $1 million committed.

Tourism Industry Development Minister, Kate Jones, says, "The Meeanjin Markets created more opportunities to share Queensland's unique Indigenous cultures with the world.”

"By investing in the Meeanjin Markets, we're making sure this legacy lives on.”

Brisbane couple sent to prison after exploiting a Fijian woman

A Brisbane couple has been sent to prison after exploiting a Fijian woman for slave labour after trafficking her into the country.

She was trafficked into the country on a tourist visa and promised a longer visa by the couple, while making her work as a maid, nanny and cook for eight years until her escape.

Judge Leanne Clare says the woman’s human rights were “seriously compromised” and that the couple tried to enhance the quality of their own lives by oppressing another person.

Homeless Children Turned Away in Canberra

It is claimed that child protection services have told homeless children in Canberra to “suck it up and go home” or are turned away from crisis accommodation because they are too young to be granted access.

19-year-old Mike says he was denied access to crisis accomodation for homeless youth when he was 15 years old because he was younger than 16 and Child and Youth Protection Services told him they would not help “because it wasn’t the worst circumstances in the world”.

Story Bridge Anzac Day Climb

Brisbane citizens will have the opportunity to pay their respects to veterans as the sun rises on Anzac Day from the top of the city’s iconic story bridge.

The Story Bridge Adventure Climb will host four special Anzac Day climbs for locals to pay tribute to all past and present servicemen and women, including a moment of silence during each climb and all profits made from the day will be donated to veteran-support charity, Mates4Mates.

Dutton Apologises for Unfair Disability Comments

Home affairs minister Peter Dutton and opposition member for Dickson Ali France have met for a debate on live radio yesterday afternoon.

Dutton began the meeting by apologising again to his opponent for the north Brisbane seat for claiming she used her disability as an excuse for not living in the electorate.

The Labour candidate thanked Dutton for his apology, keen to move forward in a debate of ideas, but not without sending a clear message regarding disability.

NSW Restaurant Assets Frozen Amid Wage Scandal

The Federal Court of Australia has frozen nearly $400 000 in assets from a New South Wales restaurant, which allegedly underpaid its migrant workers.

A chef has come forward claiming the Adithya Kerala restaurant business owes him $230 000 in unpaid wages.

Pakistani national chef, Syed Haider, had worked 72-hour weeks, being paid $8.33 per hour with no breaks.

Tourist Dies in Zipline Attraction in Thailand

A Canadian tourist has fallen to his death from a zipline attraction in Northern Thailand after the cable snapped.

The tourist was at the Flight of the Gibbon attraction in Thailand’s city of Chiang Mai on Saturday when the cable snapped soon after he was released on the course.

He fell nearly 40 feet and tumbled down a hill a source said.

Authorities in the Southeast Asian tourist destination are investigating if weight limits were exceeded and any other signs of negligence from the operators.