Employers have warned against increasing the minimum wage after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten indicated his willingness to adhere to union requests for a "living wage".

In a speech delivered to business leaders on Wednesday, Mr Shorten declared that the upcoming federal election would be "a referendum on wages" and that the current minimum hourly rate was based on an out-dated understanding of the cost of living.

Queensland dentists and doctors have reported extensive tooth decay among children and elderly in Queensland communities without fluoride in their water.

A recent report by Queensland’s chief medical officer found a quarter of Queensland children admitted to hospital require treatment for a dental condition.

The rate of tooth decay in Indigenous children is about 70%, with the Australian Medical Association reporting that dentists are often having to perform multiple tooth extractions.

A Far North Queensland town has planned a public memorial after an iconic local crocodile was found dead in a creek with bullet wounds.

Locals of the small seaside community Cardwell, south of Cairns, have described the local icon named Bismarck as a “gentle giant" who was never aggressive.

Both police and Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science are investigating the crocodile’s killing.

The United States is stopping multiple Venezuelan officials and family members from entering the country as part of the latest measure at bringing down Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

US Vice President Mike Pence said the State Department is revoking 77 visas, including many officials of the Maduro regime and their families, as a way of holding the regime accountable until democracy is restored.

This comes after a similar action last week when Washington revoked 49 visas of Venezuelan figures.

A new Greenpeace report has ranked the world’s most polluted cities.

Although Delhi was named the capital with the dirtiest air, neighbouring city Gurugram took the top spot.

Indian cities occupied 22 of the top 30 spots with cities from China, Pakistan and Bangladesh also making the top 30.

Air pollution is considered to be the single biggest environmental health risk by the United Nations, contributing to approximately 7 million premature deaths per year.

The national redress scheme for survivors of institutional sexual abuse has been criticised by child welfare organisations.

Following the release of a public list of organisations yet to sign up to the scheme, Child and Family Services Ballarat chief executive, Allan Joy, said their listing is inaccurate.

The Federal department of Social Services indicated that Child and Family Services agreement has been received but said the organisation has not met all of the formal requirements to join.

Western Australia's Aboriginal Legal Service will look at whether there is a case to sue the government over "disgraceful" living conditions at a remote community near the mining town of Newman.

Parnpajinya is one of six Pilbara town-based reserves facing an uncertain future after not qualifying for remote communities funding.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Woolloongabba has been allowed to upgrade its electronic medical record despite a last-minute change caused by potential patient safety risks.

The $600 million integrated electronic medical record (ieMR) is designed to give clinicians in all Queensland public hospitals access to patients’ medical records, regardless of which hospital they are in.

A new survey finds that around 35 per cent of Queenslanders avoid walking due to the heat.

The survey of 2600 people will inform a 10-year Queensland Walking Strategy due later this year.

Of the measures canvassed, over 40 per cent of surveyed Queenslanders say they would be encouraged to walk more by the implementation of better connected pathways that are better surfaced and have more shade.