More than 100 firefighters are currently battling a  fire at a hazardous materials factory in North Melbourne which is likely to burn for days.

Residents have been told to take shelter and stay inside as the blaze is now ‘out of control’ according to authorities.

The address is registered to toxic waste disposal company Bradbury Industrial Services, whose license was suspended a fortnight ago after non-compliance environmental issues.

This week’s Federal Budget has been criticised as being a blow to Queensland’s environment, with no new ideas to tackle climate change and no new money for the Great Barrier Reef.

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch says it was disappointing to see no forward thinking from the Morrison Government, and zero plans to adequately protect the environment.

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.