Queensland Health is set to roll out a statewide trial which will allow women to access the pill when their prescription runs out without going to the doctors.

The trial will allow pharmacists to provide once-off repeat prescriptions of the contraceptive pill as well as antibiotics for urinary tract infections.

Health Minister, Steven Miles says Queensland Health would work with industry stakeholders to develop a trial.

Looking across the country, an investigation has revealed that in 2018 there were 116 cases of fraud and theft by the Queensland Department of Education staff.

115 of those cases were fraud and at least one was a case of theft.

Queensland’s Education Minister, Grace Grace, says “there were around 90,000 people employed in the Department of Education during 2018,” and “the overwhelming majority of these employees were honest and trustworthy in the use of departmental resources.

Historic Australian comedian Barry Humphries’ has had his name stripped from Melbourne comedy festival’s largest award following controversial transgender comments.

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival awards the most outstanding show ‘the Barry Award’, named after Mr Humphries in 2000, but have now renamed the award when the comedian came under fire for saying that being transgender is “a fashion”.

In International news, more information has emerged about the state of relics and artworks that were housed in Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.

It is reported that most of the important pieces that were centuries old were removed in time whilst others have been destroyed in the blaze.

The location of William Shakespeare’s home in London has been determined after a decade of researching historical records.

Historian Geoffrey Marsh began his search after an old theatre in east London, where the Bard’s plays were shown, was discovered in 2008.

"The place where Shakespeare lived in London gives us a more profound understanding of the inspirations for his work and life" said Marsh.

Shakespeare lived in what was known as the parish of St Helens, near today’s Liverpool St station.

A major 5.33-million-dollar upgrade for two of Caboolture’s busiest intersections is now seeing a green light.

The Palaszczuk Government has completed works on upgrading two intersections along Beerburrum Road, which connects Caboolture’s CBD with the D’Aguilar Highway, the popular Queensland State Equestrian Centre, historical village and showgrounds.

Petrol prices in Brisbane have soared to the highest prices seen in five months ahead of the Easter long weekend.

Average Australian unleaded prices have soared by 3.5 cents during the past week,  with CommSec senior economist Ryan Felsman blaming a six week rise in global crude oil prices.

However, Mr Felsman says not all hope is lost, claiming petrol prices could retreat in the second half of 2019 as Russia withdrew from its supply-reduction pact with Saudi Arabia, and the United States increased production activity.

Executive jobs in the Northern Territory public service will be cut by 10 per cent in the next year in an attempt to save the region away from its current financial crisis.

The Gunner Government plans to unveil its plan today after months of delays, and will officially respond to 76 recommendations made by former WA under-treasurer John Langoulant.  

52 positions are expected to be cut over the next year, affording the territory an annual saving of $13 million dollars

Droughts in South Australia have placed serious strain on the dairy industry, resulting in shelves of Farmers Union Iced Coffee being left bare.

A spokeswoman for Lion Dairy and Drinks has noted that extreme weather conditions - including drought, together with significant cost increases across water, feed and energy - have contributed to the challenges facing dairy production in Australia.

No word yet on when consumers can expect shelves to be restocked.