Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk launched a campaign to secure a $15 billion defence contract for the state, expected to potentially create thousands of jobs.

After successfully securing the last military contract leading to Rheinmetall opening its new facility in Redbank, the Premier said “this is the natural next step.”

State development minister Cameron Dick said “more than 6500 Queenslanders are currently employed in the defence industries.”

Experts are meeting in Brisbane this week to establish a road map towards better early detection of melanoma.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and Australians experience it 12 times the global average.

University of Queensland researcher and Melanoma Screening Summit convenor Professor Monika Janda said it is time to look at new frameworks for early detection and Australia is ready for a cancer early detection program.

The Morrison government feels confident about the May 11 election after NSW Liberal  premier Gladys Berejiklian was re-elected.

Premier Berejiklian won 46 seats out of 93 on Saturday, and Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter said the outcome reassures PM Scott Morrison of winning the next federal poll.

Although the Opposition lost the vote, its Federal leader Bill Shorten believes the election results have little implications on Labour’s Federal Election Campaign.

The Labour Party promises to finally put an end to the Medicare rebate freeze implemented in 2013.

The freeze was intended to be a temporary measure, however, the Liberal-National coalition extended it in 2014 to four years and again for another two years in 2016.

In the 2017 budget the government laid out a plan to gradually dissolve the measure.

Thailand Princess Ubolrantana Mahidol has been banned from running for Prime Minister.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dissolved the party she was representing, which was the Raska Chart Party.

The princess’ younger brother Maha Vajiralongkorn was nominated by their father, the King.

The general elections began on Sunday and the opposition pro-military Palang Pracha Rath Party has taken lead.

Indonesia has opened its first subway system in Jakarta in what is seen as a crucial step in tackling some of the world’s worst congestion.

The 16km transit line running southwards from downtown Jakarta was opened by President Joko Widodo, who also announced the beginning of the construction of the second phase - an 8km northward line planned to be completed by 2024.

The completion of the subway systems is projected to cost $2.6 billion.

With Amy and Christina.

Germany's Ministry for transport has received public backlash after launching a questionable campaign to encourage cyclists to wear helmets.

The advertisement features contestant of Germany’s Next Top Model Alicija Köhler, sporting a helmet and lacey bra with the slogan “It looks shit. But it saves my life.”

Citizens have criticized the image deeming the use of a model in underwear unnecessary and sexist and have begun using the slogan to mock the current transport infrastructure in Germany.

Scientists have found the reason why early birds get the worms may be because night owls have lower functional connectivity in the brain, slower reaction times, and may struggle with a standard 9-5 work day.

Research shows individuals who have an average bedtime of 2:30 am and wake at 10:15 generally have lower resting brain connectivity in many of the regions linked to the maintenance of consciousness.