The Federal Coalition has pledged $14 million to upgrade a ‘notorious’ roundabout on Rochedale Road on Brisbane’s southside as part of a $226 million upgrade package rolling out in south-east Queensland to tackle congestion.

Federal Cities and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge made the announcement yesterday, which will see a roundabout on the busy Rochedale Road and Priestdale Road intersection upgraded in a busy area with five schools and a childcare nearby.

Queensland’s Transport Minister Mark Bailey has confirmed that the public testing for Queenslanders to ride public transport without having to touch on and off with a Go Card is weeks away.

In its place, "smart ticketing" will see passengers use their credit card, mobile phone or smartwatch to catch public transport.

Tests will most likely begin in the second half of 2019, following the Queensland government’s allocation of $371 million in last year’s budget for smart ticketing.

Three days ahead of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn's coronation, the new Thai queen has been announced.

Suthida Vajiralongkorn Na Ayutthaya was announced as the new queen in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday which was the first time the couple’s relationship had been made public.

Suthida is the King’s fourth wife, but the announcement did not specify the date of the couple’s marriage.

Congress has interrogated US Attorney General William Barr amid claims he misrepresented the findings of the Mueller report.

Barr defended his handling of the report that looked into the possible Russian interference in the 2016 election on Wednesday after Robert Mueller had questioned his decision to declare no wrongdoing by President Donald Trump.

The Democrats  also debated whether Trump should be impeached for obstruction of justice based on the evidence presented in Mueller’s 448-page report.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has offered families of its staff at its High Commission in Colombo flights to return to Australia, with the Australian government encouraging Australians to strongly consider its travel advice warning that further terrorist attacks are likely in Sri Lanka.

The department’s offer extends to dependants of embassy staff and volunteers working under the Australian Volunteers International program.

Rural residents in Darwin could run out of water completely after the driest wet season in 27 years failed to replenish groundwater levels.

Director of Water assessment for the Northern Territory, Des Yin Foo, said the situation is serious and that if water consumption continues at the current rate, bores in Darwin’s rural area could run empty before the end of the dry season.

Mr Yin Foo said producers should expect a possibly reduced harvest this year and urged residents to reduce their water usage.

Smoke is covering Brisbane city this morning as a fire engulfs a heritage listed boarding house and adjoining property in South Brisbane.

About 36 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire, with neighbouring properties being evacuated.

Queensland Ambulance paramedics have taken one person to hospital.

The outfits worn by the first same-sex couple from Queensland to get married after the passing of the marriage equality bill are set to be preserved and displayed in a museum.

Craig and Luke Burns donated their suits, photos and other memorabilia from their wedding day to the Queensland Museum, all of which are set to be displayed next year after going through preservation processes.

The couple were married in an intimate ceremony in January last year and said it was an honour to be a part of history.