Asylum seekers on Manus Island say the Government hired security contractors are “doing nothing” on the ground with the $423 million grant the firm has been issued.

The firm, known as Paladin, have little experience in providing security services in immigration detention, and were reluctantly hired according to a journalist on the island, Behrouz Boochan, after other security companies were hesitant to be associated with Australia’s controversial offshore detention regime.

The RSPCA has backed a new petition to allow pets to be able to travel on buses, ferries, and trains in Brisbane to boost the economy.

The petition, which was kickstarted by New Farm resident Annie Boxall who gathered 700 signatures in support would seek to mimic the transport in cities like New York and Paris, where pets are permitted.

A proposed revision to the plan would see a certification program where pets would be issued with a “good behaviour” tag once approved for their behaviour and socialisation skills.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says early estimates of the current cost to Queensland from the “summer of disasters” is $1.5 billion, which could increase.

Ms Palaszczuk says cabinet was briefed on Monday about the impact of floods on the state’s road and rail network in North Queensland, while cattle properties would need fencing replaced and 1200 homes in Townsville were uninhabitable.

A floating rubbish bin, which effectively acts as a vacuum cleaner for the ocean, is being trialled in Perth after a crowdfunding campaign allowed the device to be produced commercially.

The sea bin in the Port Coogee boat marina has captured more than a dozen types of plastic in just over a week, as well as cigarette butts and debris from nearby fishing operations.

Perth surfers Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski designed the prototype in 2015, which is able to trap up to 20 kilograms of waste and is safe for marine life.

A new comic series where Jesus Christ is sent on a holy mission by God to learn what it means to be the true Messiah of mankind from a superhero called Sunman has been cancelled by DC Comics, following a petition that called it outrageous and blasphemous.

Conservative group CitizenGo gained 200,000 signatures to pull the comic, saying it portrayed a false view of Jesus, who is not a failure, and asking whether similar content would be published about Buddha or Mohammed.

World renowned fashion designer, Karl Lagerfield has died at age 85 following rumours of ill-health since January when he missed a Chanel show in Paris.

One of the most influential designers of modern times, tributes from other designers and celebrities have started spreading over the internet.

Lagerfield is credited with helping make Paris the fashion capital of the world by reinventing Chanel and taking it from a small fashion house to a global industry leader.

In a groundbreaking move, all staff members at the Queensland University of Technology will be now able to take up to 20 days of paid domestic and family violence leave each year.

Members of the Together Union at QUT were at the forefront of the new plan, which also includes a 2 per cent pay rise, and will hold an employee ballot in the coming months.

The leave is available to all employees regardless of their gender, and will be handled confidentially by administrative staff.