Unions are urging industry superannuation funds to campaign on workplace relations in the lead up to the federal election.

Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O’Neil says major companies that superfunds choose to invest in have chosen to undermine local workers’ rights while simultaneously exploiting foreign workers.

Ms O’Neil rejects claims of financial activism after unions demanded union-backed industry funds to pressure mining giant BHP to save the jobs of 80 local seafarers.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), have vowed to look into the issues identified in a parliamentary inquiry report of the Retail Food Group (RFG).

The parliamentary inquiry handed in its report on Thursday, recommending the RFG and its directors be investigated over allegations of insider trading, tax avoidance, breaches of consumer law and other market disclosure failings.

A woodwork artist from the town of Woodenbong has pitched his idea for a giant wooden bong to be constructed as the towns main tourist attraction.

Paul Pearson makes bongs as an occupation, and had built one that stood at 1.5 metres, but he has an even bigger goal that he believes will bring droves of tourists to the rural community.

Sixteen officers are being recruited to boost ticket inspector numbers to combat a surge in fare evasion on Queensland’s public transport.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says a significant jump in fare evaders on public transport, particularly school buses, was costing about $25 million a year in lost revenue.

Last financial year, Queensland’s school bus drivers recorded more than 1.53 million fare evasions, compared to about 875,000 the year before.

Islamic State militants, along with women and children, surrendered in the hundreds to U.S.-backed forces in eastern Syria on Thursday as the jihadists lost ground in their last shred of territory in Baghouz.

The Islamic state militants suffered major military defeats in 2017, when they lost the cities of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. They were then forced down the Euphrates River to their last bastion at Baghouz.

French authorities are bracing for a huge oil slick to hit the country's coastline after an Italian ship capsized near La Rochelle on Tuesday.

The container vessel, Grande America, caught fire on Sunday during a trip from Hamburg to Casablanca.

All 27 crew have been rescued, but 2,200 tonnes of fuel has reportedly spilled into the ocean.

The uploading time of Australian coal exports to China has almost doubled to 40 days in recent months, with Chinese protectionism and environmental checks being blamed for the delays.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the protectionist pressure stems from China’s support for it’s own coal industry and the delayed times of exports are not country specific.

A higher level of environmental quarantine checks has also impacted the wait-time of Australian coal exports.

At risk students in Alice Springs will soon return back to a permanent school building after weeks of being unable to attend class as they were moved off the premises.

Students at St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre had to move from its previous premises at the end of last year to make way for the planned $150 million national Indigenous art gallery.

Despite the school’s new building not being ready at the start of the term, the school worked to hold classes with staff attempting to conduct home visits for its 75 students.

An immersive and interactive art installation will be popping up around Brisbane today until April 3rd.

The series will comprise of 15 pieces that combine art and science to provide a multi-sensory experience to the public, leading a trail from South Bank to New Farm.

Artistic Director at Brisbane Powerhouse Kris Stewart said the event is designed to spark conversation and a bit of ‘civic pride’.

The artwork has been sourced from a range of local, national and international artists.