Tim Meehan Struck Off Queensland Roll of Solicitors

The lawyer who defended Daniel Morcombe’s killer has been struck off the Queensland roll of solicitors accused of profound and protracted dishonesty.

Disgraced criminal lawyer Tim Meehan walked free from prison in December, desperate to “make a useful contribution to society” by returning to the law.

QCAT denied Meehan’s bid to return to law after he admitted encouraging his clients to pay their legal fees in cash; an act described by president Justice Martin Daubney as “the worst category of offending for a solicitor.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann Has Holiday Paid For

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has allegedly blamed a administration error as the reason behind his family holiday flights being paid for by Helloworld.

Senator Cormann insists that there is no link between his flights and the booking company receiving a government contract, reporting that he had no intention to influence the outcome of the process.

Since the alleged error has come to public attention, Cormann has repaid the outstanding amount to the company and has been processed immediately.

Australian Politicians Want R. Kelly Banned

Australian politicians want R. Kelly banned with the embattled singer’s possible entry being protested by a group of politicians.

Members of the Labor party released a statement to the BBC about Kelly, in which “labor strongly supports the refusal or cancellation of visa of non-citizens on character or criminal grounds.”

Kelly has consistently denied the allegations, some of which date back decades, and has never been convicted of a crime connected to them.

EU Votes To Establish Blanket Definition of Medical Cannabis

Last week, the EU Parliament voted to establish a blanket definition of medical cannabis, in order to distinguish it from other uses of the plant.

It is believed by creating EU-wide guidelines on medical cannabis would help reduce abuse of the drug, thwart the trade of it on the black market and prevent young people from becoming addicted from it.

The authors of the resolution have also urged members of states to boost funding for medicinal cannabis research.

Tinder App For Cows Released

A tinder inspired app is being used by farmers in Petersfield England to match up potential partners for their cattle.

Named Tudder, it allows farmers to swipe right on cattle they like the look of, and provides information on milk yield and protein content or calving potential.

Launched just before valentines day, creators of the app hope it will make the process easier for farmers eases the stress on animals who would traditionally need to go to market to be matched.

Emoji Option for Personalised Number Plates

Queensland drivers will be able to add emojis to their personalised plates next month, with owners given the opportunity to include a ‘laugh out loud’, ‘wink’, ‘sunglasses’, ‘heart’ or ‘smile’ emoji.

 

The emoji plates will be available from the 1st of March and must be accompanied by a mixture of three letters and two numbers according to Personalised Plates Queensland.

 

New Species of Macadamias Found in Queensland

An amateur naturalist has discovered a new population of endangered wild macadamias south of Rockhampton.

Thirty-seven new trees of endangered macadamia jansenii species have been found in Bulburin National Park.

The Macadamia Conservation Trust of Australia thought only 90 of the trees existed in the wild, and were extremely concerned about the species during the bushfire emergency in late 2018.

Adani Lawyers Propose "Waging War" Against Opponents

Lawyers from mining firm Adani proposed "waging war" on opponents of its controversial Queensland mine by using the legal system to pressure government, silence critics and financially cripple activists, according to documents obtained by the ABC.

The draft copy of Adani’s new law firm’s aggressive strategy to bring the Carmichael mine to life is labelled “Taking the Gloves Off” and outlines a commercial proposal by AJ & Co to win a multi million dollar legal contact with the Indian mining giant.