Qld’s Human Rights Bill enacted into law
Image Source: Kgbo
Vatican confirms investigation into George Pell’s child sexual abuse offences
The Vatican has confirmed it is investigating disgraced cardinal George Pell over child sexual abuse offences which occurred in Australia.
The decision could see Australia’s most senior Catholic cleric removed from the priesthood.
Pell has been remanded in custody for the first time since being convicted of five child sex offences in December.
The high-profile case has been suppressed from media reporting, with details of Pell’s conviction only coming to light early this week.
France capitalises on submarine contract through research deals in Australia
France is now looking to capitalise on the $50 billion future submarine contract with Australia by sending a delegation to establish research deals with local institutions.
The delegation of over 50 officials, scientists and business leaders coming to Australia will sign approximately 17 agreements with Australian universities and institutions across the country, including the Australian National University in Canberra and Adelaide University.
More Aussies leaving cities for regional towns
Australians would be leaving capital cities in greater numbers if infrastructure was improved in regional cities and towns – that’s the finding of a new report by the Regional Australia Institute.
More than 400,000 people have moved from Australian capital cities to regional areas in the five years to 2016.
The regional Australia Institute said this size of the migration shows the federal government doesn't need to coax new Australians to move to regional areas.
Media icon Ita Buttrose to be named new ABC Chair
The ABC is set to appoint media veteran Ita Buttrose as the new Chairperson of its board.
Ms Buttrose was not originally shortlisted during the five-month-long selection process by a panel which cost the government at least $160,000.
ABC acting Managing Director David Anderson welcomed her leadership, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the former news editor and Australian of the Year recipient as ‘extraordinary’.
Qld’s Police Commissioner’s wife has infringement notice for running stop sign torn up
The wife of Queensland's Police Commissioner had her infringement notice for running a stop sign torn up after appealing to the officer in charge of the local station.
Carol Stewart was booked in the Sandgate police district, with the officer who issued the ticket now understood to be on leave.
The Queensland Police Service has not responded to questions about why the ticket had been withdrawn, while Police Minister Mark Ryan said he "had no prior knowledge of this matter".
Anti-Hooning trials for Brisbane Roads
Image source: Kgbo
Anti-Hooning trials for Brisbane Roads
Hooning is the new focus of a Brisbane City Council trial to implement more safety features on roads.
Industrial estates and wide stretches of road have become the target of a specially-designed seal treatment that damages the tires of hooning motorists.
Infrastructure committee chairperson Amanda Cooper said the seal will make no impact on vehicles using the road in normal driving conditions.
Sites for the trial are being decided by council currently with dates to follow.
Deafheaven, Divide And Dissolve at Crowbar
I’m a little amazed that Deafheaven have managed to stay so relevant and vital in the little corner of heavy music they’ve cordoned off, but they really have. The black metal fusionists surprised me completely with last year’s Ordinary Corrupt Human Love, which turned away from their former flirtations with shoegaze and post-rock to lavish their affections instead, on prog. It was a pretty self-indulgent move and one which they made shamelessly.
11AM ZEDLINES
Good morning this is Georgie and Maddie with your 11am Zedlines.