Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says the practice of gay conversion therapy is “bigoted quackery that masquerades as healthcare” and it will will be banned in the state.

The state government says the ban would be an Australian first and comes after an investigation by the Health Complaints Commission found the practice resulted in long-term psychological harm and distress.

South Australian Senator Rex Patrick believes there should be a national debate and plans to introduce legislation next week which proposes a ban on all cotton exports.

Twenty-seven percent of the entire allocation of irrigation water across the Murray Darling goes to cotton farming and international export.

Scientists have discovered earth’s north magnetic pole is wandering about 55 kilometers per year.

The north pole has been moving so fast that scientists on Monday released an update of where true north really was, nearly a year ahead of schedule.

It crossed the international date line at the end of 2017, it’s leaving the Canadian Arctic on its way to Siberia. The shifting magnetic pole is a problem for compasses. Planes and boats rely on magnetic north usually as backup navigation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has suspended the Cold War-era Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty on Saturday after the U.S. said it would withdraw from the arms control pact, accusing Moscow of violations.

Putin said Russia will start work on creating new missiles, including hypersonic ones, and told ministers not to initiate disarmament talks with the Washington, accusing the U.S. of being slow to respond to such moves.

The Brisbane City Council has requested state government approval to prevent townhouses and apartment blocks from being built on blocks larger than 3000 square metres in low density residential zoned suburbs.

City Planning Chairman Matthew Bourke has said this new plan would protect the character of brisbane suburbs and stop the ‘cooking cutter townhouse developments’.

Councillor Bourke has said residents have made it clear to the council that retaining the style and size of the suburbs was important.

Two men are missing near floodwaters and thousands of people have been evacuated as north Queensland’s flood crisis rolls into its 11th day.

Hughie Morton and Troy Mathieson were last seen on Ross River Road near floodwaters on Monday morning

Townsville remains the hardest-hit area although floodwaters are affecting communities as far west as Mt Isa, in the state’s interior.

World Animal Protection has urged Australians not to buy, own, or breed exotic animals as domestic animals.

Welfare advocates warn the practice is contributing to a multi-billion dollar trade which has been noted as cruel and often deadly for animals such as snakes, lizards, birds, and ornamental fish.

It comes following a survey that reveals more than a quarter of exotic pet owners did not research the animals before buying them.

The banking royal commission’s final report has recommended sweeping changes to address the root causes of poor behaviour in the financial sector.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says the government has agreed to take action on all 76 recommendations handed down by Commissioner Kenneth Hayne QC on Monday, with a focus on restoring trust in the financial system while maintaining the flow of credit.

Bleeding noses and blood-shot eyes as Bangkok battles new levels of toxic air.

With the air quality of Thailand’s capital hovering at unhealthy levels, many people have become severely ill with some people taking to social media to share images of them coughing up blood, having bloodshot eyes and sharing concerns about the air quality of the city.