More than 200 Queensland families are calling on the state government to recognise adult adoptions.

The current laws require biological parental consent and restrict anyone over the age of 17 to be adopted.

Legal researcher Kent Bloe says bans on adult adoption use age as a restriction to lifelong practical and emotional benefits.

The adoption act is scheduled to be reviewed by the Palaszczuk government in 2020.

Aids was intentionally spread across Southern Africa in the 80s and 90s, according to new statements from a former South African mercenary group intelligence officer.

Alexander Jones claims the South African Institute for Maritime Research’s leader Keith Maxwell believed the spread of AIDS would decimate black populations, cement white rule and bring back religious conservatism.

At least 20 people have been killed in twin blasts at a Roman Catholic cathedral on the southern Philippine island of Jolo.

Yesterday's incident claimed the lives of at least 15 civilians and five soldiers, police said, adding that 111 others were injured.

According to security officials, the first bomb went off in or near the cathedral of Jolo, the capital of Sulu province, followed by a second blast outside the compound as government forces were responding to the attack.

Australian doctors are seeking legal advice as they face the challenge of populating 17 million Australians My Health Records.

Wentworth MP and Sydney GP Kerryn Phelps is calling on the government to indemnify doctors against potential lawsuits if a patient suffers an adverse reaction after their doctor relies on incomplete or inaccurate information on their health record.

Single mothers placed on a compulsory welfare program for disadvantaged parents allege they were pressured into allowing private job service providers to collect their sensitive information.

The program is compulsory for those who want to receive parenting payments and are considered “disadvantaged”, but some case workers have told participants that they would have their payments cut if they refused to sign the form and effectively hand over their private and sensitive information.

Weevils from Paraguay may hold the secret to eliminating the destructive aquatic plant Cabomba, according to a new CSIRO study being conducted in Brisbane.

Cabomba is listed as a nationally significant weed which forms an underwater carpet, preventing the growth of other aquatic plants and limiting light for marine life.

The scientists behind the biocontrol experiment say they’re exercising extreme caution to ensure the weevils do not affect any other Australian flora or fauna.

A Southern Queensland local council has called for more funding to upgrade water infrastructure as Roma residents are asked to cut out non-essential water use due to a depleted supply.

The town's water reserves are diminished due to high, heat-related consumption and multiple equipment breakdowns, according to Maranoa Regional Council.

Council utilities spokesman David Schefe says while $10 million per year was spent on upgrading water infrastructure, the "exasperated" council needed more state and federal funding.

Undercover footage that appears to show extremely sick cows being smuggled into a Polish slaughterhouse is raising alarms about standards in one of the EU’s largest meat exporters.

United States government agencies are beginning to come back online after the country’s longest government shutdown ended over the weekend.

Acting White House chief of staff says the 800,000 furloughed employees will receive back pay by the end of the week, relieving the financial strain of thousands of missed debt payments, damaged credit ratings and doubts about future job security.

Athlete turned barrister Zali Steggall is off to a flying start in her bid to seize the Warringah electorate seat from Tony Abbott.

The former alpine skiing Olympian launched her campaign yesterday morning as an independent, and is not shy to the challenge in taking on the former Prime Minister, who has held the seat of Warringah for 25 years.