The Queensland Environmental Department is investigating the removal and dumping of toxic waste from Amberley air-force base in 2017.

Civex ­Energy confirmed its vacuum truck operators took firefighting chemicals from a “red-zone” on site, instead of keeping them “encapsulated".

The investigators are proposing sanctions over the unauthorised operators, but no action has been made against the companies who were undertaking work at the site.

A marine scientist is working with traditional owners to restore the biodiversity and water quality in Moreton Bay, using recycled oyster shells as filters.  

Oystering was once one of Queensland’s most important industries, but water quality in the bay and devastating floods 120 years ago drove the habitat to extinction.

Recycled oyster shells act like kidneys, filtering up to 100 Litres of water a day, and allowing the return of fish and baby oysters to the waterway.

The Melbourne CBD has been closed this morning as thousands of union supporters protest for a increase in minimum wage and job stability.

The protests, held in every capital, were an attempt to fix the "broken" industrial relations system says CFMEU  spokesperson Sean Reardon.

Minister for Jobs and Industrial Relations Kellie O Dwyer called the rallies a "glimpse of a bleak industrial relations future’ where unions have the ability to ‘break any laws they like."

With a third of Victorians admitting to drinking more than a litre of sugary drink a week, experts are warning they are greatly increasing their risk of cancer.

A new awareness campaign has been launched today by Cancer Council Victoria, in an attempt to stem the consumption of sugary drinks in the state.

Melbourne surgeon Dr Ahmad Aly endorses the campaign, stating people need  “to realise they could be drinking their way towards weight gain, obesity, and toxic fat, increasing their risk of 13 types of cancer." ​​​​

The far-right frontrunner in Brazil’s presidential election has vowed to “banish red criminals” from the nation.

Jair Bolsonaro gave a speech yesterday which promised to purge left-wing citizens from the country, and achieve “a cleansing never seen in the history of Brazil."

Bolsonaro, an outspoken advocate of military dictatorship, has previously supported the torture and killing of police officers, and the marginalisation of women and the LGBT community.

Over 18 people have been killed and 175 injured when a train in Taiwan derailed on a curve along a popular weekend route yesterday.

The express train was travelling toward Taitung on Taiwan’s south east coast, when at 4:50pm local time the train went off the tracks.

The Taiwan Railways Administration stated they were able to evacuate and remove all 366 passengers onboard, with more than 100 soldiers assisting firefighters in the rescue.

A legal firm has commenced class action against the Redland City Council to try and recover unspent ratepayers’ money left from the invalid canal maintenance levy.

The Council refunded part of the levy in March 2017, but 1500 residents are still seeking the remaining money.

Shine Lawyers’ senior solicitor Tristan Gaven said “it’s about accountability and council doing right by its ratepayers”. ​​​​