Chinese authorities have ordered a 1.3 billion fine and asset seizure against a pharmaceutical company for the falsification of production records relating to a faulty rabies vaccine.

The Company Changchun Changsheng Life Sciences was ordered in July this year to suspend its production and had its vaccine production licence revoked for using expired materials and not testing product batches according to an announcement by the Chinese National Drug Administration on Tuesday.

A rare mineral, that only forms when meteorites slam into the earth’s crust, has been found in Western Australia—making it the first discovery in the country and the sixth discovery worldwide.

A geology student, Morgan Cox, discovered the mineral while testing drill core samples from the buried Woodleigh impact crater near Shark Bay, which had been stored in a shed since 2001.

The Tasmanian government has banned journalists from lingering in parliament or talking to MPs without an appointment.

Speaker Sue Hickey issued the guidelines yesterday, which also restrict when the media can take photos in parliament, and bans filming anywhere in the building without permission.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s Mark Thomas says the media were not consulted about the changes, which will limit their ability to report on state politics.

The Brisbane City Council has denied the possible introduction of a council founded ferry between Bulimba and Teneriffe despite more than 500 residents petitioning for it.

The proposed plan was to be a free cross river ferry from the two stops, similar to the City Hopper. However Chairman Adrian Schrinner said the already existing services connecting Bulimba and Teneriffe are not underutilised and both areas do not need a patronage boost.

Abortion has been decriminalised in Queensland after two days of debate in state parliament.

Last night, the laws were eventually passed by 50 votes to 41. Under the changes, abortion will be made a health issue—allowing women to terminate pregnancies up to 22 weeks’ gestation. Terminations after 22 weeks will be allowed with the approval of two independent doctors.

Safe zones around clinics and medical facilities will also be established to prevent staff and patients from being harassed by anti-abortion activists.