Top paying jobs still dominated by men

Annual reports reveal that despite Annastacia Palaszczuk being in the top leadership position, at least 26 people eclipsed her salary last year, and most of these were men.

The highest-earning public servant was Director-General of Premier and Cabinet, Dave Stewart, who earned up to $744 000 last year.

The findings follow Palaszczuk’s push last week to close gender pay gaps.

Greyhound trainer faces methylamphetamine doping charges

A Queensland greyhound trainer will face court on Tuesday after allegedly drugging his greyhounds with methylamphetamine to boost their race day performance.

The 44-year-old is being charged on 70 drug and fraud allegations.

Ross Barnett, the Integrity Commissioner of Queensland Racing, labelled the actions an “animal welfare disgrace,” saying “activities such as these bring the racing industry into disrepute and must be stamped out”.

Unions call for more public school funding

Several education organisations are calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to increase funding for public schools.

The Australian Education Union are among the 26 signatories who are fighting for a $1.9 billion federal funding boost in an open letter published on Tuesday.

The letter details how 87 per cent of public schools will stay below the minimum level of funding required by 2023, while private schools were receiving a “special deal of $4.6 billion”.

Tasmanian priests required to report child abuse

The Tasmanian government has released draft legislation requiring priests to report child sex abuse, including when it is disclosed during confessions.

Catholic priests were previously exempt from reporting instances of child abuse under the Seal of Confession.

Attorney General Elise Archer, says this step makes it clear that all members of the community have an obligation to report abuse and do everything in their power to prevent child abuse.

NASA announces new plans for space exploration

NASA celebrated its 60th anniversary this week by unveiling plans for the next two decades of space exploration.

The organisation hopes to deploy humans to the moon in long-term expeditions, have astronauts on Mars by the 2030s, and potentially strengthen private and commercial space endeavours.

At a NASA Advisory Council meeting in August, Administrator Jim Bridenstine said there was substantial interest in offsetting the cost of plans by selling off naming rights to NASA’s spacecraft or rockets.

Call for QLD to add more national parks

Conservationists have called for the Queensland Government to add more national parks to protect threatened species.

Despite being home to 1000 threatened species, only 8 per cent of the state is covered by environmental protection, compared with 42 per cent in Tasmania.

Conservation scientist Martin Taylor said the lack of funding is incomprehensible given the money national parks generate.

QLD teachers banned for inappropriate conduct

Every fortnight a Queensland teacher is banned or suspended, according to new data from the profession’s registration body.

The Queensland College of Teachers has launched disciplinary action against 24 teachers this year for inappropriate conduct, ranging from sexual relationships with students, sleepovers, and sexting.

Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal director John Ryan slammed this behaviour and said it was “unacceptable” for any teacher to cross the established professional boundaries.