Queensland’s new recycling scheme has been declared a success after 1.5 million cans, plastic bottles and stubbies were collected in its first weekend.

‘Container’s for Exchange’ offers a 10 cent return for every container, paid directly into bank accounts via an app.

Envirobank opened 40 shops in one day for the scheme, providing a welcome boost to the local economy.

Documents obtained under freedom of information laws show a wealthy Queensland family have lobbied government officials to redirect the Australian Government’s inland rail project to be closer to the family’s private airport.

The $10 billion Brisbane-to-Melbourne rail line had been diverted, with emails between Dennis Wagner and government officials seen as a key reason for the redirection towards the private airport.  

The EU’s efforts to keep Northern Ireland in the single market continue to hinder the final stages Brexit negotiations.

The British negotiating team accuse Brussels of trying to annexe the province and say a hard border would threaten the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.

EU officials and diplomats say there has been an evolution in the commission’s thinking but the chances of finding a compromise this week remains 50 - 50.

The US Midterm elections on November 6th is being described as “extremely important for American history”, with a referendum on the state of the country’s leadership expected.

The future of issues such as tax regulation, immigration, border protection, abortion and healthcare are expected to be determined as a result of the midterms.

The current Republican control of the House, as well as the numerous Governor races across the US show a possibility for Democratic control under current predictions.

The Australian War Memorial in Canberra will see a 500 million dollar upgrade to improve spaces for both display and reflection.  The first upgrades to the site since 1941 are expected to take nine years to complete.

The site will contain a digital display for commemoration, with collections presented from recent engagements in Afghanistan, Iraq and East Timor.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison outlined that the upgrades will “tell new stories in new ways”.

Working holiday visas are changing to allow backpackers and other visitors to stay in Australia up to three times longer.

The federal government’s plan aims to help farmers fill agricultural job shortages, particularly in the strawberry industry.

Other changes include raising the age limit to 35 years, allowing visa workers to remain in their jobs for over six months and creating opportunities in a wider range of regions across the country.

A Brisbane high school has gone ‘off-grid’, with the school hosting Queensland’s ‘first green energy’ classroom.

Bracken Ridge State High School will be the first in the nation to be battery and solar powered, with rooftop solar panels and a battery storage system in place.

This plan was implemented by Energy Minister Angus Taylor, with similar ‘green’ classrooms to be introduced into seven schools in two thousand and nineteen.

Over 5000 living donors have contributed to Griffith University’s body donation program, helping support a decade’s worth of successful medical research.

Over 410 deceased donors have been accepted since 2007, with strict guidelines regarding time and cause of death.

The program has identified new anatomy variations that have helped medical professionals in their practice, supporting growth and research.