The number of Australians dying from accidental opioid deaths has risen, with prescription opioids such as oxycodone being prominent within society. A total of 1045 people have died of an opioid overdose in 2016, with the number of accidental deaths rising yearly by up to 890.  The number of deaths due to amphethamine has also risen throughout Australia. 

An Australian man who infiltrated the Bandidos bikie gang has been given a refugee status in Canada, after an overseas tribunal has found that Steven Utah had murder contracts placed on him. 

The man will become the first known refugee from Australia, after Australian authorities failed to maintain his cover.

The ruling is regarded as legally unprecedented, after his recruitment by the Australian Crime Commission. 

Parents & Citizens' Association Queensland has put forward a plan to raise more money for state schools through the container refund scheme that is set to start in November this year. 

The organisation is proposing that rather than pocketing the 10 cent refund given from recycling a container, people donate the refund to a Queensland state school of their choice. 

P&Cs Queensland estimates this scheme will raise tens of millions of dollars in extra funding for Queensland state schools if recycling collection points are installed on school campuses. 

Koala conservation groups will be conferring today to discuss the translocation of koalas, suggesting that the Queensland government needs to do more to assist with the revegetation of bushland, as well as preventing the extinction of local koalas. 

Environment Minister Leanne Enoch suggests she is open to new suggestions regarding koala habitats. 

Preserving these habitats comes as a main point of the meeting, after 280 koalas died through cleared bushland for the Moreton Bay Rail Link. The state government has ensured that the extinction will be prevented. 

A coalition of Australian and overseas humanitarian and human rights groups have set a deadline for the federal government to get all children out of Nauru. 

The coalition, which is comprised of World Vision and more than 30 other organisations have called for parliament to bring more than 120 children and their families to Australia or be settled in another safe country by November 20th, which is Universal Children's Day.

A ceasefire has been announced by Afghan President Ashraf Ghanim to mark the Eid al-Adha holiday. Ghani has outlined that a ceasefire against the Taliban will run until the 21st November. The Taliban has agreed to a four-day truce, althugh the group's leader is still to voice his approval. The movement has agreed to free hundreds of prisoners, as the Islamic holiday begins Tuesday. This comes after a battle between Afghan forces in the city of Ghazni, whereby over 150 soldiers were killed. 

Vietnam War veterans have gathered along Anzac Parade to commemorate Vietnam Veterans' Day on Saturday. 

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove also attended, dedicating a speech outlining the 'spirit of service before self' that veterans involved. 

The ceremony acknowledged the physical ad mental trauma inflicted on the veterans, with several key Australian Army figures also in attendance.  

The Queensland Premier, as well as other cabinet ministers have been reprimanded for over $80,000 in accomodation fees during the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. 

This spending has been defended by the Deputy Leader Jackie Trad, who outlined them as necessary measures, as well as being the advice of the Queensland Police Service.

Jackie Trad explicated that the $720 a night stay was necessary, given the economic benefit of the Commonwealth Games. 

A 31-year-old Brisbane entrepreneur has had his medical screw device approved by the American Food and Drug Administration. 

Dr Chriss Jeffrey says that his design will ensure faster and more accurate repairs during operations. The United States is currently the world's biggest market for medical products, with his product now a possibility with the approval from the FDA.