Queensland’s peak agricultural body wants the Queensland Government to implement an economic stimulus into rural communities to keep them prosperous throughout the 57 percent of Queensland which is now in drought.

CEO of the agricultural body Agforce, Michael Guerin, has remained adamant in the need for capital in outback towns.

Mr. Guerin has also called on the government to provide relief for struggling farmers, as well as maintaining more available mental health services for rural communities throughout the drought.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford has praised the efforts of hundreds of QFES staff and volunteers involved in the weekend fight against 230 vegetation fires.

The combination of prolonged dry conditions and high fuel loads means the state is at risk of a long, active bushfire season. Minster Crawford says there are currently about 20 bushfire incidents across Queensland.

Over the weekends efforts, one firefighter suffered from heat stress at Fernvale and one firefighter suffered minor burns at Linville.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has vocalised his support for Malcolm Turnbull’s National Energy Guarantee, on the condition that a ‘plan B’ is offered to reduce electricity prices, if the plan doesn’t work as promised.

Mr Joyce proposed this plan as a method of threatening energy companies to break up the firms if they fail to cut power prices.

The Coalition are currently holding meetings regarding this policy today and Tuesday.

New data is indicating that high school students with lower ATAR and OP scores are being accepted into tertiary teaching courses.  

Data from a Senate Inquiry reveal that one student was accepted into a teaching course at a Victorian university with an ATAR OF 17 out of a possible 99, with another accepting scores as low as 22.

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham has introduced a literacy and numeracy test, and requested that all states and territories participate and ensure it is implemented consistently.

Malians are attending the polls to cast their second round ballot in a runoff presidential election, overshadowed by security concerns and reports of low turnout.

The election is tight as President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita faces opposition leader Soumaila Cisse.

Security has been increased to prevent the armed attacks and other violence that affected 20% of the polling places during the first round of voting.

Scientists believe that the Island of Lombok in Indonesia was struck by over 25cm after the August 5 earthquake killed over 300 people.

The rupturing faultline near the epicentre in the north-west caused the earth to lift by up to a quatre of a metre.

Villagers are beginning to return to the Island, with temporary replacements of damaged mosques being organised.

The Liberal National Party has referred Labor’s appointment of a political director to the left-wing activist group Get-Up to the Crime And Corruption Commission.

The appointment of Josh Genner within an advisor role within Jackie Trad’s office was described as a ‘corruption risk’ by State Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.

The Palaszczuk government has responded by vocalising Mr Genner’s role as “within the existing staff budget.”

An expert summit will review Queensland’s rural maternity services after criticism from the state opposition.

LNP leader Deb Frecklington says that newborn babies were dying at a higher rate in Queensland country towns that lack maternity services.

The summit will access hospital safety, staffing and models of care.

Australia’s Federal Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg has been questioned for the $444 million government grant received by the Great Barrier Reef foundation without a competitive tender.

The Labor Party and Greens Party have called for the grant to be handed back and returned to taxpayers immediately.

Frydenberg response, however, suggests that the money was contained in a budget submission prepared by his department which was brought to cabinet last year.