A Queensland inquiry into wage theft was told the practice was “alarmingly common” and would “never be stopped”, with horticulture and hospitality industries highlighted as major culprits.

The National Retail Association CEO, Dominique Lamb, said the biggest driver of the practice was employers misunderstanding the award system, and applying the wrong award.

A previous inquiry by the Fair Work Ombudsman found 60% of Brisbane franchisees were not compliant with the Fair Work Act.

Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday amid new corruption charges.

Facing 8 charges of fraud and corruption, Pisasale was charged with using his position for personal gain, including using government funds to pay for interstate trips and household items.

Pisasale has previously been charged with corruption between December 2013 and June 2017.

A new health initiative aiding those suffering from Hepatitis B is currently seeing success within the Northern Territory, giving hope to sufferers nationwide.

Led by the Menzies School of Health Research, the NT program assists local indigenous Australians through an introduction of a new smartphone app, robust screenings and follow ups.

The app itself provides useful information in numerous indigenous languages, helping in identifying, engaging, monitoring and treating people who suffer from this disease.

In a survey released by NRMA, drivers operating their phones while driving were indicated as the greatest menace to our roads.

Over 75 per cent of the 1500 members surveyed ranked illegal phone use behind the wheel as their biggest road safety fear, ranking higher than drink driving and speeding.

The data went as far as to indicate drivers in the age group from 26-39 as the worst offenders, with over 74,000 motorists reprimanded.

Thousands of Romanians gathered in Bucharest as part of an ongoing protest, demanding the resignation of the government and Prime Minister Viorica Dancila.

Violent clashes between protesters and riot police began on Friday, as security forces fired tear gas grenades and water cannons to disperse the crowd, injuring more than 450 people.

President Klaus Iohannis condemned the riot police’s intervention, describing their actions as disproportionate to the actions of the majority in the square.

With Italy and Malta’s recent refusal of rescue vessels docking with migrants on board, ships are becoming increasingly unwilling to help those in distress at sea.

On Friday, Doctors Without Borders’ rescue ship, Aquarius, saved 141 people at sea who reported several ships had passed without offering aid.

Doctors Without Borders project coordinator, Aloys Vimard, said ships may be unwilling to help those in need due to the high risk of being stranded and denied a place of safety.

At least ten tourism operators on the Brisbane River could lose their inner city pontoon in order to make way for the Neville Bonner Bridge in South Bank.

The privately funded structure is a part of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Project, which connects the planned casino and hotel complex to South Bank parklands.

Brisbane City Council have continually called for the development to be scrapped, citing budget concerns along with the displacement of these local businesses.

Data collected by the Brisbane City Council’s Speed Awareness Monitors has revealed that over 50 per cent of drivers were speeding across Brisbane in 2017 to 2018.

South Brisbane and Bracken Ridge were indicated to be worst areas for speeding, with thousands of motorists disregarding the visual warnings from the established Speed Awareness Monitor.

The initiative by the Brisbane City Council did however show promising signs, with two in every five motorists reducing their speed when alerted by the SAM signs.