Liberal party members vote to move Embassy to Jerusalem

At the Liberal Party’s annual federal council, members endorsed a motion that called on the government to follow the US and move Australia’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told the conference she could understand the sentiment but declared Australia would not be moving its embassy to Jerusalem.

However, she failed to convince the majority of members and the non-binding motion passed 43 votes to 37.

Animal Welfare groups angry over live exports abuse penalty delay

Animal welfare and farm lobby groups are infuriated that political delays are preventing tougher penalties for live exporters who break animal welfare laws.

Debate on the bill was scheduled to begin last month but was pulled when Labor announced it wanted to attach an amendment that would phase the industry out within five years.

The earliest it can be scheduled with be August with welfare and lobby groups pushing for the bill to be passed urgently.

India resumes military action against separatists after Ramadan ends

The Indian government resumed military operations against rebels in Indian-administered area of Kashmir after ceasefire expired.

A rare 30 day unilateral ceasefire was called for at the beginning of May for the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

However Indian Home Minister, Rajnath Singh claimed while security forces displayed exemplary restraint, rebels continued with their attacks on civilians and security forces.

Dozens killed in suspected Boko Haram attack in Nigeria

A twin suicide bomb attack by suspected Boko Haram fighters has killed at least 31 people in northeast Nigeria.

The blasts occurred in the town of Damboa on Saturday, targeting people returning from Eid holiday celebrations.

There has been no immediate claim of responsibility but Boko Haram militants are suspected despite Army Chief Lt. General Tukur Buratai saying they are no longer a threat.

Brisbane Transit Centre to be demolished in 2020

The old Brisbane Transit Centre on Roma Street will be demolished and replaced by the Cross River Rail’s new underground station and a new live entertainment venue.

Construction will begin in 2020, with Roma Street bus and trains remaining open and accessible during the five-year construction period.

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said "The Brisbane Transit Centre is well past its prime, but by 2025 this end of the city will be totally transformed". 

Brisbane CBD to gain retractable security bollards

Fairfax media revealed $2.8 million in the latest Brisbane City Council budget  is being dedicated to retractable security bollards in King George Square.

The project titled under City Hall Precinct Maintenance and Enhancement will replace the existing temporary bollards installed in January 2017.  

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk is making good on his statement from December 2016 to make the structures permanent features of the city.

Labor says Liberal Party win will embolden ABC privatisation

Federal Labor said a Liberal Party win at the next election will embolden the Liberal Party’s desire to privatise the ABC.

The Liberal Party members have called for the broadcaster to be privatised nationwide excluding regional areas, although senior government ministers have strongly denied any plans.

The notion passed at the Liberal national press conference this past weekend, although it is non-binding and may not impact on Government policy.

Senator involved with citizenship scandal to make return

Former Senator Larissa Waters is set to return to Federal Parliament after her involvement in the dual citizenship scandal, where multiple MPs and Senators were found to have breached Section 44 of the Constitution.

Ms Waters’ return comes after her replacement Andrew Bartlett announced he would leave the Senate at the end of August.

Ms Waters will be the first Senator from the citizenship scandal to return to her seat while Mr Bartlett will focus on campaigning for the lower house seat of Brisbane.

Greek PM survives vote of no confidence

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has successfully endured a vote of no confidence after a decades old dispute with the naming of neighbouring Macedonia.

The vote of no-confidence was rejected 153 votes to 127 votes, with some fellow party members voting against the PM.

The name of Macedonia has been implied to Greeks they have a territorial claim as it has historically been cited as the birthplace of Alexander the Great.