Voters in key states won't benefit from corporate tax cuts

Analysis from the Australian Tax Office has revealed that voters in key states will not benefit from the Federal Government's corporate tax cuts.

Only 11% of the companies benefited are in the key states of Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia. The policy will see a tax cut 30% to 25%, as the Liberal National Party primary vote dropped almost 10 points to 30%.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull staunchly advocated for the cuts, with this issue being overshadowed by the possibility of a leadership spill.

Inner-city Brisbane schools are reporting overcrowding issues

Inner-city Brisbane schools are reported to be experiencing major overcrowding issues, with new schools being called to be built by the State Government to reduce this issue.

Michael Berkman, Greens MP has suggested that a new school be built in the electorate of Maiwar, to release the pressure of this growth.

This is seen in Ironside State School in St Lucia, with over 1100 students creating major hikes in enrolments in schools nearby in this area. 

Queensland University of Technology study regarding healthcare

Queensland University of Technology is allowing Australian residents aged 18 or over to participate in a study regarding health communication, such as experiences with doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and X-ray clinics, aiming to gather data related to consumer experiences. The overall aim of this study is to understand the healthcare system in a deeper way. 

 

The population of pigs outnumbers humans in Spain

Environmental concerns have been risen in Spain after the population of pigs has outnumbered the number of humans in the country. Spain's environmental ministry has released figures revealing there are now 50 million pigs to 46.5 million humans, which raises concerns for the Spanish pork industry's greenhouse gas emissions, water usage during drought, and contamination of groundwater. The pig population has seen a growth of 9 million since 2013, and numbers are continuing to rise. 

Genoa bridge collapse foreshadowed decades earlier by chief engineer

Riccardo Mirandi, the engineer and designer of the Genoa bridge had warned four decades prior of a need for consistent maintenance. This comes after the bridge's collapse in Italy this week, killing 43 people. Mr Mirandi warned of the "well-known loss of superficial chemical resistance of the concrete", indicating that the rust would eventually cause its destruction. The final three bodies have bee removed from the rubble as the country mourns. 

Australian opiod deaths rising

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. 

Australian man granted refugee status in Canada

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 & Citizen's Association Queensland

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 will be discussed today by Queensland Cabinet

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.