Abortion reforms to be brought to parliament in August

The Queensland Law Reform Commission’s report on decriminalising abortion is set to come before cabinet on July 16, including recommendations for decriminalisation and provision of safe-access zones around clinics.

The Sunday Mail reports that resulting legislation is on track to be introduced in the August parliamentary sittings, with Premier Annastacia Palasczuk allowing a conscience vote for Labor.

Dictionary for children who speak Yolngu Matha released

A new and improved illustrated dictionary containing close to 300 words and watercolour pictures has been created for children who speak Yolngu Matha languages.

The resources was developed by remote Northern Territory primary school teacher and Indigenous languages student Grace Tongatua.

More than ten years in the making, the dictionary had input from linguists , teachers and communities across the Northern Territory.

Changes to high school teacher requirements

Under a new Federal Government plan to be announced today every high school would have to employ science and maths teachers who have studied those subjects at a university level.

The government had found around one in five year 7 to 10 general science teachers in 2013 had not completed even a year of university study in that area.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham said he hoped the move would encourage more high schoolers to take maths and sciences classes, and lead to further studies in these areas.

Indonesia touted to become most powerful nation

Indonesia is projected to be the most powerful nations in the world in the coming decades if its economy continues to grow at its current rate.

Australian National University strategist Hugh White has discussed what these could mean for Australia in a lead essay for the latest edition of Australian Foreign Affairs magazine.

Professor White said there were two main ways to look at Indonesia’s growth: as a potential threat or as a potential strategic asset in a region where power dynamics are beginning to shift in China’s favour.

Ethiopia and Eritrea re-establish ties

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaia Afwerki (AFF-WORK-EE) have announced the re-establishment of diplomatic and trading ties between the neighbouring countries.

The move will include the establishment of embassies in their respective capitals, as well as allowing Ethiopia to use Eritrea’s ports.

Ties between the countries were previously severed after a border dispute between the countries ended in the death of tens of thousands of people.

Animal sanctuary wins road battle

An animal sanctuary north of Brisbane has received a road upgrade thanks to the state government’s charity infrastructure fund and more than 40,000 petition signatures.

The Farm Animal Rescue in Dayboro were told last year by Department of Transport and Main Roads they would have to pay for a $300,000 road upgrade or not be able to receive visitors.

A petition led to the government funding the road upgrade, which has now been completed and opened along with a new adoption clinic at the sanctuary.

Industry Super Australia accusations towards BCA staff

Last month the Business Council of Australia defended themselves against allegations made towards one of their staff, Andrew Bragg with his views against industry super funds.

The council said that Mr Bragg was expressing “his own views” and entitled to have an opinion.

ABC found the council had in fact been hosting some of his campaigns, which were quickly removed from their website once they were notified.

Drought worsens for a town in New South Wales

Last month the Business Council of Australia defended themselves against allegations made towards one of their staff, Andrew Bragg with his views against industry super funds.

The council said that Mr Bragg was expressing “his own views” and entitled to have an opinion.

ABC found the council had in fact been hosting some of his campaigns, which were quickly removed from their website once they were notified.