$20 million is being provided by the federal government to extend two years of financial counselling services in rural Queensland and western New South Wales communities affected by drought, according to a statement by deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

Agriculture minister David Littleproud announced the measure in Charleville along with a $2 million commitment to increase mental health services funding provided by tele-health organisations.

A Gold Coast Grandfather Ken Perkins has left behind a collection of more than 80,000 records, reported to be Australia’s largest collection.

Mr Perkins spent more than 50 years building the archive that would take more than six-and-a-half years to listen to in its entirety.

The Perkins family are hoping to sell the collection in its entirety because of its cultural and historical significance.

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 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.

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.

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.

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". 

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.

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.