Welfare drug testing will cut payments
Welfare drug tests may catch one-off users.
An inquiry revealed anyone who tests positive for illicit drug use would be forced to use a cashless debit card for two years which would quarantine 80 percent of welfare payments for housing and food expenses.
If a person tests positive twice they would be referred for medical treatment with refusal resulting in four weeks of payments being withheld.
9am Zedlines
Your 9am Zedlines with Megan and Nick
Image: Ehsan Knopf/9NEWS
ANZAC ceremonies take place throughout Australia and across the world
As ANZAC Day ceremonies take place around the country and across the globe, Brisbane veterans, families and residents gathered in Anzac Square at 4:28 this morning.
Like many attendees, the McNeil family paid their respects to a fallen relative, Patrick Joseph Delacour who died in France while serving with the 41st battalion in World War One.
Tracey and Scott McNeil say they brought her two young sons Finn and Rhys to “show respect to the soldiers, the men and women, the nurses that served in World War One and World War Two to keep us safe.”
British toddler survives after life support turned off
A seriously-ill British toddler has survived after having his life support turned off.
The 23 month old, Alfie Evans, has a degenerative neurological condition that doctors have been unable to identify.
He was taken off life support after a court ruled further treatment was futile, however he survived for at least nine hours without assistance.
Man found guilty of cruelty to animals
A twnety-one year old man has been found guilty following the killing of wild little penguins at a Tasmanian beach in 2016.
Despite denying the charges, he was found guilty on the of aggravated cruelty to animals likely to result in death, deformity or serious disablement.
The nine bodies of the penguins were found on Sulphur creek by Luke Williams who described the scene being ‘disturbing’ and ‘violent’.
Public holiday surcharge not going to employees
Public holiday surcharges to cover penalty rates may not be going into the pockets of staff.
The typical 10 percent surcharge that is advertised throughout Melbourne cafes and across Australia is said to go straight into the pockets of the owner’s.
The hospitality union United Voice said due to the current system, it’s cheaper for employers to do the wrong thing.
Great Barrier Reef water quality funding decreased
Commonwealth funding to stop the declining water quality on the Great Barrier Reef has decreased by more than 11 million dollars a year.
The figures have emerged just weeks from the federal budget which critics say ignored the coral bleaching crisis that has severely damaged the reef.
Experts believe that the targets in the Government’s plan to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef will not be met.
Jews in Germany told to not wear skullcaps
The leaders of Germany’s Jewish community has advised their community to stop wearing the traditional skullcaps following anti-Semitic attacks.
Yo-sef Schuster, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, says the Jewish population should exercise caution in big cities.
This is following the attack of two young men wearing the traditional skull caps in the city.
8am Zedlines
Your 8am Zedlines with Libby and Matthew.
Image: SBS News
11am Zedlines
Your 11am Zedlines with Jacob and Shaina.
Photo: Flickr/James Niland