The Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital has assured patients they were never under any threat, after it was revealed a man had been posing as a doctor inside the facility last year.

Nicholas Brett Delaney stole credentials in order to gain access to the hospital, and was fined $3000 on Monday after it was discovered that he was not a real doctor.

Executive Director of the Brisbane Hospital, Dominic Tait, said Delaney did not have access to any of the clinical areas, medications or patients.

For the first time in 14 years, laws regarding owning a pet in Brisbane are in talks to change, including restrictions of keeping unique pets.

New laws will be added to existing ones, including adding peacocks and peahens to the list of prohibited animals in residential areas.

Council lifestyle and community services chairman Matthew Bourke applauds the proposed law, saying it will be easier for residents to be responsible pet owners by reducing certain restrictions and simplifying the animal permit system.

German carmakers, Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler have confirmed research they commissioned into the carcinogenic properties of diesel emissions used caged monkeys to test the fumes health risks.

The German government and all three carmakers have since denounced the study and condemned the use of animals.

The research was carried out by the European Research Group on Environment and Health in the Transport Sector, also known as EUGT, and it is unclear if the carmakers were aware of monkeys being used in the experiments.

According to an Indian Finance Ministry report, the preference to have sons instead of daughters has created an estimated 21 million 'unwanted' girls in India.

While tests to determine the gender of a feotus are still illegal in India, the report has found the preference for sons still leads to sex-selective abortions and greater care being given to male infants.

Recently obtained cabinet documents have revealed that former Immigration Minister Scott Morrison had allegedly agreed to ‘mitigation strategies’ that would make it impossible for asylum seekers to be granted permanent protection visas.

According to the documents obtained by the ABC, Mr Morrison requested advice on how he could issue alternate visas to those seeking asylum, resulting in those close to permanent protection only being issued a temporary three year visa.

A new prison to open in the New South Wales Hunter Region has been labeled a ‘band-aid solution’ by the states opposition government, following security concerns over what they label ‘pop-up’ prisons.

The Hunter Correctional Centre, opening this Tuesday, will provide campus-style accommodation for both minimum and maximum security inmates, complete with interactive televisions for inmates to take greater control over their own administration.

Authorities have pleaded with mountain climbers to exercise caution, with 60 people having to be rescued from Queensland’s Glasshouse Mountains over the past year.

This comes after a man was rescued on Sunday when he slipped while climbing Mount Tibrogargan and broke his leg.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Maroochydore Inspector Cameron Herbert said the number of rescues has risen significantly in the last 12 to 18 months, and puts a lot of strain on the rescue personnel.  

A $103 million social housing project has kicked off in Ipswich earlier this week, promising  safe, secure and affordable housing for Ipswich residents over the next five years.

Assistant Minister for State and Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard said the ground-floor apartments would offer enhanced accessibility and adaptability targeted towards people with mobility issues.