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.

North Korea has cancelled a joint cultural event with South Korea that was set to happen on the 4th of February.

The North reportedly accused the media coverage in the South of being 'biased' and 'insulting.'

This happened after the two nations made an agreement to march in the upcoming Winter Olympics under a unified flag, with a combined women’s ice hockey team being planned for.

Indonesian police in the conservative province of Aceh are executing a crackdown on LGBT+ members of the community.

Following raids of several beauty salons, Indonesian police forcibly cut the hair 12 transgender women and made them wear masculine clothing.

Indonesian politicians have also agreed on a new criminal code that makes it easier to prosecute gay sex, including behaviour in private spaces like bedrooms.

Australia is now planning to become one of the world's top ten defence industry exporters following a 3.8 billion dollar loan to help Australian companies sell defence equipment overseas.

Focusing primarily on boosting exports to the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand, Australian manufacturers will now be offered government backed loans to help stimulate exports.

While various foreign-aid groups have publicly opposed the venture, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it will provide much needed jobs for the Australian economy.

The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership welcomed 35 new councils to the fight against climate change at the launch of Australia’s largest floating solar farm earlier this morning.

Climate Councillor and international climate scientist Professor Will Steffen applauded the partnership, emphasizing the need to have the local community be part of Australia’s climate solution.

The program is now Australia’s largest national climate program for local government.

New data has revealed that a number of Queenslanders have put off buying prescribed medicines and seeking medical care due to high costs.

According to the data released by the Productivity Commission, 8 per cent of people in Queensland put off access to prescribed medication, and around 4.5 per cent put off trips to the GP in the last year.

President of the Royal Doctors Association of Queensland, Dr Konrad Kangru, says this is a particular problem in remote areas, where the cost of medical care is generally higher than in the cities.

Gas company Linc Energy has been charged with five counts of wilfully and unlawfully causing environmental harm in a trial that enters its second day today.

The trial, which is being heard in the District Court in Brisbane, will investigate alleged contamination at Linc Energy’s Hopeland underground coal gasification plant in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

Judge Michael Shanahan has described the case as ‘unusual’ as the defendant corporation is currently in liquidation.