The University of Queensland is announcing plans to welcome international students back to its campus in 2022, in a much needed boost to the struggling academic sector.

The multi-phased plan will focus on helping currently enrolled students return to complete on-site practical examinations and mandatory placement hours, before shifting to accommodate newer enrollments. 

The Palaszczuk Government has released yesterday a new whole-of-government sexual violence action plan which is part of an ongoing commitment to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual violence in the community. 

Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentimen has said this action-plan includes the implementation of respectful relationships education in Queensland schools, police sexual violence liasons officers and the creation of a new offence of failure to report child sexual abuse. 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is bringing a plan for global action to the G20 summit with a focus on protecting children on social media apps.

The draft laws released this week outline a strict code for social media services such as Facebook and TikTok to adhere to, requiring platforms to take reasonable steps in securing children’s data, including age and location, with parental consent required for users under 16.

Northern Territory government will today introduce legislation to parliament to make it easier for women to access later-term abortions.

The proposed amendments will allow women to access a pregnancy termination between 14-24 weeks, with the support of one doctor. 

Currently abortions after 23 weeks are prohibited in the NT, unless deemed necessary to save the pregnant person’s life. 

Northern Territory Health Minister Natasha Fyles says some women have to go interstate to access higher level services.

Sudan’s highest ranking military leader has defended the military’s takeover of power amidst an ongoing coup, as a means of preventing a civil war. 

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has condemned the actions of cabinet leaders for joining demonstrations against a potential military seizure of power, and says Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has been detained for his own safety. 

The coup has left at least seven people dead since Monday after protesters clashed with armed forces, with parts of Khartoum and Omdurman going into lockdown to protect local businesses. 

There has been an intensified push to get far North Queenslanders vaccinated ahead of the border's reopening. 

A pop-up clinic in Cairns Central opened on Saturday in a bid to ensure QLD hits the 80 per cent target in December. 478 doses were administered. 

To ensure the state reaches the target, Queensland’s Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced pop-up clinics will open at 20 surf life-saving locations across the state.

Premier Annastacia Pałaszczuk is refusing to say if Queensland will mandate the Covid jab for teachers.

The premier urged the community to get their jab before the December 17 reopening date. She did not reveal whether she would mandate the jab for teachers like Victoria and New South Wales have done to protect children who are too young to be vaccinated.

She said “Just on the children’s issue, I saw reports this morning that the US is looking at potentially vaccinating children from November so they’re going through their final assessment processes.”

Crown Resorts Melbourne will retain its casino license despite findings it had engaged in “disgraceful misconduct”.

The royal commission found Crown Melbourne “unsuitable” to hold a casino licence after findings of “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” conduct. 

Despite this, Commissioner Ray Finkelstein did not recommend Crown to have its licence revoked. Instead, recommending a “special manager” be brought in to oversee a reform process. 

Victorian Gaming Minister, Melissa Horne, says the casino has two years to turn things around.