Star Entertainment Group is set to be investigated by Queensland’s gaming regulator after allegations of money laundering and organised crime. 

The casino operator, who has locations in Brisbane and Gold Coast, had its shares drop 23% yesterday after publications in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers described large-scale fraud that Star enabled.

The investigation will work in conjunction with Queensland police and anti-laundering agency AUSTRAC.

 Queensland’s new home quarantine trial is at 99 per cent compliance, with positive signs for expansion when more people are allowed into the state. 

The state’s home quarantine check-in service which uses mobile phone location data and a text-messaged link requiring a response in 10 minutes is being used to monitor those isolating.

Despite the positive results of the home quarantine trial the Queensland government has remained highly cautious on plans to further ease travel restrictions. 

A 45-year-old woman has been arrested on the Gold Coast after allegedly pretending to be a doctor and issuing COVID-19 exemptions.

Before her arrest, the woman managed to issue approximately 600 certificates exempting citizens from vaccination and mask wearing.

This is the first instance of this offence in Queensland.

Victoria has recorded their highest daily total of COVID cases of 2,297 and 11 deaths. 

The figure comes after 3 consecutive days of lower case numbers, dampening hopes of a turning point in daily case numbers.

Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has said it will be quote, “a bit of a bumpy numbers ride day-to-day”.

Facebook announced yesterday that it will now remove severe sexualizing content targeting public figures on Facebook and Instagram. 

Politicians, celebrities or those who have become involuntarily popular because of their work, such as activists and journalists, will be among those protected. 

Facebook's Global Head of Safety, Antigone Davis said it was part of an effort to reduce attacks disproportionately faced by women, people of colour and the LGBTQ+ community.

Millions of Afghans who have applied for Australian humanitarian visas say they are living in fear under the newly introduced Taliban regime. 

Residents describe that they are interrogated by the Taliban, demanding activists or anyone with foreign links to expose themselves. 

Testimonies of beatings, interrogations and threats to family members are set to be provided to a Senate inquiry into Australia’s engagement in Afghanistan, which begins public hearings next Monday.

Brisbane residents have even more opportunities to get the COVID-19 vaccine this week with clinics popping up across the city.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the Queensland Government is continuing to encourage vaccination by taking clinics to the people, with new pop-up clinics operating across the capital city this week.

These include Brisbane City Hall and the Brisbane Disability Expo at the Royal International Convention Centre. For more information, visit the Queensland Government Website.

The Bureau of Meteorology asks South-East Queensland residents to remain vigilant and prepared for today’s potential wild weather.

A severe storm has been moving towards Narangba, Burpengary and Moreton Bay this morning, coupled with general storm warnings for Brisbane, the Darling Downs, Granite Belt and parts of Wide Bay.

The slow moving system may continue into tomorrow.

Queensland could soon be exporting hydrogen to Europe’s largest port after the Palaszczuk Government agreed to terms of a memorandum of understanding with the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. 

The agreement would see Queensland and the Port of Rotterdam collaborate on opportunities to develop a hydrogen export supply chain between Queensland hydrogen producers and Rotterdam.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the agreement is another ringing endorsement of Queensland’s quest to be a renewable hydrogen super power.