1 in 3 workers in Cairns are employed as casuals, according to a new report from the Queensland Council of Unions. 

It’s well above the national average for casual employees of 21.9%, and contributing to a broad sense of financial instability in Cairns.

The QCU aims to challenge legislation passed by the Morrison government which allows employers to define any worker as casual, irrespective of their workload.

Aerospace manufacturer Boeing has announced new unmanned combat drones will be developed in Queensland, as part of a new commercial deal with the Palaszczuk government and the Wagner corporation.

The state of the art facility to be developed at Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport will produce the “Loyal Wingman” drones, to be used in combat alongside manned craft.

Queensland has tightened border restrictions for the Tweed and Byron shires that effectively exclude them from the ‘border bubble’ zone, after a positive COVID case triggered a snap 7-day-lockdown. 

The positive case was a reality TV show crew member who travelled from Sydney to Byron Bay under a work exemption.

The 31-year-old attended several non-essential venues, violating the conditions of her permit and triggering the 7-day lockdown for the Byron region that began last night.

Carved mussel shells found in the Murray Riverlands of South Australia could provide insight into technologies used by First Nations peoples. 

Archaeology Professor Amy Roberts says the shells represent a huge timespan, showing how busy the area was to the local Ngarrindjeri people over thousands of years.

One shell with a serrated edge, believed to be more than six thousand years old, was possibly used as an eating utensil, while others may have been merely ornamental.

Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner warns aftershocks from the surprise 5.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Mansfield yesterday may continue for days to weeks. 

7 total quakes were felt across the state, with tremors being felt in Canberra and Adelaide.

Only 1 case of significant property damage has been filed, with authorities asking residents to remain on the lookout for hidden structural damage.

US President Joe Biden has announced he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in an effort to repair diplomatic ties.

The pair announced in a joint statement on Wednesday that they have decided to open a process of in-depth consultations aimed at creating the conditions for ensuring confidence and proposing concrete measures toward common objectives.

Tensions arose following the United States’ latest defence pact with Australia and the United Kingdom contrasted previous agreements with France, leading Paris to withdraw their ambassadors to all 3 countries.

North Burnett Mayor Rachel Chambers will resign from council, after announcing the decision in a personal social media video. 
Her resignation will be effective as of the eleventh of December, and comes after great pressure from the public following cuts to local services.
Councillor Chambers, who was first elected in 2016 cites personal reasons for leaving, stating that she is not cut out for party politics. 

Chambers has no intention of running for state or federal politics in the future.

Riverfire is set to return this weekend following a one year hiatus due to COVID restrictions. 

Last year’s festival saw the famous fireworks display replaced with a more toned down laser light show

Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina is confident the show will impress viewers, while remaining covidsafe.

A new pop-up vaccination hub at Loganlea TAFE is set to help hundreds of migrant and refugee students get the vaccine. 

The hub aims to overcome the language barrier faced by many students in the Logan area, the most linguistically diverse area in South-East Queensland. 

The clinic has already delivered 314 doses over the last 5 days.