Queensland’s Deputy Premier said he understands the frustration over his government’s acceptance of a charter flight of Sydney-based NRL families while residents are unable to return from hotspot states.

The concession came after a second day of criticism levelled at the move as the state government announced an initial 50 hotel rooms for first-in or priority applicants.

In response to reporters outside Parliament on Wednesday Steven Miles said

25 Queensland turtles are currently rehabilitating at SeaWorld following a busy month for the theme park. 

The Sea World marine team went to extreme lengths to find and recover a number of injured turtles that were found between Coffs Harbour and Hervey Bay

Sea World traced the majority of the injuries as a result of boat strikes, fishing gear entanglement or floating syndrome.

Advocates for pregnancy loss survivors are demanding the federal government back up its legislative support for early pregnancy loss with funding for miscarriage support services.

The Senate on Wednesday night passed historic changes to the Fair Work Act, giving Australian couples who experience miscarriage two days of paid bereavement leave.

Although a huge step, support networks such as The Pink Elephants are pushing for allocated funds to to miscarriage support and research.

The national youth radio broadcaster known as Triple J has come under fire after a tweet that offended its audience on the basis of ‘Ageism’.  

The tweet, aimed at the much-marginalised genre of older listeners, mocked listeners who have supposedly aged out of the youth radio fandom. The post was quick to receive backlash from those who felt the joke was tone-deaf, ageist and – for older listeners – insulting.
 

A law in Texas banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy has taken effect as the US Supreme Court did not act on an emergency request by pro-abortion rights groups to block the measure.

Abortion rights advocates said the law represents the most dramatic restrictions since the Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v Wade decision, which legalised abortion across the country in 1973.

The Texas law, which was signed in May after passing the state’s Republican-controlled legislature, would prohibit 85 percent of abortions previously conducted in the state.

Queensland’s two most senior government leaders have questioned the staged national reopening plan, demanding research on the vulnerability of children and suggesting under-12s be included in calculations around easing restrictions.

During Question Time in Queensland Parliament on Wednesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was repeatedly quizzed by the LNP Opposition on the staged national reopening plan.

Queenslander Joel Coughlan and teammate Ma Lin have a chance to win Paralympic Gold in the Men's team table tennis. 

After defeating Nigeria 2-0 in the men's teams semi-final on Wednesday, the stage is set for a gold medal showdown against powerhouse China this Friday.

Joel Coughlan who resides in Rockhampton will finally get his chance at glory in his debut campaign. 

In a major boost in  the fight against coronavirus in New South Wales, the state is on track to hit a new vaccine milestone.

The state is on the verge of reaching 70% of single dose vaccines from today, the first in the country to do so.

And by October 21, 70% of people in NSW are expected to have had both doses of the vaccine.

Unaccompanied children were among those who were evacuated from Afghanistan's capital on Australian rescue flights, the federal government has confirmed. 

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said on Wednesday that less than 10 minors are currently in Australia, all who are believed to be aged over 10 years old. 

She said, “We all witnessed the scenes in Afghanistan where people were passing their children through the gates”.

“There are some unaccompanied minors here in Australia at the moment who are being well cared for.”

An open letter signed by 80 of Australia's biggest businesses has called on state premiers to stick to the country's national reopening plan.

Doubt has arisen over the likelihood of lockdowns ending once the national vaccination rate reaches 80 per cent, despite all states and territories agreeing to a unified plan as part of the National Cabinet.

Under the Australian Constitution, the power to control state borders rests solely with state governments.