Griffith University research is on the verge of understanding the benefits interactive social robots can offer early childhood educators in the classroom.

Dr Michelle Neumann, a leader in early childhood education research, is pioneering a behavioural study in childcare centres to observe how young children interact with  the humanoid robot known as ‘NAO’ created by SoftBank Robotics.

She said social robots used in the study could play a significant role in teaching children social and emotional skills.

A recent national survey provides insights that the majority of Australians want ‘race’ removed from the constitution. 

The poll of 1,050 found that 87% agreed that all Australians, regardless of their background, race or ethnicity, should have equal political rights 

In response to the research Morgan Begg, director of the IPA’s Legal Rights Project says, “Australians do not want to be divided by race, this is an obsession of the ruling political class and cloistered academics who are disconnected from mainstream Australians and their values.”

The Australian military is closely tracking a high-tech Chinese surveillance ship making its way towards Queensland ahead of large-scale military exercises which begin this week. 

The ship is expected to remain outside of Australian territorial waters. 

Similar Chinese spy vessels watched Australia's war games in 2017 and 2019.

A doctor who has joined other medical professionals in calling for Julian Assange’s release from prison claims that the arbitrary and cruel detention continues to put him at risk of suicide.

The same concerns about the WikiLeaks co-founder’s mental health that led to the High Court in London blocking his extradition to the US in January are still relevant.

Dr. William Hogan, a specialist in internal medicine claims the problem is potentially life-threatening, pointing to Belmarsh’s high suicide rate. 

A Sunshine Coast business lost more than $15,000 in revenue during last month's COVID scare after a Victorian couple positive with the disease travelled to the region.

On their nearly weeklong relocation trip, the couple visited more than 20 businesses across the three states, many of which were then forced to close for cleaning and staff isolation.

Infectious diseases expert Dr Paul Griffin said Queensland was "extremely lucky" to avoid a lockdown from that incident.

Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll and State Police Minister Mark Ryan have joined more than 100 spectators to unveil a new service monument to the state's past and present police dogs this morning.

The monument, located at the Brisbane Dog Squad HQ in the southwest suburb of Oxley, was surrounded by over a dozen named stones representing past service dogs.

The ceremony comes just nearly a month after Police Dog Rambo was killed while tracking wanted man Alan Lace in Maryborough.

The much beloved Brisbane Festival will be making a bold return after promising to make up for lost time during it COVID hiatus last year. 

Event organisers say that the festival is sure to bring much excitement into the city as a slew of activities are open up across Brisbane for its two week run time. 

The highly anticipated river fire will also make its comeback and is sure to end the show with a bang after it was sorely missed last year.

Locally produced COVID vaccines won’t be made available until 2023 as Australian scientists push for manufacturing deals that match neighbouring countries. 

The government announced a $1.5 billion manufacturing plan last October and has opened talks with US company Moderna local facilities to produce the mRNA vaccines.

University of Queensland biotechnology professor Trent Munro says, “Australia fundamentally lacks the infrastructure to support our sovereign needs. We should be doing everything we can to attract the companies that can help” 

Restaurants in Sydney are lending a helping hand to fellow hospitality workers struggling without work during the state's extended lockdown order.

Bungalow 8 on the now deserted King street wharf restaurant strip is offering specialist bookings only, with a week long menu for fellow hospitality workers retrenched by COVID-19.

For those in the hospitality industry, the news of Sydney's extended stay-at-home order has come as devastating news, meaning a free meal could make all the difference.

Former prime minister John Howard says Australia bears a moral responsibility to help Afghan interpreters and other staff who worked with Australian agencies. 

John Howard has said “Where it is clearly the case that they could be in danger of retribution, we have an obligation to help them if necessary, by giving them visas to come to live in Australia.” 

“That is a moral obligation we have. And it was a moral obligation that was shamefully discarded many years ago when we pulled out of Vietnam."