Calls for larger GST payments have been sparked as Queensland sees it’s biggest population boom in 16 years as 30,000 Australians have made the decision to move to Queensland. Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick says this should trigger GST payments into today’s federal budget. Mr Dick says Queensland is one of the nation’s growing states and now is the right time to support Queensland in the budget.

Electricity networks are damaged in the Darling Downs after a fast moving storm swept through south-east Queensland last night. Energex says up to 17,500 homes and businesses were without power this morning as 66,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the region. Bureau of Meteorology forecasters say the storm was so fast moving there wasn't much rain.

Brisbane is set to be the destination of choice for international experts across a range of disciplines over the next few years, with hosting rights for seventeen conferences and meetings now secured in the last twelve months. The events are expected to bring 20,000 delegates to Brisbane and inject over $50 million in direct expenditure into the state economy. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

A woman from Melbourne is calling for hot water bottles to be banned after her son spent a week in hospital when a hot water bottle burst in his lap and burned him. Paramedics gave the 20 year old a shot of Morphine before taking him to the Alfred Hospital where he had to undergo surgery for a skin graft. The woman says the incident was a horrific sight.

The Iranian government says it has sent a letter of protest to the Iraqi government after protestors assaulted the Iranian consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala over the weekend. Protestors say Iran-backed militia forces, who are powerful in the predominantly Shia city, are responsible for the murder of prominent activist Ihab Jawad al-Wazni on Sunday. al-Wazni is the 30th organiser of the 20

Cyber-criminal group DarkSide says their ransomware attack on the United States’ Colonial oil pipeline was purely for money and not to, quote, “create problems in society.” The cyber attack crippled the pipeline, which provides approximately 45% of the US East Coast’s oil.

A new study has found Microplastics detected in rice. Doctor Jake O’Brien from the University of Queensland says regardless of packaging, all samples had some levels of plastic. 

Up to thirteen milligrams has been found in instant rice but research shows it’s also found in beer, salt and shellfish. Washing food before eating can reduce microplastics by twenty to forty percent.

As NAPLAN testing gets underway today some parents are choosing to withdraw their children from the tests. 

The federal government says the data is more vital now since the last year’s tests were cancelled due to COVID-19.

Surf Life Saving Queensland is set to integrate drones and artificial intelligence into its beach patrol and disaster relief operations after buying search and rescue technology company The Ripper Group.

SLSQ director Grant Dearlove says the integration of drones into patrol operations will allow the service to save more lives and make life saving more attractive to young people.