A Pacific Islander couple are speaking out about breaking the cycle of domestic violence within their culture.

Ipswich couple Moughan Sali-Siaki and Judy Fakaosi are working to unlearn the behaviours modelled to them when growing up, which often placed the father as the sole decision-maker.

After some troubling times in their relationship, the pair made a promise to do better by each other, especially to encourage change for future generations.

They now facilitate the relationship program that once helped them.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is pushing ahead with plans to declare the Great Barrier Reef as an endangered natural site despite federal government objections.

Tain Xuejun, president of the 44th session of UNESCO, dismissed speculation that the decision was related to any political tensions between China and Australia.

An Australian Human Rights Commision project survey, which closed in 2019, shows 80% of Muslims in Australia say they have experienced discrimination in their lifetime.. 

The finalised results of the report show half of the thousand people who took the survey said the discrimination took place when dealing with law enforcement, in workplaces or when seeking employment and in educational institutions. 

The project ‘Sharing the Stories of Australian Muslims’ aims to promote social cohesion, identifying community concerns and priorities and providing evidence for change.

South Africa president Cyril Ramaphosa has urged people to honour the legacy of the anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela by helping to rebuild the country after days of riots that left 212 dead.

The violence was sparked by the jailing of ex-President Jacob Zuma.

Each year on Mr Mandela's birthday 18 July, people are urged to spend 67 minutes helping others, to mark his 67 years of public service.

The president says he is impressed by South Africans' resilience - reflecting Mr Mandela's spirit.

Live music venue owners have called attention to the Queensland government’s COVID “double standards”, after again being hit by extended restrictions.

Kim Ferguson, director of Mo’s Desert clubhouse in Burleigh Heads, is stumped by how the State of Origin could go ahead at such a large capacity, when the hospitality and arts sector are heavily impacted by restrictions.

Ms Ferguson said, “Wednesday night there were 26,000 people five minutes down the road from our business that’s now crippled to 56 people...where’s the standard in that?”

The Queensland Government announced almost $500,000 will be shared among 55 grass roots education initiatives to improve road safety through awareness and learning.

This money goes towards reaching the Palaszczuk Government’s vision of zero road deaths and serious injuries, by building a positive road safety culture from a young age.

Other efforts by the Government to achieve this goal includes a roll-out next month of road cameras that detect drivers illegally using their mobile phones and not wearing their seatbelts.

Southern Gold Coast land is set to be transformed into one of the largest eco-parks in the country through compulsory acquisition from the defiant owners.

The state government has announced it will begin the process to acquire 148 hectares for the Currumbin Eco-Parkland locally known as Martha's Farm or Martha's Vineyard.

Minister for the Environment Meghan Scanlon says the decision would deter the ambitions of new developers and protect natural and delicate rainforest.

The government has relaxed the cap on working hours for student visa holders employed at supermarkets to address a worker shortage.

Supermarkets in locked-down regions in New South Wales and Victoria will be allowed to employ international students for more than 40 hours a fortnight to prevent a virus-induced staff shortage.

Students working more than 40 hours per fortnight are required to maintain their course enrolment and ensure satisfactory attendance and progress.

Katie Hopkins, a far-right British commentator, will be deported from Australia after openly breaking hotel quarantine rules.

Ms Hopkins had been allowed into Australia from support of the government that she would bring considerable economic benefit to the country. 

She was going to appear on Channel 7’s reality television program Big Brother VIP, but has since been dropped.

Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews told the ABC that Ms Hopkins’ actions were “shameful” and “appalling”.