Protesters occupy senior minister's offices over military weapons expo

Protesters of a military weapons expo occupied the Brisbane offices of senior ministers Wednesday afternoon.

Protesters stormed the offices of Peter Dutton and Anastacia Palaszscuk to oppose both politicians' support for the Land Forces Expo, which is due to be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre in June.

Northern Ireland's First Minister resigns, amid political tension and violence

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Arlene Foster has announced her resignation, after an internal party no-confidence vote. 

Her resignation comes after post-Brexit rules re-ignited political tension and violence between British unionists and Irish nationalists.

iPhone users to choose whether personal data is shared with advertisers

iPhone users can now choose to opt out of apps tracking them across the internet for advertising. 

The new pop-up feature follows Apple CEO Tim Cook’s announcement that users should have the choice over how their data is collected and used. 

Queensland University of Technology digital communications expert Daniel Angus said apps have been free to give away personal data and this new update puts the choice front and centre. 

"We are getting better and consumers are getting more savvy and demanding more in terms of safety and privacy."

Indigenous legal advocates call for change in wake of two deaths in custody

Indigenous legal advocates are calling for change, justice and accountability from the government, following two Indigenous deaths in custody this week.

Authorities confirmed two Indigenous men died in prison in Victoria and New South Wales on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. 

Pedestrian bridge set for Woolloongabba intersection

A push to fill missing bike links in Brisbane will see a new cycle bridge built in Woolloongabba. 

The $14.5 million dollar loop bridge design will be built over the busy O’Keefe Street intersection, with construction beginning in 2022. 

Greenslopes MP Joe Kelly said the bridge will make pedestrians and cyclists safer, separating them from the road. 

“A new velobridge over the busy O’Keefe Street intersection at Woolloongabba will make bike riding quicker and safer into the CBD,” he said.

Queensland in housing crisis, says social services council

Social services organisations are campaigning for the government to quadruple its budget for social housing. 

Queensland has committed $1.4 billion to build 5,500 social homes in the next ten years, however there were over 26,000 households on the state government’s Public Housing Register as of September. 

Queensland Council of Social Services chief executive Aimee McVeigh said it was clear "Queensland is currently in a housing crisis".

Nurses' union take Queensland Health to Industrial Relations Commission over the handling of masks

The Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union are taking Queensland Health to the Industrial Relations Commission.

The nursing union is concerned about the inconsistencies and deficiencies in the way masks were tested and checked for a proper fit.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital had several health workers, including nurses, catch COVID-19 while working with infectious patients.
 

12 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in a British tanker staying Brisbane port

A  British tanker carrying 12 crew members who have tested positive for COVID 19 is headed for Brisbane port today.

There were originally 13 crew members onboard, but the body of one was found washed ashore in Vanuatu.

The body later was found to have tested positive for coronavirus and so far, there has been no explanation to how it ended up overboard. The remaining crew will be treated onboard by Queensland Health.