A rare albino green turtle hatchling has been seen making its way into the ocean off Lady Elliot Island in Queensland's southern Great Barrier Reef.

The Island's Ecosystem Management Officer Jim Buck says one in every 100,000 turtle hatchlings is albino and the lack of colour is caused by a melanin deficiency.

Queensland parliament has passed legislation to ban single-use plastic straws, stirrers, cutlery and plates along with polystyrene foam food containers and cups from the 1st of September, 2021.

Queensland is the second state to ban the items, following South Australia’s decision earlier this month.

The leaders of the United States, Japan, India and Australia will meet in first-ever joint talks tomorrow. 

The virtual meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known familiarly as the “Quad”, comes as all four countries see heightened tensions with China over a variety of issues. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the upcoming meeting is “an historic moment,” and that it “sends a strong message to the region about our support for a sovereign, independent Indo-Pacific”.

US President Joe Biden's $2.5 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package has passed the House of Representatives.

The American Rescue Plan aims to turbocharge the economy and help Americans impacted by the pandemic.

The package includes $1800 stimulus payments to most adults.

Republicans opposed the package due to concerns over its size and scope.

The ambulance union in South Australia has launched industrial action against the state government over a resourcing brawl.

As of this afternoon, union members will stop charging patients for ambulances if they arrive later than medical timeframes.

Most major Australian cities will be far hotter than forecast in coming years, as a lack of vegetation creates "heat islands".

The report, Temperature Check: Greening Australia's Warming Cities, commissioned by the Australian Conservation Foundation, found green spaces in almost all major cities had declined in the last decade.

A recent report has revealed state government ministers wages have increased by 10.6 per cent. 

The Public Report of Ministerial Expenses revealed a $1.47 million wage increase from the same period in 2019 -- an increase at about 10 times the rate of inflation.

A university chancellor warns China could take action against Australian universities.

University of Queensland Chancellor Peter Varghese says reports stating Chinese authorities are advising recruitment agents not to promote Australia as a study option are likely true.

This follows three warnings published by Chinese education outlets and state media in February, urging students to “think twice when considering studying in Australia”, citing the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, “frequent racial discrimination” and “questionable education quality”.