Increase in DV protection order breaches in Cairns
A recent report by the Queensland treasury has revealed there were over 2,500 domestic violence protection order breaches in Cairns in 2019-2020.
The findings rank Cairns the fourth highest in breaches in Queensland and show a 25% increase in breaches since 2018.
North Queensland Women’s Legal Service principal solicitor Hayley Grainger said a protection order in itself does not keep a woman safe and instead we need to focus on establishing a better resource system.
"At the moment there is too much demand on the system," said Grainger.
Cyber attack at Wesley Hospital continues to impact services
A cyber attack on Brisbane’s Wesley Hospital has impacted a range of services, says a patient.
A patient told the ABC staff were struggling with communication and accessing patient records, and that the attack had slowed down processes.
UnitingCare has not provided further information since Monday, when it confirmed its digital systems were inaccessible, and that it had contacted the Federal Government's Australian Cyber Security Centre for help.
Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron residents demand better public transport
Ferny Grove and Upper Kedron residents are calling on authorities to provide better access to public transport and infrastructure.
The forecast 865 homes in Ellendale and population growth in the area over the past 10 years has left residents with little new infrastructure to support the growth.
Community voices will be heard at the Upper Kedron Community Hall, May 16 at 2pm.
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South African Presidents says his party could have done more to stop state corruption
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says his governing party could have done more to halt state corruption, under his predecessor, Joseph Zuma.
Ramaphosa, who was Zuma’s deputy president from 2014 until 2018, acknowledged the party failed to stop Zuma’s abuse of power and misappropriation of resources.
Legislator with the small COPE party, William Madisha, says Ramaphosa is deflecting his personal responsibility for the misappropriation of funds whilst deputy president.
China advises Australia to abandon 'cold war mentality'
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian has called certain Australian politicians “troublemakers” and has advised them to abandon their cold war mentalities.
"As a country that has long benefited from cooperation with China, it is unethical for Australia to hype a 'China threat' theory, nor is the allegation consistent with facts ... It will end up hurting itself," he said.
The statement follows Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo’s ANZAC day staff address saying, “drums of war” are beating in the region.
NBN to reform currently unregulated pricing model
Australia’s internet broadband provider, NBN Co., will convene with the national consumer watchdog to reform its pricing model.
Until now, the terms and prices for access to the National Broadband Network have largely been developed by NBN Co without oversight.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair Rod Sims said the reform process is the start of bringing NBN prices under regulation, and improving prices for customers.
New UQ facility to develop mRNA vaccines
A new facility at the University of Queensland is set to develop mRNA vaccines following a two-point-two million dollar federal government injection.
The university’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology will develop the new generation vaccines against new targets.
Associate professor and vaccine expert Timothy Mercer says there has been a growing need for Australia to step up and produce vaccines to combat COVID-19 and future viruses.
Clive Palmer's coal mine proposal deemed unsuitable
Australian businessman and politician Clive Palmer’s proposal to build a coal mine near the Great Barrier Reef has been deemed not suitable by the Queensland Environment Department.
The mine was planned just 10 kilometers from wetlands that feed into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science report found the project presented significant environmental risks due to its location.
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.
The arms dealers’ expo is due to bring eight of the world’s top ten arms manufacturers together to showcase weapons and technology for the Australian and Indo-Asia-Pacific armies.