A major climate change report has been released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, after being delayed by the Trump administration since 2017. 

The Climate Change Indicators Report found floods have become five times more likely in U.S. cities since 1950, and recorded a record low amount of sea ice last September. 

EPA Administrator Michael Regan says climate change will now be addressed by the U.S. with a sense of urgency.

"Combatting climate change - it's not optional. 

Researchers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US are calling for Indigenous perinatal health to be better incorporated into the nation’s health systems. 

The researchers are demanding better perinatal care for First Nations women, who are most at risk for complications during childbirth. 

Indigenous health researcher Yvette Roe said mainstream health systems routinely fail Indigenous mothers, and Indigenous-led, community-based solutions are needed.

"What we know is the current system of maternity services is not working for our people," said Ms Roe.

Indigenous justice bodies are concerned by the lack of funding allocated to Aboriginal legal services in Tuesday’s federal budget.

There was no further funding allocated to legal assistance services, despite high rates of Indigenous incarceration and deaths in custody.

Narungga woman and Change the Record co-chair Cheryl Axleby said the budget was “shameful” and failed to support mechanisms for change. 

The Queensland tourism sector is raising concerns over the federal budget’s failure to address the state’s struggling tourism providers.

With international borders expected to remain closed until 2022, the sector is asking for more certainty and more support. 

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said greater acknowledgment of the sector and its struggles are needed, due to its importance to the economy. 

"The tourism industry has certainly been the first into the crisis and will probably the last out of this crisis," said Mr Gschwind.

Members of the Queensland Government are responding to calls to recognise peoples' self-identified gender in legal documents. 

Currently, Queenslanders who are transgender are required to undergo reassignment surgery if they want to change their birth certificate, contrary to rules in other jurisdictions. 

Petition author Esther Vale said the recognising people's self-identified gender would increase inclusivity and acceptance of LGBTQI+ people. 

"People should have the right to legally register as they self-identify.

The Queensland Government will allocate $30 million towards extra funding for domestic, family, and sexual violence services in Queensland. 

Attorney-General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said the pandemic and increased awareness are placing demand on services in Queensland. 

"That’s why we are taking action to give services a boost, with extra funding of $30 million to be delivered over four years because we know more needs to be done to end violence against women," said Ms Fentiman