In national news, 

Coalition backbencher Craig Kelly has defected from the Liberal party, and will sit on the crossbench for the remainder of his term. 

Liberal leaders Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison stepped in to ensure Mr Kelly’s preselection when he had lost the support of the Liberal party members in his electorate.

At least 79 inmates have died in prison riots across Ecuador, as fights between rival gangs and an escape attempt prompted violence.

“These were two groups vying for criminal leadership within the detention centres,” said Edmundo Moncayo, the director of Ecuador’s prison agency.

 Queensland Greens MP Michael Berkman is calling on the Queensland Government to stop the war on drugs. 

Mr Berkman states the State Government’s current criminalisation and stigmatisation approach is ineffective. 

Queensland voluntary assisted dying legislation may not be complete by its May deadline.

This is the second deadline that would be missed by the Queensland Law Reform Commission, after the government extended the original February deadline.

A coral farm in Bundaberg is set to boost production, with the ultimate aim of rehabilitating the Great Barrier Reef. 

A $300,000 federal government grant will help Monsoon Aquatics expand, with the ultimate aim of helping restore the Great Barrier Reef.

"Spawning is the next level," said Director Daniel Kimberly.

Fortescue Metals Group has apologised for clearing land on a sacred Aboriginal site.

Western Australia's Weelumurrah Creek area had government permission to clear the land on the condition that elders were present to perform salvage and cultural rites. 

Fifty new Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers will be employed this year to help protect Queensland’s natural and cultural landscapes.

Ranger activities include cultural burns, feral animal and pest plant control, soil conservation and cultural heritage site protection.

Consumer advocate groups are calling for the Federal Government to regulate the buy now, pay later industry.

Companies such as Afterpay, Zip and Humm are among the fastest-growing in finance, but recent inquiries have found there are serious shortcomings for some customers.

Today is International Cochlear Implant Day, celebrating more than 40 years since the advent of the 'bionic ear’ by Australia’s Professor Graeme Clark.