Amnesty International Australia has criticised the Committee charged with investigating proposed youth justice amendments in Queensland over the weekend, saying there is evidence the laws will do nothing to address youth crime.

In a press release on Saturday, Amnesty International expressed their disappointment that the Committee recommended the amendments pass parliament, saying the laws will “ultimately condemn [the] kids to life in the quagmire of the criminal justice system.”

Content warning: this Zedline contains mentions of rape and sexual assault.

France has strengthened its age of consent laws to categorise sex with individuals under 15 as rape. 

15 was previously the age of consent, but up until now, a conviction of rape or sexual assault required prosecutors to prove that a minor was forced, threatened or tricked into having sex with an adult.

This reform provides that minors under 15 cannot consent to sex, with an exception for sexual relations between a minor and an individual up to five years older.

Elon Musk’s company Starlink has begun the trial of its satellite internet service in Northern Victoria and southern New South Wales. It is hoped that the new service would help break down the digital divide between rural areas and cities in Australia.

Users have described the internet speeds as "blazingly fast".

However, Paul Budde, an independent telecommunications analyst, said that the global space internet business is a risky exercise that may not be able to deliver what Elon Musk promises.

Minister for Sport Richard Colbeck confirmed the federal government is considering prioritising Australian athletes and their support staff for vaccination ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

Swimming Australia president Kieren Perkins backed calls for Australian competitors to be offered Pfizer vaccines before the games. He said it’s important athletes are given the best chance to be healthy through their preparation. 

Fraser Island-K’gari residents have called for transparency into the results of an internal review of the state’s response to the fire that burnt through 87,000 hectares. 

The review by the Inspector General of Emergency Management Queensland was provided to the State Government last month. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the government would release its response in due course. 

Liberal National Party spokesman for fire and emergency services, Dale Last, said the report should be released in its entirety and reveal any failings that occurred.

Speaker of Queensland Parliament Curtis Pitt has dismissed allegations made by the Opposition that Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk deliberately misled Parliament during a debate in 2017.

The allegations relate to the Premier using a private email account to discuss matters with Labor member Mark Bailey, despite stating during a debate in Parliament she never used her private account for official purposes.