The RSPCA is calling for Queensland’s animal cruelty laws to be amended, with the Animal Care and Protection Act up for review for the first time in twenty years.  

The RSPCA is calling for the maximum penalty for animal cruelty to be increased, along with enforcing ownership bans made in other states which would prevent individuals who were previously charged with animal cruelty elsewhere in the country from owning a pet in Queensland. 

Community group Boggo Road Futures has lodged an appeal in the Planning and Environment Court, objecting to Brisbane City Council’s approval of a development proposal affecting Boggo Road Gaol.

The development, proposed by developer Stockwell, comprises a two-storey mixed-use office, healthcare and community space on the old heritage site precinct. 

The appeal seeks for an outright rejection of the development, and claims that the automated submissions process led to one hundred and seventy nine submissions losing appeal rights.

QMusic CEO Angela Samut says the Queensland Music Awards have received a record number of submissions this year. She says the vast number of talented Queensland artists proves the hardship of the last year has not discouraged upcoming artists.

The awards will also include the presentation of the People’s Choice Award for best live venue and the announcement of the Billy Thorpe Scholarship Prize.

Finalists for the Queensland music awards will be announced on May fifth at Fortitude Valley’s Fortitude Music Hall.

Paing Takhon, a model and actor well known in Myanmar, is the latest to be arrested after the junta released hundreds of warrants going after influencers, celebrities, artists and musicians. 

His sister says 50 soldiers in eight military trucks arrived at their parents’ home at 4:30am. It is unknown where he has been taken.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says there are currently two thousand, eight hundred and forty seven protesters being held in detention.

Scott Morrison delivered a snap press conference last night about the AstraZeneca vaccine, following reports in Europe about blood clot side effects.

The advisory recommended people under 50 years of age receive the Pfizer vaccine instead. Morrison was unable to say how this would affect the rollout, but conceded it would need recalibrating. 

It is unlikely to have much immediate effect, given most individuals being vaccinated at the moment are the elderly.

A teacher in Sydney has alleged she was fired from her job for being gay. After announcing her engagement to work colleagues, Karen Pack states an email from the public was sent to the college imploring the school to distance themselves from her ‘demonic actions’.

Morling College says Ms Pack left the school because she could no longer adhere to the key value of the school about the nature of marriage. 

Equality Australia CEO, Anna Brown, says in all states except the ACT and Tasmania, it is legal for religious institutions to fire staff on the basis of sexuality.

A study by the University of Queensland has found that suicide is the leading cause of death for maternal women in Australia.

Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research researcher Dr Carla Meurk says their findings show suicidal behaviors increase in post-partum women who have a history of mental illness or substance abuse.

The study found new mothers had high rates of contact with health services before taking their own life.

Gold Coast city council faces a legal battle to complete its proposed one point six kilometre pathway along the beachfront. 

Local community group, the Surfers Beachfront Protection Association, argue the pathway would result in significant destruction to the beachfront dunal system. They have lodged an appeal against the decision to approve the pathway. 

Gold Coast city council maintains the path will allow cyclists and pedestrians to avoid driveways and streets without causing significant environmental damage.

A section of a popular beach near Rainbow Beach has collapsed into the water in what is becoming a regular occurrence for the area.

Wayne Dean, a resident in the local area, says the landslide went on for over twenty minutes and was not the first he’s seen. He says the landslide occurred shortly after a barge picked up a load of cars bound for Fraser Island.

A University of the Sunshine Coast associate lecturer, Peter Davies, says the phenomenon is caused by fast-moving currents along the beach that eat away at sand beneath the surface.