Indonesia's navy is searching for a missing submarine with 53 people on board. 

The submarine was conducting a torpedo drill north of Bali but failed to communicate the results of the drill. Contact with the vessel was lost early Wednesday morning. 

Foreign Minister Marise Payne says Australia will provide whatever support it can to Indonesia.

"We are obviously very concerned about these reports. It's very distressing for families and particularly for the Indonesian Navy," says Payne.

A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have developed a plastic that can degrade by 98 per cent in home compost within a few days.

The new material uses enzymes to chew the plastic down to non-toxic molecules, eliminating microplastics. 

Co-Study author Professor Ting Xu says the molecules turn PLA into lactic acid, a food source for soil microbes.

"If you want to get a material to become a part of nature, we should go with what nature has already developed," says Professor Xu. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will attend a climate summit, helmed by U.S. President Joe Biden, tomorrow. 

The Leaders Summit on Climate will bring together the leaders of the 17 countries responsible for 80% of global emissions and global GDP. 

In the wake of the meeting with major trading partners - who have increasingly ambitious climate targets - the government has announced a $250 million investment in Australia’s hydrogen industry.

Environmental activists are staging an ‘art installation protest’ in Brisbane’s CBD this morning.

Extinction Rebellion activists have been installing guerrilla art installations around the CBD since 7am to highlight the consequences of the continued use of coal. 

The group says the fossil fuel industry has undue influence over Australia’s politicians, and calls for the closure of all coal mining plants. 

A mental health first responder program will be expanded in Queensland, following successful trials. 

The Mental Health Co-responder Program pairs a specialist Ambulance Paramedic with a Senior Mental Health Clinician to respond to triple-zero callers experiencing a mental health crisis. 

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath says the program will expand from its trials in the Metro South and Gold Coast, to the Metro North and Sunshine Coast.

The Queensland Government will hold an inquiry into race hate and online vilification to determine whether laws surrounding the issues are strong enough.

The committee is set to consider the impact of hate crimes on a wide range of groups, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities and the LGBTIQ+ community.  

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman says Queenslanders will have the opportunity to share their experiences of racism during the inquiry.

Brisbane’s last skate rink will close after being outbid in a lease contract to a major gym franchise. 

The iconic Stafford Skate Centre has been running for 40 years. The building was recently sold to a new owner, who chose not renew the skate centre’s lease.
In a statement posted on Facebook owner Rob Carter said, “We know many of you will be sad to see us hang up the skates but, this is the decision we have come to amicably with the new owners.”

Queensland’s Treasurer has ruled out any targeted support for businesses affected by Brisbane’s snap three-day lockdown before Easter.

The State government said that there was no need for new stimulus despite estimated losses of up to $65,000 in stock business owners purchased for the holiday period.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry policy manager Amanda Rohan had called on the state government to launch a relief package.

Cairns has been dumped with half a metre of rain in a week, with more heavy downfall  expected across Far North Queensland.

The Bruce Highway between Ingham and Cardwell and the Gillies Highway is currently cut off due to flooding. 

The Bureau of Meteorology expects heavy rain to continue in the region for the rest of the week.