Human rights watch campaigners say there has been an increase in people jailed for being a part of the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon. 

The group alleges at least 24 people have been arbitrarily arrested and threatened by security forces since February. 

Same sex relationships are illegal in 31 African states, with those found guilty facing sentences of up to five years.
 

A new Climate Council report warns Australia needs to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2035. 

The report warns failure to do so could see us become increasingly economically isolated from our trading partners and at greater risk of climate-related disasters.

The report says the US Biden presidency has led to a new era of climate cooperation, and other nations may start implementing import tariffs on Australian exports. 

Coochiemudlo Island residents are petitioning for the Queensland Parliament to legalise the use of golf cart type vehicles on public roads. 

Residents say there are no taxis, buses or transport options for people with disabilities on the island, and golf carts are an eco-friendly solution. 

Queensland Parliament has tabled the petition, which has been signed by 330 people - almost half the island’s population. 

Queensland nurses and midwives are taking industrial action against Queensland Health. 

Queensland's Nurses and Midwives Union are concerned health care workers treating COVID-19 patients are at risk of contracting the virus because they are not being properly fit-tested for respiratory protection equipment. 

Union secretary Beth Mohle said Queensland Health’s response has been inadequate and vaccines are not the only preventative measure required.

The newly appointed chief executive of Gold Coast City Council has resigned for health reasons.

David Edwards had been in the job for three weeks after being appointed to the role despite findings of misconduct in his previous state government job.

Gold Coast City councillors will meet next week to decide whether to appoint another candidate or readvertise. 

Legal advocates are calling for a national response to the disproportionate imprisonment of Indigenous people. 

30 years on from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the imprisonment rate of Indigenous people is more than 20 times the imprisonment rate of the adult population.

Law Council of Australia President Jacoba Brasch says the solutions First Nations peoples have consistently provided must be implemented and prioritised.

Queenslanders who travel to take up farm work could be eligible for up to 15 hundred dollars under a new scheme.

Under the Back to Work Agriculture Incentive Scheme, participants will receive $500 for completing two weeks of full-time work and an additional $1000 for completing 8 weeks of work. 

Minister for Agricultural Industry Mark Furner says the scheme supports people from all walks of life to relocate and try farm work.

Australian troops are expected to withdraw from Afghanistan following discussions between Scott Morrison and US President Biden.  

According to the defence department, Australia currently contributes around eighty per cent of defence personnel in Afghanistan. 

The action comes after President Biden announced he will withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September, ending the country’s longest war.

Australia’s first underground waste disposal system will replace some rubbish trucks and wheelie bins in South East Queensland by June.

A 6.5-kilometre network of underground pipes has been placed under Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast over the past five years. 

The underground rubbish system will see waste and recyclables from buildings and public bins vacuumed up and transported to disposal facilities.