The controversial news media bargaining code, which would allow media organisations to sign up to be paid for their content appearing on social media and search engines, passed the Senate yesterday.

It comes after talks between the Government and Facebook saw the bill amended that will require Treasurer Josh Frydenburg to consider whether the platform has made a contribution to Australia's news sphere.  

Brisbane is the frontrunner in the race to host the 2032 Olympic games after the International Olympic committee made the city its preferred candidate. 

The decision won’t be confirmed until July, before the Tokyo 2021 games.   

100 dolphins have been found dead off the coast of Mozambique.

A further 86 carcasses were found on Bazaruto Island, north of the capital Maputo, on Tuesday.

Environmental experts are investigating the deaths to see if they are related to a nearby cyclone that took place last week. 

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.