North Queensland tourism organisations are calling for a rebate for students travelling to the nation’s capital to be redirected to travel in the Great Barrier Reef region. 

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says the move would give the North Queensland tourism industry the kickstart it needed following the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Crisafulli says kids would rather look at Dory and Nemo than Albo and Scomo.

A content warning on this story, which talks about sexual assault. 

A petition to trigger a debate in the New South Wales Parliament to teach consent education in schools launches online today.

The New South Wales epetition, sponsored by New South Wales MP Jenny Leong, has received nearly 900 signatures since opening this morning.

Mardis Gras crowds took over Sydney streets in protest last Saturday, after being granted an exemption from New South public health restrictions. 

Protesters sought justice for LGBTQI+ community against transphobia and homophobia and for asylum seekers on Nauru, as well as rights for sex workers.

Activist group Pride in Protest initiated the protests after being given the green light on Friday morning.

Just a warning, the following story refers to death.

Black Lives Matter activists return to streets as a trial over George Floyd’s murder begins in Minneapolis today.

Jury selection is beginning in the case against Derek Chauvin, who was filmed with his knee on Floyds neck for nearly 9 minutes causing him to struggle to breathe.

Plans for a new green bridge brought to the Brisbane City Council this week have derailed plans for a superyacht mooring site under Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

The state government announced a 12-month trial allowing superyachts to dock opposite the City Botanic Gardens In March last year.

The new bridge is set to be suspended 12.7 metres, blocking 37 metre high super yachts from mooring along the cliffs.

The Palaszczuk Government is offering 15,000 Queenslanders vouchers up to $200 in value for tourism experiences in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef region in an effort to boost the industry.

Applications to enter the draw are open from 8 to 11 March and vouchers will need to be used between March and June 2021.

Beaches from Rainbow Bay to Tallebudgera were patrolled by all-female teams on Sunday, 7 March, in Surf Lifesaving Queensland’s effort to raise awareness on International Women’s Day. 

Each member of the team, from First Aid Officers to Inflatable Rescue Boat Drivers to Operation Support Roles, were women. 

The initiative was led by Claudia Fien, an entrant in Surf Life Saving Queensland’s 2021 Surf Woman of the Year program.

International Women’s Day has seen the Australian Council of Trade Unions release a report detailing increasing job insecurity and pay gaps for women, today.

The report finds women in Australia face a gender pay gap of 13.4 per cent and shows that 21 per cent of the female workforce lost work or are experiencing pressure on their capacity to retain paid work due to the pandemic, amongst other key findings.

Australia currently has the 44th highest gender pay disparity of any country.