Local stories, community first — Brisbane and beyond.
Single Australians are struggling to afford housing as the cost of living continues to rise, with many forced to accept unsuitable rentals or rely on housing waitlists. The 'singles tax' - where single-income households face higher living costs - is exacerbating the issue, with older women being disproportionately affected.
A remote Northern Territory community's only health clinic has been shut down due to unrest and threats to staff, prompting calls for the immediate reopening of the local police station. The community of Alpurrurulam, with a population of about 350 people, is located near the Queensland border and has been plagued by alcohol-fueled violence.
A labourer on a Brisbane Cross River Rail site has told an inquiry into the CFMEU he "saw red" after being struck in the head while trying to enter a work site, triggering a brawl which spilled out onto a busy road. The incident was part of a series of confrontations between workers and CFMEU members.
Maree Mavis Crabtree, a Gold Coast woman previously cleared of murdering two of her adult children, has been convicted of social security fraud but will not spend any further time in custody. Crabtree was sentenced in the Brisbane District Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to three outstanding charges.
Legal cigarette sales in Queensland have jumped by 55 per cent in the first month after new enforcement laws took effect. The state's crackdown on illegal cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and vapes is expected to generate $89 million in additional tobacco excise revenue and a further $11 million in GST gains over two years.
A radical overhaul of Australia's working holiday visa system has sparked concerns that the federal government's policy priorities are skewed towards city-dwellers at the expense of regional areas. Experts warn that the changes could have far-reaching consequences for Labor's electoral prospects, particularly in vulnerable regional seats.
The Queensland government has rejected a petition to swap all stop signs with give-way signs in the state, arguing that the safety benefits of stop signs outweigh any operational impacts. The petition, signed by 391 Queenslanders, claimed that stop signs provide "no safety significance" and cost drivers more in fuel.
A veteran was prescribed extremely high doses of medicinal cannabis by doctors he never spoke to, leading to a near-fatal crisis. The case has raised concerns about the aggressive targeting of veterans by for-profit healthcare providers.
A rural Queensland town is facing a health crisis after its only GP announced plans to leave, leaving residents scrambling for medical care. The town's health advocate has expressed concerns about the lack of support from the local health service.
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