Some of Australia’s largest international student markets are still being granted visas at high rates while countries such as India bear the brunt of record rejections as the government uses the education sector as a key mechanism to slash migration.
‘See how this plays out’: Ipswich Labor MP unsure if she’ll contest next state or federal election
By Matt Dennien
The state election may be little more than five months away, but at least one more Labor MP has their eyes on the exit: Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard has confirmed she has responded to an expression of interest for preselection in the overlapping federal seat of Blair.
Problem is, federal Labor’s only remaining regional seat in the state (in a region which recently booted one Labor MP) has been held by Right factionmate Shayne Neumann since 2007.
Prime Minister Albanese has released a statement backing in Neumann, while Howard nodded toward the party’s affirmative action rules and need to boost to the proportion of women in Queensland Labor’s Canberra ranks justify her potential challenge.
Asked whether she would be running for Ipswich in October, Howard told ABC Radio Brisbane today she would “have to wait and see how this internal party process plays out over coming weeks”.
The state LNP opposition, through shadow treasurer David Janetzki, have seized on the news as an “extraordinary indictment” of state Labor leadership – not mentioning the internal LNP infighting also going at the moment attributed to protests against party HQ, of course.
Bluey’s World coming to Brisbane this November
By Kristen Camp
Calling all Brisbane Bluey fans – pre-sale tickets to Bluey’s World have now been released.
The 70-minute interactive and immersive experience is coming to the Northshore Pavilion from November 7.
Fans can explore the rooms of the Heeler family’s Queenslander featured in the show, play games and meet the characters.
After the guided experience, guests can enjoy the neighbourhood playground, shop and cafe for up to an hour.
Birthday parties atBluey’s Worldare also available for 12 or more children.
Pre-sale started yesterday, with the general sale on May 21 at 2pm AEST.
Chancellor Peter Varghese said the UQ Senate was briefed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry at a meeting on Thursday to discuss the protests and opposing camps, and “expressed its full confidence” in her handling of matters so far.
Despite reaffirming its commitment to freedom of expression and protest, the senate raised concerns about antisemitism or other hate speech and that the continued “occupation” of the Great Court by supporters of both Palestine and Israel could disrupt the exams – due to start from June 1.
“The university’s leadership has regularly checked in with the leaders of the encampments and consulted with them in an effort to agree on a peaceful end … We remain committed to these consultations but we cannot allow the encampments to continue indefinitely.”
The pro-Israel “Camp Shalom” will be removed on Saturday, News Corp reports.
Brisbane Times has sought comment from the Students for Palestine UQ group, among 11 to have released a joint statement today opposing “any and all attempts” to close the camps.
More fire ants found outside containment zone
By AAP
More fire ant nests have been found west of the Great Dividing Range as the highly aggressive super pest invades new islands off Brisbane.
On Friday, authorities said two nests had been found at Meringandan West in Toowoomba – about four kilometres from Kleinton, where two nests were found in 2023.
The Meringandan West discovery is about 10 kilometres from an army site at Oakey where almost 80 nests were found in April, but authorities say the discoveries are not linked.
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program says it destroyed the nests found by its odour detection dog team at Meringandan West on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, there have been new detections on the Moreton Bay islands, off Brisbane.
They were found on Coochiemudlo Island and South Stradbroke Island in April, and on Russell Island in February, following discoveries on North Stradbroke Island and Macleay Island in 2023.
Police issue warning after toxic canister found at Qld beach
Police have warned Queensland beachgoers to avoid handling silver canisters after an aluminium tin, containing a toxic substance, washed ashore near Cape Capricorn at Gladstone on Wednesday.
Water Police located the item off Curtis Island and it has been removed.
“The canister is described as approximately 30 centimetres long and 15 centimetres in diameter, and contains a toxic chemical, which could be harmful if handled,” police said in a statement.
“Do not attempt to move or open these canisters.
“Anyone who locates a silver canister, or any similar type of container, is urged to immediately call triple zero (000).”
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Police called to stabbing in Brisbane’s south
By Courtney Kruk
A man has been taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries following an alleged stabbing in Acacia Ridge this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to Gregory Street and Rothesay Street before 2.30pm following reports a male had been stabbed.
Another male was taken into custody at the scene and is assisting police with inquiries.
A crime scene has been declared.
MPs to vote for new independent Games body within days
By Matt Dennien
Keeping with the 2032 Games theme of the day, the parliamentary committee examining laws to (finally) set up an independent infrastructure delivery authority has tabled its report.
To the surprise of no one, the government-run group has recommended the laws be passed – with a second recommendation to add Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate to the Games Organising Committee.
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Just as unsurprising is Traeger MP Robbie Katter’s rejection of the laws (and of hosting the Games altogether).
In a statement of reservations attached to the report, LNP members Jim McDonald and Michael Hart have kept alive the opposition’s threat to replace the authority with one of its own, citing “breaches of fundamental legislative principles”.
“More information is needed from the government as to how these breaches are justified,” the pair write. But the opposition will be required to take a formal position within days.
Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace told a media conference on the Sunshine Coast this morning that the bill will return to parliament for debate (and passage on the government’s numbers) when MPs return next week.
Anti-corruption boss says new public reports have been hidden by High Court gag
By Matt Dennien
This week saw us pass eight months since the High Court cemented what was effectively a years-long gag on the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission issuing public reports.
From Monday, the government can finally move forward with a fix: former chief justice Catherine Holmes is due to deliver her review of the situation, kicked off by former public trustee Peter Carne’s legal challenge (later followed by former deputy premier Jackie Trad).
With that looming, the CCC’s chair, Bruce Barbour, fronted a regular public meeting with his agency’s parliamentary oversight committee today, reiterating his desire for any changes to allow reports already prepared by the agency – published or not – to be released.
And there are some investigations the CCC would have published reports on had it not been for the legal questions over its power to do so.
“We’ve certainly had discussions internally … but not many,” Barbour said.
He also confirmed a “significant spike” in complaints about the detention of young people, police watch houses, and “allegations of assault and improper conduct in relation to watch houses”.
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No plans for Brisbane transport corridor but it won’t be removed
By Sean Parnell
The North West Transport Corridor has existed, largely undeveloped, since the 1980s, cutting a path through Brisbane from Everton Park to Carseldine.
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Despite the most recent proposal to partly develop the corridor being abandoned, in favour of a separate tunnel proposal, Transport Minister Bart Mellish is in no rush to do away with the corridor.
Responding to a petition to de-gazette the corridor, Mellish said clarified that it was not actually gazetted, but the government had no plans to sell its properties along the corridor.
“There is no approved planning, nor funding, to deliver transport infrastructure in the corridor,” Mellish said.