Anthony Albanese is being urged to use rugby league as a “soft diplomacy” tool as the threat of China continues to loom over Australia’s relationship with Pacific Island nations.

Optus executives have declared the telco will not refund customers for one of the worst telecommunications outages in Australian history because most would get “less than $2” and instead it will “reward” the patience and loyalty of those who do not leave the company.

Any delays to the Metro West train line could hold Sydney’s cruising industry back for the next decade, businesses operating out of White Bay Cruise Terminal fear.

The QLD state government has paved the way for all public primary and secondary schools to introduce flexible class schedules from next year – including four-day weeks and shorter days.

The gap between what Queenslanders are forking out for health insurance has significantly widened in the past five years, with customers paying $332 a year more for their coverage than they’re getting back in benefits.