A roundup of Australian local, state, national and international government news, events and projects.
A NSW teenager who made ‘swatting’ calls to the US is facing children’s court today (January 13) after an overseas tip-off. ‘Swatting’ involves making fake calls to emergency services that trigger a large-scale, and armed, response. The Australian Federal Police […]
As Australian families struggle with rising rents, mortgages, energy prices and grocery bills, scrutiny is growing over how public money is being spent inside the child support system — and whether outsourced decision-making is delivering fairness, accuracy, or value for
45,000 GOOD VIBES FOR PASIFIKA FESTIVAL Moreton Bay council have given the organisers of a Pacific Islands festival a three-year $45,000 grant. Mayor Peter Flannery says the Pasifika Vibes Festival is returning in 2026. It will be held at the
More bus shields are on the way for Queensland drivers with an extra $3 million to be spent on expanding safety upgrades. The deal includes $1 million to retrofit 50 Brisbane City Council buses on top of 45 already scheduled
A giant crocodile was among six caught in the Northern Territory in the first week of 2026 as a very wet season makes them more active. The six include a 4.9 metre long animal caught by a Parks and Wildlife
Three overseas start-ups are among five finalists on Moreton Bay council’s shortlist for for its $1 million Ultimate HQ competition. The competition is a joint effort between council and University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) to establish a high-potential scale-up
Tax dodgers are to be banned from leaving the country until they settle their debts, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) says. The ATO is now using Departure Prohibition Orders (DPOs) to block departures amid moves to boost payment and debt
POLAIR police operations on the Sunshine Coast will extend into the Moreton Bay region thanks to a $22.8 million three-year funding deal from the Queensland Government. The state government says the funding will secure equipment upgrades on aircraft and permanently
New kangaroo roadside escapes are being tested at Bribie Island in south-east Queensland after an earlier trial for koalas proved a success. And council is pondering expanding the use of these hatches for other species. The hatches offer one-way access
Developers will be encouraged to build more student accommodation with demand outstripping supply, says Moreton Bay council. With a University of the Sunshine Coast campus now at Moreton Bay Central, council has adopted an attraction policy to encourage developers to
