Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for August, 2018
Qld M1 speed limit to drop in busy periods
Speed limits on Queensland’s M1 motorway will be reduced during busy periods in a bid to improve traffic flow. August 17, 2018 Variable speed limits are set to become the norm on the Pacific Motorway in a bid to ease traffic snarls on southern Queensland’s busiest road. Speed limits will be reduced during busy periods on the M1 […]
Water going to waste on drought-hit farms
Hundreds of drought-stricken farms across Queensland and NSW could be protected from the dry spell using bore water from the Great Artesian Basin. August 17, 2018 The sheep on the Stokes family’s southern Queensland farm can have food or water, but they can’t have both. Kate and Steve Stokes’ 50,000-acre Mulga Downs property, just north […]
Qld tennis coach avoids jail for match-fix
Former tennis pro-turned-coach Isaac Frost has avoided a jail term after pleading guilty to match-fixing in a Brisbane court. August 16, 2018 A former Queensland professional tennis player who helped fix a tennis match and supplied drugs to his friends has avoided spending time behind bars. Isaac Frost, 29, was on Thursday sentenced in Brisbane […]
Qld warned to get ready for more bushfires
With the fire danger forecast to be high and very high in most of Queensland by the weekend, residents are being urged to prepare their properties. August 16, 2018 Queenslanders are being warned to prepare for bushfires as the weekend approaches, with the threat forecast to be high and very high in most of the […]
Hookworm treatment for autoimmune diseases
Proteins extracted from hookworm saliva may soon treat common autoimmune diseases following an injection of funds into a Queensland biotech startup. August 14, 2018 Blood-sucking hookworms loom as the next big thing in the global medical battle against autoimmune diseases with a Queensland startup hoping to lead the way. Scientists have been extracting proteins from […]
Pisasale faces Qld court on fresh charges
Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale has returned to court after being charged with additional fraud and corruption offences, including taking household goods. August 13, 2018 Former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale has faced court on fresh fraud charges, including allegations he received gifts of household goods, including cookware, speakers, a barbecue and garden lights. Pisasale, who […]
Rural Qld maternity services to be probed
A task force will examine obstetrics care in rural Queensland, where many mothers are driving long distances to access services or giving birth without them. August 13, 2018 A Queensland Health task force will be reconvened to look into maternity services in remote parts of Queensland amid concerns that a lack of obstetrics care is putting […]
Panel to probe rural Qld maternity service
A panel of experts will investigate obstetrics care in rural and remote parts of Queensland, where many mothers are giving birth without medical help. August 12, 2018 A special summit of experts will look into maternity services in remote parts of Queensland amid concerns a lack of obstetrics care is putting expectant mums and babies […]
Summit for rural Qld maternity services
A panel of experts will investigate obstetrics care in rural and remote parts of Queensland, where many mothers are giving birth without medical help. August 12, 2018 A special summit of experts will look into maternity services in remote parts of Queensland amid concerns a lack of obstetrics care is putting expectant mums and babies […]
Law review calls after Qld court ruling
There are calls for a review of mental health as a legal defence after the man who set a Brisbane bus driver alight was declared unfit to stand trial. August 11, 2018 Relatives and supporters of a Brisbane bus driver killed in 2016 say it should be harder for a person’s mental health to be […]
Bali cocaine accused has drug past: family
The family of an Australian man arrested in Bali for allegedly possessing cocaine says he has a history of minor drug use. August 10, 2018 The family of an Australian man arrested in Bali on suspicion of cocaine possession says this could be the “biggest mistake” of his life. Brandon Johnsson, 43, was arrested last […]
Call to raise Qld imprisonment age to 14
Experts have called for the minimum imprisonment age for children in Queensland to be increased from 10 to 14 years, saying it would cut down on recidivism. August 10, 2018 Human rights, medical and legal experts have called on the Queensland government to increase the minimum age children can be locked behind bars for a […]
Cairns council workers to walk off the job
Council workers are expected to walk off the job as industrial action hits Queensland’s tropical north over a pay dispute. August 10, 2018 Several hundred council workers are expected to walk off the job as industrial action hits Queensland’s tropical north. Cairns Regional Council says it’s working to minimise the impact on holiday-makers and residents. The […]
Gold Coast man acquitted of Aust Day rape
A Queensland man has been found not guilty of raping and sexually assaulting a woman on the Gold Coast in January 2017. August 9, 2018 A Queensland man accused of raping a woman shortly after they met at an Australia Day party on the Gold Coast last year has been acquitted. Harley Gene Lewis was […]
Call to raise Qld imprisonment age to 14
Experts have called for the minimum imprisonment age for Queensland children to be increased from 10 to 14 years. August 9, 2018 Human rights, medical and legal experts have called on the Queensland government to increase the minimum age children convicted of criminality can be imprisoned. Amnesty International says 150 children aged 10 to 13 […]
Search for Qld chopper wreckage called off
The search for wreckage from a helicopter crash off Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands in March has been suspended. August 8, 2018 The search for a helicopter that crashed off Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands killing two American tourists has been called off, with authorities unable to find it. Honeymooners Peter and Sue Hensel died when the Eurocopter 120 […]
Great Barrier Reef recovering in north Qld
A cooler summer in 2017-18 has helped some Great Barrier Reef coral in Queensland’s north begin recovering. August 8, 2018 The Great Barrier Reef has begun its journey back to health following back-to-back bleaching in 2016 and 2017. A survey by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre has found this year’s cooler summer in Queensland’s […]
No compo for sacked Ipswich councillors
The Queensland government has rejected suggestions Ipswich councillors not accused of wrongdoing should be compensated when the council is dissolved. August 8, 2018 Ipswich city councillors won’t receive payouts when they are sacked, the Queensland government says. There are no provisions within the law that would allow sacked councillors to get payouts despite protests those […]
New lead could put Qld cold case to rest
Tony Jones’ loved ones say they have a new lead that could solve his disappearance near Townsville almost 40 years ago but police won’t speak to them. August 8, 2018 The family of missing Queensland backpacker Tony Jones believe they know who murdered him but say police are refusing to act on compelling evidence gathered […]
More relief possible for Qld farmers
The Queensland government will examine Malcolm Turnbull’s drought relief package to ensure everything possible is being done to help affected farmers. August 6, 2018 The Queensland government is considering additional relief to drought-stricken farmers across the state but those options won’t be finalised until cabinet meets next week. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says 57 per cent […]
Conservatives launch ‘safe’ networking app
Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi has launched a “safe” online social network, called A Better Way, to build his party’s membership. August 4, 2018 Australian political conservatives have created their own “safe” social network in cyberspace to share their views and ideas. Australian Conservatives leader Cory Bernardi said the A Better Way app is an […]
Deaths in custody website opened to public
A new website detailing deaths in custody will allow the community to scrutinise the Australian criminal justice system, a law professor says. August 3, 2018 A national deaths in custody database is set to shine a light into Australia’s criminal justice system. It’s the first time the information has been made readily available to the public […]
Qld fishers want compo for White Spot loss
More than 100 fishers are preparing legal action against the federal government after a White Spot outbreak devastated Queensland’s prawn industry. August 2, 2018 Trawlers, crabbers and worm diggers have accused the federal government of abandoning them after last year’s White Spot outbreak in Moreton Bay. The disease has cost Queensland’s prawn industry hundreds of […]
Dry July the second-hottest on record
July was warm and dry with the average maximum temperature in Australia the second hottest on record and rainfall the lowest for 16 years. August 1, 2018 If you found yourself reaching for the winter woollies a little less this year, it’s probably because July’s average maximum temperature was the second-warmest on record. Across Australia, […]