Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for December, 2018
Qld crowds swell ahead of NYE fireworks
New Year’s Eve revellers are staking out their positions along the Brisbane River as the countdown to 2019 begins. December 31, 2018 Crowds are building along the Brisbane River in anticipation of the skies coming alive as the city farewells 2018 in near-perfect summer conditions. Tens of thousands of people are expected to cram into […]
Cyclone likely for Queensland’s far north
A tropical low dumping rain and wild weather on Far North Queensland is likely to become a cyclone on New Year’s Day. December 31, 2018 Far North Queensland will welcome 2019 in with a bang, with wild winds and torrential rain forecast to batter the region ahead of a likely tropical cyclone. A cyclone warning […]
Queensland couple choose to stay in jail
Two pro-life protesters arrested outside a Brisbane abortion clinic have refused bail because it compromises their beliefs. December 28, 2018 A Queensland couple arrested for protesting outside a Brisbane abortion clinic have refused to accept bail because the conditions attached to their release compromise their beliefs. James ‘Jim’ Joseph Dowling, 63, and Anne Veronica Rampa, […]
Tropical cyclone likely for Queensland
A monsoon trough north of Queensland looks likely to develop into Queensland’s first tropical cyclone for 2019. December 28, 2018 Queensland looks likely to be hit by its first cyclone of 2019, as a monsoon trough to the north of Australia continues to head south. If the unstable trough develops a tropical low over water […]
Queensland warned to remain cyber vigilant
A spate of Christmas holiday scams using fake social media messages and emails has prompted police to urge Queenslanders to remain vigilant. December 27, 2018 Queenslanders are being warned to remain vigilant after a spate of Christmas holiday scams using fake social media messages and emails. Facebook messages appearing to be from victims’ friends outlining […]
Big wet hits north Qld as south swelters
As a heatwave sweeps across southwest Queensland, heavy rain has prompted flood warnings in the north of the state and looks set to persist until the New Year. December 26, 2018 North Queensland is set for a soggy start to 2019 but in the southern half of the sunshine state, the mercury is rising as […]
Heatwave hits south Qld but wet up north
As a heatwave sweeps across southwest Queensland, heavy rain has prompted flood warnings in the north of the state and looks set to persist until the New Year. December 26, 2018 North Queensland is set for a soggy start to 2019 but in the southern half of the sunshine state, the temperature is rising as […]
Qld Boxing Day sales a hit with the crowds
Thousands of bargain-hungry Queenslanders have hit the shops early on Boxing Day, with $420 million expected to be spent across the state. December 26, 2018 For Queenslanders, Bridget Mackenzie and her old schoolmate Jaymee Swift, the Boxing Day sales are more than an opportunity to bag a bargain. It’s become an annual tradition for the […]
Qld couple die in Xmas Eve crash
A couple aged in their 70s has been hit and killed by a car as they walked home from a Christmas Eve church service in North Queensland. December 25, 2018 A husband and wife aged in their 70s have been hit and killed by a car in north Queensland as they walked home from a […]
Dawson home for Christmas in Queensland
Alleged wife killer Chris Dawson is spending Christmas Day at his family home in Queensland after he was granted bail and released from a Sydney prison. December 25, 2018 Accused killer Chris Dawson has made it home for Christmas Day in Queensland after being released from a NSW prison less than 24 hours earlier. The 70-year-old […]
Busy SA firies find time to celebrate Xmas
South Australia’s firefighters remain on the job through the holidays but that doesn’t mean they’re missing out on Christmas Day lunch. December 25, 2018 With temperatures nudging the mid-30s, it’s business as usual for South Australia’s firefighters on Christmas Day but that doesn’t mean they’re missing out on a traditional festive lunch. At stations across […]
Five NSW drivers busted for high-range DUI
NSW Police have caught five drivers behind the wheel with high-range drink-driving blood alcohol levels of 0.160 or higher during a pre-Christmas blitz. December 25, 2018 Five NSW drivers have been caught behind the wheel with high-range blood alcohol levels during a Christmas police blitz. One 49-year-old man, who was nabbed speeding at more than […]
Perfect Christmas weather for SE Qld
Santa has delivered postcard-perfect weather conditions for southeast Queenslanders, but in the north residents remain on flood watch and out west, it’s hot. December 25, 2018 Southeast Queenslanders are enjoying picture-perfect weather on Christmas Day but in the state’s north, persistent rainfall has made for a soggy celebration and out west, it’s getting hot. On […]
Qld churches welcome Xmas worshippers
Queensland’s religious leaders have sent their blessings for the season as they give their Christmas messages. December 25, 2018 Thousands of Queenslanders have attended Christmas services to commemorate the birth of Jesus and hear the word of God from religious leaders. Their message to worshippers is simple – celebrate life and seek peace and joy […]
Record Boxing Day sales figures expected
A record-breaking $2.49 billion is expected to be splurged in the Boxing Day sales as Australian retailers rake in $50 billion in a bumper Christmas season. December 24, 2018 Australian shoppers are set to splurge a record $2.49 billion at the Boxing Day sales. It will be the biggest single spending day of a Christmas […]
Thunderstorms on the way for southeast Qld
Severe thunderstorms are on the way for southeast Queensland this weekend, bringing a cool change. December 21, 2018 Severe thunderstorms similar to those that battered Sydney are set to hit southeast Queensland, breaking a two-day hot spell. “We’ve got the possibility for large hail and strong damaging winds, and possibly heavy rainfall,” the Bureau of […]
Brisbane barrister faces court for perjury
Prominent Queensland barrister Alastair McDougall has faced court on two counts of perjury following an investigation by the state’s corruption watchdog. December 21, 2018 A prominent Queensland barrister has faced court accused of two counts of perjury. Alastair Scott McDougall, 51, briefly appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday after he was charged by the Crime […]
Large solar battery heads to far north Qld
The Cape York Battery Power Plant is the first renewable power station with battery storage to be approved to connect to the national electricity grid. December 20, 2018 Australia’s first electricity grid connected big battery solar power station is set to revolutionise energy generation in Queensland’s far-north. The project’s rugby field sized battery means renewable […]
Former Ipswich council boss pleads guilty
Former Ipswich City Council chief executive Carl Wulff, his wife Sharon Oxenbridge and two businessmen have pleaded guilty to official corruption. December 20, 2018 The former Ipswich City Council chief executive, his wife and two businessmen have all admitted official corruption after a kickback scheme for council contracts was foiled during a graft probe. Carl […]
Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Xmas card splurge
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has been accused of hijacking Christmas to promote himself after ratepayers were left to foot the bill for over 100,000 greeting cards. December 19, 2018 Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has been accused of using public money to post ratepayers political advertising dressed up as Christmas cards. Graham Quirk’s political opponents say the LNP […]
Qld LNP elects acting state president
Queensland’s Liberal National Party has elected metropolitan vice president David Hutchinson as acting state president. December 18, 2018 Queensland’s Liberal National Party has elected an acting state president following the resignation of former president Gary Spence. LNP’s state executive elected metropolitan vice president David Hutchinson to act in the role following Mr Spence’s resignation on […]
Body of missing man found in north Qld
A body has been found during a search for a 60-year-old man who went missing in a north Queensland national park more than two weeks ago. December 18, 2018 A man’s body has been found during a search for a 60-year-old man missing in a north Queensland national park for more than two weeks. The […]
Dementia trials on humans in Queensland
Trials of a new technique against dementia will begin on humans next year as Queensland scientists try to find a cure. December 18, 2018 Australian dementia sufferers could have their memories restored if a Queensland trial of a breakthrough ultrasound technique proves successful in humans. The technology removes toxic plaques from the brain and has […]
Qld dead body prankers to face court
Two Brisbane men accused of wasting police resources after they allegedly pranked an Uber driver with fake dead body are expected to appear in court. December 18, 2018 Two Queensland men who allegedly staged a prank with a fake dead body are expected to appear in court after being charged for wasting police resources. A 27-year-old […]