Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for May, 2020
High Court rejects FMG native title appeal
The High Court has dismissed Fortescue Metals Group’s application to appeal a native title ruling covering its Solomon iron ore mine in Western Australia. May 29, 2020 Australia’s highest court has rejected a bid by one of the nation’s largest iron ore producers to appeal a native title ruling. The High Court on Friday dismissed Fortescue […]
First Qld industrial manslaughter sentence
A Queensland court is hearing sentencing submissions for the state’s first industrial manslaughter case after a worker was hit and killed by a forklift. May 28, 2020 An unlicensed forklift driver fatally struck a colleague at a wrecking yard that lacked safety barriers, a court hearing Queensland’s first industrial manslaughter prosecution has been told. Tiger Barry […]
Murdered Qld girl lay dead for three days
A four-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by her father three days before paramedics were called to the Brisbane home where her body was found. May 26, 2020 A four-year-old girl allegedly murdered by her father lay dead in a Brisbane home for two days before paramedics were called. The girl’s body was found at the […]
Uni appeals over Qld academic’s sacking
James Cook University is appealing the finding it unfairly dismissed Professor Peter Ridd after he criticised colleagues for their global warming research. May 26, 2020 A Queensland university that unlawfully sacked a professor for criticising colleagues for their research on the impact of global warming on the Great Barrier Reef is back in court. James […]
Qld man accused of girl’s murder in court
A 43-year-old man charged with murdering a four-year-old girl, who was found dead in a Brisbane home, has had his case briefly mentioned in court. May 26, 2020 A Queensland man accused of murdering a four-year-old girl found dead in a Brisbane home has been remanded in custody. Mark James Dunn, 43, was not required […]
Nine appeals $3.6m defamation case
Nine Network has appealed a $3.6 million payout awarded to Queensland’s Wagner family after it was defamed by a 60 Minutes report about the fatal Grantham floods. May 25, 2020 A wealthy Queensland family defamed in a Nine Network report about the fatal Grantham floods in 2011 were doubly compensated when a court awarded them […]
Murder charges for teen’s Qld balcony fall
Three men charged with murder over the death of a teenager, who fell from the fourth storey of a Gold Coast building, have had their cases mentioned in court. May 25, 2020 Three men accused of murder over a teenager’s fall from the fourth floor of a Gold Coast building during a botched robbery attempt […]
Queensland Aboriginal art boss charged
A former Aboriginal art centre manager has been charged with 35 dishonesty offences after he allegedly exploited artists in a remote Queensland community. May 22, 2020 A veteran Aboriginal art centre boss allegedly exploited the artists he represented in a remote far north Queensland community. Brett Evans is accused of carrying out deceptive art deals […]
Dutton backs Hanson’s Qld border challenge
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton says Queensland’s unwillingness to reopen its border is illogical and should be challenged. May 22, 2020 With Tracey Ferrier. Peter Dutton has backed Pauline Hanson’s proposed legal challenge over the Queensland border closures, saying the premier’s ‘lack of logic’ is killing the state’s economy. The federal home affairs minister has […]
Chilly weekend for Qld as cold snap hits
Average temperatures may fall by 10 degrees below average as a pre-winter cold snap strikes Queensland. May 22, 2020 Queenslanders are likely to need an extra blanket on their beds as a record-breaking cold snap brings chilly weather to much of the state. Temperatures could be five to 10C below the average maximum temperature across […]
Police probe cause of triple fatal crash
Three men have died and a woman remains in a critical condition after a car slammed into a tree and caught on fire near Chinchilla, west of Brisbane. May 22, 2020 Three men have died and a woman is fighting for her life after a car hit a tree and burst into flames in regional […]
Qld border remains shut amid war of words
Queenslanders have been told to holiday locally this winter as pressure mounts on Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk to reopen the state’s borders. May 22, 2020 Queenslanders are being urged to holiday locally this winter as a war of words over the state’s refusal to allow interstate tourists rages on. Premier Annastasia Palaszczuk says the border will remain […]
Qld set to shiver as cold snap hits
Maximum temperatures may fall by 12 degrees below average as a pre-winter cold snap strikes Queensland. May 21, 2020 Queenslanders are set to shiver as a wet pre-winter cold snap brings record-breaking chilly weather to much of the state. Cool dry air, rainfall and thick cloud blanketing the interior and central coast means temperatures may […]
Possible India link to Qld COVID-19 case
Queensland Health is investigating if any community transmission has occurred after a woman, who returned from India two months ago, contracted coronavirus. May 21, 2020 Health authorities are investigating how a woman who returned to Queensland from India two months ago contracted coronavirus. The woman in her 70s was the only person to be diagnosed […]
Qld borders may stay shut beyond September
Queenslanders have been told the borders may not open until after September if COVID-19 can’t be brought under control in neighbouring states. May 20, 2020 With Christine Flatley. Queensland’s struggling economy has been dealt another blow with warnings the borders may remain closed beyond September amid fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections. NSW […]
Qld govt cash splash to heal sick economy
The Queensland government has announced more details about its $6 billion aid package to breathe life back into the economy. May 20, 2020 Queensland will spend billions of dollars to revive the state’s ailing economy and get people back into work following the coronavirus lockdown. The stimulus package, including $400 million for roads, bridges and […]
Gold Coast whale rescuer facing $26K fine
A man who daringly rescued a whale calf trapped in shark nets off the Gold Coast is under investigation and could be fined $26,900. May 19, 2020 With Christine Flatley. A man in a tinny could be fined more than $26,000 for rescuing a whale calf trapped in nets off the Gold Coast before authorities […]
Qld COVID-19 nurse under investigation
Two separate investigations will examine why a Queensland nurse returned to work at an aged care facility with symptoms and after being tested for COVID-19. May 19, 2020 A Queensland aged care facility remains in lockdown after a nurse working at the home tested positive to coronavirus. Two investigations into the incident at the North Rockhampton […]
Qld parliament to debate new police powers
The Queensland parliament will debate new police powers intended to help protect the community and further economic support for businesses when it resumes. May 19, 2020 The woman touted as a future Queensland Labor leader will begin life as a backbencher when state parliament resumes. Former Treasurer Jackie Trad fell on her sword earlier this […]
Qld probe into COVID-19 infected nurse
Queensland Health is investigating why a nurse infected with the coronavirus returned to work at an aged care home while waiting for her test results. May 17, 2020 An investigation has been launched after a sick nurse returned to work at a Queensland aged care home while waiting for her coronavirus test results. The North […]
Queensland frolics as lockdown ends
Cafes, public parks and playgrounds have buzzed with activity after coronavirus restrictions were eased across Queensland. May 16, 2020 Queensland health officials have breathed a sigh of relief after initial COVID-19 testing at an aged care home, where an infected nurse was working, came back negative. The good news comes as cafes, public parks and playgrounds […]
Queenslanders embrace eased restrictions
Queenslanders have begun enjoying increased freedoms as coronavirus restrictions ease across the state. May 16, 2020 Queensland cafes, public parks and playgrounds are buzzing with activity as coronavirus restrictions ease across the state. Restaurants and cafes can now have up to 10 people dine in, while groups of 10 can congregate outside for recreational purposes as the […]
Qld refugee protest banned over virus fears
A Brisbane picnic to protest the detention of refugees in a city hotel has been banned by a Queensland court due to the coronavirus risk. May 15, 2020 Jogging activists trying to take a breather and picnic in solidarity with detained refugees at a Brisbane hotel have been banned by a court. Brisbane Greens councillor Jonathan […]
Qld to drive hard bargain for Virgin stake
Queensland will try to strike a hard bargain as it bids for a stake in Australia’s debt-laden second airline. May 15, 2020 Queensland will try to “strike a very hard bargain” as it attempts to save 5000 jobs by securing a stake in Virgin Australia, the state Treasurer Cameron Dick says. The state government is negotiating […]