Queensland

Great Barrier Reef annual mass coral spawning begins

Local marine biologists say the annual event, off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia, could be among the biggest in recent years.

Death toll in Australia bushfires rises to four

Hundreds of houses have been damaged or destroyed and more than one million hectares (2.5 million acres) of land burnt in the devastating bushfires in eastern Australia.

Australia's east coast faces 'catastrophic' bushfire threat

Authorities raise forecast for greater Sydney region to catastrophic fire danger for Tuesday, the first time the city has been rated at that level since new fire danger ratings were introduced in 2009.

'Uncharted territory' as bushfires rage across Australia's east

Around a hundred blazes pockmark New South Wales and Queensland countryside, with around 17 of them remaining dangerous and uncontained.

Australia offers drought ravaged farmers up to $688 million in cheap loans

There will be no interest payable over the first two years of the loan, the government said. Farmers across Australia's east coast have been battling drought conditions for more than three years.

Drought-hit Australian towns prepare for 'unimaginable' water crisis

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) says the drought is being driven, in part, by warmer sea-surface temperatures impacting rainfall patterns. Air temperatures have also warmed over the past century, increasing the ferocity of droughts and fires.

Australia's ruling coalition elected to surprise third term

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in his victory speech dubs his surprised election win as a "miracle".

The far-right and Daesh look awfully alike after Christchurch terror attack

The parallels between Daesh and violent white ultranationalists should inspire everyone to be vigilant against a rising tide of far-right terrorism and the mainstream narratives that enable it.

Australia women's rugby captain banned for biting

New Zealand-born Liz Patu is the first player to be suspended in the history of the women's Super W competition since it was founded last year.

Australia deploys army as crocs roam flooded streets

Troops step in to rescue residents as floods in northern Queensland state bring in crocodiles onto the streets forcing officials to warn people against "playing in flood waters".

Australia launches probe into strawberry needles

The government has ordered an investigation of the contamination scare that started in Queensland state, where the first case was reported.

Five more Australian MPs leave parliament after court's citizenship ruling

An Australian court orders an 11th dual-national lawmaker to leave parliament as it implements a law that bans dual nationals from federal parliament, prompting four other MPs to resign.