The Crisafulli Government has approved a 150-site ecotourism-style tourist park at Coochin Creek on the Sunshine Coast, pitching it as a job-creating

Whole towns in Victoria’s north-east are reeling after out‑of‑control bushfires, fanned by a brutal heatwave and “catastrophic” fire danger, destroyed homes, a school and community facilities in the tiny township of Ruffy and surrounding districts.

A new guided Highlights Tour at Queensland Museum Kurilpa is turning a casual visit into a deep dive into dinosaurs, First Nations histories and cutting-edge science and it is completely free to join.

Australia’s latest inflation figures have cooled more than expected, easing pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to deliver another interest rate hike in February, but price growth remains above the bank’s comfort zone and a move cannot yet be ruled out. Economists are split, with some arguing the softer numbers justify a pause while others say sticky underlying inflation still points to further tightening in 2026.​

Australia’s January 2026 skilled migration round has delivered 344 invitations to skilled workers, with health professionals and engineers again emerging as the big winners under South Australia’s General Skilled Migration program.

Gold Coast Council has launched a new real-time water quality tool for 25 of the city’s most popular swimming spots, promising residents and tourists faster, clearer advice about when it is safe to get in the water – but also warning that heavy rain and pollution can still turn beaches and creeks unsafe at short notice.

Nationals leader David Littleproud has accused the Albanese Labor government of dragging its feet on key supermarket transparency reforms and “letting shoppers down” during a cost‑of‑living crisis, as Labor counters that it has already delivered a tough mandatory supermarket code and is now moving on wider consumer protections, including a national crackdown on online “subscription traps”.

Australia’s forests are experiencing rapidly rising tree death rates at the same time as a major heatwave drives extreme fire danger across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, raising grave concerns about ecosystem collapse, carbon emissions and community safety.

Australia’s forests are experiencing rapidly rising tree death rates at the same time as a major heatwave drives extreme fire danger across Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, raising grave concerns about ecosystem collapse, carbon emissions and community safety.

Brisbane’s median home value has surged by about $135,900 over the past year, lifting typical dwelling prices to around the $1 million mark and outpacing Sydney and Melbourne, even as borrowers brace for possible interest rate hikes in early 2026.