Former minister threatened developers over working with CFMEU, inquiry told The Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU is told Grace Grace "made it clear" she expected the developers to cooperate with the union, or she would consider terminating their contract.

Former minister threatened developers over working with CFMEU, inquiry told www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

CFMEU used former boxers to intimidate contractors, inquiry hears An inquiry into the CFMEU in Queensland has heard the union pressured Toombul shopping centre demolition contractors to hire former kickboxers.

CFMEU used former boxers to intimidate contractors, inquiry hears www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

CFMEU leaders had 'the ear' of former state government, inquiry hears Former deputy director-general Peter McKay told the inquiry there "were issues around the involvement of the CFMEU" at the Office of Industrial Relations.

CFMEU leaders had 'the ear' of former state government, inquiry hears www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

CFMEU had 'hit list' of site workplace inspectors, inquiry hears The commission of inquiry into Queensland's CFMEU branch has heard inspectors lost the freedom and ability to do jobs as they saw fit after Annastacia Palaszczuk came to power in 2015.

CFMEU had 'hit list' of site workplace inspectors, inquiry hears www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

CFMEU breached industrial laws at least 25 times in 14 years, inquiry hears Former Australian Building and Contruction Commission head Nigel Hadgkiss has given evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU in Queensland.

CFMEU breached industrial laws at least 25 times in 14 years, inquiry hears www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

How a new steel mill plans to support economy, climate, and Olympics The developer claims its production technology can reduce carbon emissions by more than 70 per cent compared with the conventional steel-making process.

One of the country's first steel mills in decades has broken ground in south-east Queensland, promising to supply crucial materials for housing and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...

Aviation operator accused of organising people-smuggling 'black flight' The Australian Federal Police was alerted to the alleged people-smuggling operation when two wanted Sydney men landed in Indonesia in a light aircraft.

The owner of a Queensland aviation company accused of organising a "black flight" to smuggle two alleged Australian fugitives to Indonesia has been granted bail.

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...

Inspectors pressured to issue fines at worksites, CFMEU inquiry hears A Workplace Health and Safety Queensland told the inquiry she believed the regulator had formed an "alliance" with the CFMEU.

Workplace Health and Safety inspectors in Queensland were pressured by the CFMEU to target construction firms the union did not like, a regulator official has claimed.

The latest from the CFMEU inquiry ⬇️

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...

Queensland workplace safety regulator 'captured' by CFMEU, inquiry hears Senior counsel assisting Patrick Wheelahan alleges Workplace Health and Safety Queensland became "improperly dominated" by the interests of the CFMEU.

Queensland's workplace health and safety regulator was "captured" by the CFMEU when Labor was last in power in the state, a commission of inquiry into the union has heard. It’s been labelled a form of “institutional corruption”. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03...

An alternative to mainstream schooling in Queensland's Southeast. | ABC NEWS YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)

You can watch the story (which I also filmed entirely myself) here: youtu.be/L40EHCVN-Ok?...

Thanks to Kirrin McKechnie and Dave McSween for producing and editing the yarn!

The Qld farm putting troubled youth on the straight and narrow The rural-based social program in the shadow of Mt Tamborine has had remarkable success in rebuilding the lives of youth who have fallen through the cracks.

Last year I spent a couple of months following a group of kids at risk of falling through the cracks through an intense program trying to help turn their lives around. It was an incredible thing to witness and the kids deserve so much credit! Story out now www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...

Families say recurrent sewage floods have left them sick, broke and trapped Residents in a small-town west of Brisbane say more than a decade of raw sewage overflows during heavy rain has left them dealing with serious health issues and ongoing anxiety.

Residents in a small town west of Brisbane say raw sewage overflowing during heavy rain has left them dealing with serious health issues and ongoing anxiety. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...

Until 2019, no solo female artist had won the Triple J Hottest 100 (Billie Eilish with Bad Guy). We’ve now had three solo female artist winners in a row (Doja Cat, Chappell Roan and Olivia Dean today).

Nickel slag piled near homes without approval in Australia's 'waste capital' The dumping of the waste is the latest in a series of similar events for Ipswich, the city which some now call "Australia's waste capital".

Ipswich residents are fearful of the impact of imported mining waste being stored near their homes. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...

Blame game begins over faulty Queensland rain gauges Graziers say it was "back to the old days" as under-resourced rain gauges failed in north-west Queensland, with the widespread floods killing almost 50,000 cattle.

Landholders and officials across north-west Queensland say they might have been able to save more cattle from deadly floodwaters if flood gauges linked to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) website had been online leading up to the deluge. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...

Christian sect investigated by the FBI under pressure to reveal wealth Survivors of a secretive Christian sect, under investigation by the FBI, say it is hiding wealth through trusts, blocking access to abuse compensation.

Survivors of a secretive Christian sect central to a global child sexual abuse investigation are demanding its leaders disclose how much wealth the group controls.

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...

I think I’ve cracked the whole 6 7 thing and what it means… It must be connected to the meaning of life, the universe and everything. Because what is 6x7? 42. If you know you know.

Queensland records 18pc more flu cases than last year Official data shows more than 90,000 lab-confirmed cases of influenza in 2025, which is more than an 18 per cent jump on the number of cases reported last year.

Queensland has recorded its worst year in more than a decade for cases of the flu, but experts aren't sure why case numbers are so high.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Apex predator returns to major river system, 100 years after extinction event An important apex predator died out 100 years ago due to overfishing and land clearing. Now, a close relative is bringing balance back to the habitat.

A major, but endangered, apex predator has been reeled back to a south-east Queensland river catchment a century after its close relative became extinct in the area. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

Unexploded military devices washing up on beaches 'all over Australia' The Australian Defence Force's bomb disposal squad responds to about 500 unexploded ordnance incidents a year, with many of the devices washing up on beaches.

Did you know about 500 unexploded bombs and other ordnances are found in Australia every year? Here’s what to do if you stumble across one: www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...

An explosive day at the office today… 💣💥🧨

Was your car one of 40,000 damaged in hailstorms? Here's what to do next Insurers are urging those with damaged cars to make their claims as soon as possible in the aftermath of hailstorms across Queensland and parts of New South Wales.

Thousands of cars have been damaged across south-east Queensland and parts of New South Wales in recent weeks as a result of dangerous hailstorms. The storms have led to about 40,000 insurance claims.

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12... #storms

We’re only 12 hours into December and I’ve already lost Whamaggedon. My shortest time losing ever. Managed to get to Christmas Eve last year! Damn TikTok!!!

Former RAAF pilot to stand trial over alleged murder of wife Robert John Crawford has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife Frances Crawford, who was found dead at the couple's home last year.

A former RAAF pilot accused of murdering his wife, and then staging it to seem like she died in a lawnmower accident, has been committed to stand trial in Queensland's highest court. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

Hundreds of units proposed on land that faces 'extreme potential flood levels' A major developer wants to build 500 apartments on the banks of a river to Brisbane's south, but some concerned residents say the flooding risk is too high.

More than 1,000 low-income, vulnerable residents would be forced to evacuate a proposed affordable housing development when major flood warnings are issued, if the project is approved by a south-east Queensland council. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

A former Queensland police sergeant acted in "absolute disgrace" to his uniform when he secretly filmed a teenager while she was in the shower and took pictures under another's skirt, a judge has said. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

A former Queensland police sergeant acted in "absolute disgrace" to his uniform when he secretly filmed a teenager while she was in the shower and took pictures under another's skirt, a judge has said. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Court hears Bruce Lehrmann's defence missing rape complainant's phone data Mr Lehrmann is facing two charges of rape, alleged to have occurred in Toowoomba in 2021. He's indicated he intends to plead not guilty.

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann will argue a corrupted hard drive and media reports are reasons a judge should dismiss charges he's facing in Toowoomba. www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Queensland hospital gets permission to perform abortion on 12yo girl A 12-year-old girl in residential care in Queensland should be allowed to have an abortion, a court rules, after a judge found she was not capable of making the decision herself.

A 12-year-old girl in residential care in Queensland should be allowed to have an abortion, a court has ruled, after a judge found she was not capable of making the decision herself.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09...

Pretty basic I know, but these are my top 10 books for the Radio National’s Top 100 books of the 21st century. What is in your top 10?!?