Queensland

Australian boy, 13, spent six weeks in solitary confinement

The boy - referred to as "Jack" - was released on probation last week after 60 days in custody at Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville.

He is understood to have spent 22 consecutive days in isolation.

Queensland's human rights chief says the case may have broken state laws.

"If he's being locked in because there's staff shortages, and Cleveland detention centre has 80 or more kids in at any one time, one can only assume that other kids are in the same circumstance.

"You would hope not, but maybe it's more common than we thought."

Record-breaking Queensland flood peak predicted

Reuters reports the flood, triggered by heavy rain over the past week, is worst in the remote Gulf Country town of Burketown, about 2100km northwest of state capital Brisbane.

Dan McKinlay, chief executive of the local council responsible for Burketown, said on Sunday that 97 residents had been airlifted out in the past 48 hours.

Two police officers, and member of public, killed at remote property

The officers were responding to reports of a missing person in Wieambilla - 270km (168 miles) west of Brisbane.

The offenders are still at large, the police said at a news conference. Residents are being told to remain indoors "until further notice".

Katarina Carroll, Queensland Police Commissioner, said four police officers attended the property.

One received a "bullet graze", while another escaped the property. Both are receiving treatment in hospital, she said.

New South Wales beat Queensland 44-12 to level series

The Blues, who have won three of the last four series, edged a tight first half 14-12 before scoring five unanswered tries in the second.

Penrith Panthers half-back Nathan Cleary, 24, converted all seven NSW tries, scoring two himself and kicking a penalty goal for a 24-point haul.

Queensland won game one 16-10 and host the decider in Brisbane on 13 July.

After Cleary's early penalty for the Blues, Queensland second row Felise Kaufusi touched down and Valentine Holmes converted to put them 6-2 ahead.

Queensland strike first with 16-10 win in New South Wales

Both teams scored a try in the opening half but Valentine Holmes' conversion handed Queensland a lead at the break.

The visitors went further in front after the interval with tries from Daly Cherry-Evans and Holmes.

Cameron Murray pulled one back for the hosts but Queensland were able to hang on.

"That was the response that we wanted and any player who played last year, we wanted the chance to come back and show that the jersey means something to us, and it was a good start," said Queensland skipper Cherry-Evans.

Samoan man in Queensland denies wife's murder

Arona Peniamina stabbed Sandra repeatedly and bashed her head in with a bollard.

However, he denies intending to kill the mother of four.

Media reports from Australia said Peniamina admitted causing Sandra’s death and offered to plead guilty to manslaughter.

The prosecutors rejected this at the outset of his Brisbane Supreme Court trial on Tuesday.

Peniamina was convinced his wife was having an affair.

Rugby Championship double-headers to be held in Queensland

New Zealand and Australia are currently subject to lockdowns and the All Blacks cancelled two games last week including their Bledisloe Cup match in Perth.

But Queensland, largely free of coronavirus, has been deemed safe to host all four nations.

The new fixtures will be double-headers over four weekends from 12 September.

The Championship kicked off at Eden Park in New Zealand on 14 August, with the hosts thrashing the Wallabies 57-22.

Australia, Queensland and Storm great retires, aged 37

Smith played a record 430 National Rugby League games at club level and played in 56 Tests for the Kangaroos.

He won two World Cups, 11 State of Origin series with the Maroons and three NRL titles, including in 2020.

"It felt like the right time," Smith said. "You couldn't have asked for more than finishing with a premiership at a club I've played my whole career with."

Brisbane-born Smith made his name in Melbourne, helping the Storm become a force following his 2002 debut, and transferred his form to representative football.

Queensland opens borders to New Zealand

New Zealanders will be able to travel into to the Australian state without having to quarantine from 1am local time on Saturday.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said in a tweet that more New Zealand citizens call Queensland home than any other Australian state.

"With Kiwis able to travel to Queensland from tomorrow, families can finally be reunited in time for Christmas."

"I was advised late last night by Dr Jeannette Young, our Chief Health Officer, that New Zealanders are welcome to come," the Premier said.

Queensland to close borders to NSW and ACT

It comes as the state recorded one new case of coronavirus overnight.

The 68-year-old Queensland woman was diagnosed with the virus in the past 24 hours and authorities are still investigating the source of the infection.

Two historic cases have also been added to the state's total of 1,088 cases.

The hotspot declaration means anyone travelling from NSW or the nation's capital will soon be banned from entering the Sunshine State.

Queenslanders who return after travelling there will be sent to mandatory hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.