{"id":869289,"date":"2025-08-31T00:12:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-31T05:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/31\/as-it-happened-brisbane-on-thursday-july-31\/"},"modified":"2025-08-31T00:12:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-31T05:12:08","slug":"as-it-happened-brisbane-on-thursday-july-31","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/31\/as-it-happened-brisbane-on-thursday-july-31\/","title":{"rendered":"As it happened: Brisbane on Thursday, July 31"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<section data-testid=\"key-posts-section\">\n<h3>Key posts<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n<nav data-testid=\"post-navigation\">\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span data-testid=\"current-page\">1<\/span> of <span>3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<div>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p>Pinned post from<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T12:25:34+10:00\">12.25pm on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Productivity Commission floats scrapping so-called \u2018CFMEU tax\u2019<\/h2>\n<h5><span>By <\/span><span><span data-testid=\"byline\">Matt Dennien<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Queensland\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/questions-over-reform-push-as-lnp-opts-for-less-independent-body-20241129-p5kulo.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">rebooted Productivity Commission<\/a> has turned in its first work for the Crisafulli government, with an interim report from its inquiry into the construction sector. An election pitch from the LNP, the commission and its first probe is one plank of the government\u2019s efforts against the CFMEU, including reviewing the so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/the-big-questions-being-raised-around-queensland-s-big-build-20240412-p5fjem.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cCFMEU tax\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"494\" width=\"740\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"512\" width=\"768\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Queensland\u2019s \u201cbest practice industry conditions\u201d are referred to as BPICs, or pejoratively by some critics and media as the \u201cCFMEU tax\u201d.\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/36abef2469a76443af052feafd4a1653d3970aac\" height=\"390\" width=\"584\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Queensland\u2019s \u201cbest practice industry conditions\u201d are referred to as BPICs, or pejoratively by some critics and media as the \u201cCFMEU tax\u201d.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>AAP<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the commission\u2019s report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qpc.qld.gov.au\/content\/inquiries\/construction-productivity.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">released today<\/a>, it laid out the wide range of issues those involved in consultation had raised, from inconsistent regulation and planning to the labour market. It found that the industry was not keeping pace with the pipeline of work in demand \u2013 from housing to major infrastructure \u2013 which has more than doubled since December 2020.<\/p>\n<p>While productivity has fallen about 9 per cent since 2018, the report noted this only \u201cmay\u201d be a unique problem to Queensland. The report has made a series of proposed recommendations, including permanently scrapping \u2013 and resetting \u2013 the former government\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/lnp-flags-budget-savings-on-2032-venues-after-union-policy-bypass-20241115-p5kqz4.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">major project procurement policies<\/a>. Submissions are due by August 28, with a final report to be handed to the government by October 24.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div>\n<h3 data-testid=\"latest-posts-header\">Latest posts<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T13:55:27+10:00\">1.55pm on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Today\u2019s headlines<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<\/section>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T13:06:36+10:00\">1.06pm on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Police union boss prepares to sell wage deal to workforce \u2013 and not all are happy<\/h2>\n<h5><span>By <\/span><span><span data-testid=\"byline\">Matt Dennien<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Earlier this week, the official Queensland Police Union page on Facebook shared a post to mark the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/police-win-pay-deal-while-other-public-sector-workers-wait-20250729-p5mins.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">in-principle signing<\/a> of a workplace agreement with the state government. Then the negative comments, from their own members, began to arrive.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"257\" width=\"257\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"301\" width=\"301\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Queensland Police Union secretary Shane Prior said the service was ready for change, welcoming the review\u2019s findings and 65 recommendations.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.271%2C$multiply_0.7487%2C$ratio_1%2C$width_378%2C$x_359%2C$y_146\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0a41c0302efb55a61fcf2f6ac72db5b7f30288dce3127bc2344910a30220600d\" height=\"283\" width=\"283\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Queensland Police Union secretary Shane Prior said the service was ready for change, welcoming the review\u2019s findings and 65 recommendations.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>Catherine Strohfeldt<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Despite turning off the ability to comment on the post, and hiding those there, 630 of the 720 reactions are angry face emojis.<\/p>\n<p>The post paints a picture of the frustrations within the ranks. In a note to members last night, union president Shane Prior reiterated the 3 per cent rise this year, and 2.5 per cent for each of the next two, was an \u201cinsulting\u201d state wages offer to all public servants.<\/p>\n<p>Prior said that despite this, the \u201ccompletely inflexible\u201d position of the government, and threats of withheld backpay if bargaining dragged on, he said the negotiation team had managed to win an extra $163 million above the initial offer through penalty rates, allowances, and an $8000 retention bonus \u201cthat are not being offered to the rest of the public service\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>He said the in-principle agreement had the unanimous support of the union executive, and \u201ccould not proceed without the endorsement of all regional representatives\u201d. Presentations across the state will kick off from next week, where members will be able to ask questions.<\/p>\n<p><span><span><\/span><span>Loading<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Prior also noted that members ultimately had the final say when they vote on the agreement in September. If rejected, talks would then enter arbitration via the Industrial Relations Commission \u2013 where the government has already sent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/national\/queensland\/nurses-refuse-overtime-stop-emptying-bins-as-wages-fight-escalates-20250707-p5md5j.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">stalled nurses<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/school-s-out-parents-asked-to-keep-kids-home-as-qld-teachers-stage-mass-walkout-20250730-p5miw0.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">teachers talks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike the nurses, teachers, and all other union members in the state, police are restricted in what kind of industrial action they are allowed to take to pressure the government for better pay and conditions \u2013 including the ability to strike.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T12:53:34+10:00\">12.53pm on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">New country music festival heading for the Sunshine Coast<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Country music fans, get excited. There\u2019s a new festival rolling into town, and they\u2019re bringing some big names to the sunshine state.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"257\" width=\"257\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"301\" width=\"301\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Shaboozey.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.172%2C$multiply_0.7487%2C$ratio_1%2C$width_378%2C$x_153%2C$y_35\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/01524fa1766b7868f7b4610ef941399e43190b8e\" height=\"283\" width=\"283\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Shaboozey.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>International act Jelly Roll will headline Strummingbird\u2019s inaugural event when it heads to the Sunshine Coast in October, with international artists Shaboozey and Treaty Oak Revival also taking the stage.<\/p>\n<p>Homegrown acts Wade Forster and Rachael Fahim are on the line-up, as is folk duo The Dreggs.<\/p>\n<p>Strummingbird is happening at the Kawana Sports Precinct on October 25, with dates following in Newcastle and Perth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T12:25:34+10:00\">12.25pm on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Productivity Commission floats scrapping so-called \u2018CFMEU tax\u2019<\/h2>\n<h5><span>By <\/span><span><span data-testid=\"byline\">Matt Dennien<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Queensland\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/questions-over-reform-push-as-lnp-opts-for-less-independent-body-20241129-p5kulo.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">rebooted Productivity Commission<\/a> has turned in its first work for the Crisafulli government, with an interim report from its inquiry into the construction sector. An election pitch from the LNP, the commission and its first probe is one plank of the government\u2019s efforts against the CFMEU, including reviewing the so-called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/the-big-questions-being-raised-around-queensland-s-big-build-20240412-p5fjem.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cCFMEU tax\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"494\" width=\"740\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"512\" width=\"768\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Queensland\u2019s \u201cbest practice industry conditions\u201d are referred to as BPICs, or pejoratively by some critics and media as the \u201cCFMEU tax\u201d.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.092%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/36abef2469a76443af052feafd4a1653d3970aac\" height=\"390\" width=\"584\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Queensland\u2019s \u201cbest practice industry conditions\u201d are referred to as BPICs, or pejoratively by some critics and media as the \u201cCFMEU tax\u201d.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>AAP<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In the commission\u2019s report <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qpc.qld.gov.au\/content\/inquiries\/construction-productivity.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">released today<\/a>, it laid out the wide range of issues those involved in consultation had raised, from inconsistent regulation and planning to the labour market. It found that the industry was not keeping pace with the pipeline of work in demand \u2013 from housing to major infrastructure \u2013 which has more than doubled since December 2020.<\/p>\n<p>While productivity has fallen about 9 per cent since 2018, the report noted this only \u201cmay\u201d be a unique problem to Queensland. The report has made a series of proposed recommendations, including permanently scrapping \u2013 and resetting \u2013 the former government\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/politics\/queensland\/lnp-flags-budget-savings-on-2032-venues-after-union-policy-bypass-20241115-p5kqz4.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">major project procurement policies<\/a>. Submissions are due by August 28, with a final report to be handed to the government by October 24.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T11:58:06+10:00\">11.58am on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">What were those mysterious lights in the evening sky?<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>For those wondering, mysterious lights spotted in the sky over south-east Queensland and northern NSW, which prompted myriad social media theories on Wednesday night, were the result of rocket launched about 7000 kilometres away.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"257\" width=\"257\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"301\" width=\"301\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rocket plumes seen from South Maclean in south-east Queensland on on Wednesday night.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.246%2C$multiply_0.7487%2C$ratio_1%2C$width_378%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/24d3c9a5d380d175917af1be1bcf35903e9adf343499fedf4c7c21be6301a48e\" height=\"283\" width=\"283\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Rocket plumes seen from South Maclean in south-east Queensland on on Wednesday night.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>Marion McLennan<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>South Maclean resident Marion McLennan captured the moment when she took her bins for collection shortly after sunset at her home just south of Brisbane.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c[The lights] lingered and moved from north-west toward east and then finally disappeared,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>While several theories \u2013 some more outlandish than others \u2013 circulated on social media, University of Southern Queensland astrophysicist Professor Jonti Horner confirmed the phenomenon was a result of a Chinese commercial rocket launch.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/national\/queensland\/what-were-those-mysterious-lights-in-the-evening-sky-20250731-p5mj7l.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more from social media journalist Neesha Sinnya<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T11:40:45+10:00\">11.40am on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">September shaping up to be jam-packed with gigs<\/h2>\n<h5><span>By <\/span><span><span data-testid=\"byline\">Brittney Deguara<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Brisbane\u2019s music calendar for September is packed to the brim<\/p>\n<p>Brisbane Festival has released its full contemporary music program for the year and September is shaping up to be a music-lover\u2019s dream.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"494\" width=\"740\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"512\" width=\"768\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lime Cordiale are set to perform with Jack River at Night at the Parkland.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.158%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/d2c86c63c53806de6619d1f31299503afed50b71\" height=\"390\" width=\"584\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Lime Cordiale are set to perform with Jack River at Night at the Parkland.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>Graham Denholm<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>There are a number of festivals running &#8211; Tivoli in the Round, Brisbane Serenades and Night at the Parkland &#8211; with the likes of Mallrat, Sissy and 2Charm (September 5), Lime Cordiale and Jack River (September 6), Xavier Rudd (September 7) and Grinspoon (September 12) among the big acts taking the stage.<\/p>\n<p>Sarah Blasko is also performing shows at The Princess Theatre (September 23) and The Tivoli (September 25).<\/p>\n<p><span><span><\/span><span>Loading<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>In other Brisbane Festival news, it was recently announced that Ebony Bott will step into the role of artistic director, replacing the outgoing Louise Bezzina.<\/p>\n<p>Bott has worked for two decades at major cultural institutions including Adelaide Festival Centre and Arts Centre Melbourne, and comes to the Brisbane Festival from her current role as head of contemporary performance at the Sydney Opera House.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T11:20:05+10:00\">11.20am on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Labor operating on \u2018working assumption\u2019 of 10 per cent US tariff<\/h2>\n<h5><span>By <\/span><span><span data-testid=\"byline\">Daniel Lo Surdo<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said it is Labor\u2019s \u201cworking assumption\u201d that the Trump administration is still proposing a 10 per cent tariff on Australian goods, two days after US President Donald Trump suggested the trade penalty could rise to 20 per cent if a trade deal was not struck before the August 1 deadline.<\/p>\n<p>Trump suggested sweeping tariffs of 15 to 20 per cent on all global trade partners unable to negotiate a deal with the US, as he signed a trade deal with the European Union in Scotland earlier this week.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"494\" width=\"740\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"512\" width=\"768\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.472%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8f070f2920c4d3f63c35c4534a57bc04006df2b8\" height=\"390\" width=\"584\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>US President Donald Trump.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Chalmers told Nine\u2019s <em>Today<\/em> this morning that he understood a 10 per cent tariff, announced by Trump in April, remained the penalty American officials were levelling at Australian goods, describing that as Labor\u2019s \u201cworking assumption\u201d in what is an extremely fluid environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFrom our point of view, the 10 per cent is too high. We think it should be zero because these tariffs are an act of economic self-harm.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T11:06:04+10:00\">11.06am on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Parents to be charged over children\u2019s illegal e-bike, e-scooter: Police<\/h2>\n<h5><span>By <\/span><span><span data-testid=\"byline\">Brittney Deguara<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>In the world of illegal e-bikes, Queensland police have confirmed they\u2019re targeting illegal and dangerous use of e-bikes and e-scooters in the Maroochydore area, with parents potentially being handed fines for their children\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe main issues we see on e-scooters and e-bikes are unlicenced driving of an unregistered vehicle, speeding and dangerous driving, including wheelies, swerving in and out of traffic, driving the wrong way on roads and illegal modifications of the devices,\u201d said Sergeant Ryan Cole.<\/p>\n<p>Operation Raptor Wheelie will be running until the end of December and will involve high visibility and covert patrols to reduce road trauma.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the operation will focus on educating parents around their responsibilities as most illegal e-bike and e-scooter use is committed by children, according to police.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cParents can and will be fined or charged for permitting their child\u2019s dangerous or illegal use of an e-scooter or e-bike,\u201d Cole said.<\/p>\n<p>Unsure what makes an e-bike illegal? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/national\/queensland\/e-bikes-shouldn-t-be-banned-the-illegal-ones-are-already-illegal-20250708-p5mdc6.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Our transport reporter Felicity Caldwell recently explained the difference here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T10:45:26+10:00\">10.45am on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Government denies request to release pill-testing study<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>The organisation responsible for running Queensland\u2019s first permanent pill testing sites has released a report examining the efficacy of the service, after the state government refused to make public the findings of a 12-month evaluation study.<\/p>\n<p>The pill-testing trial, an initiative of the former Labor government, was launched in 2024 with the requisite of a 12-month evaluation of the service to be conducted by the University of Queensland. The LNP government scrapped funding for the trial, and the two sites at Bowen Hills and Burleigh Heads closed in April.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"image\">\n<div aria-label=\"enlarge image\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"><picture class><source media=\"(min-width: 1024px)\"  height=\"257\" width=\"257\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  height=\"301\" width=\"301\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Former premier Steven Miles and MP Grace Grace (both centre) inspect a Bowen Hills pill-testing site ahead of its launch in 2024.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.113%2C$multiply_0.7487%2C$ratio_1%2C$width_378%2C$x_107%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/faaf3d717db97aa64826846b876aebd1b93d10e48dcd38267c8de4ec01b122a8\" height=\"283\" width=\"283\" ><\/picture><\/div><figcaption>\n<p><span>Former premier Steven Miles and MP Grace Grace (both centre) inspect a Bowen Hills pill-testing site ahead of its launch in 2024.<\/span><cite><span>Credit: <\/span>Queensland government<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The government has since refused to publish the results of the evaluation study, despite calls from advocates and health officials to make the findings publicly available. A formal Right to Information request from The Loop Australia, a not-for-profit organisation, had been denied.<b><\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWithout drug checking in place, I know that we\u2019ll see increases in overdose deaths in the community,\u201d The Loop Australia chief executive Cameron Francis said.<\/p>\n<p>More details from The Loop\u2019s evaluation report to come. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section data-testid=\"live-article-post\">\n<header>\n<p><span data-testid=\"post-time\" itemprop=\"datePublished\"><time data-testid=\"datetime\" datetime=\"2025-07-31T10:31:21+10:00\">10.31am on Jul 31, 2025<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 data-testid=\"post-headline\" itemprop=\"headline\">Man allegedly found with knives, replica handgun, drugs during wanding operations<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div data-testid=\"body-content\" itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p>Police arrested and charged a 41-year-old Sunny Nook man after allegedly finding him in possession of knives, while conducting wanding operations in the Darling Downs.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s alleged the man was in possession of two knives, a replica handgun, drugs and drug utensils during patrols on Lamb Street in Murgon on July 25.<\/p>\n<p>The man was charged with two counts each of possess dangerous drugs, possess utensils or pipes and possession of a knife in a public place or a school. He is due to appear in court on August 26.<\/p>\n<p>This arrest was part of a wider police operation that saw officers conduct 361 wandings throughout the Darling Downs district in places such as shopping centres, licensed premises, and public areas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are committed in deterring knife crime as we have seen firsthand the devastation these types of weapons inflict when they are in the wrong hands\u201d Darling Downs District Officer Superintendent Doug McDonald said.<\/p>\n<p>Our crime and court reporter Cloe Read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brisbanetimes.com.au\/national\/queensland\/revealed-the-hotspots-where-people-in-the-crowd-are-hiding-weapons-20250703-p5mc7e.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recently analysed documents that showed where people in the crowd were hiding weapons<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<nav data-testid=\"live-article-pagination\">\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<li>\n<p><span data-testid=\"current-page\">1<\/span> of <span>3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<nav>\n<ul>\n<li><\/li>\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<section aria-busy=\"true\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n<header>\n<h2>Most Viewed in National<\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<p><span><span><\/span><span>Loading<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smh.com.au\/national\/queensland\/brisbane-news-live-queensland-s-rental-squeeze-continues-20250730-p5mj3m.html?ref=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_source=rss_feed\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key posts 1 of 3 Pinned post from 12.25pm on Jul 31, 2025 Productivity Commission floats scrapping so-called \u2018CFMEU tax\u2019 By Matt Dennien Queensland\u2019s rebooted Productivity Commission has turned in its first work for the Crisafulli government, with an interim report from its inquiry into the construction sector. An election pitch from the LNP, the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":869290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39946,649],"tags":[49357,10134],"class_list":{"0":"post-869289","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-brisbane","8":"category-happened","9":"tag-brisbane","10":"tag-happened"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=869289"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869289\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/869290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=869289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=869289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=869289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}