Gemma Ferguson

Brisbane

Digital News Producer at ABC Radio Australia

journalist with @abcbrisbane | festival head | binge watcher | writer All views are my own

Articles

More shark nets, drumlines, drones outlined in $88m government investment but legality of move questioned

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Stephanie Felesina |Gemma Ferguson

A multi-million-dollar boost to Queensland's shark control — the biggest investment in the program's history — looks to protect beachgoers with "innovative technologies". But some are questioning if the move is even legal. Over the next four years, the Queensland government will pour an additional $88.228 million into the Shark Control Management Plan 2025-2029.
Purga exclusion zone declared after reports of shots fired at Ipswich Boonah Road

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson

A rural area south-west of Brisbane has been shut by police after reports of shots fired. Queensland Police Service (QPS) established the emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act in Purga on Monday evening. It follows authorities being called to an address on Ipswich Boonah Road around 4:35pm, in response to reports of shots being fired. QPS said initial investigations indicate no one has been injured.
Protesters across country demand end to violence against women during What Were You Wearing? rallies

4 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson |Molly Slattery |Leanne Wong

Protests have been held in Australian cities today, with people of all ages calling for an end to violence against women. Indigenous-led not-for-profit organisation What Were You Wearing? led the rallies, which asked for more government investment in prevention and crisis support services, mandated trauma-informed training for first responders, nationally consistent and holistic consent laws, housing security, and bail reform to prioritise victim-survivor safety.
Federal election 'gender gap' reflects changing electorates, social views with some women feeling forgotten

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson |Shari Hams

Australia's gender voting gap is widening as the major parties continue to lose women to independents, research shows. Women voters have told the ABC they're feeling disengaged from politics despite holding concerns about the cost of living, health, housing and education policies. Researchers say women are feeling under represented and struggle to speak up about the issues that matter to them. Less than a week out from the federal election, we spoke to four women in Queensland about their concerns.
Number of Queensland babies hospitalised with respiratory illness down 70pc since RSV jab released

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson |Stephen Clarke

The number of babies having to be hospitalised in Queensland with respiratory illness is down nearly 70 per cent since a new vaccine was introduced last year. One less infant, under the age of six months, was hospitalised each day following the release of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) shot, Queensland Health said. It's predicted that figure will grow to three a day by the end of the year.
Queensland government will broaden its 'adult crime, adult time' laws to include more offences

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson

Experts have suggested that rape, aggravated attempted robbery, attempted murder, arson and torture charges should be added to Queensland's "adult crime, adult time" laws. Premier David Crisafulli said "the next wave of the Making Queensland Safer laws" would be introduced to parliament this week. "This is important to us … We will be focused on making sure that we can get this state to be a little bit safer for everyday Queenslanders," Mr Crisafulli said.
Daniel Morcombe case inspires new child protection measures, sex offender registry in Queensland

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson

Queensland will introduce tougher child protection measures by the end of the year, taking action on the state government's election promise to Daniel Morcombe's parents. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli paid tribute to the 13-year-old Sunshine Coast murder victim on Sunday, announcing the LNP's "groundbreaking" three-pronged crackdown on child safety.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to hit in the next couple of days. Here's what you need to know

Mar 4, 2025 | abc.net.au | Steve Vivian |Gemma Ferguson

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to cross the south-east Queensland coast this week, bringing with it the threat of damaging winds, storms and heavy rainfall to large areas of south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. The system is expected to make landfall somewhere between Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast and Coolangatta on the Gold Coast, with the Bureau of Metereology (BOM) refusing to rule out the possibility of the cyclone intensifying to a category three.
Greater Brisbane residents face long queues for sandbags, with more than 70,000 distributed in 24 hours

Mar 3, 2025 | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is likely to make landfall in suburban Brisbane this week, but some south-east Queenslanders face the possibility of sandbag shortages and long waits. Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said an "unprecedented" 74,000 sandbags had been distributed by the council in just 24 hours — about double the highest daily total experienced during the 2022 floods.
Coroner unable to determine cause of death of Brisbane 78yo Lesley Trotter, whose body ended up in wheelie bin

Feb 19, 2025 | abc.net.au | Gemma Ferguson

A coroner has been unable to determine the cause of death of a Brisbane woman whose body ended up in a wheelie bin. Lesley Trotter, a 78-year-old retired school teacher, vanished from her Toowong home in March 2023. Queensland Police Service (QPS) said they had "evidence" her body was in a wheelie bin, which was picked up by a rubbish truck the day she was reported missing. Authorities sifted through thousands of tonnes of waste landfill waste at the time, but were unable to find her body.

Journalists covering the same region

Kate Kyriacou

Editor at The Courier-Mail

Kate Kyriacou primarily covers news in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and surrounding areas.

Anna McGraw

Journalist at 7News

Anna McGraw primarily covers news in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and surrounding areas including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Penelope Arthur

National Agricultural News Editor at Queensland Country Life

Penelope Arthur primarily covers news in Queensland, Australia, particularly around Brisbane and surrounding areas.

Ebony Cavallaro

Reporter at Nine News Australia

Reporter at Nine News Queensland

Ebony Cavallaro primarily covers news in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and surrounding areas.

Candace Sutton

National Courts and Crime Reporter at News.com.au

Senior Reporter at Daily Mail Australia

Candace Sutton primarily covers news in Queensland and New South Wales, Australia, including key areas like Brisbane and Sydney.

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Gemma Ferguson @itsgemferg

20 Sep 23

A very lucky pilot indeed! https://t.co/eLZAYahTvU

Gemma Ferguson @itsgemferg

1 Sep 23

If you're thinking about heading along to this weekend's festivities, here's everything you need to know! Pro tip: use public transport, it's going to be packed 🚆🚍 https://t.co/tY4j2mXpjE

Gemma Ferguson @itsgemferg

Aircraft practicing for the big flyover at this weekend's Riverfire event in Brisbane! ✈️ https://t.co/orqxzHomtu

Gemma Ferguson @itsgemferg

1 Sep 23

Aircraft practicing for the big flyover at this weekend's Riverfire event in Brisbane! ✈️ https://t.co/orqxzHomtu

Gemma Ferguson

Articles

More shark nets, drumlines, drones outlined in $88m government investment but legality of move questioned

Purga exclusion zone declared after reports of shots fired at Ipswich Boonah Road

Protesters across country demand end to violence against women during What Were You Wearing? rallies

Federal election 'gender gap' reflects changing electorates, social views with some women feeling forgotten

Number of Queensland babies hospitalised with respiratory illness down 70pc since RSV jab released

Queensland government will broaden its 'adult crime, adult time' laws to include more offences

Daniel Morcombe case inspires new child protection measures, sex offender registry in Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to hit in the next couple of days. Here's what you need to know

Greater Brisbane residents face long queues for sandbags, with more than 70,000 distributed in 24 hours

Coroner unable to determine cause of death of Brisbane 78yo Lesley Trotter, whose body ended up in wheelie bin

Journalists covering the same region

Kate Kyriacou

Anna McGraw

Penelope Arthur

Ebony Cavallaro

Candace Sutton

Contact details

Emails

Socials & Sites

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)