Owen Jacques, ABC News (Australia) Journalist Profile

Articles

Sunshine Coast motorbike rider and her canine co-pilot fined by police

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques

A Queensland woman has been fined for riding with her pooch on her motorbike in a harness she bought online. Officers from Sunshine Coast Highway Patrol stopped the motorbike rider and her furry friend at Alexandra Headland last Saturday to question the 35-year-old Maroochydore woman. She said she bought the harness, that allowed her dog to travel between her arms as she rode, online. "Yeah, no, I didn't know [it was illegal]," she said.
Maroochydore man charged with using phone to film 40 people in homes

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques |Lottie Twyford

A man has been charged after allegedly secretly filming about 40 people, including children as young as nine, inside their homes on Queensland's Sunshine Coast over several years. Alex Francis Hammond, 32, was refused bail in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday after police alleged he posed a "chronic risk of harm to the community".
Hungry Jack's fined for putting 27,000 toys with button batteries in meals without warning

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques

Fast food chain Hungry Jack's has been fined $150,240 because its toys did not include warnings about the button batteries inside. A Noosa mum whose daughter died after ingesting a button battery says they are as dangerous as a "loaded gun". Hungry Jack's says it will introduce a compliance program to ensure it does not again breach Australian consumer law.
Climate change low on voter's lists

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques

It's been a hellish summer for Queenslanders, with many parts of the state slammed with extreme weather. But, even after a season of unprecedented disasters, voters in some of the hardest hit regions say climate action isn't their top priority this federal election. Analysts say there's a similar sentiment outside the major cities in other states too.
Climate action not swinging Queensland voters, despite 'worst ever' year for disasters

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques

It's been a hellish summer for Queenslanders with barely a region left unscathed by extreme weather. But, even after a season of unprecedented disasters in Queensland, climate action is not top of mind for many voters in some of the hardest-hit regions.
Six teals fighting against history, safe seats to change Qld politics

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques

Deep in Queensland's blue-blooded heartland, six female independent candidates are aiming to dismantle decades of LNP supremacy. Each of the so-called "teals" is backed by political funding firm Climate 200 and had been busy making noise in their electorate even before Prime Minister Anthony Albanese set the May 3 election date. Among the line-up is former Sunshine Coast councillor Keryn Jones for Fisher, and fellow Coast traveller and small business owner Francine Wiig.
Outback chopper airlift takes 25 to safety as Qld floods emergency grows

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Hannah Walsh |Owen Jacques

25 Queenslanders flown to higher ground as floodwaters threaten to engulf outback town in unfolding flood disasterAuthorities say more towns are facing evacuation as "unprecedented' flooding threatens one-third of stateForecasters say the rain is easing, but the flood risk remains as water flows down catchments. Dozens of outback Queenslanders are being flown to safety as their town is menaced by floodwaters now threatening a third of the state.
Sunshine Coast Council creates higher financial executive role to cut costs

Feb 10, 2025 | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques

One of Australia's biggest councils has backed a major restructure of its organisation to cut costs, including an immediate freeze on hiring — other than a new executive role. Sunshine Coast councillors unanimously backed the plan, proposed by the chief executive officer, which includes creating a new chief financial officer (CFO) position. Although the salary range has not been released, other public service chief financial officers earn more than $200,000 a year.
Three-day rainfall totals reach almost 2 metres in parts of north Queensland

Feb 3, 2025 | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques |Peter Gunders

North Queensland continues to face a flood emergency, with some parts struck by close to 2 metres of rain since the disaster began on the weekend. Over the past 24 hours, more than half-a-metre of rain has again fallen in some areas, with Cardwell Gap hit by 655 millimetres and Paluma struck by 560mm. Since Friday afternoon, Paluma has recorded 1936mm, Cardwell Gap has had 1808mm, Ingham has had 1362 and Townsville has had close to 900mm.
Bruce Highway bridge collapse isolates flooded North Queensland towns

Feb 2, 2025 | abc.net.au | Owen Jacques

A small but critical Bruce Highway bridge north of Townsville has collapsed, cutting an important supply route to regions hit hard by flooding rains. One regional mayor says his town will now have to rely on air support for supplies as the rainfall continues. Residents and politicians say north Queensland's flood recovery will be hampered while the bridge is impassable.