Rachel Stewart

Jan 16, 2025 | abc.net.au | Rachel Stewart

A short but powerful storm has lashed Brisbane's south-eastern suburbs with a "microburst" bringing wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour. The storm swept through the Carina Heights area this afternoon, uprooting trees, damaging property and cutting power to thousands of homes in south-east Queensland. Energex spokesman Danny Donald said the storm brought down 36 power-cables around Carina and Carindale.

Dec 26, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rachel Stewart

The Queensland government has promised its fast-tracked tough on crime policy won't forget rehabilitation, but what will that look like in practice? The LNP has earmarked $80 million for six crime prevention and youth justice schools across the state. They are expected to teach 900 young people at-risk of criminal offending by 2028, but the scheme will not start until 2026.

Dec 12, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rachel Stewart |Sarah Richards

Hardline youth justice laws to sentence young offenders as adults for more than a dozen serious crimes have passed Queensland parliament. The state government's Making Queensland Safer laws were a key part of the LNP's election campaign and included the contentious "adult crime, adult time" policy. Once the laws take effect, juveniles charged with serious crimes including murder, manslaughter and burglary will face tougher maximum sentences.

Dec 11, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rachel Stewart |Sarah Richards

Hardline youth justice law changes to sentence young offenders as adults for more than a dozen serious crimes are set to pass Queensland parliament. The state government's Making Queensland Safer laws were a key part of the LNP's election campaign, and included the contentious "adult crime, adult time" policy. If passed, the proposed laws would attract tougher maximum sentences for juveniles charged with serious crimes including murder, manslaughter and burglary.

Dec 6, 2024 | abc.net.au | Rachel Stewart

The Queensland government has scrapped so-called "family friendly" hours at state parliament, arguing the change will allow more debate time and benefit regional MPs.But the move has been criticised by the opposition, which says the changes will make it harder for female MPs with newborns and toddlers. The former Labor government changed sitting hours in 2018, which resulted in the day usually wrapping up by 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 6.30pm on Thursdays.