Brisbane news live: King George Square still a hot issue; The rot in Qld’s governing system

Queensland government departments failed to consider the human rights of public sector employees subjected to a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, a judge has ruled.

After hearing legal challenges from employees who faced dismissal for not being vaccinated, Supreme Court judge Glenn Martin found the directions given to Queensland Police Service and Queensland Ambulance Service staff were poorly considered.

“I have not held that the QPS Directions and the QAS Direction were invalid; rather, I
have held that they were unlawful,” Martin wrote in his 115-page judgment.

Martin found Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll failed to demonstrate that she had considered the human rights implications, offering only “vague and inconclusive” evidence that she had.

Dr John Wakefield, the then director-general of Queensland Health who issued directions to QAS employees, did not give evidence.

The directives have since been withdrawn and Martin ruled the employees who took on the case – whom he described as largely having medical “fears” or “concerns” in relation to vaccines – should not face disciplinary action.

Read more.

Aircrew who saw a fellow Australian Defence Force helicopter moments before it nose-dived at rapid speed toward water off the Queensland coast, killing four personnel, tried to radio emergency directives to help their colleagues, an inquiry has heard.

Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class Two Joseph Laycock, and Corporal Alexander Naggs died last year when their MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crashed off the Queensland coast near Lindeman Island in the Whitsundays.

In October, the ADF’s Inspector General, James Gaynor CSC announced an independent inquiry to examine the circumstances of the crash and how the men died, and whether any policies, or non-compliance with policies, were contributing factors.

In the first public hearing held in Brisbane on Tuesday, Colonel Jens Strait, acting as counsel assisting, told the inquiry of the events leading up to the crash.

Read more.

The Broncos’ worst-kept secret has been made official, with skipper Adam Reynolds inking a one-year contract extension to remain in Brisbane.

The halfback and skipper will remain at Red Hill until the end of 2025, and with that, the nucleus of coach Kevin Walters’ side will remain intact for another two years, following a retention spree that includes the likes of Ezra Mam, Jordan Riki and Payne Haas.

“We all know what Reyno brings to our club – he is our leader and our general, and he has made a huge impact in a short time here at the Broncos,” Walters said.

“He has made a home here in Brisbane with his family, and our supporters have really adopted him as one of their own - Reyno is very much one of us here in the Sunshine State.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Reyno running out to lead our team and helping bring out the best in our emerging talent, as well as continuing to do those things that only he can do with the ball in hand.”

A mite that attacks honeybees has been detected at the Port of Brisbane, forcing authorities to place a Movement Control Order over the industrial area and surrounding riverside and bayside suburbs.

Sentinel hives used for surveillance detected the varroa mite on February 19. Diagnostic tests late confirmed it was varroa jacobsoni, not the more concerning varroa destructor.

Amid concerns for Queensland’s $75 million honey industry, and the broader $2.4 billion industry reliant on pollination, the state government on Monday placed restrictions on the movement of hives, honey and other beekeeping equipment and products in the biosecurity zone.

Varroa destructor mite was first detected in Australia in June 2022, in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle. The centre of the outbreak was traced to the Newcastle area and biosecurity measures were taken.

The Queensland order warns that the mite is “one of the most serious pests of honeybees worldwide”, destroying bees and causing colony collapse.

“No effective natural enemies of varroa mite are reported in the scientific or technical literature from anywhere in the world, limiting the potential for biological control,” it states.

“Eradication from infested hives is not possible, though chemical, biotechnical and biological control methods mitigate the impacts.”

Queensland legend Wally Lewis has joined a chorus of brain injury sufferers and workers in Canberra to call for additional funding for education around concussion impacts, declaring “you only get one brain”.

The rugby league Immortal will join a 20-strong delegation at Parliament House today to share experiences living with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

“I’m sharing my experience of living with probable CTE and proudly working with the Concussion and CTE Coalition, calling for the federal government to fund support services and a national awareness and education program,” Lewis said.

“We need to teach the players from the grassroots level to play the game more safely and we need to equip the parents and teachers around them with the confidence and information they need to support our kids.

“It’s the subconcussion risk that needs to change as much as concussion.”

The Concussion and CTE Coalition – formed by Dementia Australia, the Brain Foundation, Connecters Australia, the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland and Dr Rowena Mobbs of Sydney’s Mater Hospital – have developed a joint position statement and are calling for federal support in the May budget.

Also in the news this morning:

• ‘Act on tax and housing’: 59 per cent of voters back case for change
• How the gap between home buying hopes and reality just got wider
• Gun safety scrutinised after police Glock allegedly used in murders
• On the eve of his final speech, Morrison says he wants to be like Gillard when he leaves
• Russian opposition politician Navalny was close to being freed in swap before he was killed, ally says
• She came, we saw, she conquered: What Taylor Swift taught us about ourselves

And in culture, lifestyle and sport:

• Is 2024 the year of the canola oil comeback?
• Watch how the Sydney Roosters cracked Hollywood … but didn’t know it