Brisbane’s public swimming pools have seen record attendance this summer, with more than 513,000 residents taking advantage of the $2 Summer Dips program across December and January. The initiative, introduced as part of the 2023/24 budget, offers $2 entry to 22 public pools across Brisbane. According to council figures, this has resulted in an estimated $2 million in savings for pool users during the two-month period. The program, now in its third year, has reportedly saved Brisbane families around $7.5 million to date, with a total of 1.9 million residents participating since its inception. Each pool offers something unique for swimmers of all ages and abilities – from wading pools, splash buckets and water play equipment, through to traditional 25-metre and 50 metre indoor and outdoor pools. So far this summer, Sandgate Pool has emerged as Brisbane’s most popular swimming spot, welcoming more than 65,000 visitors, followed closely by Newmarket Olympic Swimming Pool with 64,000 visitors and Musgrave Park Swimming Centre with 42,000 visitors. A new swim wall is set to be installed at the Newmarket pool, allowing the space to be converted into two 25-metre pools when required and improving flexibility for swimmers. Works are scheduled to begin in May 2026. Proposals to undertake a major expansion of the Chermside pool will soon begin to flow in, with those interested in the redevelopment of the pool invited to attend an industry briefing this month. The $2 Summer Dips program is scheduled to run until the end of February. TOP 5 MOST POPULAR POOLS THIS SUMMER: 1. Sandgate Aquatic Centre – 65,6032. Newmarket Olympic Swimming Pool – 64,8793. Musgrave Park Swimming Centre – 42,953 4. Yeronga Park Memorial Swimming Pool – 37,9915. Dunlop Park Memorial Swimming Pool – 32,076

Canberra, the rich cultural heritage and enduring spirit of the Tibetan community were prominently showcased at this year’s National Multicultural Festival 2026, held in Canberra from 6 to 8 February. Organised as part of one of Australia’s most significant multicultural gatherings, the Tibetan Cultural Centre Ltd displayed highlighted traditional Tibetan Buddhist ritual objects, colourful Thangka appliqués, prayer flags, and cultural artefacts that drew the attention of festival visitors. Central to the exhibit was the celebration of the Year of Compassion, a global initiative honouring the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and emphasising kindness, peace, and unity. Alongside the displays, members of the Tibetan community took part in the festival’s vibrant Cultural Parade. Participants, including students from Tibetan language schools in Canberra and Sydney, shared traditional dances and performances, delivering a mesmerising showcase of Tibetan cultural expression. Festivalgoers were also treated to an authentic taste of Tibetan cuisine, with the community’s momo stall proving particularly popular. The stall was visited by the ACT Chief Minister, the Honourable Andrew Barr, who sampled the traditional dumplings, a moment that underscored the event’s role in fostering cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. This year’s festival provided a platform for the Nepalese, Bhutanese, and Tibetan communities, among many others, to share their heritage with visitors from around Australia. The displays and performances not only celebrated ancient traditions but also contributed to a broader understanding of compassion, harmony, and cultural diversity. As a cornerstone of Canberra’s cultural calendar, the National Multicultural Festival continues to reinforce Australia’s commitment to inclusive celebration, community connection, and intercultural dialogue.

Five students from Oxley High School in New South Wales have officially become Australian citizens, marking an important milestone in their personal and educational journeys. The students participated in citizenship workshops designed to support young people from multicultural backgrounds as they prepared for the citizenship process. The tailored sessions aimed to build understanding of Australian civic values, responsibilities, and community participation. School representatives said the workshops helped foster a strong sense of belonging and inclusion among the students, many of whom come from culturally diverse families. The initiative highlights the role schools can play in supporting young migrants and international families as they integrate into Australian society. The citizenship achievement was celebrated as both a personal accomplishment for the students and a reflection of Australia’s multicultural identity. Community leaders have emphasised that initiatives such as citizenship education programs strengthen social cohesion and help young Australians feel connected to their local communities. The milestone serves as a reminder of the importance of education, inclusion and opportunity in building a unified and diverse Australia.

Admissions centres across Australia have offered 265,046 undergraduate places for tertiary courses commencing in Semester 1, 2026, according to new data released by the Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC). The figure is slightly lower than the 271,097 offers made at the same time last year, reflecting all offers up to and including each centre’s main offer rounds. Australian tertiary admissions centres play a vital role in supporting diverse pathways to higher education. They process domestic undergraduate and postgraduate university courses, vocational education and training (VET) programs including TAFE and courses for international students. Each centre is also responsible for calculating the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for students completing senior secondary programs within its jurisdiction, ensuring a robust and nationally consistent measure of academic performance for university selection. ACTAC Chair Teresa Tjia emphasised the strength and unity of the national admissions system. “Tertiary admissions centres work closely together to support student choice and mobility across Australia. Our collaboration ensures students can confidently use their ATAR and other pathways to access study opportunities wherever they choose to study,” she said. Students who have received offers are encouraged to follow the instructions provided, including accepting and enrolling in their chosen courses. Those still waiting are reminded that offer rounds will continue through January and February. Prospective students can explore options for Semester 1, 2026 and beyond via the admissions centre websites while applications remain open. Early data indicates that health-related courses remain the most popular, accounting for more than 22 per cent of all offers so far. Degrees in society and culture—which include law, arts, and psychology—follow closely at just over 21 per cent, with management, commerce, and sciences each making up 12.9 per cent of offers. Notably, engineering saw the largest proportional growth, rising by 0.6 per cent to comprise 8.9 per cent of total offers.

The 2026 Perth Festival has officially opened, transforming the city with immersive installations, powerful storytelling, and large-scale cultural programming that places community and connection at its centre. A highlight of this year’s festival is Karla Bidi, meaning “fire trail” in the Noongar language. The installation stretches along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), featuring illuminated gathering points that symbolise traditional First Nations practices of coming together around campfires. The light and sound experience invites visitors to reflect on culture, place, and shared history while engaging with Perth’s natural landscape. Festival organisers have positioned the river at the heart of this year’s programming, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and community participation. Among the featured works are interactive installations encouraging residents and visitors to share personal stories, creating a living tapestry of voices across the city. The Noongar-inspired elements underscore the importance of recognising ancient traditions and Country as a living part of Australia’s contemporary cultural identity. Through light, sound, and performance, the festival explores themes of resilience, belonging, and cultural memory. Running until 1 March, Perth Festival 2026 features events for all ages, including evening light displays, performances, and city-wide creative projects celebrating both local and international artists. As the installations illuminate the city each night, the festival continues to draw crowds to Perth’s public spaces, reinforcing the role of arts and culture in strengthening community connection and celebrating Australia’s diverse creative landscape.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has added 79 new officers to its workforce after the latest group graduated from the Brisbane Academy. This is the first of more than twelve planned graduations for 2026. Last year, nearly 1,200 constables were sworn in. The new officers come from varied professional backgrounds. These include aviation, childcare, and real estate. They will be stationed throughout Queensland, from Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast to Mossman in Far North Queensland. Commissioner of Police Steve Gollschewski addressed the graduates at the ceremony. “Queenslanders can be assured that these new officers are ready to support their communities with integrity, respect and courage”. Gold Coast volunteer Surf Lifesaver, Constable Sophie Christie, said her career move felt obvious. “I wanted to continue to help people, and I wanted my work to have a meaningful impact on Queensland.” She will be deployed to South Brisbane. She is excited to return to the area where she grew up. Another graduate, Constable Noah Langley, received the Commissioner’s Executive Award for leadership, achievement, and community service. Langley cited his chaplaincy background as relevant to policing. He will be deployed in Tully Station, in the Far Northern Region. “As I embark on a new chapter in Tully, I know I can always look back with appreciation at what we achieved here together.”

Brisbane, The Queensland Government has announced a new suite of gun control measures aimed at tightening firearms ownership rules and bolstering public safety in the wake of rising community concerns. Under the proposed reforms, most firearm licences would be restricted to Australian citizens, limiting access for other categories of permit holders. The laws also introduce tougher penalties for criminal use of guns, including mandatory minimum sentences for offences such as drive-by shootings and serious weapon-related crimes. In addition to citizenship-based licensing restrictions, the legislation targets loopholes that may be exploited for illegal purposes, such as the creation or possession of improvised weapons, including those made with 3D printing technology. Police powers to seize unregistered firearms have also been strengthened under the reforms. The announcement comes as part of a broader effort by the state government to address community safety risks and respond to national debates on gun control following a terror attack in Sydney late last year. Senior ministers have said the changes aim to strike a balance between responsible firearm ownership and greater protections for the public. However, the new measures have drawn criticism from some gun safety advocates and civil liberties groups, who argue that the reforms do not go far enough and could leave gaps in preventing firearm misuse. Opposition parties in Queensland have also signalled concerns about the potential impacts on lawful firearm owners, particularly those in rural and regional areas. Community leaders and victim support organisations have welcomed aspects of the reforms, noting the importance of preventing violent crime and reducing access to dangerous weapons. Public consultations and parliamentary debate on the legislation are expected in the coming weeks. The gun law reforms mark a significant step in Queensland’s approach to public safety policy, reflecting a renewed focus on reducing gun-related harm while balancing the rights and responsibilities of legal firearm holders.

By Juliano Oliveira Brisbane’s Labor opposition has slammed the City Council over documents revealing that outer suburbs won’t be connected to the Metro before the 2032 Games. Northern, southern and eastern suburbs — along with workers and visitors travelling to the airport — are set to be left out under the council’s plans. Leader of the Opposition Cr Jared Cassidy used recent data showing a surge in traffic congestion to criticise Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, saying he “drags his feet on the transport solutions our city desperately needs” while drivers are left with no alternatives. “The Federal Labor Government handed Council $50 million for this business case a year ago — money labelled for RAPID delivery. Instead, we’re looking at a business case that won’t even be finished until 2028. That’s not rapid, that’s a disgrace,” Cr Cassidy said. Brisbane City Council has pointed out that the Labor opposition has promised to cut future expansions of Brisbane Metro, despite the project having bipartisan support at all other levels of government. In a statement, BCC said the state’s own 2032 delivery plan recognises future northern and eastern Metro corridors as part of Brisbane’s long-term transport network. “The expansion of Brisbane Metro is a long-term program that will be delivered in stages as planning is completed and funding is secured. “While the Labor opposition continues to oppose this transformative project, we’ve been busy progressing planning on future Metro extensions for more than a year.” The Brisbane Metro project was first announced in 2016, with early plans flagging future expansion beyond the inner city. More than 6 million passengers have already travelled using the system. Key metro stations such as King George Square, Cultural Centre, and South Bank are undergoing final upgrades to accommodate the longer Metro vehicles and provide improved accessibility. The total project cost remains around $1.7 billion, with no major overruns reported.

The Australian share market enjoyed its strongest trading session since April 2025 on Monday, as investor sentiment improved and broad gains drove the S&P/ASX 200 index higher. The benchmark ASX 200 rose sharply, climbing by 1.85 per cent, marking its most robust performance in nearly a year and clawing back losses from recent sessions. All 11 main market sectors finished in positive territory, reflecting broad-based confidence among traders and investors. Technology stocks led the rebound, with major firms in the information technology sector posting significant gains. The real estate and financial sectors also delivered strong performances, contributing to the market’s overall upward trajectory. Market analysts said the rebound was supported by renewed optimism from global markets, particularly in technology shares, as well as positive sentiment ahead of a busy corporate earnings week. Local data showing softer household spending in December did little to dampen market enthusiasm, with investors focusing instead on momentum in key sectors. Mining and commodity prices were mixed, with iron ore prices trading lower, while gold continued to rise on sustained demand from central bank purchases. The Australian dollar remained steady against major currencies, supported by the market’s overall resilience. Notable individual stock movements, including gains among technology and infrastructure companies, further boosted investor confidence. Some real estate and financial stocks also attracted buying interest, contributing to the market’s broad gains. The strong performance on Monday provided a welcome rebound after a recent sell-off and offered early-week optimism for traders ahead of important economic data and upcoming company earnings reports.

Australia’s producer price inflation slowed in the final quarter of 2025, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) rising 0.8 per cent for the December quarter and 3.5 per cent over the past year, according to the latest figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).  The PPI measures the change in prices of goods and services as they leave or enter the production process — a key indicator of inflationary pressures ahead of broader consumer prices.  The quarterly rise of 0.8 per cent was below market expectations, which had forecast around a 1.1 per cent increase, suggesting that cost pressures on producers may be cooling in some sectors.  On an annual basis, producer prices climbed 3.5 per cent, a rate that is broadly stable compared with recent quarters and reflects ongoing, albeit moderate, price growth across the economy. Property and residential rents were among the main drivers of price rises in recent quarters, with property operators showing strong contributions to final demand indexes. Construction input and output prices (such as building materials and labour-intensive services) have been growing, reflecting demand in the housing and infrastructure sectors. ABS economists say the quarterly increase was driven largely by stronger demand in services and construction industries, where persistent demand for housing and related services continued to push up prices received by producers. Property operators — including those in the rental and accommodation sectors — were notable contributors to the quarterly gain.  The ABS release comes as inflation remains a central focus for policymakers, with recent data showing underlying price growth — such as the Reserve Bank’s trimmed mean Consumer Price Index — tracking above levels seen a year ago. Analysts say producer prices often foreshadow consumer inflation trends, with higher input and output costs for businesses eventually filtering through to households. The latest PPI figures, combined with recent consumer price data, will be closely watched ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next monetary policy decision.