The City of Moreton Bay is currently facing a legal process at the Supreme Court of Queensland over alleged breaches of human rights against homeless residents. The high-stakes hearing began yesterday in the Brisbane Supreme Court, continuing through Tuesday, with a reserved decision expected later. The legal action centers on the Council’s compliance measures following the repeal of a framework that previously allowed some homeless individuals to camp on council land.   Background to the Dispute   Prior to February 2025, the Council operated the Persons Experiencing Homelessness Framework, promulgated under the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld), which permitted individuals in the applicants’ situation to camp on council property. However, after receiving complaints from residents, the council announced on February 26, 2025, that it would repeal the camping framework, with the repeal taking effect on March 12, 2025.   At the time the framework was repealed, almost all applicants were homeless and sleeping out in the open, albeit in tents, on public land controlled by the council, including at Eddie Hyland Park.   In early April 2025, council officers attended Eddie Hyland Park to issue decision and compliance notices requiring the applicants to stop camping and storing goods there. The applicants allege these notices provided very short timeframes. Council employees returned a few weeks later, on April 24, 2025, with vehicles described as either bulldozers or excavators, and disposed of several of the applicants’ belongings.   When some applicants moved to Goodfellows Road around May 10, 2025, and continued sleeping rough, council employees later attended that location on June 18, 2025. One employee gave out a map confirming the area was council land, and another employee told applicants they had two weeks to move. One applicant alleges they were told that previous documentation from Eddie Hyland Park still applied, meaning new documentation did not need to be issued.   Injunction Secured   The matter escalated, and in July 2025, consent orders were made restraining the council from taking further action against the applicants under certain conditions, while ordering that the current proceeding be heard alongside a related matter.   In August, Basic Rights Queensland, representing 11 Kallangur residents experiencing homelessness, secured an injunction that restricted the council from acting on previous notices or moving the applicants on until a full hearing in December.   The Honourable Justice Smith found that the applicants had established a prima facie case—meaning sufficient initial evidence supports the claim—that the Council had not acted compatibly with or properly considered human rights. Justice Smith questioned the lawfulness of the council’s recent compliance action aimed at removing the residents from their camp, ultimately finding that the balance of convenience favoured the applicants being granted the injunction.   Following the August decision, Sam Tracy for Basic Rights Queensland stated, “Today’s decision confirmed what the Queensland Human Rights Act makes clear: human rights apply to everyone, including people who are homeless”. Tracy added that their clients “can sleep a little more easily tonight knowing they won’t be forced from their shelter, or have machinery destroy their tents while their case is being heard”.   Council’s Position   The City of Moreton Bay asserts that public spaces are not suitable for habitation, and individuals sleeping rough deserve secure accommodation. The Council is focused on challenging the lawfulness and validity of the compliance notices issued by its officers for unauthorized use of public space, and the applicants are also claiming that the disposal of items breached their human rights.   The Council noted that the applicants are not challenging the lawful making of the Camping on Public Land local law. They emphasize that the case before the Supreme Court is primarily a legal argument about whether local government can enforce the local laws they make, rather than the validity of the laws themselves.   In a statement, the Council argued that local government is neither responsible nor funded for the provision of public housing or shelters. “To be very clear, there are no winners today and no one will achieve a housing solution based on the outcome of this case, yet significant public resources have been consumed by this matter,” the Council stated.   The Council contends that public spaces are intended for the entire community and that the actions of Council Officers, supported by the Queensland Police Service, are intended to return these spaces for all users. The outcome of this case could potentially call into question the ability of all 77 local governments in Queensland to enforce their local laws. The Council also confirmed that it has not issued any fines to people experiencing homelessness.  

  The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has executed a major national crackdown on the display and distribution of prohibited Nazi symbols and extremist material, resulting in charges against multiple individuals across Queensland and New South Wales. The overt disruption activity was carried out by the AFP’s National Security Investigations (NSI) teams, which were established in September 2025 to target groups and individuals damaging Australia’s social cohesion, particularly the targeting of the Jewish community.   The operations included the charging of a 43-year-old United Kingdom citizen living in Queensland. This arrest preceded a week-long national blitz focused on prohibited symbols. The AFP’s Brisbane NSI team began investigating the UK citizen in October 2025. The man allegedly utilized two different handles on X (formerly known as Twitter) to display the Nazi Hakenkreuz and promote a pro-Nazi ideology, specifically espousing hatred of the Jewish community and advocating violence towards them.   The man is alleged to have posted content violating Commonwealth law between October 10 and November 5, 2025, and continued posting harmful content after X blocked his main account. On November 21, 2025, the AFP, assisted by the Queensland Police Service, executed a search warrant at a Caboolture home. Authorities seized a mobile phone and several weapons, including knives, axes, and swords bearing swastika symbology.   The UK citizen was charged with three counts of public display of prohibited Nazi symbols and one count of using a carriage service to menace, harass, or cause offence. These offences carry maximum penalties of five years’ and three years’ imprisonment, respectively. The man faced the Caboolture Magistrates Court on December 3, 2025, and the matter was adjourned until January 7, 2026.   National Blitz Targets Imports and Extremist Material   The separate week-long NSI operation, which concluded on Thursday, December 4, 2025, centered on disrupting the potential sale and importation of prohibited symbols. This effort included 14 separate disruption activities across Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales. The operation led to the voluntary surrender of numerous items containing prohibited symbols, and investigators seized two prohibited extremist books and two flags.   A key arrest during this blitz involved a 21-year-old Queensland man. Following the importation of a significant quantity of literature and flags, AFP officers executed a search warrant at a Brisbane home on December 4, 2025. A review of the man’s electronic devices allegedly uncovered items identified as violent extremist material. He was subsequently charged with two counts of possessing or controlling violent extremist material, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment. The man appeared before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 5, 2025, with his matter adjourned until January 16, 2026.   Furthermore, a 25-year-old man from Sydney’s northwest was served a court attendance notice after investigators executed a search warrant at a Castle Hill property on November 27, 2025. It is alleged the man used a Nazi salute at a recent public gathering in Sydney. He will face one count of perform a Nazi salute in public, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment.   Safeguarding Social Cohesion   AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt emphasized that the AFP will not tolerate threats, intimidation, or calls for violence against vulnerable communities. He stated that the AFP will act swiftly to disrupt behavior, prosecute those involved, and protect the dignity, safety, and cohesion of Australia’s diverse community if symbols are being used to fracture social cohesion.   Assistant Commissioner Nutt added that the week-long blitz was also focused on education and deterrence. “This week of disruption was as much about ensuring people were not inadvertently committing criminal offences as it was about bolstering our efforts to safeguard social cohesion,” he said. This included providing factsheets to recipients of identified consignments to ensure they were aware of their legal obligations concerning prohibited items.   The operation utilized data and intelligence shared by the Australian Border Force (ABF), which is a key contributor to Australia’s operational picture of harmful propaganda imports. ABF Assistant Commissioner Tony Smith affirmed the ABF’s critical role in enforcing laws to prevent the passage of goods used to support extremist activities across the border, strengthening the collective understanding of behaviors that threaten social cohesion.   While the importation of items containing prohibited symbols is not, by itself, an offence, several items identified through ABF examinations were referred to the AFP for further investigation. Assistant Commissioner Smith concluded that this week of action reinforces the commitment to work diligently with partners to identify and intercept those who may threaten community safety and cohesion, both at the border and beyond.  

Credit cards and digital wallets are now the central focus of a new parliamentary inquiry, announced just as shoppers across Australia prepare for the bustling Christmas and Boxing Day sales period. The inquiry will scrutinize the practices of both card-based payment schemes and digital wallets.   The announcement comes against a backdrop of record-breaking online spending, which reached nearly $70 billion last year, supported significantly by credit card use. This online spending has been growing annually by about 12 percent.   The inquiry aims to give the public a critical opportunity to comment on the fairness, competitiveness, and affordability of current credit card and payment systems,. Committee Chair Ed Husic MP emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that the way credit card systems work, including their costs and other impacts, “really matters to Australians confronting cost of living challenges”.   “After spending up ahead of Christmas, many Aussie consumers will scan a sharp eye over their credit card statements and ask questions about how they’re charged,” Mr. Husic noted. The investigation will perform a deeper dive into the growing cost implications for small businesses and consumers caused by existing payment schemes and digital wallets. Specifically addressing small business concerns, the inquiry will examine the “impact and inequity of payment costs” on these operators.   Mr. Husic highlighted the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs, saying, “Running a small business is hard work. Minimising costs and overheads is a priority for Australia’s small businesspeople who are always looking for payment systems that can offer a better deal and make their lives easier”.   Beyond current systems, the inquiry will also look toward the future, examining how technology may shape payments, with a particular focus on digital currencies and blockchain technology.   Australians who believe current payment schemes lack fairness, accessibility, competitiveness, or affordability will have a chance to provide input. Submissions will be accepted shortly, with the closing date set for Friday, January 30, 2026. The Committee is slated to report its findings by April 2026.

  The Queensland Government, under the Crisafulli Administration, has launched a major crackdown on fraudulent workers’ compensation claims, reinforcing its zero-tolerance stance and declaring an end to what officials called a decade of decline. The government has already recovered more than $250,000 in 2024–25 as part of comprehensive measures to strengthen fraud protection and detection.   The reforms are designed to ensure suspected fraud is reported quickly, investigations are coordinated, and staff are fully equipped to identify and stop “rorts” before they impact businesses and taxpayers. Key initiatives introduced include:   Fraud Taskforce: A joint effort with the Regulator established to coordinate strategies for prevention, investigation, and prosecution. Fraud Tip-Off Form: A streamlined process for WorkCover employees to report suspected fraud. Internal Fraud Hub: A dedicated internal resource offering guidance and information on related matters. Fraud Awareness Week and 2026 Education Plan: Comprehensive programs to educate staff on identifying and reporting fraud.   Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie stated that the crackdown marks a decisive shift. He criticized the previous Labor government, claiming they “allowed fraudsters to thrive and eroded confidence in Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme”. Bleijie asserted that Labor “turned a blind eye to fraudulent claims” for a decade, but this era is over as the Crisafulli Government restores integrity.   “Queensland businesses and taxpayers deserve better and we remain steadfast in ensuring Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme is fair, sustainable, and protected,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said, adding a clear warning: “We are sending a clear message – if you commit fraud, you will be caught, prosecuted, and held accountable”.   The crackdown aligns with WorkCover Queensland’s newly prioritized fraud detection in its Corporate Plan, which is working closely with the Office of Industrial Relations to enhance fraud management and protect businesses from unfair premium hikes. In 2024–25, the Office of Industrial Relations investigated 164 suspected fraud cases and initiated six prosecutions under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003.   These fraud prevention measures were announced shortly after the Crisafulli Government, through new leadership appointed to WorkCover Queensland, chose not to raise WorkCover premiums this financial year. The WorkCover board opted to freeze the average premium rate at $1.343 per $100 of wages, after discounts, providing certainty for businesses. Queensland continues to maintain the lowest average premium rate of any centrally funded state or territory. This freeze follows a period under the former Labor Government where the average premium rate increased by almost 12 per cent over three years.

  Melbourne’s multicultural southeast is lighting up this December with a vibrant calendar of community events that bring together diverse cultures, faiths and neighbourhoods in celebration of the holiday season and shared community values.   Grand Festival Celebrates Cultural Diversity   One of Melbourne’s biggest multicultural celebrations returns to Keysborough this weekend. The Keysborough Turkish Islamic & Cultural Centre Grand Festival takes place on Saturday 6 December and Sunday 7 December from 12:30pm until late at 396 Greens Road, Keysborough. The two-day extravaganza offers free entry and features over 40 food and retail stalls showcasing international cuisines, more than 15 rides for all ages, camel and horse riding, face painting, and a spectacular fireworks display. This celebration of community, culture and diversity welcomes everyone regardless of background, culture or faith, embodying the multicultural spirit that defines the region.​   Building Community Connections Through Dialogue   Addressing the pressures facing diverse communities, three local councils have partnered on an important social cohesion initiative. The “Connections That Matter” workshop takes place on Tuesday 9 December from 1pm to 4pm at Springvale Community Hub, 5 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale. Led by independent facilitator Tania Miletic, this free event brings together residents from Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia to define what social cohesion means for the community today and explore the role each person plays in shaping a stronger, fairer future. The initiative is a collaboration between the three councils, the Australian Government’s Office for Social Cohesion, the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Registrations are essential and can be made through Eventbrite.​   Christmas Carols Light Up the Region   The festive season brings communities together through song and celebration across multiple venues. Carols by Kingston on Sunday 7 December at Bicentennial Park in Chelsea (5pm-9:30pm) features an impressive lineup with MCs Bobby Fox and Rob Mills, headliner Marina Prior, and performers including Bernard Curry, Alinta Chidzey, CC Dewar, Nina Ferro, Kathleen Halloran, and the Mordialloc Jazz Orchestra. The Australian Girls Choir performs a special kids show starting at 6pm, with Santa’s Workshop Kids Zone, food stalls, BBQ and fireworks rounding out the free family event.​   Endeavour Hills Community Carols takes place on Saturday 13 December from 5:30pm to 9:30pm at Reveal Church, 2-8 Gleneagles Drive, Endeavour Hills. This free family event features local schools and music groups including gospel ensemble Urban Praise, food trucks, carnival games, children’s activities and fireworks at 9:15pm.​ Narre Warren North offers a more intimate gathering with Community Carols on Saturday 13 December from 6:30pm to 10:30pm at A’Beckett Road Reserve. This relaxed picnic atmosphere features traditional carols, free sausage sizzle, tea and coffee, with entry at $10 per family of four or $5 per person. Note that pets are not permitted except service animals.​   Remembering Children with Love and Compassion   The Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust hosts its 20th annual Children’s Remembrance Service on Sunday 7 December from 5pm to 7pm at Bunurong Memorial Park, 790 Frankston-Dandenong Road, Dandenong South. For many families, this free service has become a cherished tradition to commemorate beloved children who are no longer with them. The event takes place at Stratus Reflection Space, with doors opening at 4pm and the service commencing at 5pm, followed by light refreshments and conversation until 7pm. A highlight is the recalling of the star “Eternal Light,” named in memory of all babies and children remembered since the first service in 2005, serving as a symbol of unwavering love and comfort. RSVPs are essential through Eventbrite.​   Australia’s Largest Nativity Display Returns   St. Elizabeth’s Parish in Dandenong North presents the Australian Nativity Scene, now in its 22nd year, from Monday 1 December 2025 through Friday 9 January 2026 at 107 Bakers Road. This free event showcases Australia’s largest and most renowned traditional nativity scene, created by designer Wilson Fernandez. The display features handmade huts, stables, buildings, bridges, palaces, houses and temples surrounded by mountains, rocks, lakes and rivers, telling the complete Christmas story from Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter through the holy family’s flight to Egypt. Viewing times are 10:30am to 8pm strictly by appointment only (closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day). Appointments can be made by contacting Wilson at 0428 927 110 or the Parish Office at 9795 6217.​   Festive Activities and Community Support   The Christmas spirit extends throughout the month with numerous activities. The “12 Days of Christmas” at Dandenong Market (corner Clow and Cleeland Streets) runs until Sunday 21 December on market days from 10am to 2pm, offering free workshops including Christmas crafts, card making, cookie decorating, face painting, hair braiding, music circles and photo opportunities with Santa.​   “Helping Hand Day” on Friday 12 December from 4pm to 7pm at 307 Gladstone Road, Dandenong provides free poultry, fresh produce, pantry items, self-care hampers, BBQ and family-friendly activities to anyone in need. Hosted by We Care Community Services, this free event includes children’s entertainment and refreshments to support local families.​   Christmas entertainment enlivens shopping districts across the region, with multi-skilled musicians performing three 45-minute sets in Springvale (Saturday 13 December 11am-2pm and Tuesday 23 December 2pm-5pm), Dandenong (Wednesday 17 December 11am-2pm and Saturday 20 December 11am-2pm), and Noble Park (Friday 19 December 3pm-6pm and Monday 22 December 11am-2pm).​   Ongoing Community Programs   Beyond December events, the region offers year-round activities supporting wellbeing and connection. Free mental health support is available every Monday from 10am to 2pm at Springvale Community Hub through Mental Health and Wellbeing Local for people aged 26 and over, with no referral, Medicare card or visa required and interpreters available.​   The “WE” (Women’s Empowerment) Workshops meet Wednesdays from 10:30am to 12:30pm at Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park, offering free sessions on topics including self-defense, financial independence, Bollywood dancing, psychology and Japanese ink art.​   Senior citizens can participate in various activities including the Keysborough & District Multicultural Senior Citizens group (over 55s) featuring bingo, live concerts, line dancing and ballroom dancing on

Australia’s leading civil society groups are urging the Federal Government to take decisive action to implement the National Anti-Racism Framework, marking one year since its release by the Australian Human Rights Commission.   Launched in 2024 after national community consultations, the Framework presents 63 key recommendations aimed at tackling racism across Australian institutions — from law and justice to education, healthcare, media, and the arts. The Commission described the Framework as a roadmap for building a fairer and more inclusive nation where racial equality is part of everyday life.   More than 50 community organizations have united to call on the government to fund and roll out the Framework, warning that racism remains deeply embedded within Australian systems and structures. They stress that meaningful change requires sustained commitment and collaboration with affected communities.   The groups say the first anniversary should serve as a reminder that words are not enough without action. With rising incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian hostility, and anti-migration sentiment, advocates warn that deepening divisions threaten Australia’s social cohesion and multicultural harmony. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, they note, continue to bear the brunt of systemic racism — an issue magnified in the year following the referendum. The joint statement emphasizes that true equality cannot be achieved without justice and respect for First Nations peoples.   Among the coalition’s key proposals are formal endorsement of the National Anti-Racism Framework and the establishment of a National Anti-Racism Taskforce to guide its implementation. This body would monitor progress, support policy reforms, and ensure targeted action across communities most affected by racial discrimination.   The joint call is led by organizations including the Australian Council of Social Service, the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia, the Community Council for Australia, the Refugee Council of Australia, the Settlement Council of Australia, and Settlement Services International. They are supported by dozens of multicultural and faith-based organizations across the nation.   Their collective message to government is clear: turn commitment into concrete progress, and make equality, dignity, and justice a lived reality for every Australian.

Queensland authorities have carried out the largest ever coordinated enforcement action against illicit tobacco and vape retailers in Australia, closing 148 stores across the state in just 10 days.   The statewide blitz, known as Operation Major, resulted in 13,320 days of total closure orders under new 90‑day powers introduced through the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Dismantling Illegal Trade) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.   Officials say the operation seized more than $15.7 million worth of illegal products, including 11.8 million cigarettes, 1.7 tonnes of loose tobacco, 87,000 vapes, 4.2 litres of vaping liquid, and 270,000 nicotine pouches.   Health Minister Tim Nicholls credited the new legislation with giving enforcement agencies the authority to shut down illegal outlets without waiting for lengthy court processes. “These tough new laws are stopping dangerous vapes and illegal tobacco from reaching Queensland kids,” Mr Nicholls said. “In just ten days, public health officers and police have acted decisively to dismantle organised networks operating in our towns.”   The new closure powers—allowing stores to be shut for three months—represent a major increase from previous legislation, which permitted far shorter penalties. Officials noted that under older laws, the same set of closures would have amounted to fewer than 450 days combined.   Police and Emergency Services Minister Dan Purdie said the joint operation between Queensland Health and the Queensland Police Service’s Taskforce Masher targeted criminal groups driving the illicit trade. “This coordinated action has dealt a major blow to organised crime infiltrating Queensland communities,” Mr Purdie said. “We are sending a clear message that those selling harmful, illegal products to our kids will face tough consequences.”   The enforcement campaign follows growing concern about the rapid expansion of the black market for unregulated nicotine-based products across Australia.   Queensland residents can report breaches of tobacco and vaping laws through official Queensland Health complaint channels.  

Brisbane City Council announced a significant expansion of its digital parking ecosystem, revealing that a new pay-by-app provider, PayStay, will join the current sole operator, CellOPark Australia, starting in March 2026. This strategic decision to move from a single provider to two operators is intended to drive competition, enhance reliability, and deliver improved service quality and convenience for motorists,   The expansion formalizes the city’s leadership in digital parking innovation. The pay-by-app system, introduced in 2009, has surged in popularity and now accounts for more than half of the city’s 4.5 million annual parking transactions. This strong consumer preference is evident in the drop in traditional payment methods; credit-card meter payments have fallen 18 per cent since 2020.   Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner noted that since residents clearly prefer “faster digital options,” having multiple providers will deliver “more choice, more convenience and better service for drivers” as Brisbane continues growing,   The transition aims to improve services while also reducing the city’s financial burden. Increased digital usage will reduce reliance on traditional parking meters, which cost the council about $1.7 million a year to maintain. The city is already leaning heavily into the digital future, with 2600 of Brisbane’s 9126 paid spaces already designated as app-only.   The incoming operator, PayStay, began operating in 2014 and currently serves councils across New South Wales and Victoria, as well as campuses at Griffith University in Mt Gravatt, Nathan, Logan, and the Gold Coast, CellOPark Australia will remain available throughout the transition to ensure continuous service for existing users.   Acting Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, Cr Danita Parry, highlighted the direct benefit of the change for drivers, explaining that “Pay-by-app parking means motorists only pay for the minutes they use, rather than overfeeding meters”. This initiative ensures the city is “delivering a better, more modern parking experience right across Brisbane”.

Most Australian voters now want a pause on immigration until the housing crisis eases, and the latest national polling shows this mood is reshaping the federal political contest.   Voters link migration and housing   A Resolve Political Monitor survey of 1,800 voters found that just over half believe Australia’s current immigration intake is too high, with the dominant concern being that housing supply has not kept pace with population growth and property has become unaffordable for many households. Among those who feel migration is too high, most nominated a shortage of homes as their main reason, while others pointed to growing pressure on health and education services.   Australia is currently admitting hundreds of thousands of new arrivals each year through temporary and permanent programs, including around 316,000 migrants annually and 185,000 people receiving permanent visas. In contrast, about one‑third of respondents felt the current intake is about right, a small minority believed it is too low, and around one in ten were undecided.   Political winners and losers   The poll suggests the housing–immigration link is hurting the federal Coalition more than Labor, with the Coalition’s primary vote sliding to a record low of about a quarter of voters. Labor’s primary support sits in the mid‑30s, while One Nation has reached a record high in the mid‑teens, reflecting growing backing for parties calling for tighter migration settings.   On a two‑party preferred basis, Labor holds a clear lead over the Coalition at roughly 55 to 45, representing a modest swing towards the government since November. This shift comes after weeks of internal Coalition turmoil, including disputes over climate and net‑zero policy that have dominated its recent political narrative.   Leadership and approval ratings   Despite economic pressures and cost‑of‑living anger, Anthony Albanese remains ahead as preferred prime minister, with support in the low‑40s compared with the mid‑20s for Opposition Leader Sussan Ley. Albanese’s personal approval has edged higher, with just under half of voters now rating his performance as good or very good.   Interestingly, Ley’s own approval rating has also improved despite her party’s slump, suggesting some voters distinguish between her leadership and broader Coalition infighting. Both major leaders are navigating a landscape in which voters are demanding practical solutions on housing and migration rather than internal party battles.   Implications for immigration policy   The polling intensifies pressure on both major parties to demonstrate how they will balance population growth with housing supply, infrastructure and essential services. While Labor currently benefits from stronger headline numbers, rising support for One Nation underlines the political risk if mainstream parties are seen as ignoring community anxiety about rapid migration.   The Coalition is expected to unveil a new migration policy within days as it tries to win back disillusioned voters and stem defections to right‑wing minor parties. For multicultural broadcasters and community leaders, these trends highlight the importance of nuanced public debate that recognises both Australia’s long history as a migrant nation and the urgent need to address housing and service pressures fairly for new arrivals and long‑term residents alike.  

Queensland Police have charged a 22-year-old man with four offenses as part of ongoing investigations into the fatal shooting of a man in Beenleigh earlier this week.   The investigation began after a 35-year-old Bahrs Scrub man received a fatal gunshot wound to his chest at Hugh Muntz Park around 10:40 pm on Tuesday, December 2nd. The victim was declared deceased at the scene shortly after the shooting.   Subsequent police investigations identified that a white 2021 Kia Stonic left the park shortly after the shooting. This vehicle was linked to an earlier crime, having been reported stolen during a burglary on Oberon Way, Oxenford, sometime between 12:40 pm and 1:50 pm on November 24th.   Police located the stolen vehicle driving along Kumbari Avenue at Labrador. Around 1:30 am, officers successfully deployed a Tyre Deflation Device on the Jabiru Island Bridge. The vehicle eventually came to a stop at the intersection of Helensvale Road and Hope Island Road in Hope Island, where the driver fled on foot into nearby bushland.   A search of the area around 2:15 am led to the arrest of a man found hiding nearby. During the search, a firearm was allegedly located in the area, and a subsequent search of the man’s clothing allegedly located ammunition.   The 22-year-old Beenleigh man has been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of weapon (firearm), possessing explosives (ammunition), and receiving tainted property. He is scheduled to appear at the Beenleigh Magistrates Court today, December 4th.   Investigations into the 35-year-old man’s death continue.