Six bold Queensland short films have been selected to share in $300,000 through Screen Queensland’s inaugural Short Film Fund. The funding initiative supports the development of new Queensland stories and is intended to strengthen the state’s reputation as a leading screen production destination. The inaugural Short Film Fund is part of the Crisafulli Government’s Queensland’s Time to Shine: a 10-Year Strategy for Arts and Culture. The government states that it is delivering a fresh start for Queensland’s film sector with the new fund, which is designed to help local filmmakers grow their careers and expand industry opportunities. Promoting Homegrown Talent   Minister for Education and the Arts, The Honorable John-Paul Langbroek, stated that the new fund aims to promote more Queensland stories on the big screen and help local filmmakers reach wider audiences. Minister Langbroek characterized Queensland as the “powerhouse of Australia’s screen industry”. He explained that Screen Queensland’s Short Film Fund supports Queensland-based creatives in developing distinctly local stories that can connect directly with audiences both domestically and internationally. He highlighted that short-form storytelling is one of the fastest-growing areas of the global screen industry, offering a launchpad for emerging filmmakers to build audiences and launch their careers. The government is committed to delivering a thriving creative sector and expanding industry opportunities across the state. Minister Langbroek added that they wish to unearth more budding filmmakers from across Queensland and support them on their journey to becoming the next generation of Australian success stories working behind the scenes. Diverse Projects Receive Support   The six projects selected to receive funding represent an incredible breadth of creativity and innovation coming out of Queensland. The successful projects are: The Stockman: A powerful First Nations drama by proud Butchulla/Kamilaroi filmmaker Rhianna Malezer. Bulb: A gripping drama by Felix Lovell. Chook: A horror comedy from Sasha Aubort. Clay: A hybrid animation comedy by Joe Bauer and Rita Artmann. Return to Work: A deeply personal drama from Emily Avila. The Novelty: A beautifully crafted drama by Charlotte Mungomery.     Incubator for Creative Practice   Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney confirmed that the Short Film Fund demonstrates the agency’s strategic focus on creating meaningful ‘calling-card’ opportunities for the state’s screen storytellers. Ms. Feeney noted that the fund serves as an “important incubator for local talent,” allowing the six recipient filmmakers to refine their craft and grow their creative practice. A key requirement of the fund mandated that applicants must have a pathway to audiences through film festivals, markets, and distribution, thereby ensuring a market-relevant credit was obtained. Applications for the next round of Screen Queensland’s Short Film Fund are scheduled to open in 2026. Source: statements.qld.gov.au

  Brisbane City Council is inviting readers of all ages and interests to join the free Brisbane Libraries Summer Reading Program. The annual initiative aims to encourage the public to experience the joy of reading over the summer by combining reading activities with library engagement. The program officially runs from Monday 1 December 2025 to Saturday 31 January 2026. The challenge will be hosted by Council’s 33 libraries, the Mobile Library, and the Pop-Up Library. Registrations for the Summer Reading program are now open. Earning Points and Prizes   Getting involved in the challenge requires participants to register online and then visit their local library to pick up a Summer Reading challenge booklet and card.   Points are accumulated by: Completing weekly challenges. Tracking reading on the challenge card. Borrowing items. Attending library events.   Every point earned is worth one entry into the weekly prize draw. Participants are encouraged to visit the library each week to enter the draw for a chance to win one of the seven $50 book vouchers available weekly. Once participants complete the requirements in their Summer Reading challenge booklet, they can collect a commemorative Summer Reading bookmark. Library Programs and Lifelong Learning   Beyond reading, Council libraries host a variety of free events for all ages, giving the community opportunities to learn, socialise, and play. Attending any library event for kids, teens, or adults grants an extra point in the Summer Reading challenge. Events for adults celebrate lifelong learning and include writing workshops, technology classes, and English conversation sessions. A core offering is the free Tech Connect computer training program for adults, delivered by library staff in small, friendly groups. Tech Connect offers hands-on training on using devices like smartphones and tablets, navigating the internet, and using email. Individuals can also book a one-on-one tech session to troubleshoot technical problems with their devices and learn how to use their apps. For younger participants, literacy and craft activities are designed to support children’s learning and development. The First 5 Forever program, an initiative of the Queensland Government in partnership with Council, offers free sessions for children and their parents or carers. These programs feature singing, clapping, and dancing along to action rhymes to help develop pre-literacy, communication, and social skills. Sessions are tailored for babies aged 0–1 years, toddlers aged 1–2 years, and older children aged 3–5 years. Storytime sessions with the Pop-up Library are also available in the park. For more information about the program, the public can visit their local library or phone Council on 07 3403 8888.

Brisbane City Council is inviting readers of all ages and interests to join the free Brisbane Libraries Summer Reading Program. The annual initiative aims to encourage the public to experience the joy of reading over the summer by combining reading activities with library engagement. The program officially runs from Monday 1 December 2025 to Saturday 31 January 2026. The challenge will be hosted by Council’s 33 libraries, the Mobile Library, and the Pop-Up Library. Registrations for the Summer Reading program are now open. Earning Points and Prizes   Getting involved in the challenge requires participants to register online and then visit their local library to pick up a Summer Reading challenge booklet and card. Points are accumulated by: Completing weekly challenges. Tracking reading on the challenge card. Borrowing items. Attending library events. Every point earned is worth one entry into the weekly prize draw. Participants are encouraged to visit the library each week to enter the draw for a chance to win one of the seven $50 book vouchers available weekly. Once participants complete the requirements in their Summer Reading challenge booklet, they can collect a commemorative Summer Reading bookmark. Library Programs and Lifelong Learning   Beyond reading, Council libraries host a variety of free events for all ages, giving the community opportunities to learn, socialise, and play. Attending any library event for kids, teens, or adults grants an extra point in the Summer Reading challenge. Events for adults celebrate lifelong learning and include writing workshops, technology classes, and English conversation sessions. A core offering is the free Tech Connect computer training program for adults, delivered by library staff in small, friendly groups. Tech Connect offers hands-on training on using devices like smartphones and tablets, navigating the internet, and using email. Individuals can also book a one-on-one tech session to troubleshoot technical problems with their devices and learn how to use their apps. For younger participants, literacy and craft activities are designed to support children’s learning and development. The First 5 Forever program, an initiative of the Queensland Government in partnership with Council, offers free sessions for children and their parents or carers. These programs feature singing, clapping, and dancing along to action rhymes to help develop pre-literacy, communication, and social skills. Sessions are tailored for babies aged 0–1 years, toddlers aged 1–2 years, and older children aged 3–5 years. Storytime sessions with the Pop-up Library are also available in the park. For more information about the program, the public can visit their local library or phone Council on 07 3403 8888.  

Australia has experienced unprecedented migration levels during the first nine months of 2025, according to analysis of official government statistics. The year-to-September period recorded 415,760 net permanent and long-term arrivals, establishing a new nine-month record and exceeding the previous benchmark set in 2024 by 6 percent. Migration Data Overview The twelve-month period ending September 30, 2025, saw Australia receive 468,390 net permanent and long-term migrants—the highest annual intake to September on record and 4 percent above 2024 levels. September 2025 alone contributed 35,890 net arrivals, representing the second-highest monthly intake for that month in recent history, exceeded only by September 2023. These sustained elevated levels indicate that high migration has evolved from a temporary post-pandemic adjustment into an established component of Australia’s demographic trajectory. The consistency of record-breaking figures suggests a fundamental shift in migration policy settings compared to previous decades. Structural Changes in Population Growth The current migration trends represent a substantial departure from pandemic-era restrictions. Post-pandemic migration flows have not only recovered but significantly exceeded pre-pandemic baselines. Net overseas migration has become a more substantial contributor to population growth than natural increase—the balance between births and deaths—which has declined below pre-pandemic projections. This transition marks a fundamental restructuring of Australia’s population growth dynamics. Infrastructure and Service Capacity Challenges The accelerated population expansion has generated debate regarding Australia’s institutional capacity to accommodate associated demands. Policy analysts have raised concerns that the current migration scale exceeds the nation’s capacity to expand housing stock, public transport networks, and essential service provision, including healthcare infrastructure. The divergence between migration volumes and infrastructure development capacity has emerged as a central consideration in evaluating population policy sustainability. Geographic Distribution Patterns Questions have been raised regarding the alignment between migration distribution and regional economic requirements. Current settlement patterns appear to concentrate arrivals in major metropolitan areas rather than directing migrants toward regions experiencing acute labour shortages or requiring population-driveneconomic development. This concentration intensifies existing capacity constraints in major cities already experiencing infrastructure pressures. Public Opinion and Policy Considerations Recent public opinion research indicates evolving community perspectives on migration volumes. Survey data suggests increasing public sentiment that current intake levels exceed broadly supported thresholds, with polling indicating preference for more restrictive migration settings until housing availability, public services, and transport infrastructure can accommodate population expansion. These perspectives reflect broader concerns regarding cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, and service accessibility that have coincided temporally with elevated migration levels. Statistical Methodology Australia’s migration statistics utilize two related measurement frameworks. Net permanent and long-term arrivals constitute the primary measure of migration inflow and function as a leading indicator of migration trends. Net overseas migration incorporates the “12/16 rule”—whereby individuals are classified as migrants if they remain in Australia for a minimum of 12 months within a 16-month period. Due to this lagged measurement methodology, net overseas migration figures are recorded retrospectively, positioning net permanent and long-term arrivals as a more contemporaneous proxy for current and projected migration patterns. Treasury’s Centre for Population recognizes net permanent and long-term arrivals as the leading indicator of future migration flows. Data Source: Analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics Overseas Arrivals and Departures database, reference period to September 2025

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has joined forces with Australia’s two largest on-demand delivery platforms, Uber Eats and DoorDash, in a historic move to establish minimum standards for workers in the on-demand economy. The three parties have made a joint submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) requesting the establishment of a set of minimum standards, including safety net pay rates, for delivery drivers and riders. The agreement requires approval from the Fair Work Commission. If approved, the proposed Minimum Standards Order (MSO) would introduce legally enforceable new protections and baseline standards that the TWU has championed for many years. Key Standards Agreed Upon   The joint proposal includes several crucial standards designed to strengthen protections and provide certainty for thousands of platform workers. The key agreements include: Minimum safety net pay rates for all classes of transport types. Dispute resolution processes. Representation rights. A voice for platform workers, facilitated through engagement and feedback mechanisms. Accident insurance for injured workers. This landmark achievement is described as the latest milestone in an ongoing collaboration between the TWU and the digital labour platforms, aiming to improve the quality, safety, and security of platform work.   A “Life-Changing” Increase   TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine stated that gig workers have campaigned for years for a better industry. Kaine emphasized the significance of the proposal, noting that for the first time in the world, there could soon be a minimum floor that represents a “life-changing increase to their pay”. He called the joint submission, following constructive discussions, a “significant step towards a fairer gig economy”. The parties are looking forward to the FWC considering these new standards and working towards a strong foundation for fairness in the gig economy. Flexibility and Modern Laws   Both Uber Eats and DoorDash executives highlighted the importance of balancing improved working conditions with the flexibility inherent in platform work. Simon Rossi, VP DoorDash APAC, stated that delivery workers are essential to keeping Australia moving, supporting busy households and small businesses. He noted that the proposal demonstrates that they “can work together to lift standards and still enable the flexibility people rely on, under the Government’s new laws”. Rossi added that since the on-demand economy is now a vital part of how Australians live, work, and earn, “it’s important that working standards evolve too”. Ed Kitchen, Managing Director for Uber Eats Australia and New Zealand, maintained that Uber Eats has long supported “sensible and modern reforms” that strengthen protections while maintaining flexibility. Kitchen emphasized that flexibility is one of the key reasons people choose to gig work after nearly a decade of the platform operating in Australia. Kitchen concluded that the submission is a “meaningful step towards building modern laws for modern forms of work, giving delivery people what they value the most – the protection of minimum pay rates, security and flexibility”. This current effort builds on a landmark Statement of Principles signed between Uber Eats (across both rideshare and food delivery) and the TWU in 2022.  

Australia has withdrawn its bid to host the COP31 UN climate summit in Adelaide in 2026 after reaching a diplomatic settlement with Türkiye. As part of the arrangement, Australian Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will assume leadership of crucial negotiations at the conference, subject to final confirmation from Turkish officials. The resolution comes after extended discussions between Australia and Türkiye, both of which sought hosting privileges. UN protocols require unanimous consent for such decisions; without it, hosting responsibilities would automatically transfer to Germany. To prevent an impasse while maintaining regional representation, Australia agreed to back Türkiye as host in exchange for a significant negotiating role at the summit. From COP30, Minister Bowen noted that reaching the agreement required “significant concessions” from both countries. Türkiye will manage the official hosting responsibilities, including venue arrangements and logistics, while Bowen will function as negotiation president—a position involving the drafting of essential documents, selection of facilitators, and influence over the summit’s outcomes. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized the arrangement as an “outstanding result” for Australia and Pacific nations, maintaining climate leadership despite forgoing domestic hosting. He recognized earlier expectations that Adelaide would secure the summit but stressed the importance of reaching consensus-driven agreements. The deal includes Australia’s advocacy for a substantial pre-COP leaders gathering in the Pacific Islands and increased contributions to the Pacific Resilience Facility, ensuring regional climate priorities remain “front and centre.” Reactions to the compromise have been varied: South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas voiced disappointment about the lost hosting prospect, while certain Pacific advocates viewed it as a forfeited opportunity to spotlight critical climate vulnerabilities. Conversely, some climate specialists praised Australia’s negotiating role as beneficial for Pacific representation and international climate action. Australian diplomats have coordinated extensively with Pacific leaders in recent days to finalize the arrangement, including direct consultations with the Prime Ministers of Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Though the outcome differs from initial aspirations, many consider it superior to risking leadership paralysis or having Germany assume summit control by default. Further specifications regarding Australia’s enhanced negotiating responsibilities and the Pacific pre-COP gathering are anticipated in the coming weeks.

The competition structure and fixtures for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup have been officially announced, detailing a massive 31-day international showcase across three countries and nine host cities set for October and November next year. Billed as the most competitive, ambitious, and anticipated Rugby League World Cup, the event will feature 14 nations, 26 teams, and a total of 53 matches across the Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair tournaments In a significant win for Queensland, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium has secured the hosting rights for both the Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals, scheduled for Sunday, November 15. The Wheelchair Final will take place earlier, on Friday, November 13, at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre. Major Economic Benefits for Queensland Queensland secured three of the eight host city destinations—Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Townsville—which Premier David Crisafulli called a “tremendous win for the State”. The decision is expected to attract approximately 110,000 people from interstate and overseas, injecting more than $18 million into the Queensland economy. This coup was made possible through the state’s new Mega and Strategic Events Fund, committed under the Destination 2045 tourism plan.   Minister for Sport and Racing Tim Mander lauded the selection of Suncorp Stadium, calling it the “best rugby league stadium in the world” and the perfect stage for the Grand Final. Gold Coast and Townsville will stage events throughout the tournament, including a blockbuster Men’s match featuring the Australian team at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.   Tournament Structure and Blockbuster Openers   The tournament runs from Thursday, October 15, 2026, through Sunday, November 15, 2026. Men’s Tournament (10 Teams): The Men’s tournament will kick off on Thursday, October 15, at Allianz Stadium with a heavyweight clash between the top two world-ranked teams: the Kangaroos and the Kiwis. The pools are structured with one pool of four and two pools of three nations: Group A: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Cook Islands. Group B: England, Samoa, Lebanon. Group C: Tonga, PNG, France. Group A teams will play three matches against each other, while teams in Group B and C will play three matches against teams in the adjacent group. The top two teams from Group A will progress to the Semi-Finals, alongside the top two teams from a combined table of Group B and C. Other key fixtures include England versus Tonga at Perth’s HBF Park on Saturday, October 17, and a match between Pacific giants Tonga and Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 1. Brisbane will also host a blockbuster fixture between Australia and Fiji’s men’s teams at Suncorp Stadium. Men’s matches will be played across Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Brisbane, Wollongong, Gold Coast, and Townsville. Women’s Tournament (8 Teams): The eight-team Women’s tournament begins on Friday, October 16, with the all-conquering Australian Jillaroos facing Samoa at CommBank Stadium. Group A: Australia, England, Samoa, Wales. Group B: New Zealand, PNG, France, Fiji. Each team plays three matches within their group, with the top two teams from each Group advancing to the Semi-Finals. A triple-header at Gold Coast’s CBUS Super Stadium will feature Samoa vs France (Women’s) and New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea (Women’s), alongside a Men’s fixture. Women’s Group matches will be held in Sydney, Port Moresby, Perth, Newcastle, Christchurch, Wollongong, and Gold Coast. Wheelchair Tournament (8 Teams): The eight-team Wheelchair tournament will be played in its entirety at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre. Group A: England, Ireland, Wales, USA. Group B: France, Australia, Scotland, New Zealand. The opening match coincides with a Men’s and Women’s double-header at WIN Stadium on October 30.   Officials Heralding a New Era   ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys AM stated that representing one’s country in the World Cup is the “ultimate honour,” predicting this will be the “best and most successful Rugby League World Cup on record”. International Rugby League (IRL) Chairman Troy Grant emphasized the soaring popularity of the sport, noting that the international game is “riding a wave of momentum into what will be the biggest global showcase the game has seen”. Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium and Sydney’s Allianz Stadium will host double-header Semi-Finals across the Men’s and Women’s tournaments. Tickets are on sale today via Ticketmaster. Adult tickets for Group stage and Semi-Final matches start from $19 (AUD), while Finals tickets at Suncorp Stadium start from $39 (AUD) for adults. All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive in Australia on Seven and 7Plus.

The air in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, buzzed with expectation for an intimate creative gathering set for Thursday, 20 November 2025, at 06:00 PM. The venue for this special evening was the HOTA Gallery Foyer, situated at HOTA, Home of the Arts. The event centered around Morag Myerscough (UK), described as a global design leader. Morag is celebrated internationally as a British artist and designer who focuses on creating immersive spatial public artworks. Her renowned practice involves producing installations that transform places and champion community interaction. She is also known as a prominent designer of supergraphics. Morag’s influence is evident across the globe; her colourful public installation works have transformed cities worldwide. Her portfolio spans prestigious locations, including Coachella, the London and Paris Olympics, Shanghai, Cape Town, and the Tate Modern. This particular evening was structured as an intimate, free creative workshop, inviting artists to delve into process and practice alongside the global design leader. Attendees could expect a generous exchange of ideas and a chance to dive into her internationally acclaimed work. The session was designed to be hands-on, exploring key elements of her practice: design, pattern, text, drawing, and lots of colour. The project, which was supported by organizations including the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, the City of Gold Coast, and Griffith University, was proudly produced by Everybody NOW!. To ensure widespread participation, the event was offered free of charge. Logistics were carefully planned, as the HOTA location featured accessible parking spaces, wheelchair-accessible pathways, rooms, reception, and amenities. Furthermore, the indoor event offered Auslan interpretation upon request, requiring notification by Friday 14 November. For those driving, four hours of free off-street parking was available, provided vehicles were registered, although organizers encouraged using public transport or active travel.

  A new report from the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) has laid bare the inadequacy of Australia’s mental health care system, revealing that public hospital emergency departments (EDs) remain the “only option” for many people needing acute care. The crisis has deepened, with data showing that 10 per cent of mental health patients waited more than 23 hours for an inpatient bed in 2023–24. The ACEM report, Still Waiting, analyzed data from 2016 to 2024 and found that despite years of calls for reform, ED time-based performance has declined. ACEM President Dr. Stephen Gourley emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The data is clear. The solutions are known. The time for reform is now,”. Rising Acuity and Declining Capacity   Mental health-related presentations to EDs increased by 11 per cent, rising from approximately 277,000 in 2016-17 to over 310,000 in 2023-24. Worse than the rising volume is the increasing complexity and urgency of cases. Key findings highlighting the severity of presentations include: Urgent Care Delays: Nearly 75 per cent of mental health patients were triaged as needing to be seen within 30 minutes (Australasian Triage Scale 1–3) in 2023-24, compared to more than 63 per cent in 2016-17. Despite this urgent need, the proportion of mental health presentations seen on time nationally decreased from 68 per cent to just 60 per cent over the same period. Mode of Arrival: In 2023-24, 53.4 per cent of mental health-related presentations arrived by ambulance, double the proportion for non-mental health patients. The increase in ambulance arrivals suggests a greater number of people in the community have higher acuity mental health conditions requiring treatment. State Hotspots: Wait times for admission are particularly high in South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia. These jurisdictions also consistently reported lower proportions of mental health-related presentations seen on time. South Australia (35 hours 46 minutes) and Tasmania (34 hours 7 minutes) reported the longest 90th percentile ED length of stay for admitted mental health presentations in 2023-24. The core issue driving the excessive delays is a system failing to keep pace with demand. While the number of mental health-related presentations requiring admission increased by 3.2 per cent between 2016-17 and 2023-24, the number of public specialist mental health hospital beds decreased by 1.3 per cent between 2016-17 and 2022-23.   Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups   The data also reveals that the strain is felt most heavily by specific demographics: First Nations Peoples: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accounted for 14 per cent of mental health-related presentations in 2023-24, a significant increase of 3.7 per cent since 2016-17. The College noted that cultural safety must be embedded in EDs, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are more likely to be impacted by the social determinants of health and are more likely to leave the ED before care is completed. Older Australians: Presentations among people aged 65 and over rose by 3.6 per cent. Long ED waits for older patients can contribute to delirium and worsen dementia symptoms. ACEM’s analysis also highlights that system failures extend “beyond hospital bed access block,” as excessive waiting times are affecting not only admitted patients but also those discharged without admission. The longest 90th percentile ED length of stay for non-admitted mental health patients exceeded the national average in Western Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. Calls for Immediate Whole-of-System Reform Dr. Gourley stressed that EDs are not designed or resourced for long-term recovery support; they are merely the “default entry point for crisis care”. He urged policymakers to recognize that “people are not a burden” but rather individuals seeking help in vulnerable moments, noting that the problem is a health system that has failed to meet community need. The Australian Medical Association President, Dr. Danielle McMullen, supported the ACEM findings, noting that the report underscores the “devastating impact of a lack of investment” in community services and general practice, which could otherwise keep people out of busy EDs.   ACEM outlined several critical steps needed for decisive action, including: Increased Inpatient Capacity: Increasing the number of inpatient beds to reduce access block and unnecessary delays to admission. Expanding Community Services: Committing to funding the expansion of community-based mental health services and affordable psychology services to match community needs. Crisis Alternatives: Investing in ED alternatives, such as Safe Haven Cafés, which provide more therapeutic spaces for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Scaling Up Models: Continuing to invest in the Police, Ambulance and Clinician Early Response (PACER) model, which has demonstrated an ability to reduce unnecessary ED transfers and provide community intervention. Cultural Safety: Resourcing EDs with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Liaison Officers to provide culturally safe care. Dr. Gourley concluded that without decisive action, Australia risks perpetuating a reactive model that fails its most vulnerable populations.

The problem had festered for a decade. During what was described as a time of “decline” and a “soft-on-crime approach,” rogue traders, often backed by organized crime, had set up shop across Queensland communities, putting hard-won progress in tobacco control at risk. Hundreds of these illegal stores had opened, often selling dangerous goods to children. But a new mandate had arrived. Following the election when Queenslanders voted for a fresh start, the Crisafulli Government passed nation-leading laws strengthened to crack down on this illicit trade. The Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Dismantling Illegal Trade) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was passed in Parliament overnight, intensifying the state’s crackdown. The team at Queensland Health now held unprecedented authority. Senior Enforcement Officer Elara felt the weight of these new powers. Her department was no longer restricted to short, frustrating three-day closures; they could now shut down illegal businesses for three months without going through lengthy court processes. Their first target under the new regime was a notorious premises known only as ‘The Vapor Hut,’ a store that had operated brazenly for months. Elara’s team used a power newly granted to enforcement officers: undercover operations. Posing as a customer, Officer Chen confirmed that the store was peddling illicit vapes and tobacco. The raid was swift and comprehensive. Before, they could only seize the obvious contraband. Now, the laws expanded Queensland Health’s power to seize all lawful smoking products found at illegal stores that were ‘tainted’ by being supplied or stored alongside the illicit goods. They swept up countless illegal vapes, but also seized stock of legitimate confectionary, food, and even nitrous oxide bulbs and canisters, commonly known as ‘nangs’. This was part of the plan to seize “more stock than ever before”. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls emphasized that these strengthened laws delivered on the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to stamping out criminal trade and keeping tobacco out of children’s hands. Their hardline approach had already proved successful since the election, with seizures totaling more than 57 million illicit cigarettes, 7.7 tonnes of loose tobacco, 475,000 illicit vapes, and 405,000 nicotine pouches. But the crackdown didn’t stop at the rogue traders; it targeted those who enabled them: the landlords. After the closure notice was posted on The Vapor Hut—a closure lasting three months—Elara’s team notified Mr. Evans, the commercial landlord. Mr. Evans had long claimed ignorance, but the new legislation closed that loophole. The laws created a criminal offence for commercial landlords to knowingly permit illegal tobacco or activity. The penalty was steep: a maximum fine of $166,900 and 12 months in jail. Suddenly motivated, Mr. Evans, now empowered and incentivized by the threat of prosecution, acted swiftly. The new laws empowered landlords to terminate leases when notified their tenant was an illegal operator. As Minister Nicholls had stated, the laws “empower landlords to boot out their dodgy tenants caught peddling these illegal products”. Mr. Evans began the process to terminate the lease immediately, ensuring the three-month shutdown would become permanent. With the new laws—which other states and territories were starting to mirror—the Crisafulli Government was delivering a fresh start, making Queensland safer, and continuing its nation-leading crackdown on criminal gangs. The long-term safety of the community was being restored, one seized haul and one three-month lock at a time.