Queensland health authorities are stepping up contact tracing efforts after five new measles cases were confirmed across the state’s south-east. Officials are warning the public to expect more infections as measles cases surge nationwide. The jump in local cases has prompted Queensland Health to coordinate with health officials in New South Wales amid a wider national uptick. Across Australia, 153 cases have been recorded so far this year — nearly triple last year’s total and the highest number since 2019. Western Australia has also reported its largest measles outbreak since 1997. Health officials confirmed that one of Queensland’s latest infections was linked to a traveller who had recently returned from Indonesia. Three other cases are associated with last month’s Jelly Roll concert at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Authorities are notifying attendees from the October 24 event as part of the ongoing contact tracing process. Public Urged to Check Vaccination Status All five recent patients are aged between 30 and 49. Health authorities say only one had received a full vaccination overseas, while the others were partially vaccinated or not immunised at all. So far this year, Queensland has recorded 30 cases in total — 12 of which were imported from overseas travel, while another 12 were close contacts of returned travellers. Chief Health Officer Dr Catherine McDougall is urging Queenslanders, especially those planning overseas trips, to check their vaccination records. “We’re seeing a significant number of cases linked to travel from Indonesia, particularly Bali, as well as Cambodia and Vietnam,” she said. “With Schoolies coming up, we want young people to make sure they’re fully vaccinated before heading overseas.” Health Minister Tim Nicholls emphasised the importance of seeking medical advice early for anyone showing symptoms such as fever, cough, or runny nose. “Please don’t go straight to the emergency department, as this increases the risk of spreading the virus,” he said. “Contact your doctor first for advice on the safest way to get treatment.” He added that anyone born after 1966 who has only received one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine should get a booster shot, which is available free through the National Immunisation Program and offers around 97 percent lifelong protection. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that typically begins with cold-like symptoms before developing into a distinctive red rash. An infected person can spread the virus from one day before symptoms appear until about four days after the rash emerges.

Ensuring safety and support for women* experiencing Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) starts with culturally responsive care. For many culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and immigrant and refugee women, accessing help can mean facing unique barriers and challenges. The urgent call: Help ensure any door a woman experiencing DFV walks through opens into a culturally safe space. Understanding the Need: We know that “the contexts, nature and dynamics of domestic and family violence differ for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups, and immigrant and refugee women. These groups face additional barriers when accessing support services” (ANROWS, 2019). Upcoming Training Sessions: Build Your Cultural Responsiveness Community members and sector professionals are invited to join a 3-hour interactive training session in late October and early November. The sessions are designed to help participants build their capacity to provide culturally safe responses to Domestic and Family Violence. What You’ll Learn: Through this session, you’ll build your awareness of: The diversity and impact of prearrival journeys and settlement experiences, values, attitudes, and beliefs amongst CALD communities. Intersectional challenges and barriers to accessing services and supports. Practical strategies to engage and support refugee and CALD women who may be experiencing DFV. Session Details: Tuesday 18 November, 1:00pm to 4:00pm Online Register Your Interest: We are currently gathering Expressions of Interest for these free sessions via these online forms: https://forms.office.com/r/TmvGf5TjvtExpressions EOI – Cultural capability workshop: Building our cultural responsiveness together Collaborative Community Action: Together with community leaders from diverse cultural communities, representatives from the DFV sector have been meeting to explore what cultural responsiveness in DFV response looks like. This training offers a unique opportunity for participants to be part of this vital conversation—bringing experiences, stories, and ideas. Event Hosts and Support: This workshop is hosted by the Family Peace Building Program and Multicultural Australia, and supported by the Queensland Government. Find Out More: For further information, please contact Nehal El-Tahir, Project Coordinator: Phone: 0461 412 267 Email: nehalE@mcaus.org.au Call to Action: Step up to ensure that every door opens into a culturally safe space for women* experiencing Domestic and Family Violence. Add your voice, enhance your skills, and become a champion of cultural safety.

The sentencing of a teenager to 16 years behind bars for the fatal stabbing of grandmother Vyleen White at an Ipswich shopping center has brought into sharp relief the painful intersection of community devastation and the rigid limitations of youth justice legislation. The now 17-year-old offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to the murder of 70-year-old Ms. White, who was attacked and stabbed in the chest shortly after arriving at a Redbank Plains shopping center in February 2024. The teenager stole Ms. White’s car and fled after the attack, which was witnessed by Ms. White’s young granddaughter. While the sentence places the offender’s potential release in 2033, the case highlights significant social ramifications and fuels a charged public debate over the appropriateness of sentencing laws for heinous crimes committed by juveniles. The Catastrophic Social Impact on a Community and Family The court proceedings underscored the immense, catastrophic pain and suffering inflicted upon Ms. White’s family and the broader community. Chief Justice Helen Bowskill emphasized that Ms. White was a “defenceless” and “innocent older woman” who had the fundamental right to feel and be safe in public. The Chief Justice condemned the act as “senseless and selfish violence,” stressing that all human lives are valuable and precious. For Ms. White’s family, the trauma extends beyond grief. Ms. White’s daughter, Cindy Micallef, described her mother as the family’s “foundation” and spoke outside court about the family being “shattered and fractured”. Ms. Micallef highlighted the lasting psychological harm, noting the family is “haunted by her last thoughts, her last moments”. Crucially, the impact on Ms. White’s young granddaughter, who witnessed the stabbing, is a major concern, with Ms. Micallef noting the “deep sadness behind her eyes”. While acknowledging the Chief Justice was restricted by existing laws, Ms. Micallef stated that the family was “gutted” by the sentence. This reaction reflects a broader societal tension where the need for justice and retribution clashes with legal constraints applied to youth offenders. Navigating the Legal Framework of Youth Sentencing The 16-year sentence delivered in the Supreme Court in Brisbane was determined under Queensland’s youth justice legislation that was in place at the time of the 2024 offense. The prosecution and defense agreed that the killing should be found to be “particularly heinous”. This crucial finding allowed the Chief Justice to impose a sentence higher than the previous maximum of 10 years for a juvenile offender convicted of murder. Chief Justice Bowskill described the offending as “callous and cowardly” and determined that the act was “conscious, deliberate and determined,” rejecting the offender’s claim that he had “blacked out” due to intoxication. However, the legal framework also mandated consideration of mitigating factors, or “special circumstances,” for a juvenile. These factors included the teenager’s youth, his early guilty plea, and his prospects of rehabilitation. Because of these circumstances, the Chief Justice reduced the time he must serve in custody from 70 per cent of the sentence to 60 per cent. The court also heard details regarding the offender’s background, noting that he was “socially excluded and isolated” after his family moved to Queensland. He became associated with people affiliated with a criminal gang, using drugs and alcohol to fit in, which led to him becoming “desensitised to crime” and seeking a “thrill” from committing offenses. The Chief Justice acknowledged his “malleability” but insisted that he “chose to act as he did” Legislative Pressure and the Demand for “Adult Crime, Adult Time” The outcome of the sentencing immediately generated political and social pressure for stricter penalties. Ms. White’s family has been actively advocating for the roll-out of the state’s “adult crime, adult time laws,” and Ms. Micallef expressed a desire to see similar legislation imposed across other Australian jurisdictions. Premier David Crisafulli stated outside court that no sentence would ever be enough for the family, emphasizing that the result was “not acceptable”. He confirmed that subsequent to Ms. White’s death, the state had introduced new legislation mandating a life sentence for juvenile offenders convicted of murder. This shift demonstrates the legislative response to the deep-seated public feeling that, for crimes of such severity, the age of the offender should not supersede the requirement for severe punitive justice, thus moving the legal framework toward prioritizing retribution and deterrence over typical youth rehabilitation goals. The case of Vyleen White serves as a profound example of the tension between a legal system designed to consider the youth and rehabilitation potential of an offender, and the overwhelming societal demand for punishment commensurate with the crime’s horrific impact. The 16-year term represents a middle ground dictated by prior law, but the resulting public outcry and subsequent legislative change highlight the increasing pressure on the justice system to align penalties for juvenile murderers with adult standards. Source: abc.net Note: The provided source material is an excerpt from a news article. While the article references the case and the legal sentence, it does not include information or content derived from a video.

The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) marked the close of 2025 with a vibrant celebration at Broadmeadows Town Hall on 10 November. More than 500 community leaders, partners and multicultural Victorians came together for an evening of reflection, culture and connection. The program spotlighted Victoria’s rich cultural diversity through dynamic performances and discussion. Highlights included a graceful Sri Lankan dance by the Shashila Dance Troupe and lively Italian tunes by Segmento, who invited guests to join in the traditional tarantella. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt MP delivered the keynote speech, reaffirming the Victorian Government’s ongoing support for multicultural communities and social cohesion across the state. VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen AM reflected on the resilience and achievements of Victoria’s communities over the past year, while VMC Director Kashif Bouns presented key outcomes from the 2024–25 work program, outlining the Commission’s priorities and partnerships that continue to strengthen multiculturalism in Victoria. The evening’s proceedings were guided by MC and former Hume City Council Mayor Joseph Haweil. Dr Chris Mallika Bhadra, a member of the VMC Regional Advisory Council, facilitated a panel featuring community leaders Dorcas Maphakela, Dalal Samaan and Dr Bruce Wong. Together, they explored how organisations like the VMC can elevate multicultural voices and shared practical ideas for building a more inclusive Victoria. Guests also enjoyed connecting over locally sourced food, reflecting the VMC’s commitment to inclusion, belonging and community-led engagement. VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen AM said the event captured the enduring spirit of Victoria’s multicultural people. “The VMC End of Year event showcased the strength, resilience and spirit of Victoria’s multicultural communities and recognised the Commission’s 42-year history of supporting Victorians from all backgrounds. It was a special opportunity to celebrate major achievements and renew our shared commitment to an inclusive future.”