News

At least six Australian universities have had American funding for research projects paused or cancelled as the US implements President Trump's "America First" agenda. This raises concerns for Australian researchers and collaboration, with the Group of Eight universities most at risk due to their reliance on US funding.

Queensland's two pill testing sites, crucial for safeguarding public health, are set to close next month, coinciding with the alarming discovery of a lethal synthetic opioid, nitazene, in Australian wastewater. This development raises significant concerns for public safety, as the state will lose its vital early warning system for monitoring dangerous drug trends.

Australia's unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1% in February despite a loss of 52,800 jobs, with the decline attributed to fewer people actively seeking work and a decrease in labor force participation. The Reserve Bank expects the unemployment rate to average 4.2% by mid-year and remain around that level for the next few years.

Australia's gas consumption is falling faster than expected, leading to a revised outlook for the east coast gas market. The AEMO has downgraded its warnings of potential gas shortages in the coming years, citing a combination of factors including milder winter temperatures, higher gas prices, and a growing trend towards electrification.

The Queensland government has redirected $108 million originally allocated to the scrapped Path to Treaty Act towards new projects in remote Indigenous communities, including water infrastructure upgrades and an education project for disengaged youth. This decision has been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the investment while others criticize the scrapping of the Path to Treaty Act.