This issue is important because it affects a large number of long-term permanent residents who rely on the Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa to maintain their lawful status in Australia. Many of these individuals have lived, worked, and contributed to Australia for many years, paying taxes and participating in the community. Despite this, the recent significant increase in application fees places an additional financial burden on people who are already established members of Australian society. The Subclass 155 visa is often a straightforward application with minimal processing requirements, yet the cost has increased to a level that may not reflect the administrative effort involved. If left unaddressed, this may discourage long-term residents from maintaining their residency status, creating unnecessary stress and uncertainty for families and individuals who have built their lives in Australia. For these reasons, it is important that this issue is reviewed to ensure visa fees remain fair, reasonable, and proportionate.

Gina Reinhardt is not a Queenslander. Israel is a foreign nation whose politicians are committing a genocide in Gaza. Elon Musk is a US citizen who has no interest in the welfare of Queenslanders.

The public are being denied use of an attractive track beside Morse's Creek. 

Fair Representation is an essential aspect of democracy. Australia doesn't have that at all. It is a nonsense to claim that, just look at the 20225 federal election. Australians should look at the changes made in New Zealand in the 1980s and 1990s.  The ALP now has the opportunity to start on this. Vice Chancellor George Williams of the Western Sydney University would be the right man to lead a Constitutional change campaign. I know him and he knows of my interest. A/Prof Klaas Woldring Ph. D. (UNSW) (retired)

Time to care about homeless mums and children

If Forest Fire Management continue their burns through Victorian forests and wilderness areas the change to our ecosystems will be degraded to the point we will mass species/habitat loss and not have any old growth forests left. If you look at the planned burn areas of the Great Otway National Park for example, their burns cover the entire area.  It is the same for the Snowy River National Park where they are burning at this moment. FFM also claim they are doing "fuel reduction burns" all clever propaganda, because they cant say they are doing "forest reduction burns" as communities would be up in arms, but this is what they are doing.

Right now, the system allows those with deep pockets to gain privileged access to the people making decisions that affect the entire country. When individuals or corporations can pay thousands of dollars for private time with politicians, it creates a two-tier system: •  One where the wealthy can influence decisions directly  •  And another where ordinary Australians are left on the outside  This undermines the core principle of democracy—that every citizen should have an equal voice. Even when no explicit deals are made, the perception alone damages trust. Australians are left wondering whose interests are really being served behind closed doors. Over time, this erodes confidence in government, fuels cynicism, and weakens the integrity of public institutions. Decisions that should be made in the national interest risk being shaped by those who can afford access—not those most affected by the outcomes. Ending cash-for-access is about restoring fairness, rebuilding trust, and ensuring that political power remains accountable to the people—not to money.

Australia needs to be more self reliant as oppossed to be reliant upon other countries & subject to the changing world dynamics. We are at the mercy of changing mindsets of other countries ie. USA & global changes out of our control. We need to be more in control of our future. 

In the context of the 2026 global political landscape, the demand to withdraw Australian military forces until the Epstein files are fully addressed is based on several key arguments regarding national integrity, accountability, and the influence of foreign leaders. 1. Integrity of Military Alliances Advocates for withdrawal argue that Australia’s military commitments—particularly those involving the United States and Israel—should be suspended if the leadership of those nations is compromised by information in the Epstein files.  • Current US President: Recent document releases under the Epstein Files Transparency Act have identified Donald Trump as being mentioned thousands of times. While he denies wrongdoing, the files include claims regarding his past association with Jeffrey Epstein and trips on his private jet. • Israeli Leadership: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has been documented as having extensive business and social ties with Epstein, including over 60 meetings. Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been mentioned in the files, though primarily in a contextual rather than accusatory capacity.  2. Concerns Over "Diversionary" Conflicts There is a growing public perception that current military actions, such as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, may serve as a distraction from the legal and political fallout of the Epstein disclosures.  • Critics argue that it is unethical to deploy the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to support administrations whose leaders are under intense scrutiny for their historical links to a convicted sex trafficker. • Public figures and activists have raised concerns that "war talk" is being used to bury reports of elite misconduct. 3. Protection of National Sovereignty Withdrawing military support is seen as a way to protect Australia’s own social cohesion and ethical standards.  • By pausing military engagement, the Australian Government can demand full transparency from its allies before risking the lives of its service members. • This stance supports the call for an Independent Corruption and Integrity Commission to investigate any potential local links to the Epstein network, ensuring that no foreign influence dictates Australian military policy.  Parliament of Australia 4. Accountability and Justice for Victims Linking military action to the resolution of the Epstein case emphasizes that justice for victims of human trafficking must take precedence over geopolitical interests. • The United Nations has noted that flawed disclosure processes in the US have undermined accountability for these grave crimes. • An Australian military pause serves as a diplomatic lever to pressure allies into releasing the remaining 98% of sealed documents, which reportedly include crucial videos and internal investigative notes.

The war in the Middle East has exposed a hard truth: Australia is deeply dependent on imported fuel, and when global supply is disrupted, ordinary people pay the price. Right now: • Petrol prices are rising rapidly • Fuel shortages are being reported across multiple states   • The federal government has convened emergency meetings to respond   Experts, unions, and policymakers are already calling for action. One of the clearest solutions? Discounted or free public transport to reduce pressure on fuel supply and household costs. Queensland has already shown what’s possible with 50-cent fares. Victoria can act too. We’ve already spent billions building the network, including the Metro Tunnel and new stations across Melbourne. Now we need to make sure people can afford to use it.

SIGN THIS PETITION TO HELP THE NATIVE TITLE HOLDERS WHO ARE BEING RIPPED OFF BY NON INDIGENOUS COMPANY, QLD STATE GOVERNMENT AND OTHER INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FROM OUR REGION WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT RESPECTING  ABORIGINAL CULTURE, BROKEN LORE OF THE 4 NATIVE TITLE GROUPS. WHY IDENTIFY AS ABORIGINAL IF YOU CAN'T RESPECT THE CULTURE & LORE THAT WAS IS PLACE FOR 1,000 OF YEARS THE GULF COMMUNITIES AGREEMENT ONLY EVER APPLIED TO WAANYI, GKUTHAARN, KUKATJ AND MINGINDDA PEOPLE NOT OTHER GROUPS IN THE LOWER GULF TO NOW COME OUT AND MAKE DECISIONS, STEALING OUR RIGHTS, SHAME ON  ALL YOU OTHER MOB MAKING DECISIONS FOR OTHER TRADITIONAL GROUPS COUNTRY, SHAME ON SIBANYE-STILLWATER CENTURY MINE AND BIGGEST SHAME ON STATE GOVERNMENT LETTING ALL THIS HAPPEN YOU ARE A PARTY TO THAT GULF COMMUNITIES AGREEMENT  ...

Because of the unjust nature of the process.It punishes people not responsible for increasing prices which are set by sellers not excess demand by buyers. Increases in fuel prices should be sufficient to take money out of the economy without adding an extra household burden