As it happened: Brisbane on Thursday, November 21

It is the ultimate State of Origin divide but one in which NSW trumps Queensland on almost every measure from murder to robbery and even car theft.

A state-by-state analysis of crime rates, using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, reveals NSW has the lowest rate of assaults of all states – beaten only by the ACT – while fewer houses are broken into in NSW than any state or territory in the country.

The Northern Territory has significantly higher rates of crime than any jurisdiction, where 4 per cent of residents reported being assaulted each year between 2021-23. That figure is 1.4 per cent in NSW.

The latest victimisation rate gives some indication of the work ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who has staked his leadership on being able to reduce it, on a per capita basis, within the LNP’s first term.

The rate of physical assault in NSW is 70 per cent lower than in Queensland, while twice as many homes are broken into north of the border, a NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) analysis of the ABS data reveals.

The murder rate in Queensland was 29 per cent higher in 2023 compared to NSW’s and theft was double that experienced in NSW last year. Robbery rates in Queensland are also double that of NSW.

Thanks for joining us for our live coverage of news today. We’ll be back tomorrow morning. If you’re just catching up, here are some of the stories that have been making headlines:

Bianca Jones, one of the Melbourne teenagers who suffered suspected methanol poisoning during a holiday in South-East Asia, has died in Thailand.

A congested inner-Brisbane road would be transformed into a vibrant subtropical destination with fewer car parks and dedicated bus lanes under a blueprint released this week.

Gautam Adani, the billionaire chair of Indian conglomerate Adani Group, which owns the Carmichael coal project in Queensland, has been indicted in New York over his role in an alleged multibillion-dollar bribery and fraud scheme, US prosecutors said.

In local arts news, director and playwright Daniel Evans has been announced as the new artistic director of Queensland Theatre, ending eight months of uncertainty over the future of the company.

A superstar Melbourne baker has landed in Brisbane, serving its famous sourdough, custard cream-stuffed bombolini, zesty maritozzi, and much more. Take a look inside.

And after three years wallowing in the NRL doldrums, Gold Coast Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell says the club has laid the foundations to ensure 2025 and 2026 become seasons that are remembered for the right reasons.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has briefly addressed the media about the suspected poisonings in Laos, following the death of Melbourne woman Bianca Jones.

“I want to start by offering my personal, and all of our heartfelt sympathies to Bianca’s family,” she said.

“Holly’s family remain in our thoughts at this incredibly difficult time.”

Wong also took the opportunity to warn “parents and young people” of the dangers of drink spiking and methanol poisoning.

“Please inform yourselves. Please let’s work together to ensure this tragedy doesn’t happen again.”

It is the ultimate State of Origin divide but one in which NSW trumps Queensland on almost every measure from murder to robbery and even car theft.

A state-by-state analysis of crime rates, using Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, reveals NSW has the lowest rate of assaults of all states – beaten only by the ACT – while fewer houses are broken into in NSW than any state or territory in the country.

The Northern Territory has significantly higher rates of crime than any jurisdiction, where 4 per cent of residents reported being assaulted each year between 2021-23. That figure is 1.4 per cent in NSW.

The latest victimisation rate gives some indication of the work ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who has staked his leadership on being able to reduce it, on a per capita basis, within the LNP’s first term.

The rate of physical assault in NSW is 70 per cent lower than in Queensland, while twice as many homes are broken into north of the border, a NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) analysis of the ABS data reveals.

The murder rate in Queensland was 29 per cent higher in 2023 compared to NSW’s and theft was double that experienced in NSW last year. Robbery rates in Queensland are also double that of NSW.

The number of volunteers in Queensland has fallen by more than 10 per cent since the pandemic, prompting a new government push to find out why.

Last night, Premier David Crisafulli confirmed a parliamentary inquiry into the trend would be launched before the end of this year.

“Volunteers make vital social and economic contributions to our state,” Minister for Volunteers Ann Leahy said in a statement.

“The experiences of volunteers on the frontline need to be heard so the barriers they face can be addressed and we can reverse the decline in volunteering numbers.”

The inquiry will consult the public to find out how the government can better support the volunteering sector, and the barriers to volunteering caused by existing regulations.

It is due to hand down findings by September next year.