In question time, Greens MP Michael Berkman cited the recent criticism from various health, legal and human rights groups, and called on Nicholls to lift the Queensland Health ban.
Nicholls suggested Berkman would be better off reading government media releases and reports on the issue.
“The position of the Crisafulli government in relation to the delivery of gender services has been made abundantly clear,” Nicholls said.
The minister said the medical evidence was “contested” globally and puberty blockers had been banned in the UK.
Upscale restaurant Stilts opens on Kangaroo Point Bridge
By Matt Shea
Tassis Group’s much-anticipated elevated Australian restaurant Stilts opens on Kangaroo Point Bridge for its first service at lunch today.
The 100-seater sits a level above the bridge’s walkway, lending it 270-degree views from the CBD and Story Bridge on one side around to the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and City Botanic Gardens on the other.
“That location means it’s really part of Brisbane,” owner Michael Tassis told this masthead yesterday. “I have to make sure I really deliver. It feels like a legacy project of sorts.”
Stilts opens on Kangaroo Point Bridge today.
The food is intended to be a reflection of place too. Tassis shorthands Stilts as a steak and seafood restaurant but “modern” and “more elevated” when compared to other venues from the group in a similar vein, such as Fatcow and Rich and Rare.
Diners can expect live lobster, bugs and oysters from the tank, and a lengthy steak menu that favours Angus and Wagyu beef.
Overseeing the fit-out was regular Tassis design firm Clui, which was charged with delivering a venue of marble counter and tabletops, sheer curtains and fetching tiled floors that nevertheless play second fiddle to the one-of-a-kind outlook.
“Brisbane is growing so fast right now,” Tassis said. “And I do think it’s the best city in Australia. But it’s up to us to illustrate that to people when they come to Stilts and dine with us.”
Miles on ‘borrowed time’ as opposition leader: LNP minister
By William Davis
Opposition Leader Steven Miles is on borrowed time and Labor Party “sharks” are working behind the scenes to oust him, a senior LNP minister has claimed in a fiery spray on the floor of parliament.
The attack came following questions on the future of 50¢ fares yesterday, with Labor asking if the government would support legislation ensuring continuation of the policy.
Queenland Labor leader Steven Miles in parliament this week.Jamila Filippone
“Fifty-cent fares are permanent under the LNP, but the future of the opposition leader is not,” Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said.
“The sharks are circling – the member for Waterford [Shannon Fentiman], the member for Gaven [Meaghan Scanlon]. The opposition leader is living on borrowed time Mr Speaker, he is living on borrowed time.”
Mickelberg did not say why he believed a leadership spill was likely, and Miles did not respond to the claims.
Transport was a central theme of question time on Wednesday, with Labor also asking if the government had plans to bring back subsidised travel on the privately owned Airtrain line.
“The Labor Party are quite fond of claiming credit for LNP policies, like 50¢ fares,” the transport minister said.
“What did they do when they had 10 years to fund it? They squibbed it. That’s the Labor Party’s record.
“If we look at the Airtrain, the case is exactly the same. Six months of Labor Party commitment to reduce the price by 50 per cent – under political pressure, I might add.”
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2.56pm on Feb 20, 2025
Today’s top stories
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Thanks for joining us for live coverage of today’s news. We’ll be back tomorrow morning. In the meantime, here are some of the stories making headlines today:
A coroner has given his findings to the family of a former Brisbane school teacher, who detectives believed was dumped in a wheelie bin, ruling her cause of death as “undetermined”.
Queensland ace Kim Birrell has had a remarkable rise from the cusp of retirement to Australia’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, and now she’s reached a career milestone, being named to lead the nation when the Billie Jean King Cup launches in Brisbane.
Having battled severe injury concerns which threatened her career, the Gold Coast product rose to world No.76 on the back of a quarterfinal appearance at the Brisbane International.
Kim Birrell battled through qualifying to make the Australian Open main draw.Eddie Jim
She went on to reach the Australian Open mixed doubles final, and will now spearhead the Australian team to take on Colombia and Kazakhstan on Pat Rafter Arena from April 10.
“It is incredible to wear the green and gold. It’s what I dreamt of doing as a kid, watching and wanting to be a professional tennis player,” Birrell said.
“In Australia, we have such a rich history of the BJK Cup and Davis Cup, so to be a part of that now, and to play here at home, in Australia, is incredibly special.
“I feel so at home here on this court [in Brisbane], I’ve had so many special memories, watching and playing in the Brisbane International and training here a lot of the year.
“To get to play a home tie so close to where I grew up is absolutely amazing.”
Pinned post from 1.36pm on Feb 20, 2025
Nicholls rejects call to lift ban on hormone therapy for gender dysphoria
In question time, Greens MP Michael Berkman cited the recent criticism from various health, legal and human rights groups, and called on Nicholls to lift the Queensland Health ban.
Nicholls suggested Berkman would be better off reading government media releases and reports on the issue.
“The position of the Crisafulli government in relation to the delivery of gender services has been made abundantly clear,” Nicholls said.
The minister said the medical evidence was “contested” globally and puberty blockers had been banned in the UK.
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1.28pm on Feb 20, 2025
Out of the Box festival to return after seven-year hiatus
By Nick Dent
QPAC’s festival for children aged eight and under, Out of the Box, will return in 2025 for the first time since 2018.
Taking over the entire South Bank cultural precinct from June 17 to 22, Out of the Box will feature performances, workshops, free events and exhibitions.
“Out of the Box is, without doubt, one of our most loved and most impactful events, and we couldn’t be happier to be announcing its return,” QPAC’s new chief executive Rachel Healy said.
The QPAC tunnel will host the Jarjum Life Museum by Inala Wangarra, a museum like no other created by jarjum (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children) and then extend their experience with the Jarjum PlaySpace in the Playhouse Lounge.QPAC
“The festival’s program of hands-on arts and innovative productions will inspire creative learning for children, their parents and carers, as well as their teachers,” Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek said.
Highlights will include a production of The Gruffalo, a Tree of Hope art installation, the world premiere of Circa’s Wolfgang in the Stars, an adaptation of award-winning book Gurril Storm Bird, and Bluey puppetry workshops.
Inquiry ordered into Queensland’s container deposit scheme
By Sean Parnell
Environment Minister Andrew Powell has initiated a parliamentary inquiry into the administration of Queensland’s container deposit scheme by recycling company COEX.
In parliament this morning, Powell said there was evidence COEX had inappropriate expenditure, including on staff bonuses and marketing, despite failing to achieve its targets.
He said COEX was meant to recycle 85 per cent of all eligible containers, but its performance had again slipped to 62 per cent by the end of 2024.
“That just isn’t good enough,” Powell said.
“Queenslanders want to do the right thing. We know that if they have the opportunity they will recycle.”
Powell said the “root and branch” inquiry would examine everything from the scope of the scheme to the location of drop-off sites.
“This is about strengthening this scheme, protecting our environment and putting more refund money where it belongs – in the pockets of Queenslanders,” he said.
12.50pm on Feb 20, 2025
Your say on kerbside collection
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12.35pm on Feb 20, 2025
Suburbs waiting weeks for kerbside clean-ups as volume surges
By Catherine Strohfeldt
Crews are working across weekends to collect rubbish put out for kerbside collection, amid a 30 per cent spike in volume.
Brisbane City Council said over 10,000 tonnes had already been collected since July last year, surpassing the amount collected at the same time last year by about 2300 tonnes.
While some suburbs have waited up to two weeks for items to be collected, the council’s city standards chair Sarah Hutton said crews were now working weekends to cope with the extra demand.
“From time to time, the volume of material put out for collection increases unexpectedly which can impact timeframes,” she said.
Council opposition leader Jared Cassidy said the delays were a “kick in the guts” for ratepayers, claiming underfunding had the service stretched thin.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if kerbside collection is now falling victim to the LNP Council’s savage cuts to council staff and contractors,” Cassidy said.
“He cut the service back in 2020 and the people of Brisbane made it loud and clear he’d made the wrong choice.”
Sixty-seven suburbs remain on the council’s collection roster before the end of the financial year, with schedules available on the council website.
12.27pm on Feb 20, 2025
Queensland construction fund to appeal licence ruling
By Sumeyya Ilanbey
Queensland construction fund BUSSQ will appeal a Federal Court decision that ruled it could not set aside a requirement by the financial regulator to impose additional licence conditions because of its controversial relationship with the CFMEU.
BUSSQ had taken the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to court last year after the regulator forced the $6 billion super fund – as well as Cbus – to engage an independent expert to review whether its CFMEU-appointed directors were fit and proper people, and if the fund’s expenditure was in the best financial interest of members.
Cbus complied with the direction, but BUSSQ sought a judicial review.
The Federal Court ruled late last month BUSSQ must go through an internal review process before it could receive a judicial review of APRA’s decision.
APRA said it was considering the fund’s decision to appeal.
“Trustees of superannuation funds are required to act in the best financial interests of their members and to have appropriate processes in place for the assessment of the fitness and propriety of their directors,” the regulator said in a statement.
“APRA’s decision to impose additional licence conditions in August 2024 was in response to prudential concerns that APRA had identified with BUSSQ’s compliance with these requirements.”
12.15pm on Feb 20, 2025
MPs pay tribute for former minister jailed for corruption
By William Davis
A former minister jailed for corruption has been given a parliamentary tribute following his death last year.
Geoff Muntz served as member for the Whitsundays from 1980 to 1989, representing the National Party. He died in August 2024.
Geoff Muntz, a minister in the Bjelke-Petersen and Ahern governments, who died last year.John Pryke
Following the Fitzgerald Inquiry, in 1991 Muntz was sentenced to a year behind bars for misappropriating ministerial expenses.
“I want to thank Geoff’s family for coming here today … they can be proud of his services to his community,” opposition leader and former premier Steven Miles said.
Premier David Crisafulli, member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm and member for Mermaid Beach Ray Stevens also paid tribute to the former minister’s work securing regional infrastructure, tourism and environmental protection.
None mentioned the findings against him.
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12.06pm on Feb 20, 2025
Unheralded Queenslander the first selection shock of the season
By Nick Wright
Queensland Reds hooker Richie Asiata is the first major selection shock of the Super Rugby season, ousting two Wallabies stars for the No.2 jumper.
Injuries curtailed the 28-year-old in 2024, and he didn’t feature for his side until their post-season clash with Wales – in which he scored a hat-trick – as Matt Faessler cemented his place in Australia’s forward pack, and Josh Nasser garnered a Test debut.
But Asiata’s impressive preseason encounters have forced Faessler to the Reds’ bench against Moana Pasifika, with Nasser not featuring.
Queensland coach Les Kiss confirmed the selection was a combination of Asiata’s form, as well as the depth of his squad, enabling him to tailor his selections to the style of rugby they would play and the opposition they would face.
“I know we’re going to have to move gears there a little bit, and we thought we’d give Richie a go first-up. The others will be right in play, but from my perspective all of them can give us something different,” Kiss said.
“Previous to this six months, he went and got some games in New Zealand, so it’s keeping that run of games. Between him, Josh Nasser and Matt Faessler it’s a fairly competitive space, so we’ll be able to move that and shape it as we want each week.”