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A coronial inquest will be held into the deaths of three people who died by suicide in the mental health unit of the Prince Charles Hospital between December 2022 and April 2024.A further two people survived suicide attempts in the inpatient wards during this period.The announcement of the inquest follows an independent review, which found there were staff shortages and inpatient facilities were “no longer fit for purpose” at two psychiatric wards at the hospital.LoadingFollowing the release of the review in August last year, the Queensland government committed $10 million to the facility.Health Minister Tim Nicholls said those recommendations were “either underway or have been substantially completed” and supported the launch of a coronial inquest.“I believe it [the inquest] will probably lead to recommendations that will help us to improve the service,” Nicholls said.“This is something that obviously we will participate in, we look to learn from … the outcome of the investigation and [as I’ve said recently], the number of deaths in our mental health units is of concern to me.”A pre-inquest conference is scheduled for April 2026.If you, or someone you know, needs support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.Latest postsLatest postsThe PM has dismissed calls by the Coalition and Opposition Leader Sussan Ley for Kevin Rudd to step down from his position as ambassador to the US after his awkward moment with Donald Trump at the White House yesterday.Here is that moment:“It was just some banter that went on in response to a question that was asked of the president. It wasn’t certainly a significant moment... So all’s good,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC News Breakfast this morning.“Kevin Rudd is doing a fantastic job, and the work that he put into this outcome is certainly recognised by me and recognised by all of his American friends as well.”In the US, the White House has celebrated the Australia-US relationship with a social media video of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s meeting with President Donald Trump.Uplifting music and audio of yesterday’s meeting plays over clips of the two leaders in discussions in several settings, from the corridors to the cabinet room and the Oval Office.“It’s great to have the prime minister of Australia, a lot of friends over there... we work together very much on rare earths, critical minerals, and lots of other things,” said the post signed “President Donald J. Trump” and carrying the two countries’ flags. Brisbane, are we in the midst of an identity crisis?Yes, we’re the sporting capital of Australia – despite opposition from many in our comment sections on social media – and we’ll host the Olympics in eight short years. But what is our actual brand identity? XXXX Beer? The Broncos? Bin chickens?US-based brand designer Caleb Nugent has attempted to give us an answer. Here’s what he came up with:Brisbane’s new identity? US-based brand designer Caleb Nugent has unveiled his vision for Brisbane, at the request of the city’s tourism body.Credit: Calebnugentdesign Advertisement Albanese.Credit: Cathy WilcoxChanging pace for a moment, it’s time for a brainteaser on this Wednesday morning.Question: Bruce was in his car by himself, driving along a quiet rural road when he was pulled over and fined by police on the spot. He had been travelling at the current speed, was legally permitted to drive, was not impaired in any way and his car did not have any faults. What had he done wrong?.Credit: Craig ButtWe’ll reveal the answer around 9am, so stay with us. Keeping with health-related news for a moment, a Brisbane court is today due to hear a challenge to the Crisafulli government’s ban on hormone therapy for children with gender dysphoria.LoadingGender-affirming care encompasses a range of treatments, including the use of puberty blockers to prevent the onset of puberty, hormone replacement therapy, mental health support, speech therapy and surgery.It is the use of puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 18 that has become a political issue since concerns were raised about the care given to 17 young people in Cairns.In January, Health Minister Tim Nicholls called an immediate halt to the hormone treatments and ordered an independent clinical review, in a directive approved by director-general David Rosengren.The mother of a trans teenager launched legal action in May, claiming the government had acted unlawfully and failed to follow proper procedures. Advertisement A coronial inquest will be held into the deaths of three people who died by suicide in the mental health unit of the Prince Charles Hospital between December 2022 and April 2024.A further two people survived suicide attempts in the inpatient wards during this period.The announcement of the inquest follows an independent review, which found there were staff shortages and inpatient facilities were “no longer fit for purpose” at two psychiatric wards at the hospital.LoadingFollowing the release of the review in August last year, the Queensland government committed $10 million to the facility.Health Minister Tim Nicholls said those recommendations were “either underway or have been substantially completed” and supported the launch of a coronial inquest.“I believe it [the inquest] will probably lead to recommendations that will help us to improve the service,” Nicholls said.“This is something that obviously we will participate in, we look to learn from … the outcome of the investigation and [as I’ve said recently], the number of deaths in our mental health units is of concern to me.”A pre-inquest conference is scheduled for April 2026.If you, or someone you know, needs support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.Three young children were inside a caravan when it was stolen from a property on the Gold Coast last night, and crashed into a ditch.Police say a man got into an argument with a woman he knew at a property in Tallai about 5.30pm on Tuesday before allegedly tying the caravan to his vehicle and driving off, with the children still inside.The man did not get far before he drove off an embankment, crashing the caravan.Fortunately, the three children, all aged under seven, escaped without major injuries.Paramedics were quick to arrive at the scene. The man was taken to hospital and this morning is being questioned by police.A Ducati rider caught travelling 172km/h in an 80km/h zone has lost his licence and been fined $2385 following a police blitz in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.Officers spotted the Ducati Streetfighter V4 S travelling more than double the speed limit and crossing the road’s double continuous dividing lines along Manley Stanley River Road in Booroobin on Saturday.A Ducati rider was caught travelling 172km/h in an 80km/h zone on Saturday.Credit: Queensland PolicePolice said the rider, a 48-year-old Wurtulla man, lost 12 demerit points, leading to a licence suspension, after officers found his motorbike also did not comply with vehicle standards.Both covert and high-visibility patrols were posted across the region at “specific areas that are known for speed-related crashes”.The patrols dished out 83 fines across October 18 and 19, including six to motorbike riders travelling at least 41km/h over the speed limit.“With 23.5 per cent of all lives lost on Queensland roads so far this year involving motorcycles, this operation reinforces safe riding principles,” North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner Darryl Johnson said. Advertisement October heat records have fallen in two states on the same day, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.LoadingBourke in remote western NSW reached a top of 44.8 degrees at 4pm on Tuesday, breaking a 106-year-old record by nearly a whole degree.Further north, the town of Birsdville topped out at 46.1 degrees about 3pm, breaking the record of 45.1 degrees same in the same town in 1995.
