The Australian government is pondering a new plan for disposal of waste from expanding the country’s port of Abbot Point, which would see the dredged mud and sand reused on land instead of being dumped by the Great Barrier Reef, as was initially planned. The on-land disposal project has been approved by the Queensland government. The decision was made despite the fact that federal authorities have... 

Thousands of homes in Australia’s Barrier Reef coastal region remain without power and face clean water shortages as Cyclone Ita continues to batter the northern coastline. Emergency authorities announce on Saturday that nearly 16,000 homes were without electricity and a number of roadways were shut down due to flooding while residents of worst-hit Cooktown were warned that clean water was about... 

Australia’s ruling Labor party is reeling from a devastating loss in a state election in Queensland, increasing the pressure of Julia Gillard, the prime minister. The extent of the loss – which left Labor with just seven seats, down from 51 – surprised Ms Gillard, who pledged to listen to the message from the state’s electorate. The outgoing premier, Anna Bligh, who was the first woman...