Brisbane

UQ Lakes at night @brisbane

A vote by University of Queensland students on UQ ties with Israel has gone ahead despite a bomb threat that shut down the main campus’ Great Court.

Police were called to the St Lucia campus in Brisbane after the threat was received by phone about 4.40pm on Wednesday.

An exclusion zone was declared, with students evacuated from buildings and a pro-Palestinian protest camp.

A police search of the area found no suspicious items, with an investigation launched to trace the source of the threat.

The University of Queensland has confirmed that the anonymous report received late this afternoon was a hoax.

Access to the Great Court and surrounding buildings has been reinstated.

While the Great Court was closed off with security patrolling the perimeter, students were seen lining up to vote in droves at the UQ Centre for the UQU vote at 6pm.

UQ student Beau Chen was studying when sirens started blaring across the university campus.

“I was studying in the central library and then the evacuation alarm went off,” Mr Chen said.

“We didn’t really know what’s happening, but everyone just started moving towards the Great Court.

“There were rumours that people were saying that it was a bomb threat.

“I feel like people didn’t really take it seriously.”

Fellow student Emily Rogerson felt like the bomb threat was a hoax.

“A bomb threat was called and we’ve been locked out of all the buildings,” Ms Rogerson said.

“We’re assuming someone’s like, called a bomb threat, thinking it would stop the vote from going ahead, but I think that’s still going ahead.

“I don’t think people think it’s real.”

Students were asked vote on three questions related to alleged ties between the University of Queensland and Israel amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Should UQ sever ties with companies that supply the Israeli Defence Force, if UQ should shut down the Boeing Centre, and should UQ financially divest from Israel.

All three motions were carried, making them the official position of the UQ Union.

Students continued pro-Palestinian protests following the vote.

Despite the threat that was made, Students for Palestine camp organiser Ella Gutteridge said the vote attracted strong interest from students on campus.

“I think that the outcome is that this is the highest democratic vote of the student body at UQ,” Ms Gutteridge said.

“We really hope that this is enough to make the university really consider and listen to our demands.

“We can’t make it any clearer now that our position of getting weapons companies off campus is not a radical minority position. It’s a position held by many, many students on campus.”

Ms Gutteridge said following the vote, students congregated in front of the main administration building to make a point.

“Everyone was so elated that we won - the energy was very high,” Ms Gutteridge said.

“So we decided to march to the admin building to take our message there to the vice-chancellor.

“This was the biggest protest for Palestine, I believe in UQ history, probably the biggest protest on campus since the Vietnam War.”

Archive/non-paywall link.

In short: Queensland has a range of roadside cameras to detect offences such as speeding, mobile phone use, and not wearing a seatbelt.
The government has significantly revised how much it expects to make from cameras with revenue in 2023-24 tipped to fall $94 million short.
What's next? The cameras are now projected to make $409 million in 2023-24, followed by $465.8 million in 2024-25.

Brace yourself for a reduction in tolerance. Government relies on that speed camera income so if there's a shortfall they'll stop dropping the percent tolerances until we hit the 1kph over fines they hand out in Victoria.

Interesting stuff, I hope we can do something about this, though I think 14 is too young still - I reckon 16-18 is a better target

Incase you don't like Murdoch: https://archive.is/vc7il

Archive/non-paywall link.

UQ's Camp Solidarity still going strong. The pro-genociders seem to have given up though. @brisbane

One of those interactive jobbos at Northshore if you’re interested.

Step into Bluey’s world - for real life. Let’s do this kiddos!

Embark on a brand-new immersive journey with Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad in their beloved home, backyard and beyond. Explore your favourite rooms, play interactive games, and keep your eyes peeled for surprises around every corner…and maybe even a Longdog or two!

As you arrive at the Heeler family’s Brisbane cul-de-sac watch out for those pesky bin chickens. Then enter their colourful Queenslander house, where you are invited to live and play like Bluey.

Follow the hallway to the living room and meet your guide who will join you on this very special adventure.

Discover Bluey and Bingo’s epic giant cubby. Crawl, climb and walk (funny walks encouraged) your way through the various cubby rooms.

Explore the girls’ bedroom from the stained-glass window to the watermelon rug. Then play games and make good times in the fun and vibrant playroom.

See what’s cooking in the Heeler’s kitchen; and decorate a pavlova like Bluey. But hold the edamame beans please

Venture out to the backyard for maximum play time around the poinciana tree. But wait…what’s going on in Dad’s shed? Look inside as more surprises await

Finish your day in Bluey’s Brisbane neighbourhood, complete with takeaway shop, playground, giftshop and much more

On the plus side, if anyone needs a doctor they're close by I guess.