Brisbane news live: Pair accused of suspicious Brisbane boat fire

5 hours ago 3

Key posts

1 of 1

Pair accused of suspicious Brisbane boat fire

Police are calling for anyone with information or vision from dashcam or CCTV to contact them as they seek to identify two males linked to a suspicious boat fire in Manly on Brisbane’s bayside.

Shortly after 3am on September 28, police allege two males entered a marina on Royal Esplanade and broke into a van before walking down a floating dock where boats were moored.

“About 3.45am, police and emergency services were called to a marina on Royal Esplanade following reports a boat was on fire,” police said in a statement.

“No injuries were reported, and the two males had already left the scene prior to police arrival.”

Police believe one of the males might have also unlawfully entered a boat at the same marina about 4.30am the previous day.

Police are appealing for public assistance to identify two males in relation to a Manly boat fire.

“The first male is described as Caucasian, with a tattoo on his right calf. He was last seen wearing a dark beanie with a pompom, a dark long-sleeved top, slides, a dark-coloured backpack, and light-coloured shorts,” police said.

“The second male was last ween wearing a green hoodie, dark-coloured pants, slides, and a dark-coloured cap.”

Investigations are continuing.

9.14am

Bus and motorbike crash, rider dead

By William Davis

A motorbike rider has died after crashing with a bus just south of Brisbane.

The 28-year-old man died in hospital shortly after the accident in Kingston about 3pm yesterday.

The intersection where the motorbike and the bus collided on Thursday.

The bus driver was not hurt, and no one else was physically injured.

The motorcyclist was travelling south on Polaris Avenue, and crashed with the bus at the intersection of Laughlin Street.

It was not clear who was responsible.

Police are requesting anyone who saw the crash or who had relevant footage to get in touch.

8.44am

Monday to bring exams for year 12 students

By Catherine Strohfeldt

Today marks the final school day before year 12 students across the state launch into their final exams.

More than 42,000 students will sit at least one general exam over the next 3½ weeks, which account for between 25 and 50 per cent of their final grade.

The most commonly taken exam will be English – for many students it’s a requirement to receive a year 12 certificate of education – which will be done by almost 28,000 students.

The second-highest done exam will be general mathematics, biology, and mathematical methods.
An additional 16,541 year 12 students – or 28 per cent – won’t sit any general subject QCE exams, and instead complete year 12 through other means, including through vocational education and training (VET), trade or specialist courses.

Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority acting chief executive Claude Jones said schools and teachers had done “a wonderful job of preparing students” and advised those sitting the tests to look after themselves across the nearly month-long exam period.

“Keeping a healthy balance is important — that means putting away phones while studying, taking regular breaks, spending time with friends, eating well and getting plenty of sleep,” Jones said.

8.43am

Australia does not have a strong opposition, says independent MP

By Emily Kaine

Independent MP Dai Le has hit out at the federal opposition for engaging in what she labelled “trading tirades” amid the news last week that Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce would be exiting the party and rumours of his potential defection to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.

“We really do need a strong opposition, that’s all I can say, absolutely we need a strong, disciplined, very focused opposition. And at this stage, I think Australians aren’t getting that from the opposition.

“I’m calling on the opposition to be doing what they should be doing, being a very strong opposition, instead of kind of doing these trading tirades and all of this flip-flopping about,” Le said on Nine’s Today show this morning.

The independent MP’s comments come as various divisions continue to plague the opposition, including, in recent weeks, fractures over its net zero policy and conflicting views over Kevin Rudd’s suitability as Australian ambassador to the US.

8.18am

Pair accused of suspicious Brisbane boat fire

Police are calling for anyone with information or vision from dashcam or CCTV to contact them as they seek to identify two males linked to a suspicious boat fire in Manly on Brisbane’s bayside.

Shortly after 3am on September 28, police allege two males entered a marina on Royal Esplanade and broke into a van before walking down a floating dock where boats were moored.

“About 3.45am, police and emergency services were called to a marina on Royal Esplanade following reports a boat was on fire,” police said in a statement.

“No injuries were reported, and the two males had already left the scene prior to police arrival.”

Police believe one of the males might have also unlawfully entered a boat at the same marina about 4.30am the previous day.

“The second male was last ween wearing a green hoodie, dark-coloured pants, slides, and a dark-coloured cap.”

Investigations are continuing.

8.14am

Happy Fry-day

We close out the week in Brisbane with a sweaty, cloudy day, although there’s the possibility of a late shower.

The bureau has forecast a maximum temperature of 31 degrees, which isn’t quite as warm as predictions earlier in the week.

And after a warm weekend, Monday is set to be a scorcher with a top of 36. Again, that’s not the 38-degree prediction we had been dreading.

Here’s the outlook for the next seven days:

7.56am

While you were sleeping

Here’s what’s making news further afield:

The United States is seeking ongoing use of the nation’s biggest naval base as part of the Pentagon’s review into the AUKUS pact – a move that would help project American power across the Indo-Pacific as it prepares for a possible conflict with China. The location, which serves as the home base for most of Australia’s frigates and submarines, is strategically significant for the US given it is closer to important Asian countries than the US Pacific fleet headquarters in Hawaii.

Footage of her went viral in 2023 when she was filmed refusing to obey police orders while driving, leading an officer to smash her car window.

Her dramatic arrest went viral. Now a prominent member of a radical anti-government organisation aligned with sovereign citizen ideology has been accused of stalking a police officer who arrested her on domestic violence offences.

US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticised an Israeli parliament vote for annexation of the occupied West Bank. Yesterday, far-right politicians in the Knesset gave preliminary approval to a bill applying Israeli law in the territory. Vance labelled it a “very stupid political stunt”.

Four simple habits may lower your risk of Parkinson’s. The disease, once considered relatively rare, is now one of the most common neurological disorders in the world, and the second-most common after Alzheimer’s disease.

And King Charles and Pope Leo prayed together in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, in the first joint worship including an English monarch and a Catholic pontiff since King Henry VIII broke away from Rome in 1534.

7.45am

The top stories this morning

Good morning and welcome to Brisbane Times’ news blog for Friday, October 24. Today we can expect a cloudy day and a maximum of 31 degrees.

Here are this morning’s local headlines:

The Queensland government has quietly appointed a series of people with LNP connections to state boards without public announcements in the year since it took office, including at least 10 party figures whose appointments have not yet been reported.

(Clockwise from top left) Former state party figures Mark Robinson, Ian Walker, Denver Beanland, Lachlan Millar and Michael Hart, and former senator Joanna Lindgren, are now serving on government-appointed boards.

A man has been taken into police custody, accused of stabbing another man to death in Coolangatta.

Australia’s rail regulator has distanced itself from claims it would need two years to sign off on Cross River Rail, after the Crisafulli government pushed back the project’s delivery date by another three years.

Incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss insists Mark Nawaqanitawase’s prospects of featuring in the 2027 Rugby World Cup will not hinge on where he signs upon his comeback to the 15-man code.

Brisbane singer-songwriter Meg Washington’s latest record, Gem, is a lilting, swirling album that sees her contemplating why she continues to make music and sing, even in turbulent times. She performs at QPAC, Brisbane on October 25.

Catch up on local, national and international news with our weekly multiple-choice challenge.

The hotel has transformed its pool terrace, removing a sauna and a gym to create an intimate 60-seat bar.

And open just in time for summer is intimate Valley rooftop bar and pool, Above. Expect live entertainment four nights a week, a Middle Eastern food menu from a celebrated chef, and cocktails and slushies by an award-winning bartender.