Brisbane news live: Renowned Brisbane party boat up for auction, with bidding starting at just $9

The Kookaburra Queen is now up for public auction, with any Australian able to potentially grab it for a bargain.

The auction for the party boat, which can fit 30 people on its observation deck and 320 people in two dining rooms, has started on auction website Grays.com.

Kookaburra Queen I was one of two similar boats built for World Expo 88. It was a near-constant presence on the Brisbane River for decades, hosting countless parties and tours.

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While bidding started at just $9, the 30.5-metre timber vessel was also offered on Facebook Marketplace in 2024 for $800,000.

A sunny day is expected in Brisbane today, with a top of 28 degrees and even warmer days ahead.

Keep in mind that the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an apparent – or “feels like” – temperature in the mid-teens, so the perfect spring weather could still feel a little chilly.

Here’s the seven-day outlook, taking in the weekend and beyond:

Here’s what’s making news further afield this morning:

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump.Credit: Instagram

Just as Anthony Albanese’s failure to secure his first meeting with Trump was beginning to become politically damaging, the prime minister has locked in a White House visit next month – and even got a selfie.

European leaders have praised Australia’s world-first move to limit young people’s access to social media. “Since the announcement of Australia’s landmark minimum age law, I’ve been watching very closely, and I’ve been inspired by Australia’s example,” European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said. Speaking as a mother and grandmother, Von der Leyen said she believed it was “plain common sense” to limit children’s access to social media.

NDIS participants will no longer be required to source their own evidence from family doctors or allied health professionals to get support, as costly external reports will be replaced by a lengthy interview with agency assessors in a new planning regime that aims to improve consistency across the $48 billion scheme.

Donald Trump added a revealing flourish to his sudden reversal on Ukraine in his remarks at the United Nations this week, when he heaped scorn on Russia as a weak power that could lose the war. If you have whiplash following Trump on Ukraine, here are some facts.

And your shopping trolley might be filled with fresh produce, healthy whole grains, lean meats, dairy and legumes, but celebrity chef Jamie Oliver says there’s still one crucial thing missing.