Jack McKay
Jack McKay is a digital reporter for ABC Radio Brisbane. He has previously covered state politics and local government in Queensland.
Latest by Jack McKay
Greens announce $10m light rail study in Brisbane election pitch as LNP flags Metro expansion
The Greens pledge to push for trams to come back to Brisbane if they gain power at next month's council election, as the LNP prepares to announce more details about its Metro expansion plan.
Major conservation park home to koalas near Brisbane to grow by 213 hectares
The state government purchases a large parcel of land that will be added to the Daisy Hill Conservation Park, which features mountain bike tracks, walking paths, picnic areas, horse riding trails, and a koala centre.
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Hundreds of drivers caught with cocaine in their system by new roadside testing regime
An expansion to Queensland's list of detectable drugs during random roadside intercepts identified 322 drug driving offences involving cocaine in its first six months between July and December last year.
Kent and his family have been living in different motels for more than six months
With more than 43,000 people waiting on Queensland's social housing register, a former top bureaucrat is tasked to review the state's response to homelessness with new funding for specialist support groups as a housing plan takes shape.
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Demolition works for Toombul Shopping Centre to begin next week, local MP says
Member for Nudgee and Environment Minister Leanne Linard says demolition works at the flood-damaged shopping centre in Brisbane's north will begin next week, although its owner is yet to commit to an exact date.
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Queensland LNP considers stamp duty changes as fewer first home buyer discounts granted
Data from the state government reveals the number of buyers qualifying for the first home concession has fallen as property prices have risen.
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Tennis Queensland warns of 'chronic' court shortage in state's south-east
Queensland's governing tennis body says the state needs hundreds more courts to reach its desired ratio of one court for every 2,000 people.
Brisbane lord mayor, Queensland transport minister clash in city bus funding stoush
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has released new figures indicating there are tens of thousands of fewer bus services compared to a decade ago, but the state government says it's an admission of financial mismanagement by the council.
Queensland going backwards in bid to keep household waste out of landfill
The Queensland government acknowledges it has work to do to hit its waste targets, including a goal to divert 55 per cent of household waste from landfill by 2025.
Parties pledge to halve bus fares, cut speed limits as Brisbane council election ramps up
Ahead of Brisbane voters heading to the polls on March 16, both Labor and the Greens have announced new transport proposals as they vie for votes in Australia's largest local government.
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Analysis
analysis:Miles's Gabba gamble a bid for votes as election looms
By Jack McKay
Queenslanders will find out in October, when voters head to the ballot box, if Steven Miles has done enough to convince Queenslanders his Games gambit is a gold medal winner.
Thousands more properties fall under Queensland's land tax regime as values rise
Queensland's peak real estate body wants the the longstanding land tax threshold to increase with inflation, but the government warns the move would cost the budget $200 million per year.
'Maybe we got that wrong': Premier concedes Gabba rebuild not his preferred option as review gets underway
Queensland's premier concedes he'd prefer the Gabba stadium isn't demolished and rebuilt for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as former lord mayor Graham Quirk is tasked with reviewing the Games master plan.
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Queensland government's $371m public transport smart ticketing rollout hit with delays
Translink confirms smart ticketing will now be trialled on buses this year, despite the state government previously suggesting it would be up and running by 2023.
Queensland government yet to begin promised 60-day review of Olympic Games infrastructure
Premier Steven Miles has again cast doubt over the future of the Gabba rebuild in Queensland, and says a promised 60-day review of Olympic and Paralympic Games infrastructure hasn't started yet.
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From axing MPs' first class flights to navigating Mabo, newly released cabinet minutes show how Wayne Goss governed
By Jack McKay
The year was 1993, and the Goss government was navigating the fallout of the Mabo decision, putting even stricter protections on cabinet documents, and curtailing first class flights for MPs.
Random breath testing could be on the way for Queensland e-scooter riders and cyclists
The state's transport department is looking into ways to further address drink riding, in an effort to protect road and footpath users.
CPI and high-quality candidates behind Queensland mayoral and councillor pay rises
Elected local government officials in Queensland are granted pay rises of mostly between 3 and 5 per cent that will come into effect from the start of next financial year.
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New Queensland premier Steven Miles outlines his priorities for 2024
By state political reporters Kate McKenna and Rachel Riga, and Jack McKay
After being elected unopposed by the Labor caucus on Friday morning, Steven Miles gives his maiden speech and vows to boost emission reduction targets and to address youth crime and the housing crisis.
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$2.7 billion Gabba rebuild in doubt as incoming premier signals major Olympic project review
By state political reporter Rachel Riga and Jack McKay
Queensland's incoming premier vows to review the $2.7 billion Gabba rebuild and promises "fresh faces" in a new-look cabinet once he is confirmed.
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Steven Miles to replace Annastacia Palaszczuk as Queensland premier, Cameron Dick to become deputy
By Jack McKay and Jessica van Vonderen
Steven Miles will be the next premier of Queensland after Health Minister Shannon Fentiman withdrew her candidacy for the job.
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Palaszczuk's resignation turns into contested leadership battle as health minister challenges deputy premier for top job
By Jack McKay
Deputy Premier Steven Miles has thrown his hat in the ring to succeed Annastacia Palaszczuk as Queensland premier – but he is facing a challenge in his bid to take up the state's top job.
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Queensland puts millions on the table for solar battery rebate scheme
The exact date the scheme will commence is yet to be announced, but the government has hinted that it will be rolled out next year.
Queensland premier to receive almost $50k bump as politicians granted 11pc pay rise over three years
By state political reporter Rachel Riga and Jack McKay
The Queensland premier is set to receive a salary increase of nearly $50,000 by 2025, while the opposition leader's salary will rise by more than $30,000 in that time.
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Events promoter says sporting codes cannot afford temporary Ekka stadium
Former Gold Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane criticises the Palaszczuk government's move to make sporting codes pay for a temporary stadium while the Gabba is rebuilt for the 2032 Olympics.