Topic: Tree Clearing

Journalist: Vivian Von Drehen

Meet the Hawksbill... dubbed one of the most beautiful sea turtles in the world...

Now one of 21 new species to have its threatened protection status upgraded.

Professor Daryl Jones (02:42:13 - 02:49:15) - "Australia already has the world record for the loss of mammals of the entire of all countries in the world we can't let that go on"

This upgrading has prompted Steven Miles to call on reinstatement of vegetation management laws... in the hope of reducing land clearance in Queensland.

Steven Miles Labor MP (11:18:04 - 11:25:02) - "Land clearing in Queensland has doubled from roughly 150,000 hectares a year to nearly 300,000 hectares a year".

It is believed the increase of land clearing can be linked to these rising statistics.

But... experts say there are other things in play.

Professor Daryl Jones (03:56:00 - 04:07:00) - "Ultimately its all to do with climate change we are in a situation where there is no argument about what climate change is doing this is just a dramatic example".

PTC - "Professor Jones says the effects of this alleged increase in land clearing is starting to surface and if we don't act now many more species may start to become extinct.

AgForce says Labor may be misinterpreting data... and are unsure how these laws will help.

Charles Burke, AgForce CEO (00:15:01 - 00:23:14) - "It is poorly advised and poorly designed policy and just doesn't take account of what the facts are".

The Minister stands by the laws and says during 2013 when the laws were still in place agriculture production was up.

Steven Miles Labor MP (00:11:35:00 - 00:11:41:00) - "It is not the case that these laws will impact upon agriculture profitability".

But AgForce insists that Labor needs to put their data in context.

Charles Burke, AgForce CEO (00:59:12 - 00:01:07) - "We need to talk about net effect and in the last report there was more tree cover than what was actually cleared".

Among the upgrades of the animals... nine are now classed endangered and one species is now extinct.

Jorgia White, Seven News.

Topic: Herston Health Precinct Announcement

Journalist: Erin Edwards

Once a main medical institution in Queensland... Now seemingly abandoned.

Today Labor announced its plan to rejuvinate the Herston site... although the LNP claims it was their idea first.

["Jarrod Bleijie MP" - 33:18:10 - 33:23:01

"This is nothing more than a secret, sneaky, sell off".

Austalian Unity won the tender... a win the Premier says is for all Queenslanders.

["AnnastaciaPalaszczuk" - 06:44:16 - 07:01:03

"This 1.1 billion dollar development here at the Herston Quarter will mean 700 jobs in the construction phase moving to over 100 jobs in the medical precinct".

While plans are not yet complete Australian Unity says the precinct will include many residential facilities.

["Australian Unity Group Managing Director, Rohan Mead" - 15:24:23 - 15:32:20

"We'll have over 100 residential facilities but the exact numbers will be resolved over the coming months".

The Premier wasn't so sure...

["AnnastaciaPalaszczuk" - 18:14:10 - 18:18:23

"One fifth will be public space, residential we'll get back to you on that one".

PTC - "The project is expected to come together over a 10 year period with the public hospital being one of the first buildings to open within 5 years"

Other signature features include a retail centre and accomodation for medial students.

Jorgia White, Seven News.