The Latest Breaking News from Kristy SextonMcGrath

The future of Cairns' only private maternity unit is in limbo as obstetric services dwindle across Queensland's far north.

A 66-year-old man has been charged with the alleged murder of a man in Far North Queensland after what police allege was an argument over loud noise.

Fiona Stokes is a business owner with a respectable rental history who can afford a decent home for her kids. But in booming Cairns she's up against hundreds of applicants, some prepared to go to extreme lengths.

Anyone with an extra room, granny flat or land for a tent or van is asked to get on board tourism authorities' new Adopt a Worker campaign.

One of the country's biggest food charities says it is facing unprecedented demand as the cost of groceries continues to rise, with supply chain pressures and widespread flooding also contributing to price hikes.

Kuku Yalanji woman Pat O'Shane's primary vote of just over 4 per cent may appear modest, but it is the Socialist Alliance's best-ever result in a seat outside Victoria and its best anywhere at this year's election.

It's an age-old phenomenon that plays out every election – the disappearance of election signage and creative additions to the ones left standing. But some candidates say more than half of their signs have gone missing during this campaign.

Father of five Christian McDonald was conscious but could not speak nor communicate in any way, not even to open an eyelid nor raise an eyebrow to connect with the health workers caring for him.

The marginal far north Queensland seat of Leichhardt has long been won by the party that forms government, and this year it is shaping up to be one of the battles to watch.