Queensland's books are expected be back in black within the next four years, with Treasurer Cameron Dick predicting the state will return to a $153 million surplus by mid-2025.

A senior air force officer whose career was in part inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing will become Australia's first space commander next year.

Brazil cattle prices are breaking records, abattoirs are shutting, and the ramifications for global beef markets could be huge.

South-east Queensland drivers filling up their tanks this weekend will be paying the highest prices of all the capital cities in Australia for unleaded petrol, with the fuel cycle showing although prices are slow to rise, they are even slower to come down again.

Painters and colour consultants say grey is the new beige when it comes to house exteriors, with "neutral" tones spreading across our cities. But a Brisbane artist says seeing newly "bland" streetscapes is "heartbreaking".