Maori Education Minister has remained ‘evasive, cryptic and confusing’.

Nearly a dozen children, including a one-year-old, have overdosed on fentanyl since June in Portland, Oregon, its police bureau said on Thursday, intensifying alarm in a city like so many others that has struggled to address the deadliest overdose crisis in US history.

Police said 10 minors have overdosed since June and fentanyl is suspected in all but one of the cases.

Half of the incidents were fatal.

READ MORE: The last supermoon of the year will cross our skies tonight. Here's how to see it

A one-year-old, two-year-old, five-year-old and two 15-year-olds are among the dead, the Portland Police Bureau said in a news release.

A growing number of children are dying of fentanyl overdoses across the country amid an escalating opioid crisis that last year claimed nearly 80,000 lives, according to federal data.

In the past month, a two-year-old with a significant amount of fentanyl in her system died at her home south of Seattle, a one-year-old died of a suspected fentanyl overdose at a daycare in New York City and a 15-month-old in California died after being exposed to the substance in her home.

Police in Portland have increased patrols to shut down an open-air fentanyl market at an abandoned building downtown, and Democratic Governor Tina Kotek just this week announced plans to address fentanyl flowing into the state.

Kotek said she has directed the Oregon State Police to increase staff on local drug enforcement teams and boost patrol and detective resources, among other things, in order to disrupt the fentanyl supply chain.

Portland police say they're concerned by the growing number of juvenile overdoses.

The number of such overdoses since June alone is higher than the total number investigated over the last three years combined.

The episodes are considered “suspected” overdoses until confirmed by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

The police bureau's narcotics and organised crime unit is investigating all of the cases.

In one case, a victim was ordered to sign a statement saying their vehicle was not stolen.

Labour’s Cushla Tangaere-Manuel has been endorsed by Heather Te Au Skipworth.

A high-profile man accused of rape has been granted interim name suppression on the eve of new Queensland laws that permit identification.

Queensland law prohibits the naming of people charged with rape unless and until they are committed to stand trial, but that will change when new legislation takes effect next week.

The man faces two counts of raping a woman in Toowoomba in October 2021.

To date, his identity has been protected.

READ MORE: Jail threat for ex-Qantas boss if he dodges inquiry

But new laws passed two weeks ago will allow the media to name accused rapists and sex offenders from October 3, unless they obtain a suppression or non-publication order.

The accused's legal team intend to formally apply for a non-publication order after the legislation comes into effect, according to a decision published by the Supreme Court of Queensland.

"The applicant intends to apply for such an order as soon as practicable," Justice Peter Applegarth said in his ruling to grant the interim order on Friday.

"It will take some time for the application for the interim order to be heard and determined.

"Without such a temporary order, reports identifying him as the defendant in the committal proceeding could be published at any time after midnight on Monday.

"Given the publicity that the committal proceeding has attracted, there is a substantial risk that, unless a temporary order is made, media reports identifying the applicant will be published."

The Queensland Police Service did not oppose the application.

The new laws were a recommendation of the Women's Safety and Justice Taskforce in 2022, and bring Queensland into line with all other states and territories except the NT.

The Tasmanian premier has sacked the state's attorney-general over allegations of bullying and belittling.

At least two staff members raised allegations of bullying and inappropriate behaviour by Elise Archer, sparking an independent inquiry, The Australian reported.

Leaked text messages also showed Archer call Premier Jeremy Rockliff as "gutless".

READ MORE: Jail threat for ex-Qantas boss if he dodges inquiry

Rockliff today announced he had asked Archer to resign from cabinet after the leaked text messages and allegations of bullying emerged.

He said he understands Archer plans to resign from parliament and as the Member for Clark.

"Yesterday I was made aware of remarks Ms Archer had made outside of what had already been reported," he said.

"Those remarks were unacceptable by any standard and unequivocally fall short of expectations for a minister of the Crown."

READ MORE: Cher accused of hiring men to kidnap her own son

Rockliff said culture needs to change in Tasmania, starting with leadership and accountability improvements.

"I cannot accept a culture of belittling or a culture where people are not valued or respected for the work they do," he said.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson will take on the role of attorney-general temporarily while Rockliff will take over Archer's remaining portfolio responsibilities.

Archer was elected as the Member for Clark in 2010.

She was the first female speaker in the House of Assembly in Tasmania.

More than 60 per cent of constabulary staff voted against the offer.

AT was targeted on September 14, with ransomware gang Medusa seeking US$1m ransom.

The neighbours feared for their safety and struggled to live a normal life in their home.

Cook Islands heritage is centre stage in a showcase of arts, language, music and dance.