Health officials say the traveller was likely infected before visiting NZ.

A fire ant nest has been detected in World Heritage-listed rainforest on the Gold Coast.

The nest was found in a forest clearing in Lamington National Park and has been destroyed, according to the Invasive Species Council.

The tiny red ants are considered one of the world's worst invasive species and can devastate agriculture and native wildlife.

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Native to South America, they were first detected in Australia in Brisbane in 2001, and are currently only known to be in south-east Queensland.

They have been detected and eradicated in parts of northern New South Wales.

The new discovery is deeply concerning, Invasive Species Council advocacy director Reece Pianta said.

"To find a nest inside one of the world's most ancient and beautiful rainforests is alarming," Pianta said.

"These places should be beyond the reach of invasive species.

"Rainforest is an unusual habitat for fire ants, which shows just how adaptable and dangerous they are and why every part of Australia is at risk of fire ant infestation.

"The program's rapid response meant the nest was found and destroyed before it could spread. That's exactly how eradication is supposed to work. The park is protected because the system responded fast.

READ MORE: RBA makes big call on the future of cash in Australia

Pianta said funding delays could impair the next phase of fire ant eradication.

"Every successful response protects irreplaceable natural heritage," Pianta said.

"But eradication only works if teams can move fast and have the resources they need."

The federal government's National Fire Ant Eradication Program aims to eradicate fire ants from Australia by 2032 at an estimated cost of between $200 and $300 million per year.

People can report fire ants using the government's online reporting form or by calling 13 22 68 (132 ANT).

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The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has backed calls to keep cash circulating in the economy, describing bank notes and coins as "vital" for regional and remote communities.

In an update on the future of cash in Australia during its Payments System Board meeting, the RBA agreed the "long-term sustainability" of the cash economy was crucial amid concerns over a cashless future.

The board also expressed support for the RBA's proposed ban on card surcharges.

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"Access to cash remains vital for many Australians, particularly in regional and remote communities," the RBA said in a statement.

"Members acknowledged the importance of the long-term sustainability of the cash distribution system and expressed support for the proposed regulatory framework for providers of cash distribution services.

"The framework would include crisis powers for the public sector to assist in managing risks to the continuity of cash distribution services across Australia."

Amendments to card systems regulations – including interchange fee regulation – were also identified as having "relative merit" in keeping cash flowing in Australia.

"Members expressed their support for industry efforts to strengthen resilience and contingency arrangements so that the payments system meets the high reliability standards expected by Australians," the RBA said.

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A consultation paper on regulatory action is scheduled for publication this month.

Swinburne finance expert Professor Steve Worthington said he welcomed the RBA's position, adding that Australians have the right to avoid credit card surcharges by using legal tender.

He also suggested the RBA "take over" the distribution of cash and run it as a public service.

"They could also assist in the creation of jointly owned distribution organisation by involving the major banks as operators of this service," Worthington said.

"This could run like The Link in the UK, who run the Link ATM network and distribute cash to every corner of the UK."

A recent Reserve Bank survey found consumer payments made in cash have fallen from about 70 per cent in 2007 to just 13 per cent in 2022.

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The nation's declining use of cash was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic when shoppers and retail workers were reluctant to handle potentially infected notes.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced last year that Australia will be introducing a cash mandate for grocery and fuel retailers in 2026.

Under the nine-page draft published in October, grocery and fuel retailers must accept up to $500 in cash payments.

The bigger grocery and fuel retailers that are captured under the mandate can still, however, be granted an exemption if they can prove an exceptional circumstance. 

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A young girl has been left with serious injuries after she was attacked by a dog in Perth's northern suburbs.

The child, who is under the age of 10, was in Hillarys in Joondalup on Wednesday afternoon when the canine approached her.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the girl was taken to Perth Children's Hospital at 3.40pm.

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A spokesperson from WA Ambulance said the girl was serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

It is understood the girl was left with serious facial injuries.

Joondalup Mayor Daniel Kingston said the city has impounded the dog to remove the risk to residents and the wider community.

"The city takes all dog attack reports seriously and is investigating the incident as a matter of priority," Kingston said

"Any witnesses with information about this incident are encouraged to contact the City's field officers on 9400 4000."

WA Police were initially called to the scene of the attack.

"Subsequent inquiries confirmed the person received medical treatment and there was no requirement for police attendance," a WA Police spokesperson said.

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Exclusive: Most Australians agree employees shouldn't have to go into the office during major rain events, according to an exclusive nine.com.au reader poll.

The nation has experienced a staggering number of extreme wet weather events over the last five years, from cyclones in Queensland, to flooding in Victoria and NSW.

Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have copped one downpour after another, and many Aussies believe workers shouldn't be expected to turn up at the office when it happens.

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More than 65 per cent of the 962 nine.com.au readers surveyed said Aussies should be allowed to work from home during major rain events.

That includes any intense or prolonged periods of rain that significantly exceed normal weather patterns.

Several respondents said it's safer to let staff to work from home, as it reduces the number of cars on the road during wet weather.

Others said it also reduces strain on public transport networks which can experience delays and failures in severe downpours.

Only 24 per were opposed to WFH arrangements during major rain events, and one in 10 said they were undecided.

"Working from home should only be approved in extreme circumstance at the employer's discretion," one reader told nine.com.au.

Another noted that "major rain events are not new and have been survived previously without major reconstruction of work requirements".

Surprisingly, only 26 per cent of respondents approved of Aussie employees who can't work from home getting extra pay or perks to come in during a major rain event.

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There are many jobs that simply can't be done from home, like nursing and building.

But 60 per cent of readers said they should just get on with the job when major rain events occur.

Just over one in four said they deserve extra pay or perks, such as compensation for extra travel time or the added risk of driving to the office in the rain.

One reader said "there should be some form of recognition for dedication to the job", but was unsure what that might look like.

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Nine.com.au readers were even more divided on office dress codes during downpours.

More that half said dress codes for workers who don't wear a uniform should be relaxed during major rain events to allow workers to dress appropriately for the weather.

That could mean swapping heels for gumboots and suit jackets for water-resistant coats in a corporate office.

But one in three said it just wasn't necessary.

"They should bring their work clothes in a separate bag and get changed once at work. Dress code is there for a reason," one reader explained.

Another simply suggested employers "dish out umbrellas at the start of the week and tell them to grow up".

The nine.com.au poll, which runs once a fortnight, canvases the views of the Nine audience on 9Nation, which is an online community of our readers and viewers.

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A small business owner has sent NSW Premier Chris Minns a $23,000 bill for costs he has been slugged with due to the new public holiday.

The state government has given residents a day off on the Monday following Anzac Day as April 25 falls on a Saturday this year and Sunday next year.

The announcement was floated in January and confirmed on February 15, but PCB Electrical Director Paul Brunton told 2GB he was not given enough time to plan for it.

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Not only will he miss out on some work, but he will also have to pay his staff triple time for the jobs already booked in for that day.

"We will have 16 staff that will have to work that day because we work for food processing, timber mills, quarries, mining, water," he told the radio station.

"None of that will stop that day. Those factories can't just shut down, so our staff will have still have to work to keep those plants going.

"So under our award, they'll get paid their normal day, their normal public holiday and then they get paid double time to work a public holiday."

All up, it will cost Brunton $23,000.

Even if he gives everyone the day off, he said it will cost him $12,500.

Brunton has sent the premier an invoice for the amount and requested payment.

"Dear Chris, we refer to the additional public holiday that was announced in connection with Anzac Day, as this additional day was not included in our original project allowances or costs," he wrote in a letter to Minns.

"PCB Electrical has issued an invoice to your office for the additional labour costs.

"Could you please confirm when payment can be expected?"

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https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/exclusive-premier-chris-minns-facing-24-000-bill/embed?style=Cover&media=Audio&size=Wide

Minns' office has declined to comment. 

The state will have the additional public holidays on Monday this year and next year to account for Anzac Day falling on a weekend.

The move received support from the RSL.

"RSL NSW's primary concern is that the sanctity and significance of Anzac Day is protected, and we welcome Premier Minns' assurance that Anzac Day itself will remain the central focus of national commemoration, observed with the respect and reflection it deserves," Acting President RSL NSW Vince Williams said. 

Brunton said he will increase his hourly rate next year to cover the cost of the public holiday.

"I'm not arguing against a public holiday, but we were given four months' notice, so we never budgeted for this in our costings," he said. 

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After the additional public holiday next year, the government will review whether there should be a permanent change to Anzac Day public holiday arrangements when the day falls on a weekend, whether the state should have an extra public holiday, and whether there should be more days off.

"This review will look at whether the balance is right for workers, families and businesses, and whether there is a case for change going forward," Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis said.

Western Australia and the ACT give their residents Monday off if Anzac Day falls on the weekend, while Queensland and the Northern Territory only give people an extra day if it falls on a Sunday.

Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania do not provide a make-up public holiday if April 25 falls on a weekend.

NSW and Tasmania have the fewest public holidays in the country with 11 compared to 14 or 15 days off elsewhere in Australia.

Both states only have 11 days off each year, compared to 15 in South Australia and the Northern Territory and 14 in Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

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Canadian backpacker Piper James died from drowning due to a dingo attack on Queensland's K'gari, the state's coroner has found.

The 19-year-old's body was found near Orchid Beach, north of Maheno Wreck, with significant bite injuries and surrounded by a pack of dingoes on the morning of January 19.

James had told friends she was going for an early morning swim, but never returned.

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A spokesperson for the Coroner's Court this morning confirmed Piper's cause of death has been ruled as "drowning in the setting of multiple injuries, due to, or as a consequence of a dingo attack".

"The investigation into Piper's death is ongoing, and no further information can be provided at this time."

After the attack, local mayor George Seymour said there has been an "escalation of aggressive dingo activity" in recent years and a fatality was "inevitable" given the number of bites and attacks.

"People go there partly because of the dingoes, because of the whole experience and our community is very attached to the island and its wilderness," he said.

"Ultimately, we have to respect that this is a wilderness."

The last fatal dingo attack on the island was the mauling of a nine-year-old boy in 2001.

Locals and visitors to K'gari are advised not to interact with dingoes.

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Indigenous elders say they've warned the government that wongaris, as they are known to the Aboriginal community, are becoming more dangerous as tourism on the island increases.

K'gari has a permanent population of about 150 people, and about 400,000 tourists visit every year.

There is no cap on visitor numbers.

Piper's mother, Angela James, told 9News her daughter had been "having the time of her life" on the World Heritage-listed island.

"She loved it there. She just loved it. She thought it was beautiful," Angela said.

"She quite often would set her alarm to get up, catch the sunrise, which is what she did that day.

"I think that's what she probably got up to do. But she never got the opportunity to.

"It's just a tragic accident, it's tragic. I don't know, maybe something needs to be done to keep people a little safer, that's all."

Her father, Todd James, said he admired her strength and determination and "will always remember her infectious laugh and her kind spirit".

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Donald Trump's sacking of the public face of his immigration crackdown has exposed the first fissures in the cabinet of his second term.

Kristi Noem is the first cabinet member to be fired in the president's second term, lasting more than a year in the role.

It's a stark contrast from Trump 1.0, where the sacking of a cabinet member felt like an almost weekly occurrence.

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But in his second term, the president has surrounded himself with those less likely to draw his ire.

His first cabinet was filled with establishment Republicans, technocrats and respected business figures.

But those officials were likely to behave like conventional cabinet members, pushing to maintain precedent and meekly accepting criticism.

His new cabinet is more in the Trump mould: true believers in the president's agenda with an aggressive attitude towards the media and Democratic politicians.

They would be expected to follow the Trump ethos – never admit fault, and never apologise.

But the Noem's handling of the Department of Homeland Security was too much for even Trump to defend.

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Being maligned and despised by Democrats might not make the president raise an eyebrow – but Republicans are another matter altogether.

Appearing before a Senate hearing this week, Noem was sharply criticised by Republicans Thom Tillis and John Kennedy.

Her handling of the immigration crackdown across America has been highly unpopular and dogged by serious errors.

Not only have thousands of documented immigrants with no criminal background been detained and deported, but many American citizens have also been swept up in the raids.

Noem has also been the subject of unflattering headlines about her own leadership.

A Coast Guard pilot was fired for leaving Noem's blanket on a plane.

She also used $US220 million ($313 million) in taxpayer dollars on an ad ostensibly to promote the Department, but was seen as being self-serving.

The ad showed Noem riding a horse wearing a cowboy hat in her home state of South Dakota.

The ad contract was given without a competitive bidding process to the husband of prominent department spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.

And this week, she would not outright deny under oath that she was having an affair with top advisor Corey Lewandowski. 

In spite of the scandals, Noem has been given a newly created role as "Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas".

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It is not known whether Noem knew about her sacking before it was announced, with her taking the stage for a speech at the time.

Noem's axing is the first major sign Trump is trying to get his administration back on track as his approval rating sits in the doldrums.

Republicans are likely to lose control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate in the coming midterm elections in November.

If successful, Democrats will be able to halt Trump's legislative agenda and potentially impeach him.

Already, it is appearing apparent Democratic voters are more motivated to turn out in November.

On Tuesday, more Democrats voted in Texas primary elections than Republicans, an alarming sign for the White House in their party's most important state.

Noem's nominated replacement is Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma senator who has been vocal in his support of Trump's war on Iran this week.

READ MORE: Furious Republican senator threatens to bring Trump agenda to a halt

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Exclusive: Jed Zimmer estimates he's lost close to $50,000 in earnings since his Instagram business account was suspended by Meta's AI system.

The 27-year-old fitness coach from the Gold Coast had been posting to his @the__healthproject account for six years without issue.

Then a horrifying email landed in his inbox on December 22 last year.

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It said his account had been suspended for violating Meta's community standards regarding child sexual exploitation, abuse or nudity.

Zimmer felt sick.

"I know personally that it's just a total error," he told nine.com.au.

"But to have that accusation thrown around, it's a pretty sickening feeling."

Has this happened to you? Contact reporter Maddison Leach at our breaking newsletter here

An Adelaide woman has been charged after the death of a nine-month-old boy.

Neighbours said the baby's father ran up the street, desperately looking for help after the boy was found unresponsive in the family car.

One neighbour tried to revive the baby and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

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Midlow Road in Elizabeth Downs was swarmed with emergency services before 8pm yesterday.

Police have seized CCTV to determine how long the baby was in the car.

Neighbours said the mother had told them it had not been long.

"She said the car was there for about 20 minutes," resident Joshua Hill told 9News.

Detectives have gone door to door to speak to neighbours.

The heartbreaking death has shattered residents on the street.

"A bit uneasy, especially because it's a kid and we're meant to protect them," neighbour Blair Ross said.

"I've got a three-and-a-half-year-old myself, so it was kind of hard to see," Hill said.

"I've got a grandbaby and that's just horrible," resident Jessica Edwards said.

A 31-year-old woman from the property was charged with criminal neglect.

She was bailed to face court next month.

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