Across the Ditch: 6 things to read now

Children play in Aurukun in Queensland. Photo / Facebook

1 Teens controlling Qld Govt 'like puppeteers'

Aurukun elders have lashed out at the Queensland Government's decision to shut the community's only school until July, accusing it of abandoning the school's 300-odd students. The Wik Women's Group accuses the Government of letting itself be controlled by the actions of 10-15 lawless teenagers after a decision to close the school until the start of term three in response to ongoing violence. The school's principal, Scott Fatnowa, has been carjacked twice in two weeks and a group of children, some as young as 6, were involved in a series of targeted attacks near the teachers' accommodation on Tuesday night. "We have 10-15 teenagers controlling the government like puppeteers," the group said. "These teens have worked out that they can carjack the school principal and control the town." The last of the school's 20 or so teachers are being evacuated from the community today due to concerns for their safety. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will fly to the community tomorrow to attend a community meeting called by Mayor Dereck Walpo. An extra four police will be deployed, adding to the five extra officers sent there after the first attack on the principal.

2 30,000 pills in drugs cache

An A$1.5 million cache of illegal drugs including almost 30,000 pills believed to be MDMA has been seized in raids across Sydney and the state's central coast. Police from Strike Force Bamberry, a six-month investigation into the manufacture of drugs on the Central Coast, searched properties in the area as well as in western Sydney and the North Shore. Cocaine, amphetamine and MDMA were seized. Several people were arrested during the raids and were set to face Gosford Local Court.

3 Huge blaze at car yard

Two workers from a car wrecking yard are fighting for life in hospital after being severely burnt in a fire at an industrial site in Sydney's southwest. More than 100 firefighters fought the massive blaze, following initial reports of explosions, at the Revesby site. Two employees, aged 32 and 40, were taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital where they remain in a critical condition. The blaze is not being treated as suspicious.

4 Voters want second go

More Australian voters than not want a second election if the July 2 poll produces a hung parliament. An Omnipoll for Sky News shows 45 per cent support for another election against the 34 per cent who want the result to stand. Coalition supporters overwhelmingly supported a re-run while only one in three Labor voters wanted another election.

5 Smorgasbord of drugs

A Frenchman and a Belgian have allegedly been caught driving through country New South Wales with a large smorgasbord of drugs. The 27-year-old man from Belgium and 26-year-old man from France were stopped on the Newell Highway near Coonabarabran, with officers allegedly finding cocaine, cannabis and MDMA in their car. The pair have been charged with supplying a large quantity of prohibited drugs and the Frenchman was also found to be an illegal resident. They are due to face Dubbo Local Court.

6 Nabbed by lolly packet

A police dog named Rebel has tracked down a group of alleged thieves using a stolen lolly packet they had dropped after breaking into a car in Adelaide. Three boys, aged between 12 and 14, stole a wallet, money and the packet of lollies from the parked car in Walkley Heights, in the northern suburbs, police allege. Rebel found the lollies nearby and tracked the scent to a street where the boys were arrested. They will appear in the Elizabeth Youth Court at a later date charged with illegal interference and theft.