Laura Lavelle
Laura Lavelle is a multiplatform journalist, reporting from Ipswich for ABC News in Brisbane. She started her career in regional Queensland as a TV reporter, filing for and producing bulletins in Mackay, Bundaberg and Toowoomba before joining the ABC in 2022. Laura is an advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault prevention, acting as a board member for a Mackay charity. You can follow her on Twitter @Laura_Lavelle99
Latest by Laura Lavelle
No longer hope the crew onboard crashed army helicopter have survived, defence minister says
Activity in Queensland's Whitsundays has changed from search and rescue, to a recovery mission, Defence Minister Richard Marles says.
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Inquest into elderly couple's stabbing murders and police shooting of 22-year-old suspect begins
Raghe Mohamed Abdi was shot and killed by police on the Logan Motorway, after he lunged at them with a knife. Later that day, the bodies of Maurice and Zoe Antill were found in the backyard of their Parkinson home, with police alleging Mr Abdi had stabbed them to death the night before.
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Sunshine Coast paediatrician found with 2,000 child abuse images to spend four months in jail
Tom Sun Yap, 44, was working at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital before he was arrested and charged in May last year.
Queensland man who beat police officer out of 'misguided desire to help' released from prison
The court heard the 48-year-old was "commissioned" to carry out the attack by the officer's former father-in-law.
Brisbane man sentenced to three years for 'vicious verbal and physical assault' on man with disability
The court heard the man threatened to kill the other man with a samurai sword and pour petrol down his throat.
Why isn't child care free in Australia?
By Laura Lavelle and Dan Colasimone
Numerous studies show universal early childhood education provides a huge boost to the economy. The federal government is currently determining whether it will be introduced in Australia.
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Alleged Brisbane home invaders stabbed pet dog in bid to coax residents outside, police say
A pet dog was killed in an alleged home invasion in Forest Lake, after three men allegedly tried to coax the residents of the home outside by taking the dog hostage.
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Teacher aides can change lives. Why some are leaving the industry
By Sarah Richards and Laura Lavelle
Experts in the field say there's growing concern that students with disability are potentially missing out on the care they need with training and qualifications for teacher aides differing around the country.
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Queensland 'dairy-free' yoghurt manufacturer COYO sued after UK woman's anaphylaxis death
A Sunshine Coast company which manufactures "dairy-free" coconut yoghurt and ice cream products is being sued in the Queensland Supreme Court following a woman's death in the UK.
Ex-husband of woman who died alongside four children in truck crash says he feels 'no purpose in life anymore'
Charmaine Harris McLeod's ex-husband James McLeod said in a victim impact statement he was "broken" and "gutted", and now riddled with anxiety every time he saw an oncoming truck.
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Mitchell was prescribed medication for repeated seizures. His parents suspect his group home used it to control him
By Sarah Richards and Laura Lavelle
Mitchell Taylor was in and out of a group home for 10 years. His parents became concerned when he began begging not to go.
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Prisha didn't realise she was suffering from domestic violence. To her, it was 'normal'
Prisha's elderly neighbour had heard the commotion coming from her Brisbane home for months and decided to take action. The small act of kindness changed the migrant's life.
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Twenty-five years after her murder, Rachel Antonio's parents are still without answers, or a place to mourn
The day 16-year-old Rachel Antonio disappeared is etched in her parents' minds. But they have nowhere to mourn.
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'Huge bang' prompts maintenance inspection advice for old solar panels
Anthony Parisi had no idea his solar panels could cause an explosion that put his home at risk. Here's why experts say maintenance inspections are important.
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National Disability Insurance Agency suspends automated payments to business of advocate
By Rory Callinan and Laura Lavelle
The National Disability Insurance Agency says it is suspending automated payments to a business associated with an advocate alleged by former clients and service providers to have submitted invoices for services that were never delivered.
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Two of Jane's children have NDIS plans, but she says a trusted advocate charged for services they never received
By Rory Callinan and Laura Lavelle
Jane Hellyer says a disability advocate she trusted charged her children's NDIS plans for services they never received as a private investigator raises the alarm.
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'It's as if they never occurred': Up to 300 Queensland police disciplinary cases could be revoked due to 'invalid' process
Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll has confirmed the cases will be reviewed, after the court of appeal determined the police service had been conducting disciplinary police proceedings in an "invalid way".
NDIS mark-ups as bad as wedding price gouging, insiders say
It's been coined the "disability tax" where some NDIS participants are being charged double or even triple the price of services compared to those not on the scheme, for the exact same treatment or product.
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'I've got nothing now': Darren was living off the grid with his pets. Everything he owned went up in flames
By Laura Lavelle and Kelsie Iorio
Some Western Downs residents have already lost their homes — others don't know what they'll eventually return to when it's safe to do so.
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Retirement village to be converted into social housing, but unused student accommodation project still lagging
By Laura Lavelle and Kelsie Iorio
The vacant retirement village will provide at least 30 dwellings for those in need, but there's no clear timeline on when they will be ready for residents.
Pubs and restaurants in Ipswich struggle to stay open as job ads go unanswered
Despite a busy festive period, Ipswich business are closing their doors, struggling to find staff to cope with demand.
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Two people dead after car crushed by falling tree on Sunshine Coast road
Firefighters cut the two women from their car after the accident in Queensland's Glasshouse Mountains before they die at the scene.
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'Deafening' trains roll past the Corbetts' place six times a day. By 2040 that number will be 40
Stan and Suzanne Corbett have sent "hundreds of letters" about the effect the train line would have on "booming" south-west Logan, but say their worries have fallen on deaf ears.
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Two teenagers charged with murder of woman in home invasion north of Brisbane
By Lillian Rangiah, Laura Lavelle, and Jessica Black
A 41-year-old woman suffers fatal injuries, while a 43-year-old man survives with non-life-threatening wounds during a home invasion at North Lakes.
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