Rachel Riga
Rachel Riga is the state political reporter for ABC News in Brisbane. She files across television, online and radio news platforms. In 2022 she jointly won a Queensland media award for radio news current affairs reporting. Rachel joined the ABC in 2014 and has worked as a video journalist in Ipswich, and as a cross-platform reporter in Bundaberg and Mackay.
Latest by Rachel Riga
Steel rod fell through forklift windscreen at Brisbane construction site same day man fell 12m at Boggo Road site
By state political reporter Rachel Riga and Peter Quatrocelli
A heavy steel rod narrowly missed a worker at a Cross River Rail construction site in Brisbane on the same day a man fell 12 metres from another site run by the same contractor, the union claims.
Updated
Advocates fear the housing crisis is deepening as figures reveal construction shortfall
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
The Queensland government has built 485 social homes in the past financial year, a figure social service groups have labelled "absolutely insufficient" given current housing needs.
Updated
analysis
analysis:Internal division over Path to Treaty expected to boil over at Queensland LNP convention
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
It's come as a surprise to some Queensland LNP members that there's one glaring omission from the motions set to be openly debated at the Liberal National Party's state convention this weekend, writes Rachel Riga.
Updated
Queensland Health boss resigns days after disagreement with minister
By state political reporter Rachel Riga and Janelle Miles
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Shaun Drummond's decision to quit as Queensland Health director-general is his own, and that when he was appointed last October he said he would not stay for the full term.
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analysis
analysis:The sign the countdown is on and the Queensland election battlelines are starting to be drawn
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Budgets are an election tool for government's to lay out their priorities. This week Labor and the LNP showed us theirs.
Queensland speaker goes on indefinite leave three days after returning to parliament
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Curtis Pitt returned as speaker of the house for the budget sitting week of parliament, but appeared unwell while leading proceedings on Tuesday.
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Power bill rebates and free kindy: $1.6b in new cost-of-living relief announced for Queenslanders
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Every Queensland household will have power bills slashed as part of $1.6 billion in new cost-of-living relief being rolled out in the state budget.
Updated
Daniel had a contract with a developer. One decision left him priced out of the housing market
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Daniel Lees's home ownership dreams were shattered after a Gold Coast developer ripped up his vacant land contract without his consent and then offered to sell it back to him for $200,000 more. In Queensland, this is legal.
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analysis
analysis:Palaszczuk's cabinet shake-up is a move for political survival. But is it enough?
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Labor wants to win a fourth term in government and knows it is performing poorly in key areas, Rachel Riga writes.
Queensland's new cabinet takes shape with youngest minister tipped to get housing
By state political reporter Rachel Riga and Tobias Jurss-Lewis
The biggest move is expected to be Health Minister Yvette D'Ath, who government sources say will likely make a direct swap with Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.
Updated
Queensland premier expected to change health minister in major cabinet reshuffle
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
A major cabinet reshuffle is expected as the Queensland government faces scrutiny over its handling of youth crime, health and housing.
Updated
Queensland government considering a rent cap for residential parks
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Queenslanders living in residential parks are experiencing housing stress due to unfair business practices, according to the state's peak body representing manufactured homeowners.
Updated
analysis
analysis:Two malnourished brothers were found locked in a room. The case reveals shameful government failures
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Confronting evidence reveals how two brothers with autism were let down for years by the government agencies supposed to protect them, Rachel Riga writes.
Dozens of juveniles charged with breach of bail in Queensland's youth crime crackdown
Earlier this year, the Palaszczuk government introduced new youth just laws as part of a crackdown. Since the blitz began, the number of children charged with breach of bail can be revealed.
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First-year police constables in Queensland will earn six figures for a 38-hour week in new recruitment drive
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
In an effort to bolster Queensland's police numbers, a new recruitment drive will offer a "significant increase" in wages and help you pay off some of your HECS debt.
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Queensland police given 'incredibly robust' powers to deter knife crime
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Police will have extraordinary powers to randomly stop and search people for knives and other weapons on public transport and in nightclub precincts across Queensland under new laws passed in parliament.
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'Grossly disproportionate': Youth justice overhaul will impact First Nations children, government warned
By state political reporters Kate McKenna and Rachel Riga
Advocates warn proposed law changes will disproportionately affect First Nations children.
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Queensland to launch overseas recruitment drive for police officers amid hiring difficulties
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
The Queensland Police Service has approval for 500 international recruits to join the service each year for five years.
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Path to Treaty has been introduced to Queensland parliament. This is what happens next
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
The long-sought-after laws pave the way for the Queensland government to sign a treaty or treaties with First Nations people.
Updated
'The government has listened to the evidence': Queensland to relax illicit drug possession penalties
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
Anyone caught carrying small quantities of illicit substances like heroin, cocaine or ice, will be given three chances before facing a criminal charge.
Updated
'Grieving and unheard' youth crime victims slam 'system abuse' which they say favours offenders
By Antonia O'Flaherty and state political reporter Rachel Riga
High-profile victims of youth crime in Queensland have formed a collective in an effort to decrease offending and the "injustice" in the system, which they say leaves them feeling "unheard, disregarded and unsupported".
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Breach of bail to be reintroduced as offence for young offenders in Queensland, premier says
By state political reporter Rachel Riga
The Queensland premier says breach of bail will be reintroduced as an offence for young offenders despite her government removing it in 2015 and heavily criticising the LNP for adopting it as a policy.
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'His hair has fallen out': Mother of teen held in watch house for 31 days says he didn't see sunlight
Exclusive by state political reporters Rachel Riga and Kate McKenna, and Mackenzie Colahan
The mother of a 17-year-old describes the impact on her son of the 31 days he spent detained in a watch house cell intended for stays of up to two days.
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'Thirty-three days with no human comforts': Demands for action on children left in Queensland watch houses
By state political reporters Rachel Riga and Kate McKenna
Advocates and lawyers say Queensland's youth justice system is at crisis point, with some juveniles reportedly held in adult watch houses for weeks at a time.
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Queensland GP clinics may be given grace period to deal with payroll tax issues
By state political reporters Kate McKenna and Rachel Riga
The Queensland Treasurer is in discussions with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk about a plan to pause the implementation of payroll tax assessments on some GP clinics in a bid to curb increasing doctor fees.
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