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Catastrophic floods and a late start to the wet season have caused havoc and devastation in the Queensland outback.

Australian beef farmers say they are irritated by the 10 per cent tax, but it is not as bad as they feared.

Queenslanders displaced by catastrophic flooding are sitting tight as they wait to return to their homes, but it is already clear that the road to recovery will be long and difficult.

Eromanga producer Brendan Murray was running 9,000 sheep before the flood and estimated he had lost up to 6,000 head.

Floodwaters are rising through the south-west Queensland towns of Thargomindah and Eulo, with some residents moved to higher ground. There are fears of widespread livestock losses as outback towns further north start a mammoth clean-up.

After the Prime Minister's dawn visit to Government House, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton's five-week race to convince voters they should lead the country is officially underway. 

The opposition has promised to cut the fuel excise by 25c for a year, taking the rate from about 50c to 25c per litre.

The Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will be major events for Queensland's capital but they will also be a boon for regional areas of the state. 

Getting a GP appointment at short notice in a regional town can be tough. Will money for new GP trainees and more urgent care clinics improve access and health outcomes for regional Australians?

Coverage that provides news and analysis of national issues significant to regional Australians.