Big notes now OK in pokies

9.32am The Queensland Government has lifted the value of notes that can be fed into poker machines across the state. 

As the ABC reported, pokies in pubs, clubs and casinos will now accept $50 and $100 notes, up from the previous maximum of $20, which had been in place for 12 years. 

The change was one of many recommended by an expert panel, according to the ABC report, with Premier Campbell Newman dismissing concerns related to problem gambling. 

The total amount a punter can insert in a Queensland machine at any one time is still $100, compared to $1000 in in Victoria and $10,000 in NSW. 

15yo lost boy found on Fitzroy Island

9.32am Police and SES crews were called to Fitzroy Island yesterday after a 15-year-old boy became lost in bushland on the island.

Cairns Water Police launched a search and rescue operation, and found the boy yesterday afternoon in dense bush on the eastern side of the island. He was winched to safety aboard the rescue helicopter and flown to Cairns for a medical check-up.

He had entered bushland at around 9am and had become disorientated soon after.  He was not injured as a result of his ordeal.