Queensland is suffering a disaster "of biblical proportions" that will set back its economic recovery, state Treasurer Andrew Fraser says.

Rockhampton's airport is closing to commercial flights this afternoon as floodwaters take hold in the Queensland town.

Queensland's flood crisis has affected 200,000 people over an area bigger than France and Germany combined.

Homes are underwater in the city of Bundaberg and residents are fleeing Emerald as Queensland's flood crisis continues to take a heavy toll.

The southeast Queensland city is braced for its highest flood peak in 50 years, with 200 people already evacuating their homes.

Entire Queensland towns have been inundated and more could go under in a deluge that's swamped the state makes its way towards the sea.

Mass evacuations are under way across flooded Queensland with disasters declared in the inland towns of Theodore, Dalby and Chinchilla.

Former Hanover Finance boss Mark Hotchin wants a $7000-a-week allowance to maintain his lifestyle on the Gold Coast. The Securities Commission gave the Hanover co-founder a $1000-a-week allowance after freezing his NZ assets.

Mark Hotchin is living a life few Kiwis could dream of, despite a court order freezing his NZ assets.

A doctor claims his career at Gold Coast Hospital was ruined by a false accusation of terrorism about him.

The mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has condemned Swedish prosecutors' decision to lodge an appeal blocking her son's freedom.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was scheduled to appear in a London court on Tuesday seeking to fight his extradition to Sweden.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will reportedly appear in a London court tonight (NZT), in a second attempt to win bail. He's also issued a statement, through his mother, saying he's determined to fight for the future of WikiLeaks.

Reports are calling NSW's floods the worst inundation to hit the state in 50 years.

A five-year Australian trial appears to have confirmed that sunscreen use can help prevent the rare but often deadly form of cancer.

The oddly named Town of 1770 also specialises in quirky transport, finds Pamela Wade.

The mum of WikiLeaks creator Julian Assange fears her son may be assassinated for leaking hundreds of thousands of secret US government documents.

Riding the rails up Queensland's coast is a visual feast, writes Jim Eagles.

A Queendland boy came close to dying after swallowing a small battery.

An American woman has become an unwilling focus of the cricketing world's attention during the Ashes series.