Christopher Testa
Ballarat, VIC
Christopher worked for daily newspapers in regional Victoria and Tasmania before joining the ABC. He tweets @cmtesta.
Latest by Christopher Testa
Missing teenager most likely died in 'dense, impenetrable' rainforest, says coroner
Markiah Major's family and friends haven't heard from him since last August. A coroner has concluded he was likely paranoid and became disoriented when he walked into a secluded tropical forest on the evening he disappeared.
Rajwinder Singh's trial over alleged murder of Toyah Cordingley delayed to 2025
Rajwinder Singh was due to stand trial next week over the alleged murder of Toyah Cordingley on a Queensland beach almost six years ago. His counsel has secured a last minute delay.
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Two swimmers drown at Far North Queensland waterfall
Police say one man went to help another after he got into difficulty in the water, and their companion witnessed their deaths. The incident happened at a popular swimming spot where there have been no deaths for many years.
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As a young nurse, Dulcie was not afraid to speak up. At 85, she's been given the NAIDOC lifetime achievement award
A complaint about a policeman ended Dulcie Flower's stint in a hospital emergency department. But it started a long career focused on improving the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Mayor released on bail could return to work while contesting domestic violence charges
The Far North Queensland community leader is accused of strangling a woman, and a separate attack that left her requiring emergency surgery, but his lawyer has told a court the case against him is weak.
Queensland mayor arrested over multiple alleged domestic violence offences
Cape York mayor Wayne Butcher has been charged with multiple offences including strangulation and grievous bodily harm.
Drinking water security and efficiency in spotlight in Cairns, despite high rainfall, as supply shortfall looms
Cairns needs tens of millions of dollars to shore up its security of drinking water, but advocates say the city also needs to look at ways to reduce the amount of water being used.
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Tour company teaching traditional culture on country honoured at Qld Reconciliation Awards
Increasing numbers of visitors to Far North Queensland are learning about traditional culture on country. The Indigenous guides showing them around say it goes to the meaning of reconciliation.
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Loud 'bang' reported as earthquake rattles Far North Queensland town
A seismologist says the earthquake occurred at a fairly shallow position in the earth's crust and was too small to cause any damage.
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Cassowaries and crocodiles have bounced back, but these tour operators face a nervous wait ahead of peak season
More than three months after ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused severe flooding around Cairns, some tourism businesses are still waiting to reopen.
Israeli tourist dies after falling from rocks at Far North Queensland waterfall
Authorities say the 26-year-old was climbing rocks at Isabella Falls when he fell backwards into the water.
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Queensland city's flood-prone suburbs in spotlight as geoscientist warns worst yet to come
A geoscientist says Cairns can one day expect floods twice as big as the one that inundated hundreds of homes in December.
Farm worker accused of murdering retiree by amputating his leg yet to meet lawyer, court hears
Police say Jon Yalu had an "arrangement" to amputate the leg of his alleged victim, but two years after the incident the accused man still has not met his lawyer face-to-face, the Supreme Court has heard.
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Man charged with rape, violence offences after police shooting
A 21-year-old will face a Cairns court today on several sexual assault and violence charges after he allegedly clashed with police before being shot and injured yesterday.
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Police shoot man in Far North Queensland after alleged theft of police car
The 21-year-old man was taken to the Cairns Base Hospital where he is currently being assessed.
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Fewer than 80pc of Queenslanders have fluoridated water. So why aren't more leaders talking about it?
It's up to local governments in Queensland to add fluoride to drinking water supplies and the state government says it's prepared to help foot the bill. With council elections just a fortnight away, public health experts are pleading for action.
Government offers flood-affected small sugar town $12m lifeline as mill faces liquidation
With creditors voting on liquidation at a meeting today, Queensland's premier and cabinet offers canegrowers and concerned Mossman community members an unexpected funding package as they protest on the doorstep of a town hall meeting.
Surprise 458mm downpour washes out Australia's wettest town
The people of Tully are accustomed to wet weather, but the flooding rains on the weekend still came as a shock.
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Torrential rain wiped out one of Queensland's iconic 4WD tracks and its future remains uncertain
Described as a "bucket list" item for adventurers heading to the tip of Cape York, the CREB Track through the Daintree Rainforest needs major reconstruction work before it can reopen.
Police charge man with murder of Cape York woman missing for a decade
The Kowanyama woman was 23 when she was last seen with a quarry caretaker more than 10 years ago, leading to a long-running inquest and a $500,000 reward.
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Businesses fear closure in wake of landslides as rainforest community endures 'unsustainable' isolation
Cape Tribulation is a major international tourist destination in the heart of the Daintree but a major landslip last month has rendered it largely inaccessible. Businesses there now fear permanent closure.
Tourist town to rely on bottled water as landslides force Queensland authorities to switch off mains
Port Douglas residents are weary after the mains water is switched off for the second time this month amid concerns for the tourist town's reputation as they are told to fill water containers.
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Divers brought to tears by confronting reef damage from Tropical Cyclone Jasper
Divers have captured underwater footage of coral bleaching and algal blooms in the Great Barrier Reef after Tropical Cyclone Jasper dumped metres of rain on Far North Queensland, while aerial imagery shows sediment washing out to sea.
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Highway detour after Cyclone Jasper puts 'bums on seats' for food tourism businesses
A boost in trade is welcomed as a silver lining for some Far North Queensland businesses as the region continues to rebuild. But the detours mean other parts of the area are missing out on visitors.
Homeless flood victims in remote Queensland community to be given caravans during rebuild
Homes and buildings in Degarra were coated in waist-deep mud after last month's floods. The Queensland government has promised to give residents somewhere to stay temporarily.