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Kristy Sexton-McGrath
Cairns, QLD
Kristy Sexton-McGrath is senior journalist based in Cairns in Far North Queensland. She studied journalism at James Cook University in Townsville and worked for major newspaper mastheads in Sydney and Brisbane before joining the ABC in 2005. Twitter: @kristysexton
Latest by Kristy Sexton-McGrath
3m crocodile, Sydney radio host's uneaten lunch found on riverbank as search suspended
The search for former 2GB fishing show host Roman Butchaski has been suspended in Far North Queensland.
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Australia's northernmost sugar mill goes into voluntary administration despite $45 million from taxpayers
Mossman Sugar Mill, an operation north of Cairns employing around 150 workers and supplied by about 80 growers, is placed into voluntary administration.
Queensland teacher accused of hundreds of child exploitation offences denied bail
A Queensland state school teacher has been refused bail, accused of more than 200 child exploitation offences. He was arrested last week but a court has heard investigations have uncovered further alleged offences.
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Police locate four puppies, one hidden under a bed, allegedly stolen by teenagers in Cairns
Four newborn puppies have been returned to their distraught owner after they were allegedly stolen from a home in Cairns on Wednesday.
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Historical sugar mill at risk despite $45m boost from taxpayers
The future of Australia's northernmost sugar mill is in doubt, sparking fears about what lies ahead for growers and the shire that relies on its economic heft.
Sydney radio host identified as fisher missing in Queensland crocodile habitat
Police say former 2GB broadcaster Roman Butchaski's car has been found near a remote Cape York river system and a massive search is underway.
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Search underway for missing Sydney fisherman in Far North Queensland
Police say the man, who set off from Bramwell Station, was "well prepared" for the fishing trip but note it is a known crocodile habitat.
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Dodo relative's mysterious appearance on tropical island baffles bird experts
Usually found in South East Asia, the colourfully plumed Nicobar pigeon has been spotted living its "best life" on Green Island off the coast of Cairns, delighting tourist and puzzling scientists.
Union's price gouging inquiry hears some Queenslanders paying nearly $100 for a leg of ham
A union-backed probe hears Cape York residents are paying exorbitant prices for meat, and up to $2.87 a litre for diesel, while a retired nurse has been forced to go without insurance to make ends meet.
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Toyah Cordingley's accused killer set to face trial in Cairns as defence lawyer seeks DNA evidence
Police have taken 500 witness statements in their case against a man they allege murdered Toyah Cordingley at a beach north of Cairns, a court has heard.
This proud dairy region ran out of milk, but new farming families are providing hope for the future
Built on the back of the dairy industry, Atherton Tablelands families are bucking the trend as family-owned dairy farms are being deserted in other parts of Australia.
Once favoured by celebrities, Double Island is now a ruin and the Queensland government has had enough
The government has run out of patience, filing legal action over a derelict tropical island resort off Cairns once frequented by Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
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Tributes flow for former Cairns mayor who helped transform city into an international tourism destination
Former mayor and Vietnam veteran Kevin Byrne is remembered as a trailblazer unafraid to make bold decisions, such as establishing the popular Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, after he passed away on Thursday at the age of 74.
Rare cockatoo known as the Ringo Starr of the bird world also a 'master sculptor', researchers find
A rare and endangered bird that fashions drumsticks from wood and seed pods also has a flair for individual design, according to Australian National University researchers at work in Far North Queensland.
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Police launch a major investigation into teen's disappearance as fears for his safety grow
Markyia Major, 17, from Yarrabah, near Cairns, has not had any contact with family for a month or accessed his bank account.
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Controversial wind farm planned near World Heritage area downsized again and renamed
The Chalumbin Wind Farm, which will now be known as the Wooroora Station Wind Farm, is scaled back to 42 turbines.
Crash disaster inquest finds 'essential, readily available' warning system could have saved lives
A coroner has criticised the aviation watchdog for failing to mandate a critical early warning device for pilots in the wake of a catastrophic plane crash in Far North Queensland.
Struggling to keep mud, mosquitoes and bandicoots out of his tent, Shane is living rough on the edge of a cemetery
Shane Walford lives in makeshift camp he established in bushland on the edge of a cemetery. He is one of hundreds who are sleeping rough each night in Cairns.
Police shooting victim's swastika tattoos analysed as parents barred from making 'offensive' impact statement
A coroner has stopped parents of Luke Gilbert from giving their family impact statement after they refused to edit sections deemed "factually incorrect and offensive" by police.
Inquest hears police 'forced' to shoot tradie dead at popular party precinct
A crime expert has told a coronial inquest the police officers who killed 24-year-old Luke Gilbert at Airlie Beach "were forced to take the action they did".
Inquest into police shooting told tradie challenged officer after 'tough guy' comment
An officer who shot dead tradie Luke Gilbert in Airlie Beach last year has been questioned about his comments before the alleged confrontation, and whether he believed the tradie may have wanted to be shot.
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Body-worn camera vision shown as inquest begins into fatal Airlie Beach police shooting
Luke Gilbert is alleged to have approached two police officers with a knife before they shot him dead last October. A coronial inquest is underway that will consider whether police complied with policies and procedures.
Traditional owners to take fight to Canberra over wind farm to be built near protected rainforests
A group of traditional owners is taking its fight to Canberra in a last-ditch effort to stop the $1 billion Chalumbin Wind Farm from being built adjacent to World Heritage-protected rainforests in Far North Queensland.
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Unseasonably wet winter a dampener for far north farmers, tourists still roll in
The weather bureau is forecasting more rain across northern Queensland this week to the dismay of farmers and tourism authorities.
Maximum security prisoners 'completely invested' in state's biggest jail recycling scheme
A Queensland prison that was sending 16,000 empty milk bottles to landfill each month has launched a recycling program so successful it has caught the eyes of other jail program managers.