Brisbane, Mar. 29 : A Chinese-Australian woman, who is at the centre of a top-level espionage inquiry met both Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and former PM John Howard at a private dinner here in 2004.

Rudd is believed to have talked at length in Mandarin with Helen Liu, who is at the centre of allegations that the nation''s top spy organisation, the highly-secretive Defence Signals Directorate (DSD), tapped into the laptop of Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon, without his knowledge.

Brisbane, Mar. 24 (ANI): Queensland Bulls skipper Chris Simpson has defended Australian all rounder and team mate Andrew Symonds, lashing out at suggestions that the latter was out of control at an inner-city bar and restaurant on Sunday night.

Simpson was among those out with Symonds at swish bar Watt in New Farm when they were asked to leave the premises at around 9 p. m.

Newspaper reports suggested that Symonds was "loud" and "boisterous" and had smashed a glass before getting the tap on the shoulder from bar staff.

Brisbane (Australia), Mar. 21 : Former Australian Test opener Matthew Hayden has kickstarted a campaign to restore Queensland''s image after the oil spill that disfigured Moreton Island.

Hayden will promote Tourism Queensland's Donate a Day to the Bay campaign after news of the devastating oil spill prompted people around the world to cancel holidays.

Brisbane, Mar. 12: Queensland fast bowler Ben Laughlin, who has taken 20 wickets at an average of 15.85 to guide his team to the Ford Ranger Cup final, has been called into the Australian squad for the Twenty20 and one-day clashes with South Africa.

Laughlin, 26, snared 3-25 in the final as Queensland stunned hot favourite Victoria.

"Ben has had an extremely good summer for Queensland and was instrumental in their one-day final victory," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.

"Ben will add to the versatility of the Australian bowling line up as we continue to look at options progressing forward to the 2011 World Cup."

Brisbane (Australia), Mar. 8 : Out of favour Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds has experienced days when he just did not want to get out of bed.

Struggling to come to terms with life as one of Australia''s most recognized sportsmen, Symonds is undergoing counseling for alcohol abuse, and says hat he is making some sort of a recovery.

Brisbane, Feb. 25 : Australian all rounder Shane Watson is all set to stage a comeback on the first-class cricketing arena when he takes the field in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales at the Gabba on Thursday.

Watson will be returning as a ‘batsman only’ in the game after stress fractures in his back forced him to remain out of action for nearly two months.

He is currently training under batting legend, Greg Chappell to improve his chances of making it to the Ashes squad later.