Morning Mail: Queensland election, Sydney siege inquest, MH370, Australian Open is Kim Sears

Guardian Australia's Morning Mail                                                      Friday 30 January 2014 g
Queensland election
On the final day of the Queensland election campaign before voters go to the polls tomorrow,follow our live blog now for all the updates through the day. It can't help but be interesting. Here's First Dog on the Moon's take on the Queensland election: Heat rash! Pineapple! Campbell Newman cut short a final campaign blitz in Queensland’s regions and returned to Brisbaneafter a poll showed he faced the real prospect of losing his seat of Ashgrove. Labor has released 'modest' costings to counter the LNP's privatisation push, saying they'll cut government advertising, among other things, andtheir crime strategy will go beyond the focus on bikies. If there's one person who knows a thing or two about bikies, it's Guardian Australia reporter Joshua Robertson. Read his unique take on the bikie laws and what they have, and haven't, achieved.Tony Fitzgerald has warned that Queensland is heading back towards the political corruption of the 1980s Bjelke-Petersen era.  Follow our comprehensive Queensland election coverage here.
Australian news and politics
An inquest into the Sydney siege has heard that Tori Johnson was made to kneel before he was shot by Man Haron Monis, while Katrina Dawson died after being struck by six bullet fragments that were fired by police and “ricocheted from hard surfaces into her body”. The hearing yesterday was adjourned to a date to be announced.  Supporters of Bali Nine pair Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan rallied in Sydney last night to plead for mercy, calling on Indonesia president not to carry out the executions of the two men.  Colleen McCullough has died aged 77. The internationally acclaimed Australian author of the bestselling novel Thorn Birds died after suffering a string of health and eyesight problems.  Australia’s continued “harsh” treatment of asylum seekers, amongst other things, diminishes our human rights record, the Human Rights Watch annual global report says.
Around the world
An armed man has been arrested after entering the offices of the Dutch national broadcaster NOS and demanding to go live on air.  327 days after it vanished, Malaysia has officially declared the disappearance of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident and its passengers and crew presumed dead.  At least 25 people have been killed in Egypt as militants simultaneously attacked more than a dozen army and police targets, involving a car bomb and mortar rounds.  Jordan has demanded proof from Isis that its captured pilot is still alive before it goes ahead with a possible exchange for a convicted terrorist.  A Seattle activist who was pepper-sprayed while talking on phone sues city and police for $500,000.
One last thing
It got pretty colourful in the Australian Open semi-final last night. So, what was Kim Sears saying to Andy Murray's opponent? It involved a liberal smattering of Fs and "take that", but she's behaving just like most of us would, writes Natalie Haynes. Have an excellent day – and if you spot something I've missed, let me know on Twitter @earleyedition.