An independent review of Queensland Government Boards, Committee and Statutory Authorities has been largely accepted by the Queensland Government.
Premier, Anna Bligh said that in accepting 177 of the review’s 210 recommendations the Government would abolish more than 100 Boards and other bodies.
She said the Government was committed to cutting unnecessary costs wherever possible, reducing bureaucracy and slashing unnecessary red tape.
“That’s why last year I announced the independent review of Government Boards and that’s why over the past three weeks – since the report and its recommendations were considered by Cabinet – work has been carried out to review its implications,” The Premier said.
“The Government’s responses to these recommendations are in concert with my recent significant Public Service structure reforms which are aimed at modernising Government.”
Ms Bligh said the reforms accepted by the Government affected 263 bodies, 103 of which will be abolished, 81 of which will be subject to some form of change and 79 of which will retain their status quo
Other key recommendations – including the abolition of such groups as the State’s 37 Community Health Councils – had been rejected.
The abolition of Tourism Queensland, recommended in the review, had also been rejected
“Similarly, despite the recommendations, we will not abolish our four bulk water infrastructure bodies – including the SEQ Water Grid Manager and the Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority – because they are critical to the water reforms underpinning water security in the South East Queensland corner,” she said.
She said the groups to be abolished ranged from the Creative Industries Leadership Group and the Fibre Composites Forum to the Industrial Hemp Advisory Committee.
Ms Bligh said the functions of each of the Boards and Authorities would be assumed by either Government Departments or Local Governments.
“The Government has also opted to support the review’s recommendations that many groups maintain their status quo and continue in their current form or with some change,” she said
“These include such important groups as Greyhounds Queensland Ltd, the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council, the Smart State Council and the Queensland Competition Authority.”
The review was carried out by Simone Webbe and Professor Patrick Weller.
30 April, 2009
Green building plan
gets green light
The Public Works Department has adopted the policy that all new work on Government offices needs to conform to the Green Building Council of Australia’s five-star Green Star excellence rating.
The Department had also achieved a Best Practice Green Star Certification for fit-out of the top floor of the Department of Environment and Resource Management office in Toowoomba – a first for regional Australia.
Minister for Public Works, Robert Schwarten it was the first such Queensland project, Government or private, to gain the rating – and the first Government fit-out in any regional area to be so certified. Mr Schwarten said the new green policy for Government buildings covered both newly-constructed offices and refurbishments of existing properties.
“It is being pursued with new offices currently being built in Cairns and Maroochydore, and with a call centre in Zillmere on Brisbane’s northside,” he said
“Supporting this new green era are the agency’s policies targeting energy, water and waste efficiencies in Government buildings.”
30 April, 2009
OPSC fills gaps
in vacancies
The Public Service Commission has issued a Directive laying out the requirements for the recruitment and selection of QPS staff.
Effective from 17 April, Directive 03/09 replaces its 2006 predecessor and applies to all staff including Senior Executives and Senior Officers but not Chief Executives. It also applies to temporary employees engaged under s148 of the Public Service Act as well as general employees engaged under s147. It does not apply to casuals.
According to the new Directive, vacancies above entry level are to be advertised on the Government’s Smart Jobs and Careers website for at least two weeks.
Positions that do not require advertising include those in Ministerial offices, temporary positions for less than 12 months, transfers at or below level, redeployments at or below level and filled vacancies that become vacant again within three months of the appointment.
The directive addresses the rules surrounding recurring vacancies, continuous applicant pools, direct appointment and converting temporary employees to tenured status.
It explains the requirements for pre-employment checks, applicant assessment processes, referee checks, post selection feedback and the need for confidentiality and document security.
“Where appointment to a tenured Public Service officer role constitutes a promotion, the appointment must be published in the Gazette,” the Directive says, “within one month of the approval date of appointment.”
It says selection committees are to be established for all SES and Senior Officer vacancies with those for SES level roles to include one member nominated by, and representing, the PSC and for Senior Officer and equivalent, at least one member from outside the Ministerial portfolio.
The Directive says that for positions already advertised in accordance with the 2006 Directive, selection and appointment processes should be finalised in accordance with that Directive.
The full text of the new Directive can be accessed at www.opsc.qld.gov.au
30 April, 2009
Council plugs into
e-Government awards
The Tablelands Regional Council has won a place amid 10 finalists in the national Excellence in e-Government Awards for its Northern Queensland Wildfire Mitigation Project (NQWMP).
The project provides a shared mapping and data-exchange facility for all agencies involved in the management of wildfire.
Its website is free to use by approved stakeholders, and offers access to over 60 detailed GIS mapping layers, over 140 downloadable fire-district maps prepared for 90 rural fire brigades, some of which had no prior access to current and accurate maps of their brigade areas. The website also provides the capacity to create detailed maps on demand.
The overall project extends far beyond the website; it also provides a rapid response mapping service for fire incidents, website training to users, negotiates data sharing agreements on behalf of users, and has developed an improved fire hazard modeling methodology to assist in identifying high-risk areas.
The Excellence in e-Government Award (e-Award) was introduced in 2006 by the Australian Government to promote excellence in the use of ICT in Australia at all levels of government.
The other finalists this year are
The Australian Bureau of Statistics;
The Australian Taxation Office (two places);
The Child Support Agency;
The Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations;
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (two places);
IP Australia; and
The Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development.
The 2009 e-Awards will be presented at an ICT dinner during the CeBIT Australia 2009 conference which is planned to coincide with the e-Government Forum being held at the Sydney Convention Centre on 13 May.
30 April, 2009
Tasmanian PS in
devil of a deal
Public servants in Tasmania have been warned they could face job losses unless they agree to defer pay rises.
Premier David Bartlett said around 1,500 jobs were at risk – more than seven per cent of the State’s 11,000 public servants – in the face of an expected fall of $500 million in GST revenue.
He wants the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) to agree to forgo the two remaining annual wage rises of 3.5 per cent promised under a three-year agreement signed last year before the Global Financial Crisis hit.
The Victorian Government also wants to reduce increases for its staff but has guaranteed not to cut jobs.
Mr Bartlett has raised the possibility of introducing legislation to override the Tasmanian increases if negotiations fail and will also offer public servants leave-without-pay options and lower pay in return for more annual leave.
"We will continue working with unions to try to protect public sector jobs, but it is clear that we will need to take further action in the 2009-10 Budget to address the shortfalls we are facing," Mr Bartlett said.
Tasmania’s Government recently announced $64 million in spending cuts, including cuts to MPs' allowances and senior executive positions, a 30 per cent cut to the State Government's travel costs, a 30 per cent reduction in Government advertising, a 10 per cent cut to the vehicle fleet and a 20 per cent reduction in the number of Government mobile phones.
"We are all in this together,” Mr Bartlett said.
The CPSU’s Acting General Secretary, Mat Johnston, said he was troubled by the threat of an unprecedented legislative intervention to freeze wages.
He said the Union was willing to negotiate wage increases if the Government opened its books to show the real state of its financial position.
Mr Johnston said individual workers could not defer their pay rises. The only way to alter the agreement was by collective bargaining and an Industrial Commission amendment after a Union consensus was reached with the Government.
"I would not like to see the legislative option tested because it cuts to the core of the country's industrial relations system, which is based on agreement making," Mr Johnston said.
"It would be a really bad precedent for the economy if the Government can come in and unilaterally pass legislation to override agreements between people."
30 April, 2009
New poet not averse
to moving homes
Queensland’s 2009 Poet-in-Residence, the fifth to hold the title, is New Zealander, Hinemoana Baker. She will be based in Queensland from July to September.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the Poet-in-Residence program had benefitted Queensland writers and poets by opening up new links and partnerships for them with the international literary community.
“It is also a chance for international poets to play a part in our own cultural activities,” Ms Bligh said.
“During her time here Ms Baker will have a key role at literary events. Ms Baker will also have the opportunity to visit regional Queensland with residencies planned in Blackall and Cairns.”
Ms Bligh said the Government provided $50,000 for the 2009 Poet-in-Residence program, which was administered by the Queensland Writers Centre in partnership with the Queensland Poetry Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival and the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts.
Ms Baker's poems have been chosen for the 2004, 2006 and 2008 ‘Best New Zealand Poems’ online magazine, and have appeared in numerous other anthologies.
Chair of the Queensland Writers Centre, Theodora Le Souquet said Ms Baker brings a powerful and sensitive, bi-lingual voice to Queensland.
“One which speaks of the deep connections with bloodlines and place…we are truly privileged to have Ms Baker accept our invitation,” Ms Le Souquet said.
Ms Baker follows the 2008 Poet-in-Residence, German poet Michael Hofmann.
30 April, 2009
Council upgrade
rated highly
The Local Government Bill 2009, introduced into Parliament, signalled a new and exciting era for public administration according to the Minister for Local Government, Desley Boyle.
“The environment of public administration has also changed, and ratepayers today rightly expect high standards of accountability,” Ms Boyle said
“They want transparency in decision-making and they expect their Councils to look over the horizon and plan for future generations.”
She said the world had changed since the Local Government Act was developed and enacted some 16 years ago.
“It operates in a complex business environment, encompassing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, urban, rural and remote lands,” she said.
The Bill gives the Local Government Minister the power to request information from Councils to ensure serious performance and accountability issues are handled quickly, with checks and balances in place and the mechanisms to investigate complaints.
There will be independent Regional Conduct Review Panels and a new State Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal which will assess serious breaches.
Ms Boyle also announced that the Government’s Register of Lobbyists and the Lobbying Code would be applied to Local Government after consultation which would take place over the months ahead.
She said the Bill would have a provision enabling Local Governments to consider Aboriginal tradition and Torres Strait Islander custom.
“This is significant recognition of all Indigenous peoples living in Queensland,” the Minister said.
30 April, 2009
Farm research in
growth spurt
A new partnership to deliver more powerful research outcomes for Queensland agriculture brings together Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and the University of Queensland (UQ).
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries, Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin said the partnership will significantly boost Queensland’s agricultural research and development capability.
“This partnership ensures the specific research needs of Queensland’s primary industries will be addressed by the most progressive science capability that can be created in this State or internationally,” he said
“It presents exciting opportunities to improve the productivity and profitability of Queensland agriculture by linking cutting-edge farming practices and applied science to ensure that the State’s industries remain internationally competitive.”
The Minister said the alliance will significantly increase the efficiency of the Queensland beef industry.
“It will remove critical production constraints from the $3.3 billion beef export trade by responding to climate change and decreasing food safety risks to protect human health,” he said
“It will also provide a sharper focus for research in advanced plant science to assist the future development and international competitiveness of Queensland’s field crop and horticulture industries.”
Mr Mulherin said the alliance will incorporate the Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences already established at the University along with advanced interdisciplinary plant and animal research that will be negotiated as part of the formal partnership.
“Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries will work closely with the University of Queensland to plan and implement its initial stage over the next 12 months,” he said
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UQ, Max Lu said the new partnership would enhance the long-standing and successful relationship with Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries and expand interaction across the whole university.
“For the first time, expertise throughout the whole of UQ will be harnessed for agriculture in Queensland,” Professor Lu said.
30 April, 2009
Port cruises
in for award
Brisbane’s port facilities have been named the ‘most efficient’ at an American cruise ship convention.
Tourism Minister, Peter Lawlor said the award recognised destinations that had demonstrated the ability to adapt to the current challenges faced by the cruise shipping industry.
“The awards described Brisbane’s port services as having the most efficient combination of pilotage, port agency services, customs clearance and good working relations with operations departments of cruise lines,” Mr Lawlor said.
“Cruise shipping generates more than $151 million for the Queensland economy each year.”
He said the award citation described Brisbane as well placed to manage an increased number of cruise ship passengers which in turn would deliver further expenditure and create more job opportunities for Queenslanders.
“Under the Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS) the Queensland Government had clearly identified cruise shipping as an important development market,” he said
“The Queensland Cruise Ship Plan is a QTS initiative designed to provide a clear direction for cruise shipping in Brisbane and Queensland, ensuring sustainability of the industry now and into the future.”
Project Director with Brookfield Multiplex, Lee Butterworth said with the support of the QTS initiative, Portside Wharf would continue to play a significant role in international cruise marketing and the subsequent port logistics.
“Already with a heavily booked schedule until December 2011, Portside Wharf is in great demand from a diverse range of international companies and the Queensland Cruise Ship Plan will play an integral role in catering for the increasing number of cruise ships to Brisbane and their passengers,” Mr Butterworth said.
30 April, 2009
New grants program
a frill for women
A program of grants for national non-Government women’s organisations to improve the representation and advocacy of women’s and their issues has been unveiled by the Federal Minister for the Status of Women, Tanya Plibersek.
Ms Plibersek said the organisations were eligible for up to $100,000, as promoting women’s rights was a high Government priority.
“Ensuring that representative organisations are well equipped to advocate and participate in current policy debates is critical to improving gender policy outcomes,” she said.
“I want women’s organisations to expand their networks and work with women who have not engaged in policy debates in the past or who find it difficult to be heard.”
Ms Plibersek said the grants would support women's organisations and allow them to work with diverse groups of women in the community to help them engage in policy debates.
She said women who may not see themselves as part of the formal women's movement were among key target groups.
“Young women, Indigenous women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women with disabilities will also be a focus,” Ms Plibersek said.
“The grants will promote stronger engagement between women in the community, women's organisations and the Government.”
Grant application forms were available from www.ofw.fahcsia.gov.au or by phoning (02) 6212 9618.
30 April, 2009
Green army
in firing line
The Government is creating 3,000 jobs specifically to protect Queensland’s environment.
Young jobseekers can log on to a website and contact a hotline to register their interests in joining the ‘Green Army’.
Premier, Anna Bligh said anyone seeking work in tough economic times and anyone who cared about the environment should hop on board.
“The Green Army will provide 3,000 jobs over the next three years and is critical in my Government’s plan to create 100,000 jobs during that same period,” she said
“It is also critical to the future of our national parks, our internationally renowned walking trails, our waterways and our wet tropic regions.”
Ms Bligh said the $57 million commitment would provide 2,300 jobs through work placements of up to six months on projects that conserve and restore the natural environment, green spaces and recreational areas.
“It will also provide for 700 year-long Green Traineeship positions for young unemployed Queenslanders,” she said.
The first project in the program will go to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council which will receive more than $600,000 to provide paid work for approximately 40 jobseekers.
Minister for Employment and Economic Development, Andrew Fraser said the Sunshine Coast project would begin in July, enabling jobseekers in Noosa, Caloundra and Maroochydore to develop skills in basic construction, horticulture, landscaping, fencing, concreting or waste recycling, depending on their work placement.
More information about the Queensland Green Army was available from www.employment.qld.gov.au or 1800 249 215.
30 April, 2009
New Adoption
deal adopted
A new adoption support service will provide free telephone and face-to-face advice from Government-funded counsellors.
The Minister for Child Safety-, Phil Reeves said there would be a free call service and training in adoption issues for health professionals and other counsellors.
The Minister said the Department of Communities would be seeking a community agency to run the new service for the Government.
“Adoption is a complex and sensitive matter that affects many people - birth parents, adoptive parents, the adoptee, and extended family,” Mr Reeves said.
“This service is an important element of the modern adoption system the Government is putting in place.”
He said it was a key feature of legislation re-introduced into Parliament to replace the 45-year-old Adoption of Children Act.
Mr Reeves said the new adoption laws will also enable all adopted people and birth parents to obtain identifying information about other people associated with the same adoption once the adopted person is 18 years of age, irrespective of when the adoption occurred.
He said the new support service will help people to prepare the documents they needed to lodge with the Government about whether or not they wanted to be contacted by their birth parents or their child who was adopted.
The service would also have the power to mediate in discussions between people involved in adoption issues.
Mr Reeves said expressions of interest in running the service would be sought by mid-year with the aim of having it operating by 1 October.
30 April, 2009
New pool rules to
make a splash
A panel comprising representatives from Kidsafe, the Royal Life Saving Society, Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit and the Local Government Association of Queensland,
has recommended new safety measures for Queensland swimming pools.
The suggestions include a single set of fencing regulations for all pools, mandatory inspections and tougher rules for portable pools.
The recommendations, part of the most comprehensive review of Queensland’s pool safety laws in nearly 20 years, are now open for public comment.
Premier, Anna Bligh said 18 children drowned in private pools across Queensland, in the past three years.
“While the number of drownings has halved since Queensland introduced some of Australia’s toughest rules in 1991, we can do better,” Ms Bligh said.
“Queensland currently has 11 different, confusing sets of pool laws, and the expert panel has recommended this should be simplified so all pools meet the latest Australian Standard.”
She said while many pools would already meet the standards, others might need some work, depending on their age.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said a public consultation program will be run over the next six weeks.
Other recommendations include strengthened powers of entry to inspect outdoor pools, similar to existing fire safety inspection powers; portable pools to be fenced if they are deeper than 30cm instead of the current 45cm; and pool safety laws to apply to hotels, motels and caretaker residences for the first time.
To view the report, visit www.dip.qld.gov.au
30 April, 2009
Safety awards are
a healthy sign
The Government wants to make Queensland workplaces the safest in the country.
Marking the World Day of Safety and Health at Work, Minister for Industrial Relations, Cameron Dick said there are around 100 work-related fatalities and nearly 30,000 serious injuries and diseases each year in the State.
“Overall, total workplace incidents cost the Queensland economy more than $5.2 billion a year,” he said
Mr Dick said all Queensland businesses have a role to play in providing safe working environments.
“The challenge is out there to all Queensland businesses to make their workplaces as safe as possible,” he said.
“It could be as simple as moving tripping hazards out of the way, promoting safe lifting practices and making your employees aware of potential hazards.”
The Minister said that in tough economic times there was a need to ensure businesses are as productive as possible, to secure Queensland jobs and keep the economy strong.
“We have set a target through Workplace Health and Safety Queensland to reduce injuries by 40 per cent and fatalities by 20 per cent by 2012,” he said.
This initiative coincides with nominations opening for the 2009 Work Safe Awards.
“The awards are a unique opportunity for all Queensland businesses to recognise their commitment to excellence in workplace health and safety,” he said.
“We want to acknowledge businesses who have already implemented positive workplace health and safety practices to improve the morale of workers, increase their productivity, and therefore, the success of their business.”
The awards will be presented in October.
30 April, 2009
Dog management
plan can’t be licked
An independent review has recommended an overhaul of the State’s wild dog management program.
The review, by former AgForce president, Peter Kenny, resulted from concerns that wild dogs have become a serious issue, causing significant stock loss, particularly in the sheep industry.
Premier, Anna Bligh said it was conservatively estimated that wild dogs cost the grazing industry $33 million a year through lost production.
"The dogs are responsible for the destruction of native species, spreading disease, attacking domestic animals, 'dilution' of dingo genetics, and are becoming an increasing problem on our urban fringe and pose a risk to human safety," she said.
The review contains 22 recommendations and Ms Bligh said there were some excellent examples of wild dog control programs having positive impacts.
“However, we have learned from experience that State Governments cannot deal with the wild dog issue alone – there needs to be a strong commitment from Local Government, industry, landholders and the community,” she said.
“We’ll be working in partnership with all the stakeholders to take a phased approach in responding to the recommendations.”
The Premier announced the establishment of a State Wild Dog Advisory Committee to bring together the key stakeholders and oversee the implementation of the wild dog strategy in Queensland.
“The Government will be appointing a senior officer to work with the Wild Dog Advisory Committee to ensure the Statewide effort on wild dogs is maintained,” she said.
“We will also appoint a wild dog coordinator and a senior biosecurity officer to work with stakeholders.”
Local wild dog management groups would also be established in those areas where commitment to tackling the issue was strong.
30 April, 2009
War report takes aim
at Nth Queensland
A State Government Heritage Report has turned a spotlight on the crucial role played by North Queensland during World War II.
The report – WWII NQ - was prepared by cultural heritage expert Howard Pearce under the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s Cultural Heritage Branch.
Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, Kate Jones, tabled the report in Parliament saying the defence of North Queensland had often been overshadowed by the concentration on the bombing of Darwin.
“Many Queenslanders may not be aware that Horn Island Airfield, off Cape York Peninsula, became the only military base in Queensland to come under regular Japanese attack,” she said
“Japanese aircraft bombed and strafed the airfield on eight occasions from March 1942 and 20 Japanese bomb craters remain to this very day.”
Ms Jones said the book covered many other aspects of North Queensland’s wartime involvement using unprecedented insights from historians and veterans, hundreds of photos and followed months of intense research.
“We’ve tapped the memories of World War II veterans and military history experts and carried out extensive field surveys from Thursday Island to Camooweal; Cairns and the Atherton Tableland to the Gulf Country and south to Charters Towers,” she said.
MP for Townsville, Mandy Johnstone said the report detailed how half a million Australian and American personnel passed through Townsville.
“At Charters Towers, an airfield was constructed in just 14 days and the first gravel runway was ready for bombers in 17 days,” she said.
Ms Johnstone said the report will be distributed to Local Governments in North Queensland, to help them understand the local significance of places of that era. She said some of the sites mentioned could be candidates for heritage listing.
30 April, 2009 Island speed cut Speed limits on Fraser Island should immediately be lowered from 100kmh to 80kmh, Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan said.
The lower limit is one of a package of safety measures under consideration by the Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council after an accident in April resulted in two deaths.
The Minister said the Government’s strong view is that the planned lowering of the open speed limit should proceed without delay.”
Speed limit signage highlighting the new maximum 80kmh limit will be installed over coming weeks by the Fraser Coast Regional Council.
Primary projects boost services A series of online projects which boost services to primary producers has been launched.
The projects include a CD ROM on land types, a web-based Irrigation Optimiser tool, an online irrigation newsletter, and a blog and website on insect pests.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin congratulated Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries staff in Toowoomba who played a part in developing some of the projects.
“We want to lead the way in delivering online services to primary producers,” Mr Mulherin said
Non-State schools stimulated More than 460 non-State schools will now be able to fast-track the delivery of projects worth over $700 million, funded under the Federal Government’s $14.7 billion schools stimulus package.
Changes to planning regulations to streamline the system were announced by Premier, Anna Bligh.
“It means that non-State schools will not have to go through the usual Local Government approval processes for new buildings on their schools sites,” Ms Bligh said.
“The Prime Minister has made it clear this money is subject to building works being fast-tracked so that jobs are created quickly, and that’s exactly what Queensland will do.”
Cape Commission positive The Family Responsibilities Commission is reporting positive trends from the four Cape York Welfare Trial communities.
The FRC is a key element of the Cape York Welfare Reform project with the reforms a partnership between the Queensland and Australian Governments, the Cape York Policy Institute, and the communities of Aurukun, Coen, Hope Vale and Mossman Gorge.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Desley Boyle said the first reports demonstrated the new body was helping build more resilient families and community structures in the four trial Indigenous communities.
"While it was still too early to see real trends, the indicators in the report show that we are heading in the right direction," Ms Boyle said.
Filleting policy de-boned The policy governing the filleting of coral reef fish is to be relaxed for the next 12 months, allowing commercial fishers to fillet and skin coral reef fin fish at sea.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister, Tim Mulherin said the changes were aimed at reducing restrictions and boosting profitability in the industry.
“Under the current policy, commercial fishers have to apply and pay for a filleting permit to be able to fillet coral reef fin fish such as sweetlip, sea perch and coral trout at sea,” he said
“These changes for the next 12 months will mean that all commercial fishers who are allowed to take these species will be issued with a filleting permit and the charges will be waived.”
Heat’s on insulation rogues Rogue insulation installers trying to swindle the new Government rebate out of unsuspecting consumers, are believed to be operating in Queensland.
The Office of Fair Trading has received reports from West Brisbane that the traders are approaching consumers offering to install cheap insulation under the Federal Government's rebate scheme.
Minister for Fair Trading, Peter Lawlor said that while it was reasonable to expect an increase in legitimate marketing activity as a result of the rebate, he was concerned that dodgy operators might be trying to scam unsuspecting consumers.
“Make sure your installer adheres to the voluntary Australian standards for the manufacture and installation of insulation,” Mr Lawlor said.
“Seek this confirmation in writing as a verbal guarantee is worthless."
Mineral scholarships awarded Six students from the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy have been awarded $2,500 scholarships to work in the minerals and resources industry.
The scholarships were welcomed by the Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council, Michael Roche who said QMEA was part of a valuable three-way partnership between the QRC, the State Government and education and training providers.
Minister for Education and Training, Geoff Wilson said the awards recognised high-achieving students and raised awareness of mining and energy industry careers.
23 April, 2009
Committee shake-up
settles at Parliament
An overhaul of the Parliamentary Committee system has seen one Committee abolished, two merged and four new “super” Committees established.
Premier Anna Bligh said the restructure would not affect the role of committees in
scrutinising the actions of Government.
“Under this restructure, which will increase the total number of committees from eight to nine, we will see these committees perform a stronger role in generating policy ideas,” she said.
“That means this shake-up will create a committee system more focused on developing best practice policy and legislative solutions to issues facing Queenslanders.”
The Premier said that just as Governments required renewal, institutions like Parliament needed to be refreshed to make them more effective.
The four “super” Committees are the Law, Justice and Safety Committee – this will replace the existing Legal, Constitutional and Administrative Review Committee and will take on expanded functions to consider issues such as public safety, emergency services and corrective services.
The Economic Development Committee will address issues such as employment, infrastructure, transport, trade and industry and include the previous responsibilities of the Travelsafe Committee.
The Environmental and Resources Committee will address issues such as environmental protection, mining, water security and energy and the Social Development Committee will have powers covering health, education, social welfare services, community development, housing and oversight of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission.
Ms Bligh said the new system represented a significant opportunity to put to work “the best of the new talent we have in the Parliament on both sides”.
“There are 19 new Members of Parliament so we have a vast field of fresh faces to choose from when we select the best people from the ranks as Chairs and Members of these Committees,” she said.
Under the restructure, the existing Public Accounts and Public Works Committees will be merged.
The Members' Ethics and Parliamentary Privileges Committee, Scrutiny of Legislation Committee, Standing Orders Committee and the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee will be retained in their current form.
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) expressed the hope that the work of the Travelsafe Committee would continue despite its abolition.
Executive Manager, Traffic and Safety of the peak motoring body, John Wikman said the Committee had been a useful bipartisan forum in which to air and explore important road safety issues.
“As long as the new Economic Development Committee replacing Travelsafe keeps road safety on its agenda, it offers scope to be an ideal forum in which to highlight to Government the impact of road trauma on the State's economy,” he said.
“After all, road safety is not merely a transport issue, but also a public health and economic issue requiring a whole-of-Government response,” he said.
23 April, 2009
Payrise fears
buck union
The Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) has expressed fears that agreed pay rises for State Public Servants might be in jeopardy as the Government responds to the Global Financial Crisis.
QPSU General Secretary, Alex Scott said many public sector workers were “doing it tough”.
“It’s not acceptable for the Government to make them easy targets in the face of the global financial crisis,” he said.
“It would not be reasonable to deny these workers their promised increases at a time when they are all working hard to deliver quality services to growing numbers of Queenslanders with fewer resources.”
Mr Scott said there would be consequences if the Government chose not to honour the wages agreement or slashed the leave loading.
“Over the years, Queensland’s public sector workers have been more than reasonable during wage talks and have only ever had modest increases,” he said.
“Public sector workers will not sit back and endure lip service on wage agreements and the Government on is on notice that there will be a strong response if it goes down this path.”
Mr Scott said he had held talks with Queensland Treasurer, Andrew Fraser who had failed to provide a commitment that the Government will honour the wage increases.
“Further, Mr Fraser has refused to rule out possible changes to conditions and entitlements, including superannuation and leave loading,” he said.
He promised to continue talks with the Government.
“Delegates and members will soon be contacted about workplace meetings,” Mr Scott said.
“Together we will ramp up the campaign and force the Government to honour its commitments.”
23 April, 2009
Rising dams prompt
water warning
The Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson has advised the Queensland Water Commission to exercise caution in considering further easing of water restrictions.
While dams are now close to the 60 per cent trigger point for a further easing of restrictions, Mr Robertson has met the Commission to call for a hold on any further moves for six months.
“Water restrictions were relaxed for the first time in nine months just last week with residents being given the opportunity to use an extra 30 litres per person a day,” he said
“I believe it is still too early to tell how this relaxing of restrictions will affect water consumption and I think this needs to be considered before any further changes are made to current restrictions.”
The Minister said that ultimately it was a decision for Queensland Water Commissioner, Elizabeth Nosworthy.
“However, we need to remember that it was only about a year and a half ago in August 2007, that the combined levels in the dams were at the lowest levels at just 16.7 per cent,” he said.
“We don’t know if the current good rain in South-East-Queensland will continue in the long term and I think we all need to be conscious of not unnecessarily wasting our water during the good times in case the dry times return.”
If water restrictions were eased further, residents would be allowed a daily limit of 230 litres per person per day, a significant 60-litres-a-day increase in a matter of weeks and nearly 100 litres a day more than two years ago.
Mr Robertson called for a conservative approach.
“The six-month delay in any further loosening of water restrictions is prudent and will allow a detailed consideration of how the community has responded to the increase to 200 litres per person per day,” he said.
23 April, 2009
Memorials remembered
on wartime website
A new website containing information on every war memorial with local significance in Queensland has been launched in readiness for this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.
Public Works Minister, Robert Schwarten, who initiated the project, said the register would further honour Queenslanders who fought for Australia as well as being an excellent resource for historians.
“Our aim was to collect information on every war memorial with local significance to a community, whether it is a cenotaph, statue, column, gate or memorial building,” he said
“With the expert guidance of the RSL’s Queensland branch, we have identified around 1,200 war memorials.”
There were already 400 memorials on the Register, and the website would continue to be expanded as further material was provided.
RSL Queensland Branch State President, Doug Formby said the RSL continued to arrange and encourage commemorations that acknowledged the service and sacrifice of Servicemen and women. “This initiative by the Queensland Government fits well with the RSL’s endeavours,” Mr Formby said.
Mr Schwarten said the Register included a wide range of information and images, providing details of locations, inscriptions and the conflicts commemorated.
“It has been an enormous task involving many groups and individuals putting in the hard yards to develop this online resource, and I thank everyone for their contributions,” he said.
The Queensland war memorial register is available at www.qldwarmemorials.com.au
23 April, 2009
Sun shines on
solar plan
More than 18,000 Queenslanders have registered their interest in joining the Government’s Solar Hot Water Program in its first week.
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson said this was a “great response” and has called for Expressions of Interest from industry to supply, deliver and install the solar hot water units.
“Over three years we want the scheme to deliver up to 200,000 solar water heaters and heat pump water systems to Queenslanders at a fixed reduced price,” he said.
“With the 200,000 supply guarantee we are encouraging industry to bring these systems to market at a much lower cost to Queenslanders.
The Minister said the Government was offering fully installed, greenhouse-efficient hot water systems for $500 for eligible Queensland Households.
“To qualify for the program Queenslanders must be eligible for Federal assistance totaling around $2,800 and must have an electric hot water system,” he said.
Mr Robertson said by canvassing a range of businesses to express interest, the Government wanted to allay industry concerns that only one supplier would get all the business.
Submissions for the Expressions of Interest are due by 2pm on 30 April.
Consumers can register their interest by calling 1800 243 585 or by visiting the Office of Clean Energy website at www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au
23 April, 2009
Investment guide is
value for money
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has published a new guide to help investors and consumers get the best out of their term deposits.
The Commission will also conduct a marketing and disclosure review of the term deposit market.
Term deposits in authorised Deposit-taking Institutions (ADIs) have grown by 39 per cent from June 2007 to September 2008, and ASIC estimates they now exceed $500 billion, making them one of the most used investments by investors and consumers.
Chairman of ASIC, Tony D’Aloisio said that the growth in ADI deposits, primarily term deposits, had been driven by investors and consumers reassessing risk reward premiums in favour of ADI-backed term deposits with the Commonwealth Government guarantee.
“ASIC will conduct a review of the marketing and disclosure associated with term deposits to test their adequacy,” Mr D’Aloisio said.
“We expect to complete our review by the end of May.”
He said ASIC would update the investor and consumer guide based on the findings of the review and issue additional guidance as necessary.
Mr D’Aloisio said investors and consumers should continue to have confidence in term deposits with ADIs.
“Our review is simply a ‘health check’ to ensure that investors and consumers can make properly informed decisions when choosing to make term deposits or to roll over existing deposits,” he said.
The new guide appears on ASIC’s investor and consumer website, www.fido.gov.au
23 April, 2009
Plant experiments
bear fruit
Researchers at Primary Industries and Fisheries have developed a new hybrid stone-fruit at their Applethorpe Research Station, west of Brisbane.
The fruit is a cross between a plum and an apricot and has been called a Rubycot.
Primary Industries Minister, Tim Mulherin said that with the right marketing the Rubycot could become a high-value boutique fruit.
“Rubycot is a fruit in its own category and less influenced by the price or demand of plums and apricots,” he said.
“It has the potential to become a high-value niche market crop that could be grown in many regions of Australia.
He said Primary Industries and Fisheries was applying for Australian Plant Breeder’s Rights through the Australian Government’s IP Australia.
The Minister said the name chosen for the fruit reflected the flesh colour and part apricot mix of the fruit.
“It is completely different to any apricots and plums currently on the market because of its flesh and skin colour,” he said
The Rubycot is one of a number of varieties to come out the Department’s successful stone-fruit breeding program, and Mr Mulherin said he expected growers and commercial partners to take advantage of the fruit’s potential.
Principal Experimentalist, Dougal Russell said the fruit’s flavour had rated seven to eight on a scale of nine over the past five years of the breeding program. “Seven is considered commercially viable,” he said. “I expect limited quantities of this fruit would be available on the market this December.”
23 April, 2009
More care for carers
in training program
The training of foster and kinship carers on Brisbane’s northside has been boosted with an injection of funds to Mercy Family Services at Zillmere.
Child Safety Minister, Phil Reeves said more than $900,000 would be provided over the next three years for the program.
State Member for Nudgee, Neil Roberts said community partners like Mercy Family Services helped provide brighter futures for abused and neglected children.
“Mercy Family Services will be able to assess and train foster and kinship carers to look after 60 children who can’t live at home because their parents abuse or neglect them,” he said.
“Those carers will work with staff members from the Department of Child Safety’s Service Centre at Chermside, Alderley, Fortitude Valley and Pine Rivers to provide safe places to live for abused and neglected children.”
Mr Roberts said there were about 500 children in the northern suburbs who could not live safely at home.
The Government was looking to recruit another 500 foster and kinship carers this year, backed by an intensive three-month promotional campaign which ran in the middle of last year.
“The campaign has generated about 5,000 calls to date and hundreds of potential carers are in the process of assessment, training and approval,” he said.
The funding is part of the Government’s $586.6 million child protection investment for the 2008-09 financial year.
23 April, 2009
IP consultation
a good idea
Members of the public have been invited to have their say on proposed reforms to Australia's intellectual property system.
Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, made the call saying a strong and efficient IP system was a cornerstone of successful innovation.
“The proposed reforms are designed to help Australian innovators take their inventions to a global marketplace and encourage foreign investors to bring their new technology to Australia,” Senator Carr said.
“This means growth both for our economy and our skilled workforce.”
He said the call for submissions provided a valuable opportunity for interested parties to contribute to the work of strengthening Australia’s innovation sector and boosting the nation’s economic prosperity.
“The multifaceted reforms aim to reduce barriers in the innovation landscape for researchers and inventors, allow patent claims to be resolved faster and strengthen penalties for counterfeiting and other serious forms of trade mark infringement,” he said.
“I encourage all stakeholders to make submissions and let their views be known.”
He said IP Australia was commencing consultation on two reform papers and would release further papers over the coming months.
The Getting the Balance Right paper was about raising patentability standards and giving greater certainty in the validity of granted patents while the Exemptions to Patent Infringement paper looked at ensuring that patents did not inhibit research and development in Australia.
The Minister said they were available at the IP website along with information on how to provide submissions at www.ipaustralia.gov.au. Submissions close 8 May 2009.
23 April, 2009
Housing projects
in from the cold
A joint project by the State and Commonwealth Governments is expected to deliver 444 new social housing dwellings across Queensland by July of next year.
Federal Minister for Housing, Jenny Macklin said the investment was part of Stage One of the $6.4 billion social housing component of the Government's $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.
She said as well as providing jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry, the project would have a positive flow-on effect to suppliers, small businesses and local economies.
"The Queensland Government has provided us with a list of high-priority projects that can begin immediately, providing instant stimulus to the economy,” she said.
Investment will flow over two years. Further homes will also be constructed under the much larger Stage Two of the package, to be announced later this year.
The Federal Government will also provide $80 million for the maintenance and upgrade of more than 9,400 social housing dwellings in Queensland.
Queensland Minister for Housing, Karen Struthers said the project came at a critical time and would fast- track important building and construction projects.
"Building and infrastructure projects are high on the priority list for the Queensland Government, and with a large number of construction projects in the pipeline, the stimulus plan could not have come at a better time," she said.
23 April, 2009
Young to dig digital
at Cultural Centre
Building work has commenced on a $7.9 million digital facility for young people at Brisbane’s Cultural Centre, South Bank.
Premier Anna Bligh said “The Edge” would encourage young people to master new technologies and generate the bright ideas of the future.
“This new facility will greatly contribute to the Cultural Centre as a landmark cultural and learning destination by offering opportunities and activities that inspire people to explore their creativity,” she said.
The building will feature creative spaces for designing, showcasing, learning and playing; an auditorium for large-scale performance and exhibition; more intimate workshop spaces; media labs focused on film, music and community publishing and accommodation for visiting artists and volunteers.
Ms Bligh said the creation of The Edge was part of a major series of building enhancements happening at the Cultural Centre this year.
“The recent upgrade of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre gives patrons to the Lyric Theatre and Concert Hall access to arts and cultural events in a state-of-the-art environment,” she said.
“Queensland Museum’s Dinosaur Garden is undergoing a renovation with interactive displays and a replica of the famed Lark Quarry dinosaur track.”
The Premier said when completed The Edge would be managed by the State Library of Queensland and would partner with various educational, arts and commercial sector organisations.
Brisbane-based architectural firm m3architecture and consultants Deicke Richards designed the new facility. Abigroup is the managing contractor with the Department of Public Works providing project management.
The new facility is expected to be completed by September.
23 April, 2009
Transport corridor
makes way for future
A transport corridor between Ipswich and Springfield is to be preserved to provide planning certainty in the fast-growing region.
The decision follows an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) into the preferred corridor.
Minister for Transport, Rachel Nolan said Queensland Transport initiated a public transport corridor study for the area in October 2006 after the South East Queensland Regional Plan identified the need to investigate transport requirements.
"Significant population growth is predicted in the region during the next 20 years, so more transport infrastructure and services will be required," she said.
The EIS supported the preservation of the corridor for use by heavy passenger rail and buses.
The study has also made recommendations on station locations and park-and-ride facilities to service the predicted population increase.
MP for Bundamba, Jo-Ann Miller and encouraged the community to view the EIS documents.
The study also provided advice on engineering issues.
Ms Nolan said owners of land potentially required had been notified of the decision to preserve the corridor.
The EIS document can be found at www.transport.qld.gov.au/ipswichtospringfield and can be viewed at the Ipswich Electorate office of Ms Nolan, the Bundamba Electorate office of Ms Miller, the UQ Ipswich Library and the Redbank Plaza Library.
23 April, 2009
Workshop wash up
in flood recovery
A recommendation from the Gulf Beef Industry Recovery Taskforce that workshops be held for producers affected by the recent floods is to be adopted by the Government.
The workshops will be held at Normanton, Burketown, Croydon, and Julia Creek. No dates have been fixed as yet.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin said the Taskforce had been set up “to help us work with industry on the best way forward after the extensive and prolonged flooding in the Gulf”.
“This followed our successful fodder drop operation, funded by the State and Federal Governments, which provided hay to more than 5,700 head of cattle,” he said
The Taskforce is led by Primary Industries and Fisheries and includes Mayors, other State Government Agencies and Agforce.
Mr Mulherin said part of the work of the Taskforce had been to conduct a survey of affected producers.
“The survey has now been completed and the issues raised by producers will be addressed in our information sessions,” he said.
Member for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan said the workshops would provide advice on animal health issues and also on the financial assistance that is available.
“There will be specialist veterinary advice on herd fertility and production which is an area of concern after the effects of flooding,” she said.
“A pasture scientist will also participate to assist with advice on pasture recovery following flood die-back because of prolonged inundation.”
Primary Industries financial counsellors would also be available.
23 April, 2009
New weapon to fight
organised crime
A coordinated national approach to combatting organised crime in Australia is to be developed by the nation’s Attorneys-General.
At a recent meeting in Canberra, the Attorneys agreed to consider common features that may be contained in State, Territory and Federal legislation to ensure there are no safe havens for organised crime groups.
Commonwealth Attorney-General, Robert McClelland said he would consider a range of legislative measures to facilitate this national response.
This may include greater telecommunications interception powers for covert investigations, making it easier to confiscate criminals’ assets and enhancing the cross-border investigative powers of law enforcement authorities.
Other proposals agreed to by the Attorneys-General to put to their States and Territories include coercive questioning of subjects, use of more sophisticated surveillance devices and protection of witnesses.
Mr McClelland said organised crime operated on a national scale and was estimated to cost Australia over $10 billion every year.
He said the Commonwealth was developing an Organised Crime Strategic Framework to enhance the understanding of threats posed by organised crime and improve the capacity to effectively prevent, disrupt, investigate and prosecute its activities.
23 April, 2009
Race relations
a win for police
The national Race Discrimination Commissioner has announced 19 new projects designed to build good relationships and trust between Australia’s Muslim communities and their local police services.
Commissioner Tom Calma said the projects would reach across Australia and take a grassroots approach to improving relations by encouraging respect and shared values.
Commissioner Calma said the projects were part of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Community Policing Partnerships Program (CPPP).
“Racism, discrimination and religious hatred are all toxic viruses with the potential to eat away at the core of Australia’s multicultural society,” he said.
“A diverse pool of projects will soon be up and running and I expect they will fundamentally improve relations between police and young people, which have sometimes triggered disharmony and misunderstandings in the past.”
Commissioner Calma said identifying where prejudice was evident regarding members of Muslim communities and the police was the first step towards identifying and rectifying misunderstandings.
“Respecting and supporting cultural diversity in Australia today is crucial to keeping our society fair and reducing damaging discrimination in all its ugly forms,” he said.
Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, Dr Hass Dellal, said a number of participants had considered taking up policing as a result of the projects.
“The young participants and community groups involved in the CPPP have shown a real commitment to establish meaningful partnerships with local police services, with some young Muslims being genuinely attracted to a career in the police service,” Dr Dellal said.
Commissioner Calma said the projects included workshops on rights, responsibilities and improving understanding of police complaint processes and a Queensland partnership that would look at police services in relation to issues the Muslim clergy faced when conducting their religious duties.
A three-day camp for ‘at-risk’ young people focusing on relationships, career opportunities and safe driving is included among the projects, as is a crime prevention and early intervention initiatives.
Commissioner Calma said youth and family issues, domestic violence and burial procedures would all be addressed.
The CPPP is a national initiative undertaken by the Australian Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the Australian Multicultural Foundation.
It is one of several programs undertaken by the Commission funded under the Commonwealth’s National Action Plan, which aims to promote social harmony and to counteract discrimination and misinformation about Muslim Australians.
The projects were chosen by a selection committee made up of police and Muslim community members.
Further information was available from www.humanrights.gov.au
23 April, 2009 Destinations a hit in Japan Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef have been ranked seventh out of 10 in a list of destinations Japanese divers would most like to visit.
Tourism Minister, Peter Lawlor said destinations from around the world competed to be on the wish-list at the annual Tokyo Marine Diving and Resort Fair.
“Tourism Queensland and Tourism Tropical North Queensland had a booth at the exhibition for the eighth year running, with support from Tourism Australia, Cairns diving operators and in partnership with Jetstar and Overseas Travel Agency,” Mr Lawlor said.
“While the Japanese market to Australia has suffered a decline over the past few years it is still Tropical North Queensland’s largest international market and it is important we continue our market presence in these competitive times.”
Info session at Gladstone Gladstone employees and contractors who have either lost their jobs or are facing the prospect of unemployment have received advice from Centrelink at an information session.
Federal Minister for Human Services, Joe Ludwig, and MP for Flynn, Chris Trevor, said the Rio Tinto redundancies and other local industry job losses were disappointing and distressing for families.
People attending the session were able to speak with Centrelink education and employment advisers as well as representatives from local job placement agencies.
Those who couldn’t attend can call 13 2850 or visit the Gladstone Centrelink Customer Service Centre to discuss what support is available.
Baby book launched Women who have given birth at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital (RBWH) over the last 70 years are recognised in a book Royal Mums: A Collection of Memories (vol. 1).
The publication pays tribute to these mothers and celebrates the joy, and sometimes sorrow, of giving life to generations of Queenslanders.
The RBWH Foundation launched the book at a ceremony during which many mothers recalled their personal stories. Professor Paul Colditz, from the RBWH Perinatal Research Centre, was a guest speaker.
Profits from the book will fund research at the hospital.
Heritage comes to Cooktown Cooktown residents can learn more about Queensland’s heritage system at a public meeting next week.
The Statewide Heritage Survey team – part of the Department of Environment and Resource Management - will conduct the meeting on Wednesday, 29 April as part of a five-year project that aims to ensure the Queensland Heritage Register includes the broadest range and best examples of the State’s post-settlement story.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Kate Jones said community insight was vital to the project’s success.
The Statewide Heritage Survey team is working in the far north until mid-year.
Violence service funded The Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service and Relationships Australia have been given more than $2.3 million over the next three years to continue their work of helping people who have been subjected to violence in the home.
Community Services Minister, Karen Struthers said the money would support education and awareness-raising programs being run by the two organisations.
“It gives them certainty,” she said.
The funds also supported 10 full-time positions across the two agencies.
“And that means jobs and job security for local workers in the far north,” the Minister said.
Tourism targets NZ New Zealand is the next target for Tourism Queensland’s ‘Open for Business’ campaign to encourage visitors to continue to come to the Sunshine Coast.
Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor said that with the clean-up of the oil spill completed it was important we get the message out to consumers in key markets.
“New Zealand is the Sunshine Coast’s largest international market accounting for 29 per cent of all international visitors,” he said.
The $180,000 campaign includes television, press and magazine advertising, brochures, website promotions, electronic direct mail, store window banners and Flight Centre advertising.
Station boundaries revised Boundaries between Flinders Shire and Charters Towers regional councils have been adjusted to ensure the 10,000-hectare Thirlestone Station sits only in Charters Towers.
Local Government Minister, Desley Boyle said previously the station had lots in both council areas, causing logistical problems for the councils and the lessee.
“Dealing with two councils on matters relating to rates, services, roads and building approvals was obviously going to be a problem,” she said.
“That’s why an application was made to the Local Government Electoral Boundary and Review Commission for an amendment – it was commonsense.”
CAPAM meets on leadership The Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) is holding its 2009 Building Public Service Leadership Capacity Conference in Cukai, Malaysia.
In partnership with the Malaysian National Institute for Public Administration, the conference has as its theme the development of the next generation of Public Service leaders in Commonwealth countries.
“This challenge is especially difficult in the unique setting of the Public Service where organisations are immense, complex and multi-dimensioned,” CAPAM said in a statement on its website.
The conference, from June 22 to 24, builds on previous meetings in India (2005) and Ghana (2007).
Registration for the conference will open shortly.
16 April, 2009
Road worker injuries
curbed by courses
Road workers across the State are to receive free information on how they can best protect themselves while at work.
Workplace Health and Safety and the Department of Transport and Main Roads will run safety sessions raising awareness of the new Traffic Management for Construction or Maintenance Work Code of Practice in places such as the Gold Coast, Warwick, Hervey Bay, Charleville and Barcaldine.
The code provides practical guidance for the identification and control of risks for workers undertaking construction or maintenance work on, above or near roads.
Industrial Relations Minister, Cameron Dick said the road workers often had to work in a dangerous environment.
“In the last four years there have been more than 30 cases across Queensland where a traffic controller has been hit by a vehicle, and on one occasion a road worker was tragically killed,” he said
“The most obvious hazard for workers is the risk of death or injury from being struck by passing traffic, especially on road construction sites in busy built-up areas where motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, construction vehicles, heavy equipment, and other workers all interact.”
The Minister said the information sessions, which would eventually be held in all parts of the State, would provide road workers with the information they need to protect themselves from harm.
Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace said Queensland’s current road infrastructure program was the largest in the State’s history, with hundreds of projects planned or underway.
With so many workers out on the roads, safety instruction was a priority.
16 April, 2009
Job creation is
task in hand
The Treasurer has reiterated the Government’s commitment to job creation despite the downward trend in employment revealed in the latest job statistics.
Andrew Fraser, who is also Minister for Employment and Economic Development, said data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that in trend terms, Queensland’s unemployment rate rose from 4.5 per cent to 4.7 per cent.
This compared with the national trend up to 5.4 per cent from 5.2 per cent.
“Queensland was the only mainland State in Australia to create jobs in March, registering an increase of 2,400 jobs,” he said.
“In comparison, 3,900 jobs were lost in NSW, 1,900 were lost in Western Australia and 1,700 disappeared in Victoria.”
The Treasurer said the figures showed that Queensland was faring better than the rest of the country, despite the deteriorating economic conditions.
“However, the more volatile seasonally adjusted unemployment figures indicate a tougher outlook as the global recession takes further hold of Queensland’s economy,” Mr Fraser said
‘This means that our task of creating 100,000 jobs over the next three years just got tougher.
He said the month’s figures – the first to be released since last month’s election – set the starting point for the target at the current level of 2,238,000 jobs.
“We are determined to ensure that the effects of the global financial crisis on Queenslanders and their families are reduced as much as possible.”
Figures from the Bureau of Statistics indicate there were 10,792,300 people in work in Australia during March. Some 612,800 were looking for work.
16 April, 2009
Waste management
paper is good tip
A consultation paper with the aim of establishing a national policy for waste management has been released for public comment.
Issued by the Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, A National Waste Policy: Managing Waste to 2020 is expected to help clarify what is appropriately dealt with at each level of Government – Local, State and Federal.
Mr Garrett said waste policy had not been considered in the national context since 1992 and that the paper was “a chance for us to agree on what our priorities should be in tackling waste and where they are best addressed.”
“The Australian Government, with support from State and Territory environment ministers through the Environment Protection and Heritage Council, is leading development of a national policy to identify best practice in waste management and resource recovery, and to ensure Australia has the right mix of incentives and regulation,” he said.
“Many State and Territory Governments are now reviewing their waste and resource recovery policies and all jurisdictions, as well as stakeholders, are being invited to contribute their experience and ideas.”
Mr Garrett said the amount of waste generated in Australia grew by more than 28 per cent between 2003 and 2007.
“I encourage the community to contribute their views, ideas and information by making a submission on the consultation paper to my Department or attending one of the public meetings taking place across Australia,” he said.
Submissions close on 13 May 2009.
Public meetings are scheduled for each capital city, Townsville, Kalgoorlie and Wagga Wagga from 21 April to 1 May 2009.
Further information was available from www.environment.gov.au
16 April, 2009
Cameras trained on rail travellers
Security on the State’s trains is to be boosted with a new plan to install security cameras announced by Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan.
Ms Nolan said the move follows a successful trial of the concept on the Gold Coast Line in 2008.
She said the Government intended to go to tender for the new system in July with the aim of rolling out the technology from early 2010.
“Under this initiative the Government will provide live links from all security cameras on trains to a central control room, allowing police and security personnel to rapidly respond to incidents,” Ms Nolan said.
“What this means is that every Queensland Rail Citytrain will be fitted with a special- purpose wireless modem that is streaming live footage from security cameras.
She said if the driver reported an incident or someone pressed an emergency button, the incident would be monitored immediately.
“Staff in the control room will also be able to keep an eye on known trouble spots and crackdown on antisocial behaviour,” she said.
“There are currently 6,000 security cameras covering trains, stations and car parks across the rail network.”
These cameras were capable of recording illegal activities, giving police the evidence they need to catch and prosecute offenders, but they are not able to be monitored live.
However, the new system would allow police and security personnel to monitor any incidents, in real time over a wireless network.
“This will give the control room the capacity to track offenders on trains and at stations, and also to co-ordinate a rapid response by police and transit officers,” she said.
16 April, 2009
Tenants’ program is rental as anything
The trial of a program to help people find rental accommodation in Caboolture and Central Queensland appears to be proving successful with the Government considering extending it across the State.
The trial, called RentConnect, is aimed at young people, people without a recent tenancy history and single parents with one or more children who had previously found difficulty in obtaining rental accommodation.
Community Services and Housing Minister, Karen Struthers said “RentConnect officers worked one-on-one with clients.
“They've shown clients how to prepare documents for real estate agents, referred them to a number of real estate agents and have provided advice on transport options to help them get to potential rental properties,” she said.
“Since the trial began late last year, they’ve been able to help more than 220 people find rental accommodation in Caboolture and Central Queensland.”
The Minister said there was a big demand for accommodation in the private rental market in many areas of Queensland.
“This is about giving people the information and advice they need to enter the private rental market with confidence,” she said.
The Department of Communities had also produced a range of fact sheets on how to go about finding and securing a home in the private rental market.
It would evaluate the year-long trial to determine whether it would be suitable for a Statewide roll-out.
16 April, 2009
New lines for Telcos in discussion paper
A discussion paper on ways to improve regulation of the telecommunications industry has been released by the Federal Government for comment.
Announced by the Commonwealth Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, the paper argues for regulatory reform to help the industry work more effectively in the interests of consumers and businesses.
Senator Conroy said the existing regime needed an overhaul to improve competition and strengthen consumer safeguards, as well as remove redundant and inefficient red tape.
He said a vibrant and competitive telecommunications sector was important for delivering lower prices, better quality and more innovative services.
He said the paper sought “views on the options the Government will consider for reform of the existing regime to make it work more effectively, particularly during the rollout of the National Broadband Network.”
The paper was released after concerns about the effectiveness of the current regime were expressed by telecommunications carriers, consumer groups and stakeholders.
Senator Conroy said the paper canvassed a range of reform options, including streamlining current regulatory processes; strengthening the powers of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to tackle anti-competitive conduct; promoting greater competition across the industry; addressing competition and investment issues arising from cross-ownership; improving access arrangements for telephony and payphones; and introducing more effective rules governing connection and repair work by phone companies.
Submissions were due by 3 June 2009, before the Government made its final decisions and introduced new legislation into Parliament.
Copies of the Regulatory Reform discussion paper were available at www.dbcde.gov.au
16 April, 2009
Violence victims hit extra funding
Additional funds have been provided to three organisations in the Wide Bay Burnett region to assist them in helping women deal with domestic violence.
More than $2.5 million will be available over the next three years for vital support services, including accommodation and counselling services for women and children affected by domestic violence.
Community Services Minister, Karen Struthers said women and children needed somewhere and someone to turn to when times were tough.
“Domestic and family violence are serious issues in the Wide Bay Burnett region,” she said.
“In the second half of last year, 9,855 applications for protection orders were made throughout Queensland. Of those, 2,100 applications were made in the Wide Bay Burnett region.”
Ms Struthers said the Government was working with the community on prevention and early intervention programs.
“At the same time, we won’t turn our back on women and children in troubled times. We need to ensure they’ve got somewhere safe to stay, and counseling services to help them get their lives back on track,” she said.
Ms Struthers said the Yoorana Women’s Domestic Violence and Resource Service would receive more than $482,000 this year for counseling, refuge and court support at Maryborough and Hervey Bay; Lifeline Coral Coast is set to receive around $125,000 this year for counselling and support services at Bundaberg; and Lifeline Community Care in Kingaroy will receive around $257,000 this year for refuge, counselling and support services.
The Minister commended Lifeline and Yoorana. “They’re working at the very core of the community,” she said.
“They need to know the funds will be available next year and the year after that. It gives them certainty.”
She said the funds also supported around 10 full-time positions for the three organisations.
“And that means jobs and job security for local workers in the Wide Bay Burnett region,” she said.
16 April, 2009
Infrastructure review is big ticket item
The Commonwealth has proposed a package of reforms to improve the system by which large infrastructure assets are shared by other users.
Federal Minister for Competition Policy, Chris Bowen has put his reforms to all States and Territories in a bid to have the National Access Regime improved to increase its efficiency and enhance competition.
The National Access Regime was established under the Commonwealth’s Trade Practices Act to ensure that large infrastructure assets were able to be used by third parties on reasonable terms and conditions, so that they don’t have to be duplicated by every user.
Mr Bowen said while the regime appeared to be working effectively, there were concerns it was generating regulatory risks that were hindering investment in essential infrastructure.
He said some infrastructure owners and access seekers claimed that processes under the regime were too lengthy and costly and that there was a broad consensus that something needed to be done to speed up the process.
“Currently, processes under the National Access Regime can go on for years,” Mr Bowen said.
“The National Access Regime needs to be improved to make decisions and arbitration faster.”
He said the package of reforms drew on recommendations from the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), the Productivity Commission, the National Competition Council (NCC) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
He said the reforms would streamline administrative arrangements and provide greater regulatory certainty for infrastructure owners.
He said the reforms would implement COAG Competition and Infrastructure Reform Agreement commitments; streamline decision-making criteria and processes; improve regulatory certainty; and reform ACCC and NCC administrative processes.
Mr Bowen emphasised the changes would not strengthen or weaken the criteria for application of the regime.
“The reforms strike an appropriate balance between the rights and interests of infrastructure owners and investors on the one hand, and the competition benefits of facilitating access on the other,” he said.
“This will ensure both investment in nationally significant infrastructure and the efficient use of that infrastructure.”
Mr Bowen said the regime promoted the efficient use of nationally significant infrastructure and facilitated access in cases where replicating the infrastructure concerned would not be economical and where commercial negotiation with the infrastructure owner or operator has failed.
He said changes to the National Access Regime would be made in the next few months, after the State and Territory views had been considered.
16 April, 2009
Train internet on right track
Queensland’s trains will soon offer passengers the ability to log onto the internet and send and receive emails while travelling or waiting at the station.
Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan announced the new service saying that the same wireless technology that was being used to make trains safer, would also be available to commuters to “surf the web.”
Ms Nolan said access to wireless internet was becoming more and more important in people’s professional and social lives and this technology would make train travel more attractive.
“We envisage that the technology will be available on every train and every train station in the Citytrain network,” she said.
“This initiative will provide just one more incentive for people to leave their cars at home, get on the train and get online.”
The Minister said new wireless equipment to allow security footage to be streamed in real time to a central point would also create wireless hotspots at stations and on trains.
“This means that commuters will be able to log on to the internet and catch up on emails on their train ride to work or while waiting at a station,” she said.
“People travelling to work with their laptops will be able to rely on a strong signal which means they can read the paper online, receive and send emails or simply surf their favourite sites.”
Ms Nolan said the new technology would make Queensland the only State in Australia where commuters could rely on constant wireless access.
16 April, 2009
Bridge naming plan spans communities
Residents of three communities are being invited to suggest names for five new bridges in their areas, while a bridge that has remained nameless for more than three decades will now get one.
People living in Bundaberg, Burnett and Miriam Vale are being asked for suggestions as part of Queensland’s 150th birthday celebrations.
Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace said the new bridge signs would be seen by local residents, heavy vehicle operators and tourists so the names should spark interest in the communities.
“Names which honour an individual or group vital to the community's success, pioneers, sports achievers, civic leaders, successful performers or artists who have a link to the local area would be considered,” he said.
“Suggested names don't have to relate to people; they can be Indigenous, regional animal or plant species or historical events.
The Minister said a community-based panel would be established to select one name for each bridge from the submissions received.
The five bridges under construction as part of the Southern Queensland Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program are the Gregory River Bridge on Bundaberg–Goodwood Road, and the Littabella Creek, Mullett Creek, Cockatoo Creek and Yandaran Creek bridges on the Bundaberg–Miriam Vale Road.
A bridge that has remained nameless for 32 years at Fraser will also get a title under the program.
The Susan River Bridge was built in 1977 and carries at least 10,000 vehicles per day between the Maryborough and Hervey Bay communities.
16 April, 2009
Tilt train service inclined to stop
The diesel Tilt Train service from Cairns has been cancelled until further notice following an accident on the track last year.
QR Passenger Executive General Manager, Paul Scurrah said he had decided to cancel the service after receiving information from the Rail Safety Regulator.
“Following the collision between the Cairns Tilt Train and a B-double truck at Rungoo a full independent investigation has raised issues concerning the specification, design and subsequent testing and construction of the Cairns Tilt Train,” he said
“We have acted on the side of caution and cancelled services until the nature of the issues raised can be addressed.”
Mr Scurrah said passengers scheduled to depart on the service would be contacted and told of alternative arrangements on the Spirit of the Outback or receive a full refund.
He said QR technical and engineering experts had begun work and the service would not be resumed until they had provided assurances it was safe to do so.
“I apologise for the inconvenience this disruption will cause but our number one priority is safety,” he said
“Service disruptions have been minimised because the next scheduled service is not due until (this) Friday due to the closure of track associated with the Caboolture to Beerburrum track duplication project.”
Minister for Transport, Rachel Nolan said she supported the decision.
“I take safety very seriously – even if it’s to the point of being over-cautious,” Ms Nolan said “QR had advised it was likely to be in a position next week to provide further information to confirm the locomotive met all appropriate standards.”
16 April, 2009
DNA database gets in police genes
A national DNA database that allows access by police and forensic scientists from all nine police jurisdictions in Australia has been completed following eight years of negotiation and planning.
Maintained by the Federal agency responsible for developing information sharing solutions for law enforcement, CrimTrac, the database will allow users to compare DNA profiles across borders and exchange information held in every State and Territory.
Chief Executive OF CrimTrac, Ben McDevitt said the nine jurisdictions could now match with one another, making it even more difficult for criminals to hide.
“The last of the 36 combinations has just been switched on, allowing NSW to match with the Northern Territory,” Mr McDevitt said.
“This means that all jurisdictions can now carry out complete inter-jurisdictional matching.”
The database contains DNA profiles collected from crime scenes, serious offenders, suspects, objects belonging to missing persons and unknown deceased persons.
It has the ability to identify possible links to a suspect or crime and, where jurisdictional legislation allows, can also compare DNA profiles from suspects with profiles from unsolved crime scenes.
Mr McDevitt said the benefits of a national database were twofold.
“The technology provides police with the ability to match DNA profiles with all jurisdictions, greatly assisting investigations, as well as fostering faster outcomes in the resolution of unsolved crime,” he said.
“While most States and Territories already have their own DNA databases, a national system allows law enforcement agencies to work together to establish links between cases.”
The database also had an important role in protecting the innocent and identifying unknown deceased.
“Full usage of the national DNA database will result in police matching more unknown DNA profiles left at crime scenes with people throughout Australia and assist in solving serious cases where there may be few other leads,” Mr McDevitt said.
16 April, 2009
Land clearing policy cleared
New laws banning the clearing of regrowth vegetation were expected to save up to a million hectares of endangered plants and habitats.
Also prohibited will be the clearing of all native vegetation in riparian areas of the priority Mackay/Whitsunday, Wet Tropics and Burdekin Reef catchments.
Natural Resources Minister, Stephen Robertson said the moratorium would apply on both freehold and leasehold land, except where there is an existing certified Property Map of Assessable Vegetation (PMAV) or an existing development approval.
“This moratorium means that reasonable discussions can be held with stakeholder groups without panic clearing of high-value regrowth vegetation that may, in future, be protected by amended vegetation management laws,” he said.
“The Government intends to move as quickly as possible after this period of consultation to finalise the longer-term arrangements and provide the necessary certainty for landholders and rural industries.”
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Kate Jones said the moratorium would assist the Government to work through how riparian vegetation can support its commitment to improve the water quality of the Great Barrier Reef.
“Improving the water quality along our water courses is fundamental to improving the overall sustainability of our waterways and the outcomes we want to achieve on the reef,” Ms Jones said.
The proposed legislation will provide that the moratorium is to apply for three months from midnight on April 7 until July 8.
Mr Robertson said the Government would extend the moratorium period if it was necessary to ensure arrangements for the protection of high-value regrowth vegetation was in place when it ceased.
“I have asked my Department’s compliance officers to actively monitor and investigate compliance with the moratorium and they won’t hesitate to act if needed,” he said.
“I recommend that property owners check at the soonest possible time to identify the impact of the moratorium on their property.”
Mr Robertson said he had met peak industry and conservation groups to explain the moratorium and consultation process.
16 April, 2009
Social housing gets firm foundation
A total of $138.6 million from the $6.4 billion Social Housing Fund is expected to deliver 444 dwellings in Queensland by July next year.
Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin said the investment was part of Stage One of the social housing component of the Australian Government’s $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.
“The Queensland Government has provided us with a list of high priority projects that can begin immediately, providing instant stimulus to the economy,” Ms Macklin said.
She said further homes would also be constructed under the much larger Stage 2 of the package to be announced later this year and the Australian Government would also provide $80 million for the maintenance and upgrade of more than 9,400 social housing dwellings in Queensland.
Minister for Housing, Karen Struthers said building and infrastructure projects were high on the priority list for the Queensland Government.
“With a large number of construction projects in the pipeline, the stimulus plan could not have come at a better time,” she said.
16 April, 2009 Schools join climate challenge School students will be given the chance to win prizes for sharing their thoughts on what climate change means to them.
The Federal Department of Climate Change's Think Climate, Think Change competition is open to students in years 3 to 9.
The competition opens on 28 April 2009 and closes 24 June 2009.
Find out more at www.climatechange.gov.au
Volunteer search on The 2009 Queensland Young Volunteer Awards, which recognise people aged 12 to 15 who give up their time and energy to help others, are open for nominations.
Minister for Community Services, Karen Struthers said one third of young people in Queensland were volunteers.
“More often than not they’re unsung heroes and they deserve recognition for what they do,” she said.
“We want to acknowledge their contribution to the community.”
Entries close on 10 June. For more information about the awards or to download a nomination form, visit www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au
Islanders in Archives display A new display at the Queensland State Archives features Australian South Sea Islanders, a distinct cultural group who are the descendents of predominantly Melanesian people brought to Queensland between 1863 and 1904.
The display features records relating to the recruitment, indenture, deportation and repatriation of South Sea Islanders from the late 1800s to the early 1900s and highlights examples of more recent information including enrolment and school records
The exhibition is available for loan.
Disability Awards open Nominations are now open for the National Disability Awards.
This year the scope of the Award categories has been broadened to recognise the diverse nature of contributions made by, and for, people with disabilities in areas such as business and employment.
Anyone can make a nomination for each category of the Minister's Lifelong Achievement Award, Disability Rights Young Leader Award, Business Award, Local Government Award, and Social Inclusion Award.
Nominations close 22 May, with more information available by visiting www.idpwd.com.au or phoning 1800 440 385.
New vessel for water police Redland Bay Water Police have received a new purpose-built vessel.
Police Minister, Neil Roberts said the new vessel would enhance the Queensland Police Service’s capacity for search and rescue, response to marine-related incidents and general law enforcement.
The vessel, to be called “D Trannore,” is the third vessel to bear the name of the late Senior Constable Desmond Trannore
Senior Constable Trannore was murdered while attending a domestic disturbance outside Gordonvale on October 27, 1964.
Lighthouse grants open Grants of up to $25,000 aimed to benefit Indigenous people are available for schools, training organisations and arts groups.
Minister for Education and Training, Geoff Wilson said a total of $180,000 was available for grants each year for three years from 2008.
“The aim of the program is to promote projects that foster innovation and collaboration, demonstrate best practice in Indigenous program delivery, improve outcomes for Indigenous people and celebrate their culture,” he said.
Applications close on 6 May. For more information visit: www.deta.qld.gov.au/indigenous/lighthouse
9 April, 2009
Local help on stream
for NSW floods
The State Government has offered to assist NSW residents affected by floods.
Premier, Anna Bligh said officers from Emergency Management Queensland within the Department of Community Safety had been in daily contact with their NSW counterparts since the flood emergency started.
“We have offered the full resources of Emergency Management Queensland as they respond to the recent wild weather and flooding that has devastated communities,” she said.
“Queensland has volunteers ready and able to assist as well as equipment to assist the response effort if the NSW Government asks for it.
The Premier said initial indications were that NSW did not need assistance but if the situation changed Queensland was ready to help.
“In February more than 30 highly skilled Queensland Fire and Rescue incident management personnel travelled to Victoria to assist authorities there battle devastating bushfires,” Ms Bligh said.
“Likewise, State Emergency Service volunteers from NSW and Victoria travelled to Brisbane to assist with the clean-up after the storms in The Gap last year.
The Premier said “helping your mate” is part of the Queensland, and Australian, way of life and that tradition continued with the latest offer to NSW.
Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts said Emergency Management Queensland’s know-how and experience with flooding would be of great assistance to its NSW counterpart.
“There’s hardly a wet season goes by in Queensland when part of our State doesn’t experience flooding,” he said.
9 April, 2009
Unis called to
study Councils
Universities have been invited to apply to the Federal Government for the honour of hosting Australia's first Centre of Excellence for Local Government.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the Centre would foster improvement and professionalism within Australia's third sphere of Government and was expected to showcase and encourage innovation and best practice across Local Government, improve the Local Government workforce capability to address skill shortages, assist Local Government to attract and retain skilled staff, and deliver training and development, including specialised leadership programs.
The Prime Minister said up to $8 million would be made available for the landmark project which would help share knowledge and bridge the gaps between Local Governments, training providers and research institutions.
Mr Rudd said that when the Government consulted with Local Government on the proposal it showed that a range of dispersed education and training services already existed, however significant gaps remained and there was a lack of coordination.
“I encourage universities intending to submit an application to consider partnering with other institutions, Local Government stakeholders or others with expertise,” he said.
“Applicants should build on other related and existing initiatives and propose strategies and services that are practical and affordable.”
Mr Rudd said that they would also need to show how they would work with stakeholders to deliver services nationally, including online services, as well as tailoring specific services to meet regional needs.
He said applications closed on Wednesday 22 April 2009 and a decision on the successful applicant would be made after an independent assessment process.
The application form and further information, including where to lodge applications, was available at www.infrastructure.gov.au
9 April, 2009
Union blazes trail
for Indigenous unity
The Queensland Public Sector Union is to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan this yearto build stronger links with Indigenous workers in the public sector and to adopt a more active role in rectifying the wrongs of the past.
According to a statement on the QPSU website, developing a RAP in 2009 would be particularly timely after the apology to the Stolen Generation last year. It would give the Union a platform from which to encourage a new role for Queensland Government employees in their relationship with Indigenous Australia.
“It will also provide Queensland public sector workers, who are at the forefront of delivery of services to Indigenous people, with the opportunity to come to terms with our own history in the implementation of the Government policy of the day,” the statement said.
The move builds on the historic role unions have played in helping achieve justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the statement continued.
“For instance, in 1967, the time of the national referendum which saw Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people gain citizenship rights, unions actively campaigned for a 'Yes' vote and, among other things, marched on Labour Day with banners advocating the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cause,” it said.
The Union said it would draw on the comprehensive process for developing Reconciliation Action Plans established by Reconciliation Australia, the peak national body for building reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“With the government being the largest employer of Indigenous people in Queensland, this Reconciliation Action Plan will have special significance,” the statement said.
“It will involve widespread consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of the QPSU and the establishment of an Indigenous Reference Group.”
Members wishing to submit ideas or comments can send an email to reconciliation@qpsu.org.au
9 April, 2009
Unplanned award for
FNQ region plan
A regional plan prepared by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning has won the top award for excellence at the Planning Institute of Australia’s National Awards.
The draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan won the Planning Ministers’Award as well as the Rural and Regional Planning Achievement Award for its strategic approach to allowing development in less sensitive areas of the region.
Infrastructure and Planning Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe said it was recognition that Queensland continues to lead Australia in managing population growth and protecting the natural environment.
“This award recognises all of the hard work that has gone into protecting more than 99 per cent of Far North Queensland from urban development,” he said.
“Generations of Queenslanders and tourists to come will be able to enjoy the Far North’s natural beauty, from the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics to the Great Barrier Reef.”
However, the Minister pointed out that new homes will be allowed in the right areas to cope with the region’s expected population growth over the next two decades.
“Enough land is identified for 50 000 new homes, with three-quarters of these near Cairns and a new-master planned community destined for the Mount Peter area,” he said.
“The Far North Queensland Regional Plan is only one of the statutory plans we have for regional Queensland.”
The Minister said 99 per cent of the State’s population now live in areas covered by one of the 11 statutory and non-statutory regional plans.
9 April, 2009
Tide of gratitude
for beach cleaners
More than 300 volunteersand employees of the Department of Transport and Main Roads have been personally thanked by Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace for their efforts in cleaning up the Moreton Island oil spill in March.
Mr Wallace said RoadTek, the roads construction arm of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, had played a key role in removing more than 900 tonnes of oil-affected sand from Moreton Island.
"RoadTek workers have been assisting with the clean up of a 10km section north from Eagers Creek on the island,” he said.
“They have also transported more than 20 truckloads of equipment and supplies to the island to aid in the operation.
Weather and tides had complicated the situation, throwing further layers of oil on to the beach which then had to be revisited.
“Not only is it our frontline workers out there, but a number of volunteers from our support areas have put up their hands to do their bit,” Mr Wallace said.
“The workers will continue to undertake manual clean-up duties – their expert skills and efforts will really make a difference to the overall disaster recovery operation.”
The Minister said that it had been “an outstanding and commendable response”.
The workers involved included RoadTek employees from Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Bundaberg, Roma, Warwick and Toowoomba.
9 April, 2009
Water wise Premier
sees a dam half full
Premier Anna Bligh has foreshadowed an easing of water restrictions in the South East following local dam capacities increasing to 50 per cent.
It will mean more opportunities to use garden hoses, wash cars and – for the first time in three years – use efficient garden irrigation and sprinklers.
The Premier said she was delighted to learn that the combined levels of Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams reached the trigger mark of 50 per cent.
“The Queensland Water Commission (QWC) is now moving to downgrade the South East’s water restriction level from high to medium,” she said.
“We will now move from Target 170 to Target 200, meaning people should try to use no more than 200 litres of water a day.”
The QWC does not expect to see a sudden jump in residential consumption with the restriction change.
Minister for Natural Resources, Stephen Robertson encouraged communities to continue to use water wisely.
“It is great residents will have some extra water to use in and around their homes, however there is no excuse for wasting water,” he said.
“Under Medium Level Restrictions, residents will be able to use an efficient irrigation systems in their gardens during set days and times, depending on their house number.
Residents could also use a bucket, a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or twist action nozzle; or an efficient non-fixed sprinkler.
9 April, 2009
Stimulus package
stimulates tourism
A campaign to encourage Australians to spend their stimulus package payments on travel to Queensland has been labelled a success by Tourism Minister, Peter Lawlor.
The $1.3 million Bonus Breaks campaign, which began in March, had already exceeded expectations generating thousands of holiday bookings expected to contribute about $10 million to the economy of regional Queensland.
The Minister said it had generated around $4.5 million in bookings and 22,500 room nights throughout Queensland.
“When you factor in the average expenditure of holiday visitors in our local economies - such as tours, meals and shopping - this translates to around $10 million,” he said.
“More than 216,000 Queensland jobs depend on tourism and this campaign is helping deliver on the Premier’s promise to protect jobs throughout the regions of Queensland.”
The Bonus Breaks campaign is running in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne on television, in print advertisements and through Flight Centre stores nationally.
“Tourism Queensland’s focus was on hard-hitting tactical marketing aimed at getting more heads in beds and more bums on seats when we need it most,” the Minister said
“One of the best things about the campaign has been the way the Queensland tourism industry has worked together.”
The campaign runs until April 4 and travel is valid until September 30.
9 April, 2009
Radio review is
sound policy
The radio frequency spectrum used by Commonwealth, State and Territory police, security and public safety services is to be standardised.
The move is one of a number of initiatives outlined in a discussion paper released recently by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and has been endorsed by the Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
"ACMA's review of the 400MHz spectrum band presents a nation-building opportunity to improve emergency services and law enforcement intercommunications," Senator Conroy said.
"I urge all relevant agencies and the State and Territory Governments to focus on ACMA's proposals and use the submissions process to identify and explore all relevant issues, and work towards increased interoperability."
He said the Federal Government had introduced a Digital Regions Initiative which would fund education, health and emergency services projects in partnership with State, Territory and Local Governments.
In the area of emergency services, he said it would support projects that used digital technologies to improve emergency and disaster response both within and across State and Territory borders.
Senator Conroy said applications for the Digital Regions Initiative will be called later this year.
"The harmonisation of police, ambulance and emergency services radio communications across State borders has been a long-standing goal," Senator Conroy said.
"The review of the spectrum infrastructure required to do this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity."
ACMA's discussion paper, Spectrum Proposals: 403-520 MHz - Proposals for future arrangements in the 400 MHz band, is available from: www.acma.gov.au
9 April, 2009
Hot water program
steaming ahead
A tender process is expected to begin next week to contract local suppliers and installers of solar hot water systems to fulfill the Government’s goal of providing 200,000 households with affordable solar hot water and cut household energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the Government was encouraging every Queenslander who wanted to take part in the scheme to register their interest at the same time as the tender process began.
“The Queensland Solar Hot Water Program will result in a rollout of 200,000 affordable solar hot water and heat pump systems which will cut the average household’s annual electricity costs by up to $300,” she said.
“We will start the tender process next week because we have listened to the industry’s concerns and we need to move quickly to eliminate any unintended impacts.
The Premier said she wanted to ensure as many manufacturers and suppliers as possible were Queensland-based.
The Government had also established a hotline to encourage householders to register their expressions of interest in the program.
“About 80 per cent of Queensland households use electric hot water systems and these are the single largest contributor to household energy use and greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
“This program will help us achieve our Q2 target of reducing Queensland’s carbon footprint by one third by 2020 - our aim is to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 630,000 tonnes over the life of program and 4.9 million tonnes over the life of the systems.”
The hot water systems will be installed at a cost of $100 for pensioners and $500 for other households.
Energy Minister Stephen Robertson has met industry representatives to discuss the roll out of the scheme.
“We’ve heard the industry’s ideas and concerns and as a result we want to get on with the job immediately,” he said.
Anyone interested in the program should contact the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program Hotline on 1800 243 585 or visit the Office of Clean Energy website at www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au
9 April, 2009
Wheels fall off
for bikie gangs
Laws dealing with criminal activity by outlaw bikie gangs require a national approach, Attorney-General, Cameron Dick has suggested.
Mr Dick met recently with other State Attorneys-General to discuss a united approach to the problem.
“Queensland must work in concert with other jurisdictions to ensure our State border does not become a legal loophole for outlaw bikie gangs and their criminal activities,” he said.
“Organised criminal activity by outlaw bikie gangs has become an issue of national significance, that requires a national approach.”
The Attorney General said the meeting was the start of important cross-border discussions.
The South Australian and NSW Governments have introduced forms of legislation targeting criminal activity by outlaw motorcycle gangs.
“As we are preparing our own model of legislation for Queensland, I was pleased to have a chance to hear from my interstate colleagues about the frameworks they have put in place,” Mr Dick said.
“In Queensland we are working towards the development of legislation that is both forceful and effective, maintaining a balance between the rights of individuals and the protection of the community as a whole.”
Mr Dick said the meeting was a precursor to further discussions at the forthcoming Standing Committee of Attorneys-General in Canberra.
“Hearing from the South Australian and NSW Attorneys-General about how they have approached these laws was extremely valuable,” he said
“We do not want to see the horrific events which have occurred in the southern States in recent weeks repeated in Queensland, or indeed anywhere else in Australia.”
9 April, 2009
Councils join up for
amalgamation claims
Twenty-two Local Government Councils have lodged claims for reimbursement for the costs of amalgamation in 2007.
Local Government Minister, Desley Boyle said a commitment had been made last year to give Councils an opportunity to put forward their case if they believed they were disadvantaged by the costs of amalgamation and this was the process which was now underway.
“Council amalgamations around the country have historically delivered a two to five per cent cost efficiency and there is no reason to expect Councils in Queensland to be any different,” she said
“Importantly, savings found across the operations of the new Councils accrue year after year, whereas the cost of amalgamation was a one-off.”
Ms Boyle said she was keen to make sure any upfront costs of amalgamation are returned in this term of Government, and that the long-term and ongoing savings are realised.
The claims are being assessed by the Queensland Treasury Corporation.
Submissions have been received from: Townsville City Council; Cairns Regional Council; Whitsunday Regional Council; Logan City Council; Goondiwindi Regional Council; Somerset Regional Council; Tablelands Regional Council; Lockyer Valley Regional Council; Bundaberg Regional Council; Central Highlands Regional Council; Mackay Regional Council; South Burnett Regional Council; Sunshine Coast Regional Council; Rockhampton Regional Council; Dalby Regional Council; Toowoomba Regional Council; Southern Downs Regional Council; Isaac Regional Council; Scenic Rim Regional Council; Gladstone Regional Council and North Burnett Regional Council.
Charters Towers Regional Council has also provided a submission.
9 April, 2009
Archives offers gold
to mine its treasures
The National Archives of Australia is offering research grants to people who want to delve into its collected secrets and produce innovative research projects.
Grants worth a total of $40,000 are available to researchers, scholars and archivists with projects could make use of some of the more than 50 million records the Archives holds that cover Australian Government activities since Federation and significant 19th-century records transferred from the colonies to the Commonwealth.
Former award-holders had explored topics as diverse as censorship, volunteering, copyright reform, foreign policy and Australian prisoners of war.
The three grants on offer are the Margaret George Award for talented, emerging scholars – up to $10,000, the Frederick Watson Fellowship for established scholars – up to $15,000, and the Ian Maclean Award for archivists and other professionals interested in archival issues – up to $15,000.
Applications close on Friday 26 June 2009, and the grants will be awarded in September.
The research work can be undertaken at any one of the National Archives’ offices, in any Australian capital city, and the grants may be awarded on a full-time or part-time basis.
More information is available from the Archives website www.naa.gov.au and applications can be submitted to grants@naa.gov.au or mailed to: Grants and Awards, National Archives of Australia, PO Box 7425, Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610.
9 April, 2009
Scientists a blow-in
for burp research
Two State-Government entities have been successful in attracting Federal funding for three major research projects aimed at cutting greenhouse gases.
Primary Industries and Fisheries in the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), along with the University of Queensland (UQ), received the funds to explore ways of curtailing methane emissions from cattle and sheep.
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim
Mulherin said it was not generally realised that livestock produced sufficient quantities of methane to affect the earth’s temperature and climate system.
“In fact, methane ‘burped out’ by sheep and cattle contributes up to 14 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions,” he said
“We are already known for cutting edge research on this problem – in particular investigating whether bacteria from kangaroos, which are largely methane-free, can be implanted in cattle and sheep to reduce their methane production.
The Minister said almost $1 million has been allocated to the projects.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Senior Principal Research Scientist and UQ Associate Professor in Animal Nutrition, Athol Klieve said one project would centre on using viruses that attack methane-producing microbes in the guts of cattle and sheep.
“Another project will investigate boosting livestock feed by adding lipids [oils] which automatically improves the condition of the animal and cuts the amount of methane produced,” he said.
“The third project will investigate the value of microbes that turn the methane produced in the gut back into hydrogen and carbon dioxide.”
Mr Mulherin said that the projects, if successful, could cut methane emissions at the same time as productivity was increasing in the beef, lamb, dairy and wool industries.
The projects are co-funded through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s Climate Change Research Program in conjunction with Meat and Livestock Australia.
9 April, 2009
Royal Commissions
attract big wigs
The Australian Law Reform Commission has released an Issues Paper and a call for public comment on questions arising in its review of Royal Commissions.
The ALRC has been charged with examining the Commonwealth’s Royal Commissions Act 1902 with a view to advising the Federal Government on whether less formal alternatives to Royal Commissions could be appropriate in some cases.
President of the ALRC, Professor David Weisbrot, said while Royal Commissions looked at issues of great public importance, they were usually extremely expensive.
Professor Weisbrot said they played an important role in ensuring systematic failure was addressed, particularly when controversial issues could not be handled satisfactorily by the Courts or political process.
“A key concern for the ALRC is whether an alternative model of executive inquiry might provide similar advantages and outcomes to Royal Commissions, in terms of respect, independence, protection of witnesses and so on, while offering more flexibility, less formality and greater cost effectiveness,” he said.
Professor Weisbrot said there were often expressions of disappointment when less formal means of inquiry were established, as was the case with Dr Mohamed Haneef and Cornelia Rau.
“Royal Commissions usually prove to be very expensive,” he said.
“We estimate that, in today’s dollars, the Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry cost taxpayers over $70M, the one into the collapse of insurer HIH cost over $47M, and the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody cost over $50M.”
The Commissioner in charge of the ALRC Inquiry, Professor Les McCrimmon, said the current Act gave Royal Commissions a range of coercive information gathering powers.
“A Royal Commission can apply for a search warrant, summon witnesses to give evidence and require the production of evidence,” Professor McCrimmon said.
“The exercise of such powers must be balanced carefully against the rights of those being investigated.”
He said the Act also contained a number of criminal offences that could be used to punish failure to comply with a Royal Commission, interfering with witnesses, or interfering with the work of a Commission.
“We will be exploring whether civil penalties may be more appropriate in some of these contexts,” Professor McCrimmon said.
The ALRC has developed an Online Discussion Forum to complement the Issues Paper.
The forum has been organised around key questions being considered in the Inquiry and could be accessed at talk.alrc.gov.au while the Issues paper was available from www.alrc.gov.au
The closing date for written submissions was 19 May 2009, with the ALRC’s final report due by 30 October 2009.
9 April, 2009
Local research waves
goodbye to flies
A research project being undertaken by Primary Industries and Fisheries, in the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation has slashed the numbers of flies in cattle feedlots by using two of the flies’ natural enemies – a parasitic wasp and a fly-killing fungus.
Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Minister, Tim Mulherin said the three-year research project had produced dramatic results, cutting fly numbers by up to 40 per cent.
“This has enormous potential for Queensland’s $3 billion livestock industry and may even have implications for battling flies and other insects in suburban homes,” he said.
“At a time when insect pests are becoming more resistant to insecticides, research like this takes on increased significance.”
The Minister stressed that both the wasp and the fungus were harmless to people.
The research was undertaken in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, and supported by Meat and Livestock Australia.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Principal Scientist Rudolf Urech said the common house fly and the blood-sucking stable fly were the major nuisance flies in Australian feedlots.
“Fly-plagued animals can suffer reduced weight gain and have higher stress levels” he said.
Dr Urech said as a result of the project, new research should be conducted to study how the wasp and fungi could be used in dairy, poultry and horse industries, abattoirs and even council refuse stations to reduce major fly problems.
The feedlot fly project had resulted in a major strategy and guidelines, which would greatly benefit Queensland feedlot industries by controlling nuisance fly populations.
“The guidelines cover feedlot design and construction, improved sanitation to reduce fly breeding sites, best applications of parasitic wasps, insecticide use and monitoring of fly populations,” he said.
9 April, 2009
Super fund changes
to account for time
The reporting requirements of superannuation funds are to be changed to demand that they report long-term returns prominently in member statements.
The Federal Minister for Superannuation, Senator Nick Sherry, announced the new rules which he said had been introduced to reinforce the fact that superannuation is a long-term investment.
Senator Sherry said the changes would require the Funds to disclose their five and 10 year returns in the periodic statements they issue to members.
"It is important that super fund members appreciate that super is a long-term investment," Senator Sherry said.
"The past year has been a difficult one for super fund members due to the impact of the global financial crisis on returns, however, if fund members focus only on short-term returns, they risk switching investment options or funds to their long-term detriment."
He said clear information about medium-to-long-term returns could help fund members appreciate their superannuation.
Senator Sherry said the superannuation industry had been consulted on the changes which would also require that the long-term return be disclosed at the investment option or sub-plan level and be “highlighted, positioned and presented” in a manner that would attract the member's attention.
“For the upcoming reporting season 2008/09, only the five-year return would be required to be disclosed,” Senator Sherry said, “and disclosure could be made either on the periodic statement or in a separate insert which would be sent to members together with the periodic statement.”
He said the disclosure would also assist the superannuation funds communicate their performance better over the long-term cycle, including their rises, falls and flat periods.
“In line with the Government's aim of increasing efficiencies and reducing costs for members, super funds will also be able to use a website as the default method of delivering their annual report,” Senator Sherry said.
“In addition, where a member has electronic access to personal fund information and has given permission, the fund will no longer be required to provide a written or an electronic member statement,” he said.
9 April, 2009
Feds make inroads in
FNQ infrastructure
The Federal Government has announced funding for a number of ready-to-go infrastructure projects in Far North Queensland.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray said it was important to get an understanding of the infrastructure issues facing regional and remote communities.
“We have so far allocated over $2.3 million from the initial $250 million component of the Rudd Government’s Community Infrastructure Program for important community building projects across the Carpentaria, Tablelands and Cairns regions,” he said.
“We have announced funding for 22 ready-to-go community projects across these regions – projects the communities themselves have told us they need.”
These included $100,000 for the Karumba Library and Visitors Information Centre; $1.3 million to a range of local and regional community halls and information centres and the Malanda Show Pavilion in the Tablelands Regional Council area and $899,000 for sporting and swimming facilities upgrades, refurbishment of community halls and enhancements to the central business district’s streetscape in the Cairns area..
Mr Gray said these projects would help generate construction activity and support local jobs during the global financial crisis and deliver much-needed infrastructure to improve the quality of life in local communities.
“Being here in these communities provides a true sense of the importance of these facilities to this nation’s towns and cities,” he said.
9 April, 2009 Flood aid extended Flood Applications to the Flood Disaster Relief Appeal have been extended to April 30. The original closing date was April 13.
The fund is currently worth more than $6.44 million but although the Red Cross has posted 1,300 application forms to victims’ homes only 600 have been returned.
Premier Anna Bligh said many victims of the floods would have spent much of their time in the last month simply trying to pull their lives back together.
“I encourage all the victims to apply for these funds.” Ms Bligh said, “I know there are thousands of victims of these floods who are entitled to this relief.”
HR Institute’s new look awards The global financial crisis has had an impact on this year's Australian Human Resources Institute's Australian HR and People Management Awards.
The 2009 awards will look at the role played in the present financial climate by responsible business practices and will be judged by role models in their fields with awards named after them.
The 2009 awards will include the Lynda Gratton Award for CEO of the Year - Lynda Grattan is professor of management at the London Business School - and The Dave Ulrich Award for HR Leader of the Year, named after the professor of business at the University of Michigan.
The 2009 national AHRI award winners will be announced at a gala dinner presentation on November 11 in Melbourne.
Brisbane homes in package New homes Forty-one new Defence homes are to be built at Pickering Hill in Upper Kedron as part of the Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.
According to Federal MP for Brisbane, Arch Bevis, the new homes were the first of 103 to be built in the Brisbane area over the next two years by Defence Housing Australia at a cost of $32.5 million.
Representing the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon on the building site, Mr Bevis also discussed other construction possibilities in the area.
“The local economy will benefit from increased employment in the construction and building supplies industries,” he said.
Bridges seeking names Names for four new bridges on the Bruce Highway will be selected by North Queensland residents as part of the State’s 150th birthday celebrations. The bridges are between Gordonvale and Tully.
Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace said the naming process would highlight the integral role that roads and bridges played in building the State's prosperity and connecting Queenslanders.
MP for Mulgrave, Curtis Pitt said the Government was looking for names that meant something special in describing the local bridges.
“Examples of suggestions could be Indigenous names, local historical events or traditions, plants, animals or other significant features such as geographical landmarks,” he said.
Cots recalled A nationwide recall of children’s cots following a Queensland mother’s complaint has prompted a warning to parents from the Office of Fair Trading.
Minister for Fair Trading, Peter Lawlor said a national investigation into Kensington Cots had sparked the voluntary recall by the supplier.
"The investigation followed a complaint from a Queensland mother whose child had fallen from a cot when the filler bars on the drop-side became loose and gave way," he said.
"Complaints of this nature are taken very seriously - the safety of children's products is of paramount importance to the Office of Fair Trading."
Wild rivers named The Archer, Lockhart and Stewart rivers on the Cape York Peninsula have been gazetted as wild river areas.
Premier, Anna Bligh said they joined six already declared wild rivers along the east coast and in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
“We will continue to roll out this program and fulfil our election promise to extend our protection program to three rivers in the south-west channel country,” she said
Queensland's wild rivers legislation protects pristine and near pristine Queensland rivers for current and future Queenslanders and the world.
Youth Parliament launched The annual YMCA Youth Parliament will be held at Parliament House from 28 September to 3 October with 89 participants.
Performing the official launch, Community Services Minister, Karen Struthers said this would be the 14th time the Parliament had met.
“It’s a great opportunity for young people to learn more about the political process,” Ms Struthers said.
Her Department was supporting the event with $18,000 a year for three years.
2 April, 2009
PS reshaped for new look Government
Queensland’s 23 Government Departments have been merged into 13 under major structural changes to the Public Service announced by Premier, Anna Bligh, immediately after being returned to office last week.
Announcing the restructure, Ms Bligh said the aim was to improve service delivery and was cost-neutral.
“I made a commitment to Queenslanders that I would change the face of this Government and deliver better front-line services,” Ms Bligh said, “and to do this, Queensland requires a modern Public Service structure.”
“This is about simplifying Government, reducing bureaucracy and cutting red tape.”
She said there would be no job cuts associated with the change.
“Ministerial portfolio responsibilities will remain unchanged and I want to assure all Public Servants – particularly those on the front-line – that I stand by my commitment to jobs, not job cuts, and this reform does not mean jobs will be lost.”
Staff from the 10 disbanded Departments would find homes in the Departments and three former Director-General positions are to be advertised as assistant DGs as the personnel concerned planned to retire.
In their turn, the 13 new Departments will be grouped under six ‘Super Departments’ covering Policy and Fiscal Coordination; Employment and Economic Development; Environment and Sustainable Resource Management; Social Development; Law, Justice and Safety; and Government Services.
The changes came into effect immediately.
2 April, 2009
Union stirs over
PS shake-up
The Queensland Public Sector Union has called on the Government to stand by its promise and ensure PS jobs are not lost in the major structural changes to the PS announced last week.
General Secretary of the QPSU, Alex Scott described the restructure, which has seen 23 State Government Departments reduced to 13, as the “biggest change seen in the Queensland Public Service in some 20 years.”
He said the Government needed to fully explain its plan.
“The QPSU will be meeting with the Government,” Mr Scott said, “so that we can assess the detail which has yet to be provided.”
“Public sector workers are mindful that the Government went to the election promising that there would not be job cuts across the Public Service.”
Mr Scott expressed the hope that the changes would help ensure quality service delivery.
“A strong Public Service requires effective machinery of government, and we hope that these changes will provide an opportunity for efficiency and the standards of service delivery that Queenslanders expect”, Mr Scott said.
“QPSU members will be vigilant in making sure that these changes don’t compromise public sector workloads and service delivery.”
He said the QPSU would fight to avoid the repeat of mistakes made in previous machinery of government changes.
“This restructure was announced with no consultation,” Mr Scott said.
“But that doesn’t mean we can’t pressure the Government to protect all public sector jobs; preserve service delivery and minimise change in front line structures; maximise permanent employment; (and) not ‘spill’ existing jobs and force members to reapply for their positions.”
He said Governments often failed to understand the importance of its ‘public face.’
“We need to fight to maintain the valued and public role of agencies like DSQ, DPI &F and Child Safety in the community,” he said.
“The loss of corporate identity for Departments and offices confuses our clients and makes the role of delivering services to the Queensland community that much harder.”
He said it was QPSU members who delivered Government services every day “so we deserve to have our say!”
“Just as we helped to protect jobs during the State election, we can continue our campaign to protect jobs during this restructure and the challenging state Budget ahead,” Mr Scott said.
2 April, 2009
Committees meet
with review findings
An independent review of State Government boards, committees and statutory authorities has recommended major reforms which the Government has already warned may not be adopted.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the reforms listed in the report - Brokering Balance: A Public Interest Map for Queensland Government Bodies – would be considered but not necessarily adopted by the Government.
“This is a report which contains 210 recommendations – 208 of them in relation to 334 separate bodies,” Ms Bligh said.
“But while the review proposes a workable framework for either abolishing or keeping Boards and Authorities, or changing the way in which they are operated, it is also a report which proposes some extremely radical and dramatic changes.”
She said Cabinet had considered the report, which affects a total of 459 Government Boards in Queensland.
“I have now charged all Ministers with considering the implications of the review, with investigating its relevance to their individual portfolios and with speaking to stakeholders in relation to the wider implications.
She asked for reports to come back to Cabinet within a month.
She said while the initial report claimed savings of $18 million could be achieved if all the recommendations were adopted, the Government’s first priority would be to protect jobs.
“The majority of boards and authorities potentially affected by the review’s outcomes do not actually employ staff – although there are some which do,” she said.
“Jobs are now and will remain my Government’s first priority in considering these recommendations.”
The review, conducted by Simone Webbe and Professor Patrick Weller, was independent of the Government and was carried out in two phases.
It required Government Departments to ask if a Board, Committee or Statutory Authority was really necessary if its functions could be carried out by the Department itself.
Ms Bligh said it had assessed all 459 Government bodies to identify which of those could be abolished.
“The underlying principle is that the establishment of a separate Government body should only occur if it is in the public interest to do so,” she said.
When the first part of the review was released for public consultation on 1 December last year it received 118 submissions and more than 13,000 hits to the website.
The report is available at www.premiers.qld.gov.au
2 April, 2009
Register registers
first lobbyists
Queensland’s first Register of Lobbyists has been posted on the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s website.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the Register would be kept constantly under review and updatedas new lobbyists register or existing lobbyists change details of their staff or clients.
She said it delivered on a Government promise for open and accountable administration.
“All lobbyists wanting to lobby Queensland Government representatives are required to register their details,” she said. “To date, 19 firms have done so.”
She said the Register was based on one drawn up by the Federal Government and was part of a package of measures designed to enhance transparency and accountability.
“Last month, the Government introduced the Queensland Contact with Lobbyists Code to deliver greater accountability standards for former Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Ministerial staff and senior Public Servants,” she said.
“Under this Code, former Ministers are banned for two years from lobbying the Government on any matter they dealt with in their last two years of tenure.”
She said Parliamentary Secretaries faced a similar ban, but only for 18 months after leaving office.
Former Ministerial staff and senior Public Servants must wait 18 months before lobbying the Government on any matter in which they had official dealings during their last 18 months of tenure.
The Premier said she expected her Ministers to fully comply with the new accountability requirements.
“That means Ministers must check the Register before agreeing to meetings with lobbyists; they will not be able to meet with some people who left Government employment within the last 18 months to two years.”
Ms Bligh said she had also sought advice on how the Government might limit, or cap, success fees in contracts for Government work.
Crown Law advice was that while it may be possible to restrict the use of success fees in transactions involving Government contracts, the legal issues were complex and would require detailed consideration in developing a policy.
The Register of Lobbyists is available at www.premiers.qld.gov.au
2 April, 2009
Bravery medals to
rise from the deep
Former servicemen and servicewomen who lost their medals during the recent floods will be able to get replacements without the usual red tape.
The Federal Government has announced it will relax the Australian Defence Force (ADF) medals policy for those impacted by the floods or the recent bushfires in Victoria.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support, Dr Mike Kelly, said the change had been made due to the extraordinary circumstances. “The policy does not presently allow ADF medals to be replaced and released to family members, but given these difficult circumstances I have agreed to relax this policy,” Dr Kelly said.
“All Australians are deeply moved and affected by these disasters and it is fitting that victims are extended every possible assistance to help them restore what little they can.”
Dr Kelly said the offer demonstrated that the Defence force could not only help through providing people and equipment in the affected areas themselves, but also help through other efforts at a more personal level.
“Family members who have, through the devastating bushfires and floods, lost the medals of loved ones who served in the Defence Force may now make application for replacements.
“They should use the application form and statutory declaration located on the Defence Honours and Awards website,” Dr Kelly said.
The Defence Honours and Awards website is at: www.defence.gov.au/medals
Enquiries may also be directed to Defence Honours and Awards toll free on 1800 111 321 and completed applications should be submitted to the Directorate of Honours and Awards at the Department of Defence, PO Box 7952, Canberra 2610.
2 April, 2009
No mystery in
medical tour
The Minister for Health plans to hold meetings with Queensland’s 60,000 health staff on a tour of 150 hospitals and other facilities across the State.
Visiting Redland Hospital, Health Minister, Paul Lucas said the tour would enable him to see the challenges facing the health network first hand.
“Queensland has the most comprehensive free health system covering the largest decentralised area in the world,” Mr Lucas said. “But we’ve heard loud and clear the message that we need to do more – and that’s why I’m here.”
He said that by Easter he would have visited hospitals in Cairns, Townsville, South East Queensland, Central Queensland and the Far North, including the Torres Strait Islands.
“Health impacts on many aspects of people’s lives and I’m determined to see what’s happening on the front line and how we can improve the services Queensland Health delivers,” he said.
He will also meet peak health bodies including the Australian Medical Association, the Queensland Nurses Union and Health Consumer Councils; patient advocate groups, as well as visiting leading training and research facilities.
Mr Lucas said the State’s $8.35 billion health budget was the fastest growing in the country and the $6 billion health infrastructure program the biggest in Australia.
“We’re halfway through the biggest one-off investment in Queensland’s health system ever made and we’re ready to take more action,” he said.
2 April, 2009
QBuild comes clean
on beach pollution
The Minister for Public Works has publicly thanked the army of volunteer tradespeople from QBuild who made up a large part of the Moreton Island clean-up team.
Minister, Robert Schwarten said the carpenters, plumbers, fridge mechanics and others from Qbuild who had been there from the start had played a leading role in the clean-up effort. “Currently we have 100 people doing this intensive work on the beach, which is hardly a picnic, wearing protective gear in quite hot weather,” he said.
“Altogether, around 225 QBuild workers have put up their hands to do their bit – a great effort which is appreciated by everyone involved.”
Mr Schwarten said a fourth deployment, of 50 agency workers, was already at work on the island.
The workers will stay for five days and, like other groups, undertake manual clean-up duties under the full instruction of the Moreton Island Incident Management team.
The volunteer tradespeople were mostly from Brisbane but a small number were from the Sunshine Coast.
Clean-up work has been continuing since the oil spill on March 11 when the 185- metre container ship, Pacific Adventurer, traveling from Newcastle to Indonesia via Brisbane, lost 31 shipping containers of ammonium nitrate overboard.
The falling containers ruptured the ship's fuel tanks, causing it to leak heavy fuel oil. The incident was reported about seven nautical miles east of Cape Moreton.
2 April, 2009
Anti-arson plan
forged by Forum
A national Action Plan to stamp out arson has been developed by a National Forum on the Reduction of Deliberate Bushfires in Australia.
Convened by Commonwealth Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, the Forum was attended by more than 30 police, fire agency officers and arson specialists from around the country.
It considered a range of measures to ensure the strongest possible deterrents were put in place to prevent and discourage arson.
Forum representatives said the key to reducing and preventing bushfire arson was maximising cooperation between fire agencies, police, social services, the criminal justice system, and all levels of Government.
The Forum committed itself to developing a National Action Plan on Arson, which included consideration of nationally consistent laws; national best practice arson prevention measures; establishing programs to target known arsonists; and law enforcement collaboration.
Forum participants discussed updating nationally accredited training programs to include arson prevention strategies; incorporating arson fuel reduction strategies into State and Territory land management; community education; and developing a national website to facilitate information flows.
Other initiatives to be progressed included a national framework for data collection on bushfire arson, nationally recognised training in investigatory techniques, research into the bushfire season and the development of evaluation tools to measure the success of public communication and education strategies.
The outcomes of the Forum are to be discussed by the Australian Emergency Management Committee and the Ministerial Council on Police and Emergency Management in April.
The Forum reported that up to 50 per cent of bushfires in Australia were deliberately lit, causing an estimated $1.6 billion in damages each year.
2 April, 2009
Election comment
called on boundaries
The Australian Electoral Commission has invited the Queensland public to offer suggestions and comment about the redistribution of Federal electoral boundaries in Queensland.
Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn, said interested individuals and organisations would be welcome to provide written submissions to the Redistribution Committee about possible changes to the boundaries and names for 30 Federal electoral divisions.
The State currently has 29 seats. “Written submissions must be lodged with the Redistribution Committee by 6pm AEST on Friday, 24 April 2009 to allow them to be considered,” Commissioner Killesteyn said.
“In making its proposal of new electoral boundaries, the Committee must ensure that the number of electors in each division meets strict numerical criteria.”
He said the Redistribution Committee would consider communities of interest and means of communications and travel within the proposed divisions.
“The physical features and area of the proposed divisions and the boundaries of existing divisions in Queensland will also be considered,” he said.
Commissioner Killesteyn said people or organisations intending to make submissions should visit the AEC website www.aec.gov.au for more information about the redistribution process and their suggestions and comments needed to be lodged with the Committee at the 7th floor, 488 Queen Street, Brisbane; by mail to GPO Box 2590, Brisbane, QLD 4001,
by fax to (07) 3834 3452 or email to qld.redistribution@aec.gov.au
He said the Committee would place all the submissions it received available for public inspection at its State office in Brisbane and on the AEC website from 27 April 2009.
“The public have until 6pm AEST on 8 May 2009 to lodge any written comments they may have on the suggestions made,” he said.
Commissioner Killesteyn said the members of the Redistribution Committee for Queensland included the State Electoral Commissioner, Anne Bright, the State Surveyor-General and the State Auditor-General.
2 April, 2009
Construction plan
is building bridges
A traineeship program is being run by Main Roads for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in south-east Queensland.
Called Constructive Mob, the program provides practical training in construction leading to a Certificate II qualification in Civil Construction.
Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace said the program addressed the critical shortage of trained construction workers and increased the number of Indigenous people working in the industry. “The Constructive Mob training program consists of two stages,” Mr Wallace said.
“Stage one involves undertaking life skills training including preparing for work, literacy and numeracy courses.”
In stage two participants moved to on-the-job experience on infrastructure projects around Brisbane.
Mr Walllace said Main Roads’ construction arm, RoadTek, would also provide trainees with opportunities in its maintenance division.
“Last year’s pilot traineeship program showed that by increasing skills in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, we can provide opportunities for the trainees’ futures and have a positive effect on the trainees’ families and communities,” he said.
“Through this experience participants will also build valuable contacts in the construction industry.”
Financial support for the progam has also been provided by the Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative; the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; and Construction Skills Queensland.
2 April, 2009
No arguments about
disputes paper
An issues paper promoting the use of non-Court methods for resolving disputes has been released by the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC).
Federal Attorney General, Robert McClelland, welcomed the paper entitled Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Civil Justice System, saying it would provide an incentive to use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Mr McClelland said the paper was an important step towards removing barriers to the use of ADR rather than the Courts, before and after the commencement of civil proceedings. “Access to justice is a critical issue and ADR is a key mechanism to deliver just that,” he said.
“The legal system must be able to provide a framework that allows people to resolve their legal disputes in a simple, fair and cost-effective manner.”
Mr McClelland said the paper examined how to increase public awareness of ADR; changes to civil procedure, costs and fees to provide greater incentives to use ADR; mandating ADR prior to litigation; improving assessment and referral services; and using ADR techniques to improve Court and tribunal hearings.
He encouraged the public to comment on the issues raised by the paper, including the use of ADR by Governments and their Agencies.
He said comments on improving data collection and research, professional education and training and standard setting for ADR services would also be welcomed.
Further information and a copy of the paper were available from www.nadrac.gov.au
Submissions closed 15 May, with NADRAC due to report back to Mr McClelland by 30 September 2009.
2 April, 2009
Support for loans
is life or debt issue
The Australian Government has announced it will guarantee borrowings by the States to help deal with the fall-out from the global financial crisis.
Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan gave the commitment saying the guarantee would support jobs and protect vital infrastructure plans.
Mr Swan said it would be time-limited.
“This important measure recognises that pulling back on critical nation-building infrastructure investment now would mean ever slower growth and higher unemployment into the future,” he said. He said just as bond markets around the world had been impacted by the global recession, so had State Government bond markets.
“This has threatened the capacity of State and Territory Governments to deliver critical infrastructure projects that will support jobs in the face of the global recession, as well as boost productivity and improve living standards in the medium and long-term,” Mr Swan said.
He said the guarantee would be available for existing and new issues of securities but would not be extended to those issued in foreign currencies.
“The guarantee will be available over a range of maturities.”
He said the initiative would allow the States to structure their finance requirements to meet longer-term infrastructure plans and prevent crowding, which could occur if the maturity of eligible securities was limited to shorter term issues.
“States will have the option to determine whether any eligible issuance is subject to the guarantee,” he said.
“The guarantee also extends to the existing stock, should States choose to take up the guarantee for those securities.”
A fee for the use of the guarantee will apply so that States with a AAA credit rating would pay a fee of 15 basis points for existing stock and 30 for new issues.
States with an AA+ rating would have to pay a fee of 20 basis points for existing stock and 35 for new issues.
“This approach will provide an appropriate set of incentives for those States which choose to use the guarantee,” Mr Swan said.
“The guarantee fee needs to provide a balance between facilitating access to the market whilst also providing a disincentive to use the guarantee once market conditions have normalised.”
Mr Swan said the fees would be reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised in necessary.
He said a website would be established to display information on guaranteed securities and related scheme details while the Loan Council would provide an additional level of transparency by continuing to consider State borrowing requirements.
“In particular, scrutiny via the Loan Council will ensure that the States have to account for their infrastructure spending,” Mr Swan said.
“The Commonwealth views the likelihood of State default as remote and unquantifiable.
“Nevertheless, should any payment be required under the guarantee it will be handled in a timely fashion.”
2 April, 2009
Clock still running
on regional plan
The public consultation period for the Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-31 has been extended for an extra month.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the public now had until 1 May to make submissions.
“Some Councils and interest groups have asked for an extension [and] I’m keen to make sure everyone gets the chance to have their say,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“This is a plan to protect the things that make South East Queensland such a great place to live…like our wonderful outdoors environment.”
The Minister said the plan placed more than 84 per cent of the region off limits to urban development.
“I encourage everyone to have a look at the draft so they can provide any feedback,” he said.
“It’s a plan for smart growth, to manage our expanding population and to tackle the issues of today like housing affordability, congestion and climate change.”
Mr Hinchliffe said although submissions usually covered several issues, key themes had already emerged with his Department receiving more than 1,000 submissions from individuals, commercial and community organisations, Local Governments and State agencies.
“The natural environment is featuring strongly so far with feedback around koala issues, biodiversity, air, noise and coastal management,” he said.
“The Department is already processing submissions and I have asked them to work closely with key stakeholders over coming weeks so we can finalise the plan by mid-year.”
The draft South East Queensland Regional Plan can be viewed at: www.dip.qld.gov.au or at Council chambers throughout the region.
2 April, 2009
No-work option is
working for a third
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released a report revealing that one in three Australians over 15 years of age were not in the labour force in September 2008.
The ABS report, Persons Not in the Labour Force, Australia, September 2008, found 61 per cent (3.3 million) of people without work were women, 30 per cent were 70 years and over and 15 per cent were between 15 and 24. Of those not in the labour force, 85 per cent (4.7 million people) either did not want to work, were unable to work or wanted to work but were not looking for employment and could not start within four weeks.
Just 15 per cent (820,300) of people surveyed wanted to work, with 9 per cent looking for work.
The report found that 91 per cent of that number who wanted to work were not actively looking for a job but were able to begin employment within four weeks.
It found people who wanted to work tended to be in younger age groups, with over a quarter aged 15 to 24 and almost 20 per cent aged 25 to 34.
Almost two out of three people who wanted to work were women, with 66 per centof these preferring to work part-time.
Women who wanted to work said their main duties when not in the labour force were home duties (36 per cent) and caring for children (23 per cent).
Men said their main activities were ‘attending an educational institution (38 per cent) or 'retired or voluntarily inactive' (14 per cent).
73,900 people who wanted to work said they had been discouraged from seeking employment.
Sixty-six per cent were 55 and over, 53 per cent were women, and 49 per cent said they were considered too old by employers.
2 April, 2009
Heritage grants for
old times’ sake
The National Library is calling for applications for its 2009 Community Heritage Grants.
Community groups and representatives across Australia have been encouraged to apply for the grants to help them preserve nationally significant cultural heritage collections of documents and objects. The grants are worth up to $15,000 and can be used to support significant assessments, preservation needs assessments, the purchase of archival storage materials, digitisation, conservation treatments and environmental controls.
The grant money could also be used to improve staff training by funding community organisation staff and volunteers’ participation in collection management workshops to help them improve their skills when working with heritage collections.
Over $2.8 million in funding has been provided to 661 projects since 1994.
Representatives from historical societies, museums, public libraries, archives and Indigenous and migrant community groups have been urged to apply, with applications due to close on 5 June 2009.
The 2009 Community Heritage Grants Program is funded by the National Library of Australia; the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts; the National Archives of Australia; the National Film and Sound Archive; and the National Museum of Australia.
Further information, guidelines and application forms were available from www.nla.gov.au
2 April, 2009
Teacher swap is
lesson in schools
A joint education program to build partnerships between Australia and Indonesia is to see 180 teachers swap schools for several weeks.
Thirty teachers from Indonesia have arrived in Australia for the launch of the program, Building Relationships through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement (BRIDGE). Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, announced the project in August 2008, saying it was an initiative of the Australia-Indonesia Institute and would be funded by the national aid Aency, AusAID and the Myer Foundation.
Mr Smith said the Indonesian teachers would spend several weeks in Australian classrooms developing curricula with their Australian counterparts in a mix of metropolitan, regional and rural schools across all States and Territories.
The three year project is expected to boost Indonesian language study in Australia and the study of English in Indonesia, complementing the Government’s goal of having 12 per cent of year 12 graduates fluent in an Asian language by 2020.
Mr Smith said BRIDGE aimed to create strong links between teachers, schools and communities and to equip Australians to live and work with some of the nation’s closest neighbours better.
He said trough the relationships formed and the provision of IT training and computer hardware, it was hoped future generations would overcome what Indonesia’s President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono described as the “tyranny of stereotypes”.
One hundred and eighty teachers from 80 schools are to be involved in the project, including around 10 Indonesian schools from the Federal Government’s Basic Education Program which is building 2,000 schools and education services in Indonesia.
The BRIDGE program is being managed by the Asian Education Foundation at the University of Melbourne.
2 April, 2009 Fair Pay in comment case The Australian Fair Pay Commission has responded to media reports that it was planning to cancel the 2009 Minimum Wage Review, currently in progress.
The Commission denied the reports saying a number of issues had been raised with it by stakeholders, including the new minimum wage-setting arrangements under Fair Work Australia and the separate process of Award Modernisation being undertaken by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.
“Consistent with past practice, the Commission sought the views of all stakeholders on these and other matters, to ensure the full range of views was canvassed and all parties had the opportunity to comment.”
It said it would announce its decision in July.
Reid to rise for breakfast The Chief Executive of Queensland Health, Mick Reid is to speak at the next ‘Meet the CEO Breakfast’hosted by the Queensland Government and ANZSOGon 16 April.
Presented as part of a program of joint activities to provide professional development opportunities for ANZSOG alumni and emerging Queensland public service leaders in policy and service delivery roles, the breakfast series is designed to provide an insight into what Ministers and CEOs do.
Places are limited and more information is available from Tracee McPate on (07) 3735 4032 or email t.mcpate@griffith.edu.au
Dividend fails in the West The Western Australian Government has announced that its 3% efficiency dividend has failed to generate the savings it had hoped.
State Treasurer, Troy Buswell said a number of Government Agencies had been unable to deliver the cuts and the Budget would be affected as a result.
He said it was “pointless” of the Government to plan on achieving the savings if they couldn’t be achieved.
PS unionists said it was unwise to cut public sector jobs to fund election promises.
Stadium deal a winner A Memorandum of Understanding between the State Government and the Australian Football League has resulted in an agreement to pay $60 million towards a redeveloped sports stadium at Carrara, on the Gold Coast.
In return the AFL will offer its 17th playing licence to a consortium behind a Gold Coast AFL club.
Premier, Anna Bligh said it was a requirement of the agreement that the Gold Coast City Council provide land for the project and the AFL secure the additional funding from either the Federal Government, or some other party, for the $130 million stadium.
In addition the AFL must secure agreement that the completed stadium will be transferred to State Government ownership; that there will be no ongoing charges, rates or fees charged to the State Government and that the AFL will cover all operating costs.
New rail on right track Track-laying has begun on the 4.1 kilometre rail extension south of Robina to Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast.
The project is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs as well as supporting local industries and injecting money into the local economy.
Premier, Anna Bligh said it was the first new extension to the Gold Coast rail line in more than 10 years.
“This project will provide greatly improved access to rail services for people living in the southern Gold Coast region,” she said.
Stamps mark Post Office’s 200th Australia Post has released 10 new stamps to celebrate 200 years of postal services in Australia.
The stamps highlight the contribution Australia Post has made to the lives of Australians since it was established in 1809.
The stamps, designed by Lynette Traynor of the Australia Post Design Studio, feature key historic moments such as the appointment of Australia’s first postmaster, photographs of early regional post offices, early air mail services and the importance of the postie.
Housework stats The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released figures showing while Australians were more likely to live in de facto relationships, women still did most of the housework.
The ABS said in 2006 women did two-thirds of the housework while men did two-thirds of paid work.
While men are doing more household work than in the past, in 2006 women still did nearly twice as much as men.
Further information was available from http://www.abs.gov.au
Kirby Cup taking acceptors The Australian Law Reform Commission and the Australian Law Students’ Association have called on law students to register for the 2009 Kirby Cup.
The 2009 Kirby Cup, one of Australia’s most prestigious law reform competitions, will focus on animal rights, with teams asked to consider key issues raised in Federal regulatory framework.
Registrations close 10 April 2009, with further information available from www.alrc.gov.au
