20 February, 2008
Ballot Wins Bullet
In PS Election Rules
The rules governing Public Servants standing for election have been strengthened and clarified.
The new laws will require some Public Servants who are successful in next month’s Local Government elections to resign from the QPS.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the laws were strengthened because it was important to remove grounds for conflict of interest from Public Servants who were elected as Mayors or Councillors in Queensland's larger councils.
"Some Public Servants who are elected to larger Local Councils may wish to continue with their jobs in the public sector," Mr Pitt said.
"However, this raises questions relating to a conflict of interest, their capacity to perform their jobs, and public concerns about public-sector employees receiving two publicly-funded salaries.”
He said Queensland was entering a new era of Local Government in Queensland.
“The reforms that have been introduced mean that generally we have fewer, bigger Councils, while there also continues to be a number of smaller Councils.
"Currently, it is an expectation that a full-time public-sector employee who took on a full-time elected Local Government position would resign. What we have done is to make that a requirement.”
Mr Pitt said Cabinet had approved an approach for applying the requirement in practice, basing it on the remuneration categories applying for each Council.
“Public-sector employees can no longer hold full-time public-sector employment if they are elected as Mayor of a category three or higher Council or as a Councillor of a category five or higher Council," Mr Pitt said.
The categories were taken from the remuneration levels issued by the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal, and encompassed Mayors on a salary of $69,610 or more and Councillors on $60,120 or more.
“It means the requirement will apply to a Public Servant elected as a Councillor on 16 of Queensland's 72 Councils, or as a Mayor of one of 34 Councils,” Mr Pitt said.
"This decision brings Queensland's Local Governments into line with both State and Federal jurisdictions."
Mr Pitt said there would be provision for public-sector employees elected as Councillors to continue part-time or casual work with Queensland Government agencies, with the specific approval of their Director-General.
He said a Director-General would need to be satisfied that the position lent itself to part-time employment, the officer concerned could fulfill the position's requirements diligently, and conflict of interest issues were unlikely to arise.
20 February, 2008
Heated Calls for
PS Wage Freeze
Opposition and Democrats politicians in Canberra have called for wage freeze for State and Territory politicians and Public Servants following the Prime Minister’s announcement that Federal MP’s were to receive no salary increases for 15 months as an example to the community.
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, told Canberra’s backbench MPs that their salaries of $127,060 p.a. were to remain unchanged until mid 2009 as a step in the fight against inflation.
Australian Democrats Senator for Western Australia, Andrew Murray said the Prime Minister should extend the freeze across State borders and ensure Public Servants did not escape the measure.
"It is in the power of the Prime Minister to call an urgent meeting of COAG,” Senator Murray said, “ to ask Premiers and Chief Ministers to order that every State and Territory MP and the tens of thousands of State and Territory public sector workers earning more than $127 060 have no wage increase this year.”
Senator Murray said the Prime Minister’s freeze was an “an empty pollie-bashing gesture” unless it was matched by real action.
He said at the very least, the Prime Minister should order that Federal public sector workers earning more than $127 060 have no wage increase this year. The Prime Minister has not done so.
Former Federal Minister for Human Services in the recently removed Liberal Government in Canberra, Joe Hockey joined the Senator’s call but expressed the belief that it wouldn’t happen.
“If the Government is trying to set an example it will extend the pay freeze to beyond just politicians to the people who actually do have an impact on economic management,” Mr Hockey said. “And that’s the Public Service.”
“But they won’t do that because this is all part of a stunt.”
20 February, 2008
PPP to Build
Pod of Schools
The Premier has announced that Public Private Partnerships are to be used to build seven new schools in the south-east of the State.
Premier Bligh said a PPP would build and maintain the package of schools in the Sunshine Coast, Western Corridor and Redlands areas.
"Work is set to get underway early next year with 4 schools set to have students in the door from the start of the 2010 - one on the Sunshine Coast, two in the Western Corridor and one in the Redlands area,” Ms Bligh said.
"The remaining 3 schools - two in the Western Corridor and one on the Sunshine Coast - will be open to students in 2011.
She said the private sector would be engaged to build, maintain and manage the schools with all education services provided by the State.
The Premier said the private sector would take responsibility for the construction and on-going maintenance of the schools over a concession period of about 30 years.
The scope of the ongoing tasks to be undertaken by the private sector included building repairs, cleaning, janitorial duties, grounds keeping and security.
Ms Bligh said by giving responsibility for these services to the private sector, the schools' Principal and educational staff would be able to focus on what they did best - educating young Queenslanders.
"Partnering with the private sector offers the best of both worlds," Ms Bligh said.
"This PPP delivers by offering state of the art schools in our community while maximising value for money for taxpayers."
Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford, said the initiative would build on the success of the first educational PPP, which delivered the award-winning Southbank Education and Training Precinct.
"The Southbank PPP, which last year was judged the Best Global Project in the international Public Private Finance Awards, has given us significant experience in developing educational PPP projects," Mr Welford said.
20 February, 2008
High Standard Paper
Sets New IR Minimums
A discussion paper outlining 10 minimum “standards” for employment in Australia has been released for public comment.
Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard said the National Employment Standards, included in the paper, contained the key minimum entitlements for all Australian employees from 1 January 2010 onwards.
“The NES will provide a simple, fair and flexible safety net for all employees, without the administrative complexity and machinery rules that are a feature of the current Work Choices system,” Ms Gillard said.
“This expanded safety net of entitlements will not only benefit those employees who rely on it, but will be better for employers who will have a simple, straightforward set of minimum conditions that are easy to apply and comply with.”
The Commonwealth has invited employers, employees, and the community to provide feedback on the draft NES with the aim of making it easier for employees to understand, and for employers to apply.
The discussion paper outlines each of the 10 NES entitlements in detail, and highlights particular areas that stakeholders and interested parties might wish to comment on.
The 10 National Employment Standards are:
* Maximum weekly hours of work
* Requests by parents for flexible working arrangements
* Parental leave (and related entitlements)
* Annual leave
* Personal/carer’s leave and compassionate leave
* Community service leave
* Long service leave
* Public holidays
* Notice of termination and redundancy
* Fair Work Information Statement
Ms Gillard said her Government was particularly interested in hearing about the interaction of the NES with atypical working arrangements and the operation of the NES for those employees who were not covered by an award.
Public comment from interested stakeholders will be taken until 4 April 2008.
The Federal Government plans to consider all submissions received in developing the final NES to be introduced into Parliament later this year as part of substantial workplace relations reforms.
The discussion paper is available on the internet at: www.workplace.gov.au Submissions can be provided electronically to NES_comment@deewr.gov.au
20 February, 2008
Cairns Stands to Win
As Parliament Sits
Cairns will make history in October as only the third city outside Brisbane to host a meeting of the Queensland Parliament.
Premier Anna Bligh announced the honour, saying Parliament would meet in the Far North from 28 to 30 October.
She said the sitting at the Cairns Convention Centre followed regional sittings in Central Queensland at Rockhampton in October 2005 and Townsville, North Queensland, in September 2002.
Ms Bligh said, “Whilst the proceedings of State Parliament are now broadcast over the internet and can be watched by all Queenslanders, regional sittings held outside of Brisbane mean that many thousands of people, especially school children, are able to witness the proceedings in person.
"All of the local Members of Parliament have put a very strong case to me to declare Cairns the third city outside of Brisbane to host Parliament and I'm sure the people of Cairns and Far North Queensland will welcome this opportunity.”
Ms Bligh said regional sittings were part of the Government's continuing commitment to ensuring all Queenslanders had the opportunity to be part of Queensland's decision-making and democratic processes.
"I know the local community will make the most of this unique opportunity," Ms Bligh said.
20 February, 2008
Bosses Not on Top
In IR Compliance
The Workplace Rights Ombudsman has reported serious problems in the compliance with industrial instruments among Queensland employers.
The Ombudsman, Don Brown, said calls to the Workplace Rights Hotline and three recent industry investigations had revealed levels of non-compliance he described as “disturbing”.
In his second quarterly report to the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, Mr Brown said the problem was most significant in areas of low unionisation such as the hospitality and services sector.
Mr Brown’s report prompted Mr Mickel to say it showed why changes to the national industrial relations system proposed by the Commonwealth were needed.
Mr Brown said traditional methods of accountability for employers had been severely curtailed by changes to the industrial relations system.
"The ability of accredited union officials and Queensland Department of Employment and Industrial Relations inspectors to conduct systematic inspections of the wage records of corporations has been severely hindered by WorkChoices.
"It is my assessment that without the restoration of these two accountability mechanisms to encourage award compliance, the Federal Workplace Ombudsman would require an army of personnel to begin to make an impression", Mr Brown said.
"Prompt reform is clearly warranted."
Mr Mickel said the Ombudsman had observed that while the Government had changed at the Federal level, the industrial laws governing the employment of employees of trading and financial corporations had not.
"Mr Brown observed that this would explain the high level of enquiries made to the Queensland Workplace Rights Hotline as the confusion surrounding WorkChoices still exists,” Mr Mickel said.
He said calls to the hotline had increased by more than 10 per cent in the December quarter compared with the previous quarter.
The Ombudsman had investigated 179 cases in the December quarter, and according to Mr Mickel, almost 75 per cent arose under or as a consequence of the Federal WorkChoices legislation.
The Ombudsman also reported concerns at the failure of the Australian Taxation Office to enforce payments of the Superannuation Guarantee.
The Queensland Workplace Rights Hotline can be contacted on 1300 737 841 or for further information visit the website at www.workplacerights.qld.gov.au
20 February, 2008
Mum’s the Word On
Paid Maternity Leave
The Productivity Commission has been asked by the Commonwealth to look into paid maternity leave for Australian parents.
In particular, the Commission has been asked to examine ways the Government can provide improved support to parents with newborn children.
According to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, any policy reforms in this area would be aimed at ensuring strong and sustainable economic growth while taking into account the importance of early childhood development and the need to support families balancing work and family responsibilities.
“We want to explore ways to make it as easy as possible for working mums to balance their employment with the important job of raising a new generation of Australians,” Mr Rudd said.
“The Productivity Commission is uniquely placed to advise the Government on the best way to balance economic considerations with the aspirations of working families.”
He said the Commission would look at the economic and social costs and benefits of paid maternity, paternity and parental leave and would conduct a thorough examination with provision for public participation.
“The Commission will be asked to report by February 2009.”
The Prime Minister said public hearings would be held and submissions from the public will also be sought, and the eventual report would be released publicly.
People wishing to register their interest in the inquiry or wanting to know more, can visit the Commission’s website at www.pc.gov.au or phone (02) 6240 3239.
20 February, 2008
Driver’s Seat Empty
at Ambulance Service
The position of Commissioner of the Queensland Ambulance Service is to be advertised nationally after Jim Higgins's decision not to seek reappointment when his contract expires in April.
Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts said the position of Queensland Ambulance Service Commissioner was a critical role in the State's emergency services, and he wanted to acknowledge the contribution Mr Higgins had made since his appointment in 2003.
"Mr Higgins has particularly focused on the professional development of our ambulance officers and the expanded scope of practice for our paramedics,” Mr Roberts said.
“This work has been recognised internationally."
In his statement to QAS staff, Mr Higgins said he believed the time was right for a leadership transition for the next phase in the development of the Queensland Ambulance Service.
Mr Roberts said QAS was widely recognised as one of most professional and largest ambulance services in the world.
"The QAS has a record budget of $404 million this financial year," Mr Roberts said.
20 February, 2008
Set-up Costs no
Set-up for Election
Funding of $1.2 million is to be made available to local Councils for next month’s election to cover the establishment costs of the Electoral Commission of Queensland, which is conducting the elections for the first time.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the funding meant Local Governments and ratepayers would not be burdened with the one-off establishment costs.
"This funding will ensure the Electoral Commission can set up the necessary systems and processes to run fair and independent elections," Mr Pitt said.
"Having the independent and impartial Electoral Commission involved in these elections will ensure accountability and transparency in the election process.”
With the exception of the Brisbane City Council, Local Government elections in Queensland are traditionally run by the individual Councils.
"In the past each Local Government absorbed the cost of the elections, with Council staff acting as polling officials and running polling booths,’’ Mr Pitt said.
"Councils will still pay for these recurrent election expenses, but where necessary, will be given up to three years to repay the costs involved
Mr Pitt said in total, the elections would cost about $15 million to run.
“While I acknowledge that this is a lot of money, I believe it will be money well spent,” he said.
"For the first time, Queensland will have a system of Local Government where the boundaries have been drawn by an independent body, where the remuneration for elected officials has been determined independently, and where the elections are independently run.”
He said the independent basis of the reforms had been at the core of the Local Government changes in Queensland, and that would continue with the elections for the new Councils.
Mr Pitt said the Department of Local Government would work with Councils to determine an appropriate repayment plan for the costs associated with their elections.
"I will write to all Councils this week and outline the proposed payment process and estimated election costs," he said.
20 February, 2008
Native Rangers to
Tame Wild Rivers
Twenty new Indigenous rangers have been appointed to manage wild rivers in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York.
Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace said the first 10 rangers would be working by the end of the month, with the remaining 10 appointed to various areas after negotiation with local Indigenous people.
He said the Government was employing the Wild River Rangers to work with landholders, communities and traditional owners to protect and promote the State's new wild river systems.
"The program not only provides protection for the world-class natural values of the area but also creates much-needed full time jobs in remote Aboriginal communities," he said.
"These locally employed rangers will work with elders to preserve wetlands and ecosystems of high biodiversity or cultural significance."
MP for Cook, Jason O'Brien said the program would assist Indigenous people manage their own land and environment and give real employment opportunities to those who join the program.
"The skills these rangers develop will be passed on to the next generation and will ensure the Cape and Gulf's unique ecologies are better managed and preserved," Mr O'Brien said.
"Their role is to record traditional stories, local species and habitats, look after visitor management, and manage weeds, feral animals, fire and other threats to the river systems.”
Last year, the Queensland Government declared the State's first six wild rivers - the Settlement, Morning Inlet, Gregory and Staaten in the Gulf and Hinchinbrook and Fraser islands.
It said declaration as a wild river protected pristine and near-pristine rivers for future generations by controlling activities in high impact areas immediately adjacent to those rivers.
Three rangers are currently employed full time at the Pormpuraaw Land and Sea Centre and one ranger is operating full time out of the Kowanyama Aboriginal Land and Natural Resource Management Office.
20 February, 2008
Serious Win in
Games Stakes
Queensland has been chosen to host the Australian University Games every second year from 2009 until 2015.
Following the success of the 2007 Games on the Gold Coast, Queensland Events has entered a long-term arrangement with Australian University Sport to see the Games held here on four more occasions, with other States hosting them in the off-years.
Premier Anna Bligh said Queensland had proven itself as a great location for the University Games.
“The 2005 Games in Brisbane and the 2007 Games on the Gold Coast both broke records for participation," she said.
Ms Bligh said like so many other event organisers, Australian University Sport had seen the value of bringing the Games to Queensland on a regular basis.
More than 6500 student athletes participated in both recent events held in Queensland. The Games attracted a loyal following of students interested in competitive sport, while meeting new friends.
Ms Bligh said the Games were complemented by an action-packed, week-long social program.
"Queensland is a great destination for great events.
“This long-term partnership with the Australian University Games is a testament to the importance that events play in Queensland.
The Premier said the Gold Coast was an ideal location for students to come to participate in an event like the Australian University Games, citing its climate, range of accommodation options, vast array of tourism activities, the night-life, the excitement and, she said, it had some of the best sporting facilities around.
"I look forward to welcoming students from across Australia to the Gold Coast in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015," Ms Bligh said.
Australian University Sport's President Jeff Fitzgerald said the announcement was a very welcome development in the history of the Games.
"The Games is already one of Australia's largest multi-sport annual events," Mr Fitzgerald said.
"The partnership we have just entered into with the State Government, Queensland Events and other key stakeholders puts us in a great position to further develop and enhance them significantly."
20 February, 2008
Three States Find
Safety in Numbers
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland has joined with its counterparts interstate in working towards a harmonisation of safety standards.
The result is a series of guides to improve workplace safety in the housing construction industry which has been released across three States.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel released the guides in Queensland saying Workplace Health and Safety Queensland had collaborated with New South Wales and Victoria to ensure the industry guides were consistent with workplace safety regulations in all three states.
“The guidance material focuses on a range of safety issues in housing construction including supervision, site security, site access and amenities,” Mr Mickel said.
“A consistent approach to workplace health and safety requirements for the building and construction industry in multiple jurisdictions will help improve safety and reduce the risk of injury.”
He said the development of common guidance material was a key strategy in harmonising key areas of workplace safety and workers compensation arrangements and the three States had been working together to streamline workers’ comp and occupational health and safety.
“Our aim is to make it easier for employers who conduct business across multiple jurisdictions by reducing costs and streamlining processes,” Mr Mickel said.
“The States will continue to work together to achieve further improvements to deliver real benefits for everyone in the workplace.”
He said the guides, which were consistent with the National Standard for Construction Work and developed in consultation with key industry groups, are Site security and public access onto housing construction sites; What is adequate site supervision?; and Amenities on housing sites.
Copies of the guides are available from www.deir.qld.gov.au or by calling 1300 369 915.
20 February, 2008
Stats Office Study
a Gender Bender
A report from the Office of Economic and Statistical Research has found that females outnumbered males in the South East but the situation was reversed in the rest of the State.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said statistical data from the Gender in Queensland report provided a valuable snapshot of gender distribution throughout the State.
Based on the results of the 2006 Census, the report showed the south-east corner had a higher proportion of females while the highest proportion of males could be found in the north and west.
Within South East Queensland, the highest proportion of females lived at the Sunshine Coast (51.3 per cent), followed by Brisbane (50.9 per cent) and Gold Coast (50.8 per cent).
"The statistics show the number of males and females in the population were similar - 1.94 million males and 1.97 million females - but the distribution differed with age,” Mr Fraser said.
“For instance of Queenslanders under the age of 25, there were more males than females, although the number of women aged 65 and over outranked the number of men in that age category."
Mr Fraser said Queensland blokes were not forgotten in the statistics.
"Their life expectancy is on the up.
“Figures show they are living longer with the average life expectancy for a Queensland man now 78.5 years compared with 75.1 years a decade ago.”
And he said while nearly 50 per cent of Queensland men were married, there were 37 per cent of Queensland men who hadn’t yet “taken the marital plunge".
Mr Fraser said the future for the 4 million people who called Queensland home showed a changing picture.
"Over the next 20 years, the most common living arrangement is predicted to change from a couple family with children to a couple family without children.
"And, the number of lone person households in Queensland is expected to be the most rapid growing of all states, with lone households expected to be 304,300 for men and 391,200 for women by 2026."
The Gender in Queensland bulletin is based on 2006 ABS data and is available from the Office of Economic and Statistical Research at www.oesr.qld.gov.au
20 February, 2008
Steep Learning Curve
for School Ticket
A new senior certificate has been introduced into Queensland schools.
The Queensland Certificate of Education is to replace the senior certificate, which Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said was introduced in 1911.
Mr Welford said the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) had developed the new qualification which retained what was good from the past and strengthened the Year 12 certificate's flexibility to allow new and different learning.
"For students, the QCE opens exciting and flexible pathways from school to work, or to further education or training, including university,” Mr Welford said.
He said for employers and educational institutions, the QCE guaranteed students had achieved a set standard of learning.
"We want to create one of the most flexible education and training systems in Australia and encourage more students to stay on at school until Year 12.
"Legislation effective from 2006 required all young people to complete Year 10 and then participate in further education and training unless engaged in full-time employment.”
Mr Welford said that through the opening of a learning account in Year 10, young people would have the flexibility in terms of what, where and when they learned.
"This learning could come from a variety of sources - the QSA syllabuses, recognised school programs, vocational education and training, university courses, workplaces and the community," he said.
The QCE was an achievement-based qualification with strengthened numeracy and literacy standards to National Reporting Scheme level three.
Mr Welford said students would have increased access to career education and information as they made complex choices about the pathways they wished to pursue.
20 February, 2008
Mackay Student is
Roads Scholar
Engineering student, Paula Clark from Mackay has been awarded a Main Roads academic scholarship.
Ms Clark, a third-year student at Central Queensland University, will be entitled to a four-and-a-half-year contract with Main Roads at the end of her studies.
The scholarship covers all of Ms Clark's university fees, and provides living and text book allowances.
" I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to have a guaranteed job with Main Roads after graduation," Mr Clark said.
"This scholarship also allows me to work on some of Mackay's major road projects from the planning stages right through to construction."
Ms Clark started vacation work with the organisation in November 2006 and returned to work with Main Roads during the summer vacation.
She is currently working as part of the project team for the $33.6 million Hospital Bridge replacement project.
Main Roads Minister, Warren Pitt said the professional development of engineers was crucial to the future of Main Roads and industry in Queensland.
MP for Mackay, Tim Mulherin praised the Ms Clark’s efforts, who he said had also received an earlier Main Roads scholarship.
"With skills shortages becoming a way of life for many employers, it's important that we nurture local students and ensure that the opportunities available in bigger cities are also available to them here in regional Queensland," Mr Mulherin said.
Main Roads offers scholarships each year to engineering students as well as other in-demand professions.
Information on scholarships and employment opportunities at Main Roads can be found at www.thinkdifferent.com.au
20 February, 2008
New Bus Services
Just the Ticket
Public transport in Brisbane has been boosted with the addition of 96 new bus services each weekday, following a $4.6 million commitment from the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel and Brisbane City Councillor, Victoria Newton said the services would cater for almost 6500 passengers on Brisbane's busiest bus routes.
"The services target the routes under most pressure, with increased services for the South East Busway, the Mains Road corridor, the western suburbs and to the University of Queensland," Mr Mickel said.
He said Brisbane's public transport patronage was increasing in line with the population growth and the commitment would also fund 31 new buses.
He said the Government had contributed $2.25 million from the TransLink Network Plan and Brisbane City Council $2.3 million from its Call to Action project.
Mr Mickel said since TransLink was introduced in July 2004, public transport patronage across the TransLink network had increased by 30 per cent.
He said passenger trips in 2003-04 were about 123 million, which increased to 163 million in 2006-07.
Ms Newton said this was the first time since TransLink was introduced that Brisbane City Council had contributed operational funding for new services.
Mr Mickel said more new services would be introduced when the $333 million Inner Northern Busway opened in mid-2008.
20 February, 2008
Search for top Queenslander
Nominations for the Suncorp Queenslander and Suncorp Young Queenslander of the Year are now open, the awards forming part of Queensland Week Celebrations from 1 to 8 June, 2008.
Premier Anna Blight said the awards were the State's highest citizenship honour and offered residents the opportunity to give inspirational Queenslanders the recognition they deserved.
Nominations are also open for the 2008 Queensland Greats Awards, another popular feature of Queensland Week.
Ms Bligh said the Greats Awards recognised Queenslanders whose lifetime achievements had contributed to Queensland in a special way.
Nominations can be submitted online at www.suncorp.com.au or through forms available at Suncorp branches. Nominations close on Friday, 28 March, 2008 and winners will be announced during Queensland Week.
For more information on all of the awards, visit www.queenslandweek.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3405 5215.
Payrise in sights
Local Government Minister, Warren Pitt will seek the Governor-in-Council's approval to overturn Aramac Shire Council's decision last month to grant Council staff an 8 per cent pay rise.
Mr Pitt said the Council's response to a show-cause notice had not explained adequately the need for the pay rise, which was more than double the inflation rate.
Women’s Day shapes up
This year’s International Women's Day theme – “Queensland Women: Shaping the Future” - aims to encourage women to look beyond their appearance and celebrate their achievements, according to the Minister for Women, Margaret Keech.
International Women's Day is on 8 March.
Mrs Keech said women had come a long way in the fight for equal rights and recognition, but their achievements were still being undermined by society's fixation on their appearance.
"International Women's Day 2008 is the time to confront this issue and change this unfair stereotype.”
The Office for Women was supporting International Women's Day with free resources that could be ordered from the Office for Women website or by calling the Women's Infolink free call service.
Dark welcome for Earth Hour
On 29 March, it's lights out Brisbane!
Premier Anna Bligh said Queensland Government buildings in the Brisbane CBD would all-but disappear from the skyline at 8pm on Saturday, 29 March, when lights were turned off for an hour as part of Earth Hour 2008.
"Earth Hour is a global initiative of WWF-Australia designed to raise awareness about the effects of energy consumption on climate change," Ms Bligh said.
She has urged businesses, households and residents to take part.
To sign up to Earth Hour 2008 or to find out more information, visit www.earthhour.org
Busway goes pre-paid
The outbound platform of the Cultural Centre Busway Station is now a pre-paid-only zone in the evening peak, after a successful trial last year.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel said the station was the busiest in Queensland in the evening peak and the pre-paid-only rule applied from 3.30pm to 7pm weekdays for the outbound platform (platform 2).
Ticket sellers would be on the pedestrian overpass, as they were during the trial.
Aiming high at airshow
Invest Queensland is launching a new assault on global defence firms at the Singapore Airshow as part of continuing efforts to bring more big names to the State.
Queensland is part of Australia's Department of Defence ‘’'Team Australia’' stand at the event, alongside the State's leading aviation training group Aviation Australia and home-grown magazine Aviation Business.
Regional Development and Industry Minister, Desley Boyle said it was a fantastic opportunity for Queensland to showcase the State's aviation and aerosopace capabilities to the world.
"The Singapore Airshow is Asia's largest aerospace and defence event of the year and one of the top three airshows in the world," she said.
Weed rejection rejected
Queensland Water Minister, Craig Wallace has rejected claims by the Mayor of Thuringowa that the Department of Natural Resources and Water had rejected an application from Thuringowa Council to clear debris in Saunders Creek at Deeragun.
Mr Wallace said the Department had advised that it had not received any recent applications from Thuringowa City Council to clear vegetation in the creek.
He said NRW and the Council had established a management plan for Council land associated with Saunders Creek upstream of the highway crossing.
"This plan states that the Council would clear out all weeds (no permit is required to do this) and, that if flooding was still a problem, the Council could clear melaleucas under a certain size,” Mr Wallace said.
"I encourage Thuringowa City Council to clear the debris in Deeragun Creek as soon as possible."
Party cost angers Minister
A reported $52,000 "goodbye party" planned by the Caboolture Shire Council is over the top, according to Local Government Minister Warren Pitt.
"I can understand that there are Councils in different parts of the State wanting to mark their coming to an end by holding some kind of function,” Mr Pitt said. “But in this case, for the Caboolture Shire Council to be spending $52,000 is excessive.”
Mr Pitt said ratepayers who felt that their Local Council had gone too far with planned spending on "goodbye" functions should contact their elected representatives to express their disapproval.
GOMA and Andy show packed
More than 112,000 people have visited the exclusive Andy Warhol exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said since opening on 7 December last year, the exhibition had attracted visitors from all over Queensland, Australia and the world.
"A daily average of 1,703 visitors have enjoyed this remarkable exhibition at the redeveloped Cultural Centre,” he said.
The exhibition continues until 30 March 30. Tickets are available from QTIX (phone 136 246 or www.qtix.com.au) or at the Gallery.
14 February, 2008
Hotline in Hot Seat For Increased Staff
The Government is to increase staffing on its information hotline, Smart Service Queensland, after a 34 per cent increase in demand in the past year.
Communities Minister, Lindy Nelson-Carr announced the upgrade, saying the increase in staff would allow the hotline to continue to provide easy access to Government information and services.
The announcement came during the Minister’s visit to the expanded office at Mount Gravatt, which provided a one-stop-shop for Queensland Government transactions, information and services.
Ms Nelson-Carr said 143 staff were employed at the new office to take calls on everything from disability services to camping and fishing permits.
"Smart Service Queensland provides Queenslanders with a 'front door' to the Government, providing simple and convenient access to hundreds of Government services," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
"Officers have been taking the vast majority of calls for assistance and information on the recent flood, including linking people in need with essential services and financial aid.”
She said the expansion of the service meant the growing number of Queenslanders seeking State Government assistance could continue to access a timely and efficient service.
"The Integrated Contact Centre (ICC) receives over one and a half million calls per year with the largest number of calls currently related to water rebates,” the Minister said."
Ms Nelson-Carr said Queenslanders could get in touch with contact centre staff via phone, internet, fax or mail to access information and make transactions easily.
Some services were offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"By 2010, more than 400 Government services will be accessible through Smart Service Queensland," Ms Nelson-Carr said.
The ICC, operating since 2005, currently offers assistance with many services including: boat and car registrations, new business name registrations, seniors’ card enquiries and the 13Health and SES hotlines.
She said Government information and services were available by phoning 13 13 04 (or 1300 729 606 to make automated payments) or by visiting www.qld.gov.au
14 February, 2008
Minister Pays Out On Council Payrise
A Shire Council in Western Queensland has been taken to task for granting its staff an 8% pay rise.
Aramac Shire has drawn the ire of Local Government Minister Warren Pitt who has written to it saying he intended seeking the Governor-in-Council's approval to revoke the January 30 decision.
The decision was made just days before the Council went into caretaker mode in the lead-up to Local Government elections on March 15, when Aramac will amalgamate with Barcaldine and Jericho shire councils to form the new Barcaldine Regional Council.
The pay increase was due to take effect on February 11.
"The Council advised the Department of Local Government on 31 January that it had decided, at its January 30 meeting, to award its employees a pay increase of 8 per cent," Mr Pitt said.
"When an explanation for this decision was sought, the Council advised that the increase was awarded to avoid 'significant inequities' in the pay rates between Aramac and Barcaldine employees.”
He said he believed the decision was completely inappropriate and not in the interest of the ratepayers of the existing Aramac council or the future Barcaldine Regional Council.
"The pay rise was not included in the Council's original 2007-08 budget, its operational plan or any of its usual business planning processes,” Mr Pitt said.
"Under the Local Government reform process, amalgamated Councils are required to develop new enterprise bargaining agreements for all staff within one year of amalgamation.”
He said this was the proper process for addressing perceived inequities.
"Decisions on pay rises - particularly when they are of this magnitude - should be left to the new regional Council,” Mr Pitt said.
"In the meantime, the pay and conditions of all Council staff, apart from CEOs, are guaranteed under the State Government's Workforce Transition Code of Practice."
The council has been invited to respond to the Minister’s notice.
14 February, 2008
Union Has Stab At Job Cuts
The Queensland Public Sector Union has warned the Government that plans to cut PS jobs will be felt most in regional areas.
Union Secretary Alex Scott said the Government’s intention of balancing the Budget by slashing QPS jobs was likely to affect thousands of people in the bush.
Mr Scott said many people in regional hubs, like Townsville, worked for the Queensland Government and could be affected by the plan to axe jobs outlined by Treasurer Andrew Fraser in The Sunday Mail.
"Apart from the effect losing jobs has on the individuals affected, those workers are a significant component of the local economy," he said.
Mr Scott urged the Government to consider the full impact of decisions to cut jobs and services, rather than focusing on populist attacks on public servants.
"What’s happened here is the Government got a few good headlines when they announced budget cuts in the Ambulance Service,” Mr Scott said, “so Andrew Fraser has said let’s do this across the board.
"What the Treasurer hasn’t been privy to, as I have, is the day to day impact of those cuts in the Ambulance Service.”
Mr Scott said the result of cutbacks was people being displaced and important services affected.
14 February, 2008
Electricity Price Rise Sparks Enquiry
The Department of Mines and Energy has been ordered to investigate a proposed rise in the price of electricity.
Energy Minister, Geoff Wilson gave the direction, saying a draft recommendation from the Queensland Competition Authority to increase the price cap was “disappointing.”
Mr Wilson said the independent market regulator had recommended an increase of 7 per cent in the uniform tariff from 1 July.
"Queenslanders were hit hard by last year's increase and that was largely based on the effect of the drought on electricity prices around the country," Mr Wilson said.
"Even though it's less than last year, I'm concerned the QCA's latest draft recommendation may not have fully taken into account the recent widespread rain across Queensland and other eastern States.”
Mr Wilson said he was concerned for the customer, so has asked his Department to closely scrutinise the QCA's draft recommended increase to make sure it only reflected a genuine increase in the cost of supplying electricity to Queenslanders.
"I want to ensure that households and businesses in Queensland have access to affordable electricity. A responsible Government would do nothing less," Mr Wilson said.
The QCA's draft recommendation is out for public comment.
Mr Wilson has urged all stakeholders, especially industry, to make their comments known to the QCA.
14 February, 2008
Trade Up For Manager At Trade Queensland
A new General Manager has been appointed to Trade Queensland.
Trade Minister John Mickel has announced that the former senior advisor to Federal and State Governments, Rob Whiddon, would lead the Government's trade operations responsible for boosting Queensland's exports.
"Trade Queensland assists local companies achieve success in overseas markets and encourages overseas investment in Queensland," Mr Mickel said.
"This task requires management of the highest standard and a big-picture understanding of Queensland's trade strategy, for which an independent selection committee endorsed Mr Whiddon as the most meritorious candidate.”
Mr Mickel said the appointment had been made after a full merit selection process, including advertising and an interview by a selection panel of senior executives from both the public and private sectors.
"The selection committee was unanimous that Mr Whiddon was the outstanding candidate for this most important position," he said.
"Mr Whiddon has decades of experience in managing and negotiating, most particularly at the Government level but also with key stakeholder interests in the private sector that are critical for the success of Trade Queensland.”
Mr Whiddon was Chief-of-Staff to the former Premier and Minister for Trade, Peter Beattie. Previously, he was a Private Secretary to the former Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bill Hayden and Senior Policy Adviser to the former Minister Assisting the Premier on Economic and Trade Development, David Hamill.
He will be appointed at SES Level 3.
14 February, 2008
Local Tests Fail In National Deal
Literacy and numeracy tests developed in Queensland for Years 3, 5 and 7 students have been replaced by national tests.
Parliament has passed laws to do away with the State tests that were designed by the Queensland Studies Authority.
The national tests would also apply to Year 9 students for the first time.
Education and Training Minister, Rod Wellford said the Government was committed to improving the literacy and numeracy skills of young Queenslanders.
"The decision to replace the state-based numeracy and literacy tests with national common tests was agreed to by all Australian education ministers,” he said. “The QSA will administer the tests across the state in much the same way it managed the process for state-based assessment.”
He said the testing program would enable better comparisons of Queensland students with their interstate counterparts.
“All Australian students will be assessed equally against national benchmarks," Mr Welford said.
The Minister said more than a million Australian schoolchildren, including over 200,000 from Queensland, would sit the tests on 13-15 May this year.
"Students will be familiar with the test formats and the type of questions they have to answer because they will be similar to other types of school assessment," he said.
"The literacy assessment will focus on areas of reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar.
He said numeracy testing would cover measurement, chance and data, space, working mathematically, algebra functions and pattern.
Mr Welford said results from the tests would be used for reporting to parents, school reporting to their communities, and reporting by States and Territories to form a national overview.
"Holding the tests in May, which is earlier in the year than the former State-based assessment, will also help teachers to identify key areas for learning during the rest of the school year," he said.
14 February, 2008
Warm Welcome For Chile Agreement
An agreement to provide skills training for the South American Government of Chile could see many Chilean students undertaking vocational training courses on scholarships in Queensland next year.
Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford announced that Queensland had been chosen by Chile as one of only three worldwide study destinations for its scholarship program.
"This is a demonstration of confidence from the Government of Chile in the quality of the Queensland education system," Mr Welford said.
"Australia, Canada and Spain were selected as the study destinations in 2008 for the first stage of Chile's new three-year $US11 million [$A12 million] vocational skills scholarship program.”
The Minister said that after negotiations, Queensland had been confirmed as the only study destination in Australia for the first tranche of the Chilean scholarship students, based on its capacity to deliver quality education outcomes.
"It is the start of a strong relationship between our two Governments which will provide opportunities for Chilean students to undertake skills training in a range of disciplines," Mr Welford said.
In May 2007, the Government of Chile announced it would provide scholarships for 500 domestic students to study overseas as part of a three-year program to overcome a vocational skills shortage in the booming Latin American nation.
In the first year of the program in 2008, there were 80 scholarships being provided globally and the Chilean Government had allocated 30 of those to Queensland.
A further 420 scholarships would be offered globally in 2009 and 2010.
The scholarships involved 20 weeks of English language training and 20 weeks of technical training in areas such as mining, energy, tourism and metallurgy.
Trade Minister John Mickel said the landmark agreement further cemented Queensland's reputation as a preferred study destination for international students.
"Last year, more than 60,000 students from more than 100 countries chose Queensland as their study destination," Mr Mickel said.
"Latin America is an important emerging market for education with students from Brazil, Chile, Peru and Colombia studying in Queensland.”
Mr Mickel said education and training was one of Queensland’s leading export earners, and in 2006-07 returned more than $1.6 billion to the State’s economy.
14 February, 2008
Smart Travel Comes In TravelSmart Trial
A trial of the TravelSmart program on Brisbane’s Northside has resulted in residents cutting their private car usage by 13 per cent in 18 months.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the reduction in private vehicle use meant a cut of 31,900 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year.
"It means a 114 million kilometre per year drop in private car trips on Brisbane streets and roads," he said.
"These are remarkable results. They make a very important contribution to the battle against global warming and traffic congestion.”
The Minister said the trial reported a 49 per cent increase in walking, 58 per cent increase in cycling and 22 per cent increase in public transport usage among participants.
"TravelSmart North has proven that Brisbane residents are ready and willing to join the battle against global warming and use more sustainable forms of transport than the private car," Mr Mickel said.
He said TravelSmart was a project under which team members worked with residents in selected areas to identify sustainable travel options for them.
TravelSmart North was jointly funded by the State Government, Brisbane City Council and the Australian Greenhouse Office at a total cost of $4.2 million.
Project team members contacted 75,000 households in Brisbane's northern suburbs from May 2006 to offer advice and information about sustainable transport. Of these, 37,699 households were active participants.
The project extended from Strathpine and Brighton, east to Nudgee and Banyo and west to Bridgeman Downs, Keperra and The Gap.
"TravelSmart's success proves many people are keen to make the right choices, change their lifestyles, and leave the car at home if offered guidance and support," Mr Mickel said.
The Minister said TravelSmart was part of a wide State Government strategy to reduce reliance on private cars.
14 February, 2008
Post Office Delivers On Rugby League
A Rugby League team from Australia Post is to take part in the opening festivities for the new Skilled Park stadium at Robina.
The Corporation will field a team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers against a collection of Rugby League legends in an historic game of tiggy.
The match will be part of the State Government’s People’s Day at the stadium.
The touch football match at the Titan’s new home ground will begin at 12.05pm after the official opening of the new stadium.
It has been rumoured that Former Origin Greats (FOGS) CEO and team captain for the game, Gene Miles, had recruited a FOGS team ring-in from another football code.
Australia Post has recruited a team of Indigenous touch football players from the Corporation’s Queensland workforce to take on the Origin Greats team.
The FOGS team is: Steve Walters, Trevor Gillmeister, Mal Meninga, Gary Belcher, Kevin Walters, Greg Conescu, Steve Renouf, Gene Miles, Sam Backo and Allan Langer, as well as the Miles ring-in.
The match will consist of two, 10-minute halves.
Australia Post is reported to be retaliating with its own secret, on-field weapon, to complement the off-field efforts of its mascots, Postie Pete and Postie Penny and a team of 40 support staff who will form a guard of honour for the team’s entrance to the field.
The historic match is part of an Australia Post/Former Origin Greats Mentoring Partnership Agreement signed last year and which the Corporation is using to help retain and recruit Indigenous workers in Queensland.
Nearly 30 percent of the 163 Queensland FOGS members are Indigenous and the current Origin team is comprised of nearly 40 per cent Indigenous players.
The Australia Post team is: Hank Solien, David Gagai, Adam Williamson, Donna Carstens, Greg Broderick, Kris Kirk, Lyall Appo, Mark Brimble, Maurie Horsburgh, Michael Jansen, Neil Holland, Neil Locke, Rose Ogden, Shannon Lewis and Terry McDonald.
14 February, 2008
Police Masks Beat Spitting Headache
Police in Brisbane are to test a special face mask designed to protect them from offenders who spit.
Police Minister Judy Spence said the trial of the ‘‘Fluidshield’’ face mask would be conducted in the Metropolitan North Region.
Ms Spence said, the face mask was a surgical wraparound splashguard which provided protection to the eyes, nose and face.
"It is worn by officers only and is not placed in any way on people police may be dealing with."
She said it was designed for single use only and should be disposed of after use to avoid transmission of communicable diseases.
"Police will be able to use the face mask anytime they suspect they could be spat on, such as removing an offender from a police vehicle,” Ms Spence said.
The Minister said a formal six month trial with officers from the Region had already started.
Police who used the mask would be asked to fill in an evaluation sheet.
"Spitting at someone who is doing their job is a disgusting act,” Ms Spence said. "Offenders can have diseases such as Hepatitis or HIV.
She said police officers who were spat on had months of worry while they waited for extensive and expensive medical tests, and often needed psychological treatment.
Ms Spence said while the number of assaults on police had decreased by 16 per cent in the past three years, any assault on a police officer was unacceptable.
"I have introduced tougher measures for dealing with people who assault police,” she said.
"Spitting, biting or throwing bodily fluids at an officer, are now classed as serious assault and carry a maximum 7-year sentence.”
She welcomed recent comments on this issue by Chief Justice Paul de Jersey in the Court of Appeal.
14 February, 2008
Year of Statistics Brought to Book
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its 2008 Year Book which Australian Statistician, Brian Pink said was a “magnificent window into Australia.”
Mr Pink said it showed where Australia had come from and where it was going.
He also announced that all 90 volumes of the Year Book Australia, going back to the first edition published in 1908, were now available free of charge from the ABS website.
According to Mr Pink, some of the more interesting statistics included in the Year Book were:
* the increase in Australia’s fertility rate in recent years following a long period of falling fertility. In 2005 the fertility rate reached around 1.8 babies per woman on average. Fertility after World War II peaked at 3.5 babies per woman in 1961.
* Australians were living in larger houses and fewer people were living in them. Since 1976 the average number of bedrooms per dwelling has increased (from 2.8 to 3.1 in 2005-06). However, during the same period the average number of people per household has declined (from 3.1 to 2.5).
* Australians were becoming better water conservators. Households reduced their water consumption by 8 per cent between 2000–01 and 2004–05 (from 2278 gigalitres to 2108 gigalitres).
* The population has more than doubled in the past 50 years, to 20.7 million in 2006. Natural increase has been the main growth factor, at around 60 per cent.
* In 2006, nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of all Australians were born overseas, and 26 per cent of people born in Australia have at least one parent born overseas.
* Marriages are lasting longer on average: 8.8 years from marriage to separation in 2005 compared to 7.9 years a decade ago, or 12.6 years from marriage to divorce (11.9 ten years ago).
* Average real disposable household income in Australia in 2005–06 was 10 per cent higher than in 2003-04. The Australian Capital Territory had the highest average household incomes, 22 per cent above the national average.
* Twenty-two percent of women and 19 per cent of men have a bachelor degree or higher. Ten years ago, the figure was 13 per cent for both men and women.
* Nearly two-thirds (63.5 per cent) of children aged 5-14 years participated in organised sport outside school hours when last surveyed. Participation peaked for boys aged 10 and girls aged 9.
* Seventy per cent of Australian households had access to a computer and 60 per cent had home Internet access. Household access to the Internet has grown from 1.1 million households in 1998 to 4.7 million in 2005-06.
14 February, 2008
Hands-off Tolls To Bridge Motorist Gap
Hands-free toll payments are to be introduced for Brisbane motorists two years ahead of schedule.
The Minister for Main Roads, Warren Pitt, and Queensland Motorways Chief Executive Officer, Phil Mumford, announced plans to introduce the technology on the Logan and Gateway motorways from mid-2009.
“The transition to free-flow tolling on the Logan Motorway, the Gateway Extension and the Gateway Bridge will significantly improve the operation of toll roads in Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.
“While originally planned for the Gateway Bridge alone, free-flow tolling will now be extended to the Logan Motorway and Gateway Extension to help create safer and more efficient travel across the road network.”
He said free-flow tolling was a cashless, fully electronic, no-stopping tolling system that improved travel times, reduced congestion and enhanced safety.
It would provide Brisbane motorists with substantial improvements in travel reliability, simplicity and safety, and eliminate the congestion associated with bottlenecks at toll plazas.
Mr Pitt said the technology already had gained broad acceptance internationally and interstate.
The needs of casual toll users would also be considered.
“Various tolling options are being investigated and the final solutions will cater for everyone – from regulars through to casual toll users,” he said.
Mr Mumford said the immediate focus was to create a suite of tolling products that would be simple, affordable and widely available.
“The implementation of free-flow tolling will see the removal of cash lanes and toll booths, with all tolls instead being paid electronically,” he said.
“E toll transponders will continue to be used when free-flow tolling comes into effect, and motorists are encouraged to get their transponder now and enjoy the benefits of easy toll payment.”
IBM Australia had been appointed to provide the central system for free-flow tolling and Thales Australia would provide the roadside systems for vehicle identification.
Mr Mumford said Queensland Motorways would work closely with staff affected by the transition to fully outline options and opportunities for ongoing employment and retraining within Queensland Motorways.
“We will also be working on an individual basis with those affected to explore other options open to them including voluntary redundancy, retirement and employment outside Queensland Motorways,” he said.
“There is no change in any role for the immediate future, so our next step is to work together through this transition and continue with the normal high quality of our cash tolling operations.”
For more information on the introduction of free-flow tolling in Queensland go to www.qldmotorways.com.au or to get E toll visit www.etoll.com.au or call 1 3000 ETOLL (1 3000 38655).
14 February, 2008
Safer Trains Are The Rail Deal
New laws have been proposed to make train travel safer for passengers across the State and improve the safety of rail workers.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the new arrangements would see rail operators working hand-in-hand with Government to enhance and increase safety standards.
Mr Mickel said the Transport (Rail Safety) Bill 2008l required all operators to develop and implement a range of plans, including fatigue and emergency management plans, as well as raising skill requirements for rail safety workers.
"Rail safety is entering a new era and this legislation will bring Queensland in line with national standards that all States and Territories are working towards," Mr Mickel said.
He said the Bill was part of a nationwide move to rail safety consistency, agreed by the Federal, State and Territory Government transport ministers in 2006.
"Fatal incidents such as those that occurred at Waterfall and Glenbrook in NSW, and Kerang in Victoria, identified the need for improvements to rail safety legislation across the country," Mr Mickel said.
"The legislation has been developed after extensive consultation with the rail industry, including commercial and not-for-profit rail transport operators, rail and associated unions, and relevant State and Australian Government Agencies."
Mr Mickel said a key element of the legislation was that it committed Queensland to working with rail regulators in other States on decisions about accrediting operators.
"In a practical sense, this means that if a rail operator has conditions attached to its accreditation in another State or Territory, we will know about those conditions here and can match them where required," he said.
He said the legislation would affect 26 accredited railways operating in Queensland, including Queensland Rail, Pacific National and the Airtrain, as well as 14 tourist and heritage rail operations.
14 February, 2008
Flood Campaign Is Awash With Advice
A public awareness campaign has been launched to remind people to be careful around floodwaters.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said recent heavy rain had led to flash and dangerous flooding in many communities.
"A lot of Queenslanders have not seen floodwaters like this in their communities for many years or ever before," Mr Roberts said.
He said the loss of life that accompanied the floods was a tragedy.
The public awareness campaign, which was also used in the wake of flooding in parts of Queensland in 2004, aimed to remind residents not to drive, swim or wade in floodwaters.
"As the campaign states, 'Floods can happen in a flash. Stay safe: never drive in floodwaters, never swim or wade in floodwaters and follow official instructions'," Mr Roberts said.
The Department of Emergency Services was contacting media outlets across south-east Queensland to negotiate the broadcast and publication of the prepared advertisements. The Department would be also discussing the use of the advertisements as community service announcements.
"As Minister, I would like to reiterate my thanks to media outlets for their regular and informative updates throughout the flooding situation across Queensland,” Mr Roberts said.
“Media outlets have also publicised the State Emergency Service Hotline 132 500, encouraging people who need assistance to call the Hotline for help. I thank them for that," he said.
Copies of the awareness print and radio advertisements to be used as part of the campaign can be found at www.disaster.qld.gov.au
14 February, 2008
Green Light For Motorway
A joint State and Commonwealth briefing on the upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway has confirmed the status of the project as the top priority for funding under the AusLink program for Queensland.
The project will widen the existing motorway to a minimum of six lanes and construct a network of new service roads.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Anthony Albanese said an industry briefing involved civil engineering companies interested in joining Main Roads in an alliance contract to design, manage and construct parts of the motorway upgrade.
He said an alliance arrangement would allow a consortium of contractors to tackle a project that none would be able to handle individually in a short timeframe.
"The Queensland Department of Main Roads will seek partners with suitable qualifications and experience in transport planning, motorway design, motorway construction, and the design and management of complex traffic staging, as well as community involvement," Mr Albanese said.
Queensland Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said geotechnical investigations had begun and traffic modelling predictions were being updated to ensure long-standing aims of improving safety and reliability within the existing motorway corridor could be met.
He said the Ipswich Motorway upgrade represented a new era for co-operative transport planning between the State and Federal Governments.
"Today is all about fulfilling a pledge to end the blame game and get on with the job of delivering this vital piece of infrastructure," he said.
"Both Governments have committed to working closely together to improve road conditions for national freight movements and interstate travellers, while also recognising benefits for commuters."
14 February, 2008
Fluoride finds its level
The fluoridation of water supplies is one of the most important and effective public health measures ever introduced in Queensland, according to Premier Anna Bligh.
The Premier said the Government had committed $35 million to fluoridate Queensland's water supplies over the next four years.
"Fluoridation will reverse a trend that has resulted in Queensland kids having the worst teeth in the country and it will deliver dental health benefits to our future generations that other Australians have been enjoying for up to 40 years," she said.
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson said within two years, 80 per cent of Queenslanders would have access to fluoridated water, increasing to more than 90 per cent by 2012.
Fare cop for evaders
More than 2000 non-ticket holders have been hit with fines and warnings during a fare-evasion blitz across the QR Citytrain network.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel said since the crackdown began on 9 January, TransLink transit officers had issued 407 on-the-spot fines of $150 and 1781 warnings on weekday mornings.
Mr Mickel said passengers travelling from an unattended station where the ticket machine was not in use were still permitted to buy a ticket from the reverse ticket window at CBD Citytrain stations.
Gladstone bags pipeline
The State Government has approved the next stage of the Fitzroy pipeline, to secure future water supplies for the Gladstone region.
Water Minister, Craig Wallace said this would allow Gladstone Area Water Board to undertake multi-million dollar pre-construction work for the 120km-long project.
The overall project involved constructing a 120km pipeline from the Lower Fitzroy to the northern end of Gladstone Area Water Board's raw water distribution system at Yarwun.
Guides to build on
A series of guides has been issued to improve workplace safety in the housing construction industry.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said Workplace Health and Safety Queensland had collaborated with NSW and Victoria to ensure the guides were consistent with workplace safety regulations in all three states.
He said the material focused on a range of issues, including supervision, site security, site access and amenities.
Visit www.deir.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 915 for copies of the guides.
Cleaners caught
Two cleaners are to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court after being charged by the Australian Federal Police for allegedly stealing items from passengers’ baggage at Brisbane Airport.
The offences were alleged to have occurred in an area of the airport where access was restricted to Aviation Security Identification Card holders.
It would be alleged in court that the 28-year-old man, of Eagleby, and 39-year-old woman, of Daisy Hill, stole numerous items, including a laptop computer, more than 60 DVDs, alcohol and other personal belongings.
The maximum penalty for each of these offences is 10 years’ jail.
Play Festival a first
The best of new Australian theatre has come to Queensland for the first National Play Festival.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the 14-day festival, running until 23 February, was a hothouse for ideas, workshops and forums and showcased performances by top Australian artists.
He said the Government would provide the Festival with $250,000 over three years.
The Festival is, funded by Arts Queensland and the Australia Council and coordinated by PlayWriting Australia. It was being delivered in partnership with national and local performing arts organisations.
It is at the Queensland Theatre Company, Metro Arts and the Brisbane Powerhouse, with information available at www.brisbanepowerhouse.org
7 February, 2008
Temporaries In Win For Permanent Change
Temporary workers employed long-term in the QPS are to be given more rights following proposed changes to the Public Service Act.
The Act is to be amended to allow the workers to appeal to an external body if the Agency employing them refuses to make them permanent.
The Queensland Public Sector Union has reported that Premier Anna Bligh confirmed the proposed changes in recent correspondence.
QPSU President, Vivienne Doogan has described the move as a major step forward that could make a real difference for thousands of QPSU members.
“One of the most important policies of our union is to maximise permanent public sector employment,” Ms Doogan said, “and to do everything we can to get our members into permanent jobs,”
“Until now, employees in the private sector have had certain employment security rights which were not available to QPSU members in the public sector,” she said.
Ms Doogan said that the knowledge that decisions relating to employing long-term temporary staff will be open to external appeal would encourage Agencies to consider applications for permanent employment more positively.
“It will provide hope to the thousands of QPSU members who have been long-term temporaries,” she said.
Ms Doogan said the issue had been a key element of QPSU campaigning for five years, and was an important part of the Union’s Better Jobs, Better Lives campaign in 2006.
7 February, 2008
Fire Message Taking Hold
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has been congratulated for its successes in getting the fire message through to the community.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said survey data had revealed 96.2% of households now had at least one smoke alarm fitted, up almost 10% from November 2006.
Mr Roberts said the increase follows a Government decision last July that made it compulsory for all Queensland residences to have a working smoke alarm.
"These figures are great to see,” Mr Roberts said, “and are a tribute to the efforts of the QFRS to keep Queenslanders safe.
"In Queensland, 78% of all home fire deaths occur in houses without smoke alarms, so the increase in compliance means lives are being saved."
Mr Roberts said the skill and professionalism of the QFRS was also saving Queenslanders money.
In the 2006-07 financial year, the average loss in dollars from a structural fire in Queensland was $2,000, continuing its decline from $2,283 in 2003-04.
"When QFRS crews attend structural fires, the first priority is to ensure all occupants are removed safely from the premises, but every effort is also made to protect the structure itself,” Mr Roberts said.
"In 2006-07, the QFRS responded to 50% of call-outs in 6.9 minutes. Overall, the QFRS responded to 97.5% of call-outs under the target of 14 minutes."
He said property loss in Queensland was also the lowest of any Australian state at just $23 per person, down from $29 last year.
The Minister commissioned a review into the QFRS last December to ensure resources were maximised on the frontline.
7 February, 2008
Indigenous Liaison Draws Line in Sand
The Queensland Parliament is the first in Australia to appoint an Indigenous Liaison Officer.
Brett Nutley would be responsible for improving engagement between Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Parliament.
Mr Nutley, who is a Mununjali/Yugambeh man (Beaudesert, Queensland) on his mother’s (Aunty Carol Currie) side, said he was proud to have been appointed to the position.
He said, “I feel honoured to be chosen as the first Parliamentary Indigenous Liaison Officer in Queensland and Australia, and I am looking forward to liaising with the Indigenous communities across the State with a strong emphasis on regional areas.”
The Indigenous Liaison Officer position was created at the direction of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, Mike Reynolds, fulfilling his commitment to increase the Parliament’s role of engaging with the community.
Mr Reynolds said that on becoming Speaker in 2006, his vision was for the Parliament to improve its engagement with all Queenslanders, particularly with young people, regional and Indigenous Queenslanders.
“I have already taken several steps towards increasing engagement between the Parliament and Queenslanders, including the establishment of a new Community Engagement unit in July 2007,” Mr Reynolds said.
“The creation of an Indigenous Liaison Officer position is an important part of that continued vision and an important one on our path towards reconciliation.”
Mr Reynolds said Mr Nutley’s appointment was aimed at giving Indigenous Queenslanders a greater sense of connection to their Parliament.
“I look forward to working with Brett and I encourage all Indigenous Queenslanders to join with the Queensland Parliament on our journey of increased engagement,” Mr Reynolds said.
Mr Nutley acknowledged the Elders of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community “for laying the foundations for positions like this for my generation and younger generations to come”.
7 February, 2008
Minister Smoothes Out Surface Tension
The Minister for Main Roads has defended Queensland’s road surfaces against claims they were contributing to road accidents.
The Minister, Warren Pitt, said newspaper reports that stone mastic asphalt was responsible for repeated road fatalities were misleading.
Mr Pitt said far from informing motorists and the public about the reasons for the road crashes, the newspaper reports were an impediment to public awareness and understanding.
"Stone mastic asphalt is being cited in these newspaper reports as the primary cause of the road crashes, when this is not the case,” he said.
“It was a contributing factor in several crashes near the town of Federal, where the geometry of the road was the main problem.”
He said to suggest it was the major or underlying reason for the accidents and deaths that had occurred over recent years between Cooroy and Gympie was “not helping anyone.”
“It certainly is not helping to promote better knowledge and understanding of why the crashes and deaths are occurring and what needs to be done to stop them.”
Mr Pitt said stone mastic asphalt had been declared an appropriate and safe road surface by a number of thorough, independent reports.
He said the newspaper reports had claimed that stone mastic asphalt was responsible for a 2007 fatality at Tanawha. This claim ignored the findings of an extensive investigation into the crash.
The investigation found that a contaminant, such as oil, was the most likely road factor in that tragic crash.
"Nowhere in the findings of that investigation is it suggested that stone mastic asphalt was responsible”, Mr Pitt said.
Mr Pitt said that of the 34 fatal crashes on the Cooroy to Gympie stretch of road since 2000, the vast majority had been attributed to driver behaviour or driver error. Fewer than half had occurred where the road surface was stone mastic asphalt.
Main Roads was continuing its investigation into last week's fatality, in conjunction with police.
He said the crash history of the section of road where last week's crash occurred was analysed in the 2005 independent review of Main Roads' use of stone mastic asphalt.
“The review found this site showed no statistically significant increase in crash rate following the laying of stone mastic asphalt, just as the report found it was a safe and appropriate surface for Queensland roads,” he said.
“Main Roads and police are thoroughly investigating last week's crash – as is standard procedure with fatalities.”
Mr Pitt said should the investigation make any recommendations regarding how the road might be improved, Main Roads would take action.
7 February, 2008
No Argument Over Dispute Settlement
A 10 per cent increase in the number of people settling disputes through meditation has seen the caseload of the Attorney-General’s Department Dispute Resolution Branch reach 2377 in 2006-07.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said this was up from 2115 in the previous financial year.
"This ultimately saves everyone time and money, and helps free up our courts by allowing them to deal with more complex matters such as serious crime,” he said.
In 2006-07, there were 2028 civil mediations conducted for matters, including small claims and minor debts, neighbourhood, tenancy and workplace disputes, and property settlement matters.
Mr Shine said a further 349 justice mediations were conducted for criminal matters, including common assault, wilful damage, fraud, shop stealing and stealing as a servant.
“The matters dealt with in mediation would commonly come before a Magistrates Court so it's no surprise that the courts referred more than half of all the matters that came to mediation last financial year,” he said.
“Around 23 per cent of all mediation involves commercial disputes, with relationship and neighbourhood disputes the second most common matters referred to mediation.”
He said the average turnaround for resolution in civil mediations remained a consistent and timely 19 days while justice mediations were resolved in 39 days.
"My Department has 214 mediators throughout Queensland who are trained to bring disputing parties together to talk over their differences and reach a settlement,” he said.
Dispute resolution centres were in Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Rockhampton and Hervey Bay.
He said justice mediation was available in courthouses in Brisbane, Ipswich, Townsville, Gold Coast and Cairns.
For more information on dispute resolution and mediation visit: www.justice.qld.gov.au or call the Department of Justice and Attorney-General on 1800 017 288.
7 February, 2008
Historic Wins in Museum Awards
A former Chief Executive of Queensland Rail and a respected biologist have been presented with medals from the Queensland Museum and the curator at the Workshops Rail Museum has received a scholarship.
Vince O’Rourke and Dr Steve Van Dyck were presented with their awards by Arts Minister, Rod Welford, and Veronica Macno announced as the scholarship winner.
“Vince O’Rourke, while successfully modernising QR, played a pivotal role in keeping Queensland’s significant rail heritage alive,” Mr Welford said.
“He was a key player in the development of The Workshops Rail Museum in North Ipswich.”
Mr Welford said since opening in 2002, the Rail Museum had displayed the rich stories of rail in Queensland and was home to Australia’s oldest continually operating railway workshops.
“Dr Steve Van Dyck’s considerable scientific talent has seen him discover many new species and pioneer ecological and behavioural studies of Australian mammals,” Mr Welford said.
“A significant contribution of his career to date is the rediscovery of the Mahogany Glider (Pretaurus gracilis), averting the dwindling population’s extinction.”
The Minister said that more recently Dr Van Dyck had spent 18 months as editor-in-chief of the soon to be released landmark publication, Mammals of Australia.
Chair of the Queensland Museum Board, Anne Jones, said the awarding of the Queensland Museum Medals commemorated the anniversary of the museum’s founding 146 years ago.
Scholarship-winner Ms Macno will take a study tour of some of the major railway workshop sites and heritage railways in NSW, Victoria, South Australian and Western Australia.
7 February, 2008
Queensland Police Get Out of Jail
The Queensland Police Service is performing better than the national average, according to the latest report on Government services across the nation.
Police Minister Judy Spence said the Report on Government Services 2008 showed police in Queensland performed better than the national average in the key areas of police professionalism, public safety and common neighbourhood concerns.
She said complaints against police had again decreased from 38 for every 100,000 people, to 35 per 100,000 people.
“This is a tremendous result considering this figure was 47 for every 100,000 just two years ago,” Ms Spence said.
“Our police were also above the national average in the key categories of ‘police perform their job professionally’, ‘most police are honest’, and ‘police treat people fairly and equally’.
The said the 2006-2007 Queensland Police Annual Statistical Review showed overall crime had reduced by 19% over the last 6 years and this year’s report supported this trend, by showing Queenslanders generally felt safer than their national counterparts, and were less likely to fear crime in their neighbourhood.
Ms Spence said the 2008 report showed:
* Queenslanders’ sense of safety increased significantly on public transport, with day time results increasing by over 9% and night time result by over 10%
* 52.7% considered illegal drugs a problem in the neighbourhood (national 57.4%)
* 55.3% concerned with housebreaking (58.9%)
* 38.6% concerned with theft (46.6%)
* 93.6% of Queenslanders felt safe alone at home during the day (93%) and 85.6% felt safe at night (83.7%)
* 36.6% considered physical assault a public concern (38.5%)
* 38.6% concerned with motor vehicle theft (46.6%)
* Queenslanders were less likely to be the victims of property crime, with all categories below the national average (property crime in Queensland decreased by 7% in 2006-2007).
Ms Spence said there were still some areas with room for improvement.
“I would like to see people’s satisfaction with their contact with police increase next year, as there was nearly a 1% decline in satisfaction with ‘most recent contact with police’, from last year’s result,” Ms Spence said.
“Also, while Queenslanders generally feel safe while jogging and walking, they were almost 1% below the national average in this category, both during the day time and at night.”
She said Queenslanders jogging at night felt safer this year than the previous year, with a 12% increase in positive responses.
Ms Spence said the proportion of Queensland police staff in operational roles rose from 79% in 2005-06 to 79.4%.
“Although lower than the national average of 82.7%, the ROGS definition of who qualifies as an operational officer is broader than that used in Queensland, which has resulted in a slightly lower result for Queensland,” Ms Spence said.
“The Bligh Government is committed to providing more police to the front line.
This year we have continued our comprehensive civilianisation strategy by providing for 167 civilian positions in the 2007/08 State Budget, to allow more police to return police to operational duties,” she said.
“We’re also delivering an extra 200 police positions to ensure our police to population ratio remains at or above the national average.”
7 February, 2008
Union Sells Out For Solid Foundation
The Queensland Public Sector Union has sold its share in the Brisbane office building it occupies.
The Albert Street property sold for $21 million, realising $8.4 million for the QPSU which would now be used to fund a new headquarters.
QPSU Treasurer Peter Devey said getting the purchase right and managing the union’s finances were crucial to its future, requiring careful planning, oversight and reporting.
“We have a five-year strategic plan which members endorsed in 2004,” he said.
He said the plan was based on securing the union’s financial position, ensuring members received the resources they needed for campaigns and servicing, and developing a fighting fund to protect jobs and the Public Service into the future.
“The building sale and purchase makes the managing of our finances more complex, but it fits well with our long-term strategic goals,” he said.
He said as QPSU membership increased to record levels, the union needed to ensure staffing and resources increased to meet the demands of new members.
He said the Public Sector Defence Fund, established in 2005 as part of member-endorsed Plan for Our Union’s Future, now stood at $2 million, well on the way to its goal of $5 million.
“The New Strength Unity Fund, created to resource member campaigns for better conditions, has made possible recent campaigns such as the Better Jobs, Better Lives campaign, and campaigns for health professionals, schools staff and child safety workers,” Mr Devey said.
“While our recent highly successful Your Rights at Work campaign was not funded from these funds, it would not have been possible if it weren’t for our strong membership growth and the careful management and allocation of our union funds,” he said.
7 February, 2008
Registrar Registers Impact at Southport
Appointing a Judicial Registrar to the Southport Magistrates Court has already had an impact, according to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine.
Mr Shine said in Trevor Davern’s first month on the bench, the Judicial Registrar had dealt with 189 civil matters, including small claims and minor debts.
“He has also dealt with 131 criminal matters, including domestic violence and bail decisions,” Mr Shine said.
“The appointment of a Judicial Registrar is in addition to the three new Magistrates appointed to Southport since November 2006 and has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of cases dealt with.”
He said with the growing population in south-east Queensland, Southport Magistrates Court had become one of the busiest court houses in the State.
“Last financial year, for example, Southport had the highest number of domestic and family violence and child protection applications and orders in the State.
“Southport also had the second highest number of civil claims and criminal lodgements of all Magistrates Courts in Queensland.”
Mr Shine said he was also pleased with the result of the Drug Court program at Southport.
“Since the program began at Southport, there have been 77 graduations – the second highest number of drug court graduations in the State.
“As of December 31, 2007, there were 33 participants currently in the Drug Court program at Southport, which shows there are a significant number of drug offenders who are willing to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the community.”
The Minister congratulated the Magistrates and courthouse staff at Southport for their excellent work and dedication to delivering a fair and accessible justice system.
7 February, 2008
Rise in Complaints Is a Whinge, Whinge
The Office of Fair Trading has reported an increase of 14 per cent in the number of complaints received from consumers in 2007.
Queenslanders lodged 12,561 complaints.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine, said household electrical goods and motor vehicle dealers topped the list of most common complaints, each generating 9 per cent of all complaints.
Mr Shine said other top 10 complaints state-wide included real estate property management (8 per cent), holiday, entertainment and travel services (6 per cent), household trader services (6 per cent), real estate sales (6 per cent), and sheds and water tanks (6 per cent).
"The Office of Fair Trading continues to monitor real estate agents and motor dealers and will crack down on any traders doing the wrong thing," he said.
"Last year, the Office of Fair Trading investigated 390 motor dealers, resulting in a total of $41,400 in fines and $101,775 in infringement notices.
One dealer was permanently disqualified from holding a licence.”
The Miniister said younger people complained about computers and related hardware, as well as personal services such as gyms, hairdressers, photography, beauty clinics and modelling agencies.
“Older age groups had more complaints about holidays, entertainment and travel,” he said.
"The highest percentage of complaints in any one category was recorded in Rockhampton, where 18 per cent referred to household electrical goods.”
He said Brisbane consumers had been hit hard by water tank issues, making it the number one complaint category in the metropolitan area.
"A high number of complaints about accommodation services came from interstate visitors holidaying at destinations such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Mackay and Townsville."
Mr Shine said the Office of Fair Trading received an average of more than 40,000 calls a month from people seeking advice and information about consumer and business issues, with a similar number visiting the website each month.
“During the year the Office of Fair Trading negotiated $3 million of redress for consumers, including repairs, refunds and compensation by traders," Mr Shine said.
7 February, 2008
Rattling Result For Toowoomba Babies
Records collected by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages have shown that Toowoomba is the State’s baby capital, recording the largest number of births for the eighth year in a row.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine said that 1,607 babies were born in Toowoomba last year, almost double that of the second-placed town, Bundaberg, which had 682 births.
“As Member for Toowoomba North, I am proud to see that my home town has once again produced the highest number of newborn babies in Queensland,” he said.
Mr Shine said overall, the birth rate was increasing across the state, with most places in the top 10 showing increases from 2006.
“In 2007, 62,482 new babies were born in Queensland, an average of 171 babies born each day.
“Morayfield was the big mover, jumping from 19th place in 2006 to 7th in 2007 with 410 births.
“Caboolture also made a big move from eighth in 2006 to third in 2007, with 567 births.”
The other locations that made up the top ten were North Rockhampton (527), Mackay (525), Deception Bay (421), Kirwan (406), Mt Isa (399) and Gladstone (369).
Mr Shine said the Department of Justice and Attorney-General’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages was responsible for the registration of all births, deaths, marriages and changes of name in Queensland.
7 February, 2008
Tourism Train Fare Is the Rail Deal
Travel by train in and around Queensland is being promoted through a special deal which allows commuters to take a friend along for free.
Transport Minister, John Mickel said the free travel deal was being offered to encourage Queenslanders to see “our own backyard”.
He urged holidaymakers to take advantage of the ‘‘2 for 1’’ offer available on all Traveltrain Holidays’ Queensland rail services.
“When you buy a full-fare seat on services including The Sunlander, The Spirit of the Outback, The Westlander, The Inlander and the high-speed Tilt Train, a family member or friend can travel free,” Mr Mickel said.
“This is a great way to experience Queensland’s most vibrant coastal and outback destinations, particularly if you have never seen the state by rail.”
Mr Mickel said the deal applied to one-way and return rail journeys taken until Tuesday, 18 March.
“Traveltrain Holidays offers a host of rail options from the premium Queenslander Class on The Sunlander – a five-star journey from Brisbane to Cairns – to day trips on the Tilt Train,” he said.
“The Sunlander and the Tilt Train both give travellers access to World Heritage-listed destinations such as Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.”
The Spirit of the Outback, which journeyed from Brisbane to Longreach, also travelled through remote and untouched wilderness via routes travellers would not be able to experience any other way, he said.
Mr Mickel said the Queenslander Class on The Sunlander was recently crowned one of the world’s top 25 trains by the US-based Society of International Railway Travellers.
“Traveltrain Holidays’ packages combine a range of experiences with rail journeys such as sailing, national parks and diving on the Great Barrier Reef - the benefits to the state’s tourism industry are obvious,” he said.
He said that since January, Traveltrain Holidays had been connecting travellers to destinations nationwide aboard iconic journeys such as The Ghan and the Indian Pacific.
He urged travellers tp get a copy of this year’s new ‘‘Australian adventures with rail’’ brochure and visit Traveltrain Holidays’ new website.
To book a rail journey or to order the Australian Adventures with Rail brochure, call Traveltrain Holidays on 1300 654 841 or visit www.traveltrain.com.au
7 February, 2008
Dalek Is Just What Dr Who Ordered
A 1.6m replica Dalek from the Dr Who television show has been made by prisoners at the Woodford Correctional Centre and presented to children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence handed over the replica, along with a collection of other toys and furniture made by Queensland prisoners.
"I have no doubt this Dalek will provide a great source of entertainment for the children here at the Royal Children's Hospital, over the next couple of weeks," Ms Spence said.
"Kids can climb inside it to manoeuvre it around and can also amplify their voice through a built-in voice synthesiser - making them sound like a Dalek.”
She said it was a little too large to take up permanent residence at the hospital, so at the end of its hospital stay, the Dalek would be auctioned online to raise funds for the RCH Foundation.
"Daleks have a wide cross-generational appeal, so we hope to raise a healthy sum for the hospital through the auction,"she said.
Ms Spence said the Dalek was built by five prisoners in Woodford Correctional Centre's timber workshop, as part of their vocational education and training.
"The Dalek project was instigated by Woodford's Trade Instructor Mike Burrell, as a way to challenge and extend the skills of prison industry workers,” she said.
"Prisoners faced many challenges during the design and building process.
The original plans were in imperial measurements, so they first had to convert all measurements to metric.”
She said the size and cumbersome shape of the Dalek required prisoners to build it in separate sections, with many unusual shapes to fabricate and assemble.
"Most of the raw material had to be sourced from existing stock or scrap from the prison industries workshop, so prisoners had to use their imagination and resourcefulness in putting the Dalek together.
"This project has not only been a great learning experience for the prisoners involved, it has also provided offenders with a positive opportunity to give something back to the community.”
She expected young patients would get hours of fun playing with the Dalek during the coming weeks, and the additional toys and furniture items presented to the hospital would give the brave children a chance to laugh, play and have fun.
Bids for the Dalek can be made on eBay.
7 February, 2008
School Bus Driver Kits Just the Ticket
Queensland Transport, in partnership with the Department of Education, Training and the Arts has produced two new “how to” kits to help school bus drivers manage student behaviour and reduce stress.
The Queensland Police Service also contributed to the kit on the more serious situations bus drivers could face.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel said a new DVD addressing unsafe behaviour and a resource kit for managing student behaviour would support drivers as they transported about 150,000 students to and from school each day.
“Queensland has had, for many years, Australia's most comprehensive Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses, which protects the interests of the vast majority of well-behaved students,” Mr Mickel said.
“The Code provides a very transparent process for dealing with the management of student behaviour on a uniform basis across the State.”
He said the Code identified categories of misbehaviour and established the circumstances and period of time in which offending students could be put off a school bus.
“Queensland Transport and Education Queensland have now finalised these new resources to support bus operators and schools with the management of student behaviour on buses,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the DVD was the first of the new resources and addressed typical unsafe behaviour.
Mr Mickel said it would be made available on request to all school bus operators and schools.
“It's called the Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses and Managing Student Behaviour on School Buses and is designed as a support package for drivers to show them how to handle particular situations and how to promote safe behaviour by students,” he said.
“Our school bus drivers have a vital and very responsible duty and they do a fantastic job every school term.”
Mr Mickel said children were children however, and they would sometimes behave inappropriately making the driver's task tougher.
“This support kit has been designed by experts to arm the drivers with the information they need to properly deal with situations that come up on board the bus,” he said.
“The DVD depicts separate events occurring on school buses and then analyses the way in which the driver and the bus company should act in each case. It also shows the role of the school, police, and most importantly the parents.”
Mr Mickel said the second of the new resources was called The Code Zone Resource Pack, designed to reinforce secondary school student's understanding of the Code of Conduct for School Students Travelling on Buses.
“It follows on from the highly successful Really Cool Bus Rules Pack on safe bus travel that was developed for primary school students,” he said.
7 February, 2008
Buses Connect with Qconnect System
Contracts for bus services in some regional areas have been renewed for five years, boosting long distance services and improving the coverage of the qconnect system.
Transport Minister, John Mickel said the contracts covered 15 coach routes from Karumba to Cunnamulla – and even south to Lightning Ridge in NSW.
They replaced bus service contracts that expired on December 31.
Most of the contracts commenced on January 1 but the new Central Queensland services would start on April 1.
“Through qconnect, long distance bus services will be better integrated with other passenger transport services - such as regional air routes, QR trains and other buses - to make it as easy as possible to travel around regional Queensland,” Mr Mickel said.
"The Bligh Government is committed to maintaining the network of long distance bus services that is so important to communities outside South East Queensland.”
He said the Government wouldl contribute more than $2.9 million each year to the cost of operating these services – a 21 percent increase over the contribution for the expiring contracts.
"Many small towns and villages have no other means of public transport. Someone living in those communities who doesn't drive a car would rely on the coach service to get to a major regional centre for shopping, medical, education or other services,” he said.
“Long distance buses are also vital to Queensland's tourism industry. They are especially popular with backpackers visiting Far Northern or western centres.”
The Minister said buses on all 15 routes would be wheelchair-friendly.
He said the new contracts resulted from extensive community consultation and a rigorous tendering process to ensure the new services continued to meet the current and future transport needs of rural and remote transport disadvantaged communities.
Mr Mickel said benefits for passengers would vary from route to route, but would include:
* Online ticketing
* Improved reliability of services
* Better connections with air, bus and rail services
* Improved marketing to ensure regional communities were aware of the services available.
‘The new long distance bus services, along with new qconnect air service contracts announced last month, deliver major improvements in transport for all regional Queensland,” Mr Mickel said.
7 February, 2008
Training Awards at Top of the Class
Nominations for the 2008 Queensland Training Awards are now open.
Minister for Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the awards recognised individuals and organisations who strove for best practice and innovation in vocational education and training.
“The Queensland Training Awards showcase our best employers, apprentices, trainees, vocational students and training providers – those working at every level to ensure a skilled workforce that keeps our state competitive in a global economy,” he said.
“With demand for skilled workers at an all-time high, I’m proud that Queensland is leading the nation in promoting the importance of training and the take-up of apprenticeships and traineeships.”
Mr Welford said winning a training award could kick-start a career, raise a business or personal profile in local communities, boost business custom or help spotlight an enterprise as an employer of choice.
“These prestigious awards are a great way for us to share our training success stories,” he said.
“There are also great prizes to be won.”
The awards are contested first at the regional level, with winners going on to compete at the state level.
The state final will be held in Brisbane on 10 September.
The state winners are eligible to compete for the national honours in Darwin on 13 November.
Three organisations and two individuals from Queensland won accolades at last year’s national Australian Training Awards in Hobart.
Nominations for the employer and organisation award categories close on Wednesday, 19 March.
Nominations for the individual award categories close on Wednesday, 26 March.
For more information, or to request a nomination booklet, visit the website www.qta.qld.gov.au
7 February, 2008
Telstra staff called
The Commonwealth Workplace Ombudsman is calling for Telstra employees in south-east Queensland who have been re-offered an Australian Workplace Agreement to come forward with information if they believe they, or others, have been subject to undue pressure or false or misleading information in connection with the re-offer.
Employees were urged to visit the new Telstra investigation section on the Workplace Ombudsman’s website at www.wo.gov.au
The call came as the Ombudsman’s investigation continued into allegations brought by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Community and Public Sector Union and the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union that Telstra had breached the Workplace Relations Act 1996 by applying undue pressure to more than 14,000 of its employees to accept the AWA re-offered by the company.
Public say on Transport
Public input is being sought into the Western Brisbane Transport Network investigation with information displays at shopping centres this month.
Transport Minister John Mickel has encouraged residents to help guide the network’s development for the future.
The displays will be at Redbank, Strathpine, The Gap, Chermside, Esk, Indooroopilly and Toowong.
Displays and touch-screen kiosks will also be available at selected libraries.
For more details visit www.wbtni.net.au or phone the Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation hotline on 1800 636 896.
Environmental Awards
Entries are being sought for the Queensland Government’s third annual Environmental Protection Agency’s Sustainable Industries Awards.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said, the awards put the spotlight spotlight on eco-efficient, sustainable practices adopted by industry and businesses throughout the State.
Entries are sought from businesses, individuals, community and not-for-profit organisations and local or state government, and close on 14 April.
For more information visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or contact EPA Marketing 3225 1999.
New Buses for Brisbane
Ninety new buses will hit the road in Brisbane from July as part of an annual $13 million boost in funding for new services.
Minister for Transport John Mickel said the State Government was also happy “to be taking over funding responsibility for the 36 buses being introduced by the Council in the first half of this year.”
