Queensland has no intention of following New South Wales’ lead and introducing new procurement policies that give preference to local and Australian-made goods and services, according to the Minister for Trade, Stephen Robertson.
Mr Robertson made the comment at a meeting with the Consul-General of China recently.
“In light of the New South Wales Government’s recently announced Budget, including new procurement rules where preference is given to New South Wales and Australian companies, I further assured the Consul-General that Queensland has no intention of following this path,” Mr Robertson said.
The meeting with Consul-General Ren Gongping took place at the request of Premier, Anna Bligh specifically to convey the Queensland Government’s commitment to further strengthening friendships and trade relations with China.
Queensland’s merchandise exports to Greater China have grown from $2.7 billion in 2003-04 to $5.1 billion in 2007-08.
“This makes Greater China Queensland’s second-largest overseas buyer of merchandise goods,” Mr Robertson said.
"The Queensland Government is concerned at the New South Wales approach - which doesn’t appear to be in Australia's national interest.
He said the New South Wales moves would risk valuable national trading relationships with China and would impact on Queensland’s international reputation in other markets.
“The health of our State’s economy, industries and workplaces are absolutely dependent on exporting to the world. We are an export-dependent State,” the Minister said.
“China remains a vital market for Queensland and we believe that protectionist policies such as these could potentially risk $5.1 billion per year of merchandise exports for Queensland companies.”
He said statistics showed that roughly 450,000 Queenslanders are employed as a result of access to export and trade markets.
Trade Queensland, maintains strong representation in China with trade representation in Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
25 June, 2009
New tribunal to
set benchmark
A new tribunal to deal with civil and administrative matters is to be created to simplify public access to the legal system.
Attorney-General, Cameron Dick said the new tribunal – to be known as the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) – is the most significant reform to Queensland’s justice system in half a century.
Mr Dick said the establishment of QCAT would provide Queenslanders with access to civil and administrative justice through a single gateway, simplifying access to justice in the State.
“Queenslanders will no longer have to negotiate the maze of administrative review bodies, tribunals and courts in order to identify where to seek redress,” Mr Dick said.
“QCAT will amalgamate the jurisdictions of 23 bodies and tribunals into a single independent, efficient and accessible tribunal.”
The new tribunal would be created through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal Bill and was expected to be up and running on December 1.
The Minister said the growth in the number of tribunals over past decades had caused confusion for users and has come at a cost to both Government and the community.
QCAT would deal with a range of matters including: resolving disputes, reviewing decisions of Government Agencies and Statutory Bodies, making guardianship and administration orders and conducting disciplinary proceedings for a range of professions and occupations.
“QCAT will provide greater consistency and quality of decision-making, through increased standardisation of procedure, the requirement to provide written reasons, increased access to appeals and great sharing of knowledge and resources,” he said.
“By dealing with matters in a way that is accessible, fair, just, economical and quick, QCAT will make the processes of our civil and administrative justice system easier for all Queenslanders.
25 June, 2009
Transport study
off the rails
The Auditor-General has found deficiencies and drawbacks in the coordination of transport in congested South East Queensland.
The Auditor-general’s Report to Parliament No.3 for 2009 Transport Network Management and Urban Congestion in South East Queensland was tabled on 23 June 2009 and in his report, Auditor-General Glenn Poole said Brisbane’s road infrastructure was under immense pressure.
“Unprecedented population growth in SEQ and economic prosperity across Queensland in recent years has meant increased demand on the transport network which is operating at or near its capacity,” Mr Poole said.
“SEQ has reached a critical stage with its current transport policies and services.
“The ability of the transport network to meet current transport demand in terms of capacity, reliability, safety and choice is highly topical.”
Mr Poole said despite many activities to improve the transport network in SEQ, renewed efforts to address urban congestion and high levels of spending on transport infrastructure, “the expected outcomes might not be realised” because of deficiencies in the framework supporting such initiatives.
He identified four key areas of concern, including leadership at the State level for managing the transport network and urban congestion, which he said was “not coordinated effectively and makes it more difficult for Government Agencies to drive a strategic response in an integrated and coordinated manner”.
Further, due to a “systemic weakness” in integrated planning across entities, there was no certainty that the agreed responses would achieve the “optimal mix between the different elements of an urban transport network”.
Mr Poole said the continued use of “out of date” key transport documents and plans may result in decisions based on obsolete data and not effectively address the current challenges.
The fourth area of concern he identified was an inconsistency in data collection and reporting that could have an impact on the agencies to base their plans on accurate, complete and timely data.
“Overall, I determined that all entities had systems in place to manage the transport network in SEQ and address urban congestion albeit at varying levels of development and maturity,” Mr Poole said.
“However, these systems are not complete, integrated or consistently applied.”
He said in addition, the systems had not been subject to review over time to ensure their continued relevance.
Mr Poole recommended that the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) “exercise its leadership position to ensure the approach adopted by State Agencies to manage the SEQ transport network and address urban congestion is highly coordinated, with minimal overlap or gaps”.
He also recommended that DTMR build strong interrelationships between all entities involved, whether at the State or Local Government level, to support genuine collaboration.
Mr Poole said the field work for the audit had been conducted between October 2008 and February 2009.
25 June, 2009
Directive gives
direction to SES
The Public Service Commission has set out employment conditions for Senior Executives in a new Directive covering classification levels, work value ranges and remuneration.
Directive Number 05/09 covers all officers in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
Schedule 1 of the Directive details SES remuneration rates, including vehicle cost increase and superannuation.
The lowest total remuneration (including vehicle cost increase and superannuation) for SES 1 is $134,782 per annum, while the highest, for SES 4, is $231,560.
Schedule 2 outlines employment conditions, including hours of duty, leave and the termination of contract.
Remuneration package benefits are also detailed with the Directive saying that a Senior Executive may access in-house salary packaging arrangements at no cost, including the private use of a Government-owned car or payment of subscriptions to professional or occupational associations.
“In addition, Senior Executives are able to access a wider menu of items for salary packaging purposes by using the services of the Agency’s salary packaging service provider and complying with the rules and charges associated with using that service as if Senior Executives were covered by the enterprise agreement under which that scheme operates,” the Directive says.
The Directive also orders that SES vacancies are to be advertised in accordance with the recruitment and selection Directive applying at the time, except in exceptional circumstances determined by the Chief Executive.
“At the discretion of the Chief Executive of the employing Authority, SES vacancies may also be advertised in the press or other publications,” the Directive says.
“In all instances, the salary quoted in vacancy advertisements is to be the Total Remuneration Value shown in schedule 1 of this Directive.”
Copies of the Directive can be accessed at the Public Service Commission website www.opsc.qld.gov.au
25 June, 2009
Planning reforms on
the drawing board
Sweeping reforms to Queensland’s planning laws are expected to make it easier for the community to become involved in planning future developments, create more certainty and reduce disputes.
Infrastructure and Planning Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe said the current system had created confusion, with each local authority using different terms and definitions.
“The new legislation provides for standard definitions across the State so there is no confusion about what is a ‘storey on a house’ or what is a ‘home-based business’, Mr Hinchliffe said.
“New planning schemes will need to take a visionary approach with a 10-20 year outlook for future development and infrastructure.”
They would also need to be linked to their Regional Plan, if applicable, and integrate with identified areas for development and those for protection.
“When it comes to individual development applications, there will be more certainty about what can happen on the site and less disputes,” he said
“At the community level, there will also be benefits for residents who are also applicants.”
Most applications came from small-scale ‘mum and dad’ developments such as cutting a large block into two, doing major extensions to a house or building a new house.
“This new legislation creates a new assessment category ‘compliance assessment’ so that all Local Government new planning schemes will use this faster track option for the small-scale applications,” he said
The Minister assured Queensland Councils that they would maintain their role as the local planning and development decision-makers under the reforms.
The new laws would help Councils achieve better planning outcomes for their communities through streamlined plan-making and development assessment, and stronger enforcement rules.
“By giving Councils greater discretion in proceeding directly to issuing enforcement notices, together with the recent introduction of penalty infringement notices, the reforms mean greatly improved enforcement for “low-end” offences,” he said
“By unraveling the red tape and unclogging bottlenecks, Councils will be able to get on with ensuring better planning, development and building outcomes for all Queenslanders.”
The new legislation has incentives for faster approvals, and disincentives for inappropriate actions. The maximum penalty for carrying out an assessable development without a permit in a heritage location is $1.7 million.
“By introducing standard planning scheme provisions, Councils will benefit from reduced plan-making costs, lower compliance costs through standardising applications, and fewer mistakes and oversights in applications,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
25 June, 2009
Green campaign
gets pink tinge
The Queensland Government has added its weight to a climate change campaign aimed at enlisting the support and commitment of one million women.
Premier, Anna Bligh and Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Kate Jones launched the national campaign.
Ms Bligh urged Queensland to punch above its weight and account for a quarter of the target.
“We want women to step up to the climate change challenge and collectively cut their carbon footprints,” Ms Bligh said.
“This can make a real difference because women make approximately 70 per cent of consumer decisions that affect the household carbon footprint.”
The Premier said the goal of the campaign was to inspire one million Australian women – regardless of age, beliefs, backgrounds, careers, education and financial situation – to make an online commitment to each cut one tonne of CO2, in a year.
“That is the equivalent to taking 250,000 cars off the road for 12 months – which is enough pollution to fill 2.3 billion wheelie bins,” she said.
“We’ve seen that it can be done – the South-East Queensland water crisis proved that we are willing and able to take action.”
Ms Jones said the campaign’s targets could be easily achievable with just a few changes to everyday activities.
“The beauty of this campaign is that many of the activities are low cost - for example switching off appliances at the power point will cut carbon kilos and could save money on householder energy bills,” Ms Jones said.
She said women could join the campaign by registering at www.1millionwomen.com.au
25 June, 2009
Tourism campaign
blazes new trails
A tourism campaign promoting Tropical North Queensland in the United States has produced results described by the Minister for Tourism as “outstanding.”
Tourism Queensland, Qantas Airways and Tourism Tropical North Queensland worked together on a concerted international push known as ‘Team Cairns’.
Tourism Minister, Peter Lawlor said the $180,000 campaign had drawn a 34 per cent increase in flight bookings.
“The results so far are outstanding, especially considering current economic difficulties,” Mr Lawlor said
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism and Member for Barron River, Steve Wettenhall said the campaign ran from January to May.
“Importantly this campaign coincided with the announcement of Tourism Queensland’s Best Job in the World island caretaker position and the incredible global media coverage it generated,” he said.
“This stimulated an even greater level of interest in the Great Barrier Reef region.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Rob Giason said: said the target for the campaign was an increase of five per cent in seats sold from the United States “so a 34 per cent increase is just fantastic”.
The campaign involved radio broadcasts targeting 2.9 million 35-to-54 year-old listeners in Los Angeles, and extensive online media, including banner advertising on Qantas.com and Tourism Queensland’s Americas website.
Mr Lawlor said Tourism Queensland’s focus was on hard-hitting tactical marketing aimed at getting more bums on seats at a time when it was most needed.
25 June, 2009
Safer seafood scheme
on the table
A new food safety scheme has been introduced to minimise health risks associated with preparing and eating seafood.
Minister for Fisheries, Tim Mulherin said the scheme will implement the National Standard for Primary Production and Processing of Seafood.
“Under the new standard businesses will have to make sure the production of seafood is safe from the trawler to the dinner plate,” Mr Mulherin said.
“They will have to identify and minimise risks that could compromise the safety of seafood, like simple basic hygiene - most businesses will already be doing this.”
The Minister said Queensland is the first State to fully adopt the National Seafood Standard into regulation. It will come into effect on 1 July.
“Adopting this scheme will help to maintain and enhance consumer confidence that Queensland seafood is a high quality, safe product,” he said.
“The standard covers all areas of seafood production and processing but does not extend to retail activities such as fish and chip shops.”
Mr Mulherin said Safe Food Production Queensland (SFPQ), the statutory body under his portfolio, has responsibility for implementing the new seafood food safety scheme, which was developed collaboratively with industry.
“SFPQ already has responsibility for administering food production safety arrangements for meat, dairy and eggs and it will now be responsible for administering the food safety arrangements for seafood,” he said.
“SFPQ is introducing a new electronic data management system whereby businesses can demonstrate compliance online.”
Mr Mulherin said that Safe Food Production Queensland would continue to work with seafood stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to the new Food Safety Scheme.
25 June, 2009
Export deal
is fair trade
An agreement to cooperate between Trade Queensland and the Australian Government’s Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC) is expected to boost Queensland’s export industry and generate jobs.
Trade Queensland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding sealing the agreement.
Trade Minister, Stephen Robertson said that the agencies already worked closely.
“The agreement will establish stronger, formal ties between the Queensland Government and a key export partner to generate an increased sharing of resources,” Mr Robertson said.
“One sure way to protect and create new and better paying jobs in Queensland is by increasing international trade.”
He said the share of employment related to trade activities was a little over 13 per cent of total employment, equal to one in seven jobs involved in the production of exports. More than one in five workers were employed in trade-related activities.
“Last financial year, Queensland’s combined merchandise and services exports also directly contributed more than $44 billion to our State’s economy, and this Memorandum will aid in preserving this important contribution,” Mr Robertson said.
“EFIC is Australia’s export credit agency, providing specialist finance and insurance services to Australian companies exporting and investing overseas.”
Mr Robertson said the Agencies have similar goals and look for similar outcomes.
“The Memorandum outlines areas where cooperation and coordination between the Agencies can be improved, and includes scope for information exchanges that contribute directly to building international exports and investment activity,” he said
“It will also enable them to consult and prepare joint submissions to Federal and State policy reviews, share information on international economic and risk analysis, and generally make better use of resources, including by engaging in co-marketing and joint event activities.”
25 June, 2009
Prison transport
review locked in
The Chief Inspector of Prisons is to review transport arrangements for the State’s prisoners following the tragic death of an Aboriginal man in the back of a prison van in Western Australia recently.
Corrective Services Minister, Neil Roberts said the death of the man from heat stroke while he was being transported through the desert in the back of a prison vehicle with faulty air-conditioning had raised nationwide concerns in relation to the humane transport of prisoners in custody.
It is believed the man died after temperatures in the back of the vehicle reached over 40 degrees.
“This Queensland review will be undertaken as a matter of urgency to examine all aspects of the transportation of Queensland Corrective Services (QCS) prisoners,” Mr Roberts said.
He was supported by Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner, Kelvin Anderson who said that in addition to the review every prisoner transportation vehicle would be fully inspected each time it is needed to transport prisoners.
Mr Anderson said he was confident the system QCS had in place was working well.
“However we recognise there are concerns in the community regarding the humane transportation of offenders, whether it is for medical, legal or placement reasons,”
Mr Roberts said the review was expected to be completed within the next four weeks.
25 June, 2009
Tenancy Authority
unties bonds
The Residential Tenancies Authority has revealed it is holding around $4.5 million in unclaimed bond refunds that belong to more than 22,000 people and businesses.
Minister for Community Services and Housing, Karen Struthers has urged anyone who has rented property in the past 10 years to check the RTA website and see if any of it is theirs.
Ms Struthers said the unclaimed funds had accumulated as a result of Queenslanders either forgetting to cash their bond refund cheques, or moving house without notifying the RTA of their new address.
“The RTA has tried to refund the money, only to have cheques returned. The RTA can only send notices of rental bond claims and cheques to a tenant’s last known address,” Ms Struthers said.
“The Authority is strongly encouraging tenants to have bond refunds paid directly into their bank accounts to avoid missing out on their refund.”
A full list of people owed bond money is available on the RTA website at www.rta.qld.gov.au
Queenslanders should check if their name appears on the website and then contact the RTA on 1300 366 311 to arrange for the bond to be refunded directly into a nominated bank account.
In order to receive the unclaimed money, the caller will be asked to verify a number of key details which will enable RTA staff to confirm that they are the person to whom money is owed.
25 June, 2009
Wildlife refuges for
roar material
Agreements between the State Government and 31 private landholders has led to 20,000 hectares of land being set aside as nature refuges to protect vulnerable native wildlife.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister, Kate Jones said the agreements meant more than 750,000 hectares across Queensland were now protected under the Nature Refuge Program.
“They bring the total number of nature refuges in Queensland to 338 and give extra protection to a number of vulnerable and endangered species, including the Fleay’s barred frog, the koala, the glossy black-cockatoo and the Albert’s Lyrebird,” Ms Jones said.
“The agreements also help achieve the Bligh Government’s target of 20 million hectares of protected area across Queensland by 2020.”
She said the nature refuges “join the dots” between national parks, providing wildlife corridors which will help give native species a vital lifeline to combat the effects of climate change.
The new refuges include a nationally important wetland and springs in the Great Artesian Basin as well as the Barrine Park Nature Refuge which connects the Atherton Tablelands’ iconic Lake Barrine rainforest to the expansive World Heritage Area to the east.
Under the agreements landholders undertake natural habitat conservation programs on their properties and maintain them.
Ms Jones said 16 of the nature refuges would receive funding through NatureAssist, the incentive component of the Nature Refuge Program under the State Government’s Blueprint for the Bush initiative.
“More than $740,000 is being provided to the owners of these new nature refuges to help them protect their conservation values,” she said.
“This may include managing certain areas to allow for natural revegetation, fencing to protect environmentally sensitive areas, and eradicating or controlling weeds and pests.”
25 June, 2009
Dangerous weed to
be cut down to size
Other States and the Commonwealth have rallied round Queensland to join forces in a bid to beat off the highly invasive pest Siam weed.
The Federal Government was expected to commit $1.3 million to fighting the weed which threatens Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales and Western Australia.
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Tim Mulherin said Siam weed was currently found only in Queensland.
“But it poses a serious threat to grazing and horticultural land and to conservation areas throughout tropical Australia,” Mr Mulherin said.
“The other State Governments are so concerned at the potential impact of the weed they have agreed to contribute funding towards a national eradication effort.”
He said this would mean more eradication teams in the field and would fund more helicopter surveys, extension staff and research programs.
Mr Mulherin said there were scattered infestations of Siam weed in North Queensland.
“They have been contained in the Innisfail/Tully and Townsville/Thuringowa areas, and sites around Innot Hot Springs and Mossman, with local eradication from parts of these sites,” he said.
“The aim is to eradicate the weed completely within 10 years and this funding would provide the necessary resources for the next 12 months.”
Biosecurity Queensland Weed Eradication Project Coordinator, Mick Jeffery said the scrambling weed produced distinctive clusters of white or lilac flowers and triangular leaves.
“The June flowering period is the best time to quickly identify Siam weed because without flowers it looks similar to other vegetation and is not immediately obvious,” Mr Jeffery said.
“It is toxic to stock, creates an increased fire hazard in rural areas and can also be a risk to human health as it causes skin complaints and exacerbates asthma.”
25 June, 2009
Green Army is
on the march
Queensland’s Green Army is gearing up for its offensive against unemployment with the first round of environmental projects being rolled out across the State on 1 July.
Minister for Employment and Economic Development, Andrew Fraser said new Green Army projects would take place at Rockhampton, Ipswich, Beaudesert and Wyaralong Dam.
“The Government has allocated $19 million as part of a three-year, $57 million commitment to create the Green Army - 3,000 jobs for Queenslanders on projects that have significant environmental and community benefit,” Mr Fraser said.
“Over $4 million will be invested in this first round of funding for organisations to deliver green projects at more than 25 locations across the State.”
The Minister said projects had been proposed for Cape York, Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, Mackay, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Cherbourg, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Gympie, Dalby, Toowoomba, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Deception Bay, Southport, Burleigh Heads, Logan, Beenleigh and Brisbane.
“A further $3.9 million will allow 300 unemployed people to take up 12-month Green Traineeships in areas such as conservation and land management, horticulture and waste and water management,” he said.
The response to the call for Green Army projects from community organisations had been resounding.
“More than 160 organisations have registered their interest in coordinating projects across the State.
Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Economic Development, Jan Jarratt said 10 Indigenous jobseekers from the Beaudesert area would be among the earliest recruits to the Green Army when they started work on a Wyaralong Dam project.
“The dam project is part of the Government’s initiative to provide secure water solutions for the whole of south-east Queensland,” Ms Jarratt said.
Civic Solutions Chief Executive Officer, Robert Pahl said the recruits would be engaged in a variety of work including clearing vegetation, identifying and removing weeds and pests, site preparation, realigning fences, revegetation, collecting and storing native seed and observing fauna activity.
A further eight unemployed Indigenous people will be working to protect and restore the natural environment near Beaudesert.
Ms Jarratt said the group would complete 16-week paid work placements with BoysTown on the Veresdale Scrub project.
25 June, 2009
Disability on slide
at new playgrounds
Sixteen new All Abilities Playgrounds are expected to be completed in the 2009-10 financial year, Minister for Disability Services, Annastacia Palaszczuk, declaring the joint State and Local Government program was “well on track.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government had invested $4.6 million into designing and constructing the playgrounds in partnership with local Councils.
“The All Abilities Playgrounds are designed to break down barriers to allow children with a disability to participate in outdoor play with other children,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“These playgrounds are places where children of all ages and abilities can experience fun and challenging play alongside their friends and family members.”
She said that Deputy Premier, Paul Lucas had opened the project’s first playground, in Mt Isa, during Q150 celebrations on 5 June.
“We can now look forward to opening another 15 over the next six months, starting with the Texas All Abilities Playground on the State’s southern border around July, and then in centres stretching all the way up to New Mapoon on the Cape York Peninsula,” the Minister said.
“Some of the projects have been more than 12 months in the making, with councils and communities working together to come up with the designs.”
Developed by Disability Services, the playgrounds aim to break down barriers by giving community members, particularly children with a disability and their families, a say in how needs are addressed at every stage of design.
“The end result will be 16 very different play spaces, unique to their communities, their children and their needs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
25 June, 2009
Modern art show
in the frame
The Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane has opened a major retrospective exhibition on the career so far of painter, Tim Johnson. Tim Johnson: Painting Ideas, featuring 35 works from the Queensland Art Gallery’s collection and 108 loan works, will be on display at GoMA until 10 October.
Queensland Art Gallery Director, Tony Ellwood said the exhibition focused on Johnson’s work from the 1970s to today and was jointly developed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the Queensland Art Gallery.
“This is a unique opportunity to see an extensive collection of Johnson’s varied works from paintings to photo documentary covering four decades,” Mr Ellwood said.
Johnson’s career as an artist began as a painter in the 1960s and he further developed his work with documentation photography, performance, sound recordings, text and cross-media experimentation.
He is perhaps best known outside the immediate art world for his controversial performance art at Sydney and Queensland Universities in 1972 exploring sexuality as a shared public experience.
Throughout the 70s Johnson’s work was also heavily influenced by travels throughout Asia and an interest in music and Punk culture, producing works that were very eclectic in style and subject.
In 1980, Johnson visited central Australian Aboriginal artists at Papunya, a trip that would influence the rest of his artistic career and resulted in ongoing collaborations with some of Australia’s best-known Aboriginal artists including Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarra.
Later works saw the emergence of his interest in Buddhism and Asian art and further associations with Asian artists.
The exhibition was curated by Wayne Tunnicliffe, of the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Julie Ewington, of the Queensland Art Gallery.
25 June, 2009 State to accept guarantee offer Queensland is to take advantage of the Australian Government’s guarantee scheme in its future bond issues.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the Queensland Treasury Corporation intended to apply the guarantee to all existing Australian dollar-denominated benchmark bond lines with a maturity date of between 12 months and 15 years.
The Corporation also intended to apply the guarantee to future bond line issues, but reserved the right to issue non-guaranteed bond lines.
OFT combines offices The Sunshine Coast branch of the Office of Fair Trading has combined its counter service with its regional headquarters on the corner of Baden Powell Street and Maroochydore Road, Maroochydore.
It had previously operated the service at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
The office can be contacted on 13 13 04. Further information and advice is available at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au
Best job is best campaign Tourism Queensland’sBest Job in the World campaign has picked up four awards at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival.
Tourism Minister, Peter Lawlor said the campaign had won two Grand Prix prizes and two Gold Lions in direct marketing and public relations.
“The Best Job in the World marketing campaign has been nominated in seven categories at the prestigious event and is already proving to be the Festival’s big winner, Mr Lawlor said.
Tolls go up Increases in toll charges on the Gateway and Logan motorways are necessary to fund road improvements and Finance the Gateway Upgrade Project, Minister for Main Roads, Craig Wallace said.
The new tolls include the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for the past 12 months and, with some exceptions, an adjustment for CPI rises before to 2005. They will come into effect from 1 July.
Mr Wallace said the transition to free-flow tolling will also start from 1 July, but other than annual CPI increases and CPI catch-ups, the tolls will not increase to cover the costs of free-flow tolling until the Gateway Upgrade Project is completed in 2011 when motorists will experience the full benefits.
Fitzgibbon estate popular A residential development being built on State Government-owned land at Fitzgibbon on Brisbane’s northside is proving popular.
The first two stages have sold out in less than six weeks.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the interest demonstrated the need for reasonably-priced housing in Brisbane.
“The Urban Land Development Authority has tapped into what people, especially first home buyers, are looking for when buying a home,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
Comment on airport worksite Residents living near vacant land at Wooloowin are being urged to have their say about its use as an extension to the Airport Link worksite.
Construction partners BrisConnections and Thiess John Holland are seeking the additional worksite on land at Rose Street, which would allow them to sink a 42-metre deep shaft.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe said the Coordinator-General would seek public comment on the proposed changes to the project’s construction plan.
Noosa zone to protect environment The Noosa River Marine Zone is to be established to better regulate specific vessel activities to help protect the sensitive area
Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan said the Government and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council had worked together on the project.
The marine zone, within which personal watercraft free-styling, surfing, wave jumping, the use of hovercraft and the take-off and landing of aircraft will be some of the activities controlled or restricted, comes into effect on 1 July.
18 June, 2009
Budget thrust leaves
QPS with cost cuts
State Treasurer, Andrew Fraser has announced plans to streamline the Queensland Public Service, cut costs and cap payrises as part of a plan to save $280 million.
Outlining the Government’s Budget for the next 12 months which foreshadowed a shortfall in revenue of $1.9 billion, Mr Fraser said Government spending would be capped under a “zero real per capita growth regime.”
He said the only growth in spending to be tolerated would be that required to deal with population growth and inflation.
“Fiscal discipline is a necessity,” Mr Fraser said. “Any new initiatives brought forward for further consideration will only be funded through identified savings by Agencies.”
He said this was a key part of a disciplined strategy needed to bring the Budget back into surplus.
He said the millions to be saved by reining in Public Service costs would be achieved by ‘streamlining.’
“In the last Budget, the Government set a savings target of $60 million and achieved it,” he said.
“In 2009-10 we have lifted that target to $280 million, which will see a reduction in spending in areas such as travel, supplies and services, advertising and consultancies.”
He said the money saved would be redirected towards job-creating initiatives.
Mr Fraser said cutbacks would also be seen in the Government’s PS wages policy which would be redeveloped to suit current economic circumstances.
He said wages restraint in the PS was an essential element in the Government’s fiscal strategy.
“From 1 January 2009, all wage agreements will be set around the new framework of 2.5% per year,” he said.
“Any agreements already in place or due to be completed by 31 December 2009 will have until 1 September this year to be completed.”
He said the tighter approach to PS pay was a long-term measure that reflected the challenges and the reality of what lies ahead.
“The 2.5% framework sits at the mid-point of the Reserve Bank target band of inflation and is a responsible measure,” Mr Fraser said.
The proposed cost cutting program drew criticism from the Queensland Public Sector Union which said it would lead to tough times for PS workers.
General Secretary of the QPSU, Alex Scott said the cuts were likely to create more challenges for the public sector.
“While it’s clear that the government has honoured its commitments not to cut jobs or conditions, it is also obvious this is a slow burn budget that is likely to turn the screws on public sector workers and ramp up the pressure when it comes to hours and workloads,” Mr Scott said.
He said the QPSU would watch carefully to ensure the current economic climate wasn’t used as a convenient excuse to cut jobs and reduce services.
“Like everyone else in Queensland, public sector workers are entitled to job security,” Mr Scott said.
He said meetings of QPSU members would be held over the next few weeks to determine the Budget’s likely impact on the PS, particularly as it might affect services in regional areas.
18 June, 2009
Budget cashes in on
police and teachers
More teachers and more police have been budgeted for in the coming year as the Government sets about its program of creating jobs and maintaining services.
The increases of 350 teachers and 203 police were announced by Treasurer, Andrew Fraser when delivering the 2009-10 Budget.
Mr Fraser said the extra teachers reflected the Government’s commitment to improving literacy and numeracy standards among Queensland children.
“Along with a massive $18.2 billion building program that will support and create thousands of jobs, we are committed to investing in key services such as education,” Mr Fraser said.
Minister for Education and Training, Geoff Wilson said the Department’s $7.838 billion budget focused on giving children a flying start, laying strong educational foundations and developing skills for the changing economic environment.
“As Queensland’s population continues to grow, we will continue to equip Queensland children with the skills they need to be a part of Queensland’s future prosperity,” Mr Wilson said.
“An additional 350 full-time equivalent teachers and teacher aides will be employed in 2009-10 to cater for enrolment growth in State schools and the Department will invest more than $48 million in professional development of school and TAFE teachers.”
Mr Wilson said that there would be 100 new science teachers among the new recruits, and the Government would roll out science-based professional development programs and expand the number of Earth Smart Science Schools from 60 to 1,000.
“Around 148,000 additional training places will be created over four years with a State Government contribution of $124.3 million as part of the Productivity Places Program National Partnership,” he said.
Mr Fraser said the boost in Police Service numbers, facilities and equipment would cater for the demands of Queensland’s rapidly growing population.
The Minister for Police, Neil Roberts said the Police Service’s budget allocation for 2009-10 will total $1.706 billion.
“As Queensland grows, it is vital the police service grows with it,” Mr Roberts said.
He said the additional 203 police positions to be filled in the coming year were part of the Government’s promise to deliver a minimum 600 over the next three years.
He said numbers would be boosted by 53 specialist traffic officers and new funding of $47 million had been provided for road safety initiatives.
“This will mean more specialist traffic officers, the continued roll-out of fixed speed cameras and the maintaining of current speed and red light camera operations and public education programs aimed at reducing the road toll,” Mr Roberts said.
He said the coming year’s plans included new police stations at Carseldine, Crestmead/Marsden, Reedy Creek/Robina, Sippy Downs and Springfield; continuing work on replacement Court facilities, police stations and watch houses at Mareeba and Ipswich; continuing work on the police station and watchhouse at Murgon, and the police stations at Holland Park and Beenleigh; and a start on work on a replacement police station at Lockhart River.
Mr Roberts said the Budget included $18 million to build a new Queensland Police Academy at Wacol, including a driver training facility.
18 June, 2009
OFT takes interest
in illegal lending
A crackdown on the credit lending industry by inspectors from the Office of Fair Trading has resulted in almost $1 million being refunded to borrowers.
The Office’s blitz targeted loans with excessive interest rates and charges.
Minister for Fair Trading, Peter Lawlor said inspectors had conducted spot checks on 178 credit providers since 1 July 2008.
“They have now negotiated the recovery of some $978,000 in excess interest and fees at an average of over $580 per customer, with further reimbursements likely,” Mr Lawlor said.
“The lenders concerned have also agreed to pay $55,000 to the Consumer Credit Fund, which is used to support the enforcement and promotion of State credit laws.”
He said inspectors have issued 14 warnings and executed 57 conduct deeds with 63 companies in relation to various alleged breaches from incorrect charging to contractual disclosure issues.
Conduct deeds are legally enforceable undertakings in which traders agree to make changes to the way they operate and rectify the consequences of past practices.
Mr Lawlor said OFT inspectors would continue to monitor the industry closely and would not hesitate to prosecute rogue traders who persisted in ripping off their customers.
He said the blitz had identified numerous breaches, including excessive interest rates, failure to disclose brokerage fees, failure to disclose to whom commissions were payable, failure to state total repayments, failure to adequately inform consumers of their legal rights and failure to make required disclosures in statements of account.
18 June, 2009
Councils rate highly
for Budget boost
Reforms to Queensland’s Local Government sector would almost be completed with the new priorities announced in the Budget.
Minister for Local Government, Desley Boyle said service priorities for Local Government in 2009-10 would include completing the reform program by December, 2010; implementing the new Local Government Act and developing a new Local Government Electoral Act and a revised City of Brisbane Act, and implementing a new performance measuring and reporting process for Councils.
Ms Boyle said the initiatives would give Queensland the strongest and most sustainable Council sector in Australia.
She urged Councils to get on with the job of delivering key infrastructure projects and confirmed more than $126 million over the next two years in additional Government grants.
“An extra $126.8 million has been allocated over the next two years to meet existing arrangements before a new grants system, totaling $45 million a year, is introduced in 2011,” Ms Boyle said.
“Importantly, this funding will support some 2,385 jobs in the coming year.”
She said the State Budget committed $14 million for sewerage projects in the Torres Strait, $28.9 million for two key redevelopments in Townsville and $20 million to projects to mark Queensland’s 150th anniversary.
“We will provide $14 million to go towards essential community infrastructure in the Torres Strait, including major sewerage projects on Mabuaig and Moa islands,” she said.
“The $28.9 million commitment for Townsville will help the Council deliver two keenly anticipated projects – the redevelopments of the Flinders Street Mall and the Jezzine Barracks precinct.”
The Minister said $20 million would be delivered through the Q150 Legacy Infrastructure Project scheme to help Councils create lasting tributes to mark the anniversary of Queensland’s separation from NSW.
There would be funding of $1 million each year over the next two years to develop a skills bank to generate jobs for Indigenous Local Governments.
“The core function of the skills bank is to maintain a pool of skilled staff for Indigenous Councils to help meet urgent operational needs, transfer skills to local staff and develop Council systems and capacities,” she said.
18 June, 2009
Tasers knocked out
while probe is held
The Minister for Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe has announced sweeping reforms to the State’s planning approvals system in a bid to speed up building developments.
He said the Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 will result in reductions in red tape and unnecessary delays, reducing costs as a result.
“It will mean developments get off the ground sooner by reducing costs, streamlining plan-making and improving assessment times via a user-friendly ‘fast track’ system,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Getting approval from Councils and State Government Departments can take months due to the layers of bureaucracy applicants need to wade through.”
He said under the Bill, a new assessment category called a Compliance Assessment – which applies to such developments as a new factory in a designated industrial estate – will see applications processed within a week.
Mr Hinchliffe said developers accessing the more efficient and accountable system would also be able take advantage of the new legislation which will allow certain applications to be deemed to be approved if they are not decided within specified timeframes.
“This results in greater certainty, faster processing and reduced costs for both the applicant and Council,” he said.
The Bill also gives Councils enhanced powers to immediately stop work on a development if, for example, it concerns work on a heritage building that is deemed out of character.
He said previous legislation, dating from 1997, had become too process driven and needed major reform.
“It served its purpose by bringing together more than 30 separate pieces of planning and development legislative arrangements into one Act, but times have changed – after a decade, the planning system is under pressure to manage continuing rapid growth and changing demographics,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“This new framework allows us to do business better and focus planning investment on major issues such as sustainability, housing affordability, climate change and population growth.”
18 June, 2009
Shock increase for
electricity prices
The Queensland Competition Authority has decided to support an increase in electricity prices of 11.82 per cent for the 2009-10 financial year.
The increase was lamented by the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson.
“These increases come at an unfortunate time for householders who may be facing financial hardship,” Mr Robertson said.
“The overall impact for consumers from 1 July 2009 will be an increase of 15.67 per cent. Consumers with an electricity bill of around $350 a quarter, will pay an additional $55, assuming the electricity used has remained the same.”
However, he accepted the price rises reflected the true cost of delivering a reliable and robust energy network able to keep up with increased demand.
“The QCA has found rising network costs which include transmission, distribution, and the increasing cost of energy generation, account for approximately 90 per cent of the total cost of supplying energy,” the Minister said.
“Despite the increasing cost of supplying electricity to consumers, Queenslanders continue to pay some of the lowest electricity prices in Australia.”
Mr Robertson pointed out that NSW had announced price increases for 2009-10 of around 20 per cent, Western Australia had increased prices by 15 per cent with a further 10 per cent from 1 July and the Northern Territory would have a price increase of around 18 per cent in the next financial year.
The price rises for non-market contract consumers come into effect on 1 July.
18 June, 2009
Archives on track
for record disposal
Queensland State Archives has published a Public Records Brief outlining the responsibilities of Departments and Agencies when dealing with records created before 1950.
The brief instructs Departments and Agencies not to dispose of any public records unless authorised by the State Archivist.
“However, public records created before 1950 should be given special consideration before any disposal action is taken,” The brief says.
The reason for this was their relative scarcity.
“These early records may be the only public records that exist for a particular geographic area or activity,” the brief says.
“They may document functions and activities that differ from the current responsibilities of the public authority or provide details of a different time and place which are valuable to researchers.”
It was possible they might be the legacy records of a public authority that no longer exists and provide the only evidence of its existence.
QSA said that that did not mean that all records from before 1950 were valuable, but Departments and Agencies needed to consult the Archives and gain special permission before disposing of them.
“The QSA will assist in determining whether these records warrant permanent retention, “the brief says.
Documents that qualified for permanent retention should then be transferred to QSA in accordance with the Public Records Act 2002.
18 June, 2009
Lifesavers found to
be flavour of month
An annual survey that ranks professions by trustworthiness has found once again that paramedics and firefighters are the most trusted in the community.
The findings have been welcomed by the Commissioner of the Queensland Ambulance Service, David Melville and Acting Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Iain McKenzie.
Mr Melville said the poll, conducted by the Readers Digest, had brought richly-deserved accolades for the two professions.
“Emergency services personnel are always there when the community needs them most,” Commissioner Melville said.
“Paramedics are the people you invite into your home when you suffer a sudden onset of illness, or will rush to your side to assist you after a motor crash or a workplace injury.”
Acting Commissioner McKenzie said the Fire and Rescue Service was made up of full-time, auxiliary and volunteer firefighters, all of whom had been responsible for saving countless lives and millions of dollars worth of property across the State.
“These men and women often risk their lives to save others, and truly deserve recognition for the job they do,” Acting Commissioner MacKenzie said.
“Our firefighters are called upon to display courage and the utmost professionalism in carrying out their duties.
“One day they may have to enter a burning building to save a person trapped inside, and the next day they could be visiting the local primary school to educate children on the dangers of fire.”
18 June, 2009
Policeman Jim
cops top award
A Public Servant has been named Queenslander of the Year.
Police Sergeant Jim Bellos took the title in recognition of his hard work in supporting multiculturalism in the community.
Premier, Anna Bligh presented the award to Sergeant Bellos who was the Regional Cross Cultural Liaison Officer from the Queensland Police Service’s Metropolitan South Region.
Ms Bligh said Sergeant Bellos was a resilient cultural liaison officer who had successfully encouraged better interaction and understanding of the diverse multicultural residents of his region.
“In a region with an increasing number of new residents, speaking over 150 different languages and practising over 130 different faiths, Sergeant Bellos has built trust, understanding and harmony between the communities and the police,” Ms Bligh said.
“This has been achieved through the establishment of community consultative groups, multi-faith dinners, information sessions and, most notably, the award-winning youth sporting program ‘For the Love of the Game’, which encourages interaction and improved understanding for more than 6,000 youths from diverse backgrounds.”
The Premier said that since the formulation of the program there has been a noted decrease in youth crime in the region.
“Sergeant Bellos has gained the respect and trust of local community leaders and residents and will now be acknowledged on a State-level for his outstanding achievement.”
The Young Queenslander of the Yearaward was presented to Chinese youth community spokesperson, Chiu-Hing Chan. Domestic and family violence social research expert, Heather Nancarrow received the Community Spirit Award.
18 June, 2009
Emergency Centre
is full speed ahead
Construction has officially begun on the Queensland Emergency Operations Centre at Kedron, future home to the Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and Emergency Management Queensland.
Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts turned the first sod on the project, which is expected to cost $78 million and be finished in mid 2011.
He said the centre would create 200 jobs during construction.
“The QEOC will mean even better coordination during large-scale incidents such as the recent terrible flooding across South East Queensland or the freak storms in The Gap,” Mr Roberts said.
“It will become a triple-zero nerve centre that will more effectively coordinate day-to-day emergency responses as well as improve the management of large scale incidents and disasters.”
Mr Roberts said the QEOC would also house an enhanced Queensland Clinical Coordination Centre.
“This is a combined facility run by the Department of Community Safety and Queensland Health, which will coordinate the dispatch of rotary and fixed-wing medical aircraft across the State for adults, paediatrics and neonatal patients,” he said.
The Minister said a Secondary Triage and Referral System in the Centre would also provide medical advice and direction to those patients who did not need an ambulance but still required assistance.
Mr Roberts said that once operational, the Centre would accommodate up to 200 staff at peak demand periods but during normal operations, 60 staff would work from the facility.
18 June, 2009
Smooth advice for
wrinkled records
Local Government Councils and Agencies have been advised by Queensland State Archives of the requirements they face for managing public records.
QSA has issued a Public Records Brief informing the Councils of their obligations in dealing with ‘legacy records’ that may have been created long ago or acquired following last year’s Local Government amalgamations.
The Archives brief defined legacy records as the accumulation of older records created by a public authority in the past, or inherited from another public authority through a transfer of functions.
“Many Local Governments have inherited considerable collections of legacy records as a result of the reform process, and these records require sentencing [designating] for disposal or further retention,” the brief says.
“Local Governments need to consider whether their legacy records project should be
managed in-house or through the services of a consultant or contractor.”
The Archives acknowledged there were particular challenges associated with legacy records, especially if the records had been inherited from another authority.
“For instance, the master control records for the collection, such as indexes, may be missing. This can make it difficult for the inheriting Local Council to sentence some types of legacy records,” it said.
Records that could not be identified might need some detective work starting with any staff of the former Local Council.
The QSA said it should be contacted if the records dated from before 1950, but were not scheduled for permanent retention; were not covered by a current Retention and Disposal Schedule; or were the responsibility of another public authority.
18 June, 2009
Coast campaign
is beachy keen
A new tourist campaign to attract Sydneysiders to the Fraser Coast has been launched by the Minister for Tourism, Peter Lawlor.
Speaking at the Fraser Coast Industry Forum in Hervey Bay, Mr Fraser said Tourism Queensland’s Get Closer to Nature on Queensland’s Fraser Coast campaign, valued at $280,000, would run until 12 July.
“It is hoped it will stimulate about a $1.5 million tourism boost to the region,” Mr Lawlor said.
The campaign would feature Sydney newspaper and online advertising as well as radio endorsements.
“Get Closer to Nature on Queensland’s Fraser Coast aims to appeal to social, fun-seeking Sydneysiders, promoting the range of iconic nature-based experiences available in the Fraser Coast’s Great Sandy Biosphere,” Mr Lawlor said.
General Manager of Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism, Damien Massingham said that while southerners were turning on their heaters, reaching for their raincoats and getting stuck in traffic jams, they would be hit with images and information about the beautiful nature-based region.
Mr Lawlor said the State Government and Tourism Queensland’s focus would be on hard-hitting, tactical marketing campaigns which involved operators from across Queensland.
“Hot on the heels of this campaign, Tourism Queensland, in partnership with regional and local operators, will soon launch their annual $300,000 Fraser Coast Whale Watching campaign,” he said.
18 June, 2009
Graduates thicken
the thin blue line
The number of new police recruits inducted into the Queensland Police Service fell two short of the perfect 150 as it coincided with the State’s Q150 celebrations.
One hundred and forty eight new police officers were welcomed into the Force by Police Minister, Neil Roberts and Commissioner, Bob Atkinson at a unique induction ceremony in Brisbane.
The 2009 Police Induction Spectacular provided inductees and the public with the opportunity to see at first hand the impressive range of career paths available to Queensland’s police officers.
Mr Roberts said demonstrations by the Explosive Ordnance Response Team, the Public Safety Response Team and the Special Emergency Response Team had shown the wide range of specialised vocations within the QPS.
“Today’s event shows the 150-year evolution of the QPS into an organisation which today uses state-of-the art technology and world-class expertise to help keep Queensland communities safe,” Mr Roberts said.
“As we welcome Queensland’s newest officers, it’s important to acknowledge the rich history of those who have served before them and the outstanding professionalism of their new colleagues.
Commissioner Atkinson said a career with the QPS offered daily variety, meaningful challenges and the reward of helping Queensland communities.
“Individuals who embark on and succeed in the training required to become a police officer clearly demonstrate outstanding qualities and characteristics including determination, strength and resilience,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
The 148 inductees will be sent to their new police regions in coming weeks with 32 officers going to Metropolitan North; 29 to Metropolitan South; 31 to North Coast; 31 to South Eastern; 18 to Southern; five to Central and two to Northern.
18 June, 2009
Garden awards plant
seeds of success
Tenants of social housing are being encouraged to enter the Water-wise Garden Awards to show off their gardening skills and the pride they have in their homes.
The awards are a partnership between the Department of Communities and regional tenant groups and this year feature a new edible garden category.
Launching the awards at the Boronia Heights Bushland Reserve, the Minister for Housing, Karen Struthers said the awards were now in their 12th year but still had a water-wise focus.
“The water-wise theme recognises the continued need to be conscious of saving water in the garden,” Ms Struthers said.
She said they were open to all social housing tenants across the State, including people living in community and Local Government-managed housing.
The Minister said the winning garden didn’t have to be the biggest or most expensive to win an award – simple things such as using composting materials, mulch and selecting drought-friendly plants could put a garden into the running.
“Winners will receive certificates and prizes specially selected by the Awards organisers in each region,” she said.
“I encourage all tenants to get out in the garden – not only can you win an award, you might discover a healthy hobby that will benefit your family and your community.”
Ms Struthers said entries were free but must be submitted by Tuesday, 1 September 2009.
18 June, 2009
Water Police take
boat of confidence
Queensland Water Police’s latest vessel, the Lyle M Hoey, has been launched.
Police Minister, Neil Roberts said the $3.75 million, 22-metre vessel will be based at Yeppoon, where it will enhance Queensland Police Service’s search and rescue operations, responses to marine-related incidents and its general law enforcement activities.
“The technology onboard the Lyle M Hoey will significantly improve the operational capabilities of the Water Police in Central Queensland,” Mr Roberts said.
“The inclusion of forward command centres within the vessel, combined with the latest in communication technology, will be a key benefit in maritime-related policing.”
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the vessel was a fitting tribute to Senior Constable Lyle Hoey, one of the 137 Queensland police officers to be killed in the line of duty.
The vessel was designed as a replacement for Yeppoon’s existing timber Water Police vessel of the same name. Commissioner Atkinson said it could carry up to 28 officers, as well as a tender or enforcement vessel on the aft deck that could be launched at sea.
MP for Keppel, Paul Hoolihan said he was delighted to welcome the Lyle M Hoey to its new home on the Capricorn Coast.
“I know from talking to our Water Police officers that they are excited to have this new vessel at their disposal,” Mr Hoolihan said.
“It will significantly enhance their efforts in serving and protecting the local community on the waters of the Capricorn Coast.”
18 June, 2009
Disabled enabled
in volunteer plan
A campaign to create volunteer opportunities for people with a disability has been launched by the Minister for Community Services, Karen Struthers.
Ms Struthers said the I Volunteer initiative recognised that people with a disability had unique abilities, skills and experiences that would be of great value to any community organisation
“I urge organisations on the lookout for volunteers to consider and recognise a person’s capabilities instead of overlooking them because of a disability,” Ms Struthers said.
She said many people with a disability were looking for flexible and accessible volunteering opportunities where they could use their expertise and help break down barriers in their community.
“Involving people with a disability as volunteers offers numerous benefits, such as developing stronger community partnerships, a broader understanding of diversity, and access to volunteers with a wider range of skills and motivation,” she said.
“Queensland’s army of volunteers consists of people of all ages, men, women and young people, who bring with them a common desire to make a positive difference to the lives of others – people with a disability are no different.”
The initiative also supports the Government’s commitment to boost the proportion of volunteers in Queensland by 50 per cent by 2020.
Community organisations can find out how to involve more people with a disability as volunteers by visiting www.communities.qld.gov.au or calling 13 13 04.
18 June, 2009
Study rails against
train overcrowding
The 2009 Queensland Rail Passenger Load Survey has revealed that the State’s trains are less crowded despite the fact that more people are catching them.
Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan said Queensland Rail had managed to reduce crowding levels during peak periods from 43 per cent to 33 per cent even though rail patronage was growing at about seven per cent.
“Aside from Melbourne, South East Queensland is the fastest growing urban rail network in the world so it’s pleasing to see that our investment in new trains, services and rail infrastructure is making an impact on the results at a passenger level,” Ms Nolan said.
She said the Government had added five new morning peak services to the Ipswich line and three to the Caboolture line since they were identified as priorities in the 2008 survey data.
“The introduction of eight extra morning services on the Ipswich and Caboolture lines provided capacity for an additional 6,000 people each weekday and that investment is successfully reflected in the latest results,” she said.
Ms Nolan said new trains and infrastructure were being built to provide the extra seats and services. TransLink and QR, were adding extra rolling stock at the rate of roughly one three-car set each month and the Government had committed $1.5 billion to fund 102 three-car sets by 2016.
The 2009 Passenger Load Survey revealed that passenger numbers exceeded comfort design capacity on 40 trains from 123 morning peak period services (33 per cent), compared to 48 trains from 111 services (43 per cent) the previous year; an average of 65,752 people caught train services between 6am and 9am on weekdays in March, compared to 62,517 people the previous year and there was an average of 57,286 passenger boardings for services between 3.30pm and 6.30pm in March, compared to 56,272 boardings the previous year.
18 June, 2009 Flu clinics open The number of flu clinics operated by Queensland Health is on the rise.
Clinics at Maroochydore, Mackay and Toowoomba are the latest to go into operation as the State’s number of confirmed cases with the H1N1 Influenza 09 virus continues to mount.
Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young said the clinics will assess and treat people presenting with influenza-like symptoms.
The Toowoomba clinic’s establishment follows confirmation of the H1N1 virus in tests on a St Mary’s College student and his father.
New police station The Mt Morgan Police Station has reopened after a $2 million renovation and expansion program
Police Minister, Neil Roberts said the station had begun operations in 1887 and had had only minor renovations until now.
“Station improvements include providing local police with additional office space as well as up-to-date interviewing equipment, security systems and equipment for electronic monitoring of people in custody,” Mr Roberts said.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the station would continue to strengthen ties between Mt. Morgan police and communities in Mt. Morgan Township, as well as the surrounding areas of Moongan, Baree, Struck Oil, and Walterhall.
PS pays in Tasmania Public servants are to bear the brunt of the Tasmanian State Government’s budget cuts, with 800 expected to lose their jobs.
Tasmanian Treasurer, Michael Aird reportedly said expressions of interest for voluntary redundancies would commence in the second half of this year.
Mr Aird said jobs in the health, education and police services would not be affected.
Police get bravery awards Four police officers have received the Queensland Police Service’s highest honour for acts of bravery.
Police Minister, Neil Roberts said the Queensland Police Service Valour Awards were presented, one posthumously, in recognition of the four officers’ heroic actions in responding to a disturbance on 23 August, 2003.
“Senior Sergeant Perry Irwin, Senior Constable Deane Murrell, Constable Bryce Hertslet and Detective Sergeant Bruce McNab responded to a call about a disturbance near a primary school, where an offender armed with a rifle was threatening to kill himself and police,” Mr Roberts said.
“Tragically, Senior Sergeant Irwin, the Officer-in-Charge of Caboolture Police Station, was fatally shot.
The Minister said the awards acknowledged his bravery, and that of his colleagues, in responding to the disturbance call and acting to protect their community.
Fire trucks commissioned Two new fire trucks for Yeppoon and Mt Morgan stations have been commissioned.
Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said the two trucks would significantly enhance the capacity of Central Region’s firefighters to serve the community during emergencies.
“The new vehicles are part of a $13.4 million commitment to provide new or replacement fire vehicles, and we are on track to deliver more than 30 new urban appliances to communities across the State by the end of the month,” Mr Roberts said.
During his visit, Mr Roberts toured the Yeppoon Joint Emergency Services Facility which houses the Yeppoon Fire Station and provides fire and rescue response and community safety operations to Yeppoon and surrounding rural areas.
Contractor stats The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported that in November 2008 one in 10 employed people worked as independent contractors.
According to the ABS there were 967,100 people working as independent contractors in their main job during the month and an additional 134,100 working as independent contractors in their second job.
The Bureau also found that 5% of people with jobs had found them through a
labour hire firm or employment agency with about 22 per cent being paid by the firm.
11 June, 2009
Union puts in for
job ads claim
A campaign to ensure that vacant Public Service positions are internally advertised for the next three years has been launched by the Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU).
In a notice on its website, the Union says the campaign would be a further phase in its fight to ensure employment security and agreed wage increases are delivered.
The Union said that should the Government agree to the shift in recruitment policy it would ensure all permanent, temporary and casual public sector workers affected by the recent Machinery of Government (MOG) changes can file priority applications for all other public sector jobs.
“This will ensure a fair go for public sector workers who may be spilled from their positions during the overhaul and would, at the very least, ensure that the Government doesn’t recklessly purge quality public sector workers as it seeks to refresh the services focus across Departments,” the QPSU said.
The Union has put its claim in a letter to Treasurer, Andrew Fraser.
“This is part of a considered, reasonable effort by our members to help buffer the local impact of the Global Financial Crisis, increase Government’s capacity to deliver job security and agreed wage increases, and help protect the future quality of public services,” the statement said.
On the wages front, the Union said Industrial Relations Minister, Cameron Dick had yet to reply to a letter requesting clarification on whether the Government intended to honour its commitments.
“The agreed wage increases are contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was formally signed and endorsed as an election commitment,” the Union said.
It’s to be hoped that the Minister responds within the next fortnight and explains whether the Cabinet has varied its commitments as outlined in the MOU.”
The QPSU said it will continue to actively campaign for employment security and agreed wage increases.
It’s been agreed that we will continue to actively press the Government to deliver employment security, maximise permanent employment and honour its 2008 pledge to deliver future wage increases of 4.5 per cent, four per cent and four per cent,” the Union said.
11 June, 2009
PS awards mark
public service
Public Servants have featured prominently in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List with many members of the QPS receiving recognition for excellence in service.,
The honours were announced by the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL – PSM Ian Malcolm LUCK PSM
Mackay For outstanding public service to Queensland education, particularly in the Mackay region, through leadership as Deputy Principal of Mackay North State High School.
Mr Luck has made a contribution to education as a teacher, First Year Centre Coordinator, Head of the Mathematics Department and administrator with the Mackay North State High School.
Dr Ross Andrew McKENZIE PSM
Ashgrove For outstanding public service in the area of veterinary pathology and the breadth of research into plant poisoning.
Dr McKenzie has contributed continuously to the research and diagnostic work of the Animal Research Institute for many years.
Rosslyn Ann SIGVART PSM
Dysart
For outstanding public service to Queensland Health and to the community of Dysart as Director of Nursing at Dysart Hospital.
Mrs Sigvart has been Director of Nursing at Dysart Hospital since 1983.
Marjorie Ann WEBER PSM For outstanding public service to Queensland through work on legacy issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Ms Weber has played a leadership role in the development and implementation of the Queensland Government’s responses to a range of significant legacy issues resulting from past policies and practices regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
OFFICERS OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA - AO Professor John Hemsley PEARN AO AM RFD
Newmarket For service to medicine, particularly in the areas of paediatrics and medical ethics, to medical history, and to the community through injury prevention and first aid programs.
Professor Pearn was Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health at the University of Queensland School of Medicine until 2005.
MEMBERS OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA- AM Professor Janet Elizabeth DELPRATT AM
Moorooka For service to the performing arts and to music education as a teacher of voice.
Professor Delpratt has been Professor of Music at Griffith University since 1998.
Emeritus Professor Calvin Wyatt ROSE AM
Macgregor For service to education in the areas of soil and water conservation, and to the promotion of environmental science.
Professor Rose was inaugural Head of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at Griffith University and was instrumental in establishing the Griffith EcoCentre.
Mr James Noozhumurry VARGHESE, AM
Chapel Hill For service to public administration in Queensland through the development of policy reform and implementation, and to the community.
Mr Varghese was Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries until 2008.
MEDAL IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA – OAM Adjunct Associate Professor Lesley Christine FLEMING OAM
Northgate For service to nursing through administrative and educational roles.
Professor Fleming has been Executive Director of Nursing Services at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Health Service District since 2004.
11 June, 2009
Health suffers in
audit report
An audit into the State’s long-term planning framework for a sustainable health services has found the Department of Health lacking on a number of fronts.
In his report entitled Health Services Planning for the Future, the Auditor-General, Glenn Poole, said he found “fundamental weaknesses” in the Department’s current practices.
Mr Poole said Queensland would continue to face multiple health service delivery challenges due to changing and increasing health service needs.
“To ensure a sustainable health service, the Department of Health requires an effective, long-term planning framework,” the Auditor-General said.
“Although the Department is still undergoing substantial organisational change, the audit identified fundamental weaknesses in current practices.”
Among problems identified by the audit were a lack of transparent linkages between State-wide and district service plans and varying levels of quality in plans and planning processes as a result of limited central oversight and coordination, inconsistent use of frameworks and guidance material, and inconsistent prediction methodologies.
The Auditor said there was also a lack of clear prioritisation of needs within district service plans which made prioritisation at the State-wide level difficult.
He said there was no clear linkage between service plans and the funding allocation process and resourcing implications were not identified in the majority of plans reviewed.
The audit found that implementation of the Queensland State-wide Health Services Plan 2007-2012 and related district plans were not supported by timeframes or performance indicators and there was no monitoring, evaluation or reporting framework in place.
Mr Poole acknowledged the Department’s advice that a number of initiatives were beginning which were intended to improve coordination and guidance over health service planning.
“However, momentum needs to be maintained to ensure that these new efforts produce sustainable results in a timely manner,” he said.
He recommended that the Department implement an integrated service planning process; provide adequate support to districts to build service planning capacity and ensure effective plans are produced of a consistent quality; ensure all endorsed service plans are adequately supported by resources and funding and develop and implement a framework and guidance material for implementing, measuring progress and evaluating the success of strategies within service plans.
11 June, 2009
Police make call
for phone-in day
The Queensland Police Service is to run a one-off phone-in day on June 23 to allow the community to speak up about organised crime.
Police Minister, Neil Roberts and Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson have encouraged the public to call Crime Stoppers with any information they may have.
Mr Roberts said that since the beginning of the year, police had made some significant arrests in relation to organised criminal activity involving drug trafficking and extortion.
“In terms of this event, it is important we distinguish between less structured or more random crime and organised crime,” he said.
“Organised crime involves substantial planning and is often used as a means to obtain large profits, power or influence.”
A spokesman for the State Crime Operations Command, Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Condon said the phone-in presented an opportunity for the community to provide information confidentially and without fear.
“Crime Stoppers always welcomes information from the public on crime and this will never change,” he said.
“However, this day has been set aside to specifically focus on organised crime.”
Between midnight 22 June and midnight 23 June, anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.
Callers can remain anonymous and be assured the information will be assessed and followed up by investigators across the State.
11 June, 2009
New blueprint for
planning approvals
The Minister for Planning, Stirling Hinchliffe has announced sweeping reforms to the State’s planning approvals system in a bid to speed up building developments.
He said the Sustainable Planning Bill 2009 will result in reductions in red tape and unnecessary delays, reducing costs as a result.
“It will mean developments get off the ground sooner by reducing costs, streamlining plan-making and improving assessment times via a user-friendly ‘fast track’ system,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Getting approval from Councils and State Government Departments can take months due to the layers of bureaucracy applicants need to wade through.”
He said under the Bill, a new assessment category called a Compliance Assessment – which applies to such developments as a new factory in a designated industrial estate – will see applications processed within a week.
Mr Hinchliffe said developers accessing the more efficient and accountable system would also be able take advantage of the new legislation which will allow certain applications to be deemed to be approved if they are not decided within specified timeframes.
“This results in greater certainty, faster processing and reduced costs for both the applicant and Council,” he said.
The Bill also gives Councils enhanced powers to immediately stop work on a development if, for example, it concerns work on a heritage building that is deemed out of character.
He said previous legislation, dating from 1997, had become too process driven and needed major reform.
“It served its purpose by bringing together more than 30 separate pieces of planning and development legislative arrangements into one Act, but times have changed – after a decade, the planning system is under pressure to manage continuing rapid growth and changing demographics,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“This new framework allows us to do business better and focus planning investment on major issues such as sustainability, housing affordability, climate change and population growth.”
11 June, 2009
Auditor throws books
at Council finances
A number of Local Councils have been criticised by the Auditor-General for failing to finalise their financial statements in time for audit investigation.
In his report entitled Results of Local Government Audits, the Auditor-General, Glenn Poole said the situation was “not acceptable.”
Acknowledging that some Councils had been abolished in March 2008, new ones had been created and there had been a merger of the Departments with responsibility for Local Government, Mr Poole said timeliness was still an important quality when accounting for public money.
“It is not acceptable that financial statements for 14 Councils which were abolished on 14 March 2008 still do not have auditor’s opinions issued some 12 months later,” he said.
“The lack of timeliness compromises the value of these reports.”
He said the absence of an audit opinion was because the statements had not been made available.
The Auditor-General said the environment in which some Councils reported for 12 months and others for 15 months “created difficulties” for the sector as a whole but that all should return to normal for the 2009-2010 financial year.
Mr Poole was particularly concerned with the financial statements of 12 Aboriginal Shire Councils saying only two audit opinions could be issued.
He said inadequate financial management was a significant ongoing problem for the Councils.
“There is considerable work to be done by the Government and these Councils to improve the timeliness and quality of their financial reporting.”
He said he raised this same issue in 2006 and despite the former Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation proposing strategies for improvement, “there is little evidence of success.”
He said the standard of accountability at two Aboriginal Shire Councils had been so poor that the Crime and Misconduct Commission had been unable to investigate suspected misconduct due to a lack or records and the problem seemed to be getting worse since this time last year when there had been six audit opinions issued.
The Auditor-General recommended the Government make it a priority to resolve these issues.
The full text of the Auditor-General’s comments can be found at www.qao.qld.gov.au
11 June, 2009
Main Roads booklet
is streets ahead
The Department of Transport and Main Roads had published a new booklet designed to help motorists notice and correctly interpret roadwork signs.
Main Roads Minister, Craig Wallace said the booklet, Are you seeing the signs? would add safety on the State’s roads.
“Being able to understand roadwork signs, and the order they appear in, is essential to responding safely to changed traffic and road conditions,” Mr Wallace said.
“The booklet explains which signs are most likely to be seen at work sites on major roads, the order in which they will be displayed, and how motorists should respond.”
Included in the booklet were detailed descriptions and images of various roadwork signs, including reduce speed, traffic control and speed limit signs.
“It also gives an example of a common roadwork sign sequence to demonstrate what correct signage looks like,” he said.
The peak motoring body, Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), supported the Department’s initiative while reaffirming that roadwork sites should show the correct signs.
Chief Executive of the RACQ, Ian Gillespie said the Club was encouraging the public to give feedback about roadwork sites and associated signage.
“RACQ and the Department are happy to receive any feedback to let the Department know if incorrect signage is being used at a particular roadwork site,” Mr Gillespie said.
The ‘Are you seeing the signs?’ booklet will be available from Department customer service centres and regional offices, the department’s website www.mainroads.qld.gov.au, at driver reviver stops, and at Queensland Government Agent Program offices across Queensland.
11 June, 2009
No growth found
in cancer cases
Independent research into the incidence of cancer among Queensland firefighters has failed to establish a higher than normal outcome.
Commissioned following an outbreak of brain tumours among fire fighters from the Atherton Station, the study was conducted by Monash University and collected information from over 7,500 operational full-time and auxiliary firefighters employed in Queensland between 1995 and 2006.
Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said that while the findings had some limitations such as the sample size and the length of the time period examined, it was another step in the process of developing a clear understanding of the relationship between firefighting and the incidence of cancer.
“We are committed to participating in a new national study that will seek to examine any cancer risks firefighters face over and above those of the general population,” Mr Roberts said.
“The Queensland Government undertook a study by Queensland Health in 2008 which found an elevated rate of brain cancer among staff at the Atherton Fire Station (and) one of the recommendations from the study was that further research be conducted.”
He said Monash University was commissioned to do this.
The Minister said the Government was committed to examining issues around the incidence of cancer within the fire fighting industry.
“We are not going to bury our heads in the sand,” he said.
“We want to get to the bottom of this for the sake of the health and well-being of our fire fighters and their families.”
The Acting Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Iain MacKenzie welcomed the findings.
“This is an important piece of research and it is some comfort to know the results do not show any excess in the overall rate of cancers in our fire fighters over the 11-year period examined,” Mr MacKenzie said.
11 June, 2009
State school teacher
gets top marks
A primary school teacher from Miles State School has been named one of Australia’s best.
Petrina Prain, a Year 6/7 teacher, took out the national award in the community engagement category.
Ms Prain was selected from 60 finalists nationwide and was the only Queensland winner.
Minister for Education and Training,, Geoff Wilson said Ms Prain’s innovation and dedication caught the eye of the judges.
“She used creative and engaging teaching methods to help improve her students’ literacy and numeracy skills,’ Mr Wilson said.
“One of her most successful projects involved the publication of the junior fiction book, Long Trip, Little Chicks by her 28 students in 2006.”
The Minister said the year-long project developed the students’ critical literacy skills, made writing fun, and involved the wider school community.
“The development of the children’s book also allowed them to analyse the entire publication process,” he said.
“Ms Prain’s impact on the lives of her students is clear to the whole school community – she was nominated by a parent.”
Ms Prain said seeing her father make a positive difference to many lives during more than 41 years as a Tara State School teacher is what motivated her to teach.
Now in her sixth year of teaching, Ms Prain has worked at Miles State School since 2004.
11 June, 2009
Park expansion
gets green light
The decision to add 35,000 hectares of forest to D’Aguilar National Park has created the largest national park near any State or Territory capital city central business district in Australia.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones announced the decision as part of 74,400 additional hectares of South-East Queensland forest converted to national park or conservation park.
Ms Jones said D’Aguilar was one of Brisbane’s most popular national parks.
“Now it’s expanded from 2,400 to a massive 38,000 hectares – growing more than 15 times its size,” she said.
“It now covers an area more than 170 Brisbane CBDs.”
She said the Government had added areas in Enoggera, Mt Glorious, D’Aguilar and Mt Mee Forest Reserves to D’Aguilar National Park, providing permanent protection for biodiversity and green space “in Brisbane’s backyard.”
She said the new national park formed a significant wildlife corridor for a diverse range of fauna and flora, including the giant barred frog, koala, and over 800 species of plants.
“Vegetation includes lush rainforest, tall wet eucalypt forest and open woodlands,” she said.
“Visitors can enjoy the new areas of D’Aguilar National Park by walking and cycling along a wide network of tracks, and by visiting the many lookouts, picnic and day-use areas.”
She said the more adventurous could bush-camp at one of the 10 remote campsites in the park.
The Minister said the expansion and other national park declarations brought the Government closer to its goal of converting 425,000 hectares of State forests in South East Queensland to protected areas.
11 June, 2009
Staff raise roof
over renovations
Members of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) have received compensation for having to work through office renovations.
Staff at the Mt Gravatt branch of Centrelink have had to work through noisy, disruptive conditions over the past eight months while four floors were added to the existing two-storey structure.
Responding to staff concerns, CPSU delegates, Marian Burnheim and Maggie Taylor approached Centrelink management with a claim for compensation under the Office Disability Allowance clause in the organisation’s collective agreement.
When this was rebuffed the delegates organised a full-scale campaign beginning with a staff petition followed by a collation of personal accounts by members as they struggled to work with clients despite the dust, noise and disruptions.
Management finally agreed to pay the allowance - worth $3.50 per day - from 1 October 2008 to 19 May 2009, the equivalent of several hundred dollars in back pay.
There was an additional agreement to a second payment from 19 May until the final day of construction.
Ms Burnheim and Ms Taylor said the persistence and professionalism of the Union campaign had impressed several non-union employees who had since joined the CPSU.
Ms Taylor said the action could be used as a template for similar disputes.
11 June, 2009
Schools show class
in awards scheme
Greater Brisbane regional winners in the 2009 Showcase Awards for Excellence in Schools have been announced by the Minister for Education and Training, Geoff Wilson.
“These awards are the Queensland Government’s most prestigious for educational programs,” Mr Wilson said.
“They shine the spotlight on the innovative programs in State schools throughout Queensland that cater to all types of students.”
The Minister said this was the first stage of the awards program which included selecting 24 State finalists and then announcing eight State winners in October.
He said the development grants of $1,000 provided to the winners would be a great boost for local schools.
A judging panel would now decide the 24 state finalists to receive a further
$5,000 each in grants.
“Eight state winners will be named at the Showcase Gala Dinner in October, each winning another $20,000 in development grants,” Mr Wilson said.
He announced the winners as:
Albany Hills State School for its program, You Don’t Have to be Einstein to Know the Joy of Finding Things Out;
Alexandra Hills State High School (Engaging Students – The Marriage Between Curriculum and School Culture);
Bald Hills State School (Kick Start to Learning—Early Intervention at Bald Hills State School);
Cannon Hill State School (CHSS Leading Culture Change);
Corinda Cluster (Kids' STEM Convention Inspiration, Investigation and Celebration!)
Hilder Road State School (Blue No More);
Hilder Road State School (It’s more than Prep);
Park Ridge State High School (Encouraging the Creative Heart and Mind);
The Queensland Academies Cluster (QA Young Scholars Program - Connecting Bright Sparks);
Rochedale State School (EmPowered Writing);
Sunnybank Cluster (SunnyStarters};
Thornlands State School (Igniting Writing with SPARKS);
Toowong State School (Cool Hands: Learning Language at Toowong).
Upper Mount Gravatt State School (Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies and Healthy Spirits:
Virginia State School (Music: The Virginia Way); and
Wellington Point State High School (Forward Thinking—Future Outcomes).
Mr Wilson said a full list of regional winners and their award winning programs was available on the Showcase Awards website linked to www.education.qld.gov.au
11 June, 2009
Battling students win
Long Tan bursaries
Eighteen students in Queensland are to receive up to $9,000 each from the Federal Government to help them complete their tertiary education.
The assistance is in the form of a bursary for children of Vietnam veterans and is designed to help them pursue higher learning.
Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin said the Long Tan Bursary scheme aimed to help dedicated students achieve their long-term study goals.
“More than 250 sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans have benefitted from the Bursary scheme since it was introduced in 2000,” Mr Griffin said.
Named after the Battle of Long Tan in which 18 Australians lost their lives, the Bursaries are available for tertiary students, including mature-age students, who have achieved good academic results and have overcome personal challenges to successfully complete their secondary education.
“These students have proven their determination to pursue their studies and I congratulate them on their determination and perseverance to succeed in their chosen career paths,” Mr Griffin said.
The Bursaries, totalling more than $500,000 would be presented to 56 students across Australia in the coming weeks. The scheme recognises that children of Vietnam veterans can face health and wellbeing challenges due to their parent’s service and attempts to relieve them of some financial burden so they can concentrate on completing their studies successfully.
“The Australian Government is also seeking to lift the aspirations of students who would previously never have considered university,” Mr Griffin said.
11 June, 2009
New Councils law
is rated highly
A new Local Government Act has been passed by Parliament.
In welcoming the new law, the Minister for Local Government, Desley Boyle said it replaced an Act which had reached its use-by date and was considered by many to be overly prescriptive, repetitive and difficult for Councils and ratepayers to navigate.
“The new Local Government Act 2009 has been developed in partnership with councils and communities and peak bodies such as the Local Government Association of Queensland. This legislation signals an exciting new era ahead for Queensland,” Ms Boyle said.
“Today’s Councils operate in a complex business environment and deliver a more diverse range of services and infrastructure than ever before. The environment of public administration has also changed, and ratepayers rightly expect higher standards of accountability and transparency.”
She said the new legislation would deliver this, providing Councils with the flexibility to make choices suiting their individual size, location and administrative circumstances.
“Importantly, the Act articulates Queenslanders’ expectations that their elected representatives will look after the interests of all residents,” she said.
Ms Boyle said the new Act introduces five principles that Mayors, Councillors and Local Government employees must follow when performing their roles.
“It sets clear expectations and high standards for public administration including transparent decision making, inclusive community consultation and engagement, accountability for decisions and integrity of behaviour,” she said.
“It provides the State with a complete range of educative, preventative, monitoring and enforcement powers, as well as powers of dismissal and dissolution as a last resort.”
She said the Act recognised competency and performance of Local Governments, particularly in relation to the need for long-term planning, financial sustainability and good management of assets and infrastructure.
“It provides clear expectations in terms of Mayors’ and Councillors’ roles, responsibilities and powers,” she said.
“Importantly, it will foster a culture of personal integrity and accountability for elected and administrative officials and is unambiguous about the consequences for not meeting standards.”
Ms Boyle said there would be a new system to handle complaints about Councillors’ misconduct and poor performance.
“Inappropriate meeting conduct by a Councillor, for example, will be dealt with locally through new Mayoral powers to warn and suspend Councillors from Council meetings,” the Minister said.
“A formal investigation process will also be in place, allowing allegations to be investigated by independent regional conduct review panels.
“More serious allegations or repetitive poor performance will be dealt with by the new State Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal.”
Ms Boyle said in the most serious cases of misconduct the Local Government Minister would be able to recommend to the Governor in Council the suspension or dismissal of an individual Council.
11 June, 2009
Volunteering plan
expected to pay off
A new program to attract volunteers to work on environmental projects has been launched by the Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson.
Called Green Nomads, it is a new casual environmental volunteering placement program targeting the resources and skills of Australia’s largest transient population, the grey nomads.
Mr Robertson said the initiative would offer many benefits with volunteers working to care for the environment while also building ties with fellow workers and the communities they assist.
“This is an avenue for people who may have some spare time on their hands to assist in the protection and conservation of our unique natural resources,” Mr Robertson said.
“We are so lucky to live in such a wonderful State which has rich natural resources and this is a very practical way people can help ensure these resources are maintained and protected.”
He said Queensland Water & Land Carers was preparing a new website to link interested volunteers with environmental projects in the area they live or in the areas they are planning to travel through.
Possible environmental projects ranged from tree planting to gathering seeds of local native species.
The Queensland Government is providing QW&LC with $300,000 for administration and insurance.
“It is only through awareness that people can begin to take action to protect and care for the environment and this program allows people to develop that perspective while helping natural resources management groups with the challenges they face,” Mr Robertson said.
11 June, 2009
Crossing upgrades
are on the level
Upgrading level crossings in Queensland is expected to see the first completed by the end of the month.
The Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Anthony Albanese said the upgrades were being funded from the Commonwealth’s Economic Stimulus Plan and the first eight of 66 were close to completion.
“I congratulate the State Government for moving so quickly to put Federal stimulus money to work improving the safety of our road and rail networks,” Mr Albanese said.
“Last year alone there were 18 collisions, five fatalities and four serious injuries at level crossings in Queensland.”
He said many of the accidents could have been avoided with improved safety measures in place.
He said the investment was also supporting local jobs and local businesses, who would supply the materials, during the current global recession.
Mr Alabanese said the projects nearing completion, all of which have had flashing lights and boom gates installed, were Maher Road – Gordonvale; Bluewater Drive – Townsville; Toolakea beach Road – Townsville; Ellis Road – Bellenden Ker; Schillings Road – Calliope; Edgewood Drive – Emerald; Toomulla Beach Road –Toomulla; and Hencamp Road – Kinduro.
Mr Albanese said the program was part of a $150 million Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program which would see boom gates and other safety measures installed at 292 high risk level crossings around the country.
11 June, 2009
Mt Isa mines Q150
archive display
Queensland State Archives’ 2009 Regional Queensland Exhibition Tour has landed in Mt Isa where residents have been urged to use it to celebrate the State’s 150th anniversary.
Minister for Public Works, Robert Schwarten said the exhibition, Queensland Firsts, is accompanied by free lectures on subjects such as the services and collections of Queensland State Archives; the history of Queensland by Queensland historian Professor Kay Saunders and the art of photography by Peter McNamara, former pictorial editor of Queensland Newspapers.
“Queensland has a colourful and interesting history – and the Department of Public Works is doing its part to bring that history to the people of Queensland,” Mr Schwarten said.
“Historians have delved into Queensland’s largest and most significant collection of heritage to uncover some rare treasures.”
Mr Schwarten said Queensland Firsts was a fascinating exhibition showcasing 50 defining milestones for Queensland through rare archival records, chosen by Professor Saunders, Dr Julie Ustinoff and Dr Shirleene Robinson.
“From the introduction of the first railway in 1865 to the establishment of Qantas at Winton in 1920, the firsts for Queensland have been numerous,” he said.
The Queensland State Archives Tour is visiting art galleries, museums, cultural centres and libraries and is available online at www.archives.qld.gov.au It will be at the Mount Isa Civic Centre until 27 June.
11 June, 2009 Foresters make claims A call for no job losses and the right to return to the Public Service after privatisation has been made by the workers at Forestry Plantations Queensland.
The Queensland Public Sector Workers Union wants an immediate start to negotiations following the Government’s announcement that the organisation will be sold to the private sector.
A Union statement said its members wanted to negotiate fair conditions for their future.
“Like all workers, those in the public sector have a right to job security and this is more important than ever in the face of the global economic crisis,” the QPSU said.
“Right now our members are focused on securing a comprehensive plan to negotiate future entitlements and transition arrangements for workers,”
Crisis warning on unemployment Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the Global Financial Crisis has driven unemployment in Queensland higher, threatening to add thousands more to the State’s jobless totals.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the figures underlined the need for the State’s capital works program.
“The Government’s bold reform program will put the State’s finances on a more sustainable footing for the medium to long-term,” Mr Fraser said.
“In tough times we are making the tough decisions to ensure that Queensland comes out of this crisis stronger, not weaker.”
Floodway is joint effort Cooperation between the State Government and the Murweh Shire Council has resulted in the upgrade of a local floodway on Bogarella Road north-east of Augathella.
Minister for Main Roads, Craig Wallace said the Bogarella Crossing had been upgraded with unused pile off-cuts from the Ward River Bridge project.
“Normally these off-cuts would be disposed of as landfill,” Mr Wallace said.
“With clever thinking and collaboration between the two levels of Government, these otherwise discarded resources have been used for other projects.”
Regrowth ban extended A moratorium on clearing endangered regrowth vegetation is to be extended by a further three months.
Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson said the decision followed a meeting with peak rural and conservation groups that discussed the way forward for the long-term protection of Queensland’s endangered regrowth vegetation.
“It became clear at the meeting that considering the number and complexity of submissions received and the diverse range of issues to be examined the moratorium needed to be extended,” he said.
“We want to get this right and so I advised stakeholders today this extension will occur.”
Mine safety boost The new position of Mine Safety and Health Commissioner is aimed at strengthening protections for the safety and health of Queensland’s miners according to the minister for Mines and Energy, Stephen Robertson.
Mr Robertson said the Government had also made it illegal to harass anyone who provided information about a safety concern.
“The independent statutory position would reinforce the operational independence of the Queensland Mines Inspectorate,” Mr Robertson said.
“The Commissioner will provide advice directly to me on mine safety and health issues; act as an advocate for mine safety; and provide a written report to Parliament on the performance of the Mines Inspectorate.”
4 June, 2009
Swine flu leave not
to be sneezed at
The heads of Government Departments and Agencies have received a precautionary Directive from the Minister for Industrial Relations outlining the employment arrangements to apply if a human influenza pandemic is declared.
Industrial Relations Minister, Cameron Dick said if a declaration was to occur, Queensland public sector workers who fell ill with the Human Swine Influenza would have access to special leave entitlements, to allow them to stay home and recover.
“No Public Health Declaration has been made at this stage, but we are putting these plans in place to ensure we are prepared for any potential situation, even if it doesn’t eventuate,” Mr Dick said.
“This directive provides a framework for special conditions which will apply in the event a Public Health Declaration is made.”
He said the Government’s first priority was to protect Queensland workers from the risk of illness.
“We do not want people who fall ill coming to work and infecting their co-workers,” he said.
He said any Public Service employee who fell ill with the virus would have access to an additional 20 days sick leave, if they have used up their existing sick leave entitlements.
If the worker’s child or other family member fell ill they will be entitled to up to 20 days Special Pandemic Leave, if their regular carer’s leave and sick leave has been exhausted.
Workers in the same situation will also get the 20-day entitlement if they have to stay home to look after a child as a result of a childcare centre or school being closed.
Mr Dick said if non-essential employees were directed by their agency not to attend work, or if their workplace was closed down, they would be paid ordinary salary (including work-related allowances) based on projected roster without debit to any leave account.
He said the plan would reduce both the health consequences and the social and economic impacts of any potential pandemic on the Queensland community.
“Even if a Public Health Declaration is made, we do not expect large numbers of employees will need to access these entitlements,” he said.
“However, it is essential that we keep our workforce healthy, and minimise disruption to essential public sector services as a result of employee illness.”
4 June, 2009
Whistleblower guides
strike right note
A series of workplace guides has been issued jointly by the Public Service Commission, the Queensland Ombudsman and the Crime and Misconduct Commission relating to whistle blowing in the Public Service.
The guides draw on findings from the three-year Whistling While They Work national research project, led by Griffith University.
In a joint statement, the Agencies said that reporting suspected wrongdoing was vital to the integrity of the Queensland public sector.
“These guides inform whistleblowers on what to consider before reporting wrongdoing, and assist organisations in developing a workplace where employees are encouraged to disclose wrongdoing without fear of reprisal,” the statement said, “where employees receive the necessary support and feedback, and where cases are investigated in a thorough and timely manner.”
The first Guide, Blowing the Whistle in Queensland, deals with various fundamental questions, such as who is a whistleblower? What can be disclosed in a Public Interest Disclosure (PID)? And Why PIDs are important?
A second Guide, Making a Public Interest Disclosure: A Guide for Individuals Working in the Public Sector, details the various categories that may make up a PID such as bullying or harassment, workplace conflict, health and safety, maladministration of public funds and so on.
It also deals with the question of whether the worker should consult superiors or seek redress through internal systems before making a PID.
These two Guides are currently available with others aimed at Public Service managers and organisations wishing to make PIDs to be issued later in the year.
The statement said that as an interim measure, a good practice checklist was available for organisations to evaluate existing policies and procedures and identify areas for improvement.
The checklist can be accessed at Managing internal witnesses: A good practice checklist for the public sector.
The guides can be downloaded from the Ombudsman’s website www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au
4 June, 2009
Call for PS to go
public on privacy
The Federal Privacy Commissioner has called on all Government Agencies to nominate for the Australian Privacy Awards, now in their second year. According to the Commissioner, Karen Curtis, departments and agenciesshould receive more recognition for their good work in the field of privacy.
“Often, all the public hears about is when things go amiss,” Commissioner Curtis said, “but there is also a lot of good privacy work being done.”
“So many Agencies both meet and exceed their privacy obligations and they should be rewarded for their positive contributions to making Australia a place in which privacy is respected.”
Commissioner Curtis said the Awards program was an important way of recognising and rewarding Agencies and businesses.
The Australian Privacy Awards are divided into four categories: the Symantec Government Award for Government Agencies; the Large Business Award for businesses with over 100 staff; the Small-medium Business Award for businesses with less than 100 staff; and the Community and NGO Award for not-for-profit organisations.
Nominations are also been sought for the Australian Privacy Medal, which is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to advancing privacy in Australia.
Former High Court Justice Michael Kirby took out the medal in 2008.
Winners of the 2008 Awards were: Medicare Australia, Telstra Corporation, Data Solutions Australia, the Australian Dental Association NSW Branch and the Child Support Agency.
Nominations close 6 August 2009, with the winners announced in November and more information can be obtained from www.privacy.gov.au/about/awards/
4 June, 2009
Temporaries surveyed
in full-time study
The Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) is urging temporary employees in the Queensland Public Service to complete a questionnaire about where they are employed and what they are doing.
The union plans to use the results to maximise the chances for temporary staff to obtain more permanent employment.
According to the QPSU, the questionnaire covers questions on the history of a worker’s employment, why they are filling the position, for how long, etc.
In a statement, the union said that some temporary workers were filling important positions.
“As the financial and economic situation worsens for Queensland, Departments and Agencies may look to finish long-term temporary contracts in order to make savings,” the union said.
“QPSU members are fighting to make sure that as many temporary workers as possible receive the employment permanency that they deserve.”
The union said that with a difficult State Budget on its way, Agencies will be looking to make savings and could be tempted to take the easy route and cut temporary workers to fix their budget problems.
“Not only is this a terrible situation for temporary workers, many of whom have been in roles for up to and over five years, it will also have a disastrous flow-on effect for those who remain,” the union said.
“Important work is being carried out by long-term temporary workers; if they are gone all workers will have to share that burden.”
The union also planned a comprehensive online census of long-term temporary employment across the sector and urged all temporary workers in the Queensland Public Service to become involved.
The survey could be accessed at www.qpsu.org.au
4 June, 2009
Sale unfolded to
fill Budget hole
The ongoing effects of the Global Financial Crisis have prompted the Queensland Government to announce the sale of a number of Government-owned assets.
Premier, Anna Bligh outlined the assets which would be sold over the next three to five years as the Government tries to mend a $14 billion hole in its revenue.
Saying that tough decisions had to be made, Ms Bligh predicted opposition and debate over the sales.
"But they are consistent with the immediate needs of our State’s future,” she said, “and they move Queensland forward in a way which secures our long-term future in what are the most troubling economic times in more than a generation.”
She said the decision to sell the assets was a hard one that had to be made.
“With a $14 billion hole in our revenues over the next four years, my Government was faced with the decision to cut jobs, to halve our $17 billion building program or to sell assets.”
She reiterated that jobs would be a priority and the building program would not be cut.
Ms Bligh announced the Government-owned assets to be offered for sale were Queensland Motorways Limited, The Port of Brisbane, Forest Plantations Queensland,
Queensland Rail’s above and below rail coal business; and the Abbott Point Coal Terminal.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the sales would be progressed over the next three to five years.
He said the staged program would deliver estimated proceeds of $15 billion and avoid a further $12 billion in required capital investment over the next five years – representing a benefit to taxpayers of almost $30 billion.
The Government would forgo annual estimated returns of approximately $280 million as a result of the sale program but the $12 billion in avoided capital expenditure will save Queensland around $750 million every year in interest.
Mr Fraser said the effects of the global recession meant that one third of the State’s annual budget would be wiped out over the next four years.
"Confronted with economic challenges of that magnitude it’s critical we hold our nerve and along with most Governments in the world we have chosen to stimulate our economy in the short term,” he said.
"Above all else, this decision means we not only stimulate the economy but we maintain our solid commitment to keeping Queenslanders in jobs while creating new jobs."
4 June, 2009
Rail sale redirects
non-passenger trains
Queensland Rail’s non-passenger assets are to be sold into private ownership but the passenger service assets will stay in Government hands.
The non-passenger assets include the sale of QR coal and freight the sale is expected to contribute more than $7 billion to State coffers.
Premier Anna Bligh said the Queensland taxpayer would be spared an estimated $7 billion in future capital expenditure on QR infrastructure.
"Of that money, around $500 million would have been used to build rail infrastructure outside of Queensland as part of the company’s interstate freight business,” Ms Bligh said.
"We will retain in Government ownership and control all passenger rail assets in our State."
The Premier said that passenger rail services played an increasingly important part in the role of Government.
"Passenger rail is an essential public service and public services cannot be run solely to make a profit," she said.
"We will not only retain control of Queensland Rail’s passenger services but we commit to restructuring and improving these services in the years to come.”
She said the sale meant the Government could concentrate on delivering world class passenger rail services and continue to build the roads, rail, schools and hospitals that Queensland needs.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the sale meant projects such as the $800 million Darra to Springfield Transport Corridor and the $324 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension would be finished.
"These projects alone are creating around 6,000 jobs and our record capital building program is creating many thousands more," Mr Fraser said.
Ms Bligh has said the sale of Queensland Rail’s coal assets would maximise the amount of coal that Queensland could export to the world.
"Our revitalised and reorganised coal freight system will have the capacity to move more coal to the world providing a greater return in royalties to the people of Queensland," she said.
"For example a ‘package deal’ could offer the Goonyella through Newlands to Abbot Point rail system with the sale of Abbot Point Coal Terminal.”
He said under this ‘package deal’ the private sector would build the northern missing link infrastructure needed to take the system to the next level, saving the taxpayer $3.5 billion in future capital expenditure
Ms Bligh said the Abbot Point Coal Terminal sale alone was expected to earn more than $1.9 billion and combined with the associated rail infrastructure would constitute an attractive package to investors.
The Premier said trains on systems such as the Goonyella, Newlands, Blackwater and Moura systems would be sold separately from the sale of infrastructure such as train lines and ports.
"This will enhance competition in this important sector, which will get the best result for coal companies and the Queensland taxpayer," she said.
“I would expect the resources sector to boom in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.”
4 June, 2009
Asset sell-off sees
port unloaded
The Port of Brisbane’s shipping terminal, including the port itself at Fisherman’s Island and, potentially, some major land holdings earmarked for development, are to be sold.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the sale would present an attractive return for Queensland taxpayers.
"None of these assets are linked to public services that people rely on Governments to deliver," Ms Bligh said.
"However, they can be used to pay for the infrastructure and services Queensland’s economy needs to grow and develop.”
Ms Bligh said Queensland was fortunate to have a massive portfolio of assets still under Government ownership.
"The overwhelming majority of those assets will remain in public hands, but some can be sold to deliver an enormous benefit to taxpayers,” she said.
"In return, we will see first-class projects being rolled out around South East Queensland such as three tertiary hospitals, the Airport Link, the Gateway Bridge duplication and new TAFE colleges."
She said the Port of Brisbane Corporation (PBC) was a Government Owned Corporation with total net assets worth $2.4 billion.
PBC’s other asset, the Port of Bundaberg, would be transferred to the Gladstone Ports Corporation where it will continue to operate as a Government-owned asset.
Ms Bligh said the sale of the Port of Brisbane and property around the port, Eagle Farm and Hamilton was expected to achieve a sale price of around $3.5 billion.
She said the port was a vital cog in Queensland’s economic machine, providing the main doorway for all manner of commodities from timber and metal to foods and oil. More than 30 million tonnes of commodities pass through the port every year.
The Premier said the port would be an extremely attractive asset for the private sector and its sale will ensure Queensland comes out of the global financial crisis in a stronger position then when it hit the State.
"Public assets have come and gone throughout Queensland’s history and ports are no different,” she said.
The sale of Queensland Motorways Ltd (QML) will result in the construction of a new Port of Brisbane Motorway.
QML currently carries $3 billion in debt, largely driven by the Gateway Bridge duplication, and generated $161.2 million in toll revenue last financial year.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said money saved and raised by entering into a private agreement for QML would be spent on ensuring the delivery of important projects.
"All roads and bridges will remain State owned with any leasing agreement to include provisions to ensure toll prices will be fair and equitable,” Mr Fraser said.
"Current Queensland Motorways projects, including the Gateway Motorway duplication and the introduction of free-flow tolling, will also be guaranteed under a commercial arrangement.”
4 June, 2009
Healthy report for
State hospitals
The latest report into the performance of Queensland’s hospitals has been tabled in Parliament by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Paul Lucas.
The Quarterly Public Hospitals Performance Report showed that during the March quarter the State’s public hospitals admitted more than 216,000 patients and emergency departments treated more than 373,100.
Mr Lucas said the waiting times in emergency departments continued to improve, but were still below the national targets.
“We have seen significant population growth and an ageing population, as well as a national shortage of GPs place pressure on our emergency departments and we recognise we need to do more,” Mr Lucas said.
He said that was why the Government was committed to emergency department upgrades and nurse practitioners to break hospital bottlenecks.
He said the Government’s $250 million initiative would deliver emergency department upgrades in Brisbane, Logan, Redlands, Ipswich, Caboolture, Bundaberg and Toowoomba; 89 more rehabilitation beds in Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton and 30 new nurse practitioners.
There would also be changes in regulations so patients can be discharged by a registered nurse after the assessment and consent of a doctor.
“In addition emergency department upgrades are currently underway at Robina, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Cairns and Townsville, as part of the Government’s $6 billion hospital building program,” Mr Lucas said.
The Minister said the Queensland Government had committed to making Queensland public hospital waiting times the shortest in Australia by 2020.
“That is why we have also committed to cutting by one third obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and unsafe sun exposure,” he said.
4 June, 2009
Wishes flood in
for water police
Queensland Water Police have been congratulated on reaching their 150th anniversary.
Premier, Anna Bligh, Police Minister, Neil Roberts and Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson unveiled a commemorative plaque at the Service’s base at Lytton.
Ms Bligh said water policing began with the appointment of William Thornton as the first Queensland Water Police Magistrate in 1859.
“A century and a half later, we now have 12 Water Police units based along the Queensland coast from Thursday Island to the Gold Coast and our 86 officers use world-class technology and equipment to assist in patrols and search and rescue operations,” Ms Bligh said.
Mr Roberts said the Government had recently added three state-of-the art catamarans to the Water Police fleet.
“We have provided $11.8 million in funding for the construction of three new vessels which will significantly enhance the Service’s marine-related search and rescue and enforcement capacity,” Mr Roberts said.
“The vessels will improve the Service’s ability to respond to major incidents and will assist in the day-to-day policing of remote island communities.”
Commissioner Atkinson said the history of Queensland’s Water Police featured numerous instances in which officers had shown outstanding bravery and dedication during a crisis.
“Many Water Police Officers have risked their lives to save others, including Senior Constable Ivan Adams who dived continuously for 10 hours to rescue 12 sailors from a capsized 3,000-tonne Danish dredge in 1964,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“In 1990, Gold Coast Water Police Constables Eddie Bennet, Neil Paulsen and Kyle Bates navigated through a violent storm cell to rescue two survivors from a sinking catamaran after an air rescue was ruled out.”
The Commissioner said the integrity, commitment, determination and courage of Water Police Officers had remained constant over the last 150 years.
4 June, 2009
Forests axed in
selling plan
Around $500 million is expected to be raised by the sale of Forestry Plantations Queensland (FPQ), which manages State-owned timber plantations.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the State’s forestry business was corporatised three years ago.
"We turned DPI Forestry into Forestry Plantations Queensland in 2006 to put it on a more commercial footing,” Ms Bligh said.
"Since then it has been run like a private business.
“Selling it is a natural progression and the funds raised will help us maintain our building program.”
She said privatising timber plantations should attract even more investment and enable the industry to grow and further develop.
"Last century it made sense for the Government to be involved in the timber plantation business to help get it off the ground,” she said.
"Now we have 200,000 hectares of plantations and world class timber processors who are internationally competitive.”
She said the Government had to ask itself if it really wanted to be in the business of managing forestry plantations or would revenue from the sale be better spent maintaining the building program, reducing debt and taking a step towards restoring the AAA credit rating?
"We will retain ownership of the land to protect access rights for the public,” Ms Bligh said
"We are not stepping away from the western hardwoods plan to have 20,000 hectares of hardwood plantations by 2015 and will take specialist advice as to whether the sale will include hardwood plantations. “
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said FPQ had achieved $93.8 million in timber sales and planted 5.8 million trees.
"The next step is that I will head a taskforce to put together a process that will determine, the timing, sequence and manner of the sale,” Mr Fraser said.
"We will work with the Australian Workers Union, other unions, Timber Queensland, and timber communities to ensure they are well informed about the process."
There are exotic pine plantations at Beerburrum, Passchendale (near Stanthorpe), Pechey (near Crows Nest), Toolara (near Gympie), Tuan (near Maryborough), Byfield (near Yeppoon), Ingham, Cardwell, Atherton and Cathu (near Proserpine).
He said there were hoop pine plantations at Inmbil, Brooyar (near Kilkivan), Jimna and Gallangowan, Yarraman, Kalpower (near Monto), Palen Creek and Atherton.
Hardwood plantations are around Kingaroy, Wondai, Gayndah, Mundubbera, and on the coastal plan between Beerburrum and Gympie.
4 June, 2009
Archive exhibition
goes on the record
A special exhibition at the Queensland State Archives has gone on display at the Brisbane Square Library as part of the State’s Q150 celebrations.
The display was officially opened by the Minister for Public Works, Robert Schwarten who noted the importance of this week, both for Queensland and the State of Origin Rugby League series.
The Minister said it was appropriate for the Q150 display to be in town on the eve of the Origin game against NSW.
“If Queen Victoria had not signed the Letters Patent 150 years ago this very week, there would be no State of Origin, as we would still be part of NSW,” Mr Schwarten said.
In 1859 Queensland had been a penal colony for the worst offenders, but thanks to the efforts of remarkable individuals such as Governor Sir George Bowen, Sir Samuel Griffith and Anderson Dawson, Queensland had grown into a vibrant State.
MP for Brisbane Central, Grace Grace said Brisbane Square Library would host four exhibitions - Top 150: Documenting Queensland; Queensland Firsts; Modern Milestones; and Our Queensland – until 26 June.
“Historians have delved into Queensland’s largest and most significant collection of heritage to uncover some rare treasures,” Ms Grace said.
Mr Schwarten said rugby league fans would be particularly interested in the Modern Milestones exhibition, which featured the first State of Origin series.
“Modern Milestones focuses on the past 30 years of major events and achievements in Queensland’s more recent history,” he said.
“The first State of Origin match played in 1980 at Lang Park is the first listing in the exhibition, and a truly historic event for many Queenslanders,” he said.
4 June, 2009
Finance counselling
is balanced response
The Federal Government is to fund a series of free information sessions in June for Queenslanders experiencing financial stress.
A sum of $60,000 has been provided nationally to run 20 two-hour seminars focusing on informing people under financial stress about their options and rights, as well as providing information on finding financial help.
With the global financial crisis placing increasing pressure on household budgets, many families are facing mortgage stress, credit card debt and cost of living pressures, often as a result of unemployment, sickness or family breakdown.
The seminars will be delivered by trained financial counsellors and will be held in regions where households are experiencing high financial stress due to mortgages, significant housing costs or high levels of consumer debt. Coping with Financial Stress is a pilot project under the Commonwealth’s $10 million four-year Financial counselling – enhancing existing programs (tools and materials) measure.
The project provides funding for practical tools and resources to help people build their financial management skills and take early action to avoid financial crisis.
Queensland seminars will be held at Nundah, (18 June, 6.15pm); Bundaberg, (24 June, 5.30pm); Logan, (17 June, 6.15pm); Ipswich, (10 June, 6.30pm); Southport, (29 June, 6.00pm); and Robina, (30 June, 6.00pm).
For more information, or to book a place, call 13 63 57 between 8am and
7pm (AEST) or email fis.seminar.bookings@centrelink.gov.au. Each seminar will be limited to 100 people.
4 June, 2009
Organ donor bodies
grind out agreement
A new agreement has been signed between Government and health sector organisations to unify Australia's organ donation and transplantation policies and practices.
Chief Executive of the Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority, Karen Murphy announced that 46 organisations, including all eight State and Territory Governments, had signed a National Communications Charter to improve the health outlooks for Australians requiring an organ or tissue transplant.
Ms Murphy said the signatories all agreed to work together to improve the rate of organ donations across the country
"Australia leads the world in transplantation medicine,” Ms Murphy said, “but the number of donations is low by global standards.”
She said this was due to an historic fragmented approach.
"Although there are six million people listed on the Australian Organ Donor Register, on average there are 1,800 children, women and men on a waiting list for a transplant at any time,” she said.
“But in 2008 just one third of the demand was able to be met from 259 deceased donors.”
Ms Murphy said the new Charter would create a single, national team.
“After a great deal of negotiation and hard work I am very pleased the signatories have agreed.
“It's a symbolic vote of confidence by Ministers, State health departments, industry associations, community organisations and tissue banks to lift donor activity.”
Ms Murphy said the Charter united the sector under guiding principles to communicate clear and consistent messages and dispel some of the myths and misinformation in the public arena.
"Our key message to Australians is a simple one - talk today with your partner and family about your decision to become an organ or tissue donor because they are required to confirm your wish to donate life," Ms Murphy said.
4 June, 2009
Information campaign
just for information
A new campaign has been launched to promote the State’s Visitor Information Centres and the little yellow ‘i’ that signifies where tourist information could be accessed.
Tourism Minister, Peter Lawlor said the campaign would be aimed at educating international visitors about Queensland’s network of accredited visitor information centres.
“Tourists regularly want information about unusual or off-the-beaten-track experiences, and visitor information centres give them that chance to talk with locals about what locals know best,” Mr Lawlor said.
“The Centres are staffed by volunteers who act like fountains of knowledge, responding to a wide range of questions from tourists.”
He said the Centres provide tourists with a window into Queensland communities, giving them access to real, up-to-date information straight from the people who really know what’s going on.
While 31 per cent of tourists used a Visitor Information Centre to book their accommodation and 39 per cent wanted to find out more about local tours, research had shown that many international tourists were not aware of the service.
Mr Lawlor said international tourism was a key economic driver for Queensland, with more than two million international visitors annually injecting more than $4 billion in expenditure into the economy and supporting 119,000 Queensland jobs.
“The campaign runs until the end of June and will feature on prominent websites such as queenslandholidays.com, Lonely Planet and TNT Downunder.”
4 June, 2009
Volunteer passports
get stamp of approval
A national “volunteer passport” has been proposed for emergency services authorities to speed up the process of recruiting interstate volunteers when natural disasters strike.
A proposal from the recent Council for the Australian Federation (CAF) meeting in Brisbane advocated the passport saying it would establish a streamlined, national system to allow volunteers to travel to other States to help communities fight fires or clean up after floods.
Premier, Anna Bligh, who chaired the meeting, said the proposed new system would reduce barriers across different States by reducing red tape which can currently delay the arrival of volunteers at critical times.
"This is about overcoming obstacles which can prevent volunteers travelling across State lines when individual communities are in their hour of need," Ms Bligh said.
"It would reduce red tape by ensuring that there is no need for repeated mandatory checking – like police and criminal history checks – across States, with a single, national checking process.”
She said the benefits of the system would be two-fold.
“We will be able to get volunteers to the areas they are needed faster and we can cut down on costs to both State Governments and the volunteer organisations themselves.
"Additionally, a system like this could go a long way toward attracting and retaining more people to volunteering.”
Ms Bligh said thousands of people across every State already give their time and skills to help areas devastated by natural disasters.
"We need to create a system to make it easier for them to get on with the job and help communities facing emergencies get back on their feet faster."
4 June, 2009
Fuel subsidy goes
up in flames
Fuel prices are expected to rise from 1 July in Queensland when the State Government removes a long-standing subsidy.
Announcing the decision Premier, Anna Bligh said it would make a significant difference to the State Budget bottom line as the global financial crisis saw Queensland revenues take a huge hit.
“The simple truth is that the fuel subsidy is a luxury we can no longer afford,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is a move that will make a big difference for our budget, saving around $2.4 billion over the next four years in addition to $300 million in interest payments.”
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the rationale for the decision to scrap the subsidy was also based on the fact it did not represent good value for money.
"The recent independent Pincus inquiry indentified that Queenslanders are not receiving the full benefit of what taxpayers are spending on the scheme," Mr Fraser said.
“Queensland taxpayers should not be footing the bill for interstate motorists who are crossing the border to take advantage of our system,” he said.
“A proposal by the NSW Government to abolish their tiered fuel subsidy scheme as of 1 July will only make that situation worse.”
Mr Fraser said the decision had not been taken lightly but in tough times, the focus had to be keeping the building program going and protecting Queensland jobs.
4 June, 2009
Great Sandy award
shows region has grit
The United Nations has announced that Southern Queensland’s Great Sandy Region has been officially recognised as an “internationally significant biosphere.”
Tourism Minister, Peter Lawlor said the recognition, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) would raise the profile of the area in national and international nature-based and ecotourism markets.
“Aside from containing the world’s largest unconsolidated coastal sand mass, the Great Sandy Region is also home to the world’s only vertebrate life forms that live in sub-tropical swamps,” Mr Lawlor said.
“The region contains 40 per cent of the world’s perched lakes, most of its complex rainforest growing in sand and its habitats support populations of many native Australian species which have considerably declined in other parts of the country.
Mr Lawlor said the Great Sandy Biosphere was Queensland’s second UNESCO biosphere – the first being Noosa.
“Biosphere reserves are recognised under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program as distinctive ecological regions that demonstrate innovative approaches to conservation and sustainable development,” he said.
“The Great Sandy Region was awarded the title out of a pool of 35 nominations from around the world. “
The Minister said 800,000 domestic and 200,000 international visitors went to the Fraser Coast region in 2008, supporting 7,000 Queensland jobs.
4 June, 2009 Women surveyed Public Servants have been urged to participate in a Survey on the proportion of women on boards in Australia.
The Australian virtual Centre for Leadership for Women is conducting the survey after data from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency showed the proportion of women to men on corporate boards and executive leadership roles had declined from 8.7 per cent of board directorships in 2006 to 8.3 per cent in 2008.
The survey closes on 12 August 2009 and is available at www.leadershipforwomen.com.au
Congestion plan A flexible workplace pilot program aimed at easing traffic congestion is to be launched in Brisbane.
Transport Minister, Rachel Nolan said the month-long pilot program, which includes both Government and private industry in the Brisbane central business district, encourages employees to work from home, compress their working week, and change their typical working hours.
“By encouraging working from home or staggering work hours, we can ease traffic congestion and promote a better work-life balance,” Ms Nolan said.
She said State Government Departments participating include Transport and Main Roads, Public Works (including CITEC and Qbuild), Premier and Cabinet, Public Service Commission, Justice and Attorney-General, Infrastructure and Planning, Queensland Treasury and Environment and Resource Management.
Brisbane City Council is among other organisations joining the scheme.
Convention builder named Construction company, Laing O’Rourke has been named as the builder of the $130 million Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre expansion on Grey Street at South Bank.
Premier Anna Bligh said the project would create up to 400 jobs and add five levels of boutique meetings and event space to the existing Centre.
“The expansion will create 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs over the first 15 years of operation including the construction period,” Ms Bligh said.
The expansion will be completed by 2011. Work is expected to start late this month or early next month.
Babies booming Almost 1,100 babies were delivered at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital during the March quarter.
The Queensland Health Quarterly Public Hospitals Performance Report shows that 1,099 babies were born in the period, up 4.9 per cent from the December quarter of 2008 but down almost four per cent on the 1,144 born in the March quarter last year.
The report showed that for the March quarter 2009, 3,459 patients were admitted from the elective surgery waiting lists, an increase from the 3,410 patients admitted from the waiting list this time last year.
It said nurses and doctors working in the Department of Emergency Medicine treated 31,332 patients in the March quarter 2009.
Adoption offer Applications are being sought from community organisations for the running of a new support service for people involved in adoptions.
Minister for Child Safety, Phil Reeves said the service would be part of the Government’s adoption law reforms currently before Parliament.
“People affected by adoption will have access to free telephone and face-to-face advice from Government-funded counsellors from 1 October in preparation for the introduction of the new laws in early 2010,” Mr Reeves said.
“The new adoption support service is an important element of the modern adoption system this Government is putting in place.”
Research boost for Uni New $30 million research facilities have been opened at the University of Queensland’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development, Andrew Fraser said the investment exemplified the Queensland economy’s transition from “bricks to brains.”
“The three new facilities, the Biologics Facility, the Metabolomics Facility and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, are a major step forward for research and development in Queensland,” Mr Fraser said.
“Each of the facilities is part of a wider Australian network which enables our researchers to collaborate across State and institutions and gives them access to technologies and know-how anywhere in Australia.”
