27 March, 2008
Think tanks used for
fishing expedition
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is hoping to improve communications with recreational fishers and is holding a series of think-tanks to discuss how this can be achieved.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin encouraged fishers to take part in the think-tanks to help DPI&F better target its communication and education activities.
He said focus groups would discuss what sort of information recreational fishers wanted and where they could access it.
Mr Mulherin said DPI&Fs’ range of communication tools and products such as its website and recreational fishing guide would also be critiqued and examined.
“We want to attract a cross-section of the community, particularly those who fish for fun but do not have the level of knowledge that avid recreational fishers have,” Mr Mulherin said.
“This will help to refine and refocus our communication tools and practices and ensure we are getting information to all members of the recreational fishing community, not just those ‘in the know’.’’
Mr Mulherin said an online survey had also been developed to “value-add” to the feedback from the think-tanks.
“I encourage anyone who has an interest in recreational fishing to complete the survey,” he said. “This is important information that will ultimately benefit the recreational fishing community and DPI&F.”
The survey can be accessed through the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb
Mr Mulherin said the think-tanks would be held at Southport RSL on Monday, 14 April from 6 to 8pm; Wynnum Golf Club on Tuesday 15 April from 6 to 8pm; Rydges Oasis Resort Caloundra on Wednesday 16 April from 6 to 8pm, the Magpies Sporting Club Mackay on Thursday 17 April from 6 to 8pm; the Townsville Holiday Inn on Tuesday 22 April from 6 to 8pm; and the Cairns Holiday Inn on Wednesday 23 April, also from 6 to 8pm.
He said another would be held at Rockhampton at a place and date to be confirmed.
To book a place at any of the think tanks, fishers can phone (07) 3239 0100 or email recreationalfishing@dpi.qld.gov.au with their details and those of the focus group they would like to attend.
The closing date to book a place is 5pm, Friday 4 April.
27 March, 2008
Intelligent signs a
smart traffic move
Roads and intersections with a history of crashes and accidents are to be targeted with ‘‘intelligent signage’’ as part of the $54 million Safer Roads Sooner program.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said $500,000 would be spent in the coming financial year on the signs, one of 90 new road safety projects being introduced across the State.
"Intelligent signage, which will be installed at various high-frequency crash locations around the state, can be activated by approaching vehicles or road conditions," Mr Pitt said.
"The devices are similar to the temporary electronic signage currently used by Main Roads at road works, which remind drivers of the need to reduce speed when entering the work zone.”
He said the signs would be installed permanently at sites with a history of speed or weather-related crashes.
"The types of signage that may be installed include warning speed signs, which will detect if a motorist is approaching a curve too fast and alert them of the advisory speed," he said.
Mr Pitt said the signs may also be used in areas that were affected by wet weather.
"For instance, intelligent signage can be set up so that it is activated by wet weather and advises motorists to slow down," he said.
The Safer Roads Sooner projects were funded from $31 million in red light and speeding camera fines and an extra $23 million from the Queensland Government, and approved by the Safer Roads Sooner Advisory Committee, which included key stakeholders from major road safety groups.
27 March, 2008
Paying to advertise
puts Gov’t on list
The Queensland government has been ranked 11th on a national Top 50 list of advertisers in 2007 for spending an estimated $65-70 million on advertising during the year.
According to the annual Top 50 Media Advertisers survey conducted by research company Nielsen Media, the Government spent the amount promoting tourism, the Golden casket, health and transport.
It came in three places behind Victoria and four behind New South Wales who spent and estimated $75-80 million and $90-95 million respectively.
The survey revealed the Federal Government was the biggest-spending advertiser in the nation, racking up an advertising bill of $215-220 million and beating the second placegetter, the Coles Group by $45 million.
Experts attributed the Commonwealth’s high level of expenditure to the lead-up to the Federal election and pointed out it wasn’t the first time the national Government had been the biggest spender.
The survey found the Commonwealth’s major campaigns in 2007 were those booked by the Departments of Employment and Workplace Relations, Defence, Health and Ageing and the Electoral Commission.
The survey report was based on estimated expenditure on advertising on metropolitan and regional television, metropolitan radio, national, metropolitan and major regional newspapers, in magazines, on billboards and in cinemas
Ranking third on the list was Telstra, whose 2007 expenditure was estimated at $130-135 million with the State Government of Western Australia ranking 28th with an advertising bill of $40-45 million.
Overall, Governments appearing on the top 50 list accounted for $485-510 million in advertising expenditure.
27 March, 2008
Union shines light
on darkness hour
The Queensland Public Service Union is urging its members, their families and friends to take part in Earth Hour to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The union is asking everyone to turn off all their lights and switch all their appliances off at the wall for an hour this Saturday, 29 March, from 8pm, to reduce our cities’ carbon emissions by 5 per cent.
According to the QPSU, Earth Hour 2008 would send a powerful message to the world that when many individuals took action against global warming they would had a powerful collective effect.
The union said the longer term goal was for each of us to reduce our carbon emissions by 5 per cent annually, just by minimising energy waste.
All QPSU members had received a flyer asking them to register online at www.earthhour.org.
The union urged members who registered to send an email around their workplace to introduce themselves as the local climate hero, encouraging people to register for Earth Hour.
It asks members to send an email to climate@qpsu.org.au when they knew how many of their workmates would be participating.
“It will be great if we can get over 5,000 members turning off for Earth Hour 2008,” the QPSU said.
The State Government has also reminded Queenslanders to sign up for Earth Hour 2008 in a bid to help Australia reach the ‘top rung” in efforts to take action on climate change.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara said on Earth Hour’s website, Australia was currently ranked third in the number of people who had signed up for Earth Hour, behind the US and Canada.
Mr McNamara said Australia was only 4,000 sign-ups behind the US.
He said lights on popular Queensland icons, including the Story Bridge, City Hall, the William Jolly Bridge, and Brisbane square, would be turned off during Earth Hour.
He urged everyone to sign up for Earth Hour at www.earthhour.org/sign-up to be counted in the worldwide participant tally.
The QPSU said for more information on how to host an Earth Hour event or to find organisations supporting Earth Hour, visit www.earthhour.org
27 March, 2008
Free plug for
Unplugged Day
Queenslanders would be staging their own energy reduction campaign when they take part in Queensland Unplugged Day and turn off non-essential appliances that weren’t in use on Thursday, 3 April.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara said the Day would highlight the importance of turning off standby power.
“Standby power accounts for 4 per cent of a typical power bill,” Mr McNamara said.
“It might not sound like much, but if every household in Queensland turns off unnecessary standby power it will equate to taking 130,000 cars off the road.”
He said that represented a saving of more than $74 million a year.
“Turning off standby power also means less energy consumption from power stations that rely on fossil fuels and produce greenhouse gases,” he said.
Queensland Unplugged Day was the next ‘‘call to action’’ in the ClimateSmart Living campaign, which encouraged Queenslanders to make small changes to reduce their energy use, save money on power bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“More than 75 000 Queenslanders have pledged to make changes to help the environment as a result of this campaign,” Mr McNamara said.
“The campaign encourages people to have correct tyre pressure, invest in energy saving light bulbs, and set their fridges to four degrees.”
“Small changes can make a world of difference,” Mr McNamara said.
He said anyone could take the pledge to make a difference for Queensland Unplugged Day at www.climatesmart.qld.gov.au
27 March, 2008
Old hands on deck
for Youth Week
The Office for Youth in the Department of Communities is once again coordinating the State’s involvement in Youth Week.
The week will run from 5 to 13 April this year and all young Queenslanders are encouraged take part.
The theme “Shout. Share. Live. Unite” will allow them to shout their views on issues that matter to them, share their ideas and learn new skills, live it up at Youth Week events and unite with their community.
The Office said that this year’s Youth Week would be more accessible than ever with an online competition that allowed people from anywhere in the State to share their ideas and opinions with everyone.
There were also free events being held right across Queensland.
The Office said Youth Week was an annual joint initiative by the Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments that promoted a positive profile of young people in the community.
It gave all young people aged 12 to 25 opportunities to:
* showcase their talents, contributions and achievements
* express their ideas and views
* attend live events
* raise issues of concern to them
* act on issues that affected their lives
* participate in a wide range of activities and events
Youth Week also gave the wider community opportunities to:
* listen to young people;
*acknowledge and celebrate the contribution they made to their local communities; and
* promote a community focus on issues of concern to young people
For more information on Youth Week, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/youth/youthweek/ or phone (07) 3008 8622 or email nyw@generate.qld.gov.au
27 March, 2008
Ports weather storm
to boost economy
An economic impact study has found that seaports managed by the Ports Corporation of Queensland were major contributors to the State economy.
The study found seaports generated almost 4,400 jobs and contributed $1.14 billion to regional economies in the past financial year, equivalent to about 0.03% of gross State product.
The study found that PCQ seaports also generated over $230 million in household income and an estimated 4,368 jobs (full-time equivalent), or 0.02% of total employment in Queensland.
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said the PCQ study quantified the significant contribution made by PCQ ports to the regional, State and national economy.
"In the past five years, there has been a 58 per cent increase in the ports’ contributions to Queensland's economy and a 36 per cent increase in jobs generated," Mr Mickel said.
"Our regional ports generate widespread benefits that underpin a large proportion of Queensland’s export trade."
He said PCQ was one of Australia’s largest port authorities by tonnage throughput and more than half of Queensland’s exports, by tonnage, passed through its ports.
“In the past financial year, throughput for all ports totalled 121.1 million tonnes,” he said.
Mr Mickel said the study emphasised the widespread benefits regional ports generated by facilitating a large portion of Queensland’s export trade.
He said the PCQ ports shipped a range of bulk commodities including coal, sugar, molasses, silica sand, bauxite, zinc, live cattle and general cargo.
Mr Mickel said the study showed PCQ ports were a lifeblood for numerous regional communities.
“Their economic impact extends far beyond the waterfront and into every Queensland city and town with almost $230 million going to Queensland families through pay packets from port-related jobs at these ports alone,” he said.
The study found the economic impact of the eight PCQ ports that were included in the study totalled $575 million of direct economic input and $565 million in flow-on effects.
The ports generated 1,811 jobs through direct full-time employment and another 2,557 in sectors including finance and business, wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing.
There were 1,951 commercial cargo ship visits during the year.
A full copy of the EIS can be accessed at www.pcq.com.au
27 March, 2008
Transport inspectors
to calm traffic
Queensland’s roads are safer today with the appointment of 19 new transport inspectors specially trained to enforce safety requirements on the State's roads.
The new recruits will fill nine existing vacancies as well as 10 newly created positions.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the recruits would enable the Government to keep pace with the tremendous growth in vehicle traffic on the State’s roads and ensure that vehicles were in a safe condition and complied with all statutory regulations.
"To prepare them for the challenges they will face on Queensland's roads, the recruits have just taken part in a three-day compliance activity at Maryborough and Hervey Bay,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the light-vehicle part of the training in particular provided a valuable reminder to the travelling public of the need to consider the safety of their vehicles.
He said the three-day extensive training exercise involved on-road and static operations in day and night conditions, including:
* Heavy Vehicles - covering; fatigue, mass, over-dimensional, defects, and load restraint requirements;
* Light Vehicles - conducting defective vehicles checks and registration checks; and
* Passenger Transport Vehicles – checking basic compliance requirements on taxi's and buses.
27 March, 2008
Roads making tracks
for ATSI trainees
The Department of Main Roads has unveiled a program that offers Indigenous trainees the chance to gain conservation and land management skills.
Main Roads Minister, Warren Pitt said the landscaping and revegetation program at Tarragindi showed the ongoing success of the year-long traineeship program, which had reached its halfway mark.
He said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship to Employment Program was a joint initiative of Main Roads, Greening Australia and Jagera Daran Pty Ltd, offering 12-month traineeships for local Indigenous people, as well as opportunities for long-term employment with Main Roads.
“As well as completing a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management, these trainees have learnt practical landscaping skills and done an excellent job beautifying several Main Roads-owned green areas around Brisbane," Mr Pitt said.
"While there's still a lot of work ahead of them before they receive their full qualifications, the trainees are gaining valuable hands-on knowledge along the way."
He said the trainees at Tarragindi had carried out landscaping and replanting to enhance facilities for the local community and improve safety for users of the adjacent bikeway.
The Minister said the program was a Brisbane first for Main Roads, which had run similar successful employment and training partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities around the State.
“Further north, projects such as the Thomson River bridge near Longreach and the Split Rock Inca Alliance on the Barkly Highway have proven the benefits of these partnerships,” Mr Pitt said.
The traineeship initiative was launched in October 2007 to open new career possibilities for Indigenous people.
The Minister said the program aimed to increase the pool of skilled landscaping and maintenance workers in Brisbane as well as providing possible long-term employment opportunities for participants with Main Roads.
27 March, 2008
Female paramedic
is good SORT
The Department of Emergency Services has appointed its first female Special Operations paramedic.
Jo Rogers was quite literally diving in the deep end as she joined the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) for fitness training in Brisbane this week.
“I’ve been in training for this position for a year now and that should be beneficial for the physical demands of this role,” Ms Rogers said.
Six SORT paramedics were put through their paces at Kedron.
During the training, paramedics were required to swim underwater for 15 metres wearing full uniform and boots, complete a 200 metre swim in less than 8 minutes in full uniform and tread water for 10 minutes.
At the completion of the swim tests the paramedics were required to complete a 3km pack march wearing a 25kg backpack in 30 minutes.
SORT Manager, Gerard Rabelink said the training was both mentally and physically demanding.
“It is designed to deliver the highest standard of care effectively and efficiently in what can be a dangerous environment,” Mr Rabelink said.
“Our SORT paramedics can find themselves in unexpected and dangerous situations which require a level of peak physical ability and this training will help build their endurance for deployments.”
27 March, 2008
Wise Councils to
meet by next week
Local Government Minister, Warren Pitt expects that all the State’s 73 newly elected Councils will have held their first meetings by the end of next week.
Mr Pitt said the calling of the first meeting was the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer of each Council, with the timing governed by provisions of the Local Government Act.
“The first meeting of the newly elected councils must be within 14 days after the poll for each Council is declared," he said.
Mr Pitt said under the Act, the Returning Officer for each Council poll had to declare the poll as soon as practicable after the result was known.
He said each of Queensland’s 31 newly merged councils had an Acting Chief Executive Officer.
27 March, 2008
Trainees fly in to
Cairns Airport
The Australian Customs Service has welcomed 20 entry-level trainees to Cairns Airport.
Operations Manager at the airport, Renae Hutchinson said Cairns was the only regional centre that conducted entry-level training for Customs.
She said the 20 new trainees were mainly from Cairns but also came from Brisbane and Darwin.
Ms Hutchinson said the group would undertake an extensive 26-week training program covering areas including security, counter terrorism, Customs legislation and powers, passenger assessment, baggage examination, cargo, tariff and trade facilitation.
On graduation the new officers would work primarily at Cairns International Airport.
"But completing the course and being based in Cairns is not all about working at the airport," Ms Hutchinson said.
"The Cairns office employs the largest number of Customs officers based outside of a capital city, so there are tremendous career opportunities across a variety of areas.”
She said Cairns was the headquarters for enforcement operations for an area stretching from the Torres Strait in the north to Bundaberg in the south.
The latest group of trainees was expected to graduate and begin work at the airport in September.
27 March, 2008
Superbus trial is
just the ticket
A trial of high-capacity “superbuses” is to be undertaken on the TransLink network and vehicle-manufacturing companies from around the world are being invited to run it.
Premier Anna Bligh said fighting traffic congestion was one of the Government’s top priorities.
"One of the best ways to do that is to squeeze every last drop of efficiency out of our public transport networks,” Ms Bligh said.
She said superbuses had the potential to significantly increase the carrying capacity of the bus network, particular on Brisbane's popular busway network.
She said if more than one company had a vehicle that might meet the State’s needs, the Government would consider trialling multiple vehicles at the same time.
"For a vehicle to be considered it needs to have a carrying capacity of at least 100 passengers – well in excess of a regular articulated, or banana, bus,” she said.
"If a vehicle, or vehicles, is found through the submission process that meets our requirements we would then undertake a process to get the vehicles built and delivered so that we can conduct a trial in a live environment on a real Brisbane route carrying regular passengers.”
She said the vehicles would most likely be bi-articulated buses with three compartments and an extra axle.
A variety of different engine types were possible, including hybrid systems and ultra low-sulphur diesel.
“To be considered a vehicle would need to demonstrate a very high level of environmental performance, especially with regard to emissions reduction technology,” she said.
The closing date for submissions from companies is 9 May.
27 March, 2008
Traffic control to
count on tows
The Department of Main Roads has contracted the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland to provide a free, quick-response towing service to keep Brisbane traffic flowing and hassle free.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the new service would cut congestion by removing broken-down vehicles from the road quickly and safely.
"A single break-down can bring peak-hour traffic on major arterial roads to a grinding halt, which has a disruptive flow-on effect for other commuters,” Mr Pitt said.
“With a fleet of tow trucks strategically located around the Brisbane area, the service will target reaching broken-down vehicles within 15 minutes of notification during peak times and within 30 minutes in off-peak times.”
MP for Mansfield, Phil Reeves launched the during a demonstration event at RACQ headquarters at Eight Mile Plains.
He said the service would cater for any vehicle under 2.5 tonnes, including family and small commercial vehicles that broke down on a state-controlled road in the greater Brisbane area.
“Vehicles will be removed free of charge to a predetermined safe drop-off point off the main road, where drivers can then wait safely for their chosen towing service,” Mr Reeves said.
“Stranded motorists can organise the free assistance by calling the Brisbane Traffic Centre on 13 19 40, or from any of the blue help phones along major arterials.”
He said the service used dual-cab RACQ towing trucks with the capacity to fit five family members, including two baby seats, meaning passengers would not be left stranded on the side of a motorway.
"For the past three years, a similar free service has been offered to motorists along sections of the Pacific and Gateway motorways,” he said.
"This new service will extend those benefits to more of the road network, including the Bruce Highway, Western Freeway, Deagon Deviation, Houghton Highway bridge and the Ipswich Motorway.”
The service had also been expanded along the Pacific Motorway and the Gateway Motorway so that it was available along all sections of these roads.
27 March, 2008
Water savings come
out in the wash
The State Government has thanked the people of South East Queensland for their ongoing efforts to save water.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas used the occasion of World Water Day on 22 March to say the community was leading the way out of extreme Level 6 water restrictions.
“Along with a better wet season, residents are the real champions behind our improved water situation,” he said.
He said South East Queenslanders had responded magnificently to the drought and made saving water part of their everyday lives.
“This is one of the main reasons why the Queensland Water Commission has judged it is safe to make the first relaxation of restrictions when our dams hit 40%,” the Deputy Premier said.
“Just having a 4 minute shower instead of 7 minutes can save up to 36 litres of water,” he said.
The Queensland Government continued to play its part, with work on the $9 billion Water Grid recently passing the halfway mark.
"Construction is forging ahead on the 450km-long Water Grid, which will provide unprecedented water security for South East Queensland,” Mr Lucas said.
“More than 247km of pipe has now been layed, that’s almost 55 per cent of the total.”
He said on the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project, more than 142km was in the ground, which represented more than 69 per cent of the 205km total.
27 March, 2008
Icon call attracts
stand-out plans
Three areas of Queensland have put their hands up to be declared ‘’iconic’’ under the new Iconic Queensland Places Legislation.
The Government has received their expressions of interest and will be assessing their claims in the coming weeks.
According to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, the Livingstone Shire Council nominated 21 sites for consideration; the Isisford Shire Council proposed the entire shire be declared; and the Blackall Range Land Use Planning Association put forward the Blackall Ranges.
Mr Lucas said the former Douglas and Noosa Council areas were identified as iconic under the new Act, so the special character residents and visitors treasure so dearly would not be threatened by future development.
“Over the coming weeks, these new submissions will be assessed to decide if the nominated places meet the criteria for iconic status,” Mr Lucas said.
He said the criteria defined in the legislation included:
* the characteristics or qualities of the place’s natural or built environment reflected or contributed in a substantial way to Queensland’s character; and
* the place was under pressure from population growth and new development; and
* there was a demonstrated threat to the characteristics or qualities; and
* local planning instruments for the place contributed in a substantial way to the protection of the characteristics or qualities; and
* there was substantial support by the local community in the place for the making of the declaration.
“I want to make it very clear that this legislation will only protect the qualities and values already identified through existing planning schemes,” Mr Lucas said.
“It recognises the hard work of those communities and Local Governments who have identified what they value about their own place, and protected those qualities through local planning schemes.”
Under the legislation, the Minister has until June 30 to declare additional iconic places.
27 March, 2008
Readers to bookshop
The Queensland Government Bookshop is selling boxed sets of the 1948 Queensland School Reader.
The readers, introduced to schools in 1914, were an important part of school life in Queensland for more than 50 years.
The facsimile edition of the 1948 series includes full-colour plates and the full set of 11 costs $77.
OFT has form
The Office of Fair Trading has updated a number of forms since becoming part of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
Legislation and programs affected include the Associations Incorporation Act 1981, Associations Incorporation Regulation 1999, Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000, Collections Acts 1966, and the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act 2000.
A transitional period of two months will be allowed while stocks of the old forms run down but they will have to be replaced by 1 April.
For more information about the correct forms to use, visit www.faritrading.qld.gov.au
Water plan welcomed
The Government has welcomed the Draft South East Queensland Water Strategy as an endorsement of its $9 billion Water Grid.
The Strategy is a long-term plan to learn from the current drought and provide water for the next 50 years.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas said the Queensland Water Commission was saying that once the drought breaks, the Water Grid should be all that’s needed for at least the next two decades and maybe as far ahead as 2042.
Police stunners
All 37 frontline general duties Police Officers in Dutton Park are to have access to tasers for three months to gather more information on their use.
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said Dutton Park had been chosen because it was an inner metropolitan, medium-sized police station that dealt with a variety of crimes, issues, and public events in a community with a wide demographic.
Mr Atkinson said tasers had been trialled across three regions since last July but the trial was limited to District Duty Officers and Regional Duty Officers, who were usually the rank of Senior Sergeant and Inspector.
Communities in the money
More than 500 community groups across Queensland are eligible to receive grants of up to $30,000 each from the latest round of the Queensland Government’s Gambling Community Benefit Fund.
The grants total more than $9 million and are available to Queensland not-for-profit organisations for a range of projects in their local communities.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said returning gambling revenue back into the community in this way helped ensure that the whole State benefited from gambling.
Fare result for taxi card
Queensland's new Taxi Subsidy Smart Card has already been used for more than half a million trips by eligible mobility-impaired people.
Transport Minister, John Mickel said the card, with photo identification, was introduced to simplify and improve the security of the Government's taxi fare subsidy scheme.
He said te Government paid half the taxi fare for eligible scheme members up to a limit of $25 a trip and at its peak, the card had been used for 7,3000 trips on one day.
20 March, 2008
New look for QPS
is Premier’s vision
A new Public Service Commission, Administrative Tribunal, Expenditure Review Committee and productivity dividend are among five major reforms to the Queensland Public Service announced by Premier, Anna Bligh.
The fifth initiative is a review of all Government boards and statutory bodies with a view to cutting both their numbers and cost.
Ms Bligh said the changes represented the most wide-ranging set of reforms to affect the QPS in a decade.
“As Premier I am determined to ensure that we have the best public-sector framework in place to get the best results,” she said.
The Premier said that to maintain the state’s strong economic position tough decisions needed to be made.
“Delivering frontline services needs to be our priority,” she said.
The new Public Service Commission would be created by amalgamating the Service Delivery and Performance Commission with the Office of the Public Service Commissioner.
Ms Bligh said both the Office of the Public Service Commissioner and the Service Delivery Performance Commission were aimed at improving the management of Government business and the capacity to deliver it.
“By amalgamating the two bodies we believe we can save money and deliver greater efficiencies.
She said both the current independent Commissioners, John Story and Marian Micalizzi, had agreed to continue with the new body.”
She said they would be joined by senior academics Dr Anne Tiernan and Dr Jackie Huggins and business representatives James Strong and Ann Sherry.
The new Commission was expected to running by July 1 this year.
Ms Bligh said the amalgamated Civil and Administrative Tribunal would replace about 26 different tribunals across the State.
Attorney-General, Kerry Shine said former Justice Glen Williams would oversee the creation of the Tribunal.
“He will be assisted by respected lawyers Peter Applegarth and Julie-Anne Schafer,” Mr Shine said.
It was intended to have the new Tribunal up and running during the second half of 2009.
Ms Bligh said the productivity dividend was expected to result in more than $80 million a year being freed up for redeployment to frontline services such as health and education.
The Expenditure Review Committee, including an independent outside expert, would monitor and prioritise spending across Departments and Agencies and deliver the productivity dividend.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the move was not about slashing jobs.
“There will be no forced redundancies among the Public Service but there will be some decisions that take leadership and vision to achieve better value for money,” Mr Fraser said.
The Review Committee would be chaired by the Premier and include the Deputy Premier and Treasurer.
The former CEO of Metway Bank and current board member of Sunwater, Greg Moynihan, had accepted the position of independent appointee on the Committee.
Ms Bligh said she had also instructed that a review of the 600 plus Government boards and statutory bodies be undertaken to review their effectiveness.
“Professor Pat Weller, the Chair of Governance and Public Management at Griffith University and Simone Webb, a former Deputy Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, will lead this review.”
The Premier said it would be completed by the end of the year.
20 March, 2008
QPSU climate effort
poised to make waves
The Queensland Public Sector Union has launched its ‘Climate Heroes’ campaign, in which more than 500 “heroes” will reduce significantly the greenhouse emissions from their homes, workplaces and communities.
Staged in collaboration with the Australian Conservation Foundation, the campaign follows a 2007 survey in which 80 per cent of QPSU members rated climate change in their top three issues for the Federal election.
The QPSU’s Alex Scott and ACF’s Don Henry said the program exemplified the cooperation needed at all levels of society to address the global warming challenge.
They said the Climate Heroes, supported by 29,000 QPSU members and their colleagues, would complete ‘‘hero missions’’ every four weeks around themes like waste reduction, transport, energy efficiency and even climate-friendly food.
Missions included educational components for heroes to share with colleagues – on climate impacts, Government policy and everyday sources of greenhouse pollution – as well as simple practical initiatives for homes and workplaces, such as:
* Workplace participation in events like Earth Hour and World Environment Day;
* Support for sustainable transport options – walking, cycling or car-pooling;
* Energy-efficient practices for lighting and computer systems; and
* ‘Sustainable’ Christmas parties.
They said hundreds of QPSU members had already agreed to become Climate Heroes and if the program was successful, the collaborative model might be expanded to include other unions in future years.
20 March, 2008
New Mayors on top
at summit meeting
A summit of all newly elected Mayors is to be held in Brisbane to herald in the arrival of new Local Government arrangements across the State.
Premier Anna Bligh will host the summit on Thursday, 27 March at Parliament House.
“Queenslanders are now represented by larger, stronger Councils that are far better equipped to take on the tough challenges ahead, particularly in the regions,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is a significant reform and I want to work with every Mayor to make the most of the opportunity.”
The Premier said the summit meeting would be an opportunity to bring State and Local Government leaders together to discuss immediate issues such as the integration of services across regions and other aspects of the transition process for merging Councils.
“While transition committees have done a great job across the State, I know many new Councils are anxious to ensure next six months go as smoothly as possible and the State Government will offer them all the assistance we can,” she said.
“For all Councils, there are other important issues to canvass, including capacity building for Councils and improving accountability to ratepayers through better performance management and reporting frameworks.”
Ms Bligh urged her fellow Queenslanders to be patient as the new Councils worked through issues.
“New Mayors are charged with the task of bringing staff and organisational cultures together and this won’t happen overnight,” she said.
“However, I have confidence the challenge will be met with enthusiasm and determination as new Mayors lead Councils into this new era,” she said.
20 March, 2008
Logbooks hooking
onto fisheries data
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has been congratulated for 20 years of collecting information from its Commercial Fisheries Information System or CFISH.
The Department reached the milestone this year.
Minister for Fisheries, Tim Mulherin said since starting in 1988, more than 10 million records outlining commercial fishing activity and catches in Queensland had been entered into the CFISH system through commercial fishing logbooks.
“The first logbooks were issued in January 1988 to the commercial industry which at that stage totalled some 2000 operators,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“When the program began just two logbooks were used by the industry – one for otter trawl fishery and one for all the other fisheries.”
He said now some 1600 commercial operators were required to fill out logbooks covering 20 different fisheries throughout Queensland.
The logs recorded daily fishing locations, catch by species and types of fishing gear used by each boat operating in the fishery.
Mr Mulherin said among the facts gleaned from this information were:
* The total value of Queensland-managed fisheries is just over $200 million;
* The total seafood catch in 2006-07 was 25,000 tonnes;
* The top three species in catch were: king prawns at 2700 tonnes, scallops at 3000 tonnes and mullet at 1300 tonnes; and
* The top three species in value were king prawns at about $32 million, coral trout at $29 million and tiger prawns at $26 million.
CFISH manager, Lew Williams said the information also fed into national statistics and provided information such as the value of individual species, fisheries and the industry as a whole in Queensland.
Summaries of commercial catch and effort information were available on the Coastal Habitat Resources Information System website and further information on logbooks or commercial fishing was available at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb
20 March, 2008
Energy regulator to
turn the heat up
The Director-General of Mines and Energy has been ordered by his Minister to demand electricity and gas retailers lift their game.
The Minister, Geoff Wilson, said he told Dan Hunt that if electricity and gas retailers failed to look after their customers, they should face the full consequences of their actions.
“There are stiff penalties in place and ultimately, they could lose their licence,” Mr Wilson said.
He said the Director-General had regulatory powers under the Act and he would “back him to the hilt in exercising those powers”.
Last week, the Director-General issued a show cause notice to one energy company after reports that some pensioners were missing out on their electricity rebate from the State Government.
Mr Wilson said, “To add insult to injury, those same customers were being wrongly charged for the ambulance levy.”
“I immediately contacted senior executives … and told them in no uncertain terms to fix it, and fix it fast,” he said.
The Minister said he told other electricity and gas retailers to make sure their own houses were in order and, as a result, another had contacted the Department and reported that a number of their customers were in the same boat.
“A show cause notice has been issued,” Mr Wilson said.
20 March, 2008
TV report judged an
Affair to forget
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that a television report critical of a Queensland Government Minister and his Department was inaccurate and the TV station that aired it failed to correct the inaccuracies.
Main Roads and Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said the multiple findings by ACMA had vindicated his decision to lodge a formal complaint about the program’s behaviour.
ACMA found that the licensee of QTQ Brisbane, Queensland Television Ltd, breached the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2004 in several broadcasts of A Current Affair about Government support for children with autism which were critical of the then Queensland Minister for Disability Services and his Department.
ACMA found that factual material was not presented accurately in five instances and that Queensland Television Ltd had failed to correct the significant errors of fact at the earliest opportunity.
The Authority said it was the fourth investigation since 1 January 2005 finding that a Nine Network licensee broadcasting the A Current Affair program had breached the Code.
Mr Pitt said, “This report has been a long time coming, but it has been worth the wait.”
“I believe it is important for television programs such as A Current Affair to be held to account for their actions, which is what I have done in this case.”
He hoped that as a result of the ACMA report, and the training that its reporters and producers would now undertake in how to comply with the commercial television industry Code of Practice, A Current Affair “won’t struggle quite so much in future with presenting factual material accurately”.
ACMA said that after discussions with the Nine Network about the seriousness with which this matter was viewed by the Authority, the Network had offered to broadcast an announcement which would include an outline of the main findings of the ACMA investigation, the number of breach findings and a correction of the issues that were subject of the breaches.
It said the announcement would be aired during A Current Affair in all Queensland licence areas in which the relevant editions were broadcast.
20 March, 2008
Smoke review finds
fiery attitudes
A review being conducted by Queensland Health has revealed that many people want the State’s smoking laws to be made tougher.
Premier Anna Bligh said despite Queensland having the most comprehensive anti-smoking laws in the country, the Queensland Health review revealed a desire in the community to expand them further.
She said more than 550 Queenslanders have provided online feedback, including:
* 91 per cent of respondents who supported the prohibition of smoking in vehicles carrying children under the age of 16;
* 91 per cent who supported giving Local Government the power to regulate smoking in pedestrian malls;
* 91 per cent who supported giving Local Government the power to prohibit smoking at all public transport waiting points; including bus shelters and ferry wharves;
* 90 per cent who supported increasing the 4m distance from building entrances where smoking is banned; and
* 87 per cent who supported removing the current exemption which allowed smoking in premium gaming rooms.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said a further 49 written submissions had been received from industry groups, employee groups, health organisations, Local Councils and Government agencies.
“Queensland Health is currently assessing the submissions and I expect to take recommendations to Cabinet in coming weeks,” Mr Robertson said.
“Smoking is one of the leading contributors to premature death – killing more than 3,000 Queenslanders every year,” he said.
20 March, 2008
Ambulance races to
reward long-timers
Two officers of the Queensland Ambulance Service based in Toowoomba have been formally recognised for impressively long service.
Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts presented QAS Facilities Management Branch acting project co-ordinator, Michael O’Mara and Area Director (Eastern), Glen Maule with their medals for 35 and 30 years of service respectively.
He said their combined service almost reached seven decades.
Mr O’Mara was presented with the National Medal 2nd Clasp (35 years), while Mr Maule received the Long Service Medal 2nd Clasp (30 years) at a ceremony to coincide with the opening of the new Roma ambulance station.
Mr Roberts said Mr O’Mara originally signed up as an honorary Ambulance Officer in Bundaberg in 1971 and in 1974 was taken on as a permanent driver-bearer in the same city.
“In 1997, he was appointed to his current role as Regional Manager of Operational Support for the South West Region, based in Toowoomba,” the Minister said.
Mr Roberts said Mr Maule joined QAS in 1977 as a driver-bearer and worked his way through the ranks as a training officer and operations coordinator and was currently the Area Director for the Eastern Area looking after 10 stations from Gatton in the east to Chinchilla and Tara in the west.
20 March, 2008
Big wheels ride
bikes for charity
Former Olympic gold medallist Duncan Armstrong officially started a bicycle ride that covered no ground at Police Headquarters this week.
Armstrong waved the starting flag at 7am on Wednesday for the Ride for a Reason bike ride.
Three riders - former Police Officer, Mark Turner, QPS solicitor Angelo Venardos and Police Officer, Sergeant Brett Price cycled 150km to raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run and the Tour De Kids ‑ all without leaving their headquarters.
The riders were set up on three static training bikes in the foyer so supporters could cheer on the challengers.
World champion triathlete Brad Beven also dropped by to give his support during the day.
Sergeant Price said they were riding to raise money and awareness for intellectually impaired people and sick children.
“We are happy to support the charities which highlight the awareness of the Special Olympics program and helping chronically or terminally ill children,” Sergeant Price said.
“We hope to raise $5000 on the day which will be shared between the two charities.”
20 March, 2008
Fraud Fortnight does
the trick for scams
A massive jump in the number of scam complaints received by the Office of Fair Trading was the outcome of “Fraud Fortnight”, which finished on 8 March.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine said there were 98 complaints during the fortnight ‑ a 56% increase compared to the three previous fortnights.
“There were more than 2,800 hits on the website which is a 39 per cent increase on the previous three fortnights,” he said.
Mr Shine said despite the increase in complaints, the overwhelming majority of people didn’t report scams because they felt they had been duped, and were willing to lose their money without complaining out of fear of embarrassment.
“Last year the Office of Fair Trading received 1625 complaints about scams and these figures are only a fraction of the number of scams we know are circulating in the community,” he said.
“I urge people who have been caught out by these scams to come forward as this is the only way these crimes can be investigated.”
“By putting aside your embarrassment at losing money and making a complaint you could prevent other people being ripped off.”
The Attorney-General said if anyone suspected that someone was using a scam to rip them off, they should immediately contact the Office of Fair Trading on 13 13 04 or the police.
20 March, 2008
Libraries launch
new paper chase
Australia’s libraries have banded together to track down old newspapers.
The Australian Newspaper Plan is a nation-wide initiative of State and Territory libraries designed to find, collect and preserve access to historic newspapers.
National spokeswoman for the ANPlan, Cathy Pilgrim of the National Library of Australia in Canberra, said newspapers did not just report the news, they told stories of their times, through advertisements, photographs and even their design.
“The aim is to find the thousands of missing pieces in the jigsaw of our history,” Ms Pilgrim said.
“Old newspapers are an important part of our social, political and cultural history and they offer valuable insights into a society changed forever.”
Some of Australia’s most wanted newspapers include: Cairns Advocate (1897-1882); Croydon Miner (1887-1888); Mundic Miner and Etheridge Gazette (1889-1917); Pilbarra Goldfields News (1901); Mercury and South Australian sporting chronicle (1849-1851); and Renmark Pioneer (1893-1895).
“Often a chance conversation uncovers these wanted papers which may have been lying hidden in someone’s garage, in an elderly person’s collection of keepsakes, or even in the vaults of a local historical society or archive,” Ms Pilgrim said.
Once the wanted newspapers had been tracked down, they would be carefully saved to ensure their preservation for future generations of Australians. Access would be made freely available through the National Library of Australia and State and Territory libraries.
For a full list of the wanted newspapers from all states of Australia, visit www.nla.gov.au/anplan
20 March, 2008
State apprentices
making a skilling
Queensland’s response to the skills shortage crisis has been better than other States, with apprenticeships and traineeships being taken up faster than the national rate, according to Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford.
Mr Welford said Queensland recorded about 63,200 new apprentice and trainee commencements in the 12 months to 30 September, 2007, a 13 per cent increase on the 12 months ending 30 September, 2006 – well above the national increase of 5 per cent.
“Around 22 per cent of commencements were in traditional trade areas, many of which are experiencing chronic skills shortages,” Mr Welford said.
He said completions in Queensland were equally impressive for the September quarter with about 7000 apprentices and trainees finishing their courses.
“Apprenticeship and traineeship completions for the year ending 30 September, 2007 increased by over 9 per cent to 31,000, compared with the same period in 2006,” he said.
“That’s more than double the national increase of 4 per cent.”
Mr Welford said the Government was encouraging completion rates through its ‘’Train to Retain’’ program and ‘‘Early Completion Bonus’’ scheme.
He said since its introduction last year, the $1000 bonus had helped 2000 eligible apprentices enter the workforce as fully qualified trades people.
20 March, 2008
Degree of quality
in new Uni law
The State Government has moved to ensure Queensland tertiary institutions operate to the highest national and international standards.
Education and Training Rod Welford has introduced a Bill into Parliament to provide a common national framework for regulating the operation of universities.
Mr Welford said the Higher Education (General Provisions) Bill would create a new Higher Education Act to implement new national protocols which would ensure consistent criteria and standards for higher education approval processes across Australia.
“In practical terms, this means there will be a common framework for regulating the establishment and recognition of new universities, the operation of overseas higher education institutions in Australia and the accreditation of courses offered by providers of higher education other than universities,” he said.
He said the Bill implemented revised protocols agreed to by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs late last year.
“For Queensland, this opens up the opportunity for university-level institutions to undertake teaching and research in specialised areas of strength to complement emerging industries,” Mr Wellford said.
20 March, 2008
Good sports win
medals at school
Nominations have opened for the 2008 Pierre de Coubertin Sports Awards for Secondary Schools.
Part of the lead-up to the Beijing Olympic Games, the awards will recognise Queensland’s top high school sporting achievers who exemplify the Olympic ideals of sportsmanship, teamwork and fair play.
In one of four ceremonies to be held throughout Queensland, Education and Training Minister Rod Welford launched the awards on the Gold Coast at Palm Beach-Currumbin State High School.
He encouraged all secondary schools throughout the Gold Coast region to nominate sporting leaders from Years 10-12.
“The Pierre de Coubertin Awards recognise more than just sporting prowess,” Mr Welford said.
“They celebrate those who strive to achieve their personal best through the Olympic ideals of egalitarianism, dedication, effort, fairness, teamwork and chivalry.
He said the awards applauded the individual qualities and talents of Queensland’s secondary students while encouraging a healthy lifestyle through sport.
Award nominees must have represented their school, district, or region in Years 8 -12 as participants in at least three sports in the competitive arena, demonstrating initiative, teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play.
“They are also required to submit an original piece of literary, visual or musical work that illustrates their appreciation of the Olympic movement.”
Mer Welford said nominations would close on Tuesday, 6 May and more information was available from Monica Klysz at the Queensland Olympic Council on (07) 3349 4626 or http://corporate.olympics.com.au/qld
20 March, 2008
QPSU election result
Vivienne Doogan has been re-elected QPSU president for a second term.
Also elected were Sandy Donald (Senior Vice-President), Mike Dempsey (Assistant Treasurer) and Junior Vice Presidents Peter Cattach, Peter Knack and Penny Toland. Treasurer Peter Devey was re-elected unopposed.
Highfield station coming
Construction of the new Highfields fire station north of Toowoomba is due to completed early next month.
Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts said the station was initially due to completed this month, but work was progressing well.
He said an extra three auxiliary fire officers would be appointed to the station.
Roma Ambulance is go
A new Queensland Ambulance Service station and area office opened at Roma in the State’s south-west this week.
The $2 million station, on the site of the previous station in Arthur Street, can accommodate five ambulance vehicles as well as the area office, staff training room, meal room, recreation area, locker room and storage for patient care supplies.
It will house 10 staff.
Firefighter training put off
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service closed its dedicated training facility at Whyte Island, near Brisbane, for 48 hours last week after 41 staff reported unfit for work.
Staff at the Queensland Combined Emergency Service Academy had reported symptoms including headaches and nausea followed by vomiting and diarrhoea.
Disability week moved
Disability Services Queensland has announced that Disability Action Week will have a a little more spring in its step this year – it’s moving to 14-20 September.
Development area for Ipswich
The Coordinator-General is seeking public comment on boundaries for a possible State Development Area in Ipswich.
Comments must be received by close of business Friday 28 March, 2008.
For information on the suggested boundaries, contact the Department of Infrastructure and Planning.
13 March, 2008
Salary sacrificing is
the whole package
Salary packaging entitlements for employees of the Queensland Public Sector have been dramatically expanded with benefits now to include private school fees, gym memberships, home insurance and more.
The requirement that staff obtain financial advice before entering a salary packaging arrangement has been scrapped with most of the new arrangements to apply from 1 April this year.
In a Circular issued by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, the Government says it had approved a range of changes to the salary packaging arrangements applicable in the Queensland Public Sector.
It said it approved the extensions on the basis that they would be negotiated as part of the wage-bargaining system and were consistent with rulings by the Australian Taxation Office.
Under the new rules, staff could salary sacrifice 100 per cent of their salary to superannuation or up to 50 per cent in other items and the remaining 50 per cent in super.
“The Government has approved that there be no limit on the amount of salary that an employee may salary sacrifice to superannuation,” the Circular said.
It reiterated its long-standing principles on salary sacrificing, which were:
* There be no additional cost to the Government;
* The costs of administration and Fringe Benefits Tax be met by the employee;
* Increases or variations in taxation be passed to the employee;
* There be no significant additional workload for the Government;
* The arrangement be managed by individual Agencies through companies providing a bureau service; and
* Management fees charged by the bureau service be met by the employee.
Among the new benefits that will be able to be salary sacrificed are work uniforms, Fude cards and some public transport costs for transport provided by Queensland Rail and Brisbane City Council.
In addition, benefits that attract FBT that will now be allowed include private health/fitness centre memberships, desktop computers for home, computer software for home, house and contents insurance on an employee's principal place of residence, and private school fees.
While the mandatory requirement for financial advice has been scrapped, the Government still recommends that staff exercising their salary package entitlements for the first time, or those choosing to vary an existing arrangement, should seek independent advice.
More information about salary sacrificing in the QPS, or the new entitlements can be obtained from www.psier.qld.gov.au
13 March, 2008
Dam report not
smooth sailing
The Coordinator-General has written to the company planning to build the Traveston Crossing Dam, asking for a supplementary report to its Environmental Impact Statement.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said the request showed the project was being assessed fairly and would not hold up consideration of the project by the Commonwealth.
Coordinator-General Colin Jensen has asked Queensland Water Infrastructure to respond to matters raised during the 12-week public comment period on the EIS.
Mr Jensen said 11,261 submissions had been received, allowing for multiple versions of the same submission to be counted as one.
Mr Jensen said among the matters raised in submissions were the assessment of the project’s impacts on the Great Sandy Strait and Fraser Island, as well as on various species and communities, and its economic and social impacts.
“Once QWI has provided this supplementary information, I will consider it and the original EIS, as well as the public submissions and other relevant information, such as advice from other Government Agencies,” Mr Jensen said.
“This decision will be whether the project can proceed, proceed with modifications or whether it cannot proceed.”
Deputy Premier Lucas said the State Government remained committed to the project as the dam would help bring water security.
“During rains in the first week of February, just downstream from the proposed dam site, the Mary River was flowing at the rate of six Olympic-sized swimming pools per minute,” Mr Lucas said.
“The water grid is the largest urban drought response in Australia’s history, and the Traveston Dam is a key part of that grid.”
Mr Jensen said a copy of his report was expected to be ready to be sent to the Federal Minister for the Environment Heritage and the Arts by the middle of the year so the Commonwealth could carry out its own assessment.
13 March, 2008
Teachers lapping up
computer program
A program that supplies laptop computers to the State’s teachers has reached a major milestone with the 10,000th computer presented to a Year 6/7 teacher at Carina State School.
Premier Anna Bligh and Education Minister Rod Welford made the presentation to Nicole Trembath, saying another 11,000 laptops would be rolled out in the next financial year.
“This is a significant investment in technology which is better helping our teachers engage with a generation of students who use information and communication technology to play, live and study,” Ms Bligh said.
“Carina State School is one of 458 schools to have received laptops since the statewide rollout began in August 2007.”
Ms Bligh said the Government was on track to deliver laptops to all eligible state school and TAFE teachers by the end of 2011.
“We are the only State or Territory in the country to provide laptops to teaching positions and it is an initiative which will help cement our reputation as the Smart State,” she said.
Under the $70 million Computers for Teachers program, every permanent teacher working two or more days a week in Queensland State schools and TAFE institutes would receive a laptop.
Mr Welford said schools that had already received their computers reported that teachers were enthusiastic about using their laptops.
“The aim is to ensure our teachers fully understand how they can make best use of their new laptop computers and other information and communication technology tools for teaching and learning,” he said.
13 March, 2008
Women shaping to
look at body image
The Minister for Women, Margaret Keech, has announced that the issue of body image for women will be high on the agenda of a meeting of State and Federal Women’s Ministers later this year.
Mrs Keech, who will chair the meeting, said the Ministers would be seeking fresh solutions to an age-old problem.
“It is an unfortunate reality that in today’s society many women judge their self-worth on how they look, rather than who they are and what they've achieved,” Mrs Keech said.
“The myth of the ideal body is perpetuated in magazines, television, billboards, on the catwalk, online and within ourselves.”
The Minister said ecouraging extreme thinness could have potentially deadly consequences for young women, and that national statistics on eating disorders were ‘’alarming’’.
“The Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders reports that one in 20 Australian women admitted to having suffered from an eating disorder, while one in four individuals know someone who has an eating disorder,” she said.
“As a society, we should be extremely concerned that half of primary school children want to weigh less, according to a survey of pre-adolescent children in Sydney.”
Mrs Keech said the situation did not improve as children became older with 94 per cent of Australian university students wanting to be slimmer - even though almost a third of them were already underweight.
She said a Mission Australia survey of young Australians showed body image was the number one concern for women between 11 and 24.
“This is of real concern because body image is linked to low self esteem, unhealthy lifestyles and eating disorders,” Mrs Keech said.
“The potential health impacts for young women who strive to attain an unrealistic body image are enormous.”
The Minister said eating disorders had the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
She said she applauded recent moves to discourage the use of super-thin models in fashion shows in Queensland, interstate and overseas.
“For example, here in Queensland, last year’s National Retailers Association Fashion Design Awards required that garments were a standard size 10,” she said.
She said the Ministers’ meeting was a great opportunity to look for solutions at a national level to what was clearly an Australia-wide problem.
13 March, 2008
Voters urged to
bite the ballot
The Queensland Government has urged voters in Saturday’s historic Local Government Elections to make their votes count.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said voting was compulsory for more than 2.6 million voters who would elect 73 Mayors and 480 Councillors across an entirely revised Local Government landscape.
“Previously there were 157 Local Councils in Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.
“Of the 73 remaining Local Government areas, 38 are existing Councils, 31 are new, and four are existing Councils with changed boundaries.”
He said the elections were the first for the Local Government areas affected by last year’s mergers and boundary changes.
Mr Pitt said every vote counted towards the outcome and urged people to “combine their democratic duty and their democratic right” and make sure they voted.
“I strongly encourage everyone to find out about the candidates standing in their local area so they can make an informed choice,” he said.
“It is fundamentally important that the community has a say about who will be governing their Local Government areas.”
He said there were 1634 candidates contesting the elections, 271 of whom had nominated for Mayoral positions and 1363 seeking election as a Councillor.
Postal ballots were being held in 28 mainly rural and western Local Government areas.
Additionally, people who were going to be absent from their Local Government area on Saturday could apply for a postal vote by contacting the Queensland Electoral Commission no later than the Thursday before the election.
Mr Pitt said the reform process was changing the face of Local Government in Queensland.
The independent Local Government Reform Commission had comprehensively reviewed Local Government arrangements last year, he said..
He said it had recommended a fundamental overhaul of Councils and their boundaries, and a reduction of approximately 700 in the number of elected local officials.
Mr Pitt said the Queensland Electoral Commission would progressively post the results of the elections on its website www.ecq.qld.gov.au
13 March, 2008
Consumers get seat
on Transit Authority
Community input is to be encouraged into the operation and activities of the new Southeast Queensland Transit Authority.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel said people would be invited to have their say about the Authority which is due to be operational from 1 July.
"The new Translink Transit Authority has been approved by the State Government as a one-stop shop for public transport services, customer service and feedback,” Mr Mickel said.
"It will have greater control over service delivery, with the power and flexibility to improve services, convenience and reliability."
He said people could have their say about the Translink Transit Authority online at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/consultqld/
"We're asking people their expectations of the Transit Authority and providing a forum for them to suggest improvements or to say what is working well for them," Mr Mickel said.
There is also an email address for people who want to ask specific questions about the TransLink Transit Authority – TTA@transport.qld.gov.au
The Minister said the Authority had established a single point of contact for customer service and information and integrated scheduling and ticketing.
It would also integrate public transport services and deliver and manage the infrastructure on which those services operated.
"It will have the freedom and power to co-ordinate services, redeploy resources such as buses based on demand, and ensure the smooth introduction of new technology across the network," Mr Mickel said.
The Authority would become the one point of contact for the 17 different train, bus and ferry operators in the region.
Commuters would be able to ring the 13 12 30 information number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, always with the option of speaking to a person.
13 March, 2008
Redlands fired up
for fire stations
Fire and Rescue Services in the Redlands region have been revamped.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said a new fire station at Redlands would be built as planned, and stations at Cleveland and Capalaba would remain operational.
"During the 2006 election, the Government committed to build a new station at Redlands," Mr Roberts said.
"Last year, the Government announced a proposal to replace both the existing Cleveland and Capalaba stations with the new station at Redlands and another new facility at Alexandra Hills."
He said however, that since becoming Minister he had received strong representations from local Members of Parliament, Phil Weightman (Cleveland), Michael Choi (Capalaba) and John English (Redlands).
"They have argued that the region needed improved coverage to cater for the region's growing population," Mr Roberts said.
"Through their local MPs, the local community has raised concerns about the original proposal with me as the new Minister and with Anna Blight as the new Premier."
He said those concerns had been listened to and the Government had committed to maximising front-line fire and rescue services in the region.
"Three fire stations instead of two is a win for the residents of the area and also our dedicated local firefighters," he said.
Mr Weightman said plans to leave Cleveland and Capalaba fire stations where they were and add a new facility at Redlands was giving the growing region the essential service it needed.
Mr Choi said it was a decision local residents and firefighters wanted and Mr English said the Minister's decision was reassuring for local residents.
13 March, 2008
Online tourists see
wood for the trees
An online tourism campaign that had not been tried anywhere else in the world has produced unexpectedly good results for Tourism Queensland.
Tourism Minister and MP for Cairns, Desley Boyle said the campaign resulted in more than 2,000 trees being earmarked for planting in the Daintree Rainforest.
The campaign was designed to educate people about the environmental and tourism significance of the Daintree by promising to plant a tree for every five people they told about it.
“The Daintree is one of Queensland and Australia’s most important tourism destinations generating close to half a billion dollars for the tourism industry every year,” she said.
“One of the truly unique things about this campaign is that you receive an electronic certificate to say where your tree is located and in turn your name will forever be attached to the project.”
The Minister said the fact “we ran out of trees in under 24 hours demonstrates the passion and new level of importance people are placing our natural tourism assets”.
The Daintree Tree Planting online viral campaign was running through the month of March 2008 and the Government was working to find new corporate sponsors to help in buying, planting and maintaining new trees.
Ms Boyle said Tourism Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Port Douglas and Daintree Tourism all contributed funds to purchase trees through the Australian Rainforest Foundation.
“The planting of trees in the Daintree will be undertaken in lots of 1000, with more corporate sponsors being sourced to purchase additional lots of 1000 trees ($13,000),” she said.
“The Daintree is one of my passions not only because it is in my backyard but because when I was the Minister for Environment, Local Government and Planning we had to fight to ensure it is protected from development.”
Ms Boyle said the names of those who helped plant a tree can be seen at www.changeyourlatitude.com.au/daintree
13 March, 2008
Healthy response to
medical help line
The Minister for Health has revealed that 320,000 people have called for medical advice on the 24-hour Health Hotline since it was established two years ago.
Stephen Robertson said this was an average of 450 calls a day.
He said a man suffering a heart attack and a spider bite victim were among those who called the 13 HEALTH hotline for advice.
“Since February 2006, 13 HEALTH has referred 20,873 calls to the Queensland Ambulance Service and advised 56,544 callers to go to their local hospital emergency department,” Mr Robertson said.
“A further 48,462 callers were advised to see their GP within one to four hours, 38,586 to see their GP within 12 hours and 27,418 to see their GP within one to three days.”
Mr Robertson said while 13 HEALTH, which was staffed by registered nurses, did not replace medical consultations, it was a vehicle for important health information and advice.
“While the hotline is for non-life threatening situations only, some calls to 13 HEALTH have saved lives,” he said.
“One caller thought he was suffering indigestion, but thankfully the 13 HEALTH nurse called an ambulance because it was actually a heart attack.”
He said in another case a caller phoned 13 HEALTH concerned about her 8-month-old son whose chest seemed to be purring.
“The nurse strongly advised that she needed to take her son to a doctor (within 1-4 hours) and to make sure the doctor listened carefully to his chest,’’ he said.
“After following the nurse’s instructions the mother made an appointment with her doctor, who diagnosed her son with Aortic Stenosis – where blood flow to the heart is obstructed; he required cardiac surgery a couple of weeks later.”
According to Mr Robertson the top 10 medical symptoms reported by callers to the hotline were:
1. Fever – Toddler
2. Abdominal Pain – Adult
3. Fever – Child
4. Vomiting - Toddler
5. Fever - Infant
6. Vomiting – Adult
7. Chest Pain
8. Unwell or Irritable - Newborn
9. Ingestion - Toxic Substance
10. Bites - Insect
13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) is available to all Queenslanders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call.
Mr Roberston said people with life-threatening emergencies should always call Triple O immediately for urgent assistance from the Queensland Ambulance Service.
13 March, 2008
Parliament rises
to art challenge
Colourful and creative works by artists with disabilities are on show at Parliament House, Brisbane until 16 March.
The works are part of the Multicap Monte Lupo “Personal Geographic Art Exhibition”.
Disability Services Minister, Lindy Nelson-Carr said the week-long public exhibition included works ranging from pottery to paintings, all of which were for sale.
“This exhibition is about showcasing the creative talents of a diverse group of artists who have a wide range of abilities, and disabilities,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Art provides a unique avenue for individuals to communicate and express their opinions and feelings and this exhibition truly speaks for itself through some amazing works.”
She said Disability Services Queensland provided Multicap with more than $8.2 million a year for a range of services throughout the State, including respite, accommodation support and employment opportunities.
Ms Nelson-Carr said Multicap’s Monte Lupo, which opened for business in 1991, now provided a rewarding and creative career pathway for 28 artists with a disability as well as eight staff.
“I congratulate each of the artists involved with this exhibition and the organisers for focusing our attention on a person’s ability rather than their disability,” she said.
Monte Lupo Chief Executive Officer, Joanne Jessop said the “Personal Geographic Art Exhibition” enabled the artists to have their voice heard and their talents celebrated.
The Exhibition is in the Exhibition Space on Level 3 in the Parliamentary Annex, from 9am to 5pm daily.
13 March, 2008
Police accommodation
is self-contained
Police assigned to the Aboriginal community of Woorabinda are to be housed in shipping containers as a means of providing short-term accommodation.
Police Minister, Judy Spence said the temporary option was needed because of a shortage of suitable accommodation in the community.
“Woorabinda has volunteered to ban alcohol,” Ms Spence said. “As a Government, we need to support the community with this decision and that means boosting police numbers.”
She said police numbers would increase to eight, with a new Sergeant and a child protection investigation unit officer starting this week.
“Another three uniformed officers will commence in the next few months,” she said, boosting to 11 the number of police for a community of about 900 people.
“There is an urgency to get extra police into Woorabinda to assist the community to go dry so we cannot wait for negotiations regarding land and native title,” she said.
“As a Government, we will do what it takes so police have had to think outside the square.”
She said there was a company that specialised in modifying the shipping containers into comfortable, modern bedrooms and living areas.
“Police union representatives have inspected the company’s Brisbane factory and are satisfied with what is proposed,” she said.
Each container was 12m long and air-conditioned.
An accommodation “kit” consisted of two containers: one split into two separate bedrooms with its own ensuite bathroom and shower.
Ms Spence said the second container had a lounge area, a dining area, a kitchen and a laundry.
“The Queensland Police Service has placed an order, which includes the purchase of four shipping containers at a cost of $214,000,” she said.
“Additional outlays including transport, crane hire, site works, infrastructure upgrades and connection of services will mean the total project will cost around $500,000.”
She said it was expected the containers would be delivered and installed in June.
“When more permanent housing can be arranged the containers can be transported to other locations where temporary accommodation is required,” Ms Spence said.
The Minister said locals would also benefit with the Police and Citizens Youth Club moving into Woorabinda to deliver programs and inspiration to the whole community.
13 March, 2008
SCAMwatch keeps
eye on scammers
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has upgraded its SCAMwatch website to help people recognise and protect themselves from scams.
The Commission announced the changes during the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce’s Fraud Fortnight.
It published “mock” scams and examples of real scams on its SCAMwatch website to educate consumers about the elements of common scams and the warning signs to look out for. SCAMwatch lists a range of the different types of scams reaching consumers, and provides practical advice and information about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.
Deception scams were the focus of the second week of the Fraud Fortnight campaign.
According to the Chairman of the ACCC, Graeme Samuel, deception scams involved criminals pretending to be from legitimate companies and requesting information that would allow them to profit from their fraud.
“Most people think they can spot a scam a mile away, but unfortunately scammers are very good at what they do,” Mr Samuel said. “They rely on consumers letting their guard down.”
He said most scams relied on looking or sounding like genuine offers. They could be very hard to spot, and were very good at making the consumer think they had something to lose.
He said it was easy to panic when you were unexpectedly contacted by someone who sounded official, particularly if they said money was at risk.
“But organisations, like financial institutions and banks, don’t contact you out of the blue requesting your personal details and other information.
“If this happens to you, don’t provide your details.”
Mr Samuel said many scams originated overseas or took place over the internet which made them very difficult to track down and prosecute.
“One of the best ways to combat this kind of fraud is to help people take the steps to prevent being caught out in the first place.
“If consumers lose money to a scam, it is unlikely that they will ever recover it.”
He said SCAMwatch and Fraud Fortnight aimed at helping consumers avoid scams in the first place – “and prevention is definitely a better option.”
Throughout the Fraud Fortnight campaign which ended on 8 March, consumers were given crucial and simple precautions to help arm themselves and protect their hard-earned money and their identity.
To find out more about how scams work and how to be protected from them, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au or call SCAMwatch on 1300 795 995.
13 March, 2008
Digital upgrade for
better outlook
Upgrading Queensland’s free screening service for breast cancer to digital is expected to save lives and make screening more convenient and accessible to women in regional and remote areas.
Premier Anna Bligh announced plans to shift to digital imaging, saying a $12.25 million program would see the new mammography equipment rolled out across the State.
Ms Bligh said the upgrade, to be introduced over 18 months, would deliver significant benefits to Queensland women, particularly those in regional and remote areas.
“This technology upgrade will mean higher quality checks and diagnoses, make regular breast screening easier and more accessible, and importantly it is the first step towards a fully digital system that will mean less waiting and travel time for rural women,” Ms Bligh said.
“Distance is a major barrier for women in the bush to undergo breast screening and this initiative will help overcome this.”
She said Ipswich would be the first to go digital next month, followed by Townsville and Bundaberg – with Toowoomba, Mackay and south Brisbane to be online by the end of this year.
“Rockhampton, Nambour, north Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns will be completed by mid-2009,” she said.
Ms Bligh said digitally equipped mobile units would allow radiographers to immediately view the images and check the quality before a woman left the mobile unit.
“This will prevent the occasional situation where women return for a repeat mammogram because the first image didn’t turn out properly for technical reasons,” she said.
“This project could save lives – if the process is easier and quicker, more women will access regular breast screens and this is still our number one defence against the disease.”
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the roll-out of the equipment was the first step towards a fully digital system.
“When the system is fully operational, breast screens will be forwarded electronically to larger population centres for reading rather than being sent by courier - cutting the time between testing and results,” Mr Robertson said.
He said the technology would pay further dividends down the track for Queensland women, particularly those whose tests indicated further investigation was required.
“Currently women are recalled to one of our BreastScreen services around the state if something is detected on the film,” he said.
“Over time, some follow-up tests could be done at the mobile sites and viewed via tele-radiology thousands of kilometres away so this technology also has clear workforce benefits.”
Women aged 50-69 years were encouraged to have a free breastscreen every two years at BreastScreen Queensland.
Women aged 40- 49 years and those over 70 are also eligible for a free breastscreen.
To arrange a free breastscreen or to find out when a mobile or relocatable service is visiting an area, call 13 20 50 for the cost of a local call.
13 March, 2008
Job list a hit
with Misses
The Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency has released a list of 99 organisations it claims are “Employers of Choice” for women.
According to the Director of the Commonwealth’s EOWA Anna McPhee, the businesses on the list had moved beyond simply writing policies and providing basic flexibility.
“For these organisations creating equity is about changing culture, changing expectations, breaking down the outdated myths about women and finally valuing the massive contribution women make to the workplace,” Ms McPhee said, “whether they are working part-time or full-time, working from home or in the office, starting their careers or nearing retirement.”
Ms McPhee said she was looking forward to a time when there was no need for an Employer of Choice for Women List because all organisations understood that every working woman had a contribution to make to the workforce and that it made sense to embrace diversity.
She said the average pay gap in 2008 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women organisations was 10 per cent which was seven per cent lower than the national average but each of the organisations on the list had shown that gender pay equity had been analysed, that the gap was less than the industry average and that they were working to address any gap identified.
She said the organisations had also shown that their recruitment and promotion processes were merit-based and transparent and they had provided training to all staff about preventing sex-based harassment in the workplace.
Paid maternity leave was provided in all 2008 EOWA Employer of Choice for Women organizations and despite the minimum requirement being six weeks paid maternity leave, the average provided by the listed organisations was more than 12 weeks.
Ms McPhee said the EOCFW citation was awarded to non-Government organisations with more than 80 employees that had demonstrated that they had policies and practices that supported women across the organization. Organisations needed to apply for the citation each year.
“All organisations should use the EOWA Employer of Choice for Women requirements to benchmark their own policies and workplace environment. If every organisation could meet this minimum standard we would be going a long way towards creating true equity for women in the Australian labour force,” Ms McPhee said.
To see the list, visit www.eowa.gov.au
13 March, 2008
Refugees put on act
in settlement drama
Government funding of $25,000 from the Commonwealth has helped refugees from Africa stage a drama project at Logan City aimed at helping new arrivals settle in the local community.
Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson congratulated the group on their acting talent as well as their openness in sharing their experiences in settling in Australia.
“I understand these performances will be an important starting point for discussion in their communities about sensitive issues such as domestic violence, intergenerational conflict and some of the challenges they face in employment,” Mr Ferguson said.
The scenes had been developed through a series of improvisation sessions, drawing on the experiences of the former refugees in settling in to a new country and a new culture.
“This is an important project because it involves this group deciding how best to put forward information about issues affecting their community in an entertaining and accessible way,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Its aim is to bring these issues out into the open and work through ways of resolving them.”
Senior drama lecturers from Griffith University had guided community members through devising and staging the scenes, he said.
Performances would be staged for the Burundian, Ethiopian and Afghani communities in the Logan area over the next two weeks.
13 March, 2008
Week a long time for
carers and sharers
The Minister for Child Safety, Margaret Keech, officially launched Foster and Kinship Care Week, labelling carers ‘’unsung child protection heroes’’.
Mrs Keech said Foster and Kinship carers were the backbone of Queensland’s child protection system.
“Across the State, more than 3,300 foster and kinship carers are providing safe and happy homes to almost 7000 children and young people in care,” Mrs Keech said.
“These dedicated and committed people open their hearts and homes to abused and neglected children, caring for them as if they were their own.
She said the Week was a time for all Queenslanders to acknowledge the invaluable contribution that foster and kinship carers made to their local communities and to society as a whole.
She said there was an ongoing need for more foster and kinship carers throughout the State.
“While our existing foster carers do a magnificent job, there is no doubt we need more of them,” she said.
“We need more families able to care for babies, children, teenagers, sibling groups and young people with challenging behaviours.”
Carers were also needed to provide respite care – an essential support to foster carers when they needed a break from caring, time to deal with personal matters or time to recover from illness.
“Foster and kinship carers come from all walks of life. However they all have one thing in common – a commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and young people.”
She said the State Government had provided $55,000 for the Week’s celebrations which run until Saturday.
For more information on the Week or on becoming a foster carer, contact the Department of Child Safety on 1300 550 877 or visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au
13 March, 2008
IPAA extension
Early Bird registration for the 2008 National Conference of the Institute of Public Administration Australia has been extended to 31 march.
The Conference will be held in Sydney on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June 2008, in the Crystal Palace Convention Centre at Luna Park.
The featured speaker is Jocelyne Bourgon, Canada’s Ambassador to the OECD from 2003 to 2007.
Bookings for the conference can be made at www.nsw.ipaa.org.au
Homes for Christmas
The inaugural meeting of the Mackay Flood Recovery Task Force has set a goal of having flood-damaged homes habitable by Christmas.
Housing Minister, Robert Schwarten said getting the more than 4000 homes damaged in the February flood repaired by the end of the year would be an enormous task, but one he was confident would be met.
Performers drive in
Another eight performing arts companies and venues have joined the State Government’s Test Drive the Arts program.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said more than 1,000 arts newcomers had experienced free live performances, and complimentary tickets to the value of about $40,000 were given away to productions by 20 of Queensland’s top performing arts companies and venues since the initiative was launched in August.
New organisations joining the program included: Circa, Expressions Dance Company, Kooemba Jdarra Indigenous Performing Arts, Harvest Rain, Musica Viva Australia, Queensland Conservatorium, Pilbeam Theatre in Rockhampton and Riverway Arts Centre in Thuringowa.
People could register for complimentary tickets at www.testdrivethearts.com
Call for music teachers
Nominations for the 2008 National Awards for Excellence in School Music Education are now open.
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard announced the awards saying they were in their second year and were intended to raise the status of music education in Australian schools.
Thirteen teachers and school leaders across the country would be recognised for outstanding contributions to music education, each award winner to receive $5,000.
Nominations close on 8 April 2008.
Leaders expand
A program designed to help indigenous women become better leaders is to be expanded to include four more Queensland communities.
Premier Anna Bligh said the Women in Leadership seminars would now include Cherbourg, Mount Isa, Rockhampton and Yarrabah.
More than 300 women had already attended the seminars.
Courthouse going up
Foundation works are expected to start this month on Mareeba’s new $5.3 million Courthouse.
Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine said the tender had been awarded to Innisfail-based builder A. J. Homes Pty Ltd, which had also completed an upgrade of the Bowen Courthouse in 2006.
The Mareeba Courthouse was expected to be completed by Christmas and would include special waiting areas and rooms for vulnerable witnesses and victims of crime, as well as closed-circuit television, and four rainwater tanks to provide water for toilets, irrigation and landscaping.
Consultant awarded
IT consultant, EDS has won the 2008 Excellence in Security Award from Microsoft.
The award recognises industry leaders for the planning, implementation and management of security programs that significantly improve their company’s security posture.
The company, which is plays a prominent role in many in Government Agencies took out the honour for its business-oriented approach, global scope, customer-focused solutions, advanced security practices and demonstrated leadership.
Corruption prevention awards
The Corruption Prevention Network is to present its annual awards on 11 September in Sydney.
Nominations have been called for two categories:
* Corruption prevention tool or technique; and
* Corruption prevention program
A Nomination Guide contains further information about the awards which close Friday 11 July 2008. The Guide can be downloaded from www.corruptionprotection.net
6 March, 2008
Cost-cutting Premier
Backs PS Frontline
Front-line Public Service functions are to be protected from a round of cost cutting following the State’s share of GST funding being slashed by $150.6 million.
Premier Anna Bligh has promised to maintain front-line services, despite foreshadowing a round of “belt-tightening” in the lead-up to the 3 June Budget.
The cuts were made by the Commonwealth Grants Commission which determined in its 2008 assessment for the annual distribution of GST funds, that Queensland should receive less than a per capita share for the first time ever.
“Any claims that Queensland is awash with GST funds have been silenced today,” Ms Bligh said.
She said the cut would directly affect the State’s ability to fund services.
“For the first time, we will join NSW, Victoria and Western Australia in receiving a less than per capita share of GST,” she said.
“Obviously this is the kind of news that means belts will need to be tightened.”
The Premier said Queensland was already faced with the toughest international finance market conditions in years and the resulting low investment returns. She said the decision by the Grants Commissions made tough times even tougher.
“The smaller share of GST means we will have to look to save every dollar possible so we can continue to ensure we deliver the infrastructure and front-line service to keep pace with our rapidly growing population,” she said.
Ms Bligh said Treasury’s forward estimates had already factored in a decline of $250 million but the additional decline of $150 million exceeded estimates and would have a rolling impact over the next four years.
“The Treasurer and I have been extremely transparent in recent weeks in saying we are determined to cut the fat when the Budget is delivered to find savings in every corner,” she said.
“The fact that we will be receiving less of our share of GST will mean we have to make an even more determined effort across Government to ensure it does not affect front-line services.”
Ms Bligh said the recent audit of Queensland’s Ambulance Service showed what could be achieved.
“That forensic examination identified savings of $12 million and similar audits will be carried out Department by Department,” she said.
“This is about protecting front-line services to ensure they remain equipped to deliver for our growing population.”
Ms Bligh said her Government would now work with the Commonwealth Grants Commission in the lead up to the 2010 Review of Methodology to ensure the State received a fair share of GST going forward.
“We are already working hard to ensure Queensland gets a better deal in 2010 to allow us to continue to meet the additional capital and service delivery needs of the country’s fastest growing State,” she said.
6 March, 2008
PS Transfers to
Revitalise Ipswich
Government plans to revitalise Ipswich could see up to 1,200 QPS jobs transferred to the western regional centre.
Premier Anna Bligh announced a multi-pronged approach to redevelop the city's declining CBD, outlining a plan that combined the development of a transport hub to replace existing infrastructure and the relocation of Government jobs there.
The Premier said expressions of interest from private developers would be sought later in the year to build the transport, business and residential precinct needed to revitalise the city.
"We believe that we have the capacity to considerably grow the CBD and for the Queensland Public Service to become an anchor tenant in a revitalised city area," Ms Bligh said.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said Cabinet was considering a proposal to declare the area around the project a state development area to allow the State Government to take control of master planning.
Mr Lucas said transferring jobs from Brisbane to Ipswich would help ease transport congestion.
"If we have cars driving the opposite way on the Ipswich motorway, (people) catching the train in the opposite way in the morning, that's good for traffic flow, it's good for the environment, and it just makes plain good sense," he was reported as saying in The Australian.
Ms Bligh said the Government planned to make Ipswich the first of several Public Srvice "satellite hubs" across the state's south-east.
6 March, 2008
Union Dirty On
Cleaning Plans
The Queensland Public Sector Union has launched a campaign to protect cleaning and maintenance jobs it fears will be outsourced from Government schools.
The union has written to its members alerting them to the campaign which it is conducting jointly with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union.
QPSU State Secretary Alex Scott said in his letter that contracting the jobs out would affect everybody.
The letter said Education Queensland said the plan would only affect a handful of new schools but it was the kind of initiative that was being pushed by Governments across the board.
It was the union’s belief that if it wasn’t stopped now, it would arise in more new schools and then existing schools in time.
“We know that school cleaning and maintenance are big business for private operators in other parts of the country and overseas – and so are administration and educational support,” Mr Scott’s letter said.
“We also know that the multi-million-dollar industry players will seek to take advantage of Queensland’s rapid population growth and expected budget shortfalls by investing in schools.”
The letter said that even if members were not in a job that was directly affected by the move, their support was still wanted.
“We know that staffing allocations at these schools will be affected,” it said.
“We know that admin workers’ job classifications will be affected when staffing numbers are reduced.”
The letter said that every time school cleaning and maintenance had been contracted out – such as in Western Australia – quality had suffered.
“Every job that is contracted out under this plan is one step closer to handing the staffing and management of state schools in Queensland over to private consortiums,” the union said.
6 March, 2008
Main Roads Revamp
Takes Direct Route
The Department of Main Roads is to be restructured to take advantage of the Local Government reform process.
Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt said the Department’s current 14-district structure would be changed to 12 districts supported by 15 regional offices.
"In response to Local Government reforms, Main Roads reviewed its district boundaries and determined that some adjustments to its structure were needed to continue to deliver services effectively,” he said.
“These changes particularly respond to south-east Queensland's high-growth areas as well as the rural areas of this large State.”
"A new region based on the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Somerset regional Councils will allow Main Roads to respond to strong growth in south-east Queensland," Mr Pitt said.
"There will also be new offices opened in Ipswich and Logan and in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area to plan for the future road network needs in these booming areas.”
Mr Pitt said the new regions would ensure Main Roads was well connected to Local Government areas across the State.
“These changes will retain and reinforce Main Roads’ long history of decentralised delivery and local decision-making,” he said,, “which allows our staff to make on-the-ground decisions that are best for their area.”
“It means better service for Councils and communities, without rationalising facilities or staff - all the current district offices will be retained.”
The Minister said no one would lose their job and no one would be forced to relocate as part of the changes.
He said creating regions supported by district offices provided specific benefits including improved co-ordination and planning across Government, flexibility to respond to growth areas, and opportunities to share resources across regions.
"The regional approach also gives more flexibility to establish additional offices in regions in response to program and growth needs,” he said.
Mr Pitt said the statewide changes would also better enable Main Roads to respond to Queensland's significant population and economic growth which had led to unprecedented demand for infrastructure services.
Main Roads would consult with local MPs and the new Local Governments after the March elections to ensure transitional arrangements were in place by 1 July, 2008.
6 March, 2008
Cheques and Balances in OSR Security
A security scare at the Office of State Revenue that turned out to be an administrative bungle has led to a high level review of security.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the incident arose when an employee of a security firm arrived at the Office of State Revenue to collect cheques for banking, but they had already been signed out to another security guard.
When immediate confirmation by the security firm of the identity of the person who had collected the banking was not possible, Police were called to investigate a potential theft.
Mr Fraser said the cheques in question were made out to the Office of State Revenue and clearly marked non-negotiable and no cash was involved.
Hesaid contact with financial institutions was made to ensure the register of cheques collected was immediately the subject of notification and precautions immediately put in place by Treasury for the cheques to be cancelled while OSR staff, bank staff, security staff and Police investigated the matter.
Mr Fraser said because of the high level monitoring of the secure area, Police were able to identify from video recordings the first person who had collected the banking, identify and locate him.
Mr Fraser said enquiries established that the cheques had been banked and a work order for the security firm engaged to collect and deposit the cheques had been duplicated.
Police were satisfied the matter had been resolved and that no criminal offence took place.
Mr Fraser then ordered an immediate and sweeping review of security procedures within the Office of State Revenue, including a review of the contract with the private security firm.
6 March, 2008
NRW Cleans Up
On Clean Up Day
The Department of Natural Resources and Water joined in the Clean Up Australia Day activities in Townsville recently, pitching in to help locals remove rubbish from State-owned land around Angus Smith Drive, in the suburb of Douglas.
Natural Resources and Water Minister, Craig Wallace said the clean-up took place in the area opposite the Douglas Water Treatment Plant, in a joint effort by the Department and the community. He said the local mountain bike club led the effort and an old car body and household refuse were among the goods littering the woodland area.
"Dumped vehicles are always one of our main concerns, particularly during the wet, because there's always the possibility that oil and fuel could leak from the vehicle and leach into the ground and waterways,” Mr Wallace said.
He said NRW teams worked hard to keep the State clean, but could use the community's help to keep it that way.
"Protecting our resources is everyone's business," he said.
6 March, 2008
Biosecurity Watchdog
Laps up First Year
Biosecurity Queensland has marked its first anniversary looking back on a busy year of activity that the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries said proved its worth.
Established as a business unit of the DPI&F on 1 March, 2007, Biosecurity Queensland has spent its first year stopping the entry of parasitic weeds, seeking out and destroying nests of destructive Asian bees and helping eradicate equine influenza.
Minister Tim Mulherin said Biosecurity Queensland was established because there was a need to bring all the pest and disease expertise, experience and capability under the one umbrella organisation.
“Biosecurity Queensland was put to the test only months after it was established, with our staff managing the state component of one of the Australia’s most challenging outbreaks to date - equine influenza,” Mr Mulherin said.
“An eradication program for Asian green mussels and Asian bag mussels, the first marine outbreak ever managed by DPI&F, is also underway, and I have no doubt that the diverse skills and experience that now exists in Biosecurity Queensland has again allowed us to carry out this new work.”
Mr Mulherin saidthis year DPI&F planned to release a public discussion paper about biosecurity issues in Queensland, in the lead up to finalising a Biosecurity Strategy early next year.
“We’re also looking at how we can better work at putting long-term preventative measures in place to further protect the state from the impact of pests, diseases, invasive weeds and other issues that may affect lifestyle or trade, as well as putting a stronger focus on the science that underpins our ongoing work,” Mr Mulherin said.
6 March, 2008
Gov’t Comes to Party
for 150th Birthday
Plans for the State’s 150th celebrations next year are gathering pace with the Government offering another round of grants to community organisations to become involved.
Working in partnership with local councils, organisations and communities across the State to mark the anniversary The Government hopes it will be a meaningful celebration for all Queenslanders.
To give everyone the opportunity to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary through activities and projects that reflect the unique culture, heritage and aspirations of their own community, the Government has committed $4 million to the Q150 community funding program.
Not-for-profit incorporated community organisations, local councils and tertiary institutions throughout the State are eligible to apply for grants of between $2000 and $10,000 to stage projects and activities that could include music and theatrical performances, festivals and exhibitions
Other events that would qualify for funding include:
* Community art works
* Community education activities
* Community arts and recreation events
* Publications, including books, DVDs, CDs and web-based material
* Oral histories
* Research projects
* Seminars and lecture series.
The second round of grants closes on 13 April, with successful applicants announced in June, during Queensland Week.
The third and final round will open in July with applications closing in September 2008.
The anniversary celebrations, which will run for the whole year of 2009 will express the vision Reflect on our past, imagine our future and be shaped around four themes: history, people, places and future.
Details on the grants program are available from the Queensland’s 150th celebrations website or by phoning the grant administrator on 1800 502 419.
6 March, 2008
Brilliant Botanist
Pulls up Roots
A botanical “genius” with the Department of Natural Resources and Water has retired after almost 50 years of service.
Ashley Sewell was congratulated by Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace, who said it was important Mr Sewell was acknowledged for his work.
"Ashley is known in the environmental community as a botanical genius, with an expert knowledge of Australian timber species, sustainable uses of rare native timbers and for his support of cabinet-making, fine furniture making and wood turning," Mr Wallace said.
He said Mr Sewell began his professional life as a trainee cadet in the Queensland Department of Forestry in 1961 with postings in Murgon, Dalby and Warwick.
It was during these years that his interest in management and rehabilitation of subtropical rainforest and wet and dry sclerophyll forests of eastern Australia crystallised.
For a time he also worked in New Zealand, researching the management of Australian hardwoods such as eucalypts and acacia species that were of major interest for New Zealand’s plantation forestry program.
Mr Wallace said that for the past 30 years Mr Sewell had worked for Department of Natural Resources and Water, through its various name changes and portfolio reshuffles.
He said Mr Sewell had recently been conducting botanical workshops to help educate regional bodies, local community groups and Government staff about the identification and role of native trees in the local landscape.
He said the workshops would continue with the support of South East Queensland Catchments.
"Ashley has played an important role helping people to understand vegetation communities, geology and the role of trees in the landscape," Mr Wallace said.
"He has provided much sought after advice to environmental groups such as the Barung Landcare and landcare and catchment groups across Maroochy, Mooloolah and the Brisbane Valley."
Mr Wallace said one of Mr Sewell’s legacies was the rehabilitation and reforestation of Baroon Pocket Dam, a project where he managed and coordinated a seed collecting, propagating and planting program across 93 hectares.
"I thank Ashley for his contribution to our Department and to our State and I wish him and his family a happy future," Mr Wallace said.
Mr Sewell would continue to pursue his passion for native timbers with his wife Rosemary, a fellow tree enthusiast.
6 March, 2008
Turtle Expert Comes
out of His Shell
The Environmental Protection Agency’s turtle expert, Dr Col Limpus, has been elected president of the International Sea Turtle Society.
Currently leader of the marine turtle conservation project in the EPA’s Freshwater and Marine Sciences Unit, Dr Limpus was congratulated on the honour by the Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, Andrew McNamara.
“This is a prime example of an international organisation seeking Queensland talent,” Mr McNamara said.
“Col’s appointment to head the world body is further confirmation of his internationally-recognised expertise in turtle biology and conservation.”
The Minister said Dr Limpus had been awarded the Public Service Medal and other major awards for his efforts and achievements in conservation.
“He received the International Sea Turtle Society’s Life Time Achievement Award for his turtle research and conservation activities.”
Mr McNamara said as president of the society, Dr Limpus would be organising the 29th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation to be held in Brisbane from 17 to 19 February, 2009.
“This event will be an excellent opportunity for Australians to show-case their expertise in turtle conservation,” Mr McNamara said.
“Dr Limpus’s passionate interest in turtles has inspired thousands of Queenslanders to study these ancient sea creatures and help in their conservation.”
The Minister said Dr Limpus was tireless in his efforts to prevent further decline in turtle numbers, travelling to countries such as Indonesia, Mexico and New Caledonia to study conservation efforts, and to share research techniques and give lectures.
6 March, 2008
Queensland Tourism
Just the Ticket
Queensland tourist attractions have come out on top in the 2007 Australian Tourism Awards announced in Canberra recently.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said Queensland won seven of the 25 categories which was more than any other State or Territory.
She said the results showed the depth, diversity and quality of the State’s tourism experiences and products.
"Queensland has long been recognised not just in Australia, but throughout the world, as a leader in the development of high quality, unique tourism experiences,” Ms Boyle said.
“The fact that so many Queensland operators have been named amongst the nation's best is a fitting tribute.”
She said the Queensland winners were:
* The Quicksilver Group, Tropical North Queensland, Major Tour and/or Transport Operator
* Bungalow Bay Koala Village, Townsville, Backpacker Accommodation
* The Noorla Heritage Resort, Ingham, Standard Accommodation
* Cairns Coconut Caravan Resort, Tropical North Queensland, Tourist and Caravan Parks
* Tourism Noosa, Noosa, Tourism Marketing
* Rubyvale Gem Gallery, North of Emerald, Specialised Tourism Services
* The workshops Rail Museum, Ipswich, Heritage and Cultural Tourism.
The companies were among the Queensland Tourism Awards winners who progressed to the Australian Tourism Awards, organised annually by the National Tourism Alliance.
Ms Boyle said Victoria and NSW each won five awards, the ACT three, Western Australia and South Australia two and Tasmania one.
She said tourists spent more than $18 billion a year in Queensland and last year broke the 20 million barrier in overnight visitor numbers.
6 March, 2008
Flood Parents Urged
to Dive Into CSA
The Federal Minister for Human Services, Queensland Senator Joe Ludwig, is encouraging separated parents to contact the Child Support Agency if their income and child care arrangements have been affected by the recent floods in Queensland.
“Parents significantly affected may be able to apply to have their child support assessment adjusted,” Senator Ludwig said.
“I encourage separated parents affected by the floods to call 131 272, or arrange to visit one of the CSA’s offices, which are in major regional cities, including Mackay.”
Senator Ludwig said officers from the Child Support Agency would be touring tour parts of western and central Queensland to provide face-to-face customer service in flood-affected areas.
“The CSA officers are travelling to Charleville, Emerald and Airlie Beach in coming weeks,” Senator Ludwig said.
“Parents can request a personal appointment with CSA staff to discuss their situation, receive advice, submit income estimates, update care and contact details, lodge Change of Assessment applications, objections, or discuss a payment arrangement for outstanding child support.”
He said it was important flood-affected parents knew that help and assistance may be available to help ease their burden.”
He said the CSA could refer separated families to help in their local area, and had arange of free booklets available that will help families whose relationships were under pressure.
He said the resources were available from www.csa.gov.au or by calling 800 040 972.
To arrange an appointment with a CSA officer, or obtain further information, phone 131 272.
6 March, 2008
Green Projects Put
Students in Pink
The Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, has announced nine scholarships for research projects into environmental challenges facing north Queensland.
Students chosen for the scholarships would receive funding of $720,000 over three years under the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility Graduate Scholarship Scheme – part of the $100 million Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities program.
Mr Garrett said the research projects would lead to a better understanding of the environmental pressures on the Wet Tropics rainforest, the Torres Strait and the Great Barrier Reef.
“These are great natural treasures, and they also make a significant contribution to the Australian economy,” Mr Garrett said.
“The Great Barrier Reef alone is worth $6 billion a year, with more than 63,000 jobs in associated tourism, fishing, cultural and recreational industries.”
He said, however, the areas were facing significant threats from coral bleaching as well as threats to rainforest biodiversity from growing population pressures.
He said more than $7.6 million was being allocated in research funding for 2007-08 for projects under the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility program, including a model to target weeds and pests and another project to develop an ‘early warning system’ against the Crown-of-Thorns starfish.
“The stronger and more conclusive the science and the more extensive our knowledge on the changes being wrought by climate change and other pressures on this fragile environment, the better our chances of finding effective and timely solutions,” Mr Garrett said.
6 March, 2008
Gov’t Digs Deep for
Coal Infrastructure
A $5.4 billion boost to coal transport infrastructure is expected to smooth the movement of coal from mine to port.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the multi-billion-dollar suite of projects was part of a $15 billion program that would ensure the State’s export supply chain was operating with maximum efficiency.
"The Coal Transport Infrastructure Program sets forth the Queensland Government's plans for major coal transport infrastructure development in Queensland to 2015 and beyond," Mr Mickel said.
He said by late last year the Government had already invested about $4.4 billion to expand the State’s coal transport infrastructure, with $2.9 billion of that being spent by QR and port Government-owned corporations.
Some of the major planned developments included new rail links in the northern Bowen and Surat Basins.
Mr Mickel said major port expansions included the Abbot Point expansion to at least 50 million tonnes per annum and up to 100 million tonnes per annum; and a new Wiggins Island Coal Terminal in Gladstone, providing potentially 85 million tonnes per annum of new capacity.
He said coal was Queensland’s single most important mineral export commodity, worth more than $20 billion a year.
‘The state exported about 153 million tonnes of coal exports last financial year – more than double (59 million tonnes) what was being exported less than 20 years ago.”
Mr Mickel said, based on current demand, Queensland coal exports were projected to grow by approximately 42 per cent by 2010 and by a further 40 per cent by 2015.
He said forecasts for the next five years remained strong, particularly to markets in China, South-East Asia, India, Japan and Brazil.
6 March, 2008
Community Sessions
Held for Community
Information sessions designed to help community service providers understand the new requirements of the Community Services Act are to be held around the State this month. Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Act would come into force on 31 March this year.
“The Community Services Act will provide greater transparency and certainty about how the Department of Communities allocates funding and other assistance to service providers,” Ms Nelson-Carr said. “Passing the Act last August was a move by the State Government to strengthen and support the sector.”
She said her department was also implementing new processes to reduce red tape and protect clients.
“Streamlining administrative processes is a step forward in ensuring the smooth delivery of quality, safe and accountable services,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
She said the Department of Communities funded around 880 community organisations and Local Councils, which in turn provided support for seniors, young people, the homeless and Indigenous communities.
She said the Department would manage implementation arrangements for the new laws once the Act took effect.
“While most service providers already funded by the Department won’t have to do anything new, it’s important funded service providers familiarise themselves with the new Act and its requirements,” the Minister said.
“I encourage funded organisations to make contact with the nearest Department of Communities regional office to find out when and where information sessions are being held.”
The Community Services Act is a component of the Government's Strengthening Non-Government Organisations strategy.
6 March, 2008
Workshop Does Job
for Local Business
Business operators on the Gold Coast are being invited to a workshop to help them bid for Government business.
Minster for Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle and MP for Southport Peter Lawlor said Tendering for Government Business was designed for suppliers and potential suppliers to the Government who were required to complete formal offer documents.
Ms Boyle said the half-day workshop would demonstrate how to complete the tender documents used by Government Departments and Agencies for high-value goods and services.
“The Government offers some wonderful opportunities for those in private enterprise,” she said.
“Although the workshop will be focused on the three levels of Government, the principles can also be applied to private-sector tenders.”
Mr Lawlor said Tendering for Government Business would also provide participants with a demonstration on the new State Purchasing Policy.
“Participants who attend this workshop will also learn how to interpret and respond to the standard terms and conditions contained in Government tender documents,” he said.
Acting Director for the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry’s Gold Coast Centre, Rob Lillystone said such paperwork could sometimes seem excessive and overly complicated, but participants would learn a great deal by working through each section of the required documentation.
“By doing this they will gain a greater understanding of why the documents must be completed,” Mr Lillystone said.
The workshop will be on 11 March (9am-1pm) and will cost $33 to attend. It will be at the Department’s Gold Coast Centre, Ground floor, 26 Marine Parade, Southport.
For more information, or to book, contact the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Centre on the Gold Coast on (07) 5583 7599 or visit www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/goldcoast
6 March, 2008
Caboolture school revived
The decommissioned Caboolture Central Preschool is to be given an $800,000 facelift to turn it into a community hub.
Communities Minister, Lindy Nelson-Carrsaid the site was one of three being established in Queensland to house non-Government organisations providing services to the local community under the one roof.
“This new multi-tenancy centre in Caboolture will house the Homelife Association, Caboolture Community Care, Caboolture Neighbourhood Centre and Caboolture Family Haven,” she said.
More Police at Lowood
The number of Police Officers at Lowood Police Station has been increased by 50 per cent.
Police Minister Judy Spence said after Police considered the current growth in the area of Fernvale and the future predicted growth in the western corridor, they decided to increase the number of officers at Lowood from six to nine.
Assistant Police Commissioner for the Southern Region, Col McCallum said the station would also be boosted by an additional marked police vehicle.
Flood assistance
Centrelink is urging people in the Mackay and Central Queensland area affected by flooding to lodge a claim for financial assistance as soon as possible.
Centrelink Area Manager Peter Searston said he was concerned that some people may be self-assessing their eligibility for payments and opting not to apply for assistance.
He said they could be in line for a one-off payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.
Firefighter recruits
More than 160 fire-fighter recruits have joined the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service this year.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the recruitment intake in 2008 was a record, and much greater than the 92 who graduated last year.
Potential recruit applicants can apply through www.fire.qld.gov.au
11,000 calls to Hotline
More than 11,000 calls have been received by the State Emergency Service Hotline over the past two months after heavy rain and damaging flooding across Queensland.
Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts said the SES Hotline, 132 500, was an important initiative to help residents requiring assistance to contact their local SES volunteers.
He said since July there had been 19,000 calls to the Hotline, with 11,200 made this year alone.
