SearchArchives for May 2008
29 May, 2008Women deliver on baby leave submission
The findings of a research project that supports calls for a national paid maternity leave scheme have been released by the Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).
According to the EOWA findings, paid maternity leave among medium to large organisations increased from 23.7 per cent in 2001 to 48.9 per cent in 2007 and the percentage of Australian employers providing 12 weeks or more paid maternity leave had increased to 40 per cent, compared to 27 per cent two years ago.
The Agency is to include the research findings in its submission to the Commonwealth Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Paid Maternity Leave.
According to EOWA, despite the spread of paid maternity leave, there were significant disparities across the workforce, thereby supporting the introduction of a universal scheme.
The data collected for EOWA showed that two thirds (63%) of organisations providing paid maternity leave did not make it available to all staff.
The disadvantaged staff were casual employees, contractors, non-managerial employees and those under particular awards, or women who did not meet minimum eligibility criteria.
“Among the 51.1 per cent of organisations that do not provide paid maternity leave are sectors that have a high number of women workers, particularly the retail, accommodation and food services sectors,” the Agency said.
“Together, these sectors employ nearly a third of all women covered by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act.”
It said in addition, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that women professionals were twice as likely to use paid maternity leave as women who were employed as clerical, sales or service workers.
“Only 19 per cent of small and medium enterprises provide paid maternity leave”.
Director of EOWA, Anna McPhee said the research clearly demonstrated a solid business case for universal paid maternity leave to address the inequities.
29 May, 2008
WaterWise program making a splash
The Department of Main Roads and Local Government’s Home WaterWise Service has signed up its 200,000th customer.
Minister, Warren Pitt, said the water savings the program had generated were now 4.2 billion litres a year.
“It’s an extraordinary result and I thank all of the customers in south east Queensland who have already signed on for the service,” Mr Pitt said.
“Every one of those 200,000 customers is now saving an average of 21,000 litres of water each year around their home.”
He said the combined savings were equivalent to the yearly water usage of a city the size of Toowoomba.
“This result means the service is now the most successful resource-saving initiative in Queensland’s history.”
Mr Pitt said the Home WaterWise Service gave home owners $150 worth of water-saving plumbing services for just $20.
He said a licensed plumber would install a new three-star rated showerhead; water efficient aerators and fix up to three leaking taps for the $20 price, with an additional two showerheads installed for just $30 each.
He said customers saved around $100 a year in water and hot water heating costs.
“The service really pays for itself in a very short time,” he said.
Mr Pitt said despite the considerable savings made through the service, Queenslanders must not get complacent about their water usage.
“When the service first started, south-east Queenslanders were each using an average of 330 litres of water a day.
“That figure is now down to 130 litres per person per day, and the Home WaterWise Service has certainly played a role in that reduction.”
Bookings for a Home WaterWise Service could be made by calling 13 PLUG (7584) or visiting www.homewaterwise.com
29 May, 2008
Main Roads heading in right direction
The Department of Main Roads has launched its Roads to Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) describing it as further evidence of the Department’s commitment to the reconciliation process.
Minister for Main Roads, Warren Pitt and Main Roads Director-General, Alan Tesch joined former Reconciliation Australia co-chair Jackie Huggins to launch the plan in Brisbane.
Mr Pitt said Main Roads was the first Department to develop a RAP in conjunction with Reconciliation Australia and to post a statement of commitment on its website.
"Main Roads continues to be a leading organisation in meeting the challenges we all face in closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage,” Mr Pitt said.
“I hope we are the first of many Departments to develop a RAP."
He said Main Roads was already engaged in the reconciliation process, with initiatives such as the Bitumen Dreaming cultural awareness program already available for its staff.
"Main Roads has provided a variety of scholarships, training and employment programs for Indigenous people, such as the Education to Employment scheme,” Mr Pitt said.
"Developing our Action Plan has provided Main Roads with the opportunity to further focus our existing initiatives and explicitly state our commitment to reconciliation."
The launch was opened with a welcome to country ceremony and according to Mr Tesch, was the start of the next phase of the reconciliation journey.
He said the RAP would continue to be developed in a spirit of collaboration and consultation over the next 12 months.
"This spirit of working together will be imperative to its implementation,” Mr Tesch said, “and in achieving better outcomes for Indigenous communities and for the general Queensland community."
29 May, 2008
Trees axed in House cutback
Two diseased trees are to be removed from the grounds of Government House for safety reasons.
Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said a Jacaranda and an Albizzia were suffering from the root fungus Ganoderma applanatum and would have to go.
Mr Schwarten said an arborist had diagnosed the problem which attacked the Jacaranda first and then spread to the Albizzia.
“Unfortunately, there is no control or treatment for Ganoderma rot,” Mr Schwarten said. “Once a tree is infected, it is only a matter of time before it dies.”
He said the Jacaranda was also structurally suspect, having had a limb removed in the past and a significant torsion crack increasing the risk that a branch could fall across Fernberg Road, Paddington.
He said Qbuild had restricted access to the area to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors to the Estate.
“The Governor has been briefed on the condition of the trees, and an Exemption Certificate has been received from the Heritage Council for their removal,” Mr Schwarten said.
He said replacement plantings of the same species would be undertaken and the wood of the fallen Jacaranda tree recycled via the Wood Turners’ Society of Queensland.
Secretary of the Wood Turners’ Society, Robert McKee, said the wood would be used to tutor members of the society and promote the continuation of their craft.
Mr Schwarten said the trees would be removed between 1 and 4 June, with their replacements planted later.
29 May, 2008
Heroes plug in to Powerpoint show
The Queensland Public Sector Union has produced PowerPoint presentations for members of its Climate Heroes scheme to use in briefing their workmates on the need for climate action.
The Union sees climate change as the greatest challenge to Australia’s future prosperity and has introduced the Climate Heroes program to bring individuals, business and Government, together to make a difference to the future.
According to the Union, acceptance of the campaign has been strong but will take some time to have effect.
“With so many people joining the effort, we are well on our way to the sustainable future that we all want to see,” the Union said.
“It won't happen overnight, or even in a single year - but every small action that we take is one step on the journey.”
It said the next seven years to 2015 were crucial times for the campaign.
“We need the very best practices and policies in place to address climate change, and we need them now.”
The Union said being a Climate Hero was about educating workmates, friends, family and community members, as well as empowering them to make a difference, and the PowerPoint presentations would be useful in that regard.
“The presentations are region-specific to north or to south Queensland,” it said.
“The first step is to raise people’s awareness.”
It said each Australian could commit to permanently cutting their personal climate impact by 30 per cent - cutting both greenhouse pollution and electricity bills.
“We can do this in our workplaces, in our homes, and we can encourage our wider communities to do the same.
“Together, our simple actions become even stronger.”
For more information about the Climate heroes, or the PowerPoint presentations, email climate@qpsu.org.au.
29 May, 2008
Workplace campaign to work on safety
A campaign to improve safety in the workplace has been launched by Employment and Industrial Relations Minister, John Mickel.
Mr Mickel unveiled Homecomings, saying it was aimed at creating awareness of the need for workplace safety and encouraging workers to place a higher value on it.
He said the Workplace Health and Safety Queensland campaign (WHSQ) would kick off with television advertising emphasising the importance of staying safe at work to ensure a safe return home.
“Through the Homecomings campaign the Queensland Government wants to rally community support to help reduce the burden of workplace injuries,” Mr Mickel said.
“Research on attitudes to workplace safety tells us that although there is universal acceptance that safety at work is important, it is not valued highly enough.”
He said the campaign was “positive and unashamedly emotive” and aimed to emphasise the effects of workplace safety on others.
At the launch, WHSQ Regional Operations Manager, Owen Bevan highlighted the campaign message by recounting his personal experience of a workplace accident that left his father incapacitated.
Mr Mickel said in Queensland in 2006-07 there were 114 work-related fatalities and 29,456 injuries where workers needed five or more days off work.
“That is almost 30,000 families each year who are directly affected by a serious workplace incident,” he said.
He said if the WHSQ was to achieve its targets of a 40 per cent reduction in injuries and a 20 per cent reduction in fatalities by 2012, significant changes in attitudes and behaviour needed to be made.
Mr Mickel said the campaign was a new initiative in workplace health and safety promotion.
“Focus groups have told us that the softer approach of this campaign makes it easy to relate to and avoids the ‘turn-off’ factor.”
He said the television commercial followed a young boy waiting anxiously for his Dad to return from work. When his Dad finally arrives home the campaign theme is revealed: ‘The most important reason for making your workplace safe is not at work at all’.
Mr Mickel said the campaign was a great example of States working together to improve workplace health and safety because it originated in Victoria and enjoyed success in New South Wales and Western Australia.
“The cost to the Queensland economy of work-related deaths, injuries and illness is estimated at around $4.5 billion annually – this $930,000 campaign is an investment in safer Queensland workplaces.”
Mr Mickel said the campaign would run for six weeks and include television, radio and print advertising including ethnic and Indigenous media and information packs mailed to Queensland workplaces.
More information could be found at www.deir.qld.gov.au
29 May, 2008
Mt Isa health scare is lead balloon
Recommendations following a screening program for lead levels in the regional town of Mt Isa have won the backing of the State Government.
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson and Sustainability Minister Andrew McNamara have committed the Government to ensuring the recommendations will be implemented.
Mr Robertson said the screening program’s report had identified ways for Mt Isa families to live safely with lead in their community.
He said the program by Queensland Health found that in 2006 and 2007, 11.3 per cent (or 45) of 400 children between one and four who were tested had elevated blood lead levels.
Mr Robertson said the State Government was working with the Living With Lead Alliance to identify strategies to control dust in Mt Isa.
The report showed that with healthier lifestyles and improved dust control, 11 of the 45 identified children had seen their lead levels drop to below the alert level.
“The report also recommended a further blood study should be conducted in 2012 to ensure children’s lead levels are appropriately monitored,” Mr Robertson said, “along with plans to continue direct health assistance for children with elevated blood lead levels.”
He said he had consulted with the MP for Mt Isa, Betty Kiernan and decided the study should be brought forward to 2010.
“We’re not taking a backward step from this. We want to ensure blood levels are as low as they can be amongst Mt Isa children and regular studies will be an important component,” he said.
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health would continue to check the outcomes of free blood testing which was available on a regular basis in Mt Isa, and encouraged concerned residents to take advantage of them.
Mr McNamara said the Environmental Protection Agency would monitor emissions from the Mount Isa mining operations closely to ensure they met appropriate standards.
“The Environmental Protection Agency will ensure that Xstrata meets tighter environmental standards as foreshadowed in legislation passed in Parliament,” Mr McNamara said.
“During the transition period to the stricter environmental protection standards for the mine operations, the EPA will closely monitor and audit the company’s progress.”
He said the new standards would be based on world best practice covering air, water, noise, soil contamination and site rehabilitation.
He said the EPA would report to the Living With Lead Alliance regularly and ensure the best possible environmental standards were met.
Mr Robertson said it was important to remember that lead was a naturally occurring mineral in many places across Australia.
“A large percentage of the population are exposed but are living quite safely with lead and I see no reason why Mt Isa can’t,” he said.
He said a national study in 1995 revealed 7.3 per cent of children had blood lead levels above 10.
“That doesn’t mean adverse outcomes – it just means active management and closer monitoring so that those levels are lowered and that’s exactly what’s being done in Mount Isa,” Mr Robertson said.
He said the report showed Indigenous children were more likely to have elevated levels than non-Indigenous kids, and that Queensland Health was working on lowering the difference. “Research will be carried out later this year to determine how well this campaign has hit home and if necessary, we’ll change it according to the findings,” Mr Robertson said.
The report was available at www.health.qld.gov.au
29 May, 2008
Rights watchdog reports plate full
The Queensland Workplace Rights Office has reported that the March quarter of this year was its busiest period ever.
Workplace Rights Ombudsman, Don Brown said his office received 5,283 calls in the three months to 31 March, up 546 or 12.2 per cent on the previous quarter.
The Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel said the quarterly report underlined the valuable service the Workplace Rights Office and Ombudsman was providing to the Queensland workforce.
“Since the Office began last July more than 14,230 calls have been received from employers and employees resulting in more than 500 investigations,” Mr Mickel said.
“The great majority of these investigations have resulted in wrongs being corrected.”
He said the Office had been able to assist both employers and employees in understanding their rights and obligations in industrial relations and work-related matters.
Mr Mickel said the highest proportion of investigations occurred in the engineering, hospitality, cleaning, construction and retail industries.
He said the most significant issues raised regularly by callers were employment termination; wages and employment conditions; workplace harassment, State and Federal jurisdiction; employment and sub-contractual confusion or coercion; disciplinary procedures; child employment issues; and unpaid trial employment.
Mr Mickel said over half the cases investigated involved male workers and full-time employees. He said the largest number of cases comprised employees between 26 to 40, although 28 per cent of calls were from young employees under 25.
Mr Mickel said the quarterly report included details on investigations into the Recreational Diving and Fruit and Vegetable Harvesting industries.
29 May, 2008
Wise move for Smart State plan
The Premier, Anna Bligh, has announced a major shift in the focus of the Government’s Smart State strategy, saying the time had come to move from “bricks to brains.”
Ms Bligh said a four-year investment of $120 million in the strategy would concentrate on enabling the State’s “best and brightest” who worked in institutes, research centres and laboratories.
“We have built the foundations for the Smart State economy with a massive investment in infrastructure,” Ms Bligh said.
“There will still be money for projects but I want to change direction and invest more in the most valuable commodity we have – our people.”
She said there would a major overhaul of existing programs as part of the strategy, including Queensland’s smart future 2008-2012 as well as the introduction of several new initiatives.
Ms Bligh said the Government would triple its investment in people.
“All up, we will spend around $43 million providing scholarships, fellowships and other research grants to individual researchers – compared to $12 million in the previous Strategy,” she said.
This would take the number of scholarships and fellowships funded up from 190 to around 280 and offer new opportunities for industry and research leaders to exchange information and commercialise research discoveries.
“It also includes a new Health and Medical research and development program with clinical and health research fellowships,” Ms Bligh said.
She said under the new program three streams of fellowship would be awarded.
These would be six Senior Clinical Research Fellowships valued at up to $850,000 per annum, 22 Health Research Fellowships worth up to $250,000 per annum and 12 Clinical Academic Fellowships worth up to $75,000 per annum.
Ms Bligh said the fellowships were the most generous in the country and would give Queensland the edge in attracting leading clinicians, health professionals and researchers.
“They will also help us better translate results in the lab into better health services in our hospitals,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the State would establish the first Office of Health and Medical Research and Development to coordinate health sector research.
“Another $60 million will create new partnerships and collaborations to ensure that research is applied, to build our industries and solve contemporary challenges like climate change,” she said.
“We will also spend $6 million to bolster creativity and innovation in design and tropical research.”
Ms Bligh said the Smart State strategy had transformed the economy.
“We have created new industries and thousands of new jobs in fields such as aviation, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing and creative industries.”
She said the Government had provided the ‘bricks and mortar’ to drive the growth by establishing world-class facilities such as the Brain Institute.
“We have provided the platform for researchers to do their work. We have built it and they have come,” Ms Bligh said.
29 May, 2008
Security campaign in safe CBD hands
A week-long community awareness campaign is under way at various commuter points within the Brisbane Central Business District as part of the Brisbane Secure project.
The project sets out emergency responses to events and incidents that might threaten the people living, working or visiting the Brisbane CBD.
It provides assurance for the people that Emergency Services have the ability and preparedness to respond quickly to potential threats.
Brisbane Secure was developed by Queensland Police in collaboration with State and Local Government agencies, QR and St John Ambulance.
Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson said the development of Brisbane Secure continued to evolve as it provided an ongoing, public education strategy in the event of a crisis or emergency incident.
“Brisbane Secure has involved significant community, business and inter-agency consultation,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“We looked at what is being done nationally and internationally to ensure that the best possible plans are in place.”
He said if an event occurred, people might be asked to do one of four things:
- evacuate immediately, or
- Take shelter-in-place, or
- Carry on business as usual, or
- In the worst case scenario – a mass evacuation of the CBD.
“Public awareness is an important part of the Plan for people who are regularly within the CBD.”
He said the week-long community awareness campaign would ensure that the community and stakeholders in the CBD were properly informed.
He said during the campaign a Brisbane Secure community information brochure would be distributed providing straightforward instructions for everyone including building managers, fire wardens and child care centre operators.
“Public information seminars are also scheduled for 19 June and 2 July 2008 at Police headquarters where the public are invited to ask more in depth questions regarding the plan.” Details on how to register for the seminars, and more information about the project, were on the Brisbane Secure website www.police.qld.gov.au/BrisbaneSecure.
29 May, 2008
New border scheme is at cutting edge
Queensland’s international airports and seaports are to be more secure after the introduction of new border security technology by the Commonwealth.
Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans said a new border security portal would give airport inspectors more time to assess passengers' data before their flights arrived in Australia.
“This will mean border inspectors can clear low-risk passengers quickly and allow for more careful assessment of people who may be of concern,” he said.
Senator Evans said previously inspectors had to check multiple systems and sources of information to gain a full picture of a passenger's circumstances.
He said the new portal gathered information from several separate systems.
“In assessing whether a person is eligible to enter the country, Immigration staff have access to the passenger's travel history, travel documentation, contact information, known aliases as well as the status of any security checks.”
He said this information would now be available through one computer screen.
“This new technology will provide border security staff faster access to a wider range of information to ensure people arriving in Australia have legal travel documents and pose no risk to our security.”
Senator Evans said the Government would continue to support the Security Referral Service over the coming months to staff based in Australia and overseas.
“This service provides an effective and reliable electronic link between the Immigration Department and security Agencies, ensuring a more efficient security checking process,” he said.
The Senator said about 1500 people were refused immigration clearance at Australia’s borders each year, and were returned to their country of departure as soon as travel arrangements could be made.
He said around 12 million passengers arrived in Australia each year.
Senator Evans said the $2.5 million Border Security Portal was part of the Systems for People business transformation program currently being implemented at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
29 May, 2008
Uni reconciliation adopted by degrees
James Cook University has issued a Reconciliation Statement and renamed its library the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library, in tribute to the late Eddie Mabo.
The moves were welcomed by the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Lindy Nelson-Carr who said reconciliation was “everyone’s business” and the JCU initiatives were a timely reminder that it needed to be a united effort.
Ms Nelson-Carr joined the Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin at the launch and renaming event.
“It’s wonderful to see JCU accepting the challenge to achieve genuine and sustainable reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Renaming the library in honour of Eddie Mabo will provide a lasting memorial to the man who was a driving force behind the historic 1992 High Court decision on recognition of native title.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said it had been 27 years since Mr Mabo had spoken at a land rights conference at JCU where he had outlined his vision of land ownership and land inheritance.
She said both the Federal and Queensland Governments had made their commitment to reconciliation clear, and that it was time to ‘get on with the job’ to ensure all Queenslanders enjoyed the same standard of living and prospects.
“I look forward to working closely with Minister Macklin to help close the gap in life outcomes and opportunities for Indigenous Queenslanders, as outlined in the Council of Australian Governments’ agreed national targets and strategies,” she said.
29 May, 2008
Consumer Ministers add law to basket
Ministers for Consumer Affairs from all the States and Territories have endorsed a Productivity Commission recommendation that there be one single national law for consumer protection, but that enforcement remain at the local level.
Attorney-General, Kerry Shine said the Ministers who attended the Ministerial Council on Consumer Affairs (MCCA) had agreed in principle to reforms of product safety arrangements to see the single law established.
“This has been an historic meeting which will have a major impact on product safety regulation in this country,” Mr Shine said.
“I am also pleased that the States will continue to enforce the law as I believe this will provide for better compliance by retailers and a faster response to product safety issues.”
Mr Shine said the Commonwealth would assume responsibility for implementing permanent bans on products, but through the retention of State’s power to issue interim product bans, they would still have input.
“Having the Commonwealth controlling permanent bans will bring more certainty to product safety in Australia and the States will still be able to propose permanent bans if they encounter problems with a product,” he said.
“The MCCA’s decision will now be considered by the Council of Australian Governments at its next meeting when a final decision will be made on the uniform product safety laws.”
Mr Shine said a number of other significant issues were considered at the MCCA meeting, including statutory warranties and wine labeling reforms.
He said Ministers agreed jurisdictions would take action to raise consumer and business awareness of the statutory warranty laws, but that in the longer term they needed to be comprehensively reviewed.
Mr Shine said States and Territories had agreed to expedite bringing the World Wine Trade Group’s agreement on requirements for wine labeling into force in their respective jurisdictions.
He said MCCA would next meet in Tasmania in August.
29 May, 2008
Innisfail hub to be training station
A new education and training hub is to be built at Innisfail as part of the area’s rebuilding program.
To cost $36.7 million, the new hub would transform the Innisfail TAFE site and become a ‘learning community’ in which high school and TAFE students would share new and re-modeled buildings.
Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford and Member for Mulgrave, Warren Pitt outlined the new plans.
“The re-building of Innisfail provides a great opportunity to bring together secondary, vocational, special and adult education in a way not previously attempted,” Mr Welford said.
“Integrating the high school and TAFE has obvious benefits, at a time when increasing numbers of secondary students are undertaking school-based apprenticeships and traineeships.”
He said although the proposal was dependent on approval for further development of the TAFE site, it had been welcomed by the community.
If approved, it would expand the campus by 1.15 hectares to enable additional facilities such as sports and performing arts centres to be built.
Mr Welford said the new facilities would be open for community and student use.
He said the project, which would be a part of the State Schools of Tomorrow initiative, would involve reconfiguring existing TAFE buildings to create larger learning spaces, modern communication technology and science and computer laboratories; constructing the Innisfail Inclusive Education Centre to meet the special learning needs of high school students and adult learning programs; and adding an auditorium, library, new canteen and a sports centre.
The auditorium would seat 300 students and include a covered performance space with informal seating, while the sports centre would include a kinesiology laboratory and a fitness centre.
Mr Pitt said the Government had consulted widely with the public and Agencies while developing the plan, and would continue to do so in relation to delivering the services to an enlarged campus
“People expressed their enthusiasm for the TAFE option at many briefings and two open public meetings,” Mr Pitt said.
He said all facilities were expected to be completed for the start of the 2010 school year and the sports centre would double as a cyclone shelter in the event of a natural disaster.
29 May, 2008
New walks set pace at Roma St Parkland
Specialised guided walks at the Roma Street Parkland have been launched as a way of reintroducing the Parkland to the community.
According to Parkland management, a new sensory walk, an AUSLAN interpreter walk, an art walk, a heritage walk and a curator’s walk have all been launched to extend the enjoyment of the area to more people.
Roma Street Parkland worked closely with Deaf Australia, Deaf Services Queensland and Sign Language Services Queensland on the AUSLAN Interpreter walk and liaised with Vision Australia to train Volunteer Guides and conduct the trial Sensory Walk.
“The idea behind the Sensory Walk is to stimulate participants’ senses,” Parkland management said. “It is particularly suited to people who are vision impaired or living with head injuries.”
It said the art walk provided an insight into the artworks integrated and themed throughout the Parkland gardens, with guides on hand to offer plenty of information about the different works from local artists.
“The curator’s walk focuses on the design and planning of the gardens, the changing of seasons and the different plants in bloom.
Walks at the parklands should be booked in advance, and were ideal for school groups, community groups, gardening clubs and members of the public.
For more information, contact Roma Street Parkland on (07) 3006 4545 or visit www.romastreetparkland.com
29 May, 2008
Explosive warning on illegal fireworks
The Minister for Mines and Energy has warned people caught using illegal fireworks they they can expect to face the full force of the law.
Minster, Geoff Wilson said bans on unlicensed people buying, selling, using or possessing fireworks had been in place in Queensland since 1972 but despite that, some people still used illegal fireworks.
“They're exposing themselves and people around them to serious injury," Mr Wilson said.
"We've had fireworks accidents in the past in Queensland where a man lost his finger, and a boy lost his eye.”
Mr Wilson’s warning came after a man was convicted and fined $1200 in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court for the illegal possession of fireworks and for organising an illegal fireworks display at Lake Currimundi on 1 January last year.
"If people complain about being prosecuted, so be it,” Mr Wilson said.
“I'd much rather have someone hit with a fine than a potentially legal explosive."
Mr Wilson said illegal fireworks were generally of poor quality and could be dangerous when used by untrained or inexperienced people .
"Only licensed fireworks contractors can legally buy and use fireworks and only at organised displays," he said.
He said there were around 150 prosecutions in Queensland last year and recent fines imposed by the Courts had reached up to $6000.
"Explosives inspectors warn that anyone caught using illegal fireworks will be prosecuted. The penalties can be severe - up to $30,000 or six months' imprisonment," Mr Wilson said.
"I would urge anyone with information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks to pass that information on to Police."
29 May, 2008
German opportunity
Young Public Servants are being encouraged to apply for an Australian German Association and Goethe-Institut Fellowship 2008.
The fellowship would provide the successful applicant with a 3-month research opportunity in Germany and include 8 weeks intensive language study with accommodation, 4 weeks research and a return airfare.
Applications must be logged by 6 June, and were available from www.aga.org.au
24-hour trucks
The Coordinator-General is seeking community feedback on a request to allow seven day, around-the clock truck trips from Bowen Hills along Kingsford Smith Drive to Eagle Farm related to the North South Bypass Tunnel project.
Brisbane City Council has approval for the trips on 6 days a week but now wants the contractors to work Sundays as well.
According to the Co-ordinator-General, Colin Jensen, the request was not to increase the amount of spoil removed from the project’s Bowen Hills site nor was it to increase the number of truck movements.
“Rather, it would allow trucks to avoid the most congested (traffic) periods by spreading the haulage time over the whole week and would reduce the project’s contribution to traffic problems in peak times.”
Mr Jensen said he would issue a decision after considering the public submissions.
More information, and advice on lodging a submission, was available at www.dip.qld.gov.au/projects
New wheat bred
Three new varieties of wheat have been launched in Queensland to meet demand from the Asian bread market.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin launched the varieties which were bred by Enterprise Grains Australia, a joint venture between DPI&F, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
One of the new strains came from a collaborative research program between DPI&F and the University of Queensland.
Mr Mulherin said there had been 37 wheat varieties developed by the DPI&F plant breeding team at Leslie Research Centre in Toowoomba.
Corridor for development
A 90 kilometre infrastructure corridor from Stanwell to Gladstone has been declared as a State Development area.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, said the corridor would house pipelines capable of transporting water, gas and mineral slurries or shielding telecommunication cables.
He said a new development scheme would be produced to manage land uses in the corridor.
Funding to cut risk
Two Indigenous organisations are to receive $4.6 million to improve the safety of homeless people at risk of harm in public spaces.
Over the next three years Yumba-Meta Housing Association Limited and Murrie Watch Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation are to receive the funding to address community concerns.
Minister for Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Government was committed to supporting members of the community who were exposed to, or at risk of harm.
Helicopter takes off
A new emergency helicopter has started operations in Townsville.
The $16 million Agusta Westland 139 twin-engined helicopter is the second of three to be stationed at Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns as part of Emergency Management Queensland Rescue’s fleet.
The new helicopter has a 30 per cent increased range and 20 per cent increased speed over the helicopter it replaced and would be used for search and rescue and aero-medical patient transfer across north Queensland.
In its first day, the helicopter hit the sky running, responding to two emergencies in less than 24 hours.
Advisors sought
The State Government has sought expressions of interest for people to join the board of advisors for the new Indigenous Queenslanders’ Foundation.
The Foundation is being established to provide independent funding for bursaries and scholarships for young Indigenous people.
Expressions of interest close on 2 June and should be directed to The Indigenous Queenslanders’ Foundation, PO Box 15397, Brisbane City East, QLD, 4002.
Fish protected
Two newly-declared Fish Habitat Areas have been confirmed by the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin.
“Cleveland Bay in Townsville and the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, have been given protection as declared Fish Habitat Areas,” Mr Mulherin said.
He said while the Areas would offer protection to natural fish habitats from coastal development they were still open to all forms of legal fishing, boating and community access.
22 May, 2008
QPSU informed on
cancer developments
The Queensland Public Sector Union has won tentative agreement from the Department of Public Works to be included in meetings relating to the health risks to staff working in Brisbane’s Mineral House.
Fears that the building may be contributing to a cluster of cancer cases among workers led the Department to call in experts from Queensland Health to check the building for risk factors.
“We have also sought an audit of all Government buildings that may be covered by similar circumstances,” the QPSU said on its website.
“One concern delegates did have was that both DPW and Queensland Health were under the impression there were six cancer cases involved and it is our understanding there is a far larger number than this in the building.”
The Union reported that the Departments and Agencies housing staff in the building, included Transport, NRW, Main Roads, Liquor Licensing, Sunwater, Corporatelink, Communities, Child Safety, Queensland Purchasing, Qfleet, DME, Local Government
Tourism, Racing and Fair Trade.
“QPSU will be establishing a focus group comprising representatives from each Department in Mineral House,” the union said.
It said DPW had established a telephone hotline which staff could call and pass on details about their situation if they had developed cancer.
“We urge staff to do so.
“We have been assured this line is confidential.
“The number is 3224 6689.
“Members should also ensure any illnesses that could be caused through their work environment are documented with their Occupational Health and Safety Committee to protect any future actions that may arise.”
Queensland Health said there was no indication that a major number of one type of cancer had been reported, and that indicated there was little likelihood of a "cluster" problem at this stage.
The QPSU urged its members to contact others they knew who worked in Mineral House but may not have been contacted about the issue, or to let the union know on 1800 177 244.
22 May, 2008
2008 ratepayers
less objectionable
Objections to property valuations issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Water have reached a record low with only 6,000 lodged against more than a million assessments.
Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace said the rate compared well with the 2006 round of valuations which attracted more than twice that number of objections.
Mr Wallace said this year’s objections equated to 0.58 per cent of valuations while from 1999 to 2006, the number of objections was consistently over 1 per cent.
“The drop in objections follows the introduction of improved and more detailed information about valuations available through the NRW website, a call centre and a postal campaign explaining the valuations process,” Mr Wallace said.
He said rising land prices in many areas of Queensland were reflected in the new valuation figures.
“These increased valuations reflect the booming Queensland economy and continued population growth as more people are attracted to the State,” he said.
Mr Wallace said the NRW calculated land values in Queensland every year and parcels of land were given an unimproved value - the amount for which they would be expected to sell with no improvements such as houses, fences and earthworks.
He said where objections to land valuations were made, they were first considered by one of the Department’s senior valuers who was not part of the initial valuation assessment.
Landholders then had the right to appeal against the senior valuer’s decision to the Land Court.
Mr Wallace said of all the objections received and reviewed in 2007, 86 per cent were resolved through the objection hearing process.
He said the new valuations were a snapshot of unimproved land values as at 1 October last year, based on changes in the local property market, and reflecting former Local Government boundaries.
22 May, 2008
Audit raises roof on
staff accommodation
An audit of staff accommodation for Queensland Health has revealed maintenance and security problems that were being rectified as a matter of urgency.
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson said extra funding would be provided to complete the work and new staff accommodation would be built in various locations around the State.
Mr Robertson said a comprehensive audit of 1,237 Queensland Health owned or leased dwellings found most buildings were of a good or adequate standard but about 17 (one per cent) were classified ‘extreme’ risk and a further 100 (eight per cent) were classified as ‘high’ risk.
He said to be of extreme risk a building needed to lack such items as fire alarms, safety switches and suffer from inappropriate screening and/or locks.
To be at high risk a building needed to have smoke alarms not properly maintained and security measures not fully implemented.
“Every dwelling classified as ‘extreme’ or ‘high’ is in the process of immediate rectification,” Mr Robertson said
“We have health staff delivering services and living in some of the most remote reaches of Queensland. The safety and security of all our staff is paramount, especially those living in Queensland Health accommodation.”
He said he had instructed his Department to repair any security flaws at the time he announced the audit in March and not to wait for its findings.
Mr Robertson said the audit also made a number of broader recommendations which included:
- Developing minimum standards for staff accommodation;
- Asking Queensland Fire and Rescue Service to conduct fire safety inspections by for all multi-staff accommodation of six people or more;
- Reviewing Queensland Health’s ongoing ownership and management of staff accommodation;
- Developing a strategy for ongoing inspection and maintenance.
22 May, 2008
DPP makes case for funding boost
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine, has recognised concerns within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions caused by a reported $17.8 million shortfall in funding and high workloads.
Mr Shine said he was aware of the concerns, which was why he requested a report on recruitment and retention trends within the Office of the DPP back in January.
A confidential report from the ODPP estimated that at least 91 extra staff were needed to handle the Office’s caseload which was six times higher than that in other States and that the funding shortfall and consequent overworking of staff were threatening the outcomes of DPP Court cases. It called for the recruitment of 49 prosecutors and 42 advocates.
“I received a draft of the report in late March and then instructed my Director-General to conduct further investigations regarding the issues raised,” Mr Shine said.
He dismissed the caseload comparison with other States as not “comparing apples with apples” as around 60 per cent of the Queensland DPP’s workload dealt with less complex matters in lower courts.
“The figures in other jurisdictions only refer to the more complex matters dealt with in the high courts,” Mr Shine said. “This explains in part the higher figures attributed to caseloads in Queensland.”
He said he was considering restructuring the way matters were dealt with in the Magistrates Court to reduce the workload of DPP prosecutors.
“Over the last five years we have increased funding to the ODPP by 43 per cent,” Mr Shine said. “What I am concerned about in our current tight economic climate is to make sure that taxpayers’ money is being used efficiently.”
He said the main concern of the DPP report was about developing a strategy to recruit and retain staff and ensure the Office of the DPP was running as effectively as possible.
22 May, 2008
Agent Orange sparks red alert
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson has written to the Federal Minister for Defence asking that his Department investigate claims that the poisonous chemical Agent Orange was tested near the northern town of Innisfail in the 1960s.
Mr Robertson said while there was no evidence to support claims that the rate of cancer deaths in Innisfail was higher than the Queensland average, the people of Innisfail deserved to know if Agent Orange was tested in their town.
“After speaking with the Premier I asked my Department to investigate the incidence of cancer in Innisfail compared with the rest of the State,” Mr Robertson said.
“Queensland Health has confirmed that there is no evidence of a higher rate of cancer in Innisfail.
"Clearly it's important to address the continuing concerns of the Innisfail community and that's why I've written to the Department of Defence which is the appropriate agency to tackle any further investigation."
Newspapers had reported that figures from Queensland Health showed 76 people from Innisfail had died from cancer which was 10 times the State's average and four times the national average for a town of less than 12,000 in 2005.
They said the densely grown rainforest site where spraying was believed to have occurred had never regrown and lay on a ridge about 100m above the Johnstone River which supplied the town’s water.
Information pointing to the secret tests was discovered by a researcher at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
The War Memorial’s archive were believed to confirm that the chemicals 2,4-D, Diquat, Tordon and dimethyl sulphoxide were sprayed on the rainforest between 1964 and 1966.
22 May, 2008
COAG fund puts money where mouths are
A new fund to reform the Council of Australian Governments has been announced by the federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan.
Mr Swan said the intention was to help deliver a new era of Commonwealth-State relations.
He said many significant challenges facing the Australian economy could only be addressed through more effective Commonwealth-State arrangements and the COAG Reform Fund would enable all Australian Governments to work together to deliver better services through investment in transport, communication, education, skills, health and aging.
He said the Reform Fund would receive contributions directly from the Commonwealth as well as from the three other Funds announced in the Budget for capital investment - the Building Australia Fund to focus on transport and communication infrastructure; the Education Investment Fund; and the Health and Hospitals Fund.
Mr Swan said the Commonwealth would make an initial contribution of around $40 billion to the funds, largely from the 2007-08 and 2008-09 Federal surpluses.
He said where investments in transport, communication, health, hospitals and education were to be undertaken by the States, associated Commonwealth funding would be channelled through the COAG Reform Fund.
He said more cooperative Federalism would deliver better services through reducing administration and compliance costs, freeing up resources and ending the blame game and cost shifting behaviours of the past.
Mr Swan said the States would have increased freedom to design and implement methods of services delivery within the context of the mutually-agreed national objectives.
He said this would lead to service delivery which was cost-effective and better met the needs of the community.
He said to ensure total capital spending from the fund was consistent with national macroeconomic goals, the Australian Loan Council would provide advice on whether the combined spending envelope of both the Commonwealth and the States could be delivered in prevailing economic conditions without putting inflation targets at risk.
22 May, 2008
New DG injected into Health Department
A new Director-General has been appointed to Queensland Health.
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson has announced Mick Reid would take on the position in mid to late June.
“This will mark a new era for Queensland Health,” Mr Robertson said. “Mr Reid will drive the next phase of major health reform in Queensland.”
Mr Robertson said the Queensland public health system had come a long way and undergone widespread reform since the Health Action Plan was launched in 2005.
“We now employ record numbers of doctor and nurses on the ground who are treating record numbers of patients,” he said.
“But we’re only half way there and we need someone with the energy, know-how and clout to drive our reform program.” He said Mr Reid was the perfect candidate for the role.
“Mr Reid will maximise our resources so that every effort is focussed on a better health system for Queenslanders and our frontline staff receive the support they need to do their job.”
Mr Robertson said Mr Reid was an Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Public Administration and had extensive experience in service improvement in several Australian jurisdictions and overseas.
He was Director-General of the New South Wales Health Department for five years until 2002 and was the first Director-General of the NSW Ministry for Science and Medical Research in 2004. He is currently Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon’s Chief of Staff.
“His current role means we’ll see Queensland enjoy a closer, more collaborative relationship with the Rudd Government in building a better system,” Mr Robertson said.
“He’s well-connected across the national health system, knows how to manage a large organisation, (and) has a wealth of industry knowledge.”
Mr Reid said he was honoured to be offered the position and was looking forward to taking the reins.
Queensland Health has become a major national employer with a $7.15 billion budget and nearly 65,000 staff.
22 May, 2008
Shared Service shares glory
The Managing Director of the Shared Service Agency, Mike Burnheim has congratulated SSA staff on their strong showing in the Department of Public Works Staff Recognition Awards.
Mr Burnheim said nearly 200 SSA staff members were nominated for the awards.
“We deliver payroll, recruitment, financial and other services to over 70,000 Public Servants so it will come as no surprise that there is a diversity of experience, skill and talent in our organisation,” Mr Burnheim said.
“And there are unsung heroes out there also, such as our teams who have assisted with payments to storm and flood victims in Queensland recently.”
He said the awards recognised the contributions SSA staff made to the Department and highlighted the skills, commitment and integrity of SSA Staff.
“The quality of all the nominations made it hard to come to a decision about who had won," Mr Burnheim said.
Deputy Director-General of DPW, Tony Waters said since joining the Department in September 2007, the Shared Service Agency had become an important part of the Department, earning a reputation for enthusiastic and proactive staff members who delivered quality services.
“I am pleased to see an emphasis on innovation and continuous improvement in the award nominations,” Mr Waters said.
“These are hallmarks of the shared service initiative."
He said the Department focussed on supporting the Queensland Government by assisting Agencies to deliver key services across the State.
“This is also the aim of the Shared Service Agency. It is clear that we are moving in the same direction.”
The SSA also celebrated excellence in regional Centres with Regional Business Manager, Kev Archie travelling from Rockhampton for the Awards and to restate the SSA's commitment to regional customers.
"We will continue to work closely with our customers in the regions to provide improved services", Mr Archie said.
22 May, 2008
Truancy report is a class act
New guidelines for schools to counter student absenteeism and truancy have been issued by Education Minister, Rod Welford.
Mr Welford said the new Guidelines to address chronic absenteeism, school refusal and truancy were developed to help schools identify types of absenteeism and possible responses.
“Student absenteeism can have a significant effect on a student’s education, and can be associated with early school leaving and limited employment and life choices,” Mr Welford said.
He said it was a complex issue and schools needed to use a range of strategies to help overcome it.
“Early identification and intervention can help schools and families to find the cause of the problem and bring the students involved back to regular attendance.’
Mr Welford said the guidelines were developed following a research project in the Logan-Albert-Beaudesert education district which explored the issues around school attendance.
“The research project found that both whole-school and individual intervention strategies are needed to maximise student attendance,” he said.
“There are a range of types of absenteeism and each requires a different approach.”
He said the guidelines recommended a five-step process for schools: develop a school attendance policy; record and follow up student absences; monitor student non-attendance and patterns of non-attendance; develop a positive school culture and; collaborate with other Agencies.
“There is no quick and simple solution to chronic absenteeism, but these guidelines will help schools investigate the underlying causes of non-attendance so that appropriate strategies can be implemented,” Mr Welford said.
“In many cases, schools will work with other Government agencies including the Queensland Police Service and Department of Child Safety, along with local non-government organisations to support students and their families.”
Mr Welford said the State Government was serious about keeping young Queenslanders at school or in training and had raised the compulsory school age from 15 to 17.
“All young Queenslanders are now required to be in education, training or employment until they reach the age of 17 or complete a qualification,” he said.
22 May, 2008
Research plugs into communications
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has found that the skills and confidence needed to use new communications and media services were becoming increasingly important in all aspects of Australian society.
ACMA commissioned the report, Media Literacy – Concepts, Research and Regulatory Issues, in May 2007 to examine the ability of Australians to access, understand and create communications in a variety of contexts.
ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, said promoting media literacy was a key component to ensuring Australians were equipped with the tools to make informed choices about media and communication services.
“With an increasingly complex array of services and technologies, people need to be confident and skilled in navigating an expanding range and choice of content,” Mr Chapman said.
“They need to know how to manage security and privacy risks online and be able to make informed decisions between various distribution platforms and competing service providers.”
The review, completed by consultants Dr Robyn Penman and Associate Professor Sue Turnbull, provided an historical overview of the academic literature surrounding media literacy in traditional broadcast and digital media environments.
It identified educational and other organisations involved in promoting media literacy in Australia and overseas.
The report found media literacy was important in order to be engaged in society; the gap between ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ was narrowing in terms of information access; there was evidence of a digital literacy divide associated with socio-economic statistics, age, workforce participation and household type; and preparing young people to deal confidently with a range of media in their education, social life or in the workforce should be concentrated on in the future.
The release of the report coincided with ACMA’s participation as a founding member in the International Media Literacy Research Forum in London between 14 and16 May.
The Forum sought to share learning about emerging media literacy issues and to increase awareness on international developments in the field.
ACMA was one of only five institutions worldwide to be invited to join the Forum as a founding member.
A copy of the report was available by visiting ACMA’s websitewww.acma.gov.au.
22 May, 2008
Road campaign slides into motorbike riders
A new road safety campaign targeting motor bike riders has been launched by the Minister for Transport, John Mickel.
Mr Mickel said the state-wide campaign would focus on the risks faced by riders.
He said motorcyclists were at increased risk on the road, with 73 rider or pillion passenger fatalities last year.
“As of this morning 113 people have died on Queensland roads this year and 21 of them were motorbike riders – that is 19 per cent of the road toll,” Mr Mickel said.
He said last year’s toll showed one in five road fatalities were motorbike riders.
“This new road safety campaign focuses on rider responsibility,” he said.
“The campaign aims to alert riders to the facts about motorbike fatalities, the risks riders face on the roads and the simple rules that could help keep riders alive.”
Mr Mickel said riders were also being asked to do their bit by riding where they could be seen, wearing appropriate safety gear and obeying road rules and conditions.
“Riders are the people who can make the most difference, so we're asking them to take responsibility for their safety,” he said.
Mr Mickel said the campaign began on radio on 18 May, and encouraged people to plan their rides while at the same time urging motorists to be aware of riders on the road.
“From next month the campaign will target rider crash hotspots via use of advertising on outdoor billboards, at petrol stations and popular eateries,” he said.
Mr Mickel said as well as running the campaign the Government would consult with motorbike riders and key stakeholders.
In a separate campaign, a Motorbike Safety in Queensland consultation paper was recently released for public comment and had already received over 900 submissions.
“While this response has been very pleasing, I would still encourage all those interested to have a say before the consultation period closes on 30 May,” Mr Mickel said.
“Community feedback is crucial to implementing sound motorcycle safety strategies for all existing and future motorcycle riders.”
Mr Mickel said a copy of the consultation paper was available at www.transport.qld.gov.au or by phoning 3253 4910 and that a motorbike safety website, www.motorbikesafety.qld.gov.au offered additional information.
22 May, 2008
Law Commission to put case for change
The Queensland Law Reform Commission has been asked to review the excuse of ‘accident’ for murder and manslaughter trials and the partial defence of provocation for murder.
Attorney-General, Kerry Shine announced the review saying the Government wanted the criminal law to reflect community expectations.
“There has been a lot of publicity about violence in our community in recent years,” Mr Shine said.
He said the Government released a discussion paper following an audit of murder and manslaughter trials over the previous five years last October.
He said the paper determined the frequency of use of the accident excuse or the defence of provocation.
“We received 34 submissions to the discussion paper and after careful consideration the Government has decided to refer this matter to the Queensland Law Reform Commission,” he said.
Mr Shine said he had provided the QLRC with terms of reference to consider.
“In particular I have asked the QLRC to consider the results of the audit and to look at whether the current excuse of accident reflects community expectations.”
Mr Shine asked the QLRC to look at whether the partial or complete defence of provocation should be abolished or recast; whether the use of alternative counts to the charge of manslaughter such as assault and grievous bodily harm should be redrafted; if there was a need for new offences and; whether current provisions were understood by juries and the community.
Mr Shine said he asked the QLRC to consult with stakeholders where appropriate, and provide a report to his office by 25 September.
“Once I receive the report it will be carefully considered before I take recommendations to Cabinet, which will make a final decision on whether changes to the laws are required,” he said.
22 May, 2008
New laws to tap water reliability
New laws have been passed to protect the safety and reliability of the State’s town water supplies.
Minister for Water, Craig Wallace said the laws created new regulatory frameworks for recycled and drinking water which would help secure future supplies and quality.
Mr Wallace said the laws would formalise the adoption of national guidelines that were already used across much of Queensland.
He said the recycled water and drinking water regulatory frameworks would further protect public health.
“Recycled water is increasingly regarded as an important alternative supply for industrial, commercial and other needs such as supplementing drinking supplies,” Mr Wallace said.
He said the changes were contained in the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Bill and meant the Department of Natural Resources and Water, through the Office of the Water Supply Regulator, would regulate the supply of drinking and recycled water, including purified recycled water to augment drinking water.
Mr Wallace said the legislation would ensure the purified recycled water produced by the Western Corridor Recycled Water Project would be safe to add to Wivenhoe Dam, which supplied most of South-East Queensland’s drinking water.
He said the Office of the Water Supply Regulator would work with Queensland Health to manage safe drinking water and recycled water supplies in Queensland.
He said while Queensland Health would set water quality standards for drinking water and certain uses of recycled water, the Office of the Water Supply Regulator would monitor compliance with those standards.
Recycled and drinking water providers would be required to have approved water quality management plans in place, he said.
Mr Wallace said the new legislation would incorporate existing provisions of the Water Act 2000 relating to dam safety, water supply asset management and regulation of water service providers, and would introduce provisions to regulate recycled water and drinking water.
He said these measures would help secure Queensland’s water future and ensure the safety of Queensland’s water supplies.
22 May, 2008
Motor report drives road response
The Government has used a report from the RACQ on travel times to reaffirm its commitment to tackling road congestion. Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt responded to the report by saying the State’s phenomenal growth posed a serious challenge to traffic planners but the Government had embarked on the biggest road building and traffic management program in the State’s history to deal with it.
“In 2003-04, the capital works budget for Main Roads was about $610 million,” Mr Pitt said.
“For 2007-08, the figure is $2.24 billion – a four-fold increase in just five years.”
He said he was also expecting more funding for roads and congestion-busting initiatives in next month’s State Budget.
Transport Minister John Mickel also responded to the report saying the Government was expanding public transport services to cater for increased demand.
“The Government is acutely aware of the pressures on our roads and public transport system,” Mr Mickel said, “and that is why it is serious about taking concerted action to address the issue.” He said since the public transport operator TransLink had come into existence in July 2004, patronage across the network had grown by more than 30 per cent.
“That level of growth is unprecedented for a major Australian public transport network,” he said. “More than 160 million passenger trips are now taken every year on the TransLink network.”
He said growth in public transport usage was good news for traffic congestion as well as for the environment.
Mr Pitt said the Government was also investing in traffic technology and ‘intelligent’ transport systems to better manage the vehicles already on the roads.
22 May, 2008
Report sprouts need for GM modified food
A report from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Research (ABARE) has found that genetically modified crops would provide significant benefits to regional economies.
The report Economic impacts of GM crops in Australia concluded that not growing GM crops was costing regional Australia dearly.
ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde, said the potential economic impact of cultivating GM crops on State and regional economies was estimated for two scenarios – adopting GM canola and adopting GM canola alongside GM wheat, maize, soy beans and rice.
Mr Glyde said the results indicated Queensland would benefit from adopting GM crops, as would other major grain producing states including Western Australia, NSW, South Australia and Victoria.
“If the adoption of GM canola is delayed for five years, for example, the cumulative foregone benefits would be around a total of $97 million for Western Australia and $66 million for South Australia, measured in 2006-07 dollars,” he said.
The report was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry under the National Biotechnology Strategy.
Copies of Economic impacts of GM crops in Australia, could be downloaded from the ABARE website www.abare.gov.au or obtained by phoning (02) 6272 2010.
22 May, 2008
Seven for Translink
The new TransLink Transit Authority will be comprised of a board of seven members including the chair person.
Transport Minister, John Mickel announced the make-up of the Board saying the new authority would provide a single point of contact for customer service issues for the 17 different train, bus and ferry operators in south east Queensland.
Mr Mickel said a single transport authority would prove invaluable in tackling the challenges facing transport planners and Government, such as traffic congestion and climate change.
Queensland urged to party
Queenslanders have been urged to get into the Queensland Week spirit.
Premier Anna Bligh said the Week would run from Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 June 2008 and would embrace everything which made the Smart State the best place in Australia.
Ms Bligh said there would be a wide variety of events held across the State as part of the celebrations and more information could be found at www.queenslandweek.qld.gov.au
Ethical leadership course
Public Servants have been urged to apply to join the Vincent Fairfax Fellowship program which supports ethical leadership
Expressions of interest in the prerequisite Short Course for Good Leadership must be lodged by 25 June and a series of programs will take place in various capital cities in Australia during July and August 2008.
Up to 60 people will be selected to do the Short Course and once they have completed it, they will be invited to apply for the Fellowship program. The cost of the short course program, airfares and accommodation are covered by the program.
More information is available from www.ethics.org.au
Clean energy now the law
New laws have been passed that promise Queensland a cleaner, greener energy future.
Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson said the Clean Energy Bill would boost the state’s coal seam gas industry, promote the use of electricity powered by the sun and help make mining safer for workers.
“He said the new laws would ensure that timely information was given to officers investigating fatal and serious mining accidents.
Ambulance stations multiply
Two new ambulance stations have been officially opened at Birkdale and Balmoral in the Brisbane region.
An additional three new stations are at Aramac, Gemfields and Carmila in central and western Queensland.
Cancer fears prompt PS office testing
Fears of a possible cancer cluster in a Government office building in Brisbane have led the Department of Public Works to ask Queensland Health to undertake urgent environmental and epidemiological testing.
Minister for Public Works, Robert Schwarten, said an employee of the Queensland Government Security Office, located in Mineral House on George Street, had raised concerns that six staff from the office had developed cancer in the past four years.
“The health and safety of our employees is paramount and for that reason the Department has asked Queensland Health to undertake an urgent investigation,” Mr Schwarten said.
He said initial testing by Queensland Health found electromagnetic field measurements at Mineral House that were well within accepted guidelines.
“The preliminary results from this testing were discussed with staff who work in the building,” Mr Schwarten said.
“The testing showed the electromagnetic field measurements (EMF) readings were around two microtesla.”
He said the interim national guidelines established by the National Health and Medical Research Council were 100 microtesla.
“I stress this result is preliminary and will be verified in the coming days.”
Mr Schwarten said it was important to note the electromagnetic field testing was just the start of the testing and the results would feed into a larger investigation.
“Further testing will continue this week, including scientific testing of other floors where necessary, and epidemiological testing,” he said.
“Epidemiological testing looks at the types of cancers diagnosed in the building as well as the individual circumstances of those people who have been diagnosed with the disease.”
Mr Schwarten said staff and unions had been advised of the actions being taken and staff were continuing to work in the area.
“However should any evidence come to light to indicate the area is unsafe, the Department will immediately take action,” he said.
Mr Schwarten said he had been advised the situation at Mineral House differed from that of the ABC Studios in Toowong and the Atherton Fire Station which each reported cancer clusters, in a number of ways.
“For example, I am informed that a variety of different cancers have been diagnosed in staff working at Mineral House and those diagnosed come from varied demographics,” he said.
He said regardless of the differences, the Department of Public Works would not rest until every avenue of investigation had been completed and the safety of its staff assured.
“The safety of our workforce is paramount. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure our workers are safe,” he said.
“If it is found that the work environment at Mineral House has played any part in people becoming ill the Department of Public Works will immediately act.
“Whatever action that is required will be taken.”
He said more information was available at www.publicworks.qld.gov.au
15 May, 2008
Stamp of approval for consumer law
A review of Australia’s Consumer Policy Framework by the Productivity Commission has recommended a single set of rules for the national marketplace through a single national law.
Attorney-General Kerry Shine, welcomed the report saying it heralded a new era for consumer law.
“The emergence of online shopping and other changes in consumer behaviour has changed the marketplace and the regulatory environment forever,” Mr Shine said.
“Increasingly, markets and supply chains are national in character.”
He said the recommendations made in the Commission’s Final Report would be considered at the meeting of the Ministerial Council for Consumer Affairs in Auckland later this month.
“I expect there will be strong support for a single law,” Mr Shine said.
He said a single law, multiple regulator model would retain the best elements of previous arrangements through existing state Fair Trading Offices and simplify and modernise the laws and rules for business through a single national approach.
Mr Shine said the meeting would also consider other reforms being led by Queensland including enhancements to Australia’s Product Safety and Credit regimes.
He said the Productivity Commission Report complemented the current Council of Australian Governments regulatory reform program, which focuses on regulatory efficiency and increased productivity.
“The COAG regulatory reform agenda and the Productivity Commission’s recommendations will provide significant benefits for business by reducing their regulatory burdens,” he said.
“Queensland’s consistent message is that there be no lessening of protection for consumers.
Mr Shine said consumers would benefit from reduced business costs, productivity gains and through access to a nationally uniform system of consumer redress and action.
“The report recommends fundamental changes to consumer law. These will take time to work through but the Bligh Government is determined to ensure that Queensland has modern consumer laws and the best enforcement program possible,” he said.
15 May, 2008
Cairns tower high on energy conservation
A $17 million office tower boasting the latest in energy-efficient design is to be occupied by a number of State and Federal Departments.
Premier Anna Bligh and Member for Cairns, Desley Boyle, officially opened the building in the Cairns CBD last week.
It is expected to house the Department of Justice and Attorney General; the Shared Services Agency; Disability Services Queensland; Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation; and Education, Training and the Arts.
Ms Bligh said the building was “functional, green focused and locally developed”, making it a great addition to Cairns. “That the Cairns-based Hedley Group designed and constructed Citi-Central Office Building is a massive reflection of local confidence in Cairns and the Far North,” said the Premier.
She said the building featured passive solar sun shades, high performance glazing, centrally controlled lighting and a chilled water generation air conditioning plant.
Ms Boyle said the Citi-Central Office Building was the first modern office building constructed by the private sector in the Cairns CBD in the past decade.
She said it was another demonstration of Queensland’s buoyant local economy.
“It’s ideally located and is an exciting addition to our skyline and adds another element to the Far North’s ‘green’ sophistication,” Ms Boyle said.
Citi–Central comprises of ground-level tenancy, 2 levels of car-parking for over 95 car spaces and seven levels of 360-degree view office space providing 5,000 square metres of lettable space.
Designers expect Citi–Central to achieve at least a 4-star Australian Building Greenhouse Rating.
15 May, 2008
One-stop-shops get going over
A forum to examine the role of one-stop-shop Government Agencies in regional Queensland has been attended by Local Government Minister, Warren Pitt.
Mr Pitt said the meeting, which discussed the Queensland Government Agency Program (QGAP), was held to explore the future of service delivery to people living in rural and remote areas of Queensland, and identify issues affecting QGAP agents working in these areas.
“The Queensland Government Agent Program is a whole-of-Government service delivery initiative,” Mr Pitt said, “through Smart Service Queensland (SSQ), which aims to provide fast and easy access to information, services and transactions.”
He said the QGAP Forum 2008 provided a valuable opportunity for QGAP managers and representatives from Government agencies, commercial partners and SSQ business areas to network with each other.
He said it would involve managers from all 68 QGAP offices.
“The forum will allow Government Agency representatives, commercial partners and SSQ business areas to build stronger working relationships and develop a clear understanding about future directions,” Mr Pitt said.
He said areas addressed included future QGAP service delivery opportunities and the SSQ management strategy for the next five years; issues and impacts affecting QGAP sites and potential resolutions; current QGAP operations; service agency changes and requirements; Blueprint for the Bush programs and how they affected QGAP sites; and commercial opportunities.
“The Queensland Government is committed to our rural and regional communities, and the role of QGAP offices is a vital part of this commitment,” Mr Pitt said.
“Linking QGAP offices to the Blueprint for the Bush initiative at a local level can only serve to further strengthen the government’s services for regional communities.”
15 May, 2008
Transit survey sets Translink direction
Public consultation on the role of the new South East Queensland Transit Authority has found Queenslanders wanted better connections, greater frequency of services, better services to outer areas and increased reliability in public transport services.
Premier Anna Bligh welcomed the public suggestions, which included bringing back trams and light rail and underground rail options.
“We are determined to encourage more people to use public transport to beat congestion in our cities and the way to make that happen is to listen to what people want,” Ms Bligh said.
“I can’t promise to bring back the trams but my Government is spending $1.6 million every hour of every day building and re-building infrastructure in Queensland.”
She said the Government was new public transport infrastructure and wanted to make sure the new Transit Authority understood what the public needed.
“The new Authority’s main mission will be to improve services for the public and for that reason this input is invaluable,” she said.
Ms Bligh said 66 per cent of respondents said their number one expectation of the Authority would be for them to improve and expand public transport services, while 22 per cent said integration of public transport services was the most important issue.
"These are both tasks that will be earmarked as among the top priorities of the TransLink Transit Authority.
“The new Authority will have greater control over service delivery, with the power and flexibility to improve services, convenience and reliability.
"It will also be a one-stop shop for public transport services, customer service and feedback.”
Ms Bligh said the Authority would have the freedom to co-ordinate services, redeploy resources such as buses based on demand and ensure the smooth introduction of new technology across the network.
Of the 400 people asked to nominate what mode of public transport they used, 45.45 per cent said bus, 44.16 per cent said train and 10.39 per cent said ferry.
Ms Bligh said the Authority would become the one point of contact for all the 17 different train, bus and ferry operators in the region and that commuters would be able to ring the 13 12 30 information number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the option of always speaking to a person.
She said online consultation on the Authority had closed after an eight week period and the TransLink Transit Authority would be operational from 1 July.
15 May, 2008
Pest blitz worth weeding about
Biosecurity Queensland is to launch its first biosecurity blitz when it tackles a range of pests, diseases and weeds in the Townsville region early next month.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister, Tim Mulherin said this year’s Townsville urban survey would be the first to involve all aspects of biosecurity under the umbrella of Biosecurity Queensland.
“Previously, the annual survey has concentrated on plant biosecurity issues but this year’s survey has been expanded to include invasive weeds, Asian honey bees and tramp ants such as fire ants, electric ants and yellow crazy ants,” Mr Mulherin said.
He said Biosecurity Queensland was formed last year and brought together expert staff and resources from the DPI&F, Natural Resources and Water as well as the Environmental Protection Agency.
DPI&F District Inspector Andrew Ygosse said Biosecurity Queensland was looking forward to broadening its surveillance capability for the survey.
"With the extension of our skills and surveillance capacity, we aim to reduce the impact of emergency pests by detecting their presence early,” Mr Ygosse said.
“Tramp ants and Asian honey bees have been found in Cairns in the past two years, so Biosecurity Queensland will be on the lookout for these pests while checking Townsville gardens.”
He said mango leaf hopper, citrus canker and the banana disease, black Sigatoka, were also among the targets.
DPI&F extension officer, Rosalie Anderson also identified Siam weed, miconia, limnocharis, mikania vine and Koster's curse as potential plant threats.
"We must control these weeds because they are a potential threat to the environment and the economy,” Ms Anderson said, “and they are targets for national eradication.”
Mr Mulherin said the DPI&F team would knock on doors randomly across the greater Townsville area, including Magnetic Island, and seek cooperation from householders to inspect their gardens for problems.
He said early detection was a key factor in responding to exotic pests.
"We will check selected suburban properties and target gardens with a range of horticultural and ornamental plants," he said.
“All team members will carry clear identification and will ask permission before surveying a property.”
15 May, 2008
Inspectors check flood damage
Building inspectors and Workplace Health and Safety inspectors are to join forces and visit flood affected communities to check that repair work done on homes damaged by the floods was up to standard.
The joint mission was announced by the Ministers for Public Works and Industrial Relations, Robert Schwarten and John Mickel to assist the communities return to normal as soon as possible.
Mr Schwarten said the joint visits would ensure that repair and rebuilding work done in the region was up to standard and conducted in a safe manner and Mr Mickel said they would assist the recovery effort throughout the region.
“The whole idea is that these visits will help assist anyone repairing their home and to help speed up the repair process wherever possible,” Mr Schwarten said.
“If these teams of inspectors find any work that is not being done properly or safely they will then sit down and help find a way forward for both homeowners and tradies alike.”
He said anyone in the building industry knew that if you did something properly the first time it could save a lot of heartache and potential trouble down the track.
Mr Mickel said by working closely together, Government Departments and Agencies would help to see rebuilding and repair work not only be completed as quickly as possible, but as safely as possible as well.
“Workplace Health and Safety Officers have met with about 100 trade builders and contractors, giving advice and guidance on general safety issues,” Mr Mickel said.
“Of special concern are electrical hazards and damaged asbestos fibro sheeting – but these occur in only a small percentage of the 4,000 flood-hit homes.”
The Ministers said that anyone with flood-related building and repair issues could visit the Mackay Rebuilding Coordination Centre in Porters Plaza, Carlyle Street, Mackay, or phone 1300 727 795. They could also visit www.buildingcoordinationcentre.qld.gov.au
15 May, 2008
GPS link locates drink drivers
Queensland Police are being issued with new alcohol breath testing devices that included a Global Positioning System to ‘map’ drink driving.
Police Minister Judy Spence welcomed the initiative which she said would geographically record the location of every breath test, whether it be positive or negative.
“Police will then compare this map of breath tests to the locations of alcohol related crashes,” she said.
“If police see that certain areas have alcohol related crashes but there has been no breath testing they will be able to make sure RBTs occur in those areas.”
She said the main purpose of RBTs was to get drink drivers off the roads and to act as a deterrent by showing other drivers that they could be tested anywhere, anytime.
“By working with precise information, police will be able to get the deterrent message where it is most needed.”
She said the new GPS devices would also serve the very useful purpose of equipping patrol cars with GPS navigation systems.
“This will enable police to record exact traffic crash locations, especially in remote areas.
“It will also enable police to give accurate location directions to emergency services such as helicopter rescue missions or the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
Ms Spence said the new breath-testing machines cost $1,168 each and had been developed specifically for the Queensland Police Service.
“Police have received more than 1,080 of the devices so far. They are already being used by the State Traffic Task Force and the North Coast Region and will be gradually deployed around the rest of the State in coming months.”
She said the new testing devices would entirely replace the current ones by March next year when around 1600 would be in use.
15 May, 2008
Big ticket items on tourism wish list
Ten proposals for iconic tourism projects to act as a ‘catalyst’ for the Brisbane region have been released by Premier Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh said the regional tourism investment and infrastructure plan was a part of the State Government’s 10-year Queensland Tourism Strategy.
“These 10 projects have been identified as things that will further establish Brisbane as a tourism destination in itself,” Ms Bligh said.
“They are intended to provoke debate and interest amongst the public and amongst developers and operators who may have an interest in building them.”
Ms Bligh said the proposed tourism drawcards included a national Indigenous centre at South Bank, a cable car ride to a revamped Mount Coot-tha lookout and a second shipping terminal for Brisbane.
She said the draft plan, a partnership between Tourism Queensland and Brisbane Marketing that detailed more than 30 investment opportunities and 10 projects, was open to public comment.
Ms Bligh said over 300 industry operators, developers and investors were consulted in the preparation of the report, and the Government was interested to hear from any developers who showed an interest in building the projects.
She said estimates of the investment required for each of the projects ranged from $20,000 to $200 million.
Minister for Tourism, Desley Boyle, said the proposals could take the region to the next level as a tourist destination.
“In the last 10 years, domestic visitors to Brisbane have increased by 22 per cent and international visitors have increased by 28 per cent,’’ Ms Boyle said.
“While tourism has charted strong growth, now more than ever we need to ensure we have a plan in place so we are well placed to be a competitive and attractive destination over the next 20 years.”
Ms Bligh said it had been 20 years since Expo 88 first put Brisbane on the world map.
“Since that time we have seen the region mature into a thriving and vibrant city surrounded by beautiful natural attractions.”
Ms Bligh said Tourism Queensland and Brisbane Marketing would hold workshops in the Brisbane and greater Brisbane region to discuss plans with Local Government and industry leaders who were part of the consultation process.
“The final plan will be released later this year after which project priorities will be set,” she said.
The 10 projects in the report were:
- A national Indigenous centre visitor attraction at South Bank.
- A Moreton Bay aquarium and marine discovery centre at North Bank.
- A ‘Story of Brisbane’ high-tech interpretation centre and a viewing platform at Mt Coot-tha. The project could include a cable car system between the lookout and the botanic gardens.
- Two new or redeveloped major piers for river boat and island services from Brisbane city centre.
- A second shipping terminal to address the needs of the new, larger cruise ships visiting Brisbane.
- Two new international five to six star hotels to be built at Victoria Park and in the CBD.
- Ipswich to extend its successful railway heritage theme to create a tourism precinct with a conference centre and accommodation facilities.
- A major walk with quality hut and lodge-style accommodation in the Scenic Rim World Heritage National Parks.
- Development of a major Moreton Bay ferry terminus at or near the mouth of the Brisbane River.
- An eco-lodge on Moreton Island using the existing lighthouse and surrounding infrastructure.
15 May, 2008
Stats report makes sense of Census
The Office of Economic and Statistical Research has published a study based on the findings of the most recent Census.
Queensland Characteristics paints an up-to-date picture of modern Queensland and was released by Premier Anna Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser.
Ms Bligh said the study highlighted the multicultural nature of Queensland, finding one in four people who lived on the Gold Coast were born overseas.
“The Gold Coast is followed closely by Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast where one in five residents are originally from somewhere else in the world,” Ms Bligh said.
“Queensland is part of a global economy and our diverse communities reflect that.”
She said the study showed Cantonese and Mandarin were the most commonly spoken languages after English in South East Queensland.
“The south-east corner is truly the State’s – and indeed one of the nation’s – multicultural hubs and the pattern of overseas-born migrants flocking to the south-east corner is in no doubt due to our enviable lifestyle and robust economy,” Ms Bligh said.
She said in the rest of the State the majority of non-English speaking homes spoke Australian Indigenous languages.
She said the study found 45.2 per cent of Queensland’s population lived in Brisbane, even though the median rent there was more than three times that of the Central Coast.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the findings provided an insight into the demographic split between the young and old population bases.
“Our oldest residents reside in the Wide Bay region but, interestingly, our youngest population is located in the state’s north-west,” Mr Fraser said.
“Younger people are flocking to this area to take advantage of the resources boom but they are not buying homes and putting down roots for any length of time.”
Mr Fraser said based on the findings, it was clear Queensland had come of age as a smart diversified economy.
Other findings published in the study included home ownership rates, the origin of migrants, income comparisons and individual and family living circumstances.
15 May, 2008
Student assessment put to national test
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 have sat for national literacy and numeracy tests for the first time, providing important information on how students were performing across Australia.
Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford said the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy 2008 tests would give a clear picture of how Queensland children were performing in key competencies compared to those in other States and Territories.
He said this comparable data could be used to improve analysis and reporting across the country, and support a national focus on improving educational outcomes.
“Queensland Year 9 students will participate in the literacy and numeracy tests for the first time,” Mr Welford said, “supplying secondary schools with important information about student performance in these crucial curriculum areas.”
He said in previous years States and Territories had carried out their own testing and the results were then compared nationally.
“The main factor that has changed (this year) is that students from across the country will sit the same tests at the same time.”
Mr Welford said the focus of the assessment program was to look at how students were performing and where they might need help.
“Student reports to be released later in the year will show schools and parents each child’s results on a national common scale and against the national average.”
He said the Queensland Studies Authority, which helped shape the tests, would administer them in all Queensland schools.
The Minister encouraged parents to support their children by reassuring them that the tests included material they would have covered in their normal schooling.
He said the results of the tests would assist the Government in its teaching and curriculum planning.
15 May, 2008
Tourism map shows way to wine and food
A Government funded Wine and Food Map of Queensland has been launched by the Minister for Tourism, Desley Boyle.
Ms Boyle said the map featured 16 local wineries in the South Burnett Region from Goodger and Nanango in the south to Murgon and Redgate in the north and would be valuable to some local food and wine lovers who might not even be aware of the delights in their own backyard.
“The South Burnett region is one of 10 distinct wine regions across Queensland, producing beautiful wines,” Ms Boyle said.
“From Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to Merlot and Shiraz, locals can sample unique home grown wines for themselves.”
She said the wineries on the map were perfect destinations for a weekend drive and the perfect way to get a taste for Queensland wine.
“Local produce from Kingaroy Cheese Gourmet Cheeses and Spring Gully Olives also serve as the ideal accompaniment for any journey,” she said.
Ms Boyle said the map was the only one of its kind in Australia and had detailed information about cellar doors, wineries, wine producers and boutique food producers offering similar cellar door experiences.
“Wine tourism is a growing area for Queensland and our wines are worth enjoying,” she said.
The map was published by HEMA Maps, and a copy can be obtained by visiting their website at www.hemamaps.com.au
For more information about local wineries, contact the Tourist Information Centre at Kingaroy on (07) 4162 3199 or Maryborough on (07) 4122 3444.
15 May, 2008
Call for more to make carer career
The State Government has called for more foster families to care for children and young people who were unable to live at home due to abuse or neglect.
Minister for Child Safety, Margaret Keech, said Queensland’s most extensive foster and kinship carer recruitment campaign had started with Statewide television advertising.
“It’s a shocking fact that there are currently around 6,500 children and young people in Queensland who are unable to live with their families,” Ms Keech said.
She said the Government had committed more than $15 million over five years to recruit, train and increase support for carers and some of the money would go towards funding a three month television, radio, web, newspaper and magazine advertising campaign.
Ms Keech said the campaign would include ads on national Indigenous radio and television targeting Indigenous carers for Indigenous children.
“We desperately need more families willing to provide these children and young people with safe and loving homes,” she said.
“I ask - do you have room in your home and heart for a young person in need?”
Ms Keech said foster carers were everyday people who made an extraordinary difference in the lives of children and young people in need.
“Carers can come from all walks of life, be young or old, and live in the city or the bush,” she said.
“However they all have one thing in common – a steadfast commitment to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.”
Ms Keech said individuals, couples and families were all eligible to become foster carers.
“We need more people to care for babies, children, adolescents, sibling groups and children with challenging behaviours,” she said.
“We also need more support carers – people who provide essential support to approved foster carers when they need a break from caring, time to deal with personal matters, or recover from illness.”
Ms Keech said there were currently more than 3,300 foster and kinship carers in Queensland, and the campaign aimed to recruit an additional 500.
“Please seriously consider becoming a foster or kinship carer,” she said.
Ms Keech said more information could be obtained by calling 1300 550 877 or visiting www.childsafety.qld.gov.au
15 May, 2008
Law week pack is packed with law
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine, has launched a Law Week Education Pack, which has been distributed to legal studies teachers throughout the state.
“The free packs are designed to inform all legal studies teachers of the events occurring during Law Week and provide legal resources for Queensland students,” Mr Shine said.
He said 330 education packs had already been sent to legal studies teachers, but that other teachers still had time to register their interest
“The education packs feature information about young people’s rights, careers in law, the courts system and alternative dispute resolution,” he said.
Students at St Mary’s College in Toowoomba had the opportunity to meet Mr Shine when he visited their school as a part of the launch.
“The students I met with today demonstrated an excellent understanding of the law in Queensland,” he said.
“I’m sure these packs will help their teachers plan events and lessons that will help them gain an even better understanding of the law and its importance in our society.”
Mr Shine said he had no doubt the future of Queensland’s legal system was in good hands should some of the students from St Mary’s pursue a career in law.
Whilst visiting St Mary’s, Mr Shine encouraged students to take part in the Buy Smart Competition 2008, which is aimed at raising awareness of the important consumer and financial issues facing young people.
He said teachers who wanted to register for an information pack could email the Department of Justice and Attorney-General at corporate.communication@justice.qld.gov.au and more information on Law Week could be found by visiting www.justice.qld.gov.au
15 May, 2008
Debate warms up on tropical plan
Public comment on a draft plan to help to shape Far North Queensland’s future has been invited by the State Government.
Premier Anna Bligh and Deputy Premier Paul Lucas have released the draft Far North Queensland Regional Draft Plan 2025, the first of five planned drafts they expect to release this year.
Ms Bligh said the plan was a blueprint that would guide development in the region over the next two decades.
“The release of a Draft Plan allows residents to comment on their vision for the region so we can protect the Far North’s character,” she said.
“The plan will do so by catering for regional population growth without compromising natural assets or allowing urban sprawl.”
Ms Bligh said the plan protected the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics by containing development in identified areas and preserving natural draw cards for future generations.
“This is the first statutory regional plan to be launched outside the State’s south-east,” she said.
“I encourage everyone in this spectacular and diverse region to have a say– it’s your home and your future. It’s about us all planning for our future and managing our growth.”
Ms Bligh said the draft recognised the threats of climate change and oil shortages to the region by concentrating future population growth close to existing centres.
She said the draft plan showed predicted growth in the area to 323,000 people by 2025; about three-quarters of the region’s new residents would settle near Cairns; growth would be concentrated at a new master-planned community at Mount Peter; and the 1550 ha Mt Peter site could provide a mix of housing types and densities for up to 50,000 people and would be supported by a new town centre and enterprise precinct at Edmonton.
“Along with smarter community planning, the region’s residents have told the State Government they want better public transport and protection for natural habitats,” Ms Boyle said.
“This Draft Plan delivers on all counts.”
Ms Boyle said disused light cane rail corridors may ultimately offer opportunities for future public transport systems, and that areas of high ecological significance would be maintained through the use of urban footprints.
Deputy Premier and the Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, said land in the region was categorised as urban footprint, rural living or regional landscape and rural production areas.
“Using the best social, economic and environmental data available we have identified a preferred development pattern which concentrates growth near Cairns to make use of the strong rapid transit system,” Mr Lucas said.
He said Mareeba, Atherton, Innisfail, Tully and Mossman were likely to grow significantly by 2025.
He said the draft plan showed there was enough land near Cairns and regional towns to cope with population growth up to 2025 and the draft identified activity centres, infrastructure needs and industrial land requirements.
Mr Lucas said after the regional plan was finalised at the end of the year, a five-year action plan outlining key projects would be developed.
He said community submissions would be accepted until 8 August.
“We want feedback, so make sure you visit www.dip.qld.gov.au to find out how to lodge a submission,” Mr Lucas said.
Copies of the draft plan are available on the website, at regional Council offices and the Department of Infrastructure and Planning’s Cairns Office.
15 May, 2008
Burns flare up for bushfire season
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has been working with local Councils and other land managers to conduct hazard reduction burns in preparation for the 2008 bushfire season.
Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts, said the 2008 bushfire season looked as if it could be very serious, and it was critical that land managers took action now.
“The bushfire threat has been exacerbated this year,” Mr Roberts said. “As a result of rains in January and February, grasses and other vegetation flourished in many areas.
“The monsoonal rains and floods were damaging to many communities, but they also have provided ample fuel for fires.”
He said Queensland had been relatively dry since the rains, and by August, when westerly winds usually arrived, the bushfire risk could be serious.
“That is why action needs to be taken now.”
QFRS Commissioner Lee Johnson, said by the end of August the Service would have issued more than 13,000 permits to light fires and would have overseen more than 2,000 hazard reduction burns.
“At the moment we are experiencing cooler weather, smaller winds and lower humidity which mean the risk of a fire getting out of control is relatively low,” Commissioner Johnson said.
He said these conditions provided a much safer environment and meant it would be easier to control the fire.
“While the atmosphere may be a bit smoky for a while, the protection that residents will gain from hazard reduction burns will far outweigh the immediate discomfort.”
He said it was unfair to place the safety of firefighters at risk in order to protect properties where householders hadn’t undertaken any hazard reduction or preventative maintenance.
“People who haven’t undertaken any preventative measures around their properties place an extra burden on fire crews,” he said.
Commissioner Johnson said householders should clear scrub and undergrowth around homes; keep grassy areas well trimmed and watered; and clear firebreaks around homes in rural or rural fringe areas.
He said landholders must contact their local fire warden or fire station for a Permit to Light Fire should they wish to light an open fire larger than two metres.
The Commissioner said any residents with concerns about the bushfire risk in their area or anyone wishing to conduct a controlled burn should contact their local fire warden, visit www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or call 1300 369 003.
15 May, 2008
Fire tests pending
Environmental testing at Atherton Fire Station had been completed and results would be known within a month.
An unusually high incidence of cancer among firefighters at the station had sparked the tests which were conducted by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) and the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS).
The Minister for Health, Neil Roberts has called for a national study into the incidence of cancer among fire-fighters.
Courts Open Day
The Brisbane Supreme Court and District Courts held Open days for the first time as part of Law Week as was with the state-of-the-art Brisbane Magistrates Court.
Chief Magistrate Judge Marshall Irwin went to work barbequing sausages outside the Magistrates Court to raise funds for the Homeless Persons Legal Centre and attorney-General, Kerry Shine said it was not often people had the chance to tour the Court facilities without first being involved in court proceedings.
The theme of Law Week this year, which runs to 16 May, was 'Linking You and the Law.'
Department advises business
The Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry has planned two workshops to help Sunshine Coast businesses improve business practices and customer service procedures.
Getting the Most From Your Business Planning was held on 13 May and Managing Customer Service is to be held on 20 May. Both workshops cost $33.
For more information contact the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Centre in Maroochydore on (07) 5453 1800 or visit www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/sunshinecoast
Record numbers treated
Record numbers of patients have been treated by Queensland public hospitals in the first quarter of 2008.
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson said the services were provided to inpatients or emergencies.
He said the 513,457 treated patients in the period was an increase of 31,527 on last year’s March quarter and around three times Queensland’s population growth.
In addition, public hospitals undertook a record 888,607 outpatient appointments.
Mr Robertson said emergency cases continued to hamper Queensland Health’s capacity to perform elective surgery and elective surgery performance needed significant improvement.
New drug saves lives
Paramedics in Queensland have saved 20 lives from heart attack so far this year through the use of new clot-busting drugs.
Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts said the Queensland Ambulance Service was the first in Australia to us the drugs and 250 intensive care paramedics across the State had been trained in their use.
He said the drug named Tenecteplase had “proved its worth” despite each vial costing $1500.
Bike review raises crashes
Feedback on a Motorbike Safety consultation paper released by Queensland Transport has highlighted public concern over the number of motorbike crashes in the State.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel said the feedback would be used to gauge community support or opposition to different initiatives proposed to help curb the problem.
Mr Mickel said the consultation process would close on 30 May, and that copies of the paper were available at www.transport.qld.gov.au or by calling 07 3253 4910.
Tourism campaign a ‘wow’
A tourism campaign using the talents of Fairfax journalists to write on the State’s top experiences is expected to “wow” Sydneysiders and Melburnians.
Tourism Minister, Desley Boyle said the multi-million dollar, five month “Wow! Queensland” campaign would focus on challenging visitors’ expectations about a Queensland holiday and would concentrate on the readers of the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne Age newspapers.
She said the articles would appear in the papers’ Traveller supplements.
8 May, 2008
Mum’s the word on
more maternity leave
Queensland Public Servants are to be entitled to two extra weeks of paid maternity leave from July 1 this year.
Premier Anna Bligh announced the new condition on Labour Day saying it was part of the Government’s policy of achieving a better work-life balance for its employees.
“Having a baby is one of the most joyous events in the lives of most people,” Ms Bligh said, “however, as a mother I also know the huge impact it can have on family life.”
She said daily routines were often turned upside down and the weeks and months after the arrival of a new baby could be among the most stressful and challenging.
“We already provide our new mums with 12 weeks paid maternity leave,” she said.
“This extra two weeks will provide a little more time for them to adjust to motherhood.”
Ms Bligh said Departments and Agencies should now work with their employees and Unions to pursue more work-life balance policies.
“I think people are working longer and harder than ever,” she said. “That is obvious through our productive and robust economy.
“However it is important that we ensure working harder is not necessarily at the expense of time spent with our loved ones.”
She said initiatives such as providing adequate maternity leave were ways in which the Government could play a part in helping strike a better balance.
Ms Bligh said the move brought Queensland into line with the International Labour Organisation and other States such as Victoria and New South Wales.
8 May, 2008
New assault law to
strike blow for PS
A new law that protects Public Servants when they’re doing their jobs has been introduced into the Queensland Parliament.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said if the law was passed, anyone attacking a front line Public Servant doing their job could be charged with serious assault.
Mr Shine said Police and prison officers were already covered in case they were assaulted but the new law would extend that coverage to Public Servants such as ambulance and fire officers, health workers and child safety workers.
“Currently anyone who attacks a police officer or prison officer can be charged with serious assault, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment,” Mr Shine said.
“This Bill allows for the same charge of serious assault to be laid against a person who attacks other front line Public Servants who are carrying out their duties.
“We want to give these Public Servants the same level of protection as we give to police and corrective services officers.”
He said up to now, offenders could only be charged with the lesser offence of assault.
He said the Government wanted people to know they could face serious consequences if they assaulted Public Servants doing their job.
Mr Shine said the Criminal Code and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008 also introduced other issues, including the new offence of leaving children under 12 unattended which would carry a three year maximum penalty.
“Under the current law parents can only be punished if their unattended child is injured or suffers neglect,” Mr Shine said.
“This new offence provides for parents to be charged for not providing sufficient care and supervision for their child, even if they are not injured.”
He said the new law also redefined the number of people required to constitute a riot from three to 12 and removed a number of archaically drafted provisions relating to piracy and duels.
8 May, 2008
Logistics Award gets
logical sponsor
Queensland Transport is to sponsor the Queensland Transport and Logistics Future Leaders Award.
The award is the first of its kind in the inaugural Supply Chain and Logistics Association of Australia (SCLAA) Industry Development Awards.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel, said the Award showed the Department’s passion for engaging young people in careers within the industry.
"The Award reflects our Department's ongoing dedication to innovation and best practice in transport and logistics,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the SCLAA Queensland T&L Future Leaders Award provided incentive and recognition for individuals and their employers working in transport, supply chain and logistics industries who were planning a career path within the industry.
He said the award promoted further education and learning in the industry with the winner awarded a choice of training courses to further their career.
"The release of these industry-first awards provides a clear message about the importance of investing in the future of the transport and logistics workforce,” Mr Mickel said.
“It encourages the industry to be pro-active in attracting new entrants, and providing them with career pathways.”
He said the Awards contributed to the future of the T&L workforce.
“Transport and logistics is a fantastic industry to start or advance your career – it offers a huge range of exciting and diverse career opportunities and there's something to suit everyone,” he said.
“I encourage all young people who are passionate about their future in transport and logistics to nominate for the SCLAA Queensland T&L Future Leaders Award.”
Mr Mickel said the recipient would be announced at the SCLAA gala dinner on Thursday 31 July.
For further information, nominees could contact Queensland Transport on (07) 3117 5610 or email industry.capability@transport.qld.gov.au
8 May, 2008
OHS Awards
play it safe
The national Safe Work Australia Awards for 2007 have been presented with the Department of Public Works and Townsville City Council prominent as the only Queensland Government Agencies to feature in the finals.
Thirty finalists from across Australia competed for this year’s Awards, covering a broad range of industry and organisation types from both the public and the private sector.
The Department of Public Works’ Pathways to Better Health and Safety Program 2006/07 won the Public Sector Leadership Award for Injury Prevention and Management.
The Judging Panel said the Department “embraced the OHS National Strategy and showed leadership and initiative by implementing their own strategy.”
The panel said the program was a terrific example of public sector leadership and initiative at all levels.
Townsville City Council was a finalist in the Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System Award.
Chairman of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, Bill Scales, and the Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, presented the Awards.
“The Safe Work Australia Awards provide recognition to Australia’s OHS champions, who are committed to making Australian workplaces safer,” Mr Scales said.
“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations and thanks to all the finalists. All displayed outstanding dedication to improving safety in the workplace; this should be applauded.”
Mr Scales said while Australia was taking steps in the right direction, more needed to be done. He said more than 140,000 Australians were seriously injured at work every year and more than 250 died as a result of work-related injuries. He said many more died as a result of work-related diseases such as mesothelioma.
“This means 17 in every 1000 employees will be off work for at least a week due to work-related injury and disease with two of these needing over six months off work to recover from their injuries or illness,” Mr Scales said.
“The tragedy is that work-related injury, illness and death can be prevented through the adoption of safer work practices.”
Employment and Industrial Relations Minister, John Mickel congratulated the Department of Public Works on its award saying it demonstrated a great commitment to safety in the workplace.
He said Queenslanders could compete in their own Awards by nominating for the Queensland Work Safe Awards 2008.
Mr Scales said National Safe Work Australia Week would be held from 19 to 25 October 2008.
8 May, 2008
Posties call to
stamp out bites
Australia Post has urged Queensland residents to ensure their dogs are properly restrained to protect local posties and guarantee their mail delivery.
The call comes after a mail contractor at Trinity Beach in Cairns was visciously attacked.
Australia Post reminded dog owners that man’s best friend should also be the postie’s best friend.
State Communications Manager for Australia Post, Teresa Mullan said dog attacks had become a regular occurrence in Queensland.
“We seriously look at withdrawing mail services in those areas where dog attacks are escalating and threatening the safety of our posties,” Ms Mullan said.
“Attacks can result in dogs being destroyed, fines issued by Council to owners and residents being required to upgrade their fences.
“Our primary concern is the safety of our staff followed by our commitment to the prompt and efficient delivery of mail.”
She said it was understandable that the corporation could not be expected to put its staff in harm’s way to deliver the mail so dog owners were expected to keep their dogs properly restrained.
“In the first instance following problems with a dog or dogs, we send a letter to the resident,” Ms Mullan said.
“If the dog problem persists, we then send a second letter. Following that, if necessary, we suspend mail delivery and contact the local Council, whose responsibility it then is to pursue the matter to ensure public safety.”
Ms Mullan said dogs often behaved protectively in the absence of their owners and the posties’ bikes seemed to incite an aggressive response.
“Letterboxes need to be in a location that the postie can access easily and safely,” she said. “We encourage dog owners who are aware that their dog can be aggressive, to put up a “Beware of the Dog” sign
“Our posties are in the habit of turning off their bikes as they approach problem dogs.”
She said there were more than 1,500 posties and more than 1,300 mail contractors in Queensland.
“They are doing a great job, but we are calling on local residents to help us prevent any problems with dogs,” she said.
8 May, 2008
DTRDI does business
on doing business
The Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry has held a small business workshop to explain how to do business with the Government.
Held in Beenleigh earlier this week, Tendering for Government Business was designed to help take the confusion out of applying for Government business and explain how and why it was important to fill out tender documents correctly.
Minister for Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle said she understood how the application process could seem excessive and overly complicated.
But, she said, participants in the workshop learned how to interpret and respond to the standard terms and conditions contained in Government tender documents.
She said although the workshop was focused on the three levels of Government, the principles could also be applied to private sector tenders
“The Government offers some wonderful opportunities for those in private enterprise,” Ms Boyle said.
“I encourage all business operators to take advantage of the workshop. It will really make a difference when bidding for Government business.”
As well as explaining Government purchasing needs, the workshop was also given a rundown on the new State Purchasing Policy.
Ms Boyle said more information about the workshops could be obtained from the Department, whose Beenleigh office could be contacted on (07) 3287 8585 or at www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/beenleigh
8 May, 2008
New visa sails in
for superyachts
A new category of visa has been introduced to encourage tourism and the superyacht industry in the Great Barrier Reef region.
The Commonwealth Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said
the new ‘superyacht visa’ fulfilled an election commitment and would be a welcome boost to Queensland industry
“The superyacht industry is a growing niche market that is an integral part of Qeensland’s economic and regional development,” Senator Evans said.
“The new multiple-entry visa will allow all crew members to work in Australia for up to 12 months on commercial or private superyachts.
He said until now, there hadn’t been an appropriate visa to allow the crews to work on a commercially chartered superyachts in Australia and this had restricted growth in the industry.
Senator Evans said the new visa would come into effect in October 2008 but his Department would make temporary arrangements using the Business Short Stay (456) visa, which was normally only available to people arriving by air and staying for less than three months.
Queensland Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle thanked Senator Evans for the move, saying her Department and local industry had been trying for 10 years to have this decision made.
“Senator Evans has delivered,” she said.
“I would like to sincerely thank Senator Evans for listening to Queensland tourism and superyacht industry by making a quick decision that will open the seas surrounding Queensland to a multibillion dollar industry.”
She said the Queensland Government had recently launched the Queensland Superyacht Strategy which was designed to steal the Caribbean and Mediterranean’s mantle as the world’s superyacht capital.
“We know we have the perfect natural marine environment that is unmatched anywhere in the world,” Ms Boyle said
“There is no doubt that the marine industry holds so much untapped potential but until now there has never been a coordinated approach to superyachting in Queensland.
She said under the State Government plan the next five years would see the private and charter superyacht industry grow to employ around 1,000 Queenslanders and generate around a half billion dollars.
She said this would be achieved by:
- More marketing of Queensland superyachting internationally;
- Attracting new manufacturing, maintenance and refit businesses;
- Removing regulatory restrictions for the superyacht industry; and
- Facilitating the development of world-class marine infrastructure.
She said in 1999 only four superyachts visited Queensland, but this increased to 60 in 2006 and over the past three years to more than 200.
8 May, 2008
Area’s growth spurts to fast-track plans
A key plan for managing growth and development in the State’s South East corner has been fast-tracked.
Premier Anna Bligh said the updated South East Queensland Regional Plan would now be finalised and released in mid 2009, a full year earlier than originally expected.
She said since the work was done for the 2005 plan, SEQ had experienced a period of massive population and economic growth which demanded that issues be addressed sooner.
“Original projections in 2005 estimated that the SEQ population would grow by 250,000 – to 3.96 million – by 2026,” Ms Bligh said.
“That growth is now estimated to be in the vicinity of 600,000 to 4.3 million.”
She said traffic congestion, housing affordability and the effects of climate change had all impacted on the region which was also Australia’s fastest growing.
“We need a more contemporary response to these challenges,” she said.
“We need to ensure we get the balance right and unless we plan today for tomorrow, we risk losing the things that make Queensland a great place to live.”
She said the original plan set a horizon on 2026: “I believe we need to look over that horizon to 2031 and I believe we need to do it now.”
Ms Bligh said among the issues to be considered in the new plan were:
- The capacity of the existing Urban Footprint to accommodate growth to 2031;
- Housing affordability;
- The need to decentralise job opportunities to provide them closer to people’s homes;
- Adapting to climate change;
- Reducing traffic congestion; and
- Supporting more diverse industries
“In mid-May, people will have the opportunity to put their views forward about the key issues under consideration in the review.
“In December a draft of the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 will be released and available for community feedback.
“I’m also keen to see the new regional Councils put forward their planning agendas as part of this review.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning, Paul Lucas said the key to the region’s future was making better use of existing urban areas which would mean higher housing densities.
“Attitudes are changing and the provision of better public facilities near homes is becoming more important for some people than having large backyards,” Mr Lucas said.
8 May, 2008
Nurse recruiting on the charts
A statewide marketing campaign to attract more nurses is to be launched in the next few weeks.
Minister for Health, Stephen Robertson said the campaign was in response to the skills shortage of health care professionals, including nurses, in Queensland.
“These shortages are expected to intensify under the ageing of the nursing workforce,” Mr Robertson said.
He said there was an unprecedented demand for health care services due to significant population growth in the State.
“We’ve employed record numbers of nurses since we introduced our $10 billion Health Action Plan in 2005,” he said.
He said since June 2005, 4,865 nurses had been employed, bringing the number of Queensland nurses up from 21,911 to 26,776.
While efforts were being made to address the nursing shortage, a number of nursing vacancies still existed in Queensland Health facilities.
“At January 2008, there were 1,537 full-time equivalent vacant nursing positions in Queensland Health.”
He said most vacancies across the State were in medicine, rural or remote areas, aged care, mental health, midwifery, critical care and surgery.
“This situation is similar to the health care workforce shortages faced by all other States and Territories in Australia,” he said
Mr Robertson said the new marketing campaign aimed to encourage school leavers and young people to consider a career in nursing, as well as encouraging former nurses to re-enter the workforce.
“We’ll have a range of media strategies including the internet, print and possibly television media as part of our broader marketing campaign,” he said.
Mr Robertson said other strategies included a Graduate Nurse Online recruitment process which helped 1,079 Graduate Nurses find employment in 2007 and a professional development package which offered up to $2,500 reimbursement per year.
He said successful out-of-State recruitment campaigns had already attracted nearly 200 nurses from New Zealand, the United Kingdom and southern States, and would continue in 2008.
He said Queensland Health was working with TAFE Queensland to increase places for Enrolled Nurses and Assistants in Nursing.
Mr Robertson said Queensland nurses were among the highest paid in the country due to a 23 per cent wage increase (25.3 per cent compounded) over three years from 2006.
“This significant increase has meant Queensland can be nationally and internationally competitive when it comes to recruiting nurses,” he said.
8 May, 2008
Tense time for Housing’s tenants
The Minister for Housing, Robert Schwarten, has warned over 850 Department of Housing tenants they risked evacuation unless they responded to his Department’s requests for information on income and property ownership.
Mr Schwarten said as part of the Department’s Ongoing Eligibility Policy 4,246 households were told in November they were ineligible for ongoing housing assistance as they earned over $80,000 or owned or part-owned property.
“Of those 4,200 households some 500 have already terminated their tenancies and I thank those people for their co-operation,” he said.
Of the 2,700 households that requested a review of their circumstances, he said only 84 were found ineligible and asked to vacate.
“I am concerned that 858 households have not responded at all. They have ignored a number of requests from the Department.”
Mr Schwarten said that if they did not respond as soon as possible they would face eviction.
“I call on these households to get in touch with their local Department of Housing area office immediately,” he said.
“Not contacting the Department could be the difference between staying in your housing or receiving a notice to vacate.”
He said the record demand for social housing in Queensland meant the Government must ensure those with the greatest level of need got the greatest level of support.
“On average, 70 people apply for social housing in Queensland every working day and this has pushed the number of applications on the waiting list to more than 38,000,” he said.
Mr Schwarten said the Department was in the process of identifying tenants who could sustain a tenancy in the private market or move to home ownership, in order to free up dwellings for those in greater need.
8 May, 2008
Speed thrills in new Uni Chair
The University of Queensland has joined forces with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation to boost research into high-speed flight.
DSTO has agreed to fund a Chair in Hypersonics at UQ.
According to the Federal Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, hypersonics is the study of flight exceeding approximately five times the speed of sound.
“A closer DSTO/UQ collaboration will strengthen Australia’s position as a world leader in the field,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Future applications for hypersonic travel include the inexpensive launch of satellites, and scramjets (supersonic ramjets) for long-range time critical missions.”
The Deputy Chief Defence Scientist (Information and Weapons System), at DSTO, Dr
Warren Harch, said the Chair at UQ enhanced an already excellent alliance and would foster long-term developments.
“The research will focus on scramjet technology and the Hypersonics International
Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) Agreement,” Dr Harch said.
“In November 2006 DSTO signed a $74 million HIFiRE Agreement with the United
States Air Force that will comprise up to 10 hypersonic flight experiments planned for the Woomera Testing Facility over the next five years.
“The DSTO funding will also go towards the University’s ‘T4 shock tunnel’ for experimental modelling of flights.”
Dr Harch said Dr Russell Boyce from the Australian Defence Force Academy had been appointed DSTO Chair and Professor in Hypersonics and would work alongside Associate Professor Michael Smart, formerly of NASA, who has been appointed to the position of Chair and Professor in Hypersonic Propulsion.
The Executive Dean of UQ’s Faculty of Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture, Professor Stephen Walker, welcomed the appointments.
8 May, 2008
Health to see through transparency plan
Plans to introduce open disclosure in all Queensland public hospitals are set to go ahead following a sign-off by Australian Health Ministers.
Minister for Health, Stephen Robertson, said Queensland was the most advanced of all States to implement a national standard requiring open and honest communication between clinicians and their patients when something went wrong.
“Queensland has been leading the way since we started piloting open disclosure in major regional and Brisbane hospitals around two years ago,” Mr Robertson said.
“The pilot has worked extremely well and we should have every Queensland Health hospital practising open disclosure by the end of this year.”
Mr Robertson said under the principles of open disclosure, hospitals would engage in open communication with patients, and any other people the patient wished, when a problem with their case occurred.
“The discussion would cover an apology, what had happened, why it happened, and what’s being done to prevent it from happening again,” he said.
Mr Robertson said hospitals would follow an agreed protocol and would initiate a care plan and ongoing channels of communication to ensure the patient understood what was happening and how their case was being managed.
“It’s not only about keeping patients fully informed, it also encourages health professionals to be more open when things go wrong in a hospital so that improvements may be introduced to avoid a repeat,” he said.
“It’s fostering a culture of safety and quality in our health system.”
Mr Robertson said seven public hospitals, including Bundaberg, had trialled the practice.
“Other Queensland Health hospitals in the pilot were Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, the Royal Brisbane and Women’s, the Princess Alexandra and the QEII,” he said.
“Over the past 12 months, other hospitals have progressively come on board.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland had taken a lead on the pilot and provided national program management for the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care.
“There is international evidence that formal disclosure as part of a proactive response to serious patient harm can reduce litigation claims by up to 80%,” he said.
“This shows that in many cases all patients and their families really want is be fully informed about what went wrong in their case.
He said the Queensland Health Patient Safety Centre would develop Open Disclosure material and that all Queensland Health districts would aim to have trained senior doctors or nurses appointed as open disclosure consultants by the end of June
“They will be responsible for assisting other clinicians through the formal open disclosure process and ensure that all the patients’ questions are answered.”
He said national implementation had been agreed upon at last month’s meeting of the Australian Health Minister’s Council.
8 May, 2008
Mt Isa Group is mine of support
A Government Coordination Group to help provide support for transient people in Mt Isa has been re-established.
Minister for Communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships, Lindy Nelson-Carr, said she had re-established the Group following a request from State MP for Mt Isa, Betty Kiernan.
“The Government Coordination Group (GCG) will be made up of Local Elders, Government and non-Government Agencies,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Its key focus will be on the reported increase in number of transient people in Mount Isa and will accompany the Queensland Government’s already existing services and support.”
She said she had contacted her Federal counterpart, Jenny Macklin, to begin discussions on how to manage and assist people who had come from the Northern territory to Mt Isa to avoid alcohol restrictions.
She said in the meantime the GCG would coordinate ways to address the resulting social issues such as homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health and lack of employment.
“The group will build strong relationships with these surrounding communities, support temporary residents and manage their impact on the local community,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
Chair of the GCG as well as local MO, Betty Kiernan, welcomed the decision to re-establish the committee.
“The GCG had many successes when it was first established in 2002, including establishing and guiding the implementation of the residential based alcohol rehabilitation service Jimaylya Topsy Harry Centre,” Ms Kiernan said.
She said the Group would assist homeless people and people who suffered from alcohol misuse to develop the skills required to integrate back into their home town or the Mount Isa community.
“The re-activated committee will enable us to successfully manage an increase in demand for these support services,” Ms Kiernan said.
She said the GCG was part of the regional response to the Queensland Government’s Responding to Homelessness initiative, and would meet regularly to develop management strategies regarding local Indigenous matters.
As well as Ms Kiernan, the Government Coordination Group would include Mount Isa City Council Mayor, John Molony; Chair of the North West Regional Managers Coordination Network, Martin Kelly; a Kalkadoon representative; a representative of industry; a non-Government organisation representative; and senior officers from Department of Communities’ Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership, Department of Housing, Queensland Police, Queensland Health and the Commonwealth Government.
8 May, 2008
Review to put heat on gas prices
A review of small customer gas prices in Queensland has been ordered by the Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson.
Mr Wilson said the Government was concerned about price increases in the residential gas market.
“I’ve directed the Queensland Competition Authority to report to me on the extent of competition in the residential gas industry,” he said.
“Gas prices, like electricity prices, should only reflect the true cost of supply. It’s called a fair playing field.”
Mr Wilson said the QCA would also review the introduction of competition for small gas users and would provide an impartial view on whether competition was effective in lowering gas prices.
“I’ve directed the QCA to investigate all aspects of the small gas market, including the network charges that appear to be the main cause of the price increases.”
He said the Terms of Reference would be posted on the QCA website and that they would be issuing a discussion paper and calling for submissions from all interested parties.
Mr Wilson said the Government had recognised some customers were facing difficulty in meeting increased gas charges so it implemented the $55 annual Reticulated Natural Gas Rebate for pensioners and Seniors Card holders.
He said the QCA would deliver its final report by 1 December 2008.
8 May, 2008
Popularity explosion for science show
The Government-sponsored Science on Saturday program is to branch out to six new locations this month.
The program, run by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on behalf of the Government, would now be available in Ingham, Cairns, Redlands, Roma, Rockhampton and Warwick.
Minister for Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle, said the program invited children between seven and 14 to explore the world of science through a range of hands-on activities.
“Science is great for kids,” Ms Boyle said, “it helps them learn about the world, and develop self-confidence.”
She said their interest should be supported and encouraged
“Science on Saturday gives young Queenslanders the opportunity to explore and get excited by showing them the relevance of science in everyday life.”
She said the Science on Saturday term two series would begin on 10 May and include weekly 90-minute sessions in each of the six locations.
Ms Boyle said activities included playing with glow-in-the-dark lotion; solving crimes by matching fingerprints; analysing handwriting and blood typing; exploring genetics by extracting DNA from bananas; and learning about the flow of energy through an electrical circuit.
She said each session would cover a different topic which included apprentice scientist; healthy humans; water wise; forensic investigation; working with DNA; and energy expert.
Mr Boyle said parents could sign their children up for the full program or any individual sessions that interested them.
“The beauty about the program is that the fun doesn’t stop after it’s finished.
“The kids can continue to experiment and discover, using things found around the home.
“The aim is to inspire the next generation with the fun of learning how things work, exploring the world around them and making extraordinary discoveries.”
Ms Boyle said she hoped some of the participating children would go on to pursue a career in science and further cement Queensland’s reputation as the Smart State.
She said last year more than 4,000 young Queenslanders took part in Science on Saturday and over 17,000 had participated since it began in 2004.
Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent and parents of the senior group were also encouraged to attend.
She said bookings cost $6 per session prepaid or $9 on the day, and could be made at www.csiro.au/sos or by calling 1300 302 649.
8 May, 2008
IPAA picks up Covey habit
Business and management guru, Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is to be the keynote speaker at a conference hosted by the Institute of Public Administration Australia.
Leadership Greatness: Great Leaders, Great Teams, Great Results will be held in Canberra on 28 May and Brisbane on 30 May.
Mr Covey said the Leadership Greatness seminar takes a “mind-set, skill-set, tool-set” approach to developing leaders who can apply the 4 Imperatives to unleash the talent and capability of their team against the organization’s highest priorities.
Heart unit reaches 10
The Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Cardiac Surgery Unit has celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The unit, which is the second largest in the country has saved up to 5000 lives in that time.
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson said the number of operations performed in the unit had doubled to 20 patients a week since it opened and the number of staff had tripled.
Energy permit granted
The first Exploration Permit for geothermal energy exploration in Queensland has been issued to NSW company, Granite Power Ltd.
The Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson, said while there were some questions raised over whether the definition of ‘mining’ in the Commonwealth Native Title Act included geothermal exploration, the issued had been raised with the Federal Government.
Rate cap to help consumers
A cap on interest rates at 48 per cent would help protect consumers from high cost credit loans, according to Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine.
Mr Shine said the cap was inclusive of interest, fees and charges, and was introduced by passing the Consumer Credit (Queensland) and Other Acts Amendment Bill 2008 in State Parliament.
He said in addition to the rate cap the Government had announced it would invest $1.2m to expand a No Interest Loans Scheme to help vulnerable people access money for necessities.
Call to arts
Minister for the Arts, Rod Welford, has called on Queensland arts companies and organisations in the small to medium sector to apply for annual funding grants from $50,000.
Mr Welford said applicants would have to demonstrate how they would increase their artistic, audience and business growth while engaging in the community
He said applications closed 30 June and more information could be found at www.arts.qld.gov.au or by contacting Arts Queensland on (07) 3224 4896.
Transit Authority has legs
Legislation has been introduced into State Parliament to establish Southeast Queensland's new integrated transport authority the TransLink Transit Authority.
Transport Minister John Mickel said the Authority would commence operations on 1 July 2008.
"The new Transit Authority will be 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 the Authority was set to become a single point of contact for customer service and information as well as integrated scheduling and ticketing for 17 different train, bus and ferry operators in the region.
"The Authority will also integrate public transport services, and deliver and manage the infrastructure on which those services operate," he said.
"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 commuters could ring the 13 12 30 information number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and would always have the option of communicating with a person, rather than a recorded message.
"A single transport authority will prove invaluable in tackling the challenges facing transport planners and Government, such as traffic congestion and climate change," he said.
He said the Government had looked at evaluated national and international transport authority structures to find the model best suited to Southeast Queensland.
The TransLink Transit Authority is to be a statutory body with seven board members, including the Chief Executive of Queensland Transport.
It will also include a non-elected representative from at least one Local Government that substantially funded passenger transport services.
Mr Mickel said other board members would represent consumer and employee interests, transport co-ordination and planning, law, accounting, economics, social policy, customer relations, and commercial and marketing development.
He said the new Authority would build on the success of TransLink, which had seen public transport patronage increase by more than 30 per cent since it was formed in 2004.
"Trips have increased from 119 million a year to more than 160 million a year," he said.
"We will now have an Authority with the grunt to ensure scheduling, services and planning are synchronised to deliver the public transport our growing population needs.”
1 May, 2008
Work Safe cracks workplace awards
The Queensland Work Safe Awards have been launched to coincide with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, John Mickel, said it was fitting to launch the awards at a time when workplace health and safety was of worldwide concern to Governments, employers, workers and their families.
Mr Mickel called on businesses of all sizes and from all industries to enter the awards.
“By entering the awards, businesses play an important role in improving health and safety education in Queensland,” he said.
Mr Mickel said health and safety could be improved by sharing safety solutions and ideas that had practical application in the workplace.
He said the awards recognised efforts to prevent workplace incidents that could result in death or injury to workers, promoted the best safety practices and encouraged businesses to develop and share innovative safety solutions.
“Good businesses know the many benefits of having a good health and safety system at the core of their business,” Mr Mickel said.
He said they were a great example to others of why it was important to go beyond simple compliance with the legal obligations for health and safety.
“These businesses often find ingenious ways to overcome safety risks to protect their workers, boost their productivity and reduce their costs.”
Mr Mickel said winners would receive public recognition of their health and safety achievements.
He said they would automatically be eligible to enter the Safe Work Australia Awards which were held by the Federal Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council, and that Townsville City Council was a winner last year in the Best Workplace Health and Safety Management System category.
He said entering the awards was simple and businesses could nominate in more than one category.
He said the five categories for 2008 were; best workplace health and safety management system; best solution to an identified health and safety issue; best workplace health and safety practices in small business; best individual contribution to workplace health and safety; and best solution to an identified electrical safety issue.
Entries close on 31 July and winners would be announced during Work Safe Week from 19 to 25 October.
More information is available from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland on 1300 369 915 or by visiting www.worksafeawards.qld.gov.au
1 May, 2008
Qld Police book in for AFP airport duty
The Australian Federal Police has officially launched its community policing presence at Gold Coast Airport by adding seven officers of the Queensland Police Service to its ranks.
The officers have joined the AFP on secondment for two years, taking on the role of Airport Uniformed Police.
Their numbers bring to 10 the AFP officers providing a 24-hour policing presence at the airport in addition to other AFP resources.
According to the AFP’s Gold Coast Airport Commander, Superintendent Paul Jones, the new officers would deter criminality at the airport by providing a stronger community policing presence.
“The AUP provide the travelling public and airport community a dedicated and first response to policing issues at Gold Coast Airport," Superintendent Jones said.
He said the AFP now had Airport Uniformed Police at 11 Australian airports, including Brisbane and Cairns. They responded to general policing issues, looked after border security, carried out criminal investigations and provided support to the AFP's Counter Terrorist First Response units.
"As the amount of traffic through Australia's airports increases, these additional resources will help to improve security and provide a highly visible police presence," Superintendent Jones said.
He said the Airport Uniformed Police were a crucial part of the Federal Government's Unified Policing Model established with the support of the Council of Australian Governments after the 2005 Wheeler Review into airport security and policing.
1 May, 2008
Uniform accounts get bright new look
A new guide to improving the clarity and transparency of Government financial statements across Australia has been issued by the Commonwealth Treasury.
The 2008 version of the Uniform Presentation Framework aims to harmonise Government Finance Statistics and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles across all State, Territory and the Commonwealth Governments and stemmed from a review prompted by the release of the Australian Accounting Standards Board’s new accounting standard for the public sector in October 2007.
The revised Framework incorporates revisions to the Uniform Presentation Framework agreed by the Australian Loan Council in March 2002, March 2003 and March 2008 and is to be implemented across all jurisdictions prior to their 2009-10 Budgets.
According to the Federal Treasury, the revisions to the Framework in 2002 and 2003 were also aimed at improving transparency and included more detailed reporting in the operating statement and of expenses by function as well as the inclusion of extra detail on purchases of assets.
“The reviews of the UPF in 2002 and 2003, and more recently to consider the impact of the new accounting standard AASB 1049 Whole of Government and General Government Sector Financial Reporting (AASB 1049) were undertaken by the UPF Committee, convened by Heads of Treasuries for these tasks,” it said.
“The Committee comprised representatives from Australian, State and Territory Treasuries and the Australian Department of Finance and Deregulation.”
It consulted with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Commonwealth Grants Commission.
The new Framework can be downloaded from the Commonwealth Treasury website www.treasury.gov.au
1 May, 2008
School guide sets Principal principles
New guidelines for appointing Principals to schools are expected to produce the twin results of improving stability for school communities and supporting school leaders’ career paths.
Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford said changes had been made to the way the appointment and secondment of principals were to be made to ensure greater consistency of leadership in schools.
“These changes reflect our Government’s commitment to ensuring young Queenslanders receive the best possible education,” Mr Welford said, “and that the professional development of our school leaders is supported.
“It is widely acknowledged that school leadership makes a great difference to the achievements of a school and its students.”
He said Principals had a wealth of corporate and specialist knowledge combined with an understanding of their school community’s needs and were often hard to replace if they left.
“I often hear from parents and school communities who are concerned about the frequency of school leadership changes.
“Continuity in schools is critical for improving outcomes.”
He said the new guidelines aimed to limit the number and length of secondments outside the school so that a better balance was achieved between stability of school leadership and developmental opportunities.
“Principals should commit to lead a school for two years before they take up a transfer or promotion to a position at another state school in Queensland,” Mr Welford said.
“This will balance the wider requirements of schools around the State with the needs of local communities who want consistency in how their schools are run and how their children are taught.”
Mr Welford said if a principal position fell vacant after the regular round of Principal positions had been advertised, there would the capacity to appoint from the current pool rather than waiting for another six months before providing schools with permanent leaders.
“By appointing someone from this pool of qualified applicants, we will cut red tape and deliver the benefits to parents and students,” Mr Welford said.
1 May, 2008
Recycling scheme is no load of rubbish
Recycling bins are soon to be located in public places in a bid to boost the community recycling effort beyond home boundaries.
Minister for Sustainability and Innovation, Andrew McNamara has announced a $2.3 million ‘Public Place Recycling’ project which would see recycling bins placed in major public venues such as stadiums, shopping Centres and parklands.
"Through kerbside collection, recycling is becoming an everyday event for most Queenslanders,” Mr McNamara said, “but we can do more to help the environment by recycling waste away from home."
He said the new bins would be rolled out and installed over the next two years.
"Queenslanders currently recycle more than 245,000 tonnes of packaging material,” Mr McNamara said.
"However, a further 50 per cent of recyclable material is generated away from home.”
He said the new bins would increase the amount of recycled material in Queensland, and go a long way towards helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
He said a public awareness campaign under the ‘Do the Right Thing, Use the Right Bin' banner would also be launched to encourage people to recycle waste when they were away from home.
"Research shows that most Queenslanders would like the chance to recycle away from home, but the infrastructure and the education needs to be in place, and that's what this campaign is about," Mr McNamara said.
"The Government will be looking to work and establish new partnerships with venue managers, Councils and waste contractors.”
He said the Public Place Recycling project would complement other waste management initiatives.
"My Department is currently finalising the Queensland Waste Strategy to provide a framework for dealing with waste to provide improved environmental outcomes," he said.
"More emphasis needs to be placed on avoiding waste generation in the first place by buying and making products which create less waste.”
He said the community needed to recognise the true cost and value of waste.
1 May, 2008
Main Roads backs spinal campaign
The Department of Main Roads has supported Queensland's Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) to the tune of $50,000
The funds are for an innovative safety education program being rolled out across the State by the Spinal Injuries Association over the next three years.
Main Roads Minister, Warren Pitt presented the $50,000 cheque to the longest-serving SEAT volunteer of 21 years, Wayne Leo.
Mr Pitt said that for the past 21 years, the 14-strong team of passionate and dedicated volunteers – all of whom had paraplegia or quadriplegia and used a wheelchair – had made thousands of visits to preschools, primary schools and secondary schools throughout the State.
"Main Roads' contribution will help the team achieve its goal of sharing the powerful spinal injury prevention messages with 80,000 children in 2008," Mr Pitt said.
“Statistics from the past 20 years show that motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries in Queensland.
“The statistics are even more frightening when you add the figures for motor vehicle accidents, which cause 25 per cent of spinal cord injuries, with motorbike accidents (8.36 percent) and cycling and pedestrian accidents (2.88 per cent).
Mr Pitt said the community needed to raise awareness among our youth of the serious ramifications of road accidents.
Mr Leo accepted the cheque as he was about to embark on another 12-day regional tour traveling about 4500km to share safety messages throughout western Queensland schools.
He was 33 years old when he broke his back and sustained a spinal cord injury in a hit-and-run motorbike accident.
Now 57 years old, Mr Leo is an honorary life member of the Spinal Injuries Association and volunteers his time to share his story with children, encouraging and inspiring safe and responsible behaviour.
Mr Pitt said the program focused on the consequences of life in a wheelchair after a spinal cord injury, with topics including lifestyle challenges, the anatomy and physiology of the spine, and important safety messages.
The contribution from Main Roads will allow a new DVD Nobody’s bulletproof to be presented to students this year.
1 May, 2008
Gardens lather up for grey water guide
A guide to help gardeners use grey water has been released by the Department of Natural Resources and Water.
Minister for the Department, Craig Wallace said the Guide listed some ‘dos and don’ts’ for using grey water, the identities of plants that could tolerate it and information about maintaining soil quality.
He said the average Australian generated 95 litres of grey water every day, making it a viable option for keeping gardens and lawns green, especially during water restrictions.
“Queensland is a State of keen gardeners,” Mr Wallace said, “We have more than our share of good green thumbs.
“Good gardeners know the importance of water and grey water is a great way to save this precious resource - but it must be used responsibly.”
He said it was important to use grey water in times of drought.
The guide, Waterwise Queensland: Gardening with grey water, was produced by NRW and covered the two types of grey water – treated and untreated.
Mr Wallace said untreated grey water was the water direct from showers, bathroom wash basins and the laundry and unless a home owner had a grey water treatment system, the untreated water could only be used on lawns and gardens.
He said that with a treatment system, treated grey water could be used on lawns, gardens, washing walls, footpaths, vehicles, for toilet flushing and recycled back to the laundry.
He said the State Government was offering a rebate of up to $500 for grey water systems.
“I encourage home owners to consider installing these water-saving products,” Mr Wallace said.
He said some Queensland garden plants that tolerated grey water were gardenias, bird of paradise, melaleuca, dietes, callistemon, conifers and hibiscus.
Mr Wallace said plants that could not tolerate grey water were grevillea, bougainvillea, camellia, lavender, herbs, ferns, citrus, azaleas and vegetables seedlings.
He said the guide also had information on turf species that were tolerant of grey water and species that were not.
Further information about rebates and copies of the guide could be found at www.nrw.qld.gov.au
1 May, 2008
Councils’ caps kerbed by Regulation review
Amendments to the Environmental Protection Regulation 1998 have given Local Councils greater flexibility to recover the cost of monitoring the environmental impacts of businesses.
Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, Andrew McNamara, said that up to now the Regulation capped the fees Local Governments could charge for environmentally relevant activities within their jurisdiction.
“This meant that ratepayers would have been subsidising the costs of environmental management of industrial activities if the maximum allowable fee wasn’t sufficient to cover the costs incurred by Council,” Mr McNamara said.
“The amendments mean Local Governments are now able to set their own fees for environmental activities they regulate.”
He said the amendments would affect businesses like motor vehicle workshops, boat repairers, plastic manufacturing and concrete batching.
“Local Governments invest a lot of resources on monitoring these activities and responding to complaints,” Mr McNamara said.
“This move means that Local Governments can recover the costs from industry, rather than ratepayers.”
He said Local Governments had always been able to set their own fees, but were limited to charging the same or less than the fee set out in the Regulation, even if the cost of regulating that activity was greater.
“Councils can now set their own fees by making a resolution or a local law,” he said.
“This applies to all fees set out in the Regulation that apply to Local Government and is not restricted to annual fees.”
He said there would still be some restrictions on the fees Local Government could charge.
“While the Regulation amendments allow Councils to set higher fees, they are constrained by the Local Government Act 1993,” Mr McNamara said.
He said the Act stated that a fee imposed by Local Government could not be greater than the cost of providing the service.
“It’s also important to note that some Local Councils previously set their fees lower than those set out in the Regulation,” he said.
Mr McNamara said the issue was raised during last year’s review into the Environment Protection Agency and Local Government roles and responsibilities under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
1 May, 2008
Tropical North warms to new opportunities
A study showing that Tropical North Queensland had the potential to become a major global player in the growing area of 'tropical expertise' has been released by Regional Development Minister, Desley Boyle who is also the MP for Cairns.
The Government commissioned the independent study of North Queensland’s tropical expertise sector in 2007 and Ms Boyle said it highlighted opportunities including tropical environmental, reef, rainforest and fishery management as well as tropical agriculture and urban design.
"As a Government we realised that the region had potential but we wanted to assess the sector’s competitive strengths and opportunities as well as its weaknesses,” Ms Boyle said.
She said the study found that the region's tropical expertise businesses were worth about $160 million a year and employed over 700 people full-time. It found tropical manufacturing and processing, tropical living and tropical environmental management had the highest average annual turnover.
The study found that most businesses located in Cairns had an average annual turnover of $2.6 million with about $600,000 attributed directly to tropical expertise.
"Close to 40 percent of what the sector produces is sold to local markets,” Ms Boyle said, “with the remainder being exported to buyers outside of the region, including about 20 percent overseas.”
She said the sector had a number of advantages including proximity to the Asia-Pacific markets as well as a high level of experienced staff with great knowledge based on years of working in a tropical environment.
"This is about building knowledge-based industries in the region,” she said, “about Cairns and the Far North being part of the Smart State revolution."
She said about half the world's population lived in the tropics and there was a desperate need for knowledge in doing business and living in tropical areas.
"There is no region in the world better equipped or experienced than Cairns and Tropical North Queensland to be an international leader in research and development in the area,” Ms Boyle said.
“Areas of Tropical expertise in most demand include tourism, eco and urban planning, disaster management, water processing and waste management, horticulture and forestry, tropical disease management, gourmet foods manufacturing and processing.
"This is an amazing opportunity for the people, businesses and Governments of the tropics to turn the knowledge we have acquired from everyday living into a multi-million dollar earner," she said.
A committee of key stakeholders, including James Cook University, the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Advance Cairns and the private sector, provided insight, advice and support to the researchers undertaking the study.
1 May, 2008
Heat tuned up on hotline enquiry
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has called for public comment on the operation of the national emergency phone call numbers Triple Zero (000), 112 and 106 for the hearing impaired.
Acting ACMA Deputy Chair, Chris Cheah said free-of-charge access to emergency call services in time-critical and life-threatening situations was a key regulatory safeguard.
“An important part of current regulatory arrangements for the emergency call service is an ACMA Determination that sets out specific requirements on industry participants on making, handling, answering and transferring emergency calls, including identifying a caller’s location,” Mr Cheah said.
He said the increasing use of internet protocol-based services, including VoIP, and next generation networks raised a number of issues for these current arrangements.
“One such issue is that many VoIP services are inherently ‘nomadic’,” he said.
“This potential for equipment to be moved around can affect the reliability of information about the location of an emergency caller.
He said there were also concerns about the volume of non-genuine emergency calls, for example, hoax and malicious calls, to the emergency call service.
“Handling of non-genuine calls wastes valuable resources and may result in poorer handling of real emergency situations,” he said.
Just over 12 million calls were received by the emergency call service in the year to 30 June 2007, with more than 5 million transferred to emergency service organisations.
ACMA has released a discussion paper, Calling the Emergency Call Service - Review of Arrangements, to inform a review of the Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Determination 2002.
“ACMA’s review will have a broad focus, having regard to community expectations and changing communication technologies. Our discussion paper therefore is deliberately open and seeks broad-based contribution to help inform revision of the Determination,” Mr Cheah said.
Of particular relevance to ACMA’s review are the objectives and obligations of the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, as well as the Telecommunications (Emergency Call Service) Determination 2002 (the ECS Determination) itself. These identify a number of key features of the ECS, including:
* continued public access, free-of-charge, to a world-class ECS;
* a regulatory framework that promotes and balances the operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the ECS arrangements;
* continued reliance on industry support for this fundamental and critical community service, through a co-regulatory approach;
* a program of periodic assessment and improvement to find solutions to issues; for example, more accurately identifying the location of all callers; and
* an innovative emergency call-handling system that responds to future technological developments, consumer expectations and international best practice.
Mr Cheah said ACMA was particularly interested in the views of industry and consumers about the longer term provision of the ECS, given rapid technological change and changing consumer expectations.
It also encouraged comments on regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to issues that may arise in that future environment.
1 May, 2008
History students to make history
School students have been invited to compete for the title of Australian Young Historian of the Year.
The Federal Education Minister, Julia Gillard, has officially opened the 2008 National History Challenge with the theme: Australia Meets the World.
“The Challenge is a research-based contest that gives students the opportunity to develop the skills of an historian through an investigation of the past,” Ms Gillard said.
“All students from Years 5 to 12 around the nation are encouraged to take part in this exciting experience.”
She said students who entered the Challenge could submit essays, museum displays or audiovisual presentations. Winners would be rewarded with cash prizes and a trip to Canberra.
“Through the Challenge, students can investigate their community, explore their past, examine major events that have helped Australia evolve as a nation, or formulate new ideas and theories,” Ms Gillard said.
Finalists from each State and Territory will be flown to Canberra to compete for the national title of the Australian Young Historian of the Year. Each finalist will receive a cash prize and a medallion. The Australian Young Historian of the Year will receive $500, a plaque and a certificate.
“The 2008 National History Challenge will undoubtedly produce more fine examples of student achievement and show how Australian students are developing their research skills while learning more about our nation’s past,” Ms Gillard said.
“The Government believes the study of Australian history is essential and, as announced in 2007, it will be a key element in the new National Curriculum.”
Ms Gillard said the Australian Government would work cooperatively with the States and Territories through a National Curriculum Board to implement a rigorous, content-based national history curriculum for all Australian students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Entries for the National History Challenge close in August 2008. For more information about the Challenge and how to enter the competition, visit: www.historychallenge.com.au
1 May, 2008
Prisoners go to dogs for training program
A program that allows prisoners to train dogs to help people with disabilities has graduated its first litter of pups.
The program, which helps rehabilitate prisoners as much as it does train the dogs, is run from the Darling Downs Correctional Centre, near Toowoomba as a partnership between Queensland Corrective Services and Assistance Dogs Australia.
The graduation - after a 14 month training course - was marked by Corrective Services Minister, Judy Spence presenting four of the dogs to the Chief Executive of ADA, Richard Lord, at a ceremony in Brisbane.
"This program is a Queensland-first,” Ms Spence said, “that brings puppies and prisoners together.”
"These dogs have undergone 14 months basic training and socialising with prisoners (and) they will now be returned to ADA for a six month intensive training program before being matched to people with physical disabilities to enhance the person's quality of life and improve their level of independence.”
She said the dogs would eventually be able to turn light switches on and off, press pedestrian crossing buttons and pick up and retrieve items - tasks which people in wheelchairs usually found extremely difficult.
"This Government is pleased to be part of an initiative that is making a real difference to lives of Queenslanders in need," Ms Spence said.
She said the partnership with ADA was a prime example of how Queensland Corrective Services worked with community organisations to provide prisoners with new opportunities for rehabilitation while giving something back to the community.
"Pups in Prison has provided prisoners with a positive experience, establishing new levels of responsibility, self-esteem and communication skills, while also developing patience, compassion and cooperation," Ms Spence said.
"Assistance Dogs Australia does a fantastic job in their work, training companion dogs for people with disabilities and it is a pleasure to be involved."
Mr Lord said the Pups in Prison program had been a huge success and he was excited to see the first graduation.
"The pups look fantastic and are very well trained,” Mr Lord said. “The program has united the officers, prisoners and community volunteers whose combined efforts to train and socialise the pups has been outstanding.
"We look forward to continuing the program with Queensland Corrective Services."
Ms Spence said the program has also provided learning opportunities for staff at Darling Downs who, with volunteer obedience trainers, had done a great job developing the program.
She said she was looking forward to the second group of puppies due to start training in July.
1 May, 2008
Fire ant reward is red hot incentive
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is offering a $500 reward to the person who finds and captures Australia’s last fire ant.
According to DPI&F experts, Australia is the first country to get close to eradicating fire ants, but while the finishing line might be in sight, there was still much work to do.
The General Manager of DPI&F’s Biosecurity Queensland Control Centre, Keith McCubbin said a final push was needed to get us over the line.
Mr McCubbin said the success of the Department’s eradication program was directly related to community support with members of the public providing more than 30,000 ant samples.
He said the Fire Ant Reward Scheme was a one-off program aimed at fast-tracking the pest equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack.
"Australia is leading the way in fire ant eradication, but despite our world-first work, we're not there yet," Mr McCubbin said.
"Scientific modelling tells us there are still a few fire ants hiding out, but we don't know whose backyard they're in, or at which local park they're lurking, and the public have long been effective lookouts in this regard.
He said this would be the hardest phase of the fire ant eradication program so was calling for the community to get on board one last time to check their yard and help rid Australia of this terrible pest.
"We're so serious; we're willing to reward anyone who leads us to a new fire ant infestation with $500.”
He said scientific experts had told him that using a reward program was the fastest and most efficient way to declare eradication sso he was encouraging everyone in South East Queensland to get involved and help find the last fire ant infestation.
Full details of the Reward Scheme were available on the DPI&F website at www.dpi.qld.gov.au, but to claim the $500 reward, Queenslanders must:
* find a fire ant nest and report it before 23 June 2008
* be the first to phone the DPI&F on 13 25 23 and register the find (payment is only made to the first report of that specific infested property logged by DPI&F)
* register your find before the Reward Scheme finishes on 23 June 2008
Mr cCubbin said reports of the ants would still be welcome after the close of the Reward Scheme but could not be considered for the reward
1 May, 2008
AG takes Shine to new Courthouse
Sandgate’s new $4.7 million Courthouse has been opened by the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine.
“Sandgate now has one of the most modern Courthouses in Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
He said the opening marked the start of a new chapter in the Court’s history which dated back to 1880, the same year the bayside village was declared a town.
“Security is still important and the new precinct is safer than ever, but these days there is a much greater emphasis on the needs of our more deserving clients.”
Mr Shine said the Courthouse included a waiting room for victims of domestic violence and another equipped with closed-circuit television for vulnerable witnesses, including children and victims of sexual assault.
“This enables them to give their evidence without the added trauma of having to face the alleged offenders in open court.”
Mr Shine said video links enabled evidence to be taken from witnesses at other locations, including those being held in custody around the state to avoid transporting prisoners for minor proceedings.
He said the project also involved construction of a secure link to the adjoining police station, which was monitored with electronic surveillance equipment.
Mr Shine was joined by MP for Sandgate, Vicki Darling at the opening.
Ms Darling said the event was a great day for the region.
“This new Courthouse provides interview rooms for lawyers, including Legal Aid and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, officers from other Government Agencies, such as Corrective Services and Child Safety, and various community groups,” she said.
Ms Darling said there was a mediation room to assist in the resolution of less serious disputes without having to call on a Magistrate.
“Another room has been set aside for visiting Justices of the Peace to provide free community services such as signing and verifying documents, an initiative we are very keen to develop further during the course of this year,” she said.
Mr Shine said the building’s design included many ‘green’ features, such as sensor lights, a skylight in the foyer and a 6,000 litre rainwater tank.
“The Queensland Government committed $66 million this financial year to build and upgrade justice infrastructure around the State,” he said.
“In addition to Sandgate, that includes funding for other new courthouses at Pine Rivers and Ipswich, as well as the new Supreme and District Courts to be built in George Street.”
Last financial year, the Sandgate Courthouse dealt with more than 5,200 criminal charges and nearly 200 civil claims.
1 May, 2008
DPI&F has worms taped
The commercial opportunities possible from growing sandworms at prawn farms have been investigated by the Department for Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F).
The Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin said the investigative project on Bribie Island had found two species of sandworm in Moreton Bay that removed nutrients and waste from aquaculture sand beds.
Mr Mulherin said as well as the production of worms for bait and fish feed, the worm filled sand beds provided perfect growth conditions for seaweed.
A researcher at the Bribie Island Research Centre, DPI&F biologist Paul Palmer, said this was an opportunity for aquaculture to generate additional cash crops.
“The worms themselves are recognised internationally as one of the best diets for maturing prawns and fish,” Dr Palmer said.
“At the same time seaweed generated in water treatment facilities has a range of uses including animal and human nutrition, organic mulches, fertilisers and soil conditioning agents, and animal and marine foods.”
He said DPI&F was undertaking further studies to identify possible commercial opportunities, and had recruited a Science Masters student from Sunshine Coast University to assist them.
Mr Mulherin said silt and organisms such as barnacles and small crustaceans had created problems in seaweed cultures in the past, but the worms helped rid the water of contaminants. The project was conducted in collaboration with Pumicestone area farmers and the National Landcare Program at the Bribie Island Aquaculture Research Centre.
MP for Pumicestone, Carryn Sullivan, said this was an example of the groundbreaking work of the Centre.
“The Centre is one of the area’s best kept secrets,” Ms Sullivan said.
She said the facility played a significant role in technological development and extension to the aquaculture industry in tropical and subtropical Queensland.
1 May, 2008
Historic park to stay
Premier Anna Bligh has announced that Tripcony Hibiscus Park in Caloundra, one of Queensland’s oldest camping grounds, will not be developed for commercial or residential uses.
Ms Bligh said ensuring low-cost holiday options for families with tight budgets was more important than ever: “The Caravan Park is here to stay.”
The Park had been under threat of development due to its high-value, coastal location.
More laptops for schools
Teachers at Bribie Island State High School have received the first of 73 laptops from Premier Anna Bligh and the Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford.
Mr Welford said over a quarter of Queensland’s State school teachers had received laptops under the Government’s $70 million Computers for Teachers initiative.
He said by the end of the financial year, 13,326 computers would have been provided to teachers at 562 State schools.
Cancer tests continue
The second stage of environmental testing on the Atherton Fire Station site has begun, following concerns about cancer rates among firefighters.
Minister of Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said the first tests were conducted by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) in early April.
He said the second round of tests would be run by the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS).
SES volunteer awarded
Roger Warren of Caboolture has been recognised for over 25 years of service to Queensland communities with the State’s volunteer emergency services.
Premier Anna Bligh and Minister of Emergency Services, Neil Roberts, presented Mr Warren with a National Medal Clasp for his dedication to duty.
Mr Roberts said Mr Warren had served in the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service in Western Queensland before joining the Caboolture SES.
Boarding school supported
An Indigenous boarding school in North Queensland is to receive $2 million in Commonwealth funding for refurbishments.
The co-educational Mt St Bernard College Catholic secondary school is to receive the assistance urgently under the Indigenous Boarding Infrastructure program
The funding is additional to $3 million granted through the Queensland Catholic Block Grant Authority and the combined amount will provide the College with a new 40-bed dormitory and a refurbished 32-bed dormitory.
New surgery centre
A dedicated elective surgery centre is to be built the 5th floor of the QEII Hospital, with construction to start mid-year.
An administration are at the hospital is to be transformed into a new operating theatre and 30 elective surgery beds.
The new facility is expected to deliver 2,000 extra elective surgery procedures a year.
Senior staff of Main Roads have gathered in Emerald to assess the Department's response to the February 2008 flooding in the area and to plan for future disaster management.
Director-General of Main Roads, Alan Tesch said it was important that Main Roads staff reviewed how they worked with Emergency Services and Local Government workers during the emergency and continued to improve.
Emerald District Director, Andrew Cramp said most people didn’t realise the amount of hard work facing Main Roads' crews when the flood waters receded and still continued.
New firefighters welcomed
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service has welcomed 31 new firefighters to its ranks, including former State of Origin footballer, Travis Norton.
The group was part of a record 160 new recruits this year.
Six of the 31 new starters had been allocated to fire stations in the Brisbane region with 11 to the Gold Coast and Ipswich, six to Central Queensland and eight north of Mackay.
Mr Norton would be based in Mackay.
Police medals awarded
National Police Medals have been awarded to Police officers from the Caboolture and Redcliffe Districts.
Recipients of the medals had more than 100 years service between them in areas including Police Communications, Forensic Services, General Duties, Criminal Investigation Branch, Child Protection Investigation Unit and Specialist Services.
Those receiving recognition were Sergeant Terence Wyatt who received the 1st Clasp to the National Medal and Sergeant Michelle Dodds, Sergeant Aaron Firth, Senior Constable Christopher Heather and Detective Senior Constable Stephen Marshall who received the National Medal.
The awards were presented by the Premier, Anna Bligh, Police Minister Judy Spence, and Assistant Police Commissioner, Graham Rynders.
Town planners appointed
The Urban Land Development Authority’s revitalisation of Bowen Hills and Northshore Hamilton has taken a step forward with the Authority letting more than $1.7 million in contracts to two urban design teams to start master planning the two areas.
The ULDA said consultants from EDAW, Deicke Richards, Maunsell, MacroPlan and ENSR would master plan the new Bowen Hills UDA and another team led by Hassell would master plan the Northshore Hamilton UDA.
The teams include master planners, urban designers, transport planners, civil engineers, water cycle management experts, infrastructure planners, urban economists, contaminated land and air quality specialists, and social and community design planners.
Motorbike safety paper
A Discussion Paper on motorcycle safety in Queensland has been issued for public comment by Queensland transport.
A recent review of motorbike safety looked at ways to improve the licensing system, public education campaigns and road conditions in a bid to create a safer environment for motorbike riders.
The public comments will be used to inform a Motorbike Safety Strategy for the future.
More information is available from Queensland Transport on (07) 3253 4960 and submission close 30 May.
Careers Expo on
The National Careers and Employment Expo is to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 23 and 24 May.
The free event will showcase careers, training and employment options for people of all ages and provides a valuable opportunity to talk to representatives from a range of industry, corporate, Government and education organisations, including TAFE Queensland.
Groups of year 10 to year 12 students are being encouraged to attend.
Similar events will be held in Townsville on 22 April and the Gold Coast on 13 and 14 June. For more information visit www.tafe.qld.gov.au
Seniors awards open
The Department of Communities has advised that the Premier’s Seniors Awards are now open.
The Awards aim to celebrate and recognise the voluntary contributions of older Queenslanders, provide role models to inspire and encourage other older people and challenge traditional assumptions about older people and growing older.
“Senior volunteers make a significant and positive difference in many areas of the community,” the Department said.
“Through the annual Premier's Awards for Queensland Seniors, the Department acknowledges the key role many older people play in the community, in particular their voluntary contributions.”
More information and nomination forms can be obtained from 1300 132 654 or www.communities.qld.gov.au and nominations close 20 June.
