28 November, 2007
ABC at Home in New Brisbane Offices  
The Australia Broadcasting Corporation has announced it has found new office and studio accommodation for its Brisbane staff.
Managing Director, Mark Scott said an exhaustive search had identified a site in the Brisbane suburb of Newstead as the best option to house the ABC’s Brisbane operations.  
   The ABC’s former premises in Toowong were evacuated in January when an unexplained cluster of breast cancer cases was discovered among female staff.
   “From the moment the decision was taken to relocate staff from Toowong, we began the extensive search to find the best long-term accommodation solution that would ensure all ABC Brisbane staff were located in the one place, working as a team again,” Mr Scott said.
   “The ABC had considerable demands for a collocated site which included accommodation size; power needs, transmission and IT capacity; transport; visibility and close access to the city. The Newstead site meets all of these requirements for ABC Brisbane in the long term, and importantly provides us with the opportunity to create purpose-built accommodation in what will be a vibrant and rapidly developing neighbourhood.”
   Mr Scott said the ABC’s aim was to design an environmentally responsible and sustainable building, guided by the ABC Green Futures policy. He said staff would have the opportunity to make suggestions and recommendations on the new site.
   “A Brisbane Accommodation Project team, coordinated by Mike McGowan, will work with the Project Reference Group that will comprise of representatives from ABC News, ABC Radio, ABC Television, Innovation and the other ABC divisions,” Mr Scott said.
   “This group will take responsibility for implementing an effective staff consultation process throughout the construction of the new facility.”
   He said the next step would be appointing design consultants to develop a schematic design for the new facility.
   “If the current project program is maintained, we can expect to see the accommodation project completed in June 2010.”
   He thanked all ABC staff for their hard work since the relocation from Toowong almost 12 months ago.
   “Working in these challenging circumstances has not been easy and I acknowledge their professionalism and commitment to the ABC. We can now move forward with a sense of optimism for the creation of the ABC’s new home in Brisbane.”
   He acknowledged the Parliamentary Public Works Committee and the Federal Parliament for its support of the ABC in what he called unusual and challenging circumstances.
   Mr Scott said the new offices were at the corner of Breakfast Creek Road and Durong Street.

28 November, 2007
Toy Inspectors Have Christmas Fun
Inspectors from the Office of Fair Trading are busy ensuring unsafe toys will not be sold in Queensland this Christmas.
   Attorney-General, Kerry Shine announced the work program saying product safety inspectors from the Office of Fair Trading had been assessing toys throughout the State since early October as part of its annual pre-Christmas toy safety audit.
    “Inspectors have targeted toy shops and other outlets that sell toys,” Mr Shine said.
   He said the consumer organisation Choice announced that 14 out of 30 toys it tested failed one or more elements of the national toy standard.
    “The mandatory standard for toys sets out safety requirements for choking hazards in toys for children aged 36 months and under,” Mr Shine said. “No toys designed for this age group should release small parts when subject to stringent use and abuse tests.
   “Choice is to be commended for taking a proactive stand in relation to the safety of toys.”
   Mr Shine said there had been calls recently for a nationally consistent approach to product safety regulation.
    “Queensland is leading work to develop a harmonised national approach to product safety,” he said.
    “When it comes to ensuring the safety of children’s toys, everyone has a role to play.”
    He said all toys in a report from Choice were imported and the Commonwealth needed to be more active in preventing unsafe goods entering the country.
    “The States and Territories have proven highly effective at removing unsafe products from the shelves, informing consumers about making safe product choices and assisting industry to sell only safe products,” Mr Shine said.
    “However, the reality is that businesses are deciding what they sell and they clearly need to take more responsibility for the safety of the products they are importing.
    “Parents also have an important role in protecting their children from unsafe toys, including making the right choice when they are buying toys and ensuring children are adequately supervised.”
    Mr Shine said results of the pre-Christmas toy safety audit would be available in early December.
   For more information about buying safe toys visit the Office of Fair Trading website at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.

28 November, 2007
Card Designers To Be Dealt With
Five students from four primary schools have won this year’s Education Minister’s Christmas Card Competition.
Each student will now have his or her  artwork printed on more than 5000 official Christmas cards for the Premier, Minister for Education and Training, Members of Parliament, senior Departmental staff and Australia Post.                     
   Education Minister, Rod Welford said this year’s competition attracted about 3200 entries from more than 100 schools across the State.
   “The competition gives the students a chance to have their creative talents recognised and showcased throughout Queensland and beyond,” Mr Welford said.
   “Entries this year were designed around the theme of ‘Be active this Christmas’, which fits in with 2008 being the Year of Physical Activity for Queensland schools.”
    Finalists won a $200 Australia Post gift voucher, a framed and personalised stamp sheet of their winning artwork and their schools won an $800 Australia Post gift voucher and a framed and personalised stamp sheet of the artwork.
    State Communications Manager at Australia Post, Teresa Mullan said judging the entries was difficult.
   “There was a fantastic array of entries that reflected the creativity and artistic flair of Queensland student artists,” Ms Mullan said.
   “Australia Post is proud to have again sponsored this competition and we will continue to do so in the years ahead.”
   The winners included Ornella Cristante (Year 1) from St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Casey Brooks (Year 6) from Greenbank State School, Kaela Armitage (Year 7) from Payne Road State School and Edie Brimblecombe and Rebecca Wakeling (Year 7) from Rainworth State School.
    All the winning designs can be seen at www.education.qd.gov.au

28 November, 2007
Drugs in Court Reach New High
Attorney-General, Kerry Shine has declared the Drug Court program a success, saying the 252 people who had been diverted to rehabilitation services by the program would have cost $25 million if sent to prison instead.
  “The Drug Courts have been successful in giving these long term drug addicted offenders a second chance without having to send them to prison,” Mr Shine said.  
    “The program allows drug addicted offenders to have their prison sentences suspended and for an intensive rehabilitation program to be imposed which they must complete if they are to avoid their prison sentence.
    “It costs around $70,000 to keep an inmate in prison per year which means the Drug Court program has effectively saved around $25 million dollars by successfully diverting these drug addicted offenders into rehabilitation programs.”
    He said graduates achieved significant results by completing their rehabilitation.
    “We are talking about serious long term drug addicts who have overcome incredible odds and who can now become contributing members of society rather than a burden on it,” Mr Shine said.
    “The Drug Courts are not a soft option for these offenders, their rehabilitation program is tough and can take 12 to 18 months to complete.”
   He said the program was tough.
   “Around 60 per cent of offenders sent to Drug Courts have failed the program and were brought back before the court and sentenced for their offences, with many going to prison,” Mr Shine said.
    “Those that have graduated were also sentenced at the end of their rehabilitation and generally had periods of imprisonment set aside and were ordered to serve their sentences in the community.
    “This provides a great incentive to these drug addicted offenders to complete their program and avoid jail.”
    The program started as a trial in south-east Queensland in 2000 and was extended to north Queensland in 2002.
   Mr Shine said it became a permanent sentencing option in 2006 and Drug Courts now operated in Beenleigh, Southport, Ipswich, Townsville and Cairns.

28 November, 2007
Dam Comment In Deep Water
The Coordinator-General, Colin Jensen has extended the deadline for public comment on the Traveston Crossing Dam’s Environmental Impact Statement until 14 January 2008 following variations to the EIS.
   Deputy Premier, Paul Lucas said he was advised that an addendum had been prepared which contained 20 variations between the online, CD/DVD and hard copy of the Statement.
    “The variations are of a minor nature but, we want to be sure that everyone has the chance to comment on the correct version,” Mr Lucas said.
    “As a result people wanting to comment on the EIS now have until January 14 to provide their feedback - an extra 42 days.
   He said the transfer of the Statement onto the internet had generated some variations.
   “Department of Infrastructure and Planning staff and Queensland Water Infrastructure staff have now carried out a complete review of the 1600 page EIS document, plus an additional 4000 pages of technical reports and appendices,” he said.
   Mr Jensen said he wrote to Queensland Water Infrastructure to ensure an addendum to the EIS became publicly available.
    “In making my decision to extend the comment period I wanted to remove any risk that the public may not have been fully informed,” Mr Jensen said.
   He said examples of changes included pages left off the web version, the omission of several maps relating to local Government boundaries and omission of a paragraph concerning the Great Sandy Strait.
    “People or groups who have already lodged a submission will be able to amend their submission within the submission period if they think this is necessary,” Mr Jensen said.
    Mr Lucas said it was important the public had the opportunity to comment on the complete document.
    “When the Environmental Impact Statement was released, the Coordinator-General allowed 42 days for comment, even though the minimum required under the Act was only 28 days,” he said.
    “As it is preferable that consultation not close over the Christmas/New Year period, it has been decided that a further 42 days for comment will be provided – 14 more than a recent Parliamentary petition requested.”
    Mr Lucas said extending the comment period meant people had the chance to decide whether they wished to comment further.
    “This proposed dam is vital to securing water supply for South East Queensland and we want people affected to have their say,” he said.
   The addendum can viewed via a link on the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au.

28 November, 2007
Leading MBA School Graduates to Sydney
A leading on-line Graduate School, U21 Global has set up an office in Sydney.
   The Singapore-based organisation plans to expand the availability of its post graduate products, responding to the fact that already many Australians were among the 4000 students enrolled in its MBA programs.
   The Australian arm of U21 Global will be operated by a company associated with travel industry leader John Verhelst.
   Mr Verhelst has 30 years experience travel, airline and hospitality groups in Australia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Asia.
   He has most recently been working out of Singapore.
   U21Global was established in 2001 and has grown to become the world's premier online Graduate School and is backed by an international network of 20 Universities in 12 countries.    The school combines the quality of its network partners with innovative delivery modes on the Internet, allowing students to take prestigious courses while balancing work, travel and family life.
   U21Global has already enrolled students from over 60 countries in Asia, Australasia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Its graduate programs draw upon the best practices in online learning and are independently approved for quality assurance. The school’s curriculum is required to meet the academic standards of all 20 affiliated universities. It is accredited with the European Foundation for Management Development.
   Among the Universities that have affiliated with U21Global are McGill University, Tecnológico de Monterrey, University of British Columbia and the University of Virginia in North America, Lund University ; University College Dublin, University of Birmingham,  University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow and the University of Nottingham in Europe;  Fudan University, Korea University, National University of Singapore, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Hong Kong and Waseda University in East Asia and in Australasia the  Universities of  Auckland, Melbourne,  New South Wales and Queensland.
   More information about U21Global is available from  www.u21global.edu.sg or its new Australian office on 0437 212 121

28 November, 2007
Police Auction Plan Holds Fraud at eBay
The success of Queensland’s Police service in combating internet auction fraud has attracted the attention - and commendation - of other Police services around the nation.
   The Service has been recognised for a world-first initiative which produced a partnership with eBay to counter online auction fraud.
   Minister for Police, Judy Spence said Queensland Police were leading the way in the development of greater efficiencies and effectiveness in investigating online criminality.
   “Websites like eBay provide a convenient option for consumers, but protection from fraudsters is essential,” Ms Spence said.
    “In the past, if a consumer had a complaint when an item the purchased one a site like eBay didn't arrive, or was not what was listed, they often made their complaint straight to Police.”
   She said in many cases, Police found if a consumer had contacted their online auction site or the seller directly, their complaint could have been easily handled without police involvement.
    “To improve the efficiency of the complaints process, Queensland Police have formed a partnership with eBay to establish a website which provides consumers an avenue to report online fraud,” Ms Spence said.
    “Since the new system went live in May this year, 117 matters have been reported, using this new process, and Police have taken action in 87 of those cases.”
    She said in one case the Police laid 30 charges against one offender.
    “This co-operative approach by Queensland Police to manage these complaints is an example of how Queensland Police are setting the standard for other jurisdictions to follow,” Ms Spence said.
     Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson said the Government’s support of the Fraud and Corporate Crime Group helped attack the issue head on.
    “Queensland Police are recognised as the only jurisdiction worldwide that is addressing this area of crime,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
   “By providing a simple and structured dispute resolution system, we are accelerating the reporting and investigating process – limiting the opportunity for serial fraudsters to commit further offences and defraud other innocent people of significant sums of money.”
    Ms Spence has urged other jurisdictions to promote the same system and to provide enhanced avenues for reporting online fraud.
    “The Queensland Police Service is now acting as the coordinating authority in Australia for complaints about online marketplace transactions,” Ms Spence said.
    “We want all States to work with the Queensland Police Service, to ensure all complaints about online fraud are thoroughly and efficiently investigated, while other disputes can be appropriately managed through the auction sites.”
   Commissioner Atkinson Detective Inspector Brian Hay and his team were leading the field with their online initiatives.

28 November, 2007
Electricity group Gets the Power
A Working Group has been set up to investigate the future energy needs of the north west region.
   Energy Minister, Geoff Wilson announced the Group which he said would determine the region's long term electricity needs.
   “The key stakeholders are examining the future energy requirements of the region and their findings will form the basis for commercially-based investment decisions about future supply,” Mr Wilson said.
    “We've called together representatives from major mining and industrial energy sectors, the Queensland Resources Council, CS Energy, Ergon Energy and key Government Departments.”
    He said their task was to identify the combined long term power needs of all major electricity consumers and prospective new mining developers in the region.
    “I'm delighted that all key players have come together,” Mr Wilson said. “That's the best way to assess the development of new generating capacity to meet the long term needs of the region.”
     MP for Mount Isa, Betty Kiernan said the Working Group was one of a number of initiatives in her region.
    “We've got a reliable and secure electricity supply now, but this is about planning for the future,” Mrs Kiernan said. “We need to look at the long term electricity needs of the region.”
    She said the north west was one of the most resource-rich regions in the country.
   “The resources boom is providing jobs and job security for our workers, but we still need to focus on the future.
   “The Working Group is a step in the right direction.”
   Mr Wilson said the Group had already begun identifying the combined long-term power needs of all major electricity consumers and prospective new projects.
    “It's in the early stages of identifying individuals and organisations with an interest in the region,” he said.
   “CS Energy and AGL are already investigating an expansion of Mica Creek Power Station, but the working group will look at opening up opportunities for other power generators to enter the region on a commercial basis.”
    Mr Wilson said consumers in Mount Isa and surrounding areas would continue to have a reliable and secure electricity supply.
    “CS Energy advises that Mica Creek Power Station is able to generate sufficient electricity for the next two summers, so the working group will be focusing on the region's long term requirements.”

28 November, 2007
New Rail Corridor On Right Track
A whole-of-Government response to the billion-dollar Surat Basin Railway is possible following a declaration by the Coordinator-General that the project was ‘significant.’
    Premier, Anna Bligh said the project could now proceed.
   She said the new rail corridor would link Surat’s vast coal reserves via the Southern Missing Link, with Gladstone’s port facilities.
    “This project would be a massive economic driver locally, and for Queensland overall,” Ms Bligh said.
    “The State Government is determined to see the Surat Basin Railway built so that the region can fulfil its export potential for coal and, potentially, other future mineral and agricultural products.
   “‘Significant’ project status means the consortium now has to conduct detailed environmental, social, economic and engineering investigations as part of the EIS process before the final route can be identified.”
    Ms Bligh said the Surat Basin Rail consortium had identified a preliminary corridor between Wandoan and Banana as crucial to the project but the 210 kilometres of rail needed was  missing.
    She said the preferred corridor would largely follow existing road reserves including the Leichhardt Highway, Nathan Road and Cracow-Theodore Road, and would join existing Queensland Rail lines between Wandoan and Toowoomba and Moura and Gladstone.
     “The Surat Basin Rail project typifies this Government’s willingness to work with the private sector when necessary to get things moving,” Ms Bligh said.
    “It will be open-access, so all businesses can use it, able to accommodate trains of up to 2.5km long and, most importantly, the State Government will retain ownership of the final corridor.”
    She said the Southern Missing Link was designed to join up with the proposed Wiggins Island Coal terminal so that coal exports could be maximised.
    “Another potential benefit could be additional passenger capacity on the Brisbane urban rail network as some of the coal transport task is switched to the Surat Basin Railway,” Ms Bligh said.
    Construction on the corridor would need up to 600 workers over a 30-month period.
   The Coordinator-General is expected to release draft Terms of Reference for public comment by March next year with the Environmental Impact Statement possibly by December 2008.
    A decision to proceed with the project was not expected before 2009.
     The public will have the opportunity to comment when the EIS is released. An Initial Advice Statement, prepared by Surat Basin Rail, is available now at www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au.

28 November, 2007
Senior’s Awards On the Card
Eight regional awards and the supreme Exceptional Business Award have been presented to the winners of the 2007 Seniors Card Business Excellence Awards.
    Businesses were honoured for excellent service to older Queenslanders at an awards ceremony in Rockhampton.
    Minister for Seniors, Lindy Nelson-Carr congratulated overall winner, Northern Automotive Service and Support, from Garbutt, for leading the way in outstanding service to seniors.
   “With more than 555 nominations, this year’s awards were hotly contested by businesses making it easier for Queenslanders to continue to live life to the full,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
    “More than 560,000 people in this State hold a Seniors Card or a Seniors Business Discount Card and the number will continue to grow, with tens of thousands of Queenslanders turning 60 and opting into this money-saving scheme.
    “Seniors are now the largest retail growth market in Australia, spending almost double the national average.”
    MP for Keppel, Paul Hoolihan said the number of regional awards had increased this year from seven to eight which reflected growth in the Seniors Card program in rural and regional areas.
    “This year also sees the expansion of the regional series of Seniors Card Business Discount Directories to eight to include a Far North Queensland edition – enabling even more card-holders to locate their closest discount providers with greater ease,” Mr Hoolihan said.
    Ms Nelson-Carr said more than 10,000 businesses participated in the Seniors Business Discount Card scheme which offered discounts to card-holders for a range of goods and services.
    The Awards have been held since 1995 and acknowledge businesses participating in the Seniors Business Discount Card scheme for their outstanding services to card-holders.

28 November, 2007
New Lending Cap Attracts Interest
A Plan to cap consumer loan interest rates, fees and charges at 48 per cent has been floated by the Government, amid opposition from pay day lenders.
   Attorney-General, Kerry Shine has announced that industry and community comment would be received on a draft law to amend the Consumer Credit (Queensland) Act 1994 and accompanying regulation.
    Premier, Anna Bligh said the Government was committed to introducing the cap and would not be put off by the lenders’ campaign.
   “We made a commitment to introduce a cap earlier this year and despite a sustained campaign by pay day lenders opposed to our proposal I can now confirm that cap will be set,” Ms Bligh said.
   “This legislation will prevent borrowers charging exorbitant interest rates on pay day loans and will help consumers get off the credit merry-go-round.”
    She said the cap would protect people from shonky loan sharks who preyed on their financial situations.
    Ms Bligh said borrowers who used high-cost lenders were usually low income, disadvantaged or vulnerable consumers.
    “We need to help these people and law reform is one of the best ways we can offer them protection,” she said.
    Mr Shine said his Department received more than 5,000 submissions including many from customers of pay day lenders who urged the Government not to introduce the cap.
    “Pay day lenders have heavily lobbied the Government not to introduce a cap, claiming many borrowers will go out of business if a limit on interest, fees and charges was introduced,” Mr Shine said.
    “I acknowledge they have concerns, however our priority is to protect consumers and stop them falling into a pay day credit trap.”
    He said releasing the draft Bill and Regulation for comment was not to re-open discussion about the Government’s objective to introduce the cap.
    “We are releasing this draft legislation to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to comment on whether it adequately achieves our policy objective,” Mr Shine said.
    Ms Bligh has warned lenders against breaking the law once the cap was introduced saying the Government would not tolerate it and severe penalties would follow.
    “Credit providers who charge above the legislated maximum will be required to pay back any amount over the cap and will face civil penalties of up to $500,000 for breaching the Consumer Credit Code,” Ms Bligh said.
    “They will also face significant criminal penalties of $10,000 for individuals and $50,000 for corporations.”
    Copies of the exposure drafts can be viewed online at www.justice.qld.gov.au and
www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au 

28 November, 2007
Airline Touches Down With Government MoU
The State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore Airlines in a bid to increase visitation to Queensland.
   Minister for Tourism, Desley Boyle said Tourism Queensland had worked with Singapore Airlines for many years and the three year MOU was a result of that ongoing relationship.
   “Singapore Airlines is one of the most respected and largest travel brands in the world,” Ms Boyle said.
    “It also has one of the world's youngest fleets, a network spanning five continents and is the first airline to receive the new large capacity A380 international aircraft.”
   She said international tourism was worth more than $3.6 billion to Queensland each year.
    “By strengthening Queensland’s relationship with Singapore Airlines, we are opening up opportunities in the important international markets of the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia,” Ms Boyle said.
    She said joint activities between the two parties would complement existing State tourism promotions.
    “As a result of this new agreement, we will see jointly-funded marketing campaigns in the identified emerging markets of China, Korea and India,” Ms Boyle said.
    “Tourism Queensland will begin working in cooperation with Singapore Airlines on familiarisations with consumer, trade and media agents to positively promote tourism to Queensland.
    “We will also undertake promotional roadshows with Queensland tourism operators and regional tourism organisations, bringing Queensland tourism experiences and key international travel agents and buyers together.”

28 November, 2007
Design Award Off The Drawing Board
Nominations have been called for the 2008 Smart State Designer of the Year Award.
   Minister for the Arts, Rod Welford launched the call saying the Award had been presented by Arts Queensland and the Queensland branch of the Design Institute of Australia since 2006. He said entries for next year’s prize were now open.
   “This is a hotly contested Award and in the past two years we have seen the cream of Queensland’s design talent fight for the title,” Mr Welford said.
   “The Smart State Designer of the Year award recognises a designer’s work, their leadership and their commitment to design excellence.
   “Past winners Lasse Kinnunen (2006) and Kirsti Simpson (2007) were both deserving recipients – the 2008 winner will have to emulate their talent and dedication to design.”
    He said the winner of the 2008 Smart State Designer of the Year award would receive a $5000 travel bursary.
    “This year the awards attracted a record number of entries, so we’re hoping to see a similar response in 2008,” Mr Welford said.
    “Next year’s awards cover all facets of the design industry across three major categories of interior design, three dimensional design and visual communication.”
    He said the strong response to the design awards indicated the energy and optimism for design.
    “In the 2007 State Budget our Government committed $1 million to the planning of an international centre for sustainable design in Brisbane,” Mr Welford said.
    “A discussion paper was released earlier this month to gauge private sector interest in delivering a hub for design disciplines and a launch pad for design excellence. I am looking forward to the feedback on this paper.”
    Entries for the awards close Friday 22 February, 2008 and more  information is available from www.qdosawards.com.

28 November, 2007
Aboriginal Program Not Secret Business
A pilot program to tackle alcohol abuse and crime among Indigenous Queenslanders has been officially launched in Townsville.
   Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Lindy Nelson-Carr said Townsville, Rockhampton and Cairns would trial the $36.4 million Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program.
    “QIADP is a three-year pilot program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with alcohol misuse issues who are involved in the criminal justice or child protection systems,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
   “Major aims of this whole-of-Government trial are to improve health standards among Indigenous people and to reduce their over-representation in the justice and child protection systems, while ultimately keeping more of our families together.”
    She hoped the trial proved successful in helping to break cycles of alcohol abuse and crime affecting Indigenous men, women and children in communities.
    “It is about helping to not only improve health standards, but also helping to rebuild lives,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
    Member for Townsville, Mike Reynolds said the program would make treatment and support - including supported accommodation - available for residents of nearby Indigenous communities such as Palm Island.
    ”Queensland Health has allocated $152,155 to the Stagpole Street Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit to provide treatment and support such as counselling, education, group and family therapy,” Mr Reynolds said.
    “The local Yumba-Meta Housing Association will receive up to $537,000 per annum and a one-off payment of $50,000 from the Department of Communities to establish and operate the supported accommodation and support services component of the program.”
    Attorney-General, Kerry Shine said under the program, Indigenous people were referred to alcohol treatment programs as part of their bail conditions or as a component of a child protection order.
    “The program will be delivered in two streams, with 80 per cent of program places allocated via the criminal justice stream as referred by Magistrates, and 20 per cent referred through the child safety stream by the Department of Child Safety,” Mr Shine said.
    “The program will offer individual assessments, a tailored intervention plan and case management to eligible offenders and families in contact with the child protection system.”
    He said the three trial locations were in operation and could provide up to 130 people with treatment and support to beat alcohol misuse.

28 November, 2007
Animals Group Call To Buck Rodeos
An animals rights group has called on the Department of Education and Training to remove rodeos from the Queensland high school sports curriculum.
   Animals Australia has demanded the ban claiming schools were disregarding evidence on the high risk of injury to humans and animals in rodeo events.
    Executive Director of Animals Australia, Glenys Oogjes said over the past four years the group had provided information to the Principal of Warwick State High School on how dangerous the sport is.
   “Our pleas to remove rodeos from the Queensland high school curriculum have been dismissed,” Ms Oogjes said.
   With rodeos sometimes described as “the most dangerous sport in the world”, Animals Australia said they provided video footage from junior rodeo events which showed children taken from arenas on stretchers or being dragged when their hands or feet became caught.
   “Any of these incidents could have resulted in tragedy,” Ms Oogjes said.
   “Rodeo events present a clear and ever present danger to children and animals.”
   She said it was inconceivable that their calls were being ignored.
    “The Queensland education system has a duty of care to students,” Ms Oogjes said.      “Surely this includes not encouraging or endorsing participation in activities that could place their well-being at risk.”
    She called on Education Minister Rod Welford to ban rodeos from the high school curriculum following the recent death of a professional Australian rodeo competitor in Ipswich.
   “Any education system must promote first and foremost the protection of the most vulnerable in our society- children and animals,” Ms Oogjes said.

28 November, 2007
Information freedom
The Victorian Government has abolished application fees for documents under Freedom Of Information laws.
   State Premier, John Brumby has also ordered Departments and Agencies to make more material openly available on the internet. The trade-off is that Agencies will have an extra 30 days to provide information under FOI.
   The Government has also abolished Conclusive Certificates signed by Ministers exempting documents from FOI, handing that power to the Victorian Administrative Tribunal.

Smart comments
Public feedback is being sought on the progress of the Smart State Strategy.
   The Government ahs called for comment saying contributions would help shape the next stage of the evolving plan of action.
   Comments may be made to smartstate@premiers.qld.gov.au and online consultation will be open to 14 December.

Climate change tour
Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson is leading a nine-day delegation to the US and Canada promoting Queensland’s role in climate change solutions.
   The delegation includes representatives from the Department of Mines and Energy, the Queensland Resources Council and industry professionals.
   It looks to establish relationships with internationally recognised experts in clean coal technology and energy conservation.

22 November, 2007
Tribunals Untangled In Justice Paper
Improvements in the delivery of civil and administrative justice across all Government Agencies are proposed in a discussion paper issued for public comment.
   Prepared jointly by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General’s Department, the paper follows a review of existing mechanisms and proposes an administrative review policy to create consistent and contestable approaches across Agencies when decisions about reforms to existing administrative review mechanisms are made or when new rights of review are created.
The paper proposes the reforms to address what it calls the  current fragmented system which over the years has seen an increase in the numbers of tribunals and decisions subject to review.
   It says that currently there is no detailed policy guiding decisions about when a new tribunal is to be established or which existing tribunal should be used.
   The paper said tribunals had therefore been created and new jurisdictions conferred on existing tribunals without considering the system as a whole.
   “Numerous processes in numerous forums can be confusing to people seeking redress,
limiting their access to justice,” the paper says.
   “The specialised systems for specific issues can also prevent the realisation of any benefits that could be accrued through economies of scale.
   It says that an ad hoc approach to reforms has also meant that when decisions about new review rights were made, there was a lack of a consistent and contestable approach that took into account the civil and administrative justice system as a whole.
   “This review is to build on the work already done to determine if there are further reforms that can continue to improve the delivery of civil and administrative justice across all Queensland Government Agencies,” the paper says.
    “Reforms are being considered only in relation to bodies who conduct external merit
reviews and other bodies who determine civil and administrative disputes between parties.”
   Public comment on the discussion paper will be received until 21 December and can be emailed to legalpolicysubmissions@justice.qld.gov.au.
     For more information, or to download a copy of the paper, visit  www.justice.qld.gov.au

22 November, 2007
Inspectorate Digs In For Mine Workers
The Queensland Mines Inspectorate is to conduct a national recruitment drive.
   Minister for Mines and Energy, Geoff Wilson announced the plan saying it was aimed at attracting skilled mines inspectors and safety and health specialists to the State.
   “We wanted to attract the best people to reap the benefits of a better career path backed up by better training and remuneration,” Mr Wilson said.
    “This is about bringing on the next generation of mines inspectors and I'm pleased to advise that a team of mining safety and health professionals has now joined the ranks of the Mines Inspectorate.”
   He said among the team was a new Chief Inspector of Coal Mines, Manager of Safety and Health for Central Queensland and a new Mines Inspector for Mount Isa.
   Mr Wilson said the Inspectorate would be reinvigorated under the restructure to reflect modern mining.
    “Some Senior Inspector positions have been taken out of Head Office and transferred to regional Queensland,” he said.
   “We're moving officers out from behind their desks and into the field.”
   He said a number of Occupational Health and Safety Officers had also been appointed to the Inspectorate in the State regions.
   A new Diploma course for Safety and Health Inspectors has also been scheduled for next year to strengthen inspection services and build skills bases.
    “These changes are exciting for the mining industry,” Mr Wilson said.
   “Mines Inspectors now have a career path to match new training opportunities.”
    He said there was now a greater focus on team-based, whole-of-site inspections for Queensland mines.
    “Queensland has one of the best mine safety records in the world and the best mines safety legislation in Australia and it's in everyone's best interests to keep it that way,” Mr Wilson said.

22 November, 2007
Ambulance In DashTo UK for Staff
Queensland Ambulance Service is to interview more than 100 United Kingdom paramedics in a bid to appoint extra ambulance officers across the State.
   Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said the QAS budget would allow for an additional 250 ambulance officers this financial year.
   “As part of the work to employ additional officers, the QAS has initiated the Sea-Change international recruitment program to attract qualified paramedics from overseas to Queensland,” Mr Roberts said.
   “This international recruitment program is coupled with efforts to attract paramedics from interstate and training student paramedics.”
    Fifty-nine qualified paramedics from the United Kingdom have already started with QAS as part of the Sea-Change initiative.
    In 2006-07, more than $41,000 was spent on travel expenses for QAS officials to recruit paramedics from the United Kingdom.
   QAS is able to recruit from the UK following a Labour Agreement with the Commonwealth to sponsor a limited number of permanent and temporary residency business visas for selected International Qualified Ambulance Professionals.
    The Service has announced it expected to fill all available visa placements this year, but further applicant pools would be available in 2008.
   For more information about the UK recruitment drive, visit www.ambulance.qld.gov.au  or contact the Recruitment Team by email to ambulancerecruitment@emergency.qld.gov.au

22 November, 2007
Child Safety CourseIs Not Kids’ Stuff
Thirty-three new students have graduated from the Department of Child Safety’s training program for frontline child protection workers.
   Minister for Child Safety, Margaret Keech presented certificates to the graduates from the Department’s Certificate IV in Community Services (Protective Care) course at a ceremony in New Farm.
    The graduates included 21 Department of Child Safety Support Officers and 12 Child Support Workers from Indigenous organisations.
   Mrs Keech said the training allowed para-professional child protection workers to consolidate and build on existing skills and to advance their careers through formal qualifications.
   “Child Safety Support Officers play a critical role in supporting vulnerable children in our communities, doing anything from attending medical appointments with children, to enrolling them at school and organising contact visits with their families,” Mrs Keech said.
   “Workers from Indigenous organisations also play a vital role, providing the Department with cultural advice about the child protection needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.”
   She said all graduates were working at the coalface of child protection, some of which had been in the field for up to 15 years.
    “The training allows workers to update and consolidate their skills and knowledge, so they can continue to deliver quality support to vulnerable children and young people,” Mrs Keech said.
    She said the Government was committed to protecting child protection workers through support and training.
   “We are extremely proud of the state’s child protection workers, and see continued investment in training as a continued investment in the frontline of child protection,” Mrs Keech said.
    The Certificate IV is a joint initiative of the Department of Child Safety, the Department of Education, Training and the Arts and the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE.  

22 November, 2007
Mobile Support Plan Gets Parents Moving
A new mobile program to improve critical supports for families in isolated communities has been announced by the Minister for Communities, Lindy Nelson-Carr.
   Ms Nelson-Carr said $765,000 would be provided over three years to the Save the Children Fund to run the program.
   “This important project will help families and children who would otherwise slip under the radar and not access critical supports such as unemployment benefits, housing advice, health care and other social services,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
    “This is the only mobile program of its kind operating in Queensland and it is reaching clients on their turf, building their trust so they can make the necessary contacts and access services.
   She said taking this sort of action was often the first step in turning a life around for the better.
   Ms Nelson-Carr said the project originally began as a trial in 2004 and had been piloted and fine-tuned over the last three years.
    “Save the Children reports the mobile service trial has reached over 120 families and 400 children,” she said.
   “These families have experienced positive changes to their lives.”   Queensland Executive Officer for Save the Children, Lynn Thompson welcomed the funding saying intervention was critical in helping families with parenting.
    “During the trial phase, specially-trained counsellors have achieved great success, with the majority of families remaining intact and stable housing contributing to children staying in school,” Ms Thompson said.

22 November, 2007
Library Books Party For First Birthday
The State Library of Queensland is holding a special Open Day party in celebration of its first successful year in its new building.
    Premier, Anna Bligh congratulated the Library saying it had attracted more than a million visitors since re-opening in November last year.
    “The redevelopment has opened up the entire Cultural Centre to a larger and more diverse audience,” Ms Bligh said.
   She said the large growth in visitors was proof that the $291 million investment to redevelop the Cultural Centre had paid off.
   “All of Australia is looking to Queensland and the State Library as leaders after the building was recently awarded the title of ‘Australia’s Best Public Building 2007’ by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects,” Ms Bligh said.
    “The Cultural Centre now ranks among the nation’s most exciting arts and cultural precincts and is the centrepiece of the State’s booming creative sector.”
   State Librarian, Lea Giles-Peters said the Open Day was a chance for the public to enjoy free games, music and a tour behind-the-scenes of the State’s premier library.
   “The success of the new State Library building has exceeded all expectations,” Ms Giles-Peters said.
   “In the past year we have answered more than 50,000 reference enquiries, hosted national exhibitions, developed a dynamic public program of talks, forums and children’s activities and continued to extend our collections.
    “The Open Day is a chance to show Queenslanders just how special the State Library is, and to thank everyone for making it such a remarkable year.”
    The celebrations are to feature activities for the old and young, including feature performances by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists for adults, and The Great Tear Repair for children where they would learn how to mend their own artwork
   The Open Day is to be held on Sunday 25 November.  For full details visit www.slq.qld.gov.au. 

22 November, 2007
Broncos Deliver For Australia Post
Australia Post has again joined forces with the Brisbane Broncos to launch the 11th Annual Australia Post Broncos Tour.
   For the first time the tour includes visits to coastal areas after traditionally being held in western Queensland.
   Australia Post’s Queensland Commercial Manager, Helen Brodie said Australia Post shared a common goal with the Rugby League team in providing young Queenslanders with unique sporting opportunities. 
    “Rugby league has a big following in Queensland and the Broncos are iconic,” Ms Brodie said, “so we are pleased to bring Australia's number one sporting brand to regional areas of Queensland to encourage kids to pursue their passion.” 
    Broncos Game Development Co-ordinator, Paul Dyer said the team was proud of the development work they conducted throughout regional Queensland.
    “The Australia Post Broncos Tour is a great example of this,” Mr Dyer said.
    “The kids will benefit from learning the basics of rugby league in a fun and friendly atmosphere, with an emphasis on staying active.”
   He said not all fans could travel to support their team on weekends so the tour allowed the Broncos to meet some of those supporters.
    “The Broncos cannot provide these opportunities without the help of naming rights tour sponsor Australia Post, who continue to allow us to bring these tours to regional Queensland every year,” Mr Dyer said.
   During the five-day tour more than 1500 children from Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Gin Gin, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Gympie, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast would be able to attend Broncos training clinics to learn from top Broncos players. 
    Nine players will lead the tour including internationals Michael Hancock and Michael DeVere and former NRL top grader Darren Burns.
    Members of the public would also be able to meet some of the players during appearances at Australia Post outlets.
   For more information and a list of appearance dates, go to the NRL website at www.nrl.com.

22 November, 2007
Minister Heats Up Climate Change 
Climate Change is real and Queensland will be seriously affected according to the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara.
   Responding to a United Nations report from its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Mr McNamara said it discredited the few remaining sceptics who denied that doing nothing to tackle climate change would have potential consequences.
   He said the report identified that the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland Wet Tropics would be at risk by 2020 if global warming continued without action being taken.
    “If nothing is done, agriculture and forestry are likely to suffer from increased drought and fire by 2030,” Mr McNamara said.
    “By that time, severe changes in rainfall patterns across southern and eastern Australia will cause water shortages and the development of expanded arid areas.”
    He said the scenarios were stated in the report with very high confidence or high confidence of occurring in the absence of action on climate change.
    “The impact on the Reef and Wet Tropics could devastate the State’s tourism industry and the businesses and communities which depend on it.
   “A reduction in arable land for primary produce and livestock will affect product availability and increase prices, causing pressure on families and businesses in many rural and regional communities.
    Mr McNamara said the report offered a glimmer of good news insofar as it said it was not too late to do something about climate change: “many impacts can be reduced, delayed or avoided by mitigation”.”
    He said the report removed any doubt that climate change was real and needed to be addressed immediately.
    “I hope that the Federal and State National Party climate change sceptics will now stop regarding current meteorological and climatic conditions as nothing more than a prolonged drought,” Mr McNamara said.
    He said the Government was committed to taking action.
    “We created the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence to advise Queenslanders how to best prepare for the impacts of climate change, and devise measures to further reduce and offset the State’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr McNamara said.
    “ClimateSmart2050 is the Queensland Government’s co-ordinated response to the enhanced greenhouse effect and climate change, and lays the foundation for future government policies and programs.”
    He said the $414 million ClimateSmart2050 package included initiatives to support renewable and low emission energy generation and programs to encourage energy saving and efficiency.
    “ClimateSmart Adaption 2007-2012 identifies priority actions to be taken in the next five years to adjust to potential social, environmental and economic impacts of a changing climate, to build community awareness and understanding of changes ahead,” Mr McNamara said.

22 November, 2007
She’ll Be Rights At Awards Ceremony
The nominations for the 2007 Human Rights Awards have been released by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
   To be presented on Human Rights Day, 10 December, the Awards honour those women, men and organisations in Australian society who have shown an extraordinary commitment to human rights, social justice and equality over the past year.
   The 2007 ceremony will be the 20th anniversary of the Awards which are conducted by HREOC every year.
   The nominations have been made across seven categories, including Law, Arts, Print Media, Radio and Television, and Community Awards for an individual and an organisation.
    HREOC President, John von Doussa said the people on the shortlists identified those who worked tirelessly and without fanfare to protect and promote human rights every day.
   “The Human Rights Medal and Awards are an extremely important and prestigious forum through which we can acknowledge these people and organisations for their contribution and commitment to the betterment of our society,” Mr von Doussa said.
   He said the Awards would be presented at a gala lunch in Sydney on Human Rights Day which would be compered by radio and television personality Julie McCrossin.
   The winner of the Human Rights Medal would also be announced at the ceremony and Mr von Doussa would deliver the annual Human Rights Day oration..
   Radio and television personality Julie McCrossin will MC the awards, and HREOC President,
   Human Rights Day has been celebrated around the world on 10 December since 1950 and marks the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which took place on 10 December 1948.
   A list of nominations for the awards are on the HREOC website at www.humanrights.gov.au 

22 November, 2007
Legal Defences Put on Trial
A discussion paper has been released following an audit into the legal defences of accident and provocation in homicide trials in Queensland.
    The audit was commissioned by the Government following community concerns over the outcomes of three Court cases conducted between July 2002 and March 2007, including the acquittals of Jonathan James Little and Damien Karl Sebo of murder and Ryan William Moody of manslaughter.
    Major findings of the audit included that in most cases where a particular defence or excuse of accident and provocation was raised, it was done so in conjunction with another defence.
   The audit also found that a defence or excuse could be raised in circumstances where it appeared it was not the major issue at the trial, such as the identity of the accused killer.
     The Discussion Paper also includes a review of the law in relation to the defences and a comparison of jurisdictions in other Australian, New Zealand and United Kingdom communities.
   It also looks at the role of the jury and the nature of the State’s sentencing system.
    A series of questions were raised in the paper for public feedback, including:
   * Should a person be held criminally responsible for an unintended and unforeseeable outcome of their actions;
   * Is the defence of provocation appropriate for a case where death results from a person’s actions; and
   * In what circumstances, if any, should provocation provide a partial excuse for murder?
   To view the Discussion Paper visit www.justice.qld.gov.au and submissions can be emailed to attorney@ministerial.qld.gov.au by 3 December.  

22 November, 2007
Bouncers Bounced As Checks Crash
A new more thorough system of background checks for work in the security industry has doubled the number of adverse findings according to the Office of Fair Trading.
   Attorney-General, Kerry Shine revealed the increase saying the Government had significantly expanded the scope of criminal history checks on those applying or renewing security licences since the beginning of October.
   “We are now checking all applications for unrecorded convictions and using criminal intelligence and other background information provided by the Queensland Police Service to make decisions about applicants' suitability,” Mr Shine said
    “Between 1 October and 9 November the Office of Fair Trading recorded 387 adverse criminal history check reports, which is more than double the number recorded in the previous five weeks.
    “Nine people identified under these adverse criminal history checks have had their applications refused.”
    He said the OFT also conducted a State-wide compliance blitz during October targeting entertainment venues and licensed premises.
    “Officers inspected 155 premises and 764 entities throughout Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
    “While over half the security providers and entities scrutinised were found to be 100 per cent compliant with the Act, there are still people who either engage or operate as unlicensed security providers.”
    He said so far the Office had issued 61 warnings or infringement notices totaling more than $14,000 in fines.
    “Breaches of the Act ranged from failure to maintain or keep a security provider register, operating as an unlicensed security provider or security firm and failing to update license particulars,” Mr Shine said.
    He said the Government would not tolerate undesirable people working in the security industry.
   “Denying these people a licence and ensuring they don't work in the industry will help reduce the risk of security providers being unnecessarily involved in violent incidents.
    “It will allow those patrons of licensed premises to feel safer and have more confidence that security at a venue is being conducted by licensed professionals and not those looking for a reason to be violent.”   

22 November, 2007
Ed Head Warns on Education Funding
The Director-General of Education, Rachel Hunter has warned that without continual investment and innovation in education, Australia would fall behind the rest of the world.
   Writing in the recent Department of Education, Training and the Arts Education Views, Ms Hunter said education had been rightly nominated as a topic for debate as the crucial element in securing Australia’s prosperity.
    She said without investment into teaching and learning, the nation would struggle to meet its changing workforce needs.
   “The recently released Future of Schooling in Australia report therefore is a significant blueprint for the future, outlining the way forward for education in this country,” Ms Hunter said.
   “The document is the result of widespread consultation following the release of an initial report in April this year.
    “It outlines a new vision for schooling in Australia, with a greater focus on the quality of teaching and school leadership, early childhood, improving Indigenous education outcomes and partnerships with parents and the broader community.”
   She said the report included a 14-point action plan which covered issues such as working towards a national curriculum, national testing, more meaningful reporting, workforce reform and teacher registration.
    “I represented the Department on the Steering Committee for the report and I am pleased to say it is a truly collaborative document that has been agreed to by all States and Territories,” Ms Hunter said.
   She said the report would be referred to the next meeting of the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs.
   “From there it will be considered for the development of a new declaration on the future of education in Australia, replacing the Adelaide Declaration” Ms Hunter said.

22 November, 2007
New AIRC Website is Industrial Strength
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission has launched its revised website with a new look and greater usability.
   A major redesign of the site has seen the design overhauled with a concentration on improved navigation and the reorganisation of information based on users’ needs.
   President of the Commission, Justice Geoffrey Giudice, said the AIRC was constantly reviewing its website to ensure it was at the forefront of available technology and meeting the needs of users.
   “When we first established the AIRC website almost 10 years ago we could not have imagined how important the site would become in our general communications with AIRC users and the public,” Jiustice Giudice said.
   “It is now the main information gateway to both those who use AIRC services and those who want to learn more about the tribunal and its work.”
   He said just as technology was constantly evolving, so too must this site.
   Justice Guidice said the redesign involved a thorough review of the existing site and consultation with both regular and infrequent users.
   He said among the new features were:
   * an improved navigation system with information accessible through a single, left-hand menu;
   * the reorganisation of information into subject areas, with greater prominence given to key facts and tasks; and
   * dedicated pages dealing with the areas of unfair and unlawful dismissal, and dispute resolution and industrial action.
   He said the website address remained unchanged at www.airc.gov.au but advised users to update their ‘bookmarks’ and ‘favorites’ to particular pages such as the daily hearings list.
   “Feedback on the new site is welcome,” Justice Guidice said.
   He said comments and suggestions could be sent to aircinfo@airc.gov.au.

22 November, 2007
Patient Poll Shows Healthy Ambulance
Queensland Ambulance Service officers have won a 97 per cent satisfaction rate in the past year while responding to more than 600,000 urgent cases.
   Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts announced the result saying the 601,556 code 1 and 2 calls were among a total of more than 816,000 calls responded to by QAS in 2006-07.
   “In total, Queensland Ambulance Service responded to another 70,000 calls in 2006-07 compared to the previous 12 months (2005-06), and it responded to almost twice as many calls compared to a decade ago (1996-97),” Mr Roberts said.
    He said an increase in code 1 and 2 calls highlighted the need for a continuing commitment to improving services.
   “A decade ago, the QAS responded to 236,812 code 1 and code 2 calls less than half the number in 2006-07,” Mr Roberts said.
   “In other words, the QAS responded to the equivalent of 27 code 1 and 2 cases each hour in 1996-97 whereas they responded 68 each hour – or one each minute – last financial year.”
   He said despite the high increase, the percentage of code 1 cases responded to within 10 minutes was 66.9 per cent compared to 66 per cent in 1996-97.
    Mr Roberts said patient satisfaction was 97 per cent compared to 94 per cent a decade ago.
   He said QAS responded to 50 per cent of code 1 cases in eight minutes and 90 per cent of cases in less than 17 minutes which was better or comparable with the performance of other States.
    “The Government is committed to an effective and efficient Queensland Ambulance Service,” Mr Roberts said.
   “The Government has also commissioned an audit of the QAS to better understand the reasons behind the increasing demand and how to best respond to that increased demand.”   

22 November, 2007
Rail on Track To Find Missing Link
A further $27 million is to be allocated to accelerate development of the Northern Missing Link rail system.
   Queensland Rail has announced it will advertise for partners in a project alliance to design and construct the 69 kilometre rail link with the preferred builder to be selected by the end this year. Premier, Anna Bligh announced the further funding saying it would also go towards geotechnical investigations, detailed engineering design and track works, detailed design costs for the signalling component and pre-construction works including line corridor fencing.
   “The Northern Missing Link has been something of a holy grail for the Queensland coal industry,” Ms Bligh said.
   “Its construction will allow Central Queensland coal trains to be directed to the port of Abbot Point, north of Bowen.”
   She said it would provide an alternative to the Goonyella rail system and the export terminals at Dalrymple Bay.
    “We have previously allocated $19 million for this project, and are well on the way to acquiring the railway corridor, having reached agreement with all affected property owners,” Ms Bligh said.
    She said the Government’s commitment was made on the assumption that the Link would be up and running by 2010.
    “When constructed, this will be one of the most significant rail infrastructure projects to be undertaken in Australia in the past decade,” Ms Bligh said.
    “While seven coal companies have supported this investment, QR is beginning work without a single confirmed contract, as occurred with its recent $654 million rolling stock purchase.”
   She said the project was a green light for companies to invest in new and expanded mines.
   “It’s a green light for Ports Corp Queensland to commit to the expansion of Abbot Point,” Ms Bligh said.
   “It’s a green light for the exports of millions of extra tonnes of Queensland coal.  And it’s a green light for a massive jobs boost in regional Queensland.”

22 November, 2007
New Lands Manual Is Good Weed
A joint effort between the Queensland and NSW Departments of Primary Industries has produced a new manual explaining how to control weeds.
   Queensland DPI&F Grazing Systems Senior Scientist Dr Steven Bray of Rockhampton and NSW DPI Pastures Research Officer, David Officer from Grafton co-authored the manual which explains how to control weeds that cost the pastoral industry an estimated $60 million a year.
   It will be made available free of charge to all land managers.
   Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin launched the 38-page full colour manual saying that improved land management practices were needed to control current infestations and prevent the spread of the weed into clean areas.                                                  
   “These extremely aggressive, invasive and unpalatable weedy grasses that now infest an estimated 450,000 hectares of grazing land in eastern Queensland and New South Wales thrive in the more than 700mm annual rainfall belt,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
   This manual takes a strategic approach to weed management by weighing up the situation and taking a best bet strategy based on the latest research and a focus on achieving cost-efficient, effective weed control.”
   He said infestations of GRT and the related American rat’s tail, Parramatta grass and giant Parramatta grass were collectively costing the pastoral industry some $60 million annually in lost production and in control and containment costs.
   “This manual takes a strategic approach to weed management by weighing up the situation and taking a best bet strategy based on the latest research and a focus on achieving cost-efficient, effective weed control,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
   The Best Practice Manual for the management of weedy Sporobolus grasses with emphasis on giant rat’s tail and giant Parramatta grass has been developed to provide extensive grazing land managers with up to date, well planned control guidelines.
   Commonly found in Queensland and NSW, giant rat’s tail and giant Parramatta grass has been long known as a particularly difficult pest to control as it cannot be killed by fire, slashing or grazing.
      Meat and Livestock Australia funded the four-year project supported by the Qld DPI&F and NSW DPI and Dr Bray and Mr Officer said dense infestations could halve both stocking rates and annual beef production per hectare.
   “These grasses can adapt to a wide range of soil types and climatic conditions and can establish in areas where the rainfall is as low as 500mm a year,” Dr Bray said.
   “That puts 60 per cent or more than 108M ha of Queensland’s grazing country at risk and some 30 per cent or 223M ha nationally.”

22 November, 2007
Local Government Grants
Four new members have been appointed to the Local Government Grants Commission in Kelvin Spiller, Gabrielle Sinclair, Mark O’Brien and Carl Wulff.
   Mr Spiller is the Commission’s new Chief Executive while Ms Sinclair is Deputy Chairperson.
   Warren Collins and Anne Portess were also reappointed.

Land Grant
Bill Grant has been appointed as Chairman of the new Urban Land Development Authority.
   Mr Grant will be supported on the Authority by six other members including Renaye Peters, Professor Brendan Gleeson, Professor Michael Keniger, Councillor Julie Boyd, Michael Back and Michael Kerry.

New Magistrates
Chris Callaghan, Maxine Baldwin and Cathy Wadley have all been appointed Magistrates.
   Ms Wadley and Ms Baldwin have already been sworn in with Mr Callaghan to be sworn in 3 December.

22 November, 2007
TAFE to housing
The former Bremer TAFE Institute is to become a master planned community with affordable housing.
   TO be developed by the Brisbane Housing Company and Mission Australia, Stage one to be launched with affordable housing and community facilities including a childcare Centre.
   The affordable housing component should provide 30 townhouses featuring two, three and four-bedrooms as well as nine apartments for rents ranging from $110 to $230 per week.

Chemical warning
Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts has warned parents to thoroughly lock up household chemicals to protect children from poisonings and injury.
   Mr Roberts made the warning during the launch of the Gateway Industries Community Safety Calendar which features illustrated safety messages and handy hints on how avoiding dangers in homes.
   Primary school students illustrated the calendar as part of a competition run by the Department of Emergency Services’ Chemical Hazards and Emergency Management Service and Gateway Industries and Community Mutual Aid Group.

School fire plea
Queensland Police and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service have made an urgent call for information about  a fire which burnt down an historic School House to contact them.
   The 90 year-old School House, near Lake Tinaroo’s Fong-on Bay at Atherton, was destroyed on 16 or 17 November.
   Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or QPWS at Atherton on 4091 1844.

Councils deadline
New Local Governments will officially commence on 15 March next year following Council reforms.
   At that time, the 31 interim Chief Executive Officers will officially become the acting Chief Executives of the new councils.
   Elections are to be held on 14 March.

Mining documentary
Minister for Mines, Geoff Wilson has endorsed a new documentary showing some of Queensland's worst mining disasters.
   Mr Wilson said the DVD, which was launched in October, had been provided to the Parliamentary Library and he encouraged Parliamentary members and mining companies to show all their staff to drive home the importance of mine safety.
   For more information on Make Safety their Monument visit www.dme.qld.gov.au.

Tenancy overhaul
State tenancy laws are to be overhauled to make rent bidding illegal and provide increased security and surety for renters.
   Under the proposed changes, lessors and agents would have to advertise properties with a fixed price and rent increases banned for six months.

Coo-ee for Indigenous artists
The Australia Council for the Arts is looking for Indigenous dancers, musicians, actors, writers and visual artists to take part in the 2008 Festival of Pacific Arts.
   The tenth annual festival, in American Samoa from 20 July 2008, will showcase the diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, joining participants from 27 Pacific Island nations in a 10-day program of events.
   Applications to join close on 19 December 2007 and more information is at www.ozco.gov.au/fopa or phone (02) 9215 9065.

17 November, 2007
FOI Attack Foiled By Local Review
The Government has announced it is well on the way to addressing concerns raised in a recent attack on Freedom of Information laws, Attorney-General, Kerry Shine saying action had been planned since September.
Mr Shine said the Government wanted to provide the public with greater accessibility to information and better transparency through an independent review of FOI laws.
   A high-profile audit of Government information recently found that most Australian States were adopting a culture of secrecy that thwarted public access to information.
   The report, by former NSW Ombudsman and Commissioner Against Corruption, Irene Moss found a widespread lack of transparency in Government activities and went so far as to warn that the ability of citizens to learn about the workings of Government and the Courts was under "serious threat".
   The study was conducted for a group of media organisations incuding the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, SBS, Fairfax and News Ltd.
     It said since 11 September 2001, a raft of anti-terrorism laws had been introduced which "significantly reduces the judicial watch" on law enforcement agencies and restricts the ability of people to communicate with journalists and others.
     It prompted one civil liberties campaigner in NSW to describe FOI as a “joke.”
   But according to Mr Shine, the Queensland review would assess whether the State’s current laws were working effectively and what improvements could be made.
   Mr Shine said advances in information and communication technologies had led to  millions of Government documents being created each year which in turn led to lengthy timeframes and high charges to search and examine documents for FOI applications.
   “The review’s terms of reference include the time and cost of providing access to Government documents, and the appropriateness of the fees and times that apply.”
He said he was pleased to see Queensland Courts issued less suppression orders than other States.
   “Queensland only has six suppression orders compared to nearly 700 in Victoria and more than 100 in New South Wales,” Mr Shine said.  “In fact Queensland has the lowest number of court suppression orders than any other mainland State.”
   He said this meant the media and public had greater access to court proceedings which provided transparent court processes.
   “This is vital in maintaining the public’s confidence in our court system and ensuring that access to important court proceedings is open,” Mr Shine said.
   “We are committed to providing and open system of Government and we are determined to ensure that there is adequate access to public information.”

17 November, 2007
PS Bringing Up Rear In Leadership Stakes
Research by a personnel consultancy in Canberra has found that the public sector was falling behind the private sector in identifying and promoting future leaders.
   According to the company, the result has created a ‘leadership vacuum.’
   Senior consultant with the Hay Group, Peter Dunn is reported in the Human Resources magazine as saying that experienced leaders in the Public Service across Australia were due to retire in the next 10 years and would take with them the leadership skills that the coming generation have yet to learn.
   He said this was made more worrying because Governments at both the Federal and State levels were in the process of building their Public Services at the same time a talent shortage was becoming more evident.
   “The talent shortage is likely to be felt even more acutely in the public sector because it doesn’t have the ability to alter salaries and conditions as much as the private sector,” Mr Dunn said.
   He said his company’s report Rush to the Top found that very few PS organisations had a succession plan in place.
   “If active talent management isn’t undertaken quickly, the crisis will grow in the public sector in Australia,” he said.
   “Capabilities including vision, political awareness, team building and long-term thinking are critical to success but not easy to develop.”
   He said unless the next generation of PS leaders was developed quickly the quality of leaders would suffer.
   According to Mr Dunn, a remedy to the crisis being adopted in the private sector was often to include HR managers as members of executive boards and also as key players in the top management team.
   “You don’t see that in the public sector – they are still playing second fiddle to the technicians and that has got to change.”
   Mr Dunn said the Public Service had never experienced a leadership crisis which meant it had never had to worry about succession planning.
   He said with many more Public Service staff now reaching strategic level positions before turning 30, two areas of public service that needed to be addressed were the potential for promotion and the readiness for promotion.
  “In order to ensure success and avoid placing emerging young leaders in positions they might fail in, we need to pack around those emerging leaders the skills or systems that recognise their readiness for the position,” Mr Dunn said.

17 November, 2007
TAFE Takes Off As Stat Authority
Technical and Further Education institutes, or TAFEs, are to become statutory authorities under reforms to the Vocational Education Training and Employment Act 2007 announced by the Government.
Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford said the reforms were a key step in the reform of Queensland’s vocational education and training sector.
   “Ensuring we have a vibrant and robust public provider, alongside a thriving private sector, is the cornerstone in ensuring Queensland’s training workforce matches the needs of industry and our vocational education and training system remains world-class,” Mr Welford said.
   “Our $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan acknowledges that the rapidly changing training market poses real challenges for the responsiveness of the current TAFE delivery model.”
   He said the legislation would help to ensure TAFE institutes were as responsive as possible to local training needs, by introducing new governance arrangements that allowed for location-specific operational plans.
   “This will enhance the capacity of TAFE Queensland institutes to develop industry partnerships and grow the commercial component of their business in a competitive vocational education and training market,” Mr Welford said.
   He said the change of governance would occur through a phased transition.
   “Another benefit of the legislation is that eligible TAFE Queensland students will be able to access the Federal Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme, which is expected to come into effect in 2008,” Mr Welford said.
   “Under the previous legislative model, TAFE institutes could not offer FEE-HELP to students because they are required to have body corporate status, or the equivalent under the law.”
   He said he had negotiated an agreement with Federal Minister for Vocational Education and Training, Julie Bishop to ensure eligible TAFE Queensland students were not disadvantaged.
   “The first institute established under the statutory authority model will act on behalf of all TAFE Queensland institutes as the eligible FEE-HELP provider for a period of 12 months while other institutes prepare for transition to the new arrangements,” Mr Welford said.
   The first TAFE institutes to be established under the new operating model are expected to be ready by 1 January 2008.  

17 November, 2007
New Roads Guide Shows Way Ahead
The Department of Main Roads has released its new and improved Guide to Queensland Roads.
Minister for Main Roads, Warren Pitt announced the new Guide saying it included several new features in response to driver feedback.
   “The new guide will prove particularly useful for heavy vehicle drivers, who have been keen to see rest areas and stopping places listed,” Mr Pitt said.
   “The Guide to Queensland Roads now lists these, as well as global positioning system (GPS) co-ordinates for all rest areas – more than 700 in total – and driver reviver locations.”
   He said the many features which made the guide so popular and helpful since it was first released more than 26 years ago were still included.
   “In addition to large, higher-level maps of Queensland and south-east Queensland, there are nine inset maps, providing a close-up view of the state from the Daintree to Coolangatta,” Mr Pitt said.
   “More detailed information on road surface types and Drive Tourism routes are among the other additions to the guide, which folds neatly into glovebox size.”
   He said roads played an integral role in tourism in.
   “In line with that, the guide now includes the location of caravan effluent dump sites, on top of a handy checklist and helpful hints for drivers preparing to hit the road,” Mr Pitt said.
   The new guide marks the 19th edition of the publication which was first printed in.
   It can be downloaded at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au or picked up from Main Roads district offices and tourist information centres across the State.  

17 November, 2007
Building Paperwork Smooths Rough Edges
QBuild is to streamline the registration processes for contractors and suppliers with the launch of its new Working with QBuild documentation.
Executive Director of Procurement at QBuild, Peter Keane said the documents were designed to complement QBuild’s contemporary branding and send a strong and positive message to prospective contractors and suppliers.
   “The signal we are sending is that QBuild values the support of contractors and suppliers and that there are good long-term, mutual business opportunities for them if they can get into step with ‘Working with QBuild,” Mr Keane said.
   Other changes would include the rationalisation of the amount of paperwork such as forms and terms and conditions which contractors and suppliers have to fill out in the registration process.
   Principal Contracts Officer for QBuild, Steve Murphy said the simplicity of the new process was the key to its success.
   “This new Working with QBuild process is in plain English, easy to understand and complements conditions of contract rather than taking a ‘belt and braces’ approach that has confused and intimidated potential contractors and suppliers in the past,” Mr Murphy said.
   Mr Keane said the initiatives were critical to QBuild’s core business.
   “QBuild’s contractor and supplier register is arguably the most comprehensive industry database in Queensland,” Mr Keane said.
   “It is central to QBuild’s capability to deliver services across the State but we have to keep the register up to date, sharp and marketed at contractors where we need the supply.”

17 November, 2007
Department Coughs Up For Horse Flu Victims
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries is to pay for the micro-chipping and vaccination of approved performance and pleasure horses potentially affected by equine influenza.
   DPI&F Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Ron Glanville announced the new funding arrangements for the vaccine, saying the Department would also pay vets $35 per vaccination.
   “The cost of all vaccinations and micro-chipping within Queensland's red zone is covered by national cost-sharing arrangements,” Dr Glanville said.
   “This includes the $35 we pay to vets to administer the vaccine - an essential part of our ongoing eradication strategy.”
   Chairman of the newly-formed Performance and Pleasure Horse industry group, Peter Toft has urged horse owners to ‘get the facts’ on vaccination costs.
   “While DPI&F is paying for the vaccination, horse owners need to negotiate with their vets the costs of the routine call-out fee, just as they would with any other veterinary visit,” Mr Toft said.
   “If a private vet charges a call out fee to come to the property as part of the vaccination, it has always been the horse owner's responsibility to cover this payment, and to negotiate that fee with their own vet.”
   He said the Performance and Pleasure Horse Industry worked with vets to negotiate a recommended call-out fee to the amount of $100 per property.
   “Vaccination brings us one step closer to being able to run events again and it is a critical part of eradicating this terrible virus,” Mr Toft said.
   “Please do not let misinformation about vaccination costs get in the way of submitting an application.”  
   He thanked the public for their patience and respecting the task by the private and Public Sectors in rolling out the vaccine to 26,000 horses within the industry.
   “Please maintain good biosecurity and stay vigilant - this is critical if we are to have an EI-free future ahead of us,’ Mr Toft said.
   More information and applications for the vaccination can be found at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/equine-influenza or call 13 25 23.

17 November, 2007
Archives Sets Tenor Of Italian Records
The National Archives of Australia’s Brisbane office has placed online the records of 1,777 Italian migrants who settled in Queensland in the mid-1950s.
    According to the local Director of the Archives, David Swift, the records include the personal documents of Italians who sailed to Australia on the Aurelia, Toscana and Flaminia under the Italian-Australian Migration Agreement of 29 March 1951.
   “This means they or their descendants can go online and download their entire immigration files for personal or family history purposes,” Mr Swift said.
   He said the records covered the period from 1955 to 1957 when many Italian migrants came to work in the cane fields of Northern Queensland. 
   “The families and descendants of these migrants continue to enrich the multicultural
communities in areas such as Cairns, Townsville, Ingham, Mareeba, Aitkenvale, Ayr and
Home Hill,” Mr Swift said.
   The records included applications for assisted passage, photographs of the applicants, signed migration undertakings and proof of identity documents in Italian.
   Mr Swift said to promote the records, the Office would hold a free public seminar entitled A Long Way from Rome on Saturday 17 and Wednesday 21 November 2007, from 10am to 11.  
   He said the seminar would feature the Italian records and others held by the Archives including prisoner-of-war identification documents, naturalisation records, alien registration forms, internee records and investigation files. 
   Entry to the seminar would be free but bookings were essential on 3249 4226 or by emailing ref@naa.gov.au.
   Mr Swift said the records could be searched online at www.naa.gov.au under ‘RecordSearch’, by entering a surname in the keywords field of the search screen and BP145/1 in the reference numbers field.

17 November, 2007
New Plans To Tie Down Sex Offenders
Minister for Police and Corrective Services, Judy Spence has announced two new initiatives to crackdown on the management of Queensland sex offenders.
    Ms Spence announced the new initiatives which would see further powers given to Queensland Police and the Department of Corrective Services.
   The first initiative would give police powers to act if they were concerned about the behaviour of any sex offender who served their prison time and had been released into the community.
   It would also allow police to ask Magistrates for an order banning paedophiles going within 200 metres of areas such as parks, playgrounds, childcare centres, film theatres, video arcades, theme parks and swimming pools.
   Police would be able to seek restrictions on offenders entering shopping centres at times when schoolchildren could be there or from joining clubs where contact with children could be possible.
   The first initiative would also permit police to tailor the conditions of the order to suit the risk posed by the offender.
   The second initiative would see control of housing for released sex offenders passed to the Department of Corrective Services, instead of the courts.
   It would also empower the Department to make decisions about the type and level of treatment provided to sex offenders.
   Premier, Anna Bligh said the reforms would give Queensland the toughest legislation in the country to crack down on unrepentant paedophiles.
   “This is an emerging area of law and we will be constantly reviewing it to ensure that we remain at the forefront of advances that will protect the community,” Ms Bligh said.
   “I make no apology for these tough laws.  They ensure that the safety of our children is paramount.”
   Ms Spence said the new child protection powers would be triggered when an offender displayed conduct of concern to police, even when no actual crime had been committed.
   Once an order is obtained, the offender would face a two-year jail term for any breach.
   “We will mandate standard conditions in relation to accommodation and treatment that is provided for these people,” Ms Spence said.
   “We will also look at controlled and confidential disclosures to neighbours before the arrival of any dangerous sex offender.”

17 November, 2007
Ambulance Picks Up 140 New Vehicles
The Queensland Ambulance Service is to receive 140 new vehicles this financial year.
    Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts announced the new vehicles saying they would be commissioned across the State and allow QAS to replace existing vehicles.
   QAS has allocated new vehicles within its regions based on the age, usage and mechanical condition of the vehicles to be replaced.
   “The Queensland Ambulance Service now has a record budget of $404 million,” Mr Roberts said.
   “We have budgeted to employ an additional 250 ambulance officers (as well).”
   He said there was an increasing demand for ambulance services in Queensland.
   “QAS responded to more than 815,000 calls for assistance last financial year (2006-07), which is almost double the calls responded to a decade ago,” Mr Roberts said.
   He said that in 2006-07, ambulance vehicles traveled more than 25 million kilometres which was an extra 3.6 million kilometres compared to the previous year.
   Mr Roberts recently announced a new highly visible design for vehicles to improve driver recognition to increase safety during emergency conditions.
   He said the new design was in line with the latest international best practice for emergency vehicle safety and followed extensive research.
   “This research found the most effective colours for retro-reflective lights were fluorescents including yellow and green,” Mr Roberts said.
   “QAS vehicles are sometimes involved in accidents.
   “Improving the visibility of ambulance vehicles improves safety of our ambulance officers, motorists and the wider community.”
   Mr Roberts said the new markings would be applied to the newly commissioned vehicles and the old markings would be phased out as vehicles were decommissioned.

17 November, 2007
New Certificate Is In Frame for Schools
A new school certificate has been introduced to recognise school-based academic performance and workplace, university and community achievements.
   To be overseen by the Queensland Studies Authority, the new Queensland Certificate of Education would be introduced to State high schools next year.
   Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford said the Queensland Certificate of Education would replace the existing Senior Certificate and students could begin accumulating credits towards their senior school certificate from the start of Year 10.
   “The new certificate means students can have certain achievements from community or sporting activities taken into account for their senior qualification,” Mr Welford said.
   “Importantly, vocational education and training, including school-based apprenticeships and traineeships will continue to count towards the new senior qualification.”
   He said the new certificate allowed results from workplace learning projects, self-directed learning projects, and university subjects to be recorded.
   “It also requires literacy and numeracy standards to be met,” Mr Welford said.
   “The new system will help students move into further education, training or the workforce more smoothly as a broader range of achievements can count.
   “The current system limits achievements to particular subjects.”
   He said the QCE would also give senior students more flexibility and those who were not awarded a certificate by the end of Year 12 would be able to continue their studies to accumulate credits.
   Mr Welford said the introduction of the QCE was an initiative under Education and Training Reforms for the Future, which aimed to ensure all Queenslanders were either in school, work or training until they are 17 years-of-age.

17 November, 2007
Department Adopts Adoption Manual
The Department of Child Safety has produced a new Adoption Practice Manual for couples looking to adopt a child.
   Minister for Child Safety, Margaret Keech announced the Manual saying it would provide clearer and more transparent guidelines outlining a couple's rights and responsibilities, answering frequently asked questions and describing the adoption process in detail.
   Mrs Keech said the Department would also improve its delivery of education to prospective adoptive couples through a review of education content and delivery format.
   “The 'Prospective adoptive parent education program' for intercountry adoption is now available in hard copy and will be online shortly,” Mrs Keech said.
   “The education program for the General Children's adoption program will follow in the coming months.
   “This initiative will provide greater access to couples who may not be able to attend education workshops, for example people from rural and remote areas, and further supplement and improve the provision of education to prospective adoptive couples.”
   The release of the manual follows the reopening of the adoption register to once again allow adoption of children from overseas.
   Mrs Keech said the register could potentially remain open permanently after being closed for the past two years.
   “That is something that I have been considering,” she said.
   “I will be consulting with stakeholders and the public about the efficiency of the current system, and whether the register remaining open on a permanent basis would be more effective.”
   Mrs Keech said it was an issue that had been raised with her a number of times since she took over her current portfolio.
   “I'm more than happy to look at all the options to see if we can somehow do things better,” she said.
   “There's no greater joy for a couple than adopting a child, and we're looking at ways we can make that process easier.”

17 November, 2007
Soils Ain’t Soils At NRW Course
The Department of Natural Resources and Water has hosted a special training course for soil technicians, highlighting the latest techniques in soil management and analysis.
   More than 25 participants from across the Oceania region attended the course at the Natural Resource Sciences centre in Brisbane earlier this month to discuss the best ways of analysing soil composition, both in the field and in laboratories.  
   Manager of the Natural Resource Sciences Chemistry Centre, Julie Ivison said the nation’s soil technicians provided valuable services to several industries including agriculture and construction.
   “It was a real honour for Natural Resource Sciences to host this training workshop,” Ms Ivison said.
   “Soil analysis is a vital component in many industries and it’s great to know our NRW officers are being recognised for their work through hosting such an event.”
   She said the workshop demonstrated the latest ways to test soils for several properties including pH levels, phosphorus and nitrogen content and salinity problems.
   “Once equipped with this expertise, technicians can then offer expert advice to other groups, such as landholders and natural resource management bodies, on how to use soils sustainably,” Ms Ivison said.
   She said soil technicians were a valuable resource and could offer practical advice to primary industry about fertiliser use and its effects on soils and waterways.

17 November, 2007
The Eyes Have It At Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading Challenge is close to reaching the million book milestone in only its second year.   Premier, Anna Bligh recently presented 18 reading challenge awards to schools which reached 100 per cent participation rates in the challenge.
   “I hope this challenge has led many more children to discover the pleasures of reading, the skill of writing, and the wonders of the world we live in – real or imagined,” Ms Bligh said.
   “This year 650 schools from throughout Queensland participated in the challenge with 48,000 students from Prep to Year 5 enjoying more than 960,000 books.”
   In the program’s first year, more than 47,000 students from Prep and preschool to Year 3 read more than 870,000 books.
   In 2007, the program expanded to include year 4 and 5 students and is to encompass Years 6 and 7 in 2008.
   “We all know that literacy is the key to knowledge, that imagination is the key to creativity and that knowledge and creativity are the keys to success,” Ms Bligh said.
   “Next year we hope the Premiers’ Reading Challenge will easily exceed one million books read.”
   Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford said the challenge was a huge success.
   “Teachers, principals, librarians, family and friends and of course the students themselves should be congratulated for meeting the challenge,” Mr Welford said.
   “As we all know, reading expands the mind, engages the imagination and opens the world of learning for our children.
   “The Premier’s Reading Challenge complements the significant work being done by schools to ensure our children are among the best in the world when it comes to literacy.”

17 November, 2007
Scientist’s Formula To Stir Interest
Education Queensland has joined with the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to revitalise science in Queensland’s school curriculum.
   Education Queensland’s Senior Science Officer, Andrew Daley said he expected 15 ag-science, biology, chemistry and science teachers around the State to meet with DPI&F scientists as part of a network with primary and secondary schools.
   “The researchers will discuss the scientific application of their respective projects with the teachers, and then the teachers will look at opportunities to incorporate this practical hands-on science into their schools,” Mr Daley said.
   “The 'meet the scientist' approach sets up the linkages for a project called Fresh Futures: Smart Science and Careers in Primary Industries.”
   He said regional teachers would be able to interact with locally-based scientists and gain a better understanding of current technologies which could be included in curriculums.
   “There is scope for DPI&F scientists and teachers to work together on future projects at the Biloela Research Station, and value-add to the current senior science curriculum,” Mr Daley said.
   “That in turn will stimulate students' interest in science and an increased awareness of career opportunities in agricultural research.”
   Agricultural scientists are to network with primary and secondary school science teachers at Biloela Research Station on 20 November.

17 November, 2007
Careless Farmers Get Official Spray
The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries has welcomed warnings from Biosecurity Queensland urging farmers to take care when applying agricultural chemicals to avoid spray drift.
    General Manager of the DPI&F Chemical Use and Food Safety group, Dr Sandra Baxendell said spray drift offenders would be targeted this season as the recent establishment of Biosecurity Queensland had led to a focus on long-term protection of primary industries and the environment.
   “Spray drift can cause damage to your neighbour's crops, resulting in souring of neighbourly relations, but it is also an unnecessary waste of money,” Dr Baxendell said.
   “If agricultural chemicals, for which you have laid out good money, drift over your neighbour's property, it's not helping your crops in the slightest.”
   She said when farmers looked at the bigger picture, wasting money would be the least of their worries.
   “If a grower, or the commercial operator they hire, damages someone else's property with spray drift,  the grower could also be up for big fines and liable for compensation,”  Dr Baxendell said.
   “Spray drift can have on market access both domestically and internationally, which could mean millions of Queensland dollars down the drain.”
   She said it also damaged the local environment not only around one property, but large portions of local shires which could have devastating impacts on local flaura and fauna.
   “Put simply, spray drift makes no financial sense at all,” Dr Baxendell said.
   According to Biosecurity Queensland, there are a number simple measures growers could put into practice to reduce spray drift. 
   These include choosing the right chemical for the job; choosing licensed commercial operators only to apply; always read and follow agricultural chemical label directions; use correct gear for the job; and check weather forecasts and match it to the chemical's label recommendations.

17 November, 2007
Insurer Rescues SES Volunteers
State Emergency Service volunteers have received a welcome boost with the announcement of a new three-year partnership with insurance company NRMA.
    Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts announced the partnership saying it was the most significant arrangement with the Queensland SES to date.
   Under the agreement, NRMA Insurance would inject additional funds into SES resources and the Storm Season awareness campaign.
   Mr Roberts said it was pleasing to see the work of the SES being recognised by the corporate community.
   “The partnership will provide ongoing support and raise the profile of the SES and the important work they do in the community,” Mr Roberts said.
  “The NRMA Insurance partnership will provide additional funding and resources for key SES events – SES Week and the SES State rescue competition.”
   He said the events provided great opportunities for the community to recognise volunteers for their work and emergency rescue skills.
   “During SES Week there is a chance for the community to learn more about what the SES does and find out how to be a part of one of the most essential volunteering services in our State,” Mr Roberts said.
    NRMA Insurance State Manager, Brett Robinson said the sponsorship would reinforce the insurer’s tradition of working closely with communities at risk.
   “On average, one in four of our home claims in south east Queensland is related to storm damage,” Mr Robinson said.
   “NRMA Insurance, like the SES, is genuinely committed to helping more Queenslanders better prepare for storm season.”

17 November, 2007
Schools Go to Water To Protect Swimmers
Education Queensland is turning up the heat on sun protection in schools with Premier, Anna Bligh announcing rash-vests would become part of the primary school uniform from next year.
   Ms Bligh said the changes to the Sun Safety Strategy would make it compulsory for primary school children in State schools to wear ‘rashies’ or T-shirts during water-based activities.
   “We currently require our children to wear hats and protective clothing when they are in the sun so it makes sense to protect them while they are in the water,” Ms Bligh said.
   “In circumstances where parents can’t afford them, even having their child wear a T-shirt in the water will offer some protection. Every child has a T-shirt.”
   She said in addition to the no hat, no play rule, next year there would also be a no shirt, no swim rule.
   “We have one of the highest rates of sun cancer in the world so as well as protecting our children, it is vital Queenslanders are taught to be sun smart from an early age,” Ms Bligh said.
   “I come from a generation where rubbing a bit of zinc cream on the nose was considered all the protection you needed.
   “Unfortunately, far too many people are now paying the price for our ignorance.”
   She said everyone her age knew someone who had to have a skin cancer cut out.
   “We now know that exposure to the sun during childhood considerably increases your chances of developing skin cancer later in life,” Ms Bligh said.
   “We owe it to our children to stop them making the same mistakes we all did.”
   She said Queensland is the “Smart State” but should also be the “Sun Smart State”.
   “With the holidays coming up, I urge all parents to make sure their children are protected while they are having fun in the sun,” Ms Bligh said.
Changes to the Sun Safety Strategy would mean primary and secondary schools must provide a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or better for students to use on uncovered areas of the skin such as faces and the backs of hands.

17 November, 2007
Fund hits top 300
QSuper has joined the global list of top super funds
   The fund was one of the only Australia super funds to be included in the P&I/Watson Wyatt global 300 list.

17 November, 2007
EBA data released
The Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has released its report into trends in Enterprise Bargaining for the June quarter, showing that the average annualised wage increase for public sector agreements was 4.9 per cent, outstripping the private sector increase of 4.1 per cent.
   It also shows that union collective agreements averaged a 4.4 per cent increase, while employee collective agreements achieved a 3.7 per cent increase.

17 November, 2007 
SES effort measured
State Emergency Service volunteers have provided the equivalent of seven years assistance over just 12 months, according to Emergency Services Minister, Neil Roberts.
   SES volunteers provided almost 65,000 hours of operation in 2006-07 and since July this year, 20,000 hours had been provided.
   Mr Roberts said there were 6430 members of SES across the State of which 4574 were regarded as active members with another 1856 regarded as reserve members.

Grape escape for Parliament
State Parliament has linked up with cartoonist Larry Pickering to unveil a new range of Parliamentary wines.
   The collection of eight wines includes three ranges each linked to the history of the Parliament including the Premier's range (for functions), Speaker's range (reserve wines) and President's
range (port). 
   The labels contain caricatures of former Queensland parliamentarians created by Mr Pickering, biographical information as well as educational and historical information. 

Post Office Ahead of Game
Australia Post has once again exceeded its delivery standard according to the most recent independent audit.
   The audit revealed that for the September quarter 2007, 96 per cent of domestic letters were delivered early or on time, and per cent within one day of Australia Post’s published standards.
   Australia Post’s customer service standard requires 94 per cent of domestic mail to be delivered within specific time periods.
   Targets were exceeded in every State and Territory.

Emergency VoIP
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has announced that the providers of VoIP (Voice Over Internet) telephone services are now required to offer free-of-charge calls to the emergency Triple-0 service.
   ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman said the providers would also be required to offer access to the special emergency number (106) for the Deaf and hearing impaired.
   Mr Chapman said the moves follow an extensive consultation process with carriers, VoIP providers, emergency service organisations and consumer groups.