SearchArchives for October 2008
30 October, 2008QPS challenged to meet challenges
The Queensland Public Service was facing a number of significant challenges as it prepared to serve the community into the 21st century, and the Chair of the Public Service Commission, Ann Sherry has outlined her response to them in a talk to the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA).
According to Ms Sherry, the goals embodied in the Government’s strategy for the future - Toward Q2:Tomorrow’s Queensland- placed real pressure on the QPS to become flexible, adaptable and outward looking and the new Public Service Commission was firmly committed to bringing the necessary changes about.
Apart from the Public Service’s biggest challenge of its ageing workforce –“129,000 people will need to be recruited over the next 10 years” – Ms Sherry said it also needed to address important issues such as its policy capability; the need to tear down Agency silos; refocussing on outcomes rather than process; identifying and investing in future leaders; and engaging in more public-private partnerships and commercial service delivery.
“Building a Public Service now that is ready and able to meet the challenges of the 21st century is more important than ever,” she said.
She said the QPS had grown from three Departments and 200 staff when it was formed in 1800 to a modern-day Public Service with 188,000 staff across 24 Departments, serving the entire State.
“Yet some of what we do, and how we do it, has not kept pace with this scale of change.”
She said the Service faced two pitfalls: “The first pitfall would be being pessimistic about whether we can create change. Our second pitfall would be failing to prioritise.”
According to Ms Sherry, the top five priorities for realising the 2020 vision were:
- Building and nurturing high-performing PS organisations;
- Creating a cadre of excellent leaders in the PS;
- Motivating and up-skilling the workforce;
- Partnering for outcomes: across Government and outside;
- And finally involving and engaging the public throughout.
“We all know that we cannot change the Public Service overnight. It will take time and a concerted effort.”
She said the PSC wanted to implement a small number of ideas that worked well and made a difference rather than 50 that worked patchily or not at all.
“The journey to the future has begun,” she said.
“We now all need to play our part so the challenges can be managed and the outcomes achieved.”
The full text of Ms Sherry’s address to the IPAA can be accessed at www.opsc.qld.gov.au
30 October, 2008
Union cashes in on new pay claim offer
The Queensland Public Sector Union has claimed victory in its pay claim, describing as an “outstanding success” its campaign that saw the Government revise its offer for a new three-year deal.
The Government has now offered a 4.5 per cent wage increase in the first year, with 4.0 per cent for each of the two following years, compounded annually; or a $34 a week increase, whichever was more. The initial offer was 3.25 per cent over three years.
The Union gave credit to industrial action in Queensland Health, QBuild and Main Roads for raising the pressure of the claim and to its members who made phone calls to MPs, collected thousands of signatures on a petition to the Treasurer, and attended massive rallies in September.
It said there was still a lot of work to be done with staff in a number of Agencies expected to campaign for better conditions next year. It said however that those campaigns would now be conducted under the umbrella of a fair wages offer.
According to QPSU, the Government’s revised offer represented the best wages enterprise bargaining outcome ever secured for the Public Sector.
It said that direct intervention by the Premier Anna Bligh’s led it to secure not only a better wages offer but put an end to the threat of trade-offs.
Ms Bligh said she believe the outcome was a good one for the PS workers and the State’s economy
“This economically responsible outcome is broadly consistent with the type of increases being paid in other Public Services around the country,” Ms Bligh said.
She said it meant Queensland would be able to retain and attract quality staff for its hospitals, dental clinics, to build roads and help Government to function effectively.
“We will have an industrial relations environment that will ensure there are no interruptions in the provision of vital public services to Queenslanders,” Ms Bligh said.
“I want to thank all for their objectivity in this. At times there is argy bargy in such a process, but in the end a balance is achieved.”
She said the outcome was a particularly good deal for lower paid workers.
QPSU said report back meetings would now take place to discuss the detail on the new offer and allow all its members to have a say.
The Union encouraged its members to attend the meetings so it could move to the next stage of the process and continue to work on other issues of concern to the QPS.
30 October, 2008
Auditor throws books at Council grants
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation has been called on to play a greater role in ensuring that Local Councils were more accountable when administering grants to community organisations.
Auditor General, Glenn Poole made the call following a Performance Management Systems audit of 12 Councils which returned disturbing results.
According to the Auditor-General, the majority of the audited Councils failed to measure up on the most important aspects of accounting for public funds and the Department needed to play a bigger part in developing legislation, guidelines and training to improve the situation.
The Auditor found that grants of over $20 million a year were made to community groups by Local Councils, ranging in size from $100 to $150,000.
He also found serious shortcomings in the Local Government Finance Standard that established the management requirements of Councils when dealing with the funds.
“While the intention of the Standard may have been to strengthen the framework of Local Government, a lack of clarity on what constitutes a grant has resulted in misinterpretation by some Councils,” the Auditor-General said.
“The standard also does not clearly outline requirements for accountability which is leading to inconsistencies in how grants are being managed.”
He said “inconsistent and inadequate frameworks and systems” being used in many Councils were leading to a “lack of accountability” for funds being provided to the community groups.
“I consider that transparency in how funds are allocated and accountability for how public monies are used is essential to maintain public trust and confidence in the integrity of a Council’s decision-making processes.”
The Auditor found that many of the Councils were failing to acquit grants properly; were unable to demonstrate that the grants were being used properly; did not guard against conflicts of interest; were allowing under-trained officers to administer the funds; and did not report grants publicly.
“At seven Councils, grant programs had no performance indicators to monitor effectiveness or efficiency,” the Auditor found.
“This means that decisions to continue to fund programs as part of the Budget process were not based on evidence of performance or need.”
The Auditor-General made recommendations to DLGSR and the Councils to improve accountability and transparency.
The Department responded saying that new legislation was being prepared which would supersede the Council Standard and demand the greater transparency and accountability the Auditor-General required.
30 October, 2008
Minister joins fight over worker safety
The Minister for Health, Stephen Robertson, has stepped in to defend health workers in the Torres Strait.
Mr Robertson went public for the workers after two recent incidents, one on Mer Island and one on Boigu Island, in which the safety of local health workers was put at risk.
“I’m calling on all people living in Torres Strait communities to get 100 per cent behind their health workers, and give them peace of mind that they are in a safe community and will be well looked after,” Mr Robertson said.
“The vast majority of Torres Strait Islanders are wonderful people, but there are clearly some individuals who are making it hard on the community and on our health workers.”
He said these people needed to be pulled into line, whether it be by the police or by the communities themselves.
“There has to be responsibility on the part of local communities to deal with these matters.”
Mr Robertson said a man was facing break and enter charges following an incident on Mer Island in which a nurse allegedly discovered a man in her dwelling at around 2am.
He said the nurse was unharmed and senior Queensland Health staff and police were immediately flown to Mer Island to investigate the incident, with all affected staff receiving support and counselling.
“It needs to be stressed that there is no known security issue at Queensland Health accommodation on Mer Island,” Mr Robertson said.
“All of the locks were fixed and master-keyed as part of upgraded security works undertaken earlier this year and Queensland Health has no outstanding requests for security items on Mer Island.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health evacuated a nurse, a health worker and her young child following threats made against the staff on Boigu Island in October.
He said Thursday Island Police and the Torres and Northern Peninsula Area Health Service District were notified by the registered nurse at Boigu Primary Health Centre of threats against health care staff on the island.
“The nurse indicated that community feedback was that one man’s aggression and anger was escalating after several days of drinking,” Mr Robertson said.
30 October, 2008
Treasurer puffed up over growth rate
The Treasurer has released his Report on State Finances for last financial year revealing an annual growth rate of 5.1 per cent.
The Treasurer, Andrew Fraser, and Premier Anna Bligh said the result for the year showed Queensland to be an “economic powerhouse” that “once again outpaced the national economy.
“Our growth of 5.1 per cent is testament to the prosperity, and flexibility of the modern Queensland economy,” Mr Fraser said.
He said the June quarter State accounts made clear that sustained business investment, residual strength in the housing market and growth in exports into the last quarter saw the year end growth figure lift beyond the 3.75 per cent estimated in the Budget.
Premier Bligh said the result placed Queensland in the box seat to achieve the Government’s goal under Q2 to have Australia’s strongest economy.
“The modern Queensland economy has the benefit of a booming commodities sector, but is not overly reliant on just one sector. That’s our real strength as we face an uncertain future,’’ she said.
“Our growth delivered a 34-year low, year-average unemployment level of 3.7 per cent.”
She noted that about 60,000 jobs were created in Queensland in 2007-08 and more Queenslanders than ever were part of the labour force. She said it was the lowest unemployment rate recorded since 1973-74 - and a full half percentage point below the national rate.
“The Government’s commitment to managing our State finances and our economy is clear,” Ms Bligh said. “These reports back it up.”
Mr Fraser warned however that Queensland now faced a far more challenging global economic environment this financial year.
“We arrive with a head of steam, but the community should not fall for the notion that we are an island state barricaded against global turmoil,” Mr Fraser said.
“We find ourselves in a stunningly different environment just four months into the 08-09 financial year.”
Mr Fraser said that while the world’s economy was precariously positioned, Queensland’s $809 million surplus was put in place to guard against downside uncertainties.
“It is this Government that stands before the people of Queensland with a track record of strong financial management,” he said.
30 October, 2008
Lightbulb giveaway is bright idea
The Queensland Government is to give away a million energy-saving light bulbs to householders to kick-start an energy-saving revolution in the home.
Premier Anna Bligh announced The Big Light Switch campaign saying the changeover from old-style lighting would save homeowners money and save the environment.
“Changing a light bulb might sound like a small thing, but small things add up to make a big difference,” Ms Bligh said.
“Replacing just two incandescent bulbs with energy-saving ones means a $22 reduction in their electricity bill every year and a cut in greenhouse gas emissions of 144kg.
“For a climate-conscious household, that’s a lot less CO2 into the atmosphere and a welcome cash saving.”
From that, she said, if one million incandescent bulbs were replaced with energy-saving ones, Queenslanders would save a total of $11 million every year on their electricity bills and cut the State’s greenhouse gas emissions by 72,000 tonnes.
“That is almost the yearly emissions from all the households in Warwick,” she said.
Ms Bligh said tackling climate change and reducing the State’s carbon footprint were important parts of her Q2 vision, which was focused on protecting Queensland’s lifestyle and environment.
“Queenslanders have it pretty good – a warm climate, beautiful beaches, parks, rivers, reefs and rainforests and stunning outback scenery – all of which support our relaxed lifestyle,” she said.
“This simple action - that everyone can do – will go a long way to protect this for our future generations.”
The Big Light Switch giveaway was to be run in conjunction with the Sunday Mail. On Sunday, 9 November each Sunday Mail reader will receive a twin pack of energy-saving bulbs from participating newsagents.
For more information, contact The Big Light Switch hotline on 1800 088 529.
30 October, 2008
Premier dives in to save Barrier Reef
The Premier has called for tougher action and a renewed sense of urgency to save the Great Barrier Reef from extinction.
Addressing scientists and stakeholders at the joint Federal-State Government Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Summit, Ms Bligh said the Reef was a precious world heritage ecosystem and our No. 1 tourism icon.
“Backpackers, tourists and honeymooners travel from all around Australia and the world to experience its beauty and wonder,” she said.
“Sadly our children and grandchildren may not have that opportunity because the Reef is in critical danger.”
She said monitoring showed sediment and phosphorous discharge levels four times higher than they were prior to European settlement. Nitrogen discharge was five times higher.
Ms Bligh said in 2003 the State Government launched a 10 year Reef Water Quality Action Plan with the Federal Government.
“Since the launch of the Plan our Government has invested about $25 million a year in protecting and managing reef catchments,” she said.
“Work done to date as part of the Plan includes helping farmers improve land management practices and targeting diffuse pollution from broadscale land use.”
She acknowledged that while some good work was being done, it was clearly not enough.
“The science is telling us the current management interventions are not solving the problem,” she said.
“The science cannot be ignored and new action will be needed. That means moving from a voluntary regulated system and making the financial commitment needed to make it work.”
Ms Bligh said the purpose of the Summit was to bring together the best minds and science to discuss the best way forward and discussion would help determine funding priorities and action areas for the State Government.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said recent reports – including the 2007 Water Quality Report and an independent Scientific Consensus Statement - had confirmed the Great Barrier Reef was in grave danger from contamination and this exposed it to grave danger from climate change.
“Since 2003 pressures on the Reef have increased,” Mr McNamara said.
“Now we have the looming threat of climate change which will cause coral bleaching and ocean acidification.
“There is a vast body of science telling us that the Reef is in trouble and under threat. We need to act to protect this precious resource for future generations.”
30 October, 2008
Councils rate new legislation
The laws that govern the way local Councils operated in Queensland were on the way to being modernised with the Government introducing a new, easy-to-understand contemporary framework.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said new legislation had been introduced to Parliament that would replace the existing Act, generally considered to be overly prescriptive, repetitive and difficult for both Councils and the public to understand.
“Given the new environment that our Local Governments now operate in following structural reform, it is essential to have a contemporary framework that is easy to use and understand and which supports Councils as they deal with the challenges of the future,” Mr Pitt said.
“The new Act, which has been reduced from more than 1,500 pages to less than 300, will be principles-based, easy to navigate and sufficiently flexible to apply to all Local Governments.”
Mr Pitt said the new laws introduced five principles that Mayors, Councillors and Local Government employees must follow when performing their roles.
“The principles set clear expectations and high standards for public administration, including the key goals of transparent decision making, inclusive community consultation and engagement practices, accountability for decisions and integrity of behaviour,” he said.
“These principles remove the need for detailed operational prescription and give Councils the flexibility to develop their own policies and procedures.”
He said the new Act would allow increased flexibility, it would also provide checks and balances to ensure Councils met their obligations.
“It provides the State with a complete range of educative, preventative, monitoring and enforcement powers, as well as powers of dismissal and dissolution as a last resort.”
Mr Pitt said the new Act would have a strong focus on the competency and performance of Local Governments in two critical areas: effective governance; and the delivery of sustainable development, particularly in relation to long-term planning, financial sustainability and the management of assets and infrastructure.
Appropriate standards of behaviour for Councillors would also be enforced by the inclusion of more effective penalties for breaches of behaviour and inappropriate conduct.
“Independent regional review panels will be established to consider allegations of such breaches and conduct, while the Local Government Remuneration Tribunal will have an expanded role as the State’s discipline tribunal,” he said.
30 October, 2008
Bureau blows in with cyclone warning
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned parts of the State to prepare early for the coming cyclone and flood season.
While not ruling out a repeat of last year’s flooding rains, the Bureau said the odds were slightly less this year due to the absence of a well-established La Nina.
It said however that monsoonal activity was expected to be on the upper side of normal.
Regional Director, Jim Davidson said the general climate pattern was essentially neutral but there were some indicators (such as a positive Southern Oscillation Index) that suggested a bias towards the La Nina side.
He said there had been three occasions since 1980 when similar climate patterns prevailed between August and October and on each, a Category 2 or 3 cyclone made landfall on the east coast the following season.
“A coastal crossing by a destructive cyclone during the coming season should be seriously considered,” Mr Davidson said.
“We know that it only takes a single land-falling cyclone to cause a disaster and the continuing growth in coastal development is increasing community vulnerability.”
He emphasised that early preparation was a key to mitigation and reaffirmed the need for people to be well informed of the dangers posed by cyclones, storm tides and floods and to have a basic understanding of the Bureau’s warning services.
Mr Davidson used the warning to launch the Bureau’s annual pre-season campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with natural hazards.
He did so in partnership with the Queensland Departments of Emergency Services, Public Works, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
He said between now and December, the campaign would visit major coastal and inland centres, with a focus on cyclone, storm tide and flood awareness, preparedness and response.
Mr Davidson said at all times, the official source of information on tropical cyclones was the Weather Bureau’s web page www.bom.gov.au/weather/cyclone and if a cyclone struck, up-to-date information could be obtained from the Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre on 1300 659 212 for the cost of a local call.
He said flood, river and rainfall information was regularly updated at www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld and flood warnings were available from 1300 659 219, also for the cost of a local call.
Mr Davidson said the cyclone and flood outlook only applied to the Coral Sea and Queensland’s east coast since the Seasonal Outlook for the Gulf of Carpentaria was issued by the Bureau’s Northern Territory Regional Office.
30 October, 2008
Exemplary teachers awarded top marks
Ten Queensland teachers have been named among the nation’s most inspirational.
The teachers, from a variety of public and private schools and preschools, were honoured in the 2008 Australian Scholarships Group Inspirational Teacher State and Territory Awards.
The awards were made in conjunction with NEiTA (National Excellence in Teaching Awards) and the announcement coincided with Australia’s celebration of World Teachers’ Day.
Showcasing the diversity of the teaching profession, the recognised inspirational teachers work across the spectrum of education sectors, teaching students with varied learning needs, in specialised subject areas using teaching processes that get results, according to NEiTA’s Chairman, Terry O’Connell.
“Teachers are at the heart of their students, centres or schools and communities and they are central in ensuring that young people achieve their potential,” Mr O’Connell said.
“It is crucial work that deserves recognition at the very highest level in an increasingly complex, multicultural and technological society.
“Examples of the inspirational teachers’ work include taking their students and subjects into the wider community, contributing to the environment, re-engaging students, presenting real life learning experiences in the classroom, and connecting students to technological learning experiences.
Of the 60 Award recipients across the nation, 10 teach in early childhood, 30 in primary, and 20 in secondary school education.
The Queensland winners were:
- Emma Clarkson, Lutwyche Windsor Kindergarten and Preschool;
- Kirsten Clarry, Narangba State School;
- Darrel Elkins, Centenary Heights State High School, Toowoomba;
- Chizuko Gomura, Birkdale State School;
- Sheena Hewlett, Bethlehem Preschool & Kindergarten, Woongoolba;
- Robyn Kent, Bundaberg North State High School;
- Jodie Millard, The Willows State School, Kirwan;
- David Pocock, Herberton Secondary Department (P-10);
- Petrina Prain, Miles State School; and
- Nick Vlaisavljevic, St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School, Corinda.
Mr O’Connell said the awards helped pioneer teacher recognition and appreciation, and today, enables the consumers of education – parents, committees, community organisations, and student councils – to nominate inspirational teachers for recognition.
“Like NEiTA, World Teachers’ Day celebrates the often-unsung contribution special teachers make to the lives of their students, parents, communities, and their profession,” Mr O’Connell said.
30 October, 2008
Teenage advice site makes big noise
A website to guide young school leavers as they dealt with life’s challenges has been officially launched by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine, with input from a number of Agencies.
A reinvention of the Office of Fair Trading’s printed guide book for young people, the website Get Out There! would particularly assist students with life beyond school.
“Finishing school is an exciting time which presents many opportunities for young people,” Mr Shine said.
“Students will face some big decisions and may find their new-found independence also brings new challenges. Get Out There! offers helpful tips for negotiating the common problems young people face trying to get out in the world.”
Mr Shine said the website aimed to raise awareness of consumer rights and financial issues.
“Whether it’s signing up for a credit card, renting a flat or buying a car, no one wants to be taken for an expensive ride,” he said.
“Unfortunately the Office of Fair Trading hears stories of young consumers who don’t understand their consumer rights and find themselves out of pocket.”
He said other Government Agencies had also contributed to the site, so it included practical information for school leavers on buying a car, finding accommodation, moving out of home, staying healthy, enrolling to vote, discrimination and harassment, study options and getting a job.
Mr Shine said the online guide targeted the next generation of young people with important information.
“With young people living in an increasingly wired world, it makes sense to put the information they need online where they can readily access it,” he said.
“The new site allows quick and easy access to vital information relevant for young people.”
Mr Shine said the website had been live for less than a month and had already attracted international acclaim and more than 10,000 visits from Australia and around the world.
“Reviews from Japan and France have praised the interactivity and sleek design of Get Out There!”
The website could be visited at www.getoutthere.qld.gov.au
30 October, 2008
New ATSI Council is no secret business
Applications have been called for members to sit on a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council.
Minster for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Lindy Nelson-Carr said the new council would play a significant role in advising the Government on strategies and initiatives that would meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples better and close the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
“We are looking for 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders to serve on the council for the next two years,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Council members will provide advice on strategies and partnerships which contribute to meeting our national Closing the Gap Indigenous reform targets as well as the Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland ambitions and targets.”
Advisory Council members would be selected, based on a mix of gender, age and geographical location, as well as connections with urban, regional and remote communities across the State.
Ms Nelson-Carr said she would chair the council which would provide a direct link between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government.
“We will be looking for people who have strong community networks and are respected members of their communities,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Advisory Council members may be expert or knowledgeable in a number of fields such as economic development, culture, justice, reconciliation and the environment.”
More information about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council and the application process is available by telephoning (07) 3836 0546, or visiting www.atsip.qld.gov.au or www.communities.qld.gov.au
Applications close Friday, 21November 2008.
30 October, 2008
DTRDI goes to town on regional profiles
The first of five profiles of high growth regions in Queensland has been released by the Minister for Regional Development, Desley Boyle, as the Government sets out to promote the State’s regions as great places to “work, live and play”.
Ms Boyle said the profiles were designed to entice investors, industry and individuals to move to regional Queensland.
“Cairns, Townsville, Mackay/Whitsundays, Rockhampton/Gladstone, and Wide Bay will all be receiving these profiles as part of plans to build a stronger future for regional Queensland,” she said.
“The documents would be used to promote the regions nationally and internationally as desirable business and investment locations, as well as great places to live.”
She said despite the current economic issues facing the world there were plenty of opportunities for economic and employment growth throughout the State.
“Under the Department of Regional Development we are working with Local Government and industry throughout the State to ensure they are supported and best positioned to grow.”
Ms Boyle said regional Queensland tended to rely on one to two key industries to support employment and the economy.
“We have identified and started growing new industries right throughout the State but now we need to support them by building a skilled workforce and attracting new investment,” Ms Boyle said.
“Whether it’s Townsville’s Strand, the Cairns Esplanade, whale watching or the Great Barrier Reef, each of our regions has something special to offer from a lifestyle point of view as well as from a business and industry perspective.”
Ms Boyle said the Cairns regional profile included regional economic development activities and would be used by regional planners, developers and decision makers.
“It not only paints a picture of a vibrant tropical region, but signposts the road we need to take in the future,” Ms Boyle said.
“While tourism continues to fuel the Cairns and Tropical North economy, diversification to other industries is already insulating the region from the market fluctuations that occur from time to time.”
Ms Boyle said the Government would spread out its efforts to grow new sectors in the economy such as mining and export of education.
She said the Cairns Profile also highlighted major infrastructure projects currently underway such as the $446 million redevelopment of Cairns Base Hospital, $67 million domestic terminal and $900,000 renewal of the Port Douglas Waterfront.
30 October, 2008
Violence strategy to strike balance
A new whole-of-Government domestic and family violence prevention strategy has been launched in a bid to fill gaps in services and improve support available to affected families and victims across the State.
Announced jointly by Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr, Police Minister Judy Spence and Minister for Child Safety and Women, Margaret Keech, the strategy is detailed in a consultation paper which is open for comment until 19 December.
“Domestic and family violence knows no postcode,” Ms Nelson-Carr said, “it’s in all communities – the disadvantaged, wealthy, urban and remote.”
“It tears families apart and damages our children.”
She said in addition, the economic cost was estimated at between $1.5 and $2 billion for physical and mental health costs, housing, loss of workplace productivity and court costs.
She said the Government was committed to improving its community-wide approach to reducing domestic and family violence and wanted to hear what the community had to say.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the consultation paper being released to generate discussion outlined five areas for action: Prevention, with a focus on healthy relationships; Early identification; Connected support services; Perpetrator accountability; and System planning and coordination.
“The consultation paper canvasses a range of ideas, including how to improve the use of existing oust provisions in legislation where a perpetrator of domestic or family violence can be removed from the home instead of women and children,” she said.
Police Minister Judy Spence said initiatives aimed at earlier identification of domestic and family violence, improved support through the Court system, and better training and professional development for those working on the frontline were also worthy of investigation.
“Domestic and family violence will not be solved by any one project or program in isolation but it is with a concerted, whole-of-Government approach that we will have a better chance than ever before of helping victims and engaging perpetrators to change their violent behaviour,” Ms Spence said.
Minister for Child Safety and Women, Margaret Keech said the strategy would have a strong focus on children and young people.
“Because of the additional vulnerability of young children experiencing violence early in life, the strategy must have a strong focus on protecting children,” Mrs Keech said.
The Ministers said after the public had their say, a final strategy would be released early in 2009.
For a copy of the consultation paper, or to comment, visit www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au or call 1800 081 934.
30 October, 2008
Tourism in Far North clear to take off
Tourism in the Far North is to be boosted with more eco-friendly developments to be allowed outside the area’s proposed urban footprint.
Premier Anna Bligh said the Government had listened to concerns raised during the recent public consultation on the Draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025 about whether tourism developments should be allowed in the regional landscape and rural production area.
“These are tough economic times and this decision will help create a brighter future for the industry in this region,” Ms Bligh said.
“Operators in this region now have the certainty they need to go ahead with investment into new attractions and developments, which is good for everyone.”
She said she was particularly pleased with changes to facilitate tourist attractions that would ensure appropriate nature based projects such as the Skyrail Cableway and Mamu Canopy Walk were still allowed.
“At the same time as promoting tourism, we also need to protect the region’s biggest tourism drawcards - its natural assets, including the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef world heritage areas – and the regional plan will make sure this happens.”
Minister for Tourism and MP for Cairns, Desley Boyle welcomed the announcement as a positive boost for the region.
“Far North Queensland’s population is projected to grow by up to 100,000 people over the next 20 years,” Ms Boyle said.
“The draft Regional Plan is designed to ensure this growth is managed in a way that balances development with the region’s environment and lifestyle.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas said the size of tourism developments allowed outside the urban footprint would be increased to include “medium-scale” projects, as long as they were not in areas of high ecological significance or on good quality agricultural land.
“Small scale” developments such as backpacker hostels and farm stays were already allowed outside the urban footprint, provided they had little or no impact on areas of high ecological significance and good farm land.
Mr Lucas said any “medium scale” developments must be in keeping with the intent of the draft Regional Plan and would require approval from both the Council and State Government.
30 October, 2008
Telehealth plan just what doctor ordered
Emergency health care across the State has received a boost with the Minister for Health, Stephen Robertson, launching a new and expanded Telehealth service.
Mr Robertson said the videoconferencing technology was a vital service for emergency patients in regional, rural and remote parts of the State and was a tool that would help health workers deliver patients improved emergency care.
“It means patients will effectively have immediate access to a service of equivalent quality to that provided in tertiary hospitals,” Mr Roberston said,
He said emergency departments in 29 regional, rural and remote hospitals had been fitted with specifically designed videoconferencing equipment. Another 13 would be fitted with the equipment by June next year.
“It allows specialists in Brisbane and Townsville to view and move cameras above and beside the patient’s bed, with a ceiling microphone ensuring staff at the remote sites can ask questions and comment on the patient’s condition,” Mr Robertson explained.
He said the new Telehealth service, managed by the Queensland Emergency Medical System Coordination Centre (QCC), was specifically designed to improve emergency retrieval of seriously sick and injured patients.
Director of the Statewide Clinical Coordination and Retrieval Service, Dr Mark Elcock, said the system would deliver better outcomes for emergency patients.
“We wanted a system that was easy to use, and that didn’t take anyone away from the job of caring for the patient,” Dr Elcock said.
“This system is ideal for that – we can move the cameras and zoom in on areas of interest, as well as being able to see X-rays.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health’s was one of the biggest managed Telehealth networks in the world with more than 550 sites.
“This technology is not just being used to access seriously sick and injured patients but also for everyday consultations between regional, rural and remote patients and specialists at tertiary hospitals,” he said.
“This year, Telehealth services have delivered over 14,000 occasions of patient care.”
Mr Robertson said the expansion of Telehealth services to 12 new North Queensland sites had been partly funded through the Federal Government’s Clever Networks Program.
30 October, 2008
EPA’s Lucjan wins award
Noelene Lucjan, a Principal Workforce Management Officer with the Environmental Protection Agency, has won a Queensland Work Safe Award.
Ms Lucjan was recognised for her innovative approach to finding solutions to manual handling and ergonomic issues throughout the EPA by conducting extensive consultation with employees and management.
Ms Lucjan won the Best Individual Contribution to Workplace Health and Safety Award.
Carers’ card a winner
More than 4700 Queensland carers have signed up for a Government Carer Business Discount Card.
The Card encourages socially-conscious business operators to show their support for carers by offering special discounts.
An estimated 90,000 carers stand to benefit from the scheme which had already received the backing of 2,600 businesses.
Nearly 84 per cent of cardholders were women, which mirrored data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that showed women were most likely to be the primary carers of people with a disability.
Women win bursaries
Catherine Watkins, finance manager at the Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council, and Jennifer Sanders, a bonding officer at Logan City Council who is enrolled in the LGAQ Diploma of Local Government (Planning) course, are the inaugural recipients of the Women in Local Government Professional Development Bursary, designed to help women working for their communities in Local Government.
Ms Saunders plans to use the bursary to start her Graduate Certificate in Planning through Curtin University, and hopes to complete a masters program in 2010.
Ms Watkins is planning to study for a Master of Professional Accounting degree through James Cook University in Cairns, commencing in February next year.
Library serious about games
The State Library of Queensland is to host an important international videogames exhibition this summer.
GAME ON, a major exhibition from the UK, looks at the vibrant history and culture of videogames from 1962 to 2008 and is an action-packed, highly interactive celebration of games culture that has thrilled more than one million players of all ages around the world.
The exhibition is to open in Brisbane on 17 November for a three-month season until 15 February 2009.
Residents to name school
Innisfail residents have been invited to contribute names for the new $36.7 million State Schools of Tomorrow educational precinct due to open in 2010.
The Government consulted extensively with the local community about the development that would see secondary school and TAFE students sharing new and re-modelled buildings.
Nominations for the name of the precinct close on 28 November.
People with suggested names can email them to tomorrows-schools@deta.qld.gov.au or post them to Innisfail Name Nominations, Tomorrow’s Schools, PO Box 15033, City East Queensland 4002.
Information on the project can be accessed at http://education.qld.gov.au
Van parks on heritage list
Three caravan parks that have been a haven for Sunshine Coast holidaymakers for decades have been nominated for heritage listing.
The public have been urged to have their say on the proposed listings for the Noosa and Cotton Tree parks that would block the sites from any development not in keeping with the theme of a cheap, casual holiday destination.
Development of the State-owned land on which Tripcony Hibiscus stands has already been ruled out.
Submissions can be sent to The Site Registrar,Cultural Heritage, EPA, PO Box 15155 City East Q 4002 by November 24.
Tradeswomen encouraged
Young women in Brisbane are to reap the reward of greater career options through a $10,000 Government grant.
Ten Women in Trades grants will be awarded to encourage women to enter careers in non-traditional industries and to support them to stay working in the industries which include mining and construction.
The Queensland Resources Council is launching a program aimed at encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in Queensland’s booming resources sector.
More information about the grants is available from www.women.qld.gov.au or Women’s Infolink on 1800 177 577.
Schools to win in water comp
Primary schools across the State are being offered the chance to win $5,000 by demonstrating excellence in water saving techniques and behaviours.
The Waterwise Schools Recognition Program encourages students to take greater individual and community responsibility for the sustainable use of water.
To register or learn more, go to www.nrw.qld.gov.au
Buy Smart winners announced
Queensland students have showcased their creative talents to promote important consumer and financial messages for the 2008 Buy Smart competition.
More than 400 students from 41 schools across Queensland entered the competition and a full list of winners can be found at www.getoutthere.qld.gov.au
23 October, 2008
2009 not so super for super funds
QSuper has reported to members on the potential impact of the current global financial crisis.
Citing the recent collapse of giant US banks and attempts by Governments around the world to deal with the crisis, QSuper said in its update that some local institutions had also been caught up in the troubles.
“Australia has not been immune to these events,” the State’s Public Service Superannuation scheme said, “and we have seen several larger Australian financial institutions recently come under pressure.”
In answer to the question of how QSuper was trying to minimise the impact on members’ funds, the scheme said its investment manager, QIC, was “monitoring the situation closely across all markets.
“The environment has been challenging, but we have every confidence in QIC’s investment strategy and risk management processes,” the QSuper update said.
In particular, it said its investment portfolio was highly diversified; its investment options were conservatively positioned with limited exposure to sharemarkets; it was looking to use the downturn to add undervalued quality assets to its portfolio; and was following a risk policy that restricted it to dealing only with highly rated institutions.
It admitted however that market volatility had impacted on the performance of its cash holdings.
“The QSuper Cash option consists of more than 100 securities (including bank bills, certificates of deposit, corporate floating rate notes, residential mortgage backed securities, and shorter dated government securities), 98 per cent of which have an investment rating of A, AA, or AAA,” the update said.
“However, the extreme market volatility that we are currently experiencing can negatively affect the daily market value of these securities.”
It said QIC expected uncertainty to continue for some months
“Their view remains that global economic activity is likely to be subdued for the next two to three years.
“However … QIC continuously researches and monitors the securities held within the QSuper portfolio, and we remain confident in their ability to withstand the current conditions.
“We are also confident that significant investment opportunities will present themselves to prudent investors like QIC, who will leverage these opportunities to the longer term benefit of QSuper members.”
More information about QSuper, the update and its performance in general could be found at www.qsuper.qld.gov.au
23 October, 2008
TAFE is top class in award presentations
TAFE Queensland has taken out four of the 12 Awards for marketing excellence presented at the annual Australian TAFE Marketing Association Awards in Melbourne recently.
Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford congratulated the TAFE marketing team on its success.
“This is a great result for Queensland and shows that we are effectively delivering the message about the importance of vocational education and training options and business assistance,” Mr Welford said.
TAFE Queensland won the 2008 ATMA Marketer of the Year award for its Small Business Solutions program; Best Marketing Campaign over $50,000 for its Corporate Enrolment Campaign; Best Event over $15,000 for its Careers and Employment Expo display; and the Strategic Partnership Collaboration for Sunshine Coast TAFE’s partnership with Bush TV to deliver training in television and new media to young Indigenous people.
TAFE’s youth website and its online game promoting pathways and options was also highly commended in the multimedia category.
Mr Welford said the Small Business Solutions project was launched last year and had assisted more than 600 small businesses by issuing 78 Diplomas of Business and 116 Certificate IV qualifications for Small Business Management.
He said the program provided valuable mentoring and support to businesses seeking assistance to grow, or solve a particular small business challenge.
“It isn’t just for struggling small businesses, it also benefits small to medium enterprises to increase their productivity and bottom line,” Mr Welford said.
“The national awards are keenly contested by TAFE institutes from across Australia and we are proud of our marketing staff for finding innovative and creative ways to promote and encourage vocational education and training.”
He said the Government had set the ambitious target of having three out of four Queenslanders holding trade, training or tertiary qualifications by 2020.
“If we are to achieve our goal, it is important that we encourage Queenslanders to take up training and further education options such as those offered by TAFE Queensland,” Mr Welford said.
23 October, 2008
Assessments assessed in teacher trial
Teachers have used this week’s student-free day to compare assessments and achievements of their students as part of the first State-wide trial of Queensland Comparable Assessment Tasks (QCATs).
Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford said the tasks had been introduced to ensure students were assessed consistently in the “Essential Learnings” no matter where they went to school.
“QCATs assess what students know and can do in relation to the key learning areas of English, Mathematics and Science,” Mr Welford said.
“Since late August, schools have administered the assessment task in one of the three key learning areas.”
He said students in Years 4, 6 and 9 at 1,300 schools were taking part in the trial this year.
“Schools will then be randomly selected to submit representative samples of student responses to the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA),” Mr Welford said.
“These samples will help to determine the level of consistency of teacher judgments across the state to ensure an ‘A’ in Weipa is equivalent to an ‘A’ in Brisbane.”
Mr Welford said the tasks involved students in problem solving, critical thinking and reasoning.
“This year, schools will trial only one QCAT, according to their geographic location,” he said.
“But from 2009, schools will implement QCATs at Years 4, 6 and 9 in English, Mathematics and Science.”
Mr Welford said QCATs formed part of the Queensland Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework, which had been progressively implemented in all schools from the start of 2008.
“The QCAR Framework has been designed by the QSA, in partnership with schools, to align curriculum, assessment and reporting across Years 1–9,” he said.
Mr Welford said State schools would report student performance in the trial QCATs to parents by the end of this year.
23 October, 2008
Airport sale lands profit for Gov’t
The Queensland Government has sold its stake in Brisbane Airport for $289.4 million.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the Government had successfully disposed of its 12.4 per cent share holding despite the current state of the global financial markets.
He said a number of existing shareholders at the Airport had acquired the stake including Industry Funds Management, Schiphol Australia, entities of Colonial First State Asset Management and UniSuper.
“This shareholding was acquired by the State in 1997 for approximately $75 million and the successful sale nets a fantastic result for Queensland taxpayers,” Mr Fraser said.
“The sale price reflects the high quality of Brisbane Airport, which has been one of the fastest growing airports in Australia.”
He said the sale showed that investors had confidence in the long-term growth prospects and fundamentals of the Queensland economy and despite the global financial situation, organisations were still keen to invest in quality assets.
“The Cairns and Mackay airport transactions are also progressing with continued strong interest in these airports reflecting the quality of these assets,’’ Mr Fraser said.
He said the existing airport shareholders’ agreement required the Government’s share to be offered to other shareholders in Brisbane Airport and this process had delivered an excellent result.
“The Government committed the proceeds of the sale to new hospitals in regional Queensland, and we are full steam ahead,” he said.
He said proceeds from the sale of the shares in Brisbane Airport, along with the proceeds from the long-term lease of Cairns and Mackay airports, would go towards new and expanded hospital facilities in Cairns, Mackay and Mt Isa.
“We took a strong policy decision earlier this year that Government shouldn’t be in the business of running airports, but should be in the business of new and improved hospitals for growing cities across Queensland,” Mr Fraser said.
23 October, 2008
Smart Service Award is wise decision
Smart Service Queensland has been honoured with an award in the Australian Institute of Project Management’s National Achievement Awards presented in Canberra recently.
SSQ: ‘the front door to the Queensland Government’s information and services’ was recognised with an award in the Small Project Category for its project management of the Local Government Election Campaign.
General Manager of SSQ, Dianne Jeans, said the honour highlighted the strong commitment by public sector staff to delivering quality customer service to Queenslanders.
”Our project managers work very closely with Government Agencies to ensure their services receive a smooth transition to SSQ,” Ms Jeans said.
She said SSQ were entered in the national awards after taking out top honours at the Queensland Project Management Achievement Awards in September.
In those awards, SSQ also received the Community Service/Development Award for its project management of the SES Flood Storm Emergency Line.
Acting Director of Enrolment and Community Awareness with the Queensland Electoral Commission, Don Schultz congratulated SSQ and praised its project management of the Local Government Electoral Campaign.
“We were really impressed by the service delivery and the commitment SSQ staff showed us throughout the project,” Mr Schultz said.
“We thought the corporate approach to the project management of the Local Government Electoral Campaign was very professional and we appreciated being kept informed throughout all stages of the project.”
Ms Jeans said SSQ worked across all Government Agencies to simplify, standardise and integrate services, resulting in a consistent quality user experience for all its clients
The Project Management Achievement Awards were hosted by the Australian Institute of Project Management and recognised outstanding innovation and best practice in project management.
23 October, 2008
Bus service upgrade is just the ticket
A $5 million investment in new and improved bus services in Brisbane and the Redlands was expected to benefit public transport users in city.
Starting 27 October, the package of new services had been developed following feedback from commuters.
Minister for Transport, John Mickel said the aim of the improvements was to address overcrowding on some of the busiest routes by increasing frequency, streamlining and adjusting routes to meet community needs and improving service reliability
“It will enhance connectivity between bus and rail services and improve access to these services by installing new infrastructure including additional bus stops,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the highlights of the package included:
- Nine new, early morning inbound services and additional outbound service between Forest Lake and the city (Routes 100 and 118);
- 13 extra morning and afternoon peak services between Garden City and the city (Routes 119 and 120);
- 55 new weekday and weekend services between Teneriffe Ferry and West End via the city (Route 199);
- 42 additional services linking The University of Queensland, Dutton Park, Highgate Hill, West End and Brisbane CBD (Route 192); and
- Service extension between Kedron and Brisbane City to include the Burnie Brae Senior Citizens Centre, Chermside Library and Kedron Wavell RSL (Route 334).
“These changes are designed to help ease overcrowding and provide passengers with more comfortable, timely services. They will also provide a platform for service expansion in the future.”
He said by providing a fast, efficient and reliable public transport network the Government would encourage more people to leave their cars at home.
“It will also provide a greener, more environmentally-friendly option.”
Mr Mickel said there had been a “staggering” 40 per cent growth in patronage across the public transport network in the past four years and it was taking a “massive effort” to keep pace with demand.
He said the bus improvements came at the same time construction continued on the first section of the Eastern Busway from Princess Alexandra Hospital to Buranda, and stage one of the Northern Busway from Royal Children's Hospital to Windsor.
He said information on the new and enhanced services was available on 13 12 30 or from www.translink.com.au
23 October, 2008
Police complaints draw a blank
Queensland Police Commissioner, Bob Atkinson has called on anyone with information about corruption among police on the Gold Coast to come forward.
Responding to allegations from some police officers that others were behaving inappropriately, Commissioner Atkinson said supporting evidence was proving difficult to find.
“These are very serious allegations that strike at the heart of the professionalism and integrity of the Queensland Police Service,” Commissioner Atkinson said, “and we are determined to get to the bottom of them.”
He said despite the best efforts of the Ethical Standards Command it had been unable to obtain information, other than broad generalities, from the small group of officers who made complaints about the conduct of their colleagues.
“Ethical Standards Command has tried for nearly a year to gather more specific information from one officer in particular, who is presently stood down awaiting Court proceedings for unrelated serious criminal charges, but this officer is refusing to be interviewed on the advice of his lawyer,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“It is disappointing that these officers are apparently willing to provide details to the media, but cannot or will not assist us in our attempts to investigate their allegations.”
He called on anyone – “be they Police Officers, the media, the general public or members of the legal profession” - to contact the Crime and Misconduct Commission or the Ethical Standards Command if they had information relevant to the accusations.
“Gold Coast police are amongst the busiest in the State, and they have made positive inroads in reducing crime in their district,” he said.
“While I am not discounting the claims out of hand or prejudging the matter, we have no factual, specific evidence or information to support the broad claims that have been made.”
Commissioner Atkinson said the QPS was committed to providing a professional, transparent policing service to the people of Queensland, and anyone with information about the allegations was urged to bring it forward so the matters could be “fully and thoroughly investigated.”
23 October, 2008
Firefighters’ payrise is burning issue
A job evaluation report that recommended the State’s firefighters receive pay increases and revised rank structures could see some payrates go up by $350 a week, according to Emergency services Minister Neil Roberts.
Mr Roberts said Queensland fire fighters had already benefited from a 12 per cent pay increase, plus penalties, over the past three years as part of their normal Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
He said the Government was offering an additional 2.5 per cent pay rise - on top of the 12 per cent every firefighter had received.
He said wages for fire fighters had already jumped by around 70 per cent - more than 40 per cent above CPI since 1994 when the last job evaluation was carried out.
He said the 2.5 per cent added up to around $5.2 million, which would result in pay rises of between $56 and $350 per fortnight for fire officers depending on their rank.
“The increases are being offered in relation to the findings of a 2007 report which re-evaluated the role of firefighters and recommended certain improvements in the wage structures of some ranks,” Mr Roberts said.
“I believe this is a fair and reasonable offer.”
He said in addition to the wage increases, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service would back-pay all increases to July 2007 in accordance with the 2006 EB agreement.
“Some fire-fighters will receive back-payments of up to $4,500 depending on their classification and commencement date.”
State Secretary of the United Firefighters Union, Mark Walker said the Union’s State Committee of Management believed the offer to be nothing more than “shut up and go away” money, and did nothing to address the marked disparity between firefighters and other Queensland Government workers on the same work value assessment.
“Members should not be hoodwinked by the QFRS promoting the amount of backpay members will receive,” Mr Walker said.
“Backpay is guaranteed. It is only the amount of it that’s in question.”
Mr Roberts said some of the Union’s demands were unrealistic.
“The Union has demanded QFRS pay out more than $25 million per year based on the Mercer Report’s recommendations - on top of the ordinary EBA pay rises all Public Servants are entitled to,” he said.
“This is not only unrealistic, but given the current economic climate irresponsible.”
Mr Roberts said the Government would continue to negotiate reasonable wage rises with workers so they could look after their families.
“To cave into the unfair demands being made by the UFU would only jeopardise that,” he said.
Members of the union had until 29 October to vote on the increase.
23 October, 2008
Parents targeted in schoolie campaign
Parents of senior year schoolchildren have been urged to read a guide to Schoolies week, developed by the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing and the Department of Communities.
Inserted in a newspaper last weekend, the guide, entitled The Parents Guide to Alcohol and a Safer Schoolies, was aimed at helping parents manage the challenges of Schoolies week.
Premier Anna Bligh said the guide supported the graphic Don’t Kid Yourself television commercial now screening.
“The Sunday Mail insert and the television commercial are specifically targeting parents,” Ms Bligh said.
“They’ve been designed to make parents think about the consequences of supplying their child with alcohol and encourage them to talk about alcohol and Schoolies with their child.”
She said the results of a survey conducted on behalf of the Government earlier this year indicated that about one-third of parents planned to supply their children with alcohol at this year’s Schoolies Week.
“This practice is now illegal and parents face a $6,000 fine,” Ms Bligh said.
“But that is not the worst thing that can happen with statistics showing 67 per cent of our teenagers are assaulted or abused while under the influence of alcohol.”
She said it was time for parents to take responsibility and stop putting their head in the sand about the issue.
“The Queensland Government is serious about tackling the issue of underage drinking at Schoolies and will prosecute any parent or other adult that is caught breaking the law,” Ms Bligh said.
“No parent wants to get a phone call from police about their child being injured or arrested at Schoolies. Think about how it would feel if you had contributed to that outcome by providing the alcohol.”
Minister for Communities, Lindy Nelson-Carr said the guide was essential reading for any parent preparing to send their child to Schoolies week.
“At Schoolies over the past two years there have been some really nasty incidents ranging from street brawls to intoxicated teens left in vulnerable situations,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“One of the other things parents don’t think about is the fact that intoxicated minors can be arrested and charged for drunk and disorderly conduct just the same as an adult.”
She said she was concerned to hear that recent focus group research revealed that parents believed that if they bought the alcohol for their underage children they would know what and how much their teen was drinking.
“In reality they are probably providing a portion of alcohol that will be added to a combined quantity supplied by other parents or friends who are over 18. So my question to parents is – why make it easier?”
She said one of the aims of the Towards Q2 – Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative was to make Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people. Another was to support safe and caring communities.
“This guide is certainly ensuring that we meet our objectives,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
23 October, 2008
More no-go zones get go-ahead
A major expansion of “green zones” in the Moreton Bay Marine Park has been announced by the Premier and Minister for Sustainability, increasing the protected area from half a per cent of the Park to 16 per cent.
The new sections of the Park, which stretched 125km from Caloundra to the Gold Coast Seaway, would be protected by green zones.
Premier Anna Bligh said the expansion would be backed by a $21 million investment and come into force on 1 March 2009.
“This is a body of water unlike any other in Queensland,” she said. “It’s on the doorstep of 2.5 million people who love it and use it intensely.”
“With this plan we protect more of Moreton Bay, we protect marine habitat and therefore marine species, and we protect the legitimate rights of recreational and commercial fishers.”
The new zoning plan was based on extensive scientific research followed by months of consultation and negotiation with Bay users and interest groups.
Minister for Sustainability, Mr McNamara said Queenslanders had tended to take Moreton Bay for granted, but it was a delicate ecosystem that needed help before it was too late.
“Moreton Bay is home to 750 species of fish, 120 species of coral, an abundance of dolphins, migratory whales and the world's largest population of dugong next to a capital city,” Mr McNamara said.
“The science told us that we had to protect a portion of every type of ecosystem in the Bay – from the corals to the mangroves to the shorelines. “
He said every decision the Government had made had been shaped by feedback it had received from the local communities, businesses and individuals.
“There has been a lot of give and take to get a sensible balance,” he said.
“So we have acted today to protect tomorrow, without locking up the Bay.”
He said fishing would not be allowed in the green zones, but would still be permitted in 84 per cent of the Park.
He said the green zones would be open to boats and activities such as snorkelling and scuba-diving, and boaties could go anywhere.
Mr McNamara said the plan was finalised after the Environmental Protection Agency considered more than 8,000 submissions, fielded 1,100 hotline calls and conducted 10 public information sessions.
He said briefings were held with residents, traditional owners, environmental groups, fishing and boating bodies, and other Bay users ranging from sporting hovercraft pilots and oyster growers.
“It underlines how important this Bay is to so many different people,” Mr McNamara said.
23 October, 2008
Students shine in green spotlight
Students attending a recent workshop on Magnetic Island have framed the environmental issues they believed were of significance to young people.
Brought together by the Queensland Youth Environment Council as part of the International Youth Coastal Conference, the students used art-based activities to identify issues of concern, which included climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity conservation and water security and waste.
Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Nancy Esler said the environment was clearly an important issue for today’s youth, given the response to a online survey launched by QYEC.
She said the students attending the workshop were asked to identify significant coastal or mangrove ecosystem features by viewing them through picture frames, or composing short lines of prose.
She said for example the students could choose to frame trees because they provided a shady retreat on a hot day, or small fish among the mangrove roots, where they feed and grow.
“In another activity, each student in a small group would draft a line of prose about how they viewed a particular feature of the environment, then combine their lines with others in the group to build a poem.”
Ms Esler said the workshop was hosted by members of the QYEC from Cairns (Claire Law), Bundaberg (Andrew Hay) and Brisbane (Paul Songhurst and Sarah Leahy).
She said the Magnetic Island session supported the ‘kids teaching kids’ educational model with 15 to 18 students at a time interacting with and exploring the ecosystem at a mangrove site in Horseshoe Bay.
Each activity was followed by a short reflection session led by QYEC members.
“In these busy times, many people don’t get enough opportunities to enjoy the environment,” Ms Esler said.
“These types of activities foster a deep connection with nature and an appreciation for more elemental values associated with our natural ecosystems.”
The QYEC was established in May 2007 with a membership of up to 30 young people between 16 and 25. The Council meets three times a year.
23 October, 2008
Emergency taskforce has finger on button
Participation in the recent counter-terrorism exercise Mercury08 has earned the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s Urban Search and Rescue taskforce international accreditation.
A team of United Nations evaluators officially accredited the taskforce, which was the first in the country to be recognised.
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland and Queensland Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts welcomed the move saying the accreditation meant Australia would now be able to provide assistance to disaster sites around the world.
Mr Roberts said the accreditation was an acknowledgement of the world-class skills possessed by the crack QFRS squad.
“Being able to respond quickly and efficiently in the event of a disaster can make the difference between life and death,” Mr Roberts said.
“We (have) witnessed first-hand the expert skills possessed by the Urban Search and Rescue taskforce as they responded to a mock catastrophe as part of Mercury08.
“This accreditation by United Nations evaluators is testament to their abilities."
He said the National Counter-Terrorism Committee’s Mercury08 exercise provided an excellent opportunity to test the taskforce’s skills and techniques and it had come through with great success.
Mr McClelland said accreditation was timely as the South Pacific region already faced the threat of large-scale natural disasters such as the Sichuan earthquake in May and the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2005, and they would only increase with climate change.
“This accreditation recognises that the Queensland taskforce can be ready and deployed within 72 hours,” Mr McClelland said, “which is the vital time period for saving lives in the aftermath of a disaster.”
He said the Commonwealth provided much of the equipment used by the taskforce as part of its $15 million contribution to national capability.
“Australia takes its responsibilities in the region seriously and this highly specialised capability will be available for us to provide in times of need,” Mr McClelland said.
The ministers said that the New South Wales Fire Brigade was also expected to undergo accreditation in the next 18 months as a heavy deployable Urban Search and Rescue taskforce.
23 October, 2008
Infections taskforce catches first meeting
The first meeting of the new Ministerial Taskforce on sexually transmitted infections has been held at Parliament House, Brisbane.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the immediate challenge of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and Sexual Health would be to help reverse the increasing rates of sexually-transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses.
“All members of this 21-person committee will bring a real sense of urgency to their work, given the worrying rise in STI notifications,” Mr Robertson said.
“In Queensland HIV infection notifications rose 71 per cent between 2001 and 2007, while notifications of chlamydia, the most commonly reported notifiable sexually transmitted disease, have jumped 68 per cent since 2003.”
He said notifications of infectious syphilis had increased 55 per cent between 2003 and 2007 and in non-Indigenous males, the notification rate soared 181 per cent between 2005 and 2007.
“The prevalence of sexually-transmissible infections other than HIV in some Indigenous communities is as much as 20 times that of non-Indigenous populations,” Mr Robertson said.
“To tackle these alarming trends, Queensland Health announced in June an additional $8 million in funding over the next four years for HIV/AIDS and STI prevention initiatives.”
Mr Robertson said the advisory committee members, chaired by Professor Cindy Shannon, had extensive experience representing specific target populations and stakeholder groups.
“If we want to stem the tide of STI in Queensland, we need to harness the knowledge and experience of these experts,” he said.
“It’s a part of our whole-of-Government Queensland HIV, Hepatitis C and Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2011.”
Mr Robertson said a Draft Implementation Action Plan 2009-2011 was expected to be submitted to Cabinet in early 2009.
Committee members were:
- Professor Cindy Shannon, Chair;
- Dr Andrew Vallely, Tropical & Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland;
- Dr Elena Maria Marchetti, Central Register of Nominees to Government Bodies;
- Paul Martin, Queensland Association for Healthy Communities;
- Jacqui De La Rue, Positive Directions, Spiritus;
- Simon O’Connor, Queensland Positive People Inc;
- Clint Ferndale, Hepatitis Council of Queensland;
- Geoff Manu, Queensland Injectors Health Network;
- Zhihong Gu, Ethnic Communities Council Queensland;
- Chris Eldridge, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council;
- Christopher Macaulay, Family Planning Queensland;
- Siyavash Doostkhah, Youth Affairs Network of Queensland;
- Robert Lamberth, Haemophilia Foundation of Queensland;
- Gary Boddy, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C & Sexual Health, Queensland Health;
- Dr Mark Kelly, Sexual Health Service, Queensland Health;
- Dr Darren Russell, Australasian Society of Sexual Health Medicine;
- Dr Cheryn Palmer, Australasian Society of Sexual Health Medicine;
- A/Professor Graeme Macdonald, Gastroenterological Society of Australia;
- Dr Christine Selvey, Communicable Diseases Branch, Queensland Health;
- Judith Dean, Queensland Nursing Council, and
- Dr Anthony Allworth, Infection Control Expert Advisory Group, Queensland Health.
23 October, 2008
2008 Water Week makes a big splash
This week is National Water Week and Queenslanders everywhere have been encouraged to dive in and enjoy the party.
Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace said the week-long calendar of activities could be viewed at the Department’s website at www.nrw.qld.gov.au/events/water_week
Mr Wallace said the celebrations kicked off at Logan City Council’s Water Expo which promoted water conservation among the community and rewarded students who had been involved in designing posters for a local water competition.
He said the Government’s water mascot, Whizzy, was present as the face of the Water: Learn It For Life! program which helped primary students across the State learn more about water recycling, conservation and use.
Mr Wallace said he would also visit Blackall, 1,120km north-west of Brisbane, to view an artesian bore which was to be capped and piped under the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI).
“The GABSI program is approaching a milestone for the 10,000th kilometre of piping which is being laid to replace open bore drains which lose millions of litres of water through evaporation,’’ Mr Wallace said.
“Capping and controlling these artesian bores and wasteful bore drains with efficient schemes is a win-win for the environment,” he said.
“The Queensland Government has set five goals under the Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative. GABSI supports two of these ideals which are to promote a strong and green Queensland.”
National Water Week runs until October 25.
23 October, 2008
Environment survey gets green light
An online survey to find out what young people think of the environment has been launched by the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara.
The survey asked 12 to 24-year-olds for their views about the environment and how to protect it.
“This age bracket is really switched on and concerned about environmental challenges like climate change,” Mr McNamara said, launching the survey at Ferny Grove State High School.
“As a Government we need to get to know the mindset of Generation Green.”
He said the survey was a joint initiative of the Queensland Youth Environment Council, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Education, Training and the Arts, and the University of Queensland.
MP for Ferny Grove, Geoff Wilson congratulated the students on their involvement with the youth survey.
“It’s great to see a local school getting involved in the youth survey,” Mr Wilson said.
“I encourage everyone aged between 12 and 24 living in Queensland to get online, complete the survey, and have their voice heard.”
A campaign promoting the online survey to high school students would run until 31 October. Young adults aged 18 to 24 would be able to access the survey until 5 December.
Queensland Youth Environment Council representative Tony McCarthy said the survey was an easy way for all young people in Queensland to have their say and make a difference.
“It’s a chance for us to say what we really think about the environment, what drives us to act sustainably or otherwise, and what we think the Government should do about the environment,” Mr McCarthy said.
“Climate change will be the great challenge of our lifetimes, and we have to let the people at the top know what we think and what we want.”
The survey can be accessed via the Queensland Youth Environment Council’s new website at www.qyec.org.au
23 October, 2008
In-flight phone plan gets sky-high OK
The installation of in-flight mobile phone systems in aircraft has been proposed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman, said the Authority supported the possession and installation of the in-flight phone services by Australian airlines for domestic and international flights.
“There is growing recognition by regulators worldwide that in-flight mobile phone services can be deployed without interference to existing telecommunications services,” Mr Chapman said.
He said ACMA was proposing amendments to the Mobile Phone Jammer Prohibition Notice which prohibited the use of mobile phone jammers in Australia.
Mr Chapman said the amendments would allow the pico cell technology used in in-flight mobile phone systems to be implemented.
He said pico cell technology trials carried out over the last 18 months had been labelled “highly successful” by the companies providing the service and had not resulted in any interference complaints to ACMA.
He said in 2007 ACMA had authorised a trial of in-flight Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) services on a Qantas aircraft for one year by amending the Prohibition Notice to allow the use of pico cell technology for trials under a scientific assigned apparatus licence.
“Australia led the world when it trialled in-flight GSM mobile phone services in 2007,” Mr Chapman said.
He said Qantas and V Australia had expressed interest in offering the services, but could not do so until regulatory arrangements had been approved and implemented.
Mr Chapman said ACMA had called for submissions on the proposed changes to the Mobile Phone Jammer Prohibition Notice to be submitted prior to 17 November.
He said ACMA was committed to protecting existing mobile phone services from interference and to enabling new technologies and services such as in-flight mobile phone services to progress.
Mr Chapman said Copies of the draft Prohibition Notice could be obtained from www.acma.gov.au
23 October, 2008
Forum for recordkeepers
Queensland State Archives is to host a Recordkeepers' Forum on Recordkeeping in Business Systems on 5 November at the Auditorium, 111 George St, Brisbane.
According to QSA the forums provide an opportunity for representatives of public authorities to discuss issues relating to the management of public records and to meet with key QSA staff.
While the forum was free to attend, bookings were required on the registration form available on the QSA website www.archives.qld.gov.au
QSA said QSA CIOs, IM Professionals, Records Staff, and other public authority personnel would be welcome to attend.
Trainers in line for awards
Five Queenslanders and a TAFE institute have been named as finalists in the Australian Training Awards.
The finalists were Rachel Niemann from Murgon for the Australian Apprentice of the Year Award; Matthew Graham from Bundamba for the Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year; Rohan Greer from Cambooyafor the Stella Axarlis Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year; Bernard Pope from Maryborough for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year; and Jeni Wycha from Greenbank for Vocational Student of the Year.
The Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE in Mount Gravatt was also a finalist in the Large Training Provider of the Year Award.
The Awards will be presented in Darwin on 20 November 2008.
CAPAM meets
The Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) is holding its 8th Biennial Conference in Bridgetown Barbados this week.
The theme of the conference is “Continuing the Shared Journey: Achieving Public Service Excellence” exploringthe shared journey of achieving Public Service excellence and the development of a Public Service that actively responded to the needs of citizens in the current context.
A feature of the event would be the announcement of the 2008 CAPAM International Innovations Awards.
Desal water on tap
November 30 has been declared “Desal Day” to mark the opening of the $1.2 billion Gold Coast Desalination Project.
A community event will be held at the plant, where those who attend would be able to taste its water for the first time.
From November 30 the desalination plant was expected to be ready to pump 40 million litres into the State’s drinking water supplies each day, building up to 125 million litres by January.
Car park OK for airport
Approval has been given for a multi-level car park for 5,300 cars at the domestic terminal of Brisbane Airport.
Federal Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese said approval was conditional on construction having a minimal impact on the environment.
He said the carpark would use state-of-the-art technology including an electronic car park management system which identified spaces as they became available; a video intercom system; CCTV; and customer assistance points of contact.
Karalee home for water
Seqwater, which now manages and operates all dams and catchments and water treatment plants in South East Queensland, has opened its new purpose-built office in Karalee located on the northern outskirts of Ipswich.
The move reflects the Government’s plan to decentralise metropolitan Government Agencies.
No to North Bank
The North Bank development has been cancelled following the recent Enquiry by Design process which showed that 93 per cent of people did not support the proposed development on the Brisbane River.
The main concerns raised were development on the river, the impact of buildings on views and the heritage precinct.
Ambulances join fleet
A Mercedes 318 ambulance has been presented to Springwood Ambulance station and a Mercedes 315 patient transport vehicle has been presented to Southport Station. The vehicles were worth between $140,000 and $180,000 each.
The additional resources are among 145 new ambulances to be purchased this financial year.
Fire Service welcomes recruits
A scuba instructor, a martial artist and a former member of Steve Irwin’s croc team are among the latest batch of recruits to be welcomed into the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service.
Following 16 weeks of intensive training in areas such as structural fires, bushfires, road crashes and chemical incidents, the 32 new recruits celebrated their graduation with family and friends before starting work this week.
16 October, 2008
Auditor finds ageing policies maturing
The Auditor-General has conducted a follow-up audit on how the Departments of Education, Training and the Arts and Health have managed their workforce planning in the face of an ageing workforce.
The Auditor-General, Glen Poole, found the Departments which employed over half the Queensland Public Service between them, had made “substantial progress” in implementing the recommendations of his 2006 review, but more needed to be done.
“I found evidence of strengthened governance arrangements, improved systems of data collection and enhanced processes for demand/supply analysis,” Mr Poole said.
However, he said as many of the initiatives were in the early stages of implementation it would be some time before their effectiveness would be known.
“At this stage, it is difficult to assess whether the action being undertaken is sufficient and adequate,” he said.
“Government and Agencies will need to closely monitor the effect of these strategies and continue to develop measures to address potential skills shortages.”
Mr Poole said the Department of Health had strengthened and expanded its workforce planning governance framework while the DETA had expanded the scope of its Workforce Committee, improved mid to long term workforce forecasting and strengthened its communication with other offices and school principals.
He said both Agencies had put systems in place to identify, address and monitor their ageing workforce issues.
“In the next 15 years, over 70,000 of the current 168,000 permanent employees are expected to retire based on a retirement age of 60 years,” Mr Poole said.
“The main challenges and risks for Agencies from the ageing workforce include the loss of large number of people due to retirement over a short period of time, the loss of associated knowledge and skills and the need to ensure that there are adequately trained applicants available to replace these losses in a tight labour market.”
Mr Poole recommended both Departments utilise assistance provided by the Public Service Commission and the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations to ensure they had systems to identify and respond to the ageing workforce issues; to develop targets for performance indicators; and to promote a culture of defining and measuring performance.
He said DETA should also review and document the assumptions it used in forecasting the supply and demand of teachers.
Both DETA and Health supported the recommendations.
16 October, 2008
New law knocks out PS attackers
Tough new laws could see people who assaulted emergency services staff and volunteers sent to jail.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said changes to the Queensland Criminal Code were in response to complaints from the Liquor Hospitality Miscellaneous Union and the United Firefighter’s Union about assaults against ambulance officers and fire fighters.
“There have been some very recent examples in the news of senseless attacks against ambulance officers and firefighters,” Mr Roberts said.
“These attacks have underlined the importance of stronger penalties against those who harm emergency services staff and volunteers - who spend their time trying to help people.”
Mr Roberts said the new laws would provide further protection for ambulance officers, firefighters, State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Brigade volunteers as well as honorary ambulance officers.
“These new provisions will ensure emergency services staff and volunteers who are attacked in the course of their duties will now be afforded the same level of protection as a police or prison officer,” he said.
“Those who commit these senseless attacks will be liable for a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.”
Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech also welcomed the changes, saying it gave child protection workers the same level of protection.
“Our Child Safety Officers are community heroes – on a daily basis they protect children from harm and they deserve this increased protection,” Mrs Keech said.
“While they were previously protected by the law in the same manner as any victim of crime – CSOs are now specifically acknowledged by the criminal code.”
She warned anyone assaulting a Child Safety Officer who was there to protect children, that they, too, could be jailed for seven years.
She said figures showed that so far this year there had been around 53 threats and 17 assaults against staff, carers and service providers.
In 2007 there were 41 assaults and 157 threats, 52 assaults and 96 threats in 2006 and 28 assaults and 72 threats reported in 2005.
“I hope that these legislative changes will act as a deterrent,” she said.
“Our staff deserve to go to work every day without the fear of physical violence, abuse or threats hanging over their heads.”
Mrs Keech encouraged staff to report so that offenders could feel the full force of the law.
16 October, 2008
Rural supporter produces the goods
The Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority that oversees financial assistance to rural and regional Queensland, has been congratulated for its results in the latest Customer Satisfaction and Awareness Survey.
Minister for Primary Industries Tim Mulherin said the feedback on QRAA was overwhelmingly positive and confirmed its success in delivering vital services for rural and regional Queensland.
“I know many producers in the Mackay and Emerald districts were very grateful for QRAA’s help after the severe flooding earlier this year,” Mr Mulherin said.
He said in the past year QRAA had provided almost $240 million in assistance to producers and small businesses in rural and regional Queensland.
“This support has not gone unnoticed by producers, who have indicated high levels of satisfaction and awareness of QRAA products and services in this latest survey.”
Mr Mulherin said these great results followed QRAA’s regional expansion with new offices opening in Bundaberg, Longreach and Rockhampton at the end of 2007.
“QRAA’s personalised service means more people are aware of QRAA’s low interest rates, no fees and charges, open assessment policy and appeals process,” he said.
“QRAA’s customers have received the financial support they need to boost their productivity, profitability and sustainability, while helping to manage the impacts of climate change and industry challenges.”
QRAA Chief Executive Officer Colin Holden said QRAA prided itself on its ability to provide regional Queenslanders with the highest standards of personalised service.
“Our staff capabilities and expertise underpin the excellent customer service we offer,” Mr Holden said.
“This, along with the recent regional expansion of QRAA, will encourage further uptake of QRAA programs and services in the future.”
16 October, 2008
Alcohol campaign to be sobering
A hard-hitting advertising campaign aimed at changing Queensland’s drinking culture was targetting the supply of alcohol to minors by parents.
Treasurer and Minister for Liquor Licensing Andrew Fraser warned parents that for some of them the campaign wouldn’t be easy to watch.
“The awful reality is that this is exactly what can happen to young people who drink too much. And many of those young people are being supplied alcohol by their own parents.”
Mr Fraser said The Don’t Kid Yourself television commercial advertisement was an emotional appeal to parents, urging them to think about the risk they exposed their underage child to by providing alcohol.
He said due to the confronting nature of the commercial it would not be screened before 9pm.
Mr Fraser said that according to the 2004 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, 67 per cent of Australian teenagers were assaulted or abused while under the influence of alcohol.
“Parents are being confronted with the potential harm their children can encounter,” he said.
“Focus group testing of this advertisement indicated that many parents immediately linked the ad to Schoolies week. The testing revealed that it did jolt parents’ thinking and pushed them to start discussing these issues with their children.”
Mr Fraser said a second stage of the campaign would be rolled out in November, with the entire project costing approximately $2.6 million.
He said the campaign coincided with the new “reckless supply” legislation that made it illegal for parents to provide alcohol to underage children without responsible supervision.
Police now have the powers to seize alcohol that had the potential to cause harm to minors or was being recklessly provided to them.
Mr Fraser said the new law didn’t target the parent or uncle who allowed a 17-year-old a beer at the family wedding “but it will target those parents and those older friends who knowingly and recklessly supply minors.”
16 October, 2008
Levels of Government bring tiers of joy
The three levels of Government have combined to preserve vital sections of bushland in Brisbane’s western suburbs to form a corridor that would protect important wildlife habitats.
The Local, State and Commonwealth Governments have all reaffirmed their commitment to the Flinders to Greenbank/Karawatha Conservation Partnership that would conserve a 40km corridor of land stretching from Flinders Peak to Greenbank Military Training Area and Karawatha Forest.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara welcomed the cooperation saying the three tiers of Government had renewed their commitment to the project by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding that ensured expertise would be shared to promote wildlife and conservation management.
“This corridor provides habitat for 14 species of rare or threatened fauna and 13 species of rare or threatened flora,” Mr McNamara said.
“These include the spotted-tailed quoll, yellow-bellied glider, glossy black cockatoo, and a number of frog species.”
He said the collaboration would also help co-ordinate programs such as pest, weed and fire management.
“Land within the corridor will be protected through agreements with landholders, such as those available under the EPA’s Nature Refuge Program and Local Government’s Voluntary Conservation Agreements.”
He said the MOU would not restrict existing land use but would focus attention on the area as a priority for protection and for potential land purchases by Government Agencies.
“The MOU will be good for the environment and good for the people of south-east Queensland,” Mr McNamara said.
“The corridor includes abundant eucalypt communities so it’s vital to the area’s wildlife population.”
He said recognition of this bushland as a single corridor provided the protection that threatened species needed and ensured recreational open space for the people of the growing Western Corridor.
The partnership included the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Defence, Brisbane City Council, Ipswich City Council, Logan City Council and the Scenic Rim Regional Council.
16 October, 2008
Road scholars emerge streets ahead of rest
The first five graduates of a new Indigenous employment program run by Main Roads have been congratulated on their achievement by Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt.
Mr Pitt said the Department’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship to Employment program was run jointly by Main Roads, Greening Australia and Jagera Daran and provided 12-month traineeships for Indigenous people and opportunities for long-term employment.
Mr Pitt presented the graduates with their Certificates in Conservation and Land Management.
"While completing their qualifications, not only have the trainees done an excellent job beautifying several Main Roads-owned green areas around Brisbane, they have also opened up a world of opportunities," Mr Pitt said.
"An opening has been created for the five graduating trainees to gain employment with Main Roads' operational branch RoadTek.
He said if they succeeded in those positions they would gain additional hands-on project experience in land management and conservation.
"Based on this year’s success and the terrific opportunities made available to participants, planning is currently underway for another Indigenous training program next year," Mr Pitt said.
Managing Director of Jagera Daran, Caroline Bonner-Bray said her organisation provided cultural support and mentorship to the trainees.
"Current graduates will contribute to next year's program by helping new trainees understand the importance of this program and providing additional cultural support," Ms Bonner said.
"Already the current graduates have recommended the program to family and friends."
Chief Executive of Greening Australia, Alan Smith said it was rewarding for the organisation to provide training to the graduates and see them learn about the importance of land management in regional and suburban communities.
"Throughout the initiative the trainees have given back to the local community by protecting and restoring the health, diversity and productivity of local green areas," Mr Smith said.
Mr Pitt said valuable financial support to the initiative was also provided by the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations’ Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative; the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; and Construction Skills Queensland.
16 October, 2008
New breast nurses going for bust
Five additional nurses who specialise in breast care are to be employed in Queensland under a new Federal Government initiative being run with the McGrath Foundation.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson welcomed the announcement by Federal Health and Ageing Minister Nicola Roxon, saying it would provide greater access to breast care nurses for Queensland women in regional areas.
Mr Robertson said Queensland currently had 17 breast care nurse positions located in metropolitan, rural and regional areas and the McGrath Foundation had worked closely with Queensland Health and other stakeholders to identify priority areas for the additional positions.
He said extra support would now be provided for women in Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Gladstone, Kingaroy, Warwick, Dalby and Roma.
“These specialist trained nurses play an invaluable role in providing information, supportive care and care coordination to women and their families from the point of diagnosis with breast cancer,” Mr Robertson said.
“They also ensure women are aware of local community support services available to them.”
Mr Robertson said a diagnosis of breast cancer was a traumatic time for both women and their families and it was important they had access to support.
“However screening, early detection and an increased investment in research is seeing many more positive outcomes for women diagnosed with the disease,” he said.
He said women aged 50 to 69 were encouraged to have a free BreastScreen every two years at a BreastScreen Queensland Service. Women aged 40 to 49 and those over 70 were also eligible for a free BreastScreen.
To arrange a free breastscreen, or to find out about the closest service or when a mobile service was visiting your area, call 13 20 50.
Mr Robertson said October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and he urged all Queenslanders to show their support.
16 October, 2008
Study trips are jolly good fellowships
Applications are now open for three new fellowship programs aimed at helping Queensland achieve the State Government’s Toward Q2 ambitions.
Premier Anna Bligh said the fellowships were for experts in a variety of disciplines who wanted to expand their skills and experience in their chosen field.
“These State Government fellowships will help bring Queensland skills to the world and also bring knowledge back to Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
“Our Toward Q2 ambition is to see Queensland become stronger, greener, smarter, healthier and more fair. Each of these fellowships can contribute to those ambitions.”
She said the first and largest of the three programs was the International Fellowships Program which would give at least 12 Queenslanders the opportunity to work with a leading-edge international research organisation in North America, Europe or the Asia-Pacific in areas such as the development of renewable energy, biotechnology, nanotechnology, health, food sciences and ecosciences.
“The winners of these fellowships will build international links for research that will be conducted at the State’s leading research infrastructure such as the $280 million dollar Ecosciences precinct now being built at Boggo Rd,” Ms Bligh said.
She said each Fellowship was worth up to $44,000.
Applications were also being taken for the Queensland Solar Thermal Fellowships which would support at least three Queensland-based professionals working in solar energy technologies, particularly to advance a partnership with an institution in Europe or the US.
Ms Bligh said the Solar Thermal Fellowships - worth up to $30,000 each - were designed to support overseas travel and living expenses for a period of between three and six months.
The third fellowship program provided the opportunity for a Queensland teacher to work with educators at the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York.
This fellowship was worth up to $30,000 and was open to teachers from State and non-State schools in Queensland.
Ms Bligh encouraged all Queenslanders with relevant expertise to consider applying for the Fellowships.
She said information, application forms and program guidelines including selection criteria could be obtained from www.premiers.qld.gov.au/Business_and_industry/intcollab/
Applications for the Teacher’s Fellowship close on 7 November 2008 and for the International and Solar Thermal Fellowships, 30 January 2009.
16 October, 2008
Cadet program comes of age
Trade Queensland’s International Business Cadet program is to be expanded, creating more opportunities for business-motivated Queenslanders to gain experience living and working overseas.
Minister for Trade, John Mickel said the program, which was entering its eleventh year, had proven a winner for all involved.
“The first decade of the International Business Cadet program has leveraged significant opportunities for 47 cadets as well as delivering valuable results for their sponsor businesses and the Government,” Mr Mickel said.
“As a result of this success, and following a successful 2008 program that has provided four cadets with highly valuable on-the-job experience in Trade Queensland’s overseas offices in China, Korea and Japan, we are expanding the program in 2009 to six cadets.”
He said this year’s program was winding up with three of the cadets having returned in August, and another, Katie Neeson, due to return in mid-October following a 20-week stint in Japan.
“Each cadet is employed for a total of 29 weeks to perform research work on behalf of a Queensland sponsor organisation and spends 20 weeks working in one of Trade Queensland’s overseas offices,” Mr Mickel said.
“Sponsors contribute $20,000 towards the overall cost of ‘their’ cadet and also provide training based on their organisation, its products and services.
“In return, the industry sponsor gets targeted market research that can help improve export performance.”
Mr Mickel said many of the International Business Cadets secured work in Queensland, Asia, Europe and the Americas. He said one of this year’s cadets, Li He, contributed significantly to a major export sale in China of more than $5 million for his sponsor business and had since taken up full-time employment with the company.
“The Government continues to be impressed with the calibre of people attracted to become International Business Cadets each year and we are proud to be expanding this successful program in 2009,” Mr Mickel said.
People interested in taking part in the program could contact the coordinator, Ken Parker at Trade Queensland on 3225 1478.
16 October, 2008
Soldier saluted in suburb’s name
Queensland’s newest suburb is to be named in honour of former Chief of the Australian Defence Force Lieutenant-General, Peter Cosgrove.
Premier Anna Bligh announced that the new residential suburb in the Bohle Plains area of Townsville would be named Cosgrove recognising the important contribution General Cosgrove had made to the community of North Queensland following Cyclone Larry.
The Government called on the community to suggest names for the new residential suburb and Cosgrove was proposed.
“It is an excellent suggestion not only because of his service to the country but because of his service to the region during Cyclone Larry,” Ms Bligh said.
“General Cosgrove was selected by the Queensland Government in 2006 to head up the taskforce to repair our community following the devastation of Larry. The taskforce, under General Cosgrove’s direction, did a marvelous job, working with and assisting locals to rebuild the community.”
General Cosgrove, who served in Townsville in the mid 1980s and lived nearby in Kirwin with his young family, said he was surprised when he received the news.
“I am very honoured to have this great privilege bestowed upon me,” he said.
“This has long been a defence force town and by this recognition the community celebrates this long standing and important link.”
The new suburb of Cosgrove, which would be part of the Bohle Plains area of Townsville, would house a 250-hectare residential development.
Ms Bligh said the Bohle residential land release was part of a Government commitment to review the use of up to 20,000 parcels of unallocated State land throughout Queensland and a response to increased population growth in regional centres.
She said almost 5,000 hectares of land in the Bohle Plains area would also be made available for a new National Park for the community.
16 October, 2008
Big wheel takes time off for bike ride
Stephen Finnimore has really taken ‘Ride to Work Day’ to heart.
Director of Research for Parliamentary Committees at Parliament House, Mr Finnimore is cycling from Brisbane to Cairns to be on deck and available when Parliament sits in Cairns from 28 to 30 October.
His cycling adventure is believed to be Australia’s longest ‘ride to work.’
According to Mr Finnimore, his ‘Ride to Work Day’ has turned into a ‘Ride to work Month.’
“I have been a keen cyclist for 25 years,” Mr Finnimore said, “and the Far North Queensland sitting of the Parliament in Cairns seemed the perfect opportunity for me to attempt this trip.”
He expected to make the 1,900 km journey in three weeks and hoped his ride would achieve two main ends: raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and increase interest in the regional sitting of Parliament in Cairns.
According to the Parliamentary Speaker Mike Reynolds, Mr Finnimore’s ride was a tremendous opportunity for the Parliament to reach the people and raise funds for the RFDS.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service are celebrating their 80th anniversary this year,” Mr Reynolds said.
“In June I was proud to announce that the Queensland Parliament would be partnering with them for the Far North Queensland sitting of the Queensland Parliament.”
Mr Finnimore’s ride was also welcomed by the Chief Executive of the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s Queensland Section, Nino Di Marco.
“The Royal Flying Doctor Service was born in regional Queensland in 1928 and 80 years on, we are still providing a vital medical service,” Mr Di Marco said.
“Each year we rely upon donations to raise $5 million, so events like this are very important in helping to keep the Flying Doctor flying.”
More information about Stephen Finnimore’s ride can be found at
www.parliament.qld.gov.au/supportstephen where there is a link to his daily blog and instructions on donating to the RFDS.
16 October, 2008
Prisoners barred in new abuse laws
News laws to stop prisoners from abusing the prison complaint system have been unanimously passed by the Queensland Parliament.
Corrective Services Minister Judy Spence said The Corrective Services and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 would stop the misuse of anti-discrimination legislation by offenders making frivolous complaints.
“This legislation does not entrench discrimination,” Ms Spence said.
“What it does mean is that offenders must use the internal complaints mechanism to try and resolve issues rather than using the Anti-Discrimination legislation as their first port of call.”
She said the Government was committed to providing a fair and just correctional system but was not prepared to sit back and watch prisoners abuse the complaint process and go straight to the Anti-Discrimination Commission with frivolous complaints.
Ms Spence said there had been many such complaints in recent years.
“The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal awarded compensation to a prisoner after he complained about receiving tinned, instead of fresh, Halal meat,” she said.
“Complaints have also been made about anything from not being provided potatoes to not being allowed to purchase a certain brand of female deodorant, or a particular style of joggers.”
She said every time the Government had to fight these cases at the Anti-Discrimination Commission it was costing taxpayers significant amounts of money – as the Department had to engage lawyers and pay legal fees.
She said prisoners needed to understand the Government was not running a hotel and an offender’s every whim would not be accommodated.
“The passing of this legislation ensures offenders must exhaust internal complaints processes before making an application to the Anti-Discrimination Commission,” she said.
“The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal will also now be required to consider whether the treatment of a prisoner was reasonable within the unique environment of a Correctional Centre.”
She said where the Tribunal did determine there had been discrimination its capacity to award compensation would be limited and any money awarded would be quarantined and some of it go to a victim trust fund.
16 October, 2008
Students booked for skills Awards
Four Queensland secondary school students have been recognised in the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Skills Link 2008 Salute to Excellence Award.
The students were rewarded for their achievements in tourism and hospitality vocational education and training.
All Queensland State and non-State secondary schools were invited to nominate for the awards and the winners were selected in four categories – tourism, cookery, food and beverage and school-based apprenticeship.
Each winner would receive $1,000 towards the cost of undertaking a diploma program in hospitality management and/or tourism at a TAFE Queensland Institute of their choice.
The winners were:
- Cookery Award: Rachael McKintyre, Helensvale State High School;
- Food and Beverage: Sarah McVickers, Redeemer Lutheran;
- Tourism: Lauryn Johansen, Victoria Point State High School;
- School-based apprentice: Haleigh Cox, Kirwan State High School.
“While the awards have been running for several years, this is the first time TAFE Queensland has sponsored the awards,” Mr Welford said.
“This highlights the importance of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s role in promoting vocational education and training to secondary schools in Queensland.”
He said Queenslanders were embracing the chance to gain apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications at a higher rate than anywhere else in Australia.
“We know that Queensland is the Smart State, and the amazing efforts and achievements in our workplaces, schools, colleges and training institutions show great promise for our ongoing success in the future,” he said.
“Today, high-quality training in VET is more important than ever to overcome the skills shortage and to strengthen Queensland’s economy.”
He said the Government recognised the importance of skilling Queenslanders, which was why it had set itself a target to have three out of four Queenslanders holding a trade, training or tertiary qualification by 2020.
16 October, 2008
Health plan a tonic for local communities
Entries are being called in the inaugural Healthy Communities competition with a chance to share in a prize pool of $1.6 million.
Premier Anna Bligh said the Government initiative was about empowering communities to lead by example and tackle chronic disease head on in their own backyard.
“Queenslanders claimed the majority of Australia’s Olympic medals in Beijing and I believe we should have the healthiest people in Australia,” said Ms Bligh.
“Over 4,300 Queenslanders die prematurely every year from preventable chronic diseases.
“If we want to make a difference we have to start today.”
She said that was why a key ambition of the Toward Q2 plan was a healthier Queensland.
Ms Bligh said she wanted people to start working towards a healthier Queensland for everyone.
Winners would share in a prize pool totaling $1 million for communities, $500,000 for schools and $100,000 for workplaces.
Ms Bligh said the money could be used towards “healthy” infrastructure such as a swimming pool, a basketball court or a bike and walking path.
Judging would take place across 12 regional areas - Far North Queensland, North Queensland, Whitsunday – Isaac – Mackay, Central Queensland, Western Queensland, Wide Bay-Burnett, Darling Downs, South West Queensland, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Inland South East Queensland and Coastal South East Queensland – and the competition guidelines set out four criteria for the judging.
Ms Bligh said these were Planning, Implementing and Monitoring, Partnering and Winning.
She said entries should demonstrate that the organisation entering the competition had support for the project from the wider community.
Initial expressions of interest could be registered at www.thepremier.qld.gov.au or www.keepaustraliabeautiful.org.au/qld where the official entry form, guidelines and other information could be accessed. Entries close on 27 March 2009.
16 October, 2008
Centrelink blood race not in vein
Centrelink staff in Queensland and New South Wales have signed up to give blood in a six-week challenge to boost local blood supplies and raise community awareness of the importance of blood donations.
The Centrelink initiative, Race to the Blood Bank has been supported by the Australian Red Cross Blood service and was set to coincide with the lead-up to the 30th annual Centrelink Games in Coffs Harbour this November.
Since the challenge began, hundreds of staff had registered to donate blood, with over 24 from Greater Newcastle and Hunter regions already fulfilling their promise.
One such member was the Senior Executive for the NSW Hunter Region, John Dorian who donated for the cause last week.
Mr Dorian said Centrelink’s involvement in Race to the Blood Bank demonstrated its commitment to the community and to encouraging staff to live active and healthy lifestyles.
“When Centrelink heard the Australian Red Cross Blood Service was desperately in need of blood donations, we were naturally up for the challenge with everybody getting on board,” Mr Dorian said.
“I’m proud to say the staff from the Greater Newcastle and Hunter regions are part of the 125 Centrelink offices that will be donating to this very worthy cause over the next six weeks.”
He challenged other organisations to get involved in a similar manner and hoped Centrelink’s participation would have a positive effect on the blood supply and local communities.
A spokesperson for the Red Cross, Garry Wolfe, said Centrelink’s involvement would be a great help as one in three people would need blood during their lifetime, but only one in 30 currently donated blood.
“Every donation can help up to three people who are in need of life saving blood products,” Mr Wolfe said.
“On behalf of the community we say thank you to all Centrelink staff for their enthusiastic and generous support of the Race to the Blood Bank campaign.”
16 October, 2008
Teaching history to be forward looking
The Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford has thrown his support behind a proposal for a new national history curriculum in schools.
Mr Welford said the Government supported the national history curriculum through a cooperative approach with the National Curriculum Board which was chaired by Professor Barry McGaw.
The Board would be responsible for developing an Australian national curriculum for all students from Prep to Year 12, starting with English, mathematics, the sciences and history.
“It is essential that students learn about the major historical events that have shaped Australia’s social and political landscape,” Mr Welford said.
“Students should also know about the history of the great global powers of the world in order to understand Australia’s place in the global context.”
He said this included Australia’s role in past defining historical events, such as world wars, the formation of the United Nations and elements of American and European history that had shaped Australia.
Mr Welford said he expected the new national history and geography curricula would effectively supersede the current Studies of Society and Environment curriculum.
“Much of the current Studies of Society and Environment curriculum could be incorporated into the new history and geography curricula,” he said.
“The move to a national curriculum provides an opportunity to unclutter the curriculum, particularly in Years 1-10.
He said Queensland was already well on the path to ensuring students had the basic building blocks they needed in their education to succeed in the 21st century because it had the Queensland Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Framework.
Mr Welford said Essential Learnings also ensured there was greater consistency in what was taught in classrooms across the State because teachers concentrated on the “essentials”.
“We are focused on delivering a world-class education and training system for all Queenslanders,” he said.
“Together with our focus on early childhood education and increasing the qualifications of Queenslanders, this national curriculum will deliver an even better education for our children.”
16 October, 2008
Power from the people
A scheme that offered rebates for surplus electricity generated by roof-top solar systems has been warmly embraced by Queensland households and small businesses with around 350 customers signing up for the Solar Bonus Scheme in its first two months since 1 July 2008.
The scheme offers 44 cents per kilowatt-hour for all surplus electricity generated by roof-top photovoltaic systems that was directed into the Queensland electricity grid.
Maternity leave adopted
The Government of the Australian Capital Territory is to increase maternity leave to 18 weeks for ACT Public Servants by the middle of next year.
The extension from 14 weeks was promised by the reigning Labor Party in the current election campaign and was matched by the Liberal Opposition.
The plan would bring the ACT into line with recommendations made by the Productivity Commission last week.
Mines Inspectors sought
An international recruitment drive has been launched to attract skilled mines inspectors to Queensland.
Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said the ongoing growth in the industry demanded more mines inspectors to address health and safety issues.
He said people with the necessary skills could come from India and the United Kingdom, particularly northern England.
He said all newly-appointed mines inspectors would be located in regional Queensland.
103yo police station replaced
A new $1.1 million police station has been opened at Woodford replacing the original which was built 103 years ago.
The new facilities included accommodation for general duties police, holding cells and a front counter, as well as a new Major Incident Room for use during any major investigation in the D’Aguilar area.
The old Woodford Police Station, which had been a main feature in the town centre for a century, would not be lost to the district and had been given to the Woodford Show Society for possible use as a community venue.
Multicultural achievers named
Four people have been named as the Government’s Multicultural Achievers of 2008.
They were Steve Ackerie in Business, Tatiana Grigorieva in Sports, Vasilini Lolo in Arts and Adele Rice in Education and Technology.
The 2008 Queensland Multicultural Achievers would be formally recognised at a presentation in November. The Queensland Multicultural Awards celebrate, recognise and thank individuals, groups and organisations for their outstanding contributions to multiculturalism in Queensland.
Upgrade for police recorders
The Government plans to spend $1.2 million to continue upgrading recording equipment in police interview rooms.
The funding would deliver 94 new state-of-the-art digital recording systems to replace outdated analogue systems in police interview rooms in the south-east.
The move was part of a three year $4.6 million program to modernise interview recording systems for police across the State.
Development stopped
An approved Development Application in Warwick has been ‘called in’ by the Minister for Planning, Paul Lucas because it was too close to homes.
The industrial development was approved by the Southern Downs Regional Council subject to conditions despite the Council’s own experts recommending it be rejected because it was inconsistent with the Warwick Planning Scheme.
Mr Lucas said the DA had attracted 69 objections from the public.
9 October, 2008
PS salary packaging comes undone
New rules that tie down some salary packaging arrangements to equipment used primarily for work have been circulated by the Public Sector Industrial and Employee Relations Division of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
The new rules reflect changes to salary packaging arrangements determined by the Federal Government and a Circular has been issued to replace an earlier one of April this year.
New rules clamp down on private use According to PSIER, the amended rule particularly affects the salary packaging of portable electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones, personal digital assistants and electronic diaries and requires that they be “primarily for use in the employee’s employment.”
PSIER said that all Departments and Agencies should ensure that information about the changes is circulated to all employees.
It said that despite the Commonwealth legislation receiving Royal Assent on 30 June 2008, the new rules would take effect from 13 May.
“In addition, changes in the Federal legislation now limit the availability of meal benefits provided on the employer’s premises (and) as a consequence, ‘Fude Card’ is no longer an FBT-exempt item and will not be made available at this time by RemServ, the bureau service provider.”
Departments and Agencies with staff using salary packaging arrangements who may be affected have been urged to contact RemServ if they have any enquiries.
More information on the new arrangements was available from the PSIER website at www.psier.qld.gov.au
9 October, 2008
PS salary packaging comes undone
New rules that tie down some salary packaging arrangements to equipment used primarily for work have been circulated by the Public Sector Industrial and Employee Relations Division of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations.
The new rules reflect changes to salary packaging arrangements determined by the Federal Government and a Circular has been issued to replace an earlier one of April this year.
According to PSIER, the amended rule particularly affects the salary packaging of portable electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones, personal digital assistants and electronic diaries and requires that they be “primarily for use in the employee’s employment.”
PSIER said that all Departments and Agencies should ensure that information about the changes is circulated to all employees.
It said that despite the Commonwealth legislation receiving Royal Assent on 30 June 2008, the new rules would take effect from 13 May.
“In addition, changes in the Federal legislation now limit the availability of meal benefits provided on the employer’s premises (and) as a consequence, ‘Fude Card’ is no longer an FBT-exempt item and will not be made available at this time by RemServ, the bureau service provider.”
Departments and Agencies with staff using salary packaging arrangements who may be affected have been urged to contact RemServ if they have any enquiries.
More information on the new arrangements was available from the PSIER website at www.psier.qld.gov.au
9 October, 2008
New effort going into Energy Office
The Queensland Government is to set up a new ‘Office of Clean Energy’ to explore renewable energy and other methods for reducing the State’s carbon footprint.
Premier, Anna Bligh, said the new office was part of a plan to diversify and expand the State’s industrial and economic base.
In a keynote address to the Queensland Media Club, Ms Bligh said renewable energies were the “goldfields of the 21st Century”.
“Above us we have the unlimited power of the sun and beneath us we have vast untapped resources of geo-thermal power,” she said.
“Our geography puts Queensland in a unique position to potentially reap a multi-billion dollar windfall from these resources as well make a real dent in addressing the dangers of climate change.”
Ms Bligh said the office would create new jobs, new industries and new opportunities for economic growth.
She said the Office of Clean Energy would be located within the Department of Mines and Energy and report to its Minister and provide regular progress reports to Cabinet.
She said the Government had set a mandatory renewable energy target to have 20 per cent of Queensland’s energy taken from a renewable source by 2020.
“That is huge incentive to fast track the development of our renewables industry so we can meet our own obligations as well as capitalise on demand from other States and territories,” she said.”
The new Office would look at mapping, identifying potential renewable energy locations; removing regulatory barriers; developing a program to encourage private sector investment; and stimulating greater demand from renewable energy sources.
Ms Bligh said the Government had already undertaken work in alternative energy sources through ClimateSmart 2050.
She said the programs included the Renewable Energy Fund, the Smart Energy Savings Fund and other initiatives such as the Clean Coal Council.
“And through these programs we are undertaking work such as developing the world’s first Solargas demonstration project, creating a solar map to geographically pinpoint our best areas of solar potential, and establishing a Geothermal Energy Centre of Excellence,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the Government was building a Solar Thermal Power Station and aimed to install energy efficient measures in all State schools within three years.
“Given global concerns over climate change and demand for cleaner, greener energy, the potential for exponential growth in these areas is enormous,” she said.
9 October, 2008
Spring clean for Women’s Office
A full review of the State’s Office for Women has been called to provide a blueprint for the future of women’s policy in Queensland.
The Minister for Women, Margaret Keech announced the review, saying it was part of Government plans to map out a future for the State’s women.
Ms Keech said the review was about reaching the Toward Q2 initiative’s goal of a fairer Queensland.
“This review will set the direction of women’s policy and map out how the Office for Women can best help Queensland meet the Premier’s ambitious 2020 targets,” Ms Keech said.
“Issues such as pay equity, financial literacy and getting a fair deal for women in the workplace have always been a strong focus of the Office for Women.”
She said the review would look at new ways to address the issues affecting Queensland women and would provide a long term plan to ensure they were continually focused on.
“We’ll also be looking at ways the Office for Women can help make Queensland stronger, greener, smarter and healthier,” she said.
“Expanding the capability and opportunity for all women to enjoy good health, to be literate and to participate in society will help shape tomorrow’s Queensland.”
Ms Keech said the review would give Queensland women a chance to have their say on what the Government could do to help them.
“This will be developed by Queensland women, for Queensland women,” she said.
“There are a number of vital issues on the agenda, including pay equity and the Productivity Commission’s maternity leave proposal.”
She announced the review at the annual Ministerial Conference for the Status of Women, where she also launched a new Statistical Snapshot providing an overview of how Queensland women were fairing in key areas such as representation in the legal fraternity, in business and on boards.
9 October, 2008
Treasurer accounts for finance crisis
State Treasurer, Andrew Fraser has warned that Queensland was unlikely to escape fallout from the global finance crisis but was well placed to ride out the troubles.
In a statement to Parliament, Mr Fraser said the State economy was “enmeshed in our world,” but the State’s “strong growth prospects, powering commodities sector and massive public investment” underpinned a position that encouraged great confidence.
“Undeniably there will be an effect on world growth, and that means downside risk for the Queensland economy,” he said.
“We have a certain capacity to absorb downward pressure.”
He said the Budgeted $809m surplus would serve as a buffer against some of the potential uncertainties.
“There will however be an impact on growth, on employment growth and inevitably on Government revenues,” he said.
Mr Fraser said that so far the only losses to be experienced have been $30.4 million tied up in the collapse of the failed US investment bank Lehman Brothers, $25.2 million of which was from Queensland Treasury Corporation and $5.2 million from Queensland Investment Corporation.
“These are times without precedent,” Mr Fraser said. “The broader global dynamics remain under constant vigilance by the Treasury.’
He said despite the uncertain global economy, there was every likelihood Queensland would escape the worst.
“Our commitment to driving reform, to modernising our economy and prudently managing our State finances stands us in good stead,” he said.
“The situation is one that is rapidly evolving and we have every reason to remain confident of our prospects.”
9 October, 2008
Commission delivers on maternity scheme
The Productivity Commission has recommended a national maternity leave scheme be implemented to allow nursing mothers up to 18 weeks paid leave to stay home and look after their newborn children while fathers would get two.
The Commission said its proposed Commonwealth taxpayer-funded scheme would benefit around 140,000 mothers and 225,000 fathers each year.
The draft report said the scheme would pay mothers the adult minimum wage of $544 per week for the 18 weeks and would yield community-wide gains in the long term.
Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald said the proposal was designed to deliver better child and maternal welfare, greater workforce participation by women and improve work-family balance and gender equity.
“The proposed measures give immediate support to parents of newborn children in the paid workforce, but ultimately benefit all Australians,” Commissioner Fitzgerald said.
Commissioner Angela MacRae said the Productivity Commission wanted to enable mothers to stay at home for at least the first six months of their baby's life as that was the best time to nurture a child.
“Given that parents usually are able to take off some months on their own account, 18 weeks additional paid leave will allow six months at home for almost all parents - particularly low-wage mothers,” she said.
Commissioner MacRae said mothers who were not eligible for paid parental leave, would receive a new maternity allowance and other social security benefits as a replacement for the baby bonus.
Noting the report,the Federal Minister for Employment, Julia Gillard, and Treasurer, Wayne Swan said they were committed to a “child-centred approach to family policy”.
“We recognise the need to ensure strong and sustainable economic growth, promote early childhood development, encourage greater gender equity and support families in balancing work and family responsibilities,” the two Ministers said.
“The Government is committed to supporting all mothers, whether they are in a paid job or at home.”
The Productivity Commission said the proposed scheme would require proof of employment and a capped superannuation contribution from employers for most employees and would cover full time, part time and casual employees, as well as the self-employed and contractors.
It was expected to cost the Government around $450 million each year with businesses putting in a net $74 million a year through superannuation contributions.
Responses to the scheme have been sought by the Commission before it submits its final report in February 2009.
According to the Commission, Australia was one of only two developed countries that did not have a national system of paid maternity leave.
9 October, 2008
School’s in for new Education Authority
A new National Education Authority is to be established to bring together all State curriculum, assessment and reporting functions and manage them at the national level.
The Council of Australian Governments agreed to the move which would form part of the Commonwealth’s ‘Education Revolution’.
Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard said COAG’s decision was driven by an agreement between Education Ministers at all levels of Government to work together through the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs.
She said the new national Authority would be responsible for delivering a national curriculum, new levels of transparency and the performance reporting agenda announced by the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, in September.
Ms Gillard said Australia had been debating the merits of a national curriculum for the past 30 years and it was now time to “go beyond debate and take national action.
“It is internationally recognised that achieving world class education standards requires the close alignment of curriculum, assessment and accountability systems to set high expectations for all students and enable a relentless focus on improving student outcomes,” Ms Gillard said.
She said the new Authority would provide more effective transparency and accountability mechanisms to meet the needs of students, parents, teachers and the wider community.
She said the National Curriculum Board, which was established by the Commonwealth in April to tackle community engagement in developing Australia’s first national curriculum, would form part of the new Authority.
Ms Gillard said COAG’s decision had shown that “education is now at the forefront of the national agenda.
“The Commonwealth, States and Territories will continue to work together to develop the legislation to establish the new Authority.”
9 October, 2008
Racing tax means all bets are off
The breaking of a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ by the NSW Government that allowed fees to be imposed on wagering operators betting on NSW races has forced the Queensland Government to introduce similar rules to protect the local racing industry.
Treasurer and Racing Minister, Andrew Fraser, announced the new ‘race fields’ legislation, saying it was in direct response to the NSW move.
“The Queensland Government had no option but to go down the path of developing race fields legislation,” he said, “following the breakdown of the ‘gentleman’s agreement.’”
Mr Fraser said the legislation would help ensure the State’s racing industry did not make a loss.
“Without such changes, the Queensland racing industry risks losing several million dollars per year to NSW alone,” he said.
“It is expected that other States will introduce race fields legislation in the near future, with South Australia already indicating that its legislation will also apply retrospectively.”
Mr Fraser said it was important the legislation did not discriminate against operators on a geographical basis, as addressed in the recent High Court Case Betfair Pty Limited v Western Australia.
“All wagering operators, whether based in Queensland or licensed elsewhere in Australia, will be required to gain approval to offer betting on Queensland races,” he said.
He said amendments to the Racing Act would allow Queensland’s racing control bodies - Queensland Racing Limited, Queensland Harness Racing Limited and Greyhounds Queensland Limited - to charge wagering operators a fee for using Queensland racing product.
“The amount of the fee will be determined by the Queensland racing industry, not the Government, as the money will go directly back to the industry,” he said.
Mr Fraser said NSW had decided a fee of up to 1.5 per cent on wagering turnover was appropriate.
“Queensland’s racing bodies will make their own decisions on a race fields fee that maintains an appropriate level of revenue for the Queensland racing industry,” he said.
Mr Fraser said the control bodies had been briefed and consultation with other stakeholders would be undertaken.
He said he expected the Bill to be introduced into Parliament by the end of the year.
“The Government will be recommending that Parliament makes the operation of the Bill retrospective to 1 September 2008 in line with the operation of the New South Wales legislation.”
9 October, 2008
Kids’ safety package wins serious award
A DVD and games package developed by Emergency Management Queensland and the Local Government Association of Queensland has taken top honours in the 2008 Queensland Safer Communities Awards.
The package, aimed at children between 12 and 18, teaches them what to do in a flood, bushfire or cyclone and features real-life stories from children who had been affected by natural disasters.
Staff from EMQ and the LGAQ interviewed dozens of young disaster survivors for the DVD.
The Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts, presented representatives of the two organisations with the award, congratulating them on using up-to-date technology to communicate with young people.
“It can be difficult to capture the minds and imaginations of young people today but through the use of modern technology which they are familiar with, the DVD and computer games deliver vital safety education to children in a fun and interactive way,” Mr Roberts said.
He said the DVD, Red Alert – Disaster stories from young people across Queensland, had been created as part of the Disaster Education Resources for Young People and Children Project.
“The researchers on this project found that people in this age group respond well to familiarity,” Mr Roberts said.
“By creating material full of stories told first hand from young disaster survivors, this resource has been well received amongst youth in the community.”
As a part of the package, EMQ and LGAQ staff created Get Ready Kidnas!, an interactive and educational computer game showing children how to raise disaster awareness at home.
A package of games, quizzes and activities for children aged seven to 11 was also available.
The Awards, sponsored by EMQ, recognised best practice and innovation in emergency management throughout businesses and Government and community organisations.
They covered all aspects of emergency management including risk assessment, research, education and training, information and knowledge management, prevention, preparation, response and recovery.
Mr Roberts said the standard of the 17 entries this year was especially high.
“We have had a record number of entries from across Local and State Government, as well as not-for-profit and educational institutions this year.
The Five Queensland award-winners who would be judged in the national Awards in November were:
State Government category:
Emergency Management Queensland, Department of Emergency Services and Local Government Association of Queensland with ‘Disaster Education Resources for Young People and Children Project’.
Local Government category:
Joint winners: Burdekin Shire Council with the ‘Burdekin Shire's Disaster Management CD’ and South East Queensland Disaster Management Advisory Group – ‘Regional Standard Operating Procedures for Event Coordination Centres’.
Education, Training and Research category:
Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland – with the “Under the Limit” Drink Driving Prevention and Rehabilitation Program.
Not-for-Profit category:
Red Cross (Lead), Department of Communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Partnership Unit, Yumadi HACC, Mackay Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service for their ‘Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander Disaster Recovery Model’.
9 October, 2008
Study digs in on underground rail
Plans have been announced for a world-class underground rail network for Brisbane.
Premier Anna Bligh and Transport Minister, John Mickel unveiled the $14 billion proposal which had its origins in the Inner City Rail Capacity study.
Ms Bligh and Mr Mickel said the futuristic plan included new underground river crossings, 13km of tunnels and train stations up to 45 metres underground.
They said it would be a network worthy of the 21st Century.
The rail study identified a need for four new underground tracks from the western Ipswich line linking up to the northern Caboolture/North Coast line and from the southern Gold Coast/Beenleigh line to the northern lines.
It also proposed underground stations for Spring Hill, Woolloongabba, the CBD, Newstead, the Exhibition Centre and West End.
According to Ms Bligh, the projects identified in the study represented the biggest single investment in the rail network ever considered for Queensland but was still a “first step.”
“That’s why we sought the support of the Federal government when we submitted this project on our list of priorities for the $20 billion Infrastructure Australia fund in June,” she said.
“We can’t build this without more than one level of Government being involved.”
Ms Bligh said under current plans, the south to north corridor would be completed by 2016 and the west to north corridor by 2026.
“With Federal support we would expect to be able to start construction in 2012 which is around the same planning period we saw for Airport Link and the North South Bypass Tunnel,” Ms Bligh said.
She said the study found that in 2006 more than 44,000 people used city train services each day during the two hour morning peak period.
“By 2016 demand is forecast to reach between 70,000 and 80,000 people in peak periods and by 2026 increase further to between 105,000 and 130,000.”
She said the underground tunnels and new routes would help minimise disruption to existing businesses and commuters and alleviate demand for available surface space.
Mr Mickel said Queensland Transport would undertake a detailed feasibility study of the first proposed route and report back by mid-2011.
“These are huge projects and they require detailed planning,” Mr Mickel said.
He said the Government was following the same process used for the Airport Link project which would begin construction next month.
“The study will also look at funding options but it is clear that we will need the Federal Government to come on board and there is also scope for a Public Private Partnership element,” he said.
9 October, 2008
Mobile phones used to make cattle calls
A new software service allowing livestock owners to track their animals with a mobile phone has been welcomed by the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin.
Mr Mulherin said the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) enabled individual animals to be identified electronically with an ear tag or a transponder capsule that had been inserted under their skin.
“Quick-thumbed livestock owners can now exchange National Livestock Identification Scheme information with the NLIS database, with the launch of new mobile phone application software,” he said.
“This new software, ‘NLIS Express,’ can be easily loaded onto compatible mobile phones – providing a new way to quickly capture and transfer NLIS data.”
Mr Mulherin said many sectors within the livestock industry would find NLIS Express very useful.
Principal Project Officer with Biosecurity Queensland, Michael Lancaster said training on the software would be provided to ensure as many people as possible knew how to use it.
“The training will be available to anyone who uses the NLIS database, but we also see it being of particular interest to agents,” Mr Lancaster said.
One of the first people to use the software was Dan Sullivan from Sullivan Livestock in Gympie.
Mr Sullivan said he used NLIS Express to transfer data directly to the database on behalf of his clients.
“With NLIS Express I can provide a transfer service to our clients – often while I’m still at their property,” he said.
“Often, I’ll know if the transfer has been completed before I leave the property and this has removed the need to come back to the office, freeing up my time to continue on with other business.”
The free software was developed by Meat and Livestock Australia to give producers, agents and others another simple way to contact the database.
Further information on the software and training programs was available from www.dpi.qld.gov.au or by phoning the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries on 13 25 23.
9 October, 2008
School curriculum makes the grade
A new over-arching curriculum framework for Queensland State schools has been released to help deliver world-class education outcomes.
Minister for Education and Training, Rod Welford announced the P-12 Curriculum Framework which he said consisted of a set of policies and guidelines showing teachers and schools how to implement curriculum across all years of schooling.
“This framework will be the key reference for schools in setting goals, planning, teaching and monitoring students’ progress,” Mr Welford said.
“It sets out clear requirements, expectations and principles of teaching and learning.
“It acknowledges the teacher’s critical role in delivering the best possible learning outcomes for students.”
He said the new Framework recognised that students needed multiple opportunities to learn something new by engaging in different ways or in a variety of contexts.
“Students have a range of learning styles and learn at different rates so teachers must present new material using a variety of strategies to ensure that all students will learn what they need to know,” he said.
“And when student learning is not progressing, teachers need to look at what they can do differently to engage students.”
Mr Welford said the P-12 Curriculum Framework replaced the Years 1-10 Curriculum Framework for Education Queensland Schools, which was distributed to State schools in 2001.
He said the new Framework reflected the significant changes in curriculum expectations and accountabilities that had evolved since 2001, including:
- The implementation of the Prep Year;
- The move from outcomes-based education to the Queensland Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Framework Essential Learnings and Standards in Years 1-9;
- The changed position of Year 10 as the foundation year of the Senior Phase of Learning; and
- The introduction of the Queensland Certificate of Education, and reporting to parents using a common five-point scale.
“It requires a focus in each classroom in every lesson, every day, on developing a deep understanding in every student of the key concepts in each learning area.
He said educated and informed citizens, who could apply their skills and knowledge in innovative ways, would help Queensland meet future social, economic and environmental challenges.
Mr Welford said the P-12 Curriculum Framework was a dynamic document which would undergo regular updates as further national and State policies and priorities were introduced.
9 October, 2008
Corrective Services leader free at last
The General Manager of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre, Alan Farrell, has retired after more than 30 years in corrective services.
The Minister for Corrective Services, Judy Spence, paid tribute to Mr Farrell, saying he had been a dedicated and hard working member of the industry since joining in 1975.
Ms Spence said during his time of service, Queensland Corrective Services had undergone major changes and had become a world leader in prisons management.
“Mr Farrell’s experience and knowledge have been invaluable to Queensland Corrective Services and we wish him well in his retirement,” she said.
Acting Director-General of QCS, Neil Whittaker, said Mr Farrell had been an asset to the industry and had put many reforms into action during his career.
“Alan was closely involved in the evolution of the prison system as it changed from punishment to rehabilitation,” Mr Whittaker said.
“His honest, straight-up approach, passion for his work; and depth of experience at the coalface earned Alan much affection and respect.”
Mr Whittaker said Mr Farrell had worked in a number of correctional centres as well as the Escort and Security Branch before he was appointed General Manager of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre in 2006.
He said he helped establish Queensland’s original computer-based prisoner administration system which laid the groundwork for the current prisoner sentence and rehabilitation management system.
Mr Farrell followed in the footsteps of his father who was Superintendent of Wacol Prison and Chief Superintendent of Boggo Road Prison.
Mr Farrell’s son and daughter currently work for QCS, continuing a 60 year old family tradition.
9 October, 2008
Defence to be killed off in murder trials
Important changes to the State’s criminal laws could be in the wind following the Government’s acceptance of a report from the Queensland Law Reform Commission.
The report, A Review of the Excuse of Accident and the Defence of Provocation, dealt with murder and manslaughter trials and recommended key changes to the way they were conducted.
Attorney-General, Kerry Shine, said the report had been commissioned earlier this year following a 2007 Departmental audit of murder and manslaughter trials in Queensland.
Mr Shine said although the audit had not revealed a large number of cases where the defence of provocation had been successfully used in jury considerations, it was still important to look at whether the current provisions reflected community views.
“It’s critical a modern Criminal Code reflects contemporary community standards and that’s why I referred the Departmental review to the Queensland Law Reform Commission,” Mr Shine said.
“The QLRC was asked to consider the results of the Department’s audit and identify whether the current excuse of accident and the defence of provocation reflected community expectations.”
He said the excuse of accident had been a major part of criminal law for hundreds of years and any changes to it would require careful consideration.
“Everyone charged with a crime is entitled to a defence before the courts and among those defences are the accident and provocation defences,” he said.
Mr Shine said the Commission’s report explored the key issues raised in submissions from the public and stakeholders.
He said the report recommended the Criminal Code be amended in relation to provocation to ensure generally that a defence could not be raised on the basis that a death occurred due to verbal provocation.
“Those are significant amendments which I must now consider and take to Cabinet,” he said.
The Commission’s report, tabled in State Parliament last week, recommended the partial defence of provocation to murder and the excuse of accident provision remain.
It recommended other amendments including disallowing the defence of provocation based on words or on the victim’s choice about a relationship except in extreme circumstances and considering a separate defence reflecting the effects of abusive relationships on the accused.
Mr Shine said Cabinet would consider whether the changes recommended in the report were required.
9 October, 2008
Business name plan registered nationally
The Council of Australian Governments has decided to introduce a national business-name registration scheme that could save Australian businesses up to $1 billion over the next 10 years.
Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd said the nationwide scheme meant Australian businesses would only have to apply to register their name once.
“To register a business name nationally at present, businesses have to apply separately in eight States and Territories and pay a fee eight times at a total cost of around $900,” Mr Rudd said.
“COAG agreed it was absurd in the 21st century for businesses to have to go through such duplicated processes.”
He said the scheme would save businesses time and money, with a single application covering both a business name and Australian Business Number (ABN) and it would establish a one-stop online shop for businesses to interact with Government.
He said the national business name scheme was one of the 27 areas of regulatory reform identified by COAG earlier in the year and would bring Australia one step closer to a seamless national economy, as called for by the 2020 Summit and the Business Council of Australia.
Federal Minister for Small Business, Craig Emerson said the spread of the internet meant many small businesses were operating in more than one State or Territory.
“The new system will be much cheaper and quicker, enabling a single registration for a single fee,” Mr Emerson said.
“Those businesses that want to register a name in a single State or Territory (such as a local café, butcher or motel) will still be able to do so within the national system.”
Dr Emerson said Small Business Ministers gave in-principle support to the initiative at the Small Business Ministerial Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand, in May.
He said businesses would benefit from a national system to help them identify Government support and regulatory requirements regardless of where they were trading.
He said the new system would be established by 2011.
9 October, 2008
Fluoride plans are dental as anything
Plans to introduce fluoride into the major water treatment plants of Southeast Queensland by December were well advanced according to the Minister for Health, Stephen Robertson.
Mr Robertson said all five priority sites had been prepared for construction, with the first of the larger units scheduled to be installed in Mt Crosby by the end of October.
“The good news today is the SEQ program remains on track to deliver fluoridated water from December this year,” he said.
“Fluoridation is a safe, effective and proven preventative against tooth decay and I am committed to ensuring that future generations of Queenslanders will reap the benefits.”
Mr Robertson said fabrication of the priority fluoride units for SEQ were more than half finished.
He said the first phase of the SEQ program would include upgrades to Mt Crosby, North Pine, Landers Shute, Molendinar and Mudgeeraba plants with the rest upgraded by the end of 2009.
Mr Robertson said the fluoridation rollout in SEQ was part of the Government’s $35 million program to provide fluoridated water to most of Queensland by 2012 and was being managed by new bulk water authority, Seqwater.
He said water fluoridation had been supported by all major medical and dental bodies in Australia and overseas, including the World Health Organisation, the Australian Dental Association and the Australian Medical Association.
Water fluoridation was also expected to be phased into water treatment plants in Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Fraser, Gympie, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Dalby, Blackall, Emerald, Goondiwindi, Hinchinbrook, Longreach, Mornington, Mt Isa, Murweh, North Burnett, Rio Tinto (Weipa), Tablelands, Whitsunday, Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Bundaberg, Burdekin, Carpentaria, Charters Towers, Cassowary, Cloncurry, Cook, Flinders, Isaac, Paroo and Roma.
9 October, 2008
Land agreement develops
A Memorandum of Understanding that could see Queensland land developers take up opportunities in Papua New Guinea has been signed by representatives of the two Governments.
Queensland’s Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Craig Wallace, and Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands, Planning and Mining, Dr Puka Temu, signed the historic agreement at Parliament House in Brisbane, saying it could open new doors for collaboration in land matters.
Mr Wallace said the MoU would strengthen existing ties between Queensland and Papua New Guinea and provide a basis for the State Government to support Queensland firms in engaging in projects that underpinned its trade strategy and framework for international aid and development business.
“It will help open doors for private Australian companies wishing to undertake development work in Papua New Guinea,” Mr Wallace said.
He said one of the goals of Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland was to create a strong Queensland with a diverse economy.
“A strong Queensland target is to make Queensland Australia's strongest economy, with infrastructure that anticipates growth,” Mr Wallace said.
“Strengthening the existing international ties will assist us reach this target.”
Mr Wallace said the memorandum was the latest step in formalising Queensland’s relationship with Papua New Guinea, which began 18 months ago.
“In May last year, the Queensland Government proudly hosted a delegation from Papua New Guinea’s Department of Lands and Physical Planning on a week-long study tour,” he said.
“I'm told the officers were highly impressed with our automated titling system, which has also attracted interest by delegations from Malaysia, China, India, Laos and Brunei.”
Mr Wallace said the MoU would be used to facilitate collaboration on technical exchange and training regarding land management.
“I believe we can both look forward to many years of fruitful partnership and mutually beneficial co-operation in the spirit in which the memorandum is signed,” he said.
9 October, 2008
Hospital taskforce set up
A new Ministerial Taskforce has been set up to advise on staffing, education and training in five of the State’s major regional hospitals.
Health Minister, Stephen Robertson said the taskforce would work to deliver sustainable health services to regional Queenslanders, particularly those in Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.
He said the new taskforce would build on the work of an earlier one that resulted in $145 million in new funding for medical graduates and training places in Queensland hospitals.
Bridge name soon
The competition to name Brisbane’s newest footbridge across the Brisbane River from Tank Street has closed.
More than 1,100 entries were received and the judges have begun selecting their favourites.
A decision was expected on the name shortly.
Comment called on roundabout
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, has called for locals to have their say on the upgrade of the Airport roundabout.
Mr Lucas said artists’ impressions and designs were open for inspection by the public, who could submit their input by 20 November.
He said the upgrade project, due for completion in 2011, was a “congestion buster” that would save commuters to and from Brisbane Airport over 10 minutes in peak periods.
He said further information was available from www.airportlink.qld.gov.au
Magnetic centre attracts researchers
A new research facility focusing on detecting diseases such as Alzheimer’s has opened at the University of Queensland’s Centre for Magnetic Resonance.
The Centre is to be the new headquarters of a national network of imaging facilities under the Federal Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.
The facility, which received $2.25 million of funding from the State Government, could assist in a breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s.
ACCC water paper
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has called for submissions on a paper it has produced on the development of water charge rules for irrigation infrastructure operators and bulk water operators.
The rules form part of the Water Act 2007, which created new arrangements for addressing the sustainability and management of water in the Murray Darling Basin.
Submissions were due by 24 November and more information was available from www.accc.gov.au
Education conference held
Queensland Education and Training International has sponsored the Australian International Education Conference, which was held in Brisbane this week.
Employment Minister, John Mickel, said the conference was attended by over 1,000 delegates and highlighted Queensland’s “world-class” international education industry.
Mr Mickel said education and training had become the State’s third-largest service export industry.
2 October, 2008
QPS payrise claim creates interest
Negotiations over a Public Service pay rise have been ordered to be fast-tracked by State Premier, Anna Bligh who said she wanted outstanding issues resolved as soon as possible.
Ms Bligh demanded the talks be accelerated following mass meetings of thousands of Public Servants around the State protesting against the Government’s pay offer which they said was below the rate of inflation.
Ms Bligh said she had asked the Minister for Industrial Relations, John Mickel, to become personally involved in the wage negotiations by meeting with unions on a daily basis if necessary, to hammer out a deal as soon as possible
“I have also instructed that other senior Ministers be directly involved in the negotiations in line with their portfolio areas,” Ms Bligh said.
The breakthrough in negotiations was welcomed by the General Secretary of the Queensland Public Sector Union, Alex Scott who said however that the Premier had still declined to revise the wages offer.
He said industrial action would continue until a pay offer was made that would “help workers cope with the increasing costs of living.”
Ms Bligh defended the Government’s stance saying the 4% a year over three years, including productivity offsets was in line with other States such as Victoria and New South Wales.
“We believe it is a fair offer,” she said.
“In these current uncertain economic times it would be financially irresponsible to put our economy in jeopardy.”
Prior to the Premier’s hurry-up, Mr Mickel had met with representatives of the Queensland Council of Unions, the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, Australian Workers Union, CFMEU, ASU and the QPSU.
He said he was encouraged by the meeting and the commitment by the unions to further negotiation.
“I have listened to the unions and what they want is high-level intervention and quick outcomes,” Mr Mickel said.
“By keeping the communication channel open I am confident we will achieve this.”
Mr Scott hailed the mass meetings of PS staff in Brisbane, Mackay, Townsville, Rockhampton and Bundaberg as an “outstanding success” and estimated over 5,000 staff had attended.
He criticised the Premier for delegating the task of negotiating a settlement, saying she had placed other priorities ahead of the Public Service.
“This Premier is spending millions talking about Queensland’s tomorrow, but she won’t spend one day in today’s State schools talking to the Government’s own workers,” Mr Scott said.
Ms Bligh said every one per cent wage increase for the Public Service would cost taxpayers approximately $170 million.
2 October, 2008
PS praised for lack of energy
By purchasing 18 per cent of their total energy needs from renewable sources, Queensland Government Departments were well ahead of the Government’s target, according to the Acting Minister for Public Works, Judy Spence.
Ms Spence said the Government’s goal was 5 per cent.
She said the energy purchased during 2007-08 included 68,110,000 kWh of renewable energy which was about 6 per cent of total energy consumption which was supported by accredited carbon offsets and 130,000,000 kWh of renewable energy, about 12 per cent of the total..
“The renewable energy purchase accompanied by accredited carbon offsets allowed the Queensland Government to claim greenhouse gas reductions of 68,110 tonnes, which is the equivalent of removing 17,000 cars from our roads for a year,” Ms Spence said.
She said the renewable energy came from sources recognised by the Australian Government’s Office of Renewable Energy Regulator and the Government had allocated $1.4 million annually until 2009-10 for renewable energy purchases.
“This is yet another demonstration of our commitment of making Tomorrow’s Queensland greener.”
Ms Spence said Premier Anna Bligh and Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten announced a new energy efficiency policy for Queensland Government buildings in December aimed at driving down energy consumption.
“Reducing energy consumption in Government buildings is the best way of reducing the carbon footprint of those buildings and the Government has set a target of reducing energy consumption by 210,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year by 2015 and achieving ‘carbon neutral’ status by 2020,” Ms Spence said.
“There are a number of actions that will be taken to achieve these targets including mandatory set points for airconditioning, the switching off of non-essential computers and other equipment after hours and energy rating standards for buildings.”
She said the purchase of renewable energy was an action the State Government was already taking and would continue to take to reduce the impact on the environment.
2 October, 2008
Salary survey pays out on gender gap
A survey conducted for the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) has revealed that most Australians believe in equal pay.
Conducted by Auspoll for EOWA and Diversity Council Australia, the survey of 3,000 people targeted business professionals, including human resource practitioners from some of Australia’s biggest companies, as well as 1,200 ordinary Australians.
The poll showed that 82 per cent of the general community and 94 per cent of the business community were aware Australian women, on average, earned less than Australian men and 80 per cent of the general community and 96 cent of the business community believed that action should be taken to close the gap between men and women’s earnings.
It also highlighted the finding that 88 per cent of the general community and 61 per cent of the business community didn’t have a full understanding of pay equity.
EOWA Director Anna McPhee and DCA Chief Executive Officer Nareen Young welcomed the poll, saying the results were proof that Australians now recognised there was an unfair gap between wages for men and women.
“Pay equity is not just about equal pay for equal work,” Ms McPhee said.
“The 15.6 per cent gender wage gap reveals the systemic discrimination in the under-valuation of women’s work.”
Ms Young urged the Federal Government to fund an urgent education campaign across the Australian business community.
“Now that people recognise there is pay inequity, the time is right for Government to examine what it can reasonably do to help change the status quo,” she said.
“One initiative could be to educate business on how women’s contributions in the workplace are under-recognised, undervalued and underpaid and then find ways to address these issues.”
2 October, 2008
Transparent budget worth looking at
A Senate Select Committee has urged the Queensland Government to enact a Charter of Budget Honesty to ensure its financial reporting was not misleading.
The Select Committee on State Government Financial Management made the call to all State and Territory Governments saying it wanted the Charters to ensure each Government’s financial reporting was fully consistent with all relevant standards.
It said this would enable Parliamentary and external scrutiny, ensure future levels of revenue and expenditure were accurate and prevent Governments from using misleading accounting practices.
The all-party Committee made 13 recommendations aimed at providing a uniform approach to how States and Territories should handle their finances, most of which come through the Commonwealth via taxes such as the GST.
The Committee said the Chartershould include principles to prudently manage financial risks including levels of Government debt, dampen cyclical fluctuations in economic activity, contribute to adequate saving, increase stability and predictability and ensure that policy decisions had regard to the financial effects on future generations.
The Committee also recommended that each State and Territory’s Charterinclude principles governing its relationship with Government Business Enterprises (GBEs). This would include requirements for an appropriate return on the community's investment while allowing GBEs to operate on a commercially sustainable basis and make ongoing investment in infrastructure.
The Committee said infrastructure investment policies should be clearly spelled out, including conditions for the use of Public-Private Partnerships.
In the area of State taxation, it called for the abolition of all “inefficient state taxes” covered by the Intergovernmental Agreement on the reform of Commonwealth-State Financial Relations.
“Furthermore the States should agree to, and abide by, a timetable to abolish stamp duty on conveyances of real non-residential property,” the Committee said.
It wanted the Federal Government to appoint a special Taskforce to examine the feasibility of options to reduce Commonwealth income tax, and introduce State and Territory income taxes instead, to reduce their reliance on the Commonwealth.
The Committee recommended that in developing its options, the Taskforce be required to have regard to how the following objectives can be maintained, or obtained:
- Reducing Commonwealth payments to the States and Territories, which could be offset through each State/Territory's income taxation system;
- Ensuring that a system of State income tax was simple to administer, preferably as part of the existing collection of income tax by the Commonwealth;
- Ensuring that States and Territories were accountable to their constituents for their own spending and management of services;
- Promoting real competition between the States and Territories to be the lowest taxing jurisdiction; and
- Ensuring that the tax burden in the initial years did not increase.
2 October, 2008
Alerts allowed a local alarm
Queensland is to move to a new and more flexible Counter-Terrorism Alert System which was also being adopted nationally.
The shift was announced by the Premier, Anna Bligh who said it came about from experiences in recent counter-terrorism exercises where the need for greater flexibility had been shown.
Ms Bligh said the four levels of alert would stay the same under the new scheme - low, medium, high and extreme – with the difference being in the way they could be changed.
"The previous approach to the national counter-terrorism alert was 'one in, all in'," Ms Bligh said.
"We can now apply different levels of alert across Australia, to individual States, specific industry and business sectors, or particular geographic locations.”
She said the increased flexibility would help avoid needlessly impacting on people not affected by a particular threat.
“It will help avoid unnecessary disruptions to everyday life,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the National Counter-Terrorism Alert System indicated levels of vigilance and awareness needed by the community to minimise the risk of a terrorist incident occurring.
"With the many tragic acts of terrorism over the past decade, this Government has continued to work to strengthen our counter-terrorism arrangements,” she said.
“This new National Counter-Terrorism Alert System is an example of how we are working to help protect Australia from terrorism."
She said the Queensland alert level was currently at medium, the same as for other States and the nation which had been at medium since 2003. ”
2 October, 2008
Police Memorial day is Blue Ribbon event
National Police Remembrance Day on Monday of this week offered members of the Queensland Police Service, their families and friends the chance to pay tribute to the 137 QPS officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.
Minister for Police, Judy Spence and Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the commemoration was a significant and poignant day on the State policing calendar.
Ms Spence said it was a time for the people of Queensland to stop and pay tribute to the dedicated men and women of the QPS who were entrusted with the protection and preservation of the community’s way of life.
“Since 1861, when Constable Matthew Connelly drowned whilst bravely attempting to traverse a flooded creek to deliver medicine to a sick woman near Laidley, 137 Queensland Police officers have died in the service of our community,” Ms Spence said.
“National Police Remembrance Day is a day to remember and honour their sacrifice.”
She said the event served to remind us all of the unpredictability of policing and the often perilous situations that could unfold for police officers while they performed their daily duties.
“It is a day for the people of Queensland to reflect upon the vital role police play in keeping our community safe – and to say thank you,” she said.
“It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the grief of the families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty – those who have endured great hardship and sacrifice in our community.”
Commissioner Atkinson said National Police Remembrance Day not only honoured those who had lost their lives in the line of duty but also recognised the commitment, dedication and bravery of past, present and future police officers.
“Every police officer swears an oath to protect and serve the people of Queensland but in discharging that responsibility it is unavoidable that officers have to put their own personal safety at risk for the safety and security of the community,” he said.
“The men and women of the QPS are highly trained law enforcement professionals but no matter how well trained or equipped an officer may be, sadly there can be times when the forces of fate conspire against us and an officer’s life is lost.”
He said while policing was not a risk-free occupation, it was a career that still attracted courageous and dedicated men and women committed to upholding a way of life and serving the people of Queensland.
Candlelight vigils, marches and church services were held across the State in honour of the fallen. Members of the community were encouraged to take part in Police Remembrance Day activities and wore a blue ribbon as a mark of respect.
2 October, 2008
Sleepers wake for early train services
New early bird train services for the Ipswich and Caboolture lines were expected to be in operation by mid-October.
Premier Anna Bligh announced the plan saying the daily Brisbane-bound services would leave both Caboolture and Ipswich at around 5.30am and arrive at Brisbane Central station before 6.30am.
Ms Bligh said the morning services would increase capacity on the two lines and she hoped they would help “bust congestion”.
“Using these services commuters have the opportunity to come to work early and leave early missing the morning and evening peak times,” Ms Bligh said.
“If they are a success we will look at similar services on other lines.”
Ms Bligh announced the new services when inspecting one of four new suburban trains which were part of the $585 million rollout of 44 three-carriage trains and associated stabling yards.
She said 16 trains had already been delivered for operations on the Gold Coast and South Coast lines, while 14 would be delivered by mid-2009 and the remaining 14 in 2010.
“Since February we’ve added 57 extra carriages to the fleet and by early 2009 we will have added another 24,” she said.
Ms Bligh said the new trains travelled at a top speed of 130km/hr with seating for 242 people and standing room for over 500.
“Over the next 10 months one of these congestion busting trains, which are being built in Maryborough, will be delivered, on average, once a month,” she said.
“We will be announcing more new services in the new year.”
Minister for Transport, John Mickel said the new early-bird services would benefit construction workers and people heading to the gym before work.
Mr Mickel said more timetable changes would be announced with the delivery of the new trains.
He said public transport patronage had increased by almost 40 per cent over the past four years.
“Patronage for 2007/08 is estimated to be 61.7 million,” Mr Mickel said. “This is an increase of 6.6% from 2006/07.”
2 October, 2008
Students’ website more than a job lot
The trial of a new computer-based service that matched graduating students with potential employers promised to “click start” the careers of Queensland TAFE students.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said TAFE Queensland was currently trialling the program e2e.NET for students at SkillsTech Australia and The Bremer and Metropolitan South Institutes of TAFE.
“The e2e.NET program will help students moving from education to employment to identify, refine and market their skills,” Mr Welford said.
“It will also help students and graduates sell themselves and their skills to prospective employers.”
He said by using the program, employers seeking skilled, qualified staff could match vacancies against suitable employees.
Mr Welford said students who registered would receive job email alerts and information about key recruitment events, while participating businesses could flag employment opportunities at multiple TAFE campuses.
“Not only will e2e.NET broaden what these TAFE institutes offer, but it will further strengthen their relationships with local business and industry, benefiting students, trainees and graduates,” Mr Welford said.
“The service was developed in conjunction with Graduate Programs Australia and about 3,500 students are expected to be registered by the end of the year.”
A 2007 survey by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research indicated that four out of five TAFE graduates were employed within six months of completing training.
“This is a strong result and I’m confident this new program will help more graduates secure successful careers,” Mr Welford said
More information was available from e2e.NET on 1300 32 36 38 and TAFE and SkillsTech Australia students could register online at www.tafe.qld.gov.au
2 October, 2008
Weighty warning over gym membership
The onset of Spring and thoughts of getting fit for the fine weather have prompted Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine, to issue a timely warning to consumers on the need to take care signing up for gym memberships.
“You may be looking to shift some of that extra winter weight, but there are a few things to consider before you sign a gym membership contract,” Mr Shine said.
“Take the time to read through all the terms and conditions of the contract including the fine print, and ensure you ask questions about what happens if you cancel, suspend or transfer your membership.”
Mr Shine said fair trading laws provided a range of consumer protections, including a mandatory written contract signed by the client and the supplier, and a 48-hour cooling-off period for a new membership agreement.
“Under fair trading regulations covering the fitness industry, there is a limit of one year on fees charged up-front, and new fitness centres cannot collect fees before they open for business,” Mr Shine said.
“The code also specifies a consumer has the right to terminate an agreement due to permanent sickness or injury and fitness facilities must also disclose all fees before any membership agreement is signed.”
Mr Shine said many memberships offered the cheapest prices for longer memberships, such as 12 months, but some people preferred to try the facilities for a shorter period first.
“Be aware that many fitness centres do not allow you to sell or transfer your membership to another person if you decide you don’t want it anymore,” he said.
“You should also take careful note of the initial joining fee, the membership and administration fee and the method and timeframe for cancelling direct debit.”
He said consumers should also check the direct debit terms and conditions, including the amount and timing of each payment, any fees involved and how the agreement could be terminated or amended.
Mr Shine said it was a good idea for consumers to visit the fitness centre and inspect the facilities to see if they suited all their needs.
“Go at the times when you would work out so you can see how busy it is, how many staff are available to assist you and how comfortable you feel with the layout and equipment available,” he said.
“If you’re interested in classes, find out when they’re on, how often the timetable changes and how many people attend.”
For more information on gym memberships and consumer rights under the Fair Trading (Code of Practice - Fitness Industry) Regulation 2003 visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or call 13 13 04.
2 October, 2008
Measurement scheme shows weigh ahead
Legislation to establish a single, national system of weights and measures across all the States and Territories has been introduced into the national Parliament.
“The National Measurement Amendment Bill 2008 will give confidence to buyers and sellers that measurements are accurate,” said the Federal Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy, Dr Craig Emerson.
“The area of trade measurement is one of the 10 ‘hot spots’ identified by the Council of Australian Governments in need of urgent regulatory reform,” Dr Emerson said.
He said there were two key features of the legislation:
- A national trade measurement system to be administered by the Commonwealth from 1 July 2010; and
- Establishment of an Average Quantity System (AQS) – an internationally recognised system for confirming that pre-packaged items including food and beverages, contained the stated quantities.
Currently about 800 firms, employing more than 2,000 people, repaired and verified measuring instruments under trade measurement legislation.
Dr Emerson said if the companies operated across State borders they required different licences for each State, which were granted under different criteria, attracted different fees and had different reporting requirements.
“Under the new system, there will be one licence, one set of criteria and one fee for work nationwide,” he said.
“The new national system will slash red tape while maintaining the accuracy and reliability of trade measuring instruments such as scales, fuel dispensers and weighbridges.”
Commonwealth inspectors would monitor the system to make sure that it was fair to buyers and sellers.
The new legislation would allow producers and packers of pre-packaged goods to meet requirements at lower cost by using AQS.
AQS would introduce statistical sampling methods to show that the measured contents of pre-packed goods were accurate.
Dr Emerson said AQS had been welcomed by the wine industry and other major packers, with the wine industry alone estimating it would save wine producers up to $19 million a year.
He said AQS had already been adopted in New Zealand and by many of Australia’s major trading partners, including Japan, the European Union and the United States.
2 October, 2008
Spending report injected into health
A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has shown Queensland was leading the nation in spending on life-saving health services.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the Health Expenditure Australia 2006-07 report showed Queensland had also increased its health spending faster than any other State or Territory.
“This latest report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows Queensland is outstripping the rest of Australia when it comes to increasing spending on health,” he said.
“The State Government dramatically grew health expenditure in 2006-07 by 31.9 per cent.”
He said between 2004-05 and 2006-07, State Government funding for public hospitals grew in Queensland from $1.2 billion to $2.7 billion, representing an increase of 77 per cent, or average yearly real growth of 28.3 per cent.
The AIHW report also showed Queensland was closing the gap with other jurisdictions on per capita health expenditure.
The report reveals that the per person health expenditure in Queensland during 2006-07 of $4025, compared to the national average of $4185.
“This represents growth of five per cent from 2005-06, more than one and a half times the national average growth,” Mr Robertson said.
“It shows that Queensland is closing the gap with the other States and Territories, but we’re determined to do much more.”
He said the State Government had committed itself to a five-year, $10 billion Health Action Plan aimed at providing Queenslanders with the best health system in Australia.
“Half way into this unprecedented program, we’re starting to see real benefits in public health, but we’re not resting on our laurels.”
He said in this year’s State Budget, the State Government earmarked a record $8.5 billion to build the world-class health system Queenslanders expected and deserved.
“This involves a massive capital expansion program to build new hospitals and health facilities, in addition to providing extra funds to deliver a sustainable health workforce.”
2 October, 2008
Government and Uni do mental arithmetic
The State Government and the University of Queensland have joined forces to improve mental health services throughout the State.
The $1 million partnership would see a new Chair of Mental Health established at the University’s School of Social Work and Human Services, and Health Minister Stephen Robertson has announced that Professor Robert Bland would be appointed to it.
“Professor Bland will play a vital role in delivering the improved mental health services we’ve promised Queenslanders,” Mr Robertson said.
“He brings a wealth of experience to this new role and is recognised throughout Australia as a pioneer in mental health.”
In his new position, Professor Bland would oversee the design, development and delivery of improved training and education to social workers.
“Social workers are core members of the clinical teams delivering Queensland Health’s mental health services,” Mr Robertson said.
He said Professor Bland’s appointment was a key element of a new partnership formalised in July between Queensland Health and UQ.
“This new partnership, worth more than $1 million over five years, is about ensuring Queensland has a sustainable mental health workforce,” Mr Robertson said.
“Like other health services, mental health services continue to experience significant challenges recruiting and retaining appropriately skilled and qualified staff.
“The establishment of this new Chair of Mental Health is part of an on ongoing partnership aimed at delivering Queenslanders expanded and improved mental health services.”
Mr Robertson said Queensland Health’s new partnership with UQ was an example of the Government’s ambitious mental health reform agenda.
“This is part of a comprehensive blueprint, the Queensland Plan for Mental Health 2007-2017, we’ve developed to deliver better outcomes for patients and their families.”
Mr Robertson also announced UQ’s new Master of Social Work Studies program during his visit to the university’s St Lucia Campus in Brisbane.
2 October, 2008
Tourists upfront about free tickets
An international deal to offer travellers from London free flights to Cairns would be a great help to the State’s tourism market according to Premier Anna Bligh and Tourism Minister Desley Boyle.
Ms Bligh said the arrangement, negotiated with Qantas, followed the airline’s cuts to services to some of Queensland’s key tourism regions last May.
“These initiatives follow a difficult period for our tourism market and the Qantas decision in May to cut services was a tough blow,” Ms Bligh said.
“That’s why we held a series of meetings with Qantas Group executives to find ways to minimise the impact of its scheduling decisions.
“To give Qantas full credit, they have supported us by agreeing to a number of initiatives we put to them.”
She said the benefits would include a 17 per cent discount - worth up to $1,200 - on trips from London to Cairns with the deal allowing travellers to fly into Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne and a get a free return trip to Cairns.
Flights from Hamilton Island to Japan would no longer need to overnight at Cairns Airport in a move design to attract Japanese tourists back to Queensland.
Ms Boyle said that domestically, Jetstar had committed to operating more flights when required on the Sydney to Hamilton Island route during heavy booking periods.
“This is an encouraging commitment to the Whitsundays which saw a 21 per cent reduction in domestic air capacity this year,” Ms Boyle said.
She and Tourism Queensland executives held a busy schedule of meetings with international carriers to put forward business cases and marketing incentives.
“Despite the fact that globally it’s one of the toughest times the airlines have faced with record fuel prices and weak world economies, we were well received,” Ms Boyle said.
“One of our wins includes a recent commitment to the Queensland market from Japan Airlines which announced it would open reservations on its daily Tokyo-Brisbane services beyond the peak April-September 2009 travel period.
“This allows us some longer-term certainty for our planning and marketing in Japan.”
Ms Boyle said other recent good news for the Queensland tourism industry was the Tiger Airways announcement it would increase its flights between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast from three to seven a week from 15 December.
“We have also met with Jetstar management to discuss a number of other opportunities,” Ms Boyle said.
“There’s not going to be any magical quick fixes for air access to Queensland in the short term but we are making some steady progress and working on securing some strategic wins for the Queensland tourism industry.”
2 October, 2008
Palm pilots pilot flies in for doctors
A trial of wireless mobile computers for doctors at the Gold Coast’s Robina Hospital had potential benefits for patients’ care and safety according to the Minister for Health, Stephen Robertson.
“Junior doctors and other clinicians are essentially mobile workers, so providing them with Tablet PCs they can take on their rounds will increase efficiency and deliver better outcomes for patients,” Mr Robertson said.
“Tablet PCs enable doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to obtain the information they require as they are performing clinical duties at the point of care. This means the real-time recording of results, increasing the amount of time doctors are able to spend with patients.”
He said early results from the trial estimated 30-60 minute savings per clinician per day was achievable, because doctors did not have to walk away from patients to record information.
“That’s good news for patient safety and quality of care, because it means clinicians spend more time treating people and less on administration.”
Mr Robertson said 16-20 doctors had so far taken part in the three-month FIDO Clinical Assistants e-health Trial at Robina Hospital.
He said the next phase of the trial would involve the use of Tablet PCs by other professional groups, including senior ward nurses, clinical pharmacists and emergency staff.
“These mobile computers are highly durable and have the capacity to be wiped down and sterilised with clinical disinfectants,” Mr Robertson said.
“They’re specifically designed for the clinical environment and have integrated functions which help to reduce the number of devices, such as cameras and barcode readers, carried by clinicians.”
He said the trial was part of the State Government’s eHealth initiative, which aimed at harnessing smart technology to improve clinical practice and provide safer health services.
“It’s about increasing our capacity to deliver health services to an ageing and growing population with a dwindling global workforce.”
Mr Robertson said the project would assess the impacts and benefits of wireless mobile computers and provide recommendations for the further use of such devices in Queensland’s public hospitals.
2 October, 2008
Regional summit hits new heights
A summit of the State’s regional leaders in Rockhampton has been hailed as a chance to put their combined strengths to work to produce greater outcomes for all the State’s regions.
Minister for Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle said the summit was an important opportunity for economic leaders to talk to each other, share their success stories and hopefully encourage a new spirit of cooperation to provide positive results for regional Queensland.
“This summit will provide the perfect platform to discuss a whole range of issues frankly and openly – I’m really looking forward to seeing what innovative, fresh ideas come out of the meeting,” Ms Boyle said.
“As part of the Bligh Government’s Q2 vision to create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas, this summit is an important step in growing our regions.”
She said if Queenslanders were serious about developing strong and diverse regions, then they have to put parochialism aside and work together.
“While each corporation is achieving great things through a variety of projects, greater collaboration will mean new ideas and a ‘fresh’ take on things.”
Ms Boyle said the State Government had allocated $3.67 million over four years to 2010 for the corporations.
“This funding has been provided under our Queensland Regional Development Initiative for project-based activities,” she said.
“These regional development corporations are the peak development, marketing and promotional organisations for their areas, committed to attracting as much investment, visitors and conventions into the region as possible.”
She said the Regional Economic Development Corporations had the potential to strengthen existing businesses, create new markets and employment opportunities.
“So to ensure the whole of regional Queensland benefits, we need to see REDCs talking to one another and sharing ideas about projects that worked, those that didn’t.”
The REDCs are the Gladstone Area Promotions and Development Limited, Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation, Rockhampton Regional Development Limited, Townsville Enterprise Limited and Advance Cairns.
2 October, 2008
Hospital injuries bound up in stats
A report of clinical incidents in the public health system has revealed that patient falls, pressure ulcers and medication mistakes were the most common causes of unintentional harm in Queensland public hospitals.
Director of the Queensland Health Patient Safety Centre, Dr John Wakefield said the report Patient Safety: From Learning to Action II was an important step in the process of improving patient safety.
Dr Wakefield said sharing information in an open and honest way was fundamental to improving patient safety and building trust in the community.
“The findings of the report with an overall 30% growth in incident reporting suggest that there is a real culture change occurring,” Dr Wakefield said, “where staff are more willing to report problems with confidence they will be addressed.
“We can’t fix what we don’t know about, it is part of changing the culture of Queensland Health to one which seeks to learn about and fix problems.”
He said of the 46,990 clinical incidents reported by Queensland Health staff in 2006/07, less than a quarter (10,800) resulted in actual patient harm.
“The majority (77%) concerned circumstances where patient harm did not occur,” he said.
Dr Wakefield said the next step was to take action of make the system safer and ensure decreases in incidents by redesigning care processes.
He said significant work had already been done to address known patient safety issues such as medications, falls, pressure ulcers, infection, suicide prevention and procedural complications.
“Analysis of incidents in Queensland and across the nation is leading to new areas of focus,” Dr Wakefield said.
“There will be big safety gains for patients through better patient identification, earlier detection and treatment of patients who are deteriorating, and more effective ways of communicating patient information.”
2 October, 2008
V8 track reaches the web
Designs of the new Reid Park V8 Race Precinct in Townsville have gone live on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation website – providing members of the public with a great idea of what the track will look like.
The State Government has provided more than $14 million into the $29.58 million project to construct the precinct and was the contributor of the largest portion of funds.
The track can be seen at www.sportrec.qld.gov.au
Boost to roads funding
Local Councils and shires are to receive greater resources to maintain and improve local roads.
The national Parliament has passed the AusLink (National Land Transport) Amendment Bill 2008 which provides extra road funding to Local Government Authorities as well as facilitates the delivery of a $70 million Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.
Speed king flies in
The fastest man on water, Australia’s Ken Warby, is to make a special presentation to the Australian National Maritime Museum on 8 October to mark the 30th anniversary of his setting the world water speed record at a still unconquered 511.11 km/hr.
Mr Warby will travel to the Museum from his adopted home in the United States to be with his hydroplane Spirit of Australia on the anniversary and to present the Museum with a wind tunnel test model used in the development of the boat.
Spirit of Australia was 8.2 metres long, built of plywood on a timber frame and powered by an ex-RAAF Lockheed-Neptune jet engine. It was now a permanent exhibit at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Platypus home reopened
Fifty years after its creation, the heritage-listed platypus home at David Fleay Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast has been re-opened.
Dr Fleay was one of the country’s pre-eminent platypus researchers and the Environmental Protection Agency managed the Wildlife Park as an environmental education facility, to raise community awareness and promote the conservation of endangered wildlife.
Grants for success
A new grants scheme for small to medium enterprises was providing more money than ever for projects that would drive Queensland towards a more sustainable, knowledge-intensive and internationally competition future, according to Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle.
She said the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives scheme focused on small to medium enterprises in regional industries to encourage greater innovation.
Mackay workshops
Mackay manufacturers wanting to boost the performance and competitiveness of their firm have received a helping hand through a series of free Government-hosted workshops.
The workshop series, which incorporated business planning with efficient manufacturing practices and workforce development, would help firms become more innovative and sustainable.
