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SearchArchives for June 2011
30 June, 2011
Airport complaint is
lesson for others
An Ombudsman’s investigation into noise complaints arising from the Airport Link project could hold lessons for future infrastructure projects in Queensland according to the Ombudsman, Phil Clarke.
Finding that a number of Departments and Agencies involved in night-time surface work on the project had failed in their responsibilities, Mr Clarke made 24 recommendations which he said could go on to benefit Government regulators and the community in the future.
Mr Clarke said his investigation followed complaints from the Kalinga Wooloowin Residents Association and focused on the administrative actions of the Coordinator-General, the former Department of Infrastructure and Planning, the Department of Environment and Resource Management and City North Infrastructure.
Mr Clarke reported that the main failures were in not making local residents aware that surface work could take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week; failing to define the level of noise to be permitted by the contractors; and not properly monitoring and regulating noise from night-time surface workers.
He said based on advice from acoustic consultants, there was evidence of regular and excessive noise at Kalinga Park since the 24 hour work commenced.
Mr Clarke’s recommendations included the need for those undertaking and organising significant projects to clearly and unambiguously communicate the likely extent and duration of night-time surface work in any Environmental Impact Statement.
The Ombudsman also recommended rewriting the Coordinator-General’s interpretation of the meaning of excessive noise and implementing improvements to assist Agencies in assessing whether excessive noise has occurred.
He said the Coordinator-General and Department of Environment and Resource Management needed to utilise their regulatory powers more effectively for the remainder of the project; assess their capacity to carry out their regulatory responsibilities; improve reporting about noise to the relevant Minister; and for future projects, put in place written agreements to improve the coordination of regulatory responsibilities.
The Ombudsman’s full report of the investigation is available from this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Union merger
creates ‘Unite’
The amalgamation between the Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) and the Australian Services Union’s clerical branch (ASU) is to take effect tomorrow (1 July) with the combined new union to be known as “Unite”.
In a statement on its website, the QPSU said the new union would be larger and stronger than either of the unions that made it up.
“With 40,000 members Statewide, your union will be one of the strongest in our State,” the QPSU said.
“From 1 July we will have more resources to run successful campaigns to win better wages and conditions.”
The union said the boost to resources could not have come at a better time, with important bargaining campaigns continuing in Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Health.
“While your union will have a different name and a different logo and you might see a more visible presence in the workplace, not much more will seem different,” the QPSU statement said.
The main difference would be in the power the union had to effect real change across the public sector.
“The job that you do is important to Queenslanders,” the union said.
“By standing together we can stand up for public services and make sure that our members, your families and friends and all Queenslanders have a fair go and access to essential services.”
The union said a rebranded website and communications material could be expected with a number of weeks, along with new cards for members.
“You will still have access to high-quality expert industrial advice through our Member Support Unit by calling 1800 177 244, you will still be represented by the same elected delegate structure, and you will still have access to the Union Shopper,” it said.
More information about Unite can be accessed from the QPSU website this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Auditor throws book
at shoddy practices
A summary of the financial audits of 122 Government entities with balance dates other than 30 June has reported serious shortcomings in the way they maintain information about vendors, deal with salary overpayments, manage leave entitlements and respond to machinery of Government changes.
In his report No. 5 for 2011 entitled Results of audits at 31 May 2011, Auditor-General Glenn Poole reported that 106 of the 122 Agencies had received auditor’s opinions, only 65 of which were unmodified.
The report said the management and monitoring of vendor information required significant improvement within the Departments and Agencies audited.
It said none of them had implemented procedures to monitor or detect potential issues with the creation of new vendors or changing the information of existing ones.
“Poor controls over vendor information can potentially expose Departments to significant losses if there is fraudulent manipulation of this information,” the Auditor-General said.
He said Departments had not undertaken, or requested the Shared Service Agency (SSA) to undertake, periodic and systematic reviews of duplicate and disused vendor information.
“The audit found that Departments had a common view that the processes and controls over vendor information stored in the systems managed by the SSA were the SSA’s responsibility,” Mr Poole said.
“This has resulted in an ineffective controls environment.”
The report concluded that the results identified confusion about the roles and responsibilities of Departments and the SSA and it was essential these were outlined in operating level agreements.
The report also found the management and monitoring of salary overpayments poor, saying that more than half the entities audited were without a policy outlining adequate procedures and processes.
The audit found controls over the management of employee leave were adequate, but in some cases there was the monitoring of employee leave balances was not up to scratch.
“Continued salary overpayments and poor governance of employee leave entitlements can not only have a financial impact but have a negative effect on the relationship between the employer and employee,” the Auditor-General said.
“Appropriate controls over vendor information, salary overpayments and employee leave entitlements are fundamental.”
He said Departments were making good progress towards amalgamating their financial, payroll and key administrative systems after Departmental reshuffles and reorganisations (Machinery of Government changes), but it would be “incongruous” if these changes, designed to improve efficiency, were to take too long to implement.
“If the objective of rationalising Departments is for more efficient and effective service delivery, five years to implement such changes does not seem to meet this objective,” he said.
Mr Poole’s full audit report can be downloaded from this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Crime watchdog eyes
indigenous programs
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) is to conduct a review of accountability systems in programs delivering funds to Indigenous organisations.
The review follows allegations of corrupt activities in Indigenous Health, Housing and Ageing organisations in Townsville.
Chair of the CMC, Martin Moynihan, said the review was not an investigation into the organisations themselves, as they did not fall within the Commission’s jurisdiction.
“Legally, the CMC can’t investigate the allegations made against the Indigenous organisations; however, we can utilise our prevention function,” Mr Moynihan said.
“Under the Crime and Misconduct Act 2001 we have a responsibility to maintain public confidence in the Queensland public sector.”
He said confidence in the mechanisms used to administer public funds to Indigenous organisations could only be maintained by conducting a review.
“This will involve examining the current accountability systems used by State Government agencies which are responsible for administering these arrangements.
“The CMC will seek the cooperation of relevant State Agencies and other stakeholders, including federal Government bodies, to ensure the highest possible accountability standards are in place whenever public money is provided to non-Government organisations.”
30 June, 2011
Tourism puts China
on its plate
A new three-year tourism strategy focussing on China has been launched by the Premier, Anna Bligh.
Designed to target the world’s largest potential tourism market, the new campaign Project China hoped to attract more Chinese tourists by developing airline and travel trade partnerships and helping Queensland tourism operators appeal to Chinese visitors.
Ms Bligh said China was an important part of Queensland’s tourism future.
“China is now Queensland’s fourth largest and fastest growing international market with 197,000 Chinese visiting our State in the year to 31 March,” Ms Bligh said.
“Chinese visitors spent $388 million on their trips to Queensland during the same period.”
She said Chinese visitor numbers were forecast to continue growing at a rapid rate and Queensland needed to capitalise on that growth.
“It’s vital that our tourism industry has the skills, products and experiences to make sure our Chinese friends have the best possible Queensland experience,” she said
“When they go home they [will] tell their friends and family that Queensland truly is where Australia shines.”
Ms Bligh said Project China would go beyond a strong sales and marketing presence within China.
“Project China is also about Tourism Queensland further developing partnerships with airlines, key travel trade and third parties,” she said.
“Importantly, it’s also about working in partnership with the Queensland tourism industry to help them deliver the product and experiences that absolutely wow our Chinese visitors.”
She said the initiative would also focus on analysing Chinese travellers’ behaviour to better identify the best segments to target; increasing tourism operators’ Chinese language skills and cultural knowledge; providing the best possible Chinese cuisine; and ensuring tourism businesses use ethical practices when dealing with Chinese visitors.
“Project China will be a long-term plan to make sure the China market grows in a sustainable way for the Queensland tourism industry, while ensuring the industry is ready to welcome more visitors,” Ms Bligh said.
“Our aim is to continue grow these relationships and help more tourism operators enter the China market.”
30 June, 2011
Fact sheet tackles
victims of crime
A new fact sheet to improve access to support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims of crime has been launched by Victim Assist Queensland.
Deputy Director-General at the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Terry Ryan said the fact sheet was designed to help start victims of crime on the path to recovery.
“The new fact sheet has been tailored to meet the cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims of crime, whether they live in urban, rural or remote communities,” Mr Ryan said.
“Through engagement with both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups, Victim Assist Queensland has developed the fact sheet to help victims of crime better identify their situation and take action towards receiving the help they are entitled to.”
He said the information spelt out different scenarios in which people may require assistance to point victims in the right direction for help.
“It is important victims of crime are able to access services in the easiest possible way, and it is necessary to tailor information and resources to be non-threatening and suit different cultures and literacy levels,” he said.
“Culturally appropriate colour, pictures and language have been incorporated into the design, ensuring the fact sheet is able to be used by people no matter what their age or literacy level.
Mr Ryan said the fact sheet was also available in Torres Strait Islander Creole.
“It is important that we continually look at our services and resources to ensure they are working in a way that helps victims of crime get the help that they need and begin on the path to recovery,” he said.
The fact sheet can be downloaded from this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Whale watchers
win warning
The Minister for the Environment has warned boat operators to look out for whales as up to 14,000 humpbacks make their annual migration north along the Queensland coast.
The Minister, Vicky Darling, said the numbers showed a 10 per cent increase from last year, which was great news for conservation and for tourism.
Ms Darling said the increase also meant more encounters between people and whales, and urged people to give them the respect and room they deserved.
“Any skipper who gets too close to a whale puts themselves, their passengers and the whale at risk, and also risks facing a fine,” Ms Darling said.
“The best and safest place to check out migrating whales is from commercial whale-watching vessels or from dry land.”
She said whales had been migrating through Australian waters for thousands of years.
“The ocean is there for all of us to share, and it is big enough for whales – and whale watchers – to have all the room they need,” she said.
Ms Darling said the standard distance from whales was 100 metres for a boat and 300 metres for jet skis and other watercraft.
She said the maximum penalty for intentionally moving closer to a whale than permitted was $12,000 and on-the-spot fines could also apply, ranging from $300 to $500.
She said more information on regulations for whale-watching could be found at this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Police report
fits the bill
Despite making significant progress improving police services on the Gold Coast, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) still has more to do according to the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC).
Handing in his report into allegations of police misconduct in the area to State Parliament, the Chair of the CMC, Martin Moynihan, said the police had implemented a number of strategies to improve policing on the Gold Coast but more was needed.
“The new QPS strategies are aimed at improving policing not only on the Gold Coast but across Queensland,” Mr Moynihan said, “I commend the QPS for taking swift remedial action.
“Among the significant changes is a long overdue policy to manage the inherent risks in some inappropriate associations between police officers and individuals.”
He said the QPS had also taken a stance on police officers receiving discounts or free items, which had been a subject of community concern.
“Additionally, a suite of measures to improve supervision of police officers on the Gold Coast District is being introduced,” he said.
“These processes are ongoing [but] more work still needs to be done.”
Mr Moynihan said areas for improvement included the need for a greater focus on recruitment strategies; a “no tolerance” stance on illicit drug and alcohol abuse; and a closer relationship between the QPS and CMC.
He said a cooperative approach would be the “blueprint” for similar investigations in the future.
He said the CMC looked forward to continuing to work together with the QPS and the two police unions.
The full Operation Tesco report can be downloaded from this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Railway partnership
steaming ahead
A partnership between the Queensland and other State Governments, the Commonwealth and the railway industry is expected to lead to a new ‘roadmap’ for rail manufacturing.
According to the Federal Minister for Innovation, Senator Kim Carr the Rail Manufacturing Technology Roadmap would “help put the rail industry on the right track” for a successful future by matching its capabilities to domestic and international opportunities.
Senator Carr said it was important Government understood the rail industry’s technology and manufacturing capabilities in order to identify development opportunities and ensure the industry continued to contribute significantly to the national economy.
“The Roadmap will build a vision for the rail industry and provide direction for the next 30 years,” Senator Carr said.
“It will identify pathways and areas for industry focus and investment, boosting capability and encouraging innovation.”
He said Australia’s rail industry extended from signalling, communications and track; to rail components and building and maintaining rolling stock.
He said the Roadmap would be developed over the next 12 months by ANU Edge and the Cooperative Research Centre for Rail Innovation, the University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing and Strategic Connections Group.
Senator Carr said rail industry stakeholders and interested parties were encouraged to put forward their views through the various workshops, interviews and surveys that would be organised.
He said the Roadmap project was jointly funded by the Queensland, Victorian and New South Wales State Governments, the Commonwealth and industry through the Australasian Railway Association.
More information on the Roadmap and other rail supplier advocate initiatives can be found at this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Researcher search
over for program
Three Queensland researchers and a teacher have been invited to America’s Smithsonian Institution to further their work as part of a joint Queensland-Smithsonian fellowship program.
Premier, Anna Bligh announced the recipients of the fellowships, which provide opportunities to work alongside leading scientists and researchers at the Smithsonian.
“The point of the fellowship really is about the exchange of ideas, skills and knowledge and to foster collaboration between Queensland and Smithsonian researchers, educators and museum professionals,” Ms Bligh said.
She said this year’s recipients were the Director of the Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research at James Cook University, Damien Burrows; the Head of the Postgraduate Coursework Studies at the Queensland University of Technology’s Creative Industries Faculty, Helen Klaebe; PhD student from the University of Queensland’s School of Biological Sciences, Tobias Smith; and schoolteacher Alwyn Powell from Darling Heights State School in Toowoomba.
Ms Bligh said the fellowships grew out of Queensland’s close relationship with the Smithsonian and demonstrated the diversity of shared interests.
“In March 2000, the Queensland Government signed a MOU with the Smithsonian with both parties agreeing to establish mutually beneficial projects that advance research, disseminate knowledge and promote social and cultural development,” she said.
“This was the first and to date the only time the Smithsonian had signed a broad ranging agreement with a Government outside the USA.”
She said the Smithsonian was the world’s largest museum and research institution comprising 19 museums, the National Zoo in Washington and nine other research organisations.
30 June, 2011
Immigration migrates
Southport office
The Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship is to close its satellite office in Southport today (30 June).
The Department said the decision to close the office was made after careful examination of the range and level of services provided on the Gold Coast.
“The majority of people who were visiting this office were international students, backpackers and tourists,” a spokesman for the Department said.
“The overall numbers were very low when compared to other counter offices and the services they received were largely available without having to make a visit in person, either over the phone or via our website.”
The spokesman said the need for over-the-counter service was falling as oral lodgement and online services were enhanced.
“We have worked extensively with relevant stakeholders to ensure all necessary services are accessible through alternative means for those who have traditionally used the office,” he said.
“The Department met with, and wrote to, key stakeholders including community groups, industry associations and local members of Parliament to discuss how it would meet client needs into the future.”
He said the early announcement of the decision, made in March last year, was to ensure the transition of staff and clients was carefully managed.
Further details of new service arrangements the Department offers Gold Coast residents can be found at this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Indigenous drive
for career carers
A new recruitment drive has been launched to find more Indigenous carers.
The campaign, Keeping the mob together, is to be run by the Indigenous Family and Child Support Service (IFACSS).
Minister for Child Safety, Phil Reeves said the Government was committed to ensuring children had safe and loving places to live.
“When it is not possible for children to remain safely in their home, our first priority is to ensure Indigenous children and young people are placed with Indigenous kin or carers so they can maintain their connections to their culture and family,” Mr Reeves said.
“This campaign provides the necessary information about how to become a carer, and what steps need to be taken to care for foster children.”
He said child protection was everyone’s responsibility.
“IFACSS is among the many community organisations now working in partnership with the Queensland Government to deliver support to children and young people, and to help them reach their full potential in life,” he said.
Mr Reeves said the Government would be spending more than $1.6 million to help recruit, train and support foster carers and provide cultural advice.
He said more information about the State Government’s support for children, young people and their families and information on becoming a foster carer could be accessed from this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
New fishing rules a
snap for snapper
New fishing rules have been introduced to protect the State’s snapper population and ensure bans on catching the fish will no longer be needed.
Acting Premier, Paul Lucas said the six-week ban earlier this year should never need to be repeated.
“This move comes after the Minister [for Fisheries] consulted with the public across the State and representatives from the charter, commercial and recreational fishing sectors about how best to protect this important resource,” Mr Lucas said.
“What they told us was in everyone’s interests to protect this species but it became clear that this could be achieved without blanket bans on fishing.”
He said under the new regulations, fishers would be able to keep four snapper instead of five, with only one fish permitted over 70cm.
“We are still committed to rebuilding snapper stocks but doing it in such a way that doesn’t threaten industry or the Queensland way of life,” Mr Lucas said.
“Fisheries Queensland will closely monitor the success of this program and we will know more about this species than ever before.”
Minister for Fisheries, Craig Wallace said a new fishing advisory group would be formed to include Sunfish and other recreational fishing groups.
He said the new group would advise on fishing policy.
“Queenslanders have a passion for fishing and for the wonderful seafood that this State’s waters produce,” Mr Wallace said.
“However, we need to ensure that our fisheries are sustainable so our children and grandchildren can enjoy the same unique lifestyle.”
He said there would also be an education program to reduce snapper deaths through incorrect catch and release and another review of fisheries management in 2014.
30 June, 2011
Pharmacies to
take medicine
Hundreds of pharmacies across Queensland are being targeted by the Fair Work Ombudsman to ensure they are meeting their workplace obligations.
Fair work inspectors are to audit 500 randomly selected pharmacies across the State, with consideration for the special needs of businesses which suffered in the recent extreme weather.
Executive Director of the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Office, Michael Campbell said pharmacies selected for audit would be scrutinised to ensure they had appropriate employment records; whether payslips were being issued and were in order; and whether staff entitlements such as minimum hourly rates, minimum hours and meal breaks were being followed.
Mr Campbell said key stakeholders, such as the Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, had been advised of the inspections.
“The campaign will give the Agency the opportunity to monitor compliance within the pharmaceutical industry in the long term if required,” Mr Campbell said.
He said if minor or inadvertent contraventions were found, the preference would be to educate the employer and assist them to rectify the issue.
“We acknowledge that inadvertent and accidental breaches of workplace laws do and will occur,” he said.
“In cases where the contravention is deliberate or employers are not willing to resolve the issue voluntarily we may escalate the matter.”
Mr Campbell said a major component of the audits would be to promote free online tools and resources available to employers and employees.
He said these tools could be found on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website, available from this PS News link.
30 June, 2011
Defence takes shot
at exploding stores
The Department of Defence has successfully destroyed a store of more than 140 World War II explosives, shells and other artillery items in Columboola.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney said the explosives were found by mining company contractors surveying the site for unexploded ordnance.
Senator Feeney said the weapons, which contained mustard chemical warfare agent, were disposed of using a purpose-built detonation chamber that captured and neutralised all potentially hazardous gases.
He said the cost of the disposal was more than $34 million.
“I’m pleased to let the community know that the munitions have been safely destroyed, with the help of expertise from the United States’ chemical munitions destruction program and an Australian team of specialists,” Senator Feeney said.
“Specialist trained personnel and X-ray technologies made sure that this demolition work was safe and complied with Australia’s international treaty obligations.”
He said a number of United States Army trained technicians were deployed to Australia to examine the munitions, confirming they remained hazardous after more than 60 years underground.
“Defence made sure that the demolition and the WWII munitions did not pose any risk to the community, workers or the environment,” he said.
Senator Feeney said other munitions probably remained within the 200 hectare former ammunition depot site.
He said the Department of Defence planned to excavate areas of the site to identify if any further explosives remained.
He said once additional explosives were disposed of, the site would be returned for mining.
“I would like to remind members of the public of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance that may be at old World War II sites such as Columboola,” Senator Feeney said.
“If people do find old munitions, they should call the local Police.”
30 June, 2011
Degree of success
in uni awards
The University of Queensland (UQ) is to be well-represented at the 2011 Australian Awards for University Teaching with seven UQ staff receiving citations for outstanding contributions to student learning.
The awards from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, are presented to academic, general and sessional staff as well as institutional associates.
Each of the awards is worth $10,000.
Recipients fromUQ include Philip Bodman, Matthew Davis, Alan Duhs, Cliff Mallett, Liza O’Moore, Roslyn Petelin and Anthony Wright.
Professor Bodman of the School of Economics was recognised for his sustained commitment, excellence and leadership in teaching economics.
Professor Davis of the School of Mathematics and Physics received a citation for implementing active learning methods that inspired, motivated and engaged first year physics students.
Mr Duhs of the School of Economics was awarded for decades of inspiriting students to learn through interactive and “unsettling” teaching which illuminated the philosophical roots of economics, as well as for scholarly leadership in his field.
Professor Mallett of the School of Civil Engineering was recognised for the creation of his innovative, student-centered and authentic online postgraduate program.
Dr Moore also of the School of Civil Engineering was awarded for enhancing the experience of her students in large classes through active engagement, providing effective feedback and embedding real world engineering into the curriculum.
Dr Petelin of the School of English, Media Studies and Art History received her citation for providing a “transformative” experience for postgraduate students.
Finally, Dr Wright of the School of Education was recognised for sustained excellence and leadership in science education.
Further information on the awards can be found at this PS News
link.
The 2011 Australian Awards for University Teaching will be presented at a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House on 16 August.
30 June, 2011
And in Other News...
Main Roads on Twitter
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has created dedicated Twitter and Facebook accounts.
The Department will use the pages to distribute information to help inform the community about high profile projects and road, rail and marine issues.
Their facebook page can be accessed at this PS News link and their Twitter through this PS News link.
Disaster medal designed
A special citation medal is being awarded to recognise the work of staff and volunteers during the disasters that hit the State in 2010/11.
A total of 13,000 staff from the Department of Community Safety (DCS) and volunteers throughout the State are expected to receive the Medals.
The first batch were presented to 160 DCS staff in June.
Entertainment centre tops
The Brisbane Entertainment Centre has been ranked the best in the world.
Awarded the ranking by entertainment industry magazines ‘Venues Today’ and ‘Billboard’, it came top of the list in the 10,000 to 15,000 seat capacity category.
The ranking is based on the number of events held, the number of tickets sold and the gross box office takings during a specific period of time.
Health warns on hoax
Queensland Health is warning of hoax callers claiming to be from BreastScreen Australia and requesting donations.
The callers have been asking for money to support women who need accommodation while undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Neither BreastScreen Australia nor BreastScreen Queensland depend on donations from the public for the services they provide.
People are urged to refuse the callers’ requests and hang up immediately.
Upgrade for Cairns CBD
The Cairns waterfront is to be transformed into a major entertainment, tourism and leisure precinct.
The $23.3 million project will be the largest investment in the Cairns CBD and tourism industry in many years.
The project will create 160 full and part time jobs.
Comment extended
Queenslanders now have until 29 July to submit feedback on the draft Indigenous Justice Strategy.
Initiatives in the Strategy include community safety plans for Cairns, Townsville, Mount Isa, Rocky and Brisbane; early engagement with children and young people; ‘turnaround teams’ to improve school attendance; and the creation of training and employment opportunities.
The draft Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Strategy is available online at this PS News link.
Comment on decision
A decision to refuse a residential and tourist development in the Great barrier Reef World Heritage Area has been made by Minister for Environment, Tony Burke.
Mr Burke has invited the public to comment on his decision to refuse the Hummock Hill Island development proposal.
Submissions close 20 July.
More information can be accessed at this PS News link.
23 June, 2011
Disaster agencies to
share successes
An international agreement to share knowledge and best practice in disaster recovery methods has been signed by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, The World Bank.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the new Memorandum of Understanding highlighted the benefits of organisations communicating, improving and sharing knowledge and best practice in disaster recovery and construction.
“Queensland’s reconstruction has many elements of global best practice which he World Bank team intends to share widely,” Ms Bligh said.
“These include rapid damage assessment, state of the art geo-spatial information mapping systems for identifying housing and infrastructure damage and flood levels and robust reporting and accountability mechanisms.”
She said Queenslanders should be proud their State was chosen for its global best practice across multiple areas in its reconstruction.
“The Queensland Reconstruction Authority is not only tasked with rebuilding Queensland but building it back better and I am pleased to say our strong progress to date on what is an exceptionally challenging task has been acknowledged,” she said.
“What we have in Queensland with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority is a unique model for recovery, a rapidly established Statutory Authority working across all levels of government and with integral support from the Australian Defence Forces.”
Ms Bligh said the response to the disasters had seen “outstanding” cooperation across the community.
Country Director for the Pacific at the World Bank, Ferid Belhaj said the MOU was a win-win partnership.
“It has created opportunities for sharing Queensland’s knowledge and experience in developing a highly effective relief approach with other disaster-prone countries, while also helping the Queensland Government rebuild safer communities,” Mr Belhaj said.
He said a team from the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery had toured parts of the State in March and May.
He said the World Bank and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority would prepare a joint report on the collaboration between the two parties.
“This report will become an important resource for other governments managing significant disaster response activities,” Mr Belhaj said.
23 June, 2011
Archives points way
for digital records
Queensland State Archives has issued a new Public Records Brief setting out 10 steps Departments and Agencies can take to ensure the public records they hold are accessible for as long as they are required to be kept.
The Brief: Keeping digital records useable - Ten steps for ensuring the continued accessibility of digital records says all public authorities have an obligation to keep the records under the Public Records Act 2002 and Information Standard 31: Retention and Disposal of Public Records.
It says preserving access to records was likely to be more difficult in the digital environment.
“This rapid rate of technology change puts the continued accessibility of digital records at risk if they are not managed effectively,” the Archives says.
“There are important steps that Agencies can take today to ensure that digital records remain accessible for as long as required.”
It said the 10 important steps included:
- Know your records
- Know where your records are located
- Design systems to support your records
- Limit the number of file formats you use
- Use open and/or common file formats
- Dispose of digital records when you can
- Describe your records well
- Reduce duplication
- Manage migration
- Start now
“Public authorities will continue to create increasing volumes of digital records in increasingly complex forms,” the Brief says.
“Without action now, the challenges will become even greater in the future.”
Detailed guidance on the management of public records, as well as the full version of the Brief could be accessed from this PS News link.
23 June, 2011
Local elections
counted out
Electing Local Government representatives is to be made easier with the elections being taken over by the Queensland Electoral Commission (ECQ).
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said the Local Government Electoral Bill 2011 has been introduced into Parliament following four years of work to modernise the Queensland election process.
“The Bill consolidates the four laws currently covering Council elections in Queensland into a new one-stop shop for Local Government ballots,” Mr Lucas said.
“Control of those ballots will be handed to the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) to ensure the highest levels of propriety apply to each and every vote.”
He said Council Chief Executives would be removed from the election process and no longer act as Returning Officers to ensure the highest level of transparency at the ballot.
“Council elections are often hotly contested, therefore one of the most important changes to the running of Local Government elections is that except in exceptional circumstances Council CEOs will no longer act as Returning Officer,” Mr Lucas said.
“Taking on this role put them in the precarious position of making decisions about their employer while also having to consider the possible impact such a decision may have on their own tenure.”
He said the changes would emphasise the day-to-day running of the Council and avoid distraction during the election period.
“This Bill keeps the best parts of current systems of electing local Councils, but adds more flexibility, transparency and integrity to the voting process,” he said.
“All Queenslanders who want the best for their region should support the changes which will increase the numbers of voters turning out for their Council elections.”
Mr Lucas said changes would include the management of disclosure and recording of donations to candidates centrally administered by the ECQ; absent voters in a divided Council to be allowed to attend any booth in the Local Government Area; pre-polling to no longer require eligibility criteria to be met before a vote was issued; applications for postal votes to be more efficient with an extra day for voters to receive their ballot paper and vote; and lifting the application fee for would-be candidates from $150 to $250 to reduce frivolous nominations.
He said the new arrangements would be in place in time for the Local Government elections scheduled for March 2012.
23 June, 2011
Unionists unite to
share PS visions
The Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) has invited its members to propose ideas for changes to the Queensland Public Service and to comment on the existing system.
General Secretary of the Union, Alex Scott said the State Budget signalled the start of campaigning for the next State election and the time was right for PS workers to put their views forward.
“We’ve seen in the past that politicians make plans for the Public Service that are only revealed after the election is over,” Mr Scott said.
“I think this time it can be different.”
He said he wanted to hear from those working in the PS on issues such as the new “super-departments”.
“There are many people who are unhappy with this change and think it should have been done differently,” he said.
“Should public sector workers be consulted before government decides on machinery of government reform?”
He said the opinions of PS employees were crucial in developing a strategy to protect public sector jobs and services in the future.
Mr Scott said the Union’s job was to make sure any reforms in Queensland were good for workers and the people who relied on Government services.
“By standing together we can make sure that our state maintains a strong public sector for the benefit of all Queenslanders,” he said.
“As a union we will be engaging with politicians about what policies and processes are best for the public sector.”
Mr Scott said anyone with ideas or thoughts on the State’s Public Service could email him at alex@qpsu.org
23 June, 2011
DPP gets 5 years
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Tony Moynihan, has been reappointed for five years.
Attorney General, Paul Lucas announced the appointment and welcomed it.
Mr Lucas said Mr Moynihan’s reappointment followed an initial term of three years in which he provided the people of Queensland with a “professional, dynamic and effective” prosecution service.
“I am delighted he has agreed to continue to apply his talents and energy in this most important position,” Mr Lucas said.
He said while Mr Moynihan was Director of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) it had successfully prosecuted a number of high profile cases, including bikeway rapist Luke Colless, the Gold Coast’s Lacey brothers, former Minister Gordon Nuttall, businessman Harold Shand and surgeon Jayant Patel.
“Mr Moynihan has also enhanced the effective operation of the ODPP by realigning the office’s structure to provide clear leadership, mentoring and career paths for staff,” Mr Lucas said.
“A new case management system has been implemented to improve the Office’s performance and a continuing legal education program for staff has been enhanced.”
He said the Office had also developed partnerships with university law schools to attract the brightest and most enthusiastic students.
He said prior to working as Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Moynihan was Deputy Public Defender with Legal Aid Queensland for nine years.
Mr Lucas said Mr Moynihan was first appointed DPP in 2008.
23 June, 2011
Screening Directive
has its premiere
The Public Service Commission has issued a new Directive on Employment Screening.
Effective from 17 June, the Directive applies to all Public Service employees, contractors, students and volunteers working in the State’s Departments.
The Directive says employment screening is vital to guarantee the safety and security of the Queensland community while maintaining confidence in the integrity of the Queensland Public Service.
The Directive is designed to assist Department Chief Executives conduct employment screening for persons engaged in, or soon to be engaged in, certain duties within the Queensland PS.
It also covers the implementation of risk management strategies for agencies performing child-related duties.
According to the Directive, applicants for positions within the PS, contractors, students and volunteers must be informed of employment screening requirements and their written consent obtained.
This can be done at any time during the selection process but only for persons the Chief Executive proposes to engage.
The Directive says that when someone applying for a PS job is found to be unsuitable due to information gained through the screening process, the Chief Executive must provide them with a copy of that information and a reasonable opportunity to submit a written response.
The Directive says criminal history screening for existing Public Servants can also be made at the discretion of the Chief Executive.
It says employees within Departments have a duty to notify their Chief Executive of any charges or convictions for indictable offences and warns that failure to disclose changes to criminal history may lead to disciplinary action.
The Directive makes it clear that employees with child-related duties will be under particular scrutiny, with Departments obliged to meet certain requirements relating to their appointment and behaviour.
It says most screening costs will be met by each Department but the Chief Executive has discretion in some cases.
The full Directive can be downloaded from this PS News link.
23 June, 2011
Annual awards for
Annual Reports
The Annual Reports of many Queensland Public Sector Agencies were prominent among those recognised for excellence at the 2011 Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA) presented in Melbourne recently.
Now in their 61st year, the Awards are primarily a benchmarking activity - not a competition – with Reports judged against criteria to receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze Award.
Chairman of the ARA, Tim Sheehy said the 2011 Awards were highlighted by very high standards of reporting despite the difficult economic times experience by many organisations during the reporting period.
“The record number of Gold Awards shows that many organisations in Australia and New Zealand are very concerned about improving the quality of their annual reports, and further, that the quality of the best reports entered in these Awards is very high by world standards,” Mr Sheehy said.
“It also indicates the ARA and its strong supporters, which include the professional associations CPA Australia and Chartered Secretaries Australia, have been very effective in both promoting the need for high quality reporting, and in helping organisations improve their performance.”
He said the ARA also presented Special Awards for reporting in areas critical to the performance and accountability of an organisation, including awards for best reporting on governance, sustainability, and occupational health and safety and for communication and online reporting.
Queensland organisations picked up three special Awards, with TransLink Transport Authority winning the Best First Time Entry Award, Q-COMP taking out the Online Reporting Award and Gold Coast City Council awarded the Governance Reporting Award.
Others from Queensland who made it to the finals included Q-COMP for the Communication Reporting Award, Energex for the Governance Reporting Award and Gold Coast City Council for the Online Reporting Award.
In other achievements, the ARA’s Gold Awards included recognition for Queensland organisations Energex, Gladstone Ports Corporation, Q-COMP, and the Residential Tenancies Authority.
Silver Award Winners included the Department of Communities, the Department of Community Safety, the Queensland Audit Office, Department of Education and Training, Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland Parliamentary Services and TransLink.
Bronze Award winners included the Brisbane City Council, IPAA Queensland, LinkWater, Logan City Council, Longreach Regional Council, Queensland Motorways Ltd., Queensland Ombudsman and SunWater Limited.
23 June, 2011
Reforms plug into
electricity pricing
Reforms to introduce a new, more flexible electricity pricing system have been announced by the Minister for Energy, Stephen Robertson.
Mr Robertson said the new system would replace the “outdated” Benchmark Retail Cost Index methodology used by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to determine electricity prices.
He said the new system would be more transparent and based on the underlying cost of supply.
“We need a flexible pricing framework based on tariff structures that more accurately reflect the underlying cost to supply electricity to consumers in Queensland,” Mr Robertson said.
He said it was not possible to maintain a reliable and secure electricity network for all Queenslanders unless retail electricity prices were based on genuine increases in supply costs.
“The QCA will conduct extensive community and stakeholder consultation about the components it should consider when determining regulated prices using a cost reflective methodology,” Mr Robertson said.
“It will then use the cost reflective methodology to calculate future Queensland electricity prices that apply from 1 July 2012.”
He said the reforms would also include amendments to ensure the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme remained cost-effective.
“The scheme has exceeded all expectations in delivering affordable solar energy and jobs for Queenslanders,” the Minister said.
“The government is reducing the size of eligible individual solar photovoltaic systems to a maximum five kilowatt capacity and limiting eligible systems to one per premises.”
He said the changes would not affect the feed-in tariff, which would remain the same.
“The five kilowatt system limit is being introduced due to the growing number of people installing large systems of up to 30 kilowatts just to make money out of the scheme,” Mr Robertson said.
“The Solar Bonus Scheme was not designed to provide investment returns to some individuals at the expense of all Queensland electricity consumers.”
23 June, 2011
Emergency funding
safe with Department
The Department of Community Safety is to receive increased funding for Ambulance, Fire and Corrective Services.
Announced by the Minister for Corrective and Emergency Services, Neil Roberts, the financial boost is to include funding for 33 new and redeveloped ambulance and fire stations.
Mr Roberts said the increased spending would mean more frontline officers, more emergency response vehicles and new and refurbished stations.
He said the additional money would be used to fund 50 new ambulance officers, 140 new or replacement ambulance vehicles and 49 new and replacement urban and rural fire appliances.
He said combined with the improved stations, the funding would ensure that a high standard of emergency response was maintained.
“More than $11 million has been allocated towards four new ambulance stations at Coomera, Ningi, North Lakes and Pinjarra Hills,” Mr Roberts said.
“As well as $13.1 million for replacement, refurbished or redeveloped ambulance stations at Biggenden, Calliope, Chermside, Cleveland, Emerald, Gayndah, Gladstone, Gordonvale, Kingaroy, Normanton, Ravenshoe, South Mackay, Spring Hill, Tara and Winton.”
He said funding had also been allocated in 2011-12 for a new fire station at Brassall and 13 replacement or redeveloped stations at Cherbourg, Clermont, Clifton, Craignish, Emerald, Mackay, Mareeba, Millaa Millaa, Mount Tamborine, Noosa, Ripley, Smithfield and Walkerston.
Mr Roberts said Corrective Services would also receive funding to continue the expansion and redevelopment of Lotus Glen Correctional Centre near Mareeba; continue the first stage of the Southern Queensland Correctional Precinct development at Gatton as well as operate and maintain the Precinct.
“One million dollars has also been provided towards the construction of new low security accommodation for women at the Numinbah Correctional Centre,” the Minister said.
“A further $6 million is also provided in 2011-12 towards the cell upgrade program at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre to modify cells in order to increase the number of suicide resistant cells,” he said.
23 June, 2011
Cigarette ads
burned off
Cigarette displays are to be banned in shops and other retail outlets under new laws introduced into Parliament by the Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson.
Mr Wilson said the new laws were aimed at reducing the uptake of cigarette smoking, particularly among young Queenslanders.
“Smoking kills an estimated 3,400 Queenslanders every year, with more than 30,450 people admitted to Queensland hospitals each year for smoking-related illnesses,” Mr Wilson said.
“Those are truly shocking statistics and we have to do everything possible to not only help those Queenslanders who smoke kick the habit but prevent our future generations from taking it up.”
He said restricting retail advertising had been shown to be an effective strategy.
“There is strong evidence that advertising, display and promotion of tobacco products influences the uptake and maintenance of smoking,” he said.
“Research shows that children’s exposure to tobacco displays at point of sale normalises smoking and makes them more likely to start and continue to smoke.”
Mr Wilson said retail displays also served as temptations to those who were trying to quit.
Chief Executives of the Heart Foundation and Cancer Council Queensland, Cameron Prout and Jeff Dunn, welcomed the reforms.
“Smoking is a major cause of heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease,” Mr Prout said.
“Research confirms that retail displays predispose children towards smoking and make them more likely to experiment with tobacco products.”
Professor Dunn said the Cancer Council applauded the Queensland Government for its strong conviction on the issue
“This legislation responds to the high level of community support to create a Smoke Free Queensland,” Professor Dunn said.
“We have every confidence that this progressive new law will reduce the prevalence of smoking, reduce the consumption of cigarettes and reduce tobacco related illness and deaths.”
23 June, 2011
Women invited to
talks at forum
Young women from all walks of life have been encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to be a part of the Queensland Young Women’s Forum.
Minister for Women, Karen Struthers said 50 women aged 16 to 25 would have the “opportunity of a lifetime” to develop leadership skills at the Forum.
Ms Struthers said the Forum would run over three days and feature a line-up of “inspirational women leaders, lively discussion, information sessions and creative workshops”.
“It is my intention that young women have a fantastic opportunity to meet inspiring women leaders, develop peer-to-peer networks and get involved in workshops on topics like developing a positive sense of self, managing your money and challenging entrenched sexism,” Ms Struthers said.
She said young women from a range of backgrounds were encouraged to apply.
“I emphasise that this opportunity is for young women from all walks of life,” she said.
“I particularly encourage young women who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or from other diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, those who are parenting and or pregnant, those who have a disability, those who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or those who might be questioning their sexuality and gender identity to apply.”
Ms Struthers said the State Government would cover any travel and accommodation costs for regional participants, as well as childcare costs where required.
She said the Expression of Interest process would close on 1 July 2011.
More information on the Forum can be found and Expressions of Interest submitted at this PS News link.
23 June, 2011
Expert panel for
marine mystery
A Scientific Panel has been announced to investigate the deaths of a number of marine animals in the waters off Gladstone.
Former Minister for Environment and Resources Management, Kate Jones said the Panel would be made up of marine science experts who would work closely with scientists from her former Department.
Ms Jones said the Panel would look at all the evidence and provide advice on why the dugongs, dolphins and turtles had been dying.
“In recent weeks, the community of Gladstone has been rightfully concerned about the deaths of a number of dugongs, dolphins and turtles in their region,” Ms Jones said.
“There have been two dugongs and three dolphins found in waters and on beaches in the area since the start of May.”
She said she was concerned about the deaths and wanted to discover the cause of the problems.
“The Scientific Panel will bring the best minds around a table to look at all the evidence and provide the best advice to government and the community on these particular cases,” she said.
“Officers in the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) have advised that the animals appeared to have been in good health prior to their death and they don’t believe pollution was a factor.”
She said DERM had advised that where necropsies were able to be performed, the most likely cause of death was human interference.
“The reality is it can be difficult to identify an exact cause of marine deaths such as this,” Ms Jones said.
“But like members of the local community, I want to know that we have exhausted every avenue to understand what has occurred.”
She said the Government would not hesitate to act on the Panel’s advice once it was provided and would ensure the community was kept up to date on the outcomes of the investigations.
23 June, 2011
Wildlife Service wild
about new office
A new office for the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is to be built at Cardwell, north of Townsville.
The new building will replace the old Cardwell QPWS Office which was destroyed by Cyclone Yasi.
Former Minister for Environment and Resource Management, Kate Jones said the Office, which was already showing signs of age, would be demolished and reconstructed over the next 12 months.
“The new office will meet the highest building standards to ensure it can withstand extreme weather events in the future,” Ms Jones said.
“We want to encourage people to come to Queensland, to visit our National Parks and to see what a wonderful part of the world we live in.”
She said there were several other projects focussed on infrastructure and repairing and rebuilding bridges within the Hinchinbrook region.
“The project[s] also include a partnership with the Hinchinbrook Shire Council to jointly fund the replacement of the Council-owned Stony Creek Bridge, with QPWS to undertake the upgrade work,” Ms Jones said.
She said the Government was spending money on important infrastructure and facilities in National Parks and Forests across the State to ensure locals and tourists from around the world continued to visit and enjoy Queensland’s National Parks and Conservation areas.
23 June, 2011
Solar boost for
sunshine State
One of the world’s largest and most greenhouse-friendly renewable energy projects has been proposed for Chinchilla.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the proposed 250 megawatt solar thermal gas hybrid power plant was funded jointly by the State and Commonwealth Governments.
“This is a coup for Queensland and a tremendous boost to our reputation as Australia’s Solar State,” Ms Bligh said.
“It will harness clean energy from the sun combined with a low-emission, gas boiler to produce clean, reliable power to meet Queensland’s growing energy demand. “
She said the Solar Dawn project was being led by AREVA Solar and Wind Prospect CWP and would create up to 300 jobs during its construction.
She said Agencies would work with the project’s proponents to address challenges like environmental and tenure approvals, strategic cropping land, infrastructure corridor and vegetation issues.
Ms Bligh said the plant would work by concentrating sunlight using mirrors to boil water within boiler tubes.
She said the pressure generated by the heated water would drive a large steam turbine to generate electricity.
The Premier said the plant would have the added benefit of a gas boiler back-up system so electricity could be provided at any time, even when the sun was not shining.
She said the proposed site would be close to CS Energy’s 750 megawatt Kogan Creek Power Station and Powerlink Queensland’s Western Downs Substation which would provide direct connection to the State’s electricity grid.
23 June, 2011
Water planning rules
to be diverted
Changes to the water resource planning process are to be made which could cut review times by up to two years.
Former Minister for Environment and Resource Management, Kate Jones said the changes would see Water Resource Plans and Resource Operations Plans, previously developed separately, now done together.
Ms Jones said the changes would streamline the process, proving to be a win for the community and the planning process.
“They reflect the recommendations of a recent independent review and feedback we have received from stakeholders,” Ms Jones said.
“Now that plans are in place across most of the State’s major catchments, reviews can happen as quickly as possible and these reforms are about allowing that to happen.”
She said the changes would also allow for improved community consultation.
“The community will now be able to comment on changes to strategic catchment-wide goals, and see what this means for individual water users,” she said.
“The changes will also allow extra community involvement when there is high community interest or a streamlined consultation process where communities want to see work completed quickly.”
She said best of all, the changes would reduce uncertainty for water users by shortening the time taken for water resource and resource operations plans to be reviewed.
Ms Jones said the time savings would first benefit communities in the Boyne, Pioneer and Barron Water Resource Plan areas, with the Warrego, Moonie, Condamine-Balonne, Boarder, as well as Georgina and Diamantina catchments benefiting in the coming years.
23 June, 2011
Real estate pays
go to ground
Commissions on real estate sales are to be deregulated under new laws bringing Queensland into line with other States and Territories.
Attorney General, Paul Lucas said the deregulation of real estate commissions had been recommended by numerous national and State reviews.
Mr Lucas said it was important that the changes not be introduced at the expense of consumers.
“The Government is keen to start the negotiating process with the relevant stakeholders,” Mr Lucas said.
“But I want to make it clear, any changes will have strong consumer protections including strong disclosure.
He said Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) would be given the jurisdiction to deal with situations where it is alleged by a seller that a commission was harsh or unconscionable.
He said to ensure fairness, the QCAT would be able to set aside the commission or vary the terms of any relevant commission contracts.
Mr Lucas said QCAT would also serve as an accessible and affordable option for parties to represent themselves in dealing with disputes.
“The problem with the current ‘fixed’ commission system is it does not take into account the circumstances such as the saleability of a property or the amount of effort required for it ultimately to be sold,” Mr Lucas said.
“While there may be perceived concerns that deregulation may lead to increases in commissions, the experience in other jurisdictions shows that this is not the case and QCAT is there as an added protection.”
He said the deregulation of commissions was expected to lead to more competition in the industry which would benefit both agents and consumers.
Mr Lucas said he also wanted to involve consumer groups in the consultation process as any outcome needed to be fair. He also wanted to ensure there was no opportunity for consumers to enter into exotic retainer arrangements that lacked transparency.
23 June, 2011
And in Other News...
Kindergartens to open
The Premier, Anna Bligh, has announced that 14 new Kindergarten services are to be opened across the State.
She said the new Kindergartens would open on State school sites in 2012.
They were Glenmore State School in Rockhampton, Glennie Heights State School in Warwick, Augusta State School in Goodna, Gumdale State School, Springfield Central State School, Jinibara State School in Narangba, Walkervale State School in Bundaberg, Proserpine State School, Coolangatta State School, Park Lake State School in Helensvale, Surfers Paradise State School, Windaroo State School in Mount Warren Park, Woodhill State School in Beaudesert and Woodridge North State School.
More funds for schools
An extra $50 million is to be spent on Queensland Government Schools for upgrading facilities and fast-tracking projects under the State School Investment Program.
The money will also go towards buying land and providing classrooms in growth areas through Queensland.
Interpreters honoured
Queensland’s Auslan interpreters have been honoured at the Australian Sign Language Interpreters’ Association Interpreter of the Year Awards.
Griffith University’s Deaf Student Program also received recognition for providing interpreting and note-taking support for students at Griffith University, QUT, UQ and Southbank Institute of TAFE.
More information on Government support services for people with a disability can be found at this PS News link.
Coast hospital proceeding
Funding for the Sunshine Coast University Hospital has been announced by Premier, Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh said the funding would allow roadworks to commence to improve access to hospitals on the precinct.
She said the hospital would be built as a Public Private Partnership at the cost of $2.03 billion.
The new hospital is to feature a cancer care centre and a range of complex surgical services including neurosurgery, cardiothoracic surgery, maxillofacial surgery and a trauma service.
Farming stats
The average farmer is 55 years old and owns a business which he has managed for an average of 23 years according to the latest figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The Bureau’s Farm Snapshot was released as part of the report Land Management and Farming in Australia, 2009-10.
The full report can be downloaded for free from this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Budget adds up
for growth
Treasury expects the Queensland economy to grow by 5 per cent in the coming year and 5.25 per cent the year after according to figures handed down in the State Budget earlier this week.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said such a rate of growth would see Queensland outstripping all other Australian States and Territories and “rocketing back to where it belongs.”
“The lingering effects of the GFC and the natural disasters have smashed our economy, but now the place is ready for take-off,” Mr Fraser said.
“Reconstruction, resource investment – particularly the LNG boom – and surging business investment is predicted to see growth clock in at 5 per cent next year, the fastest growth in five years.”
He said Treasury had forecast that the recovery would follow a flat 2010-11 with natural disasters wiping $6 billion from the Gross State Product.
“The natural disasters have hammered our export sector,” he said.
“Never before has Queensland’s overseas exports gone backwards since records were first kept.
“The floods and cyclones and the devastating earthquakes in our largest trading partner of Japan, combined with a strong Aussie dollar, have crunched our exports and severely constrained the broader economy.”
Mr Fraser said the booming economic growth would also fuel strong jobs growth and a strengthening budget position.
“Treasury expects employment to increase by 3 per cent next year, while the unemployment rate is tipped to decline to 5 per cent next year and then dip below 4.75 per cent in 2012-13.
“That’s 140,000 new Queensland jobs over the next two years.”
Mr Fraser said the State’s debt today was more than $17 billion less than it was forecast to be two years ago.
“As promised, the Government remains on track to reach a surplus in 2015-16,” he said.
16 June, 2011
PSC releases more
VSP information
The Public Service Commission has released further details on the Voluntary Separation Program (VSP).
The Commission said the VSP was being progressively implemented across the Queensland Public Service.
It said the first phase of the program would involve Departments formally notifying those employees who would be expected to receive an offer as part of the VSP.
To assist people in deciding whether to submit an expression of interest, the Commission has published an Employee Information Pack.
The Commission’s Information Pack includes a VSP Handbook which covers who is eligible for the VSP; the criteria for approval; how offers are submitted and accepted; how a payment as part of a VSP is calculated; and information on superannuation, taxation and appeals in regards to any accepted VSPs.
The Pack also includes a list of Frequently Asked Question, an information sheet on superannuation and a ruling by the Taxation Commissioner on how income tax applies to payments received through the program.
The Commission said the implementation of the VSP would vary between Departments, but it was proposed to commence in July 2011.
It said the VSP had been designed to deliver savings to the Government, reprioritise front-line service delivery spending and support recovery efforts across the State.
It said the VSP was different from previous schemes applied across the PS, such as Voluntary Early Retirement, because it offered enhanced separation payments.
The Commission said more detailed information could be accessed by speaking to an Agency’s VSP contact or online at this PS News link.
The VSP Handbook can be downloaded from this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Queen pins honours
on starring staff
Public sector staff appeared prominently in the 2011 Queens’ Birthday Honours list with the following personnel singled out for awards for excellence, commitment and ability.
The new awards are:
OFFICER IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Justice Richard Noel CHESTERMAN RFD AO
Supreme Court of Queensland
For distinguished service to the judiciary as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland, and to the community, particularly through contributions to the Cancer Council at national and state levels.
MEMBER IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Gregory Maxwell McKEON AM
Department of Environment and Resource Management
For service to environmental science, to the development of sustainable resource management, and to research on the impact of climate change.
MEDAL OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (OAM)
Patricia Grace (Patsy) CREED AO
Royal Brisbane Women's Hospital
For service to nursing, particularly through the provision of specialised care for breast cancer patients.
Professor Helen Ethel EDWARDS OAM
Queensland University of Technology
For service to nursing education and research, and to professional associations.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Stewart Lynn BELL PSM
Queensland Mines Inspectorate
For outstanding public service to the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, particularly in the area of Mine Safety and Health.
Mr Bell is a highly respected public servant who has shown exemplary dedication and innovation in developing and implementing safety and health-related solutions that benefit the mining industry, employees and the community. Mr Bell is passionate about workplace safety and health and has 25 years’ experience in scientific assessment.
Ricky Leslie COX PSM
Department of Transport and Main Roads
For outstanding public service to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, particularly in the area of Road Design and Innovation.
Mr Cox is an innovative road designer whose leadership and personal drive over more than 40 years have led to new approaches to road design that achieve a workable balance between performance, safety and affordability. His expertise is recognised both nationally and internationally.
Peter James DAVIS PSM
For outstanding public service to Education Queensland, particularly in the area of Special Education.
For 40 years, Mr Davis has consistently performed the leadership roles of an educator and school administrator in educating students with special needs. Initially, these services were provided at a local level and at a time when Special Education in Australia was in its infancy.
Paul FLORIAN PSM
For outstanding public service to Queensland Health, particularly in the areas of Environmental and Public Health.
Captain Patrick John QUIRK PSM
Maritime Safety Queensland
For outstanding public service to Maritime Safety Queensland, particularly in the areas of Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Protection.
Captain Quirk has delivered outstanding public service for over 19 years and has progressed to executive management roles in regulating the maritime industry, both at a federal level (with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority) and at state level (with the Maritime Safety Queensland). He is well recognised and acknowledged within Australia.
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (APM)
Assistant Commissioner Paul Lawrence DOYLE APM
Assistant Commissioner Doyle was inducted into the Queensland Police Service in 1977 and has served with distinction in general duties, Brisbane Mobile Patrols, intelligence operations, counter-terrorist operations, dignitary and witness protection specialist areas and organised and major crime investigation units at various locations.
Sergeant Geoffrey Allan FAY APM
Sergeant Fay is recognised for his dedication to serving the community of Queensland through an ongoing commitment to general duties policing and to engaging the community to achieve positive outcomes. He is an outstanding leader.
Chief Superintendent Grant Alan PITMAN APM
Chief Superintendent Pitman has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to the Queensland Police Service over many years. He is a recognised leader with a focus on excellence in organisational improvement.
Detective Sergeant Daryl Harris POOLE APM
Detective Sergeant Poole has been a loyal and dedicated member of the Queensland Police Service. His professionalism and expertise in the area of investigations, particularly fraud and organised crime, have led to the conviction of several high profile organised crime figures.
Superintendent Donna Maree STURGESS APM
Superintendent Sturgess has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment during her career with the Queensland Police Service. She is recognised for her leadership and excellence in organisational improvement, change management and operational planning.
Inspector Murray Allan VERRALL APM
Inspector Verrall moved into criminal investigations early in his distinguished policing career, establishing himself as a highly effective investigator. His operational experience served him well when appointed to the Assessment and Development Centre where he applied his knowledge to organising the Centre to ensure the most comprehensive assessments were undertaken.
AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)
Michael Thomas GARRAHY AFSM
Mr Garrahy has demonstrated exceptional commitment toward developing the capacity of the volunteers and brigades of the Crows Nest district to provide fire mitigation and response services to the community, including the development of the Brigade Mapping Toolset used by Rural Fire Brigade volunteers.
Graham Kenneth KING AFSM
Mr King has demonstrated outstanding dedication, commitment and enthusiasm to advancing volunteer youth recruitment and engagement within the Rural Fire Service in Queensland. His leadership and vision saw the development of a school-based program.
Stephen Anthony SMITH AFSM
Mr Smith has demonstrated distinguished service and success in technical rescue, with outstanding commitment and drive in improving the profile and capability of the Queensland Urban Search and Rescue Taskforce.
AMBULANCE SERVICE MEDAL (ASM)
Anthony Thomas KING ASM
Mr King has had a long and distinguished professional ambulance career over many years, having commenced service with the former Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade in 1987.
Sydney David MELVILLE APM ASM
Mr Melville has over 33 years’ experience in bringing uniformed operational service delivery to the community of Queensland. He has extensive experience in operational planning, management and administration, and professional development of staff.
EMERGENCY SERVICES MEDAL (ESM)
Francis Edward (Frank) DEVLIN ESM
Mr Devlin has been a dedicated member of the State Emergency Service (SES) for over 21 years. He has been Deputy Controller of the Toowoomba Unit since 1993 and undertook the role of the Local Controller for 2 years prior to the amalgamation of local governments.
George William PHILLIPS OAM RFD ED ESM,
Mr Phillips has given outstanding service to the State Emergency Service (SES) over many years. He held the position of Deputy Local Controller of the Redcliffe SES in 1982, prior to his becoming the Local Controller. Mr Phillips served as the Local Controller until 2001.
16 June, 2011
Photo records
in the frame
Queensland State Archives has issued a draft guideline for the management of digital photographs.
The guideline is intended to assist Departments and Agencies in meeting their recordkeeping and information management obligations under the Public Records Act 2002.
State Archives said the growing role of digital photography in recording or adding context to the actions and decisions of public authorities, meant they needed to be treated as public records and managed accordingly.
It said appropriately designed and implemented recordkeeping processes for digital photographic images would ensure public records were fit for their intended purpose.
The guideline aims to assist Agencies manage their records in compliance with the relevant legislation; create a ‘full and accurate’ public record; appropriately dispose of any digital photographic public records; ensure ongoing accessibility to digital photographic images; and handle personal information with consideration to privacy laws.
State Archives said the guideline was informed by a whole-of-Government survey in 2008, which provided a source of information relating to management practices for digital photographic images.
It said the guideline was developed with the support of the Queensland Government ICT Innovation Fund.
It said the draft guideline was intended for all PS staff responsible for records management and could be downloaded in full from this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Red tape commissioner
gets green light
A new Commissioner is to be appointed to cut Government red tape and streamline the business community’s relations with the Public Service.
The move was announced by the Minister for Finance, Rachel Nolan who said the new Business Commissioner would drive reforms that would help businesses make the most of the coming “wave of prosperity”.
“As Queensland climbs off the canvas following the GFC and the natural disasters, we need the business sector to drive growth across the State,” Ms Nolan said.
“We know there’s a big wave of investment coming to Queensland, and we want local businesses to make the most of it.”
She said freeing business up from unnecessary red tape and giving them a direct voice in Government would help identify areas of reform that would benefit the State economy as a whole.
She said the Business Commissioner would work with the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council and report to the Ministers for Finance and for Manufacturing and Small Business.
She said he or she would be backed by specialist staff and would have the duties of leading a program to cut red tape; advising Government Agencies on best practice in regulation; recommending timelines for Government decision making processes; and working with business through peak groups like the Australian Industry Group, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland , the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and the Queensland Government Small Business Advisory Council.
Ms Nolan said Departments and Agencies would still have to produce Regulatory Assessment Statements explaining how proposed regulations outweighed the burdens they imposed.
“It’s easy to say Government red tape is bad for business,” Ms Nolan said, “but a lot of it – like workplace health and safety, environmental protections, food safety standards and child protection laws - are established for very good reasons.
“By keeping the focus strategic and giving business groups a direct input into the work program, we can improve the ability for Government and business to work together.”
Minister for Manufacturing and Small Business, Jan Jarratt said the new Commissioner would have a strategic focus and strong commitment to liaison with industry and would start work in September.
She said funding for the new position would be provided through the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Industry as well as Treasury, with $1m allocated so far.
16 June, 2011
New PS course
is Uni policy
The University of Queensland has announced a new ‘policy practice’ course for students hoping to follow a career in the Public Service.
Designed by Professor Andrew Hindmoor and former public servant Nonie Malone, the course will focus on bridging the gap between study at university and employment in the Public Service.
Professor Hindmoor said it was increasingly important for students to understand what was expected of them in a workplace setting.
“This new course will help students hit the ground running when they apply for a job in the public sector as a policy practitioner,” Professor Hindmoor said.
“Students will benefit from very high levels of support for this initiative from senior leaders in the Queensland Government.”
He said students enrolled in the course would have an opportunity to sit in on Question Time, attend talks by Government and Public sector speakers, and visit policy units in the Queensland Government.
“[Students] will also have an opportunity to perform the tasks that a policy officer would undertake such as, preparing briefing documents, evaluation reports and policy analyses,” he said.
“With almost 20 per cent of the Australian population employed in the public sector, ‘policy practice’ meets a growing need for students to gain valuable experience and insights into a policy career in the public sector.”
Professor Hindmoor said ‘policy practice’ would build on links between the Queensland Public service and the University.
Head of the School of Political Science and International Studies, Gillian Whitehouse said study in political science and international studies was not traditionally recognised for its vocational applications.
“Students are beginning to realise that study in this area does indeed connect with career pathways and provide employment opportunities both in Australia and overseas,” Professor Whitehouse said.
16 June, 2011
Disaster Agency
to hire 17
Seventeen new staff are to be employed by Emergency Management Queensland to improve its disaster response capabilities.
Announced as part of Tuesday’s Budget, the extra staff will be allocated to EMQ’s State Disaster Coordination Centre (SDCC) and regional centres and paid for from a $10.3 million injection of funds.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the State needed to be prepared for the next major weather event.
“No-one could have predicted the enormity of the natural disasters in January,” Mr Fraser said.
“This investment will strengthen our disaster management and response capability both in Brisbane and in the regions.”
He said 10 of the new staff would be employed at Emergency Management Queensland’s SDCC to triple its staff numbers and improve its 24/7 capabilities.
“Watch desk officers are at the coalface of disaster response in Queensland and these additional officers will help enhance the coordination of information for disaster events,” Mr Fraser said.
He said the remaining seven would be employed across the State to help prepare for and recover from disasters in regional areas.
“They will have responsibility for oversighting recovery and planning as well as supporting Local Governments and other critical disaster response agencies,” he said.
Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said $2.1 million would be invested in strengthening Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
“Of course, all Queenslanders hope there is no repeat of the disasters that impacted the State in late 2010 and early 2011 but we need to be realistic and as prepared as possible,” Mr Roberts said.
“The funding initiatives included in the 2011-12 Budget will certainly help to achieve that.”
16 June, 2011
New health guide
the right medicine
Health Consumers Queensland (HCQ) has published a new guide for patients to navigate the Queensland health system better and enjoy easier access to the best possible care.
Launched by the Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson, The Health Advocacy Framework and Toolkit – Getting the healthcare you need: An advocacy toolkit for people using the health care system in Queensland is intended to support people needing help engaging with the health system, including those for whom English is a second language and people with a disability.
Mr Wilson said the new resources would give those acting on behalf of vulnerable people around the State clear guidance on how best to serve the interests of the patients they represented.
“Everyone is entitled to the best possible health care, and sometimes some people need a little extra support,” Mr Wilson said.
“This is the first time the advocate’s role has been formally recognised or defined across public and private health sectors.”
He said the framework was designed to support the work of health advocates and empower individuals, families and carers to stand up for their rights as patients and have their needs met.
“The Toolkit is a practical guide that provides hints, tips and useful methods for people to effectively exercise their rights,” he said.
“It does this by bringing to life real experiences so that both individuals and healthcare providers can understand how advocacy efforts can achieve positive solutions.”
Mr Wilson said the new resources, developed by HCQ, were a response to calls for better access to information and strategies to navigate the health system.
He said HCQ would also lead consultations about health care provision in local communities in recognition of their strong voice for health consumers.
Chair of HCQ, Mark Tucker-Evans welcomed the organisation’s role and said it would lead to a better deal for consumers and the community.
“The Framework has been developed through extensive consultation with consumers, community organisations, clinicians and other health providers to ensure we have an integrated approach throughout the sector,” Mr Tucker-Evans said.
“It is another wonderful example of how Queensland’s health sector is working together to deliver better access to quality healthcare for all Queenslanders.”
The Health Advocacy Framework and Toolkit can be downloaded from this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Year 7 promoted
to High School
School Year 7 is to become part of High School from 2015 in a move to strengthen the State’s education system.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the move was a result of the Government’s decision to introduce full-time Prep in 2007, adding an extra year to the Queensland education system.
Ms Bligh said other States had enjoyed the advantages of having Year 7 in High Schools for many years.
“Teenagers will benefit more from their education in a high school environment,” Ms Bligh said.
“In addition, with the introduction of the new Australian Curriculum, the move to high school will ensure our Year 7 students have the same learning opportunities as their interstate counterparts, with specialist teachers and facilities like dedicated science labs.”
She said the move was the next step in the decade-long ‘transformation’ of the Queensland education system.
Minister for Education, Cameron Dick said children entering their teenage years were becoming more independent and seeking new learning challenges.
“High school provides the best environment for their social, emotional and academic development,” Mr Dick said.
“In response to feedback from parents and communities, we will also develop pastoral care programs to support students and help make the transition to high school easier.
He said the Government had allocated funds to building new classrooms, buying extra teaching resources and developing programs to make the transition easier for students.
He said the first funding would be allocated in 2011/12.
Mr Dick said as part of the new arrangement, the Government would provide additional funding to support Year 7 students’ travel to local secondary schools, offer up to 500 scholarships for State primary teachers to prepare them for teaching in junior secondary; provide extra professional development programs for junior secondary teachers; provide support for teachers to introduce the new Australian Curriculum from 2013; conduct a comprehensive review of the educational needs of geographically isolated families and the services offered to them; and increase the Year 7 rate of the Living Away from Home Allowance to the secondary student rate.
“Between now and 2015, there is much to be done to get our schools ready for this major reform,” Mr Dick said.
“We will work closely with State, Catholic and independent schools to make sure the infrastructure and student and teacher support programs are in place so that our children can enjoy a safe and smooth transition into high school.”
16 June, 2011
Volunteers targeted
as SES recruits
A campaign to recruit new members to the State Emergency Service (SES) has been launched with an eye on attracting those who rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to help the clean-up following the recent floods.
Launched by the Premier, Anna Bligh, the campaign includes a 30-second television advertisement which will be broadcast throughout the State.
Ms Bligh said the message would focus on the ‘fantastic’ community response by thousands of volunteers who helped to clean up after disasters earlier in the year.
She said joining the SES was a great way to continue the generosity and camaraderie which was seen in the aftermath of the disasters.
“We have seen the willingness [of] Queenslanders helping each other through one of our State’s darkest hours,” Ms Bligh said.
“Tens of thousands of everyday people turned out to help others following the floods and cyclone, working alongside SES volunteers who responded to more than 15,000 jobs as a result of the disasters.”
The Premier said volunteering gave many Queenslanders a sense of accomplishment and achievement, which could be enjoyed all year round as a volunteer for the SES.
“From conducting flood boat rescues and emergency responses during natural disasters to searching and rescuing lost or injured bushwalkers, SES volunteers are an incredibly valuable asset to the Queensland community,” she said.
“I recognise this is not for everyone and it takes a massive commitment in today’s busy world, but I hope those people who are looking for another opportunity to contribute to Queensland take this opportunity to join up to the SES.”
Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said there were more than 6,800 volunteers across the State who provided the community with assistance in challenging times.
“One of the great things about the SES is that there are a vast range of practical skills that people can learn which transfer over to their everyday lives,” Mr Roberts said.
“Those who already possess certain skills like radio operations or abseiling or chainsaw operations can have the chance to hone and utilise these skills in potentially lifesaving environments.”
He said people interested in accessing more information could phone 132 500 or visit this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Ministers kick goal
with sports policy
Queensland has signed up to a new national strategy to stamp out match fixing in sport.
Minister for Sport, Phil Reeves said his counterparts from other States, Territories and the Commonwealth had also committed to the goals included in the National Policy on Match Fixing in Sport.
Mr Reeves said the aim of the Policy was to preserve the integrity of Australia’s national sporting heritage.
“Match-fixing and corruption in sport has emerged as the critical issue facing Australian and international sport,” Mr Reeves said.
“This represents a unified commitment by the Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments to work together to address fraudulent sports betting and match-fixing activities.”
He said the Policy contained principles including a nationally consistent approach to deterring and dealing with match fixing; information sharing between Governments, major sports, betting operators and law enforcement Agencies; a consistent national code of conduct for sport; and active participation in international efforts combat corruption in sport such as an international code of conduct or international body.
Mr Reeves said the Policy would also provide the basis for Australia to participate in reforms to achieve similar international outcomes.
He said the agreement was signed as part of the Sport’s Ministers’ Council held at the Metricon Stadium on the Gold coast.
“The rare move to host the Sports Ministers’ Council outside a capital city was a great opportunity to showcase the Queensland Government’s brand new Metricon Stadium,” he said.
16 June, 2011
CityCat terminal
designs floated
A shortlist of three design companies has been announced as part of the project to rebuild Brisbane’s CityCat terminals.
The companies were among 65 who showed interest in the international competition to design the terminals, damaged in the recent floods.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the project was a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to design terminals that would become a distinctive part of the River City’s landscape.
Ms Bligh said the numerous entries highlighted the significance of the project.
“The objective was that designers and architects from firms large and small would be keen to produce innovative designs for resilient and truly memorable ferry terminals, and they certainly were,” Ms Bligh said.
“A judging panel, headed by the State Government Architect Philip Follett, has narrowed the 65 to a shortlist of three.”
She said the three finalists showed innovative approaches to collaborative design and engineering know-how.
“They combined knowledge and experience with youthful exuberance and vision,” she said.
“And while all demonstrated an understanding of the competition’s objectives each team offered varying approaches to resolving the key issues including practicality, flood resilience and value for money.”
She said all the finalists included Brisbane-based architects in their teams, who brought a strong and competitive local knowledge to their designs.
Ms Bligh said the next stage was for all three teams to develop a full design concept to be delivered in July, with the winner announced later in the month.
She said the new terminal would be funded jointly by the Commonwealth and State Governments.
She said the project, which wouldn’t normally be funded by National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, was an important part of Brisbane’s transport network.
“Just like the Metro stations of Paris became an icon of that city at the turn of the century, we have the opportunity to rebuild our ferry terminals as immediately recognisable features of our city’s exceptional landscape,” Ms Bligh said.
She said the finalists included Second Nature Collaborative (Candalepas, Owen&Vokes, Richards&Spence Architects) with ARUP, Shane Thompson Architects & LAT27 with Bill Short Engineers, and Cox Rayner Architects/Alexander Lotersztain (Derlot).
16 June, 2011
Premier pops cork
on celebrations
The Queensland Week sponsorship program has been doubled to $100,000 for 2012 with the Premier, Anna Bligh, calling on community groups and organisations across the State to submit their ideas for local celebrations.
Ms Bligh said the program was introduced last year in an effort to encourage Queenslanders to celebrate the week in a way that reflected their community’s culture, heritage and aspirations.
“There was such a great response to last year’s program that we have decided to double the amount of funding on offer for events in 2012 to a total of $100,000,” Ms Bligh said.
“Queensland Week is such a celebratory time of year for Queenslanders and I encourage the community to submit their ideas for a 2012 Queensland Week event.”
She said the program would look for imaginative and innovative events to support, which reflected and celebrated what was great about the State.
“This may take the form of a concert, festival, markets, parade, barbeque or something that is unique to your region,” she said.
“It’s all about engaging your local community and encouraging their involvement in a true Queensland celebration.”
Ms Bligh said there were a total of seven projects sponsored this year, with plans to make 2012 bigger and better.
She said Queensland Week 2012 would run from 2 to 11 June.
The sponsorship guidelines and application forms can be downloaded from this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Working women
make house work
A team of 10 Indigenous women have almost completed the upgrade of a house in Woodridge.
Employed under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, the women were using their new-found construction and landscaping skills to complete the project which is being supervised by the Construction Training Centre.
Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe said the Government was committed to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
He said the project was an example of many around the State where participants had been able to use newly learnt skills in a practical environment.
Participant, Reynae Singleton said she was happy to learn by applying her skills to something practical.
“Thanks to this program I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty and could give the guys a run for their money,” Ms Singleton said.
“The theory work was very educational and the trainers are always there to help you.”
Another participant, Simone Ahwang said the positive effects stretched beyond the group of women involved.
“I’m proud of myself and so is my nephew who is inspired and has a goal to be a builder,” Ms Ahwang said.
MP for Woodridge, Desley Scott said participants were working towards a Certificate I in General Construction.
“This project and the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative aim to break down the barriers that limit the job opportunities for unemployed people,” Ms Scott said.
“An experience like this will be great for the participants’ self-confidence and motivation to tackle new challenges.”
Chief Executive of the Construction Training Centre, Phil Diver said the house the women worked on was in need of a lot of hard work.
“When the work is completed it will be a home for Indigenous families in need,” Mr Diver said.
“This keeps the group striving to do their best at each task they are set.”
He said the group had been working alongside other contractors and when the antenna was installed, a couple of the women went up on the roof to see how it was done.
More information of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative can be found at this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Winning planners are
talk of the town
The Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas, has presented awards to the winning university students in the annual Minister’s Town Planning Prize.
Mr Lucas said he was extremely impressed by entries submitted by final year planning students from universities across Queensland.
“The calibre of work displayed in this competition shows the future planning needs of our towns and cities is in good hands,” Mr Lucas said.
He said the prizes recognised emerging planners who were looking at ways to tackle current challenges.
“This is a great way to put their education to the test by tackling practical planning problems faced by Local Governments,” he said.
“Winning entries this year investigated issues ranging from the role of mining companies in rural housing, to preparing for the 2032 Olympics, and resident satisfaction with the layout of their suburban streets.”
Mr Lucas said the Planning Prize offered an annual award of $500 for the most innovative, practical and original approach to contemporary planning issues faced by Local Governments.
“It’s designed to give our future planners real-life case studies to sink their teeth into and get them started developing solutions to town planning,” he said.
“Fostering an enthusiasm for planning through initiatives like this will ensure our planners are well-qualified to manage Queensland’s growth and preserve the lifestyle we all enjoy.”
A full list of the winners can be found at this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Achievers named
for achievements
An ABC television journalist and the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) are among the group of achievers to be named 2011 “Queensland Greats”.
Those recognised for their efforts included ABC journalist Kerry O’Brien; business leaders Betty Byrne Henderson, George Chapman and Graham Jackson; former rugby league player Wally Lewis; and the Queensland SES.
Premier, Anna Bligh, said the recipients made a distinguished contribution to the State and were an inspiration to all Queenslanders.
“Queenslanders have faced one of our toughest challenges in recent history and now more than ever it is time to acknowledge our great achievers,” Ms Bligh said.
“It’s particularly pertinent that we honour the SES this year – these are the men and women who have given so much and continue to give to their fellow Queenslanders this year following our summer of disasters.”
She said the SES had worked tirelessly during the disasters in the beginning of the year as well as reaching a milestone in November 2010 by receiving their 100,000th call on their telephone hotline.
She said people like Betty Byrne Henderson and George Chapman and Graham Jackson were not only great business minds, but had used their positions to give back to their community.
“Wally Lewis has been an inspiration to an entire generation of sportsmen,” Ms Bligh said.
“Similarly, Kerry O’Brien has been an inspiration to a generation of journalists both locally and nationally.”
She said a total of 50 Queenslander and five Queensland institutions had been named Queensland Greats since the awards began in 2011.
More information on the Queensland Greats can be found at this PS News link.
16 June, 2011
Export taskforce set up
A live export taskforce has been establish while live cattle trade is suspended with Indonesia.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the suspension would affect many northern Queensland beef producers who relied on the live export trade.
She said the taskforce would include industry and Government representative to find other options to prepare and transport cattle to alternative markets.
Events funding up
Events funding throughout the State has received a boost in the State Budget.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the $83 million allocation would build resilience in the tourism industry and drive up increased visitor numbers, supporting regional communities and economies.
She said events played a vital role in supporting the State’s $9 billion tourism industry.
“The summer disasters, combined with other factors like the high Aussie dollar and the recent impact of the GFC, has hit the leisure tourism sector hard and we need to do everything we can to build industry resilience into the future,” Ms Bligh said.
Go card hits 2 million
The two millionth go card has been issued.
go card distribution has grown by 150 per cent in the past 18 months, leading to improvements to the public transport network.
The cards can now be bought from 560 places and topped up at more than 1,500 locations.
Disaster scam warning
Premier, Anna Bligh has warned people not to give bank details to anyone over the phone claiming to be from the Premier’s Disaster appeal.
Ms Bligh said the warning follows a case reported to the Queensland Police.
She said a strict policy was now in place and no bank details would ever be taken over the phone, instead they must be provided in writing.
Runway upgrade
A $390,000 upgrade to the Innisfail Airport runway will be completed this month to allow access to Hercules aircraft.
The upgrade follows damage to the runway caused by Hercules aircraft landing with heavy payloads during the recent floods.
Council sessions expanded
The Department of Local Government and Planning is to host three new information sessions on the obligations of being a councillor.
After seminars in North Queensland’s remote areas, the Department is now moving onto Innisfail, Atherton and Cairns.
Seminars will be held at 7pm on 15 June in Innisfail, 20 June in Atherton and 22 June in Cairns.
Interested parties can register by calling 4039 8549 or by following this PS News link.
Cycle congress for Brisbane
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is to host the inaugural Asia-Pacific Cycle Congress in Brisbane this year.
The Congress will run from 18-21 September and registrations are now open.
More information can be found at this PS News link.
Pipeline in place
The final piece of pipeline has been laid at the Mt St John Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The pipeline, which will capture and redirect wastewater from the northern area of Townsville, will improve the quality of water being discharged into the sea.
Nitrogen and Phosphorous levels will be reduced by up 70 per cent and ammonia levels by up to 97 per cent.
Investment brief for Rockhampton
The Rockhampton Region Investment Brief has been released by the Rockhampton Regional Council and the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.
The Brief covers the infrastructure needs for Rockhampton, which is part of the Queensland Government’s regionalisation strategy and a ‘growth area of significant importance’.
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said the Brief identified six infrastructure priorities: road and rail infrastructure; water infrastructure; serviced industrial land; a successful Central Queensland NRL Bid; CQUniversity Dual Sector and the Rockhampton Riverfront Development; and the Yeppoon Foreshore Development.
9 June, 2011
August deadline for
disaster payments
The majority of funds from the Disaster Relief Appeal are to be in the hands of flood and cyclone victims by the end of August according to the Premier, Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh said the fund would remain open for donations beyond that date however.
“To date, over $265 million has been donated to the appeal with over $100 million paid to over 30,000 flood and cyclone victims,” she said.
“By 31 August we will have paid out over $1 million a day and nearly $50,000 every hour since the fund was established.”
Ms Bligh said the Government aimed to distribute all of the money within six months.
“By way of comparison, money from the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal is still being distributed two years after those terrible events.”
She said there had been three rounds of applications for the appeal.
Applications were being received at a rate of around 350 a week, and the final round would close on 30 June.
“There are now 200 people led by an Assistant Director General working seven days a week to process applications and we are now making payments at twice the rate we are receiving applications,” she said.
9 June, 2011
Police line up for
new crime squad
A new police squad to tackle serious and violent crime has been established to support Detectives in South Eastern Region.
Announced by Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, Taskforce Resolve will be made up of 18 detectives from State Crime Operations Command and the South Eastern Region.
Commissioner Atkinson said the new squad would provide specialist support to the busiest police region in the State.
“The region has consistently received a share of police staffing that reflects the workload and population growth,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
He said 14 detectives were added to the Gold Coast District last year following the release of a report recommending an increase in police numbers to bolster existing resources.
“These detectives formed a part of an overall staffing increase for the region of 45 additional police last year,” he said.
“While statistics show that armed robberies have fallen State-wide over the past 15 years, the pattern for the South Eastern Region has fluctuated with a spike in recent months.”
Commissioner Atkinson said 15 detectives from State Crime Operations Command would be joined by three detectives from South Eastern Region to form Taskforce Resolve.
“(The Taskforce) will operate out of Regional Police Headquarters with a priority of bolstering local investigations into the most serious violent unsolved crimes,” he said.
“While originally Taskforce Resolve will consist of detectives taken from other areas, it will become permanent as increases in staffing allow people to be permanently assigned to the new taskforce.”
Premier Anna Bligh said the spike in armed robberies and the death of Detective Senior Constable Damian Leeding had sparked considerable public interest in the creation of the new police squad.
“It is my hope that this squad will assist in bringing those responsible for the spate in armed robberies across the region so far this year to justice while deterring others from engaging in criminal activity,” Ms Bligh said.
9 June, 2011
Flu warning is
good medicine
Queensland Health has issued a call for people to be vaccinated in time for the coming ‘flu season.
Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said the higher-than-usual level of influenza cases so far this year made vaccination vital for the coming months.
“There have already been 1,598 notifications of influenza in Queensland so far this year, compared with 279 over the same period in 2010,” Dr Young said.
“This is a trend we are seeing throughout the nation, with northern Australia in particular reporting higher-than-expected numbers of cases.”
Dr Young said vaccination was especially important for people in groups considered most at risk.
“That’s why Queensland Health provides free ‘flu vaccinations for the elderly, pregnant women, Indigenous people aged over 15 and those at risk due to medical conditions,” she said.
Dr Young said the annual vaccine was based on the virus strains circulating in the northern hemisphere and included protection against the A H3N2, A H1N1 and B strains.
“This reliable and safe vaccine is available to prevent people getting influenza,” she said.
Dr Young said anyone over the age of six months who was not severely allergic to vaccine ingredients could be vaccinated at GPs’ surgeries, Aboriginal medical services and other immunisation providers.
More information about influenza prevention and the Queensland Health vaccination program can be found at this PS News link.
9 June, 2011
GPS tracker trial to
pinpoint offenders
Community-based sex offenders being tracked electronically are to be transitioned to a new GPS-based monitoring system.
The Minister for Corrective Services, Neil Roberts, said Queensland would be the second State in Australia to adopt GPS technology in its monitoring of sex offenders, after New South Wales.
Mr Roberts joined Premier Anna Bligh in announcing the new system, which will cost $13.7 million over four years.
Ms Bligh said Queensland already had some of the most stringent monitoring in place, and the introduction of the new technology was the next logical step in providing protection for victims and the strictest supervision for offenders.
“We have to do everything in our power – and keep up with all emerging technologies – to offer the upmost protection to victims, particularly those victims of child sex offenders,” Ms Bligh said.
“We were the first government in Australia to introduce legislation allowing the courts to keep dangerous sex offenders in jail in beyond their full-time release date or to have them subject to strict supervision if released.”
Ms Bligh said there were currently 114 offenders subject to the Dangerous Prisoners (Sexual Offenders) Act, with 35 subject to continuing detention and 79 being managed in the community.
“Of the 79 offenders living in the community, 70 are currently subject to electronic monitoring and these offenders will be transitioned to GPS-based monitoring technology,” she said.
Ms Bligh expected the first offender to be fitted with the GPS monitoring device by the end of the year.
“Queensland Corrective Services will call for tenders from the market seeking the very best and most up-to-date technology,” she said.
“It will also train its staff in the use of the technology before the first monitoring device is fitted to an offender.”
9 June, 2011
Roads report drives
criticism of Feds
A report by the RACQ on the state of Queensland’s worst roads has highlighted the need for more Commonwealth funding according to the Minister for Main Roads, Craig Wallace.
Mr Wallace said the report found the Bruce Highway to be Queensland’s worst State road followed by the Warrego Highway.
He said the report also showed five of the 10 worst local government roads in Queensland belonged to Brisbane City Council.
“I agree with the RACQ that the Bruce Highway is our worst road,” Mr Wallace said.
“We have said repeatedly we need more funding from the Commonwealth to fix up our national highways.”
He said people in NSW or Victoria would not put up with roads like the Bruce Highway or the Warrego Highway.
“Nor should Queenslanders!”
Mr Wallace said the State Government was playing catch-up after 12 years of inadequate Commonwealth funding although the current Government had increased funding for the Bruce by 400 per cent.
“We need much more from the Commonwealth for the Bruce and the Warrego,” he said.
The RACQ survey said 61 per cent of people found road conditions in Queensland had been worsened by recent severe weather.
“Operation Queenslander, the biggest reconstruction program in the State’s history is now fixing this damage, with 80 per cent of damaged roads now repaired,” Mr Wallace said.
“This work will continue for several years as we replace damaged roads with better and stronger roads built to the most modern engineering standards.”
9 June, 2011
Hospital project
a healthy sign
The proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement for the $2.03 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH) has generated stronger than usual interest according to the Premier, Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh said the PPP market had shown strong interest in delivering the project with five Expressions of Interest (EOI) received.
“Recent healthcare PPPs in Australia attracted up to four bidders at the EOI stage, so we are very pleased to have received five responses from major players in this sector,” Ms Bligh said.
“It is a clear demonstration of the industry’s support for the Sunshine Coast University Hospital project.”
She said evaluations of the EOIs had begun and tender documents were due to be issued to short-listed bidders in August.
“The PPP will see Queensland Health enter into a 25-year procurement contract with a private consortium to design, finance, construct and maintain the hospital buildings,” Ms Bligh said.
“The hospital will open with 450 beds in 2016 growing to 738 beds by 2021.”
She said construction could begin as early as 2013, which meant an estimated 100,000 Sunshine Coast residents would no longer have to travel to Brisbane for complex surgical services and comprehensive cancer care.
She said the project would provide a new cancer care centre, a trauma service and facilities for neurosurgery, cardiothoracic and maxillofacial surgery.
Ms Bligh said the project would create more than 2,000 jobs during construction and would employ 3,500 doctors, nurses and support staff when it opened.
She said contracts had been signed with Ramsay Health Care for a 200-bed private hospital on the same site.
Ms Bligh said the State Government would purchase services for public patients from the private hospital during the construction and commissioning of the SCUH.
9 June, 2011
Bus tickets added to
salary packages
Staff of the ACT Public Service are to be eligible to ‘salary package’ bus travel on the local network in a new arrangement announced by the ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher.
From 1 June 2011 the ACT Government will provide its Public Service employees access to salary packaging for bus fares on the ACT Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION).
“I am very pleased to announce this important initiative which will see ACT Public Service employees save up to between $300 and $400 a year on the cost of public transport for travel between home and work,” Ms Gallagher said.
“As the second biggest employer in Canberra with a workforce of nearly 20,000 this is a significant commitment to our employees and the community.”
The Chief Minister said the initiative aimed to provide savings to ACT Public Servants and their families as well as see a greater patronage on buses, which would in turn diminish the carbon footprint of the Territory.
“A commitment to initiate arrangements was made in the ACTPS 2010-2011 enterprise bargaining agreements to introduce salary packaging of public transport costs for ACT Government employees,” she said.
“The benefit applies to all Public Service employees including part-time workers, and also applies to family members for their travel between home and work or school on ACTION buses under a private ruling obtained from the Australian Taxation Office.”
9 June, 2011
Fire warning puts
heat on heaters
The Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts, has warned people to take care to avoid house fires as the winter temperatures begin to fall.
Mr Roberts has recommended a ‘‘safety first’ attitude to reduce the risk of winter house fires, saying winter was a busy time for the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS).
“Last year, firefighters attended more than 478 house fires in Queensland during June, July and August,” Mr Roberts said.
“This equates to around five fires every day during the winter period across the State.”
He said the risk of fire increased dramatically when people started to use heaters, electric blankets and fireplaces.
“I urge people to take seriously the risk of fire in their homes this winter and take practical steps to ensure their safety,” he said.
“Tragically, the risk of fire has already been highlighted this year with a fatality in recent weeks.”
Mr Roberts said householders should be mindful of the danger room heaters posed to lives and property, especially when placed too close to bedding or clothing.
“Blocked chimneys and unprotected fireplaces can also create real potential for smoke and fire danger and should be maintained and used properly to ensure your safety,” he said.
“Residents should also devise and practice an emergency evacuation plan to activate in the event of a fire.”
Commissioner of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Johnson encouraged people to take advantage of the Safehome program, which involves QFRS firefighters visiting homes to conduct free fire safety inspections.
“I urge all Queensland households to take the time to book a free Safehome visit so they can be aware of the fire risks in their home and learn what to do if a fire occurs,” Commissioner Johnson said.
He said QFRS also offered free education and community safety programs to the public and more information can be found at this PS News link.
9 June, 2011
Indigenous guide on
track for schools
The Department of Education and Training has launched a new guide for schools to help promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in the State school curriculum.
Entitled Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Schools: A guide for school learning communities has been published by the Department of Education and Training under the Queensland Government Reconciliation Action Plan.
Minister for Education, Cameron Dick said the guide was part of a three-pronged approach which also included online learning materials and face-to-face workshops.
“Staff from the Department of Education and Training’s Indigenous Schooling Support Unit work directly with schools and communities to implement this approach,” Mr Dick said.
“This guide has been made possible with the advice of Indigenous communities and educators and I thank them for their contribution to this important resource.”
MP for Woodridge, Desley Scott represented Mr Dick at the official launch, saying the guide would give educators the knowledge, understanding and skills to support Indigenous students better and to integrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives into the curriculum and school culture.
“(The guide) will help schools develop a culturally appropriate strategy that reflects on the past, responds to the present and fosters change for the future,” Ms Scott said.
“It also aims to strengthen partnerships between schools and local Indigenous communities to support inclusive education and help Indigenous students succeed.”
The official launch was held at Marsden State School, where none per cent of the students are Indigenous.
The guide is available on the Department’s website at this PS News link.
9 June, 2011
Research power
pulls poles apart
Researchers with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) are using “breakthrough” technology to find the best hardwood for use in power poles.
They are breaking the poles in half!
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies, Tim Mulherin said the research at the Salisbury Research Centre involved finding new ways to improve the decay and termite resistance of selected eucalypt timbers for use as power poles.
“Pre-treatment processing techniques such as thru-boring have been used in the United States to improve the penetration of preservative into low durability timbers,” Mr Mulherin said.
“We’re evaluating this preservation technique when used on certain Australian eucalypt species and assessing the strength of the timber when it is put under pressure to the point of breaking.”
He said special equipment would be used at the Centre to break 150 full-sized power poles in half and collect timber durability data.
“As you can imagine it can take a lot of pressure to snap a power pole in half.”
Mr Mulherin said there were more than five million timber power poles in use in Australia, and demand was increasing.
“The number of power poles required to supply the Australian energy networks will increase by 75 per cent by 2014,” he said.
He said to help meet this demand DEEDI had joined with Forest and Wood Products Australia, timber treatment companies and Ergon Energy to look at possible solutions.
Timber poles were significantly cheaper than non-wood alternatives and had a lower carbon and energy footprint.
Mr Mulherin said plantation-sourced hardwoods could be a suitable alternative and the DEEDI researchers were also looking at ways of improving the durability of hardwood species currently grown for low value products such as pulp so they met the standard required for power pole use.
MP for Yeerongpilly, Simon Finn said the Salisbury Research Centre was the biggest and best-equipped facility dedicated to forest product research and development in Australia.
Mr Finn said the plantation hardwood species being tested in the research included eucalypt species E. grandis x camaldulensis, E dunnii (Dunn’s white gum), E globulus (Southern blue gum) and E nitens (Shining gum).
9 June, 2011
Minister wrapped
in gift card push
The Minister responsible for the Office of Fair Trading, Paul Lucas, has sought national support for a crackdown on gift cards.
Mr Lucas called on Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers attending a recent meeting of the Ministerial Council of Consumer Affairs to consider uniform regulation of gift cards.
He said too many consumers were being “ripped off”, and a national approach was desirable as many companies issuing gift cards operated across State and Territory borders.
Mr Lucas said the Queensland Government was prepared to “go it alone” in regulating gift cards if a national approach could not be agreed.
He said a recent Choice survey showed an estimated $1.5 billion had been spent on gift cards in the last financial year, and three out of four people had bought or received a gift card in the past year.
“Of those surveyed, an astonishing 50 percent never got to use their gift card’s full value,” Mr Lucas said.
“This is a massive amount of money going down the drain.”
He said administrators for book retailers Borders and Angus and Robertson had not honoured gift cards, leaving thousands of people with gift cards unable to use them, or asked to spend more money to redeem them.
He was concerned about interest accumulating on unredeemed gift cards, and varying terms and conditions from trader to trader.
Mr Lucas said some retailers did not replace lost or stolen gift cards, and some cards could not be used for purchases under certain amounts.
“There is also potential for fees and charges to be introduced by retailers that could erode the value of the card,” he said
Mr Lucas said the Choice survey found that Bunnings was the only retailer in Australia issuing gift cards that did not expire, and all other cards investigated expired anywhere from six to 24 months after purchase.
“The central issue here is whether or not Australia’s existing fair trading legislation for gift cards protects consumers from dishonest operators,” he said.
9 June, 2011
Cyber warning on
computer crime
Computer users have been warned to remain on their guard against cyber crime.
Wrapping up Cyber Security Awareness Week, the Minister responsible for Fair Trading, Paul Lucas, issued the warning saying people should not become complacent about what is a very real threat.
“People should think about the security of their personal information on mobile devices and social media sites all year round,” Mr Lucas said.
“Mobile phones and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have vastly improved people’s ability to communicate but they also provide a treasure-trove of personal information for scammers.”
Mr Lucas said private information such as bank account details, tax file numbers, birth dates and pin numbers simply should not be stored on mobile phones.
He urged mobile phone users to familiarise themselves with security settings and maintain strong passwords to protect their information.
“Mobile devices allowing wireless communication through Bluetooth also can be dangerous if the function is not properly secured,” Mr Lucas said.
“Allowing this function to be turned on all the time allows strangers in a close proximity with suitable scanning devices to access information from your phone.”
Mr Lucas said social media networks also provided opportunities for scammers to collect personal information.
He said networks such as Facebook and Twitter allowed the public to view personal photographs, discussions, personal details and people’s whereabouts.
“Not having the appropriate security features in place on these networks can allow people unknown to you to access your profile and your details and this can prove very costly,” he said.
“We’ve all heard the stories about people posting on Facebook that they’ve gone away on holiday, only to come back and find their house has been robbed.
“We should want to protect our identity and not make it easy for others to take it,’’ he said.
9 June, 2011
Gas wells report
finds all’s well
A report into well heads in the Coal Seam Gas industry has shown the majority are operating within strict safety standards.
The Minister for Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe said an audit of the Coal Seam Gas Well Head Safety Program showed that 98 per cent of more than 2,700 well heads showed no reportable leak.
He said the report from the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation detailed the results of an industry-wide audit of Queensland CSG wells after concerns were raised about possible leaks in the Tara area.
“Only five of the 2,719 well sites inspected throughout Queensland had leaks of a recognised flammable risk,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“While they posed limited risks to workers and the community, action was taken to fix them as soon as possible.”
He said a further 29 leaks detected and fixed as part of the audit were below the flammable range, posing “very little to no safety and health risk to the community or CSG workers”.
Mr Hinchcliffe said a new Code of Practice would guide companies with their ongoing testing, monitoring and maintenance regimes, and the Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate would continue to monitor the industry.
9 June, 2011
Election advice
gets big tick
The Department of Local Government and Planning has launched a Statewide information program to educate intending candidates in Local Government elections about the obligations and responsibilities of becoming a Councillor and how to nominate for election.
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said the seminars would be held in a range of locations across Queensland, including four in Northern Queensland for the Carpentaria, Townsville and Mount Isa Councils.
Mr Lucas said local government elections in March 2012 would provide an opportunity for Queenslanders to take an active role in decision-making affecting local communities.
“Local government elections play an important role in our democratic system, and these seminars are designed to provide information on how Local Government in Queensland works,” he said.
“This program is about providing intending candidates with the resources they need to make an informed choice about running for public office.”
He said trained regional staff would provide intending candidates with insight into how Councils operate, and what it meant to be a Councillor.
“(The seminars) are a useful source of information not only for potential candidates, but also for people wanting to know more about the process of local government,” Mr Lucas said.
He said for more information on dates, locations and how to register for the free seminars, intending participants could go to this PS News link.
9 June, 2011
Dam completion is
dam good result
The $348 million Wyaralong Dam near Beaudesert has been completed six months ahead of schedule and under budget.
Minister for State Development and Trade, Andrew Fraser, said the rapid progress was achieved during the 2010 dry season, which enabled the dam to capture this season’s significant summer rainfall.
“The dam was full and overflowing less than a month after the dam wall was plugged – six months prior to project completion,” Mr Fraser said.
“It’s testament to significant effort and innovation of the dam constructors that this significant rainfall event could be captured and stored for future use while the final stages of construction were completed.”
Mr Fraser said the result was “a strong indicator of the type of innovation and success achieved across the project that delivers a major new asset for the people of South East Queensland”.
He said the dam construction presented a myriad of challenges, both in the planning and construction stages and the people responsible for taking it from the drawing board to reality had done “an outstanding job”.
“The project has also delivered world class recreational facilities, innovative local employment initiatives and outstanding environmental outcomes,” Mr Fraser said.
He said the project’s contractors, the Wyaralong Dam Alliance, were recently recognised at the nationally acknowledged Alliance Contracting Excellence Awards.
He said the Mount Joyce Escape Recreation Park, delivered as part of the broader project, would be open to the public from 1 July when the dam is officially handed over to operators Seqwater.
He said the master-planned park had delivered “a multi-use recreation destination” for mountain bike riders, horse riders, bush walkers and water sport enthusiasts.
9 June, 2011
Innovation scheme
an innovative idea
The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) is to support a new Innovation Outreach Program being established in Brisbane by Microsoft.
In what’s believed to be an Australian first, the Department will provide business innovation services and advice to firms taking part in the program which will act like a high-tech hub, providing both start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises with access to business expertise, advice and support.
Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Simon Finn, said Microsoft was investing $4 million over three years to create the program.
“That’s a huge vote of confidence in Queensland’s growing ICT industry,” Mr Finn said.
“It means increased access to international expertise and business networks for local ICT businesses and specialised support to help them reap the benefits of the National Broadband Network (NBN).”
Mr Finn said the program would create up to 200 “smart jobs” and generate more investment and economic growth for Queensland
He said DEEDI would provide business innovation services and advice to firms taking part in the program, and access to Queensland Government services for start-up and early stage firms.
Microsoft State Director Patrick Pathinathan said the Innovation Outreach Program would encourage innovation and economic activity.
“It will help local businesses to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the NBN,” Mr Pathinathan said.
9 June, 2011
South bank open space opened
The Premier, Anna Bligh has officially opened the new South Bank development River Bend.
The 1,700 square metres of new greenspace boasts 70 metres of prime river frontage and is adjacent to the Maritime Museum.
Ms Bligh said the new precinct marked the most significant change to the Parklands in the past decade.
Bus stop for gallery
A new bus stop has been opened at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
Minister for the Arts, Rachel Nolan, said the new stop would provide convenient access to the gallery, library and surrounding cultural precinct
“Approximately 4 million people visit the Cultural Centre each year,” Ms Nolan said.
Library awards announced
The State Library of Queensland’s 2011 John Oxley Library Fellowship has been awarded to Thursday Island researcher Heidi Gibson.
The annual award recognises the work of historians in raising awareness and increasing knowledge of Queensland history.
Renowned historian and Honorary Research Advisor at the University of Queensland Dr Ross Johnston was awarded the John Oxley Library Award.
Tourist centres for outback
Two new tourist information centres have been opened in the outback towns of Bedourie and Birdsville.
Residents of the towns are hoping for a bumper tourist season.
High school opened
The new $73 million Bremer State High School has been opened by the Minister for Education, Cameron Dick.
Mr Dick said the “state-of-the-art” campus would cater for the tremendous growth in the Ipswich region and followed improvements to Bundamba State School, Bundamba State Secondary College, Silkstone State School and Riverview State School.
Reconciliation winners named
The five winners of the 2011 Queensland Reconciliation Awards have been announced in Cairns.
The Premier’s Reconciliation Award went to the Cherbourg Historical Precinct Group for The Ration Shed; the Business Award went to Virgin Australia; the Community Organisation Award was won by the Napranum Parents and Learning (PaL) Group and the Education Award, the Kirwan State School.
The Partnerships Award was shared between MurriWatch, Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation Queensland (ANTaR Qld) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Legal and Advocacy Service (ATSIWLAS).
The winners share in $25,000 prize money.
2 June, 2011
Archives paper on
digital dangers
Queensland State Archives has issued a report on digital recordkeeping aimed at ensuring that Government records can be accessed into the future.
The 44-page report, Digital Continuity: Ensuring the Continued Accessibility of the Queensland Government’s Digital Records, explores the background of digital recordkeeping, the challenges of storing and archiving digital records and the national and international initiatives being developed to meet those challenges.
The report says that as Government business becomes increasingly administered and transacted through electronic means, digital records are becoming more of an essential source.
“Digital records are fundamentally dependent on technology to access and understand the information,” the report says.
“However over time, technology becomes obsolete.”
The report found such obsolescence drastically increased the risks that digital information would be lost, have its authenticity compromised, or become inaccessible.
It sys Governments and other organisations around the world faced a significant challenge, exacerbated by the sheer volumes of digital information they needed and stored.
“The exponential growth in volumes is not just a storage problem; it has become an information management and governance problem,” the report says.
It says it was necessary to observe a strict discipline when conducting digital archiving comprising the long-term preservation and management of digital information.
“Sound information management practices, forming part of a broader digital archiving strategic framework, are essential in allowing Agencies to identify, manage and have certainty in the integrity of the information that they create,” the report says.
Its executive summary says Queensland State Archives had begun to review the current digital archiving methods in 2009 and had since developed an approach in partnership with the Queensland Government Chief Technology Office and Queensland Health.
As a result, a discussion paper was produced which aimed to raise awareness of the complexity of digital archiving; establish a common language and understanding about the key issues; and obtain feedback on how Agencies were responding.
In addition, an online digital archiving survey gathered quantitative data about the digital archiving activities and strategic planning undertaken by public authorities.
An analysis of the results revealed that Queensland public authorities created and managed a wide variety of digital records that required long-term retention with 80 per cent of respondents to the survey acknowledging that at least some of their digital information was at risk of loss.
The full report is available from Queensland State Archives at this PS News link.
2 June, 2011
Health starts work
on overpayments
Queensland Health has announced it is beginning the process of recovering the overpayments made to staff during its payroll problems of last year.
The Agency said the overpayments amounted to about $62 million and were made to around 38,000 staff members.
It said any staff member who received a salary overpayment of $200 or less in the 2010-11 financial year would not be required to repay the money and it estimated that would be the case for at least 22,000 staff.
Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson said he had directed Queensland Health to make every effort to ensure the recovery process was undertaken sensitively and respectfully.
“Both the Government and Queensland Health have always been upfront in making it clear this process would have to take place,” Mr Wilson said.
“It has been reported in the media and advised to staff on a number of occasions that a recovery process would need to occur for any staff member with outstanding over-payments.”
He said the recovery would begin following consultation with staff and unions.
“There is absolutely no denying that we wish we never had to go through this process in the first place, and again we apologise to staff that this has happened,” he said.
“However, Queensland Health also has an obligation to taxpayers to recover this money as part of the last of the steps to stabilise the new system for all staff.”
Mr Wilson said staff would be given every opportunity to ask questions, raise concerns, dispute amounts and determine reasonable rates of repayment.
Deputy Director General for Human Resource Services at Queensland Health, John Cairns will oversee the recovery project. He said in many cases the overpayments being recovered were not related to payroll system errors.
“In fact, in many cases, overpayments occurred when staff rosters were changed unexpectedly,” Mr Cairns said.
“Traditionally Queensland Health would have adjusted for such an overpayment in the next pay cycle, however when implementing the new system last year we agreed not to do this at the requests of both staff and unions until a proper process had been agreed to, and this has now happened.”
2 June, 2011
Flood Commission
gets more time
The Flood Commission of Inquiry has been given an extra five-and-a half-weeks to complete its final report.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the Commissioner, Justice Catherine Holmes had written to her requesting that the final reporting date be extended from 17 January to 24 February next year and she had agreed.
“The Commissioner has requested this extension because she has concerns over timelines for the final report and the volume of evidence that needs to be considered,” Ms Bligh said.
She said the Commission would be holding hearings and accepting evidence until early November.
“After that date consultation will be conducted with affected parties on draft findings and recommendations until the end of November,” she said.
“That means drafting of the report could not commence until December and, taking into account the complicated nature of the issues under consideration and printing deadlines, Justice Holmes has requested this extension to allow the Commission to fully consider the evidence.”
Ms Bligh said the Commission would still provide its interim report by 1 August so that any interim measures could be taken before the next wet season.
“The final report will be a document that will be used to make Queensland a safer and more resilient place and to protect us from the scenes we witnessed and thousands experienced last summer,” the Premier said.
“We’ve only got one shot at this and I will do everything necessary to make sure that we get it right.”
2 June, 2011
Tasmanian PS to sack
underperformers
New laws have been introduced in Tasmania to allow the State Government to sack underperforming Public Servants.
The new powers were announced by Premier Lara Giddings, who said they were needed because the Tasmanian PS was “too big” and “changes were needed” to improve its efficiency.
Ms Giddings said mass redundancies would not be offered but employees in programs identified by Departmental heads as no longer required would be laid off.
She said she would introduce changes to ensure workers deemed “surplus to requirement” would be given six months and help to find a new job before they were made redundant.
Details of who would be affected and the size of redundancy packages offered were yet to be revealed, however the plan is to cut the equivalent of more than 2,000 public sector jobs over three years.
Minister for Police, David O’Byrne said under the plan, police officers were being offered $20,000 to retire early, and the same offer was being made across several Government Departments as part of Budget savings measures.
Minister for Education, Nick McKim, also said up to 150 teachers and other education staff may choose to retire under the latest round of the retirement incentive scheme.
Public sector unions in Tasmania have criticised the plan to trim the Public Service, saying it was creating more uncertainty within the sector.
Ms Gidding said Public Servants would have a wait of at least three weeks before they found out if their managers had deemed their jobs no longer necessary.
The Premier said a wide-ranging investigation into the productivity of the public Service had also been commissioned.
The Premier’s plan comes three weeks before the state Budget is due to be handed down.
2 June, 2011
Crime Commission to
probe appointments
The Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) is to begin an investigation into three of eight corruption allegations made by former Minister, Gordon Nuttall and tabled in Parliament last month.
The CMC said it had attempted to obtain further information from Mr Nuttall about the allegations but he had indicated through the MP for Burnett, Robert Messenger that he did not intend to assist the CMC.
“Accordingly, the CMC has made its initial assessments about how to deal with Mr Nuttall’s allegations on the basis of the information that is currently available to us,” the Commission said in a statement.
“Some of Mr Nuttall’s allegations have either been the subject of previous consideration and determination by the CMC, or do not enliven the CMC’s investigative jurisdiction.”
The CMC said that despite this however three allegations would be investigated including that former Premier, Peter Beattie inappropriately appointed former Minister, Bob Gibbs to the position of Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles in contravention of the Electoral Act 1992.
A second investigation would be launched into claims that Premier, Anna Bligh inappropriately appointed former Premier, Peter Beattie to a Trade Commissioner’s position in London, later changing this to Los Angeles, in contravention of the Electoral Act 1992; and a third into a claim that the direct appointment of a former Director-General of Queensland Health in 2005 was inappropriate.
The CMC said that its decision to investigate the matters had been made in the public interest on the basis of maintaining public confidence in the State’s electoral and administrative systems.
“No further details will be publicly provided while the investigation is ongoing,” the CMC said.
2 June, 2011
Building study finds
lessons in Yasi
Queensland’s current building standards for structures in cyclone zones are up to scratch and working well, a new report has found.
The report based its findings on the damage to homes and buildings in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Yasi.
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) had commissioned the report from the Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University (JCU) which undertook a field study of damage to the area.
Mr Lucas said that during Yasi, wind gusts were estimated to range from 133 to 245 kilometres per hour.
“JCU’s report shows that less than three per cent of all post-1980s houses in the worst-affected areas experienced significant roof damage, although more than 12 per cent of the pre-1980s housing inspected had,” he said.
“The report shows that the poorer performance of some pre-1980s houses was largely due to deterioration of the structure over time, as well as inferior tie-down standards when compared to modern building codes.”
He said the report analysed buildings replaced and repaired in places such as Innisfail after Tropical Cyclone Larry and how they performed during Tropical Cyclone Yasi.
“It was heartening to see that most buildings repaired after Tropical Cyclone Larry received little or no damage to the repairs,” Mr Lucas said.
“However, the report indicated that performance of repaired buildings was lower than that of newly constructed buildings, highlighting the difficulties of working within an existing structure.”
He said the report recommended the development of new construction requirements for buildings within a storm surge zone to reduce the risk of structural damage in the future.
He said it found that education and continuing maintenance of homes would help build the resilience of communities.
2 June, 2011
First class results
for 2010 students
New data has shown that Queensland’s Class of 2010 achieved results that prepare them for university, trade training and the workforce in record numbers.
The Queensland Studies Authority’s report on Year 12 outcomes for the Class of 2010, showed students were generally leaving school ready to continue learning or to enter the workforce.
Minister for Education, Cameron Dick said the report revealed that a record 93 per cent of the 44,997 Year 12 students who graduated from Queensland schools in 2010 received a qualification.
“More than 81 per cent of last year’s Year 12 graduates achieved a Queensland Certificate of Education, and some 26,789 were awarded a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification,” Mr Dick said.
“These outstanding results show that the education and training reforms introduced by the Queensland Government in the past decade are really having an impact.”
He said another indication of the options available to senior secondary students was shown by the fact that although Queensland had already accounted for over half the nation’s school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, the area had recorded growth of an additional 14 per cent in 2010.
“We are seeing record numbers of students going on to complete Year 12 and we are seeing improved results across the board, whether that be in an academic or vocational pathway or a combination of study and work through apprenticeships and traineeships,” he said.
“This is important in a State such as ours, where the demand for skills is increasing.”
He said students who wanted careers in trades such as building or plumbing were just as important to society as those who wanted to be doctors, lawyers and accountants.
Mr Dick said he wanted to congratulate the teachers, guidance officers and school leadership teams who worked hard every day to support students through such an important time in their life.
“I also congratulate the students for their excellent results,” he said.
2 June, 2011
Energy strategy to
ease power pain
A new energy strategy has been developed to help Queenslanders manage peak electricity demand better and ease pressure on prices.
The Queensland Energy Management Plan contains 28 initiatives designed to manage electricity consumption and peak demand in a more cost-effective way.
Minister for Energy, Stephen Robertson said the Plan was a roadmap for the future, allowing people to continue to enjoy a reliable supply of electricity when they needed it, wherever they lived.
“It will also help avoid the need for a new 1,000-megawatt power station by 2020, saving more than $3.5 billion in avoided network and generation costs,” Mr Robertson said.
He said one key initiative would help Queensland pool owners save up to 40 per cent on their pool energy running costs by making it easier for them to access the cheaper Tariff 33 electricity supply.
“From 1 July, pool owners will be able to connect pool pumps to off-peak Tariff 33 electricity via a standard power point,” he said.
“There are currently more than 300,000 homes in Queensland with swimming pools and around 10,000 new pools are constructed each year.”
Mr Robertson said less than half the pools were connected to the cheaper Tariff 33.
He said those that were connected to the regular Tariff 11 contributed about 163 megawatts each year to peak electricity load.
He said peak electricity demand capacity in Queensland was expected to increase from approximately 8,300 megawatts in 2008-09 to more than 12,800 megawatts by 2020.
“As Queensland’s population grows, and we continue to use more energy-hungry appliances like home air-conditioners and plasma televisions, our electricity consumption skyrockets,” Mr Robertson said.
“Combined with increased peak demand as large numbers of people choose to use energy at the same time, this creates the need to build more electricity infrastructure.”
He said the Queensland Energy Management Plan built upon the $44.7 million Energy Conservation and Demand Management Program which was announced as part of the climate change strategy ClimateQ: Toward a Greener Queensland.
2 June, 2011
National parks
branch out
A new National park has been created in North Queensland, while two others have been expanded.
The initiative will see more than 1,500 hectares of new National Park added to the region with a total of 1,380 hectares of land west of Bowen being declared Mount Abbott National Park (Scientific).
Minister for Environment and Resource Management, Kate Jones said the declaration ensured that the rare plants and animals in the area would be preserved.
“This includes a number of rare insects, new insect species and a legless lizard called the striped-tailed delma,” Ms Jones said.
“The park will be a place for conservation and research into the area’s unique biodiversity.”
She said a total of 70 hectares had been added to Mount Aberdeen National Park and 66 hectares to Cape Hillsborough National Park, north of Mackay.
“The expansion to Mount Aberdeen National Park increases the koala corridor between Bowen and Collinsville,” she said.
Ms Jones said Mount Aberdeen was also home to rare and endangered plants and animals including the northern quoll, black ironbox and the common death adder.
“These new expansions show just how committed the Queensland Government is to protecting the environment,” she said.
“The outstanding features of this area ensured that it was afforded the highest level of protection by the Queensland Government.”
She said National Parks were there for the benefit of all Queenslanders and she encouraged everyone to make the most of the new additions.
“Cape Hillsborough has been popular amongst lovers of the great outdoors for many years because of its beautiful scenery for picnickers, bushwalkers and campers alike,” Ms Jones said.
“This expansion gives them even more to enjoy and best of all, right on Mackay’s doorstep,” she said.
2 June, 2011
Internet dangers
can have a byte
National Cyber Security Awareness Week has begun with a warning that people should become more aware of the dangers of cyberspace.
Minister for information and Communication Technology, Simon Finn said the internet had become increasingly central in everyday life with many people using it every day to do their banking, shopping, education, business and social networking.
“That’s why people need to take responsibility for their own cyber security and take simple steps to protect their personal and financial information online,” Mr Finn said
“These include installing security software and updating it regularly, as well as turning on automatic updates which allow your software to receive the latest security fixes.”
He said regularly changing passwords to strong combinations of letters, numbers and symbols and sticking to trusted websites were other tips worth noting.
He said people should also avoid sharing personal and financial information online – unless it was legitimately warranted.
“They should carefully scrutinise offers received by email promising great benefits. If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is,” Mr Finn said.
“And remember to make sure you know what your children are doing on the internet.”
He said National Cyber Security Awareness Week was an Australian Government initiative which ran from 30 May to 3 June.
2 June, 2011
New priorities for
workplace safety
New laws have been passed that provide strong workplace safety protections for workers while reducing red tape for business.
Queensland is the first State in the nation to pass the Work Health and Safety Bill – a significant milestone in a three-year national reform agenda.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Cameron Dick said the laws – which had been the subject of extensive consultation over the past three years – would remove confusion and complexity caused by Australia’s multiple workplace legislation and form part of the national reforms that would result in harmonised workplace laws across Australia.
“The laws broaden the definition of ‘worker’ to include labour hire, contractors and sub-contractors, and impose the onus of proof on the regulator to prove an offence,” Mr Dick said.
“Ultimately, this is about making it simpler for employers to keep their workplaces safe while continuing to provide protection for workers.”
He said the new laws would reduce red-tape for business, saving Queensland’s economy more than $30 million a year.
“The new legislation combats the confusion, complexity and duplication caused by Australia’s multiple workplace health and safety regimes and replaces the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995,” he said.
Mr Dick said the Government also passed the Safety in Recreational Water Activities Bill 2011 to ensure Queensland’s diving and snorkeling industries were covered by safety legislation.
“The dive industry is one in which we certainly cannot tolerate cowboys and the legislation will help to ensure unscrupulous operators don’t spoil it for the hundreds of high-quality dive operators in Queensland,” he said.
“We want to protect our industry and set the safety standards for rest of the world and this legislation will help ensure this is possible.”
2 June, 2011
Adopt-a-Cop to
cop award
The Adopt-a-Cop of the Year Awards are now open for nominations.
The awards recognise the contributions made by Adopt-a-Cops working with children throughout the State, with one overall winner to receive the major title.
Spokesman for the Queensland Police Service’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch, Acting Inspector Kim Jackson said it was important that officers who go above and beyond their duty be recognised.
“Adopt-a-Cops volunteer for the positions within schools, which they take on in addition to their regular duties,” Acting Inspector Jackson said.
“The Adopt-a-Cop program enables police to educate children on a number of issues including the role of police and how they can keep safe in a range of environments.”
She said many Adopt-a-Cops took part in school events, such as parades, sports carnivals, presentation evenings and excursions, and were an integral part of the school community.
“Having Adopt-a-Cops within schools helps build a positive relationship between police and all members of the school community, including students, teaching staff, parents and carers,” Inspector Jackson said.
She said all members of the school community were invited to complete a nomination form for their Adopt-a-Cop, with completed forms to be submitted to the school principal.
Inspector Jackson said winners in each of the 30 districts throughout Queensland would be eligible for the regional round of awards, with the eight regional winners to be considered by a judging panel for the 2011 Adopt-a-Cop of the Year Award.
She said the winners would be announced during Child Protection Week in September.
Nomination forms can be found at this PS News link.
2 June, 2011
New rules to
vet animals
The use of live animals from Logan for terminal teaching classes has been phased out under an agreement between the University of Queensland (UQ) and Logan City Council.
The Council and UQ will continue to work closely to help find new homes for suitable unwanted or abandoned animals.
Director of Teaching and Learning at the UQ School of Veterinary Sciences, Associate Professor Paul Mills said the School was committed to the continuous review and refinement of teaching practices.
“Over the last few years we have introduced many innovative surgical training approaches to prepare our students for veterinary clinical practice,” Associate Professor Mills said.
“The School of Veterinary Science continues to provide the highest level of veterinary education.”
He said the university was still committed to working together with Logan City Council and would continue an affiliation that has seen many animals find new homes.
He said under the new agreement, the Council would still seek to transfer animals to UQ as potential candidates for the school’s Pets-for-Life adoption program, which had a very high success rate of finding permanent homes for animals.
“The school’s students are able to assess and correct some bad behaviour traits under the supervision of highly trained staff which enables these animals to have a second chance at life,” Professor Mills said
Chair of Logan City Council Animals and City Standards Committee, Graham Able said an agreement between the Council and UQ that would end the already suspended transfer of animals for terminal teaching classes had been revised.
Councilor Able said that unwanted animals unable to be found new homes that would previously have been euthanised at the University, would instead be euthanised at the Council’s Animal Management Centre.
“These animals euthanised at the Animal Management Centre will be transferred to The University of Queensland as cadavers,” he said.
“Council has partnered with the University for over 20 years and we hope to successfully continue this relationship with the revised agreement.”
2 June, 2011
Mackay plan open
for public comment
The public has been invited to comment on the draft Mackay Isaac and Whitsunday (MIW) Regional Plan 2011-2031.
The plan provides a blueprint for managing growth in the region over the next two decades.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the vision for the region focused on developing the economy, managing natural resources, protecting the environment and maintaining quality of life.
Ms Bligh said the resources boom had fuelled strong growth in the region.
“By 2031 the region’s population is projected to grow from 180,417 to 280,417 people - an increase of 100,000,” Ms Bligh said.
“An additional 51,500 dwellings will be required to accommodate the region’s growing population.”
She said under the draft plan, the region’s growth would be generally focused within existing towns and communities and adjacent lands identified within the urban footprint.
“We are ensuring there is sufficient land for building new homes for future residents whilst protecting around 99.7 per cent of this beautiful region from significant urban development,” Ms Bligh said.
“This will limit urban sprawl and take pressure off land that is agriculturally productive, environmentally sensitive, physically constrained or has scenic value.”
She said the majority of the region’s growth was expected to occur in existing major towns between Airlie Beach and Sarina, and key settlements in the Bowen Basin mining area.
She said Mackay City would also absorb an estimated 66,000, or 68 per cent, of the region’s additional residents.
Ms Bligh said the draft plan was part of the Government’s wider regional planning program, led by Growth Management Queensland.
She said the public comment period would ends on 2 September.
2 June, 2011
Matisse to paint
GoMA red
Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is to stage an exhibition of works on paper by Henri Matisse.
The exhibition Matisse: Drawing Life, would feature more than 300 drawings, prints, paper cut-outs and artist books, and is due to launch on 2 December, marking the fifth anniversary of the opening of GoMA.
Minister for the Arts, Rachel Nolan said it was an incredible achievement that in its first five years GoMA had staged major exhibitions works by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Henri Matisse, regarded by many as the three most influential artists of the 20th century.
“These unprecedented, high-calibre international art shows in Brisbane have delivered a $45 million boost to tourism and the State economy since 2007 and we want to keep that momentum going,” Ms Nolan said.
She said the exhibition had been organised by the Queensland Art Gallery and Art Exhibitions Australia with the cooperation of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, which is set to lend more than 100 prints and drawings to the exhibition.
She said the two-site Queensland Art Gallery was now the highest attended art museum in Australia and a national cultural hub for art and ideas.
“We expect art lovers from across Australia and overseas to travel to Brisbane for this landmark exhibition - just as they have for previous blockbusters such as Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future in 2010, American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met in 2009 and Picasso & his collection in 2008,” Ms Nolan said.
2 June, 2011
Contracts nailed in
construction probe
A review of contracting arrangements in the construction industry aimed at safeguarding Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme has been launched.
The review was prompted by concerns about sham contracting arrangements in the building and construction sector.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Cameron Dick said employers who used dodgy contracts to avoid paying their workers’ compensation premiums had no place in Queensland.
“Industry stakeholders have told us that some unscrupulous employers are using sham contracting arrangements to avoid paying their insurance premiums,” Mr Dick said.
“They reportedly hire staff as contractors rather than workers in an attempt to avoid their workplace health and safety obligations.”
He said such arrangements could deny compensation coverage to legitimate workers and create an uneven playing field by excluding the cost of workers’ compensation insurance from contract pricing.
He said the review would look at how widespread the problem was and what could be done to ensure everybody pulled their weight.
Mr Dick said an industry reference group comprising representatives from unions, employer groups, insurers and Government would be established to guide the review.
Minister for the Building Industry, Simon Finn said the industry reference group would include representatives from the Department of Public Works.
“As the contract manager for State Government-funded building projects, the Department of Public Works has been working with unions with regard to this issue,” Mr Finn said.
“This review will give us a better idea of the issues associated with contracting on building sites and the impacts on workers, and how these issues can be addressed.”
2 June, 2011
Trafficking campaign
gets UQ green light
A new campaign which aims to raise public awareness about the reality of human trafficking in Australia has been launched by the University of Queensland (UQ).
The Be Careful What You Pay For campaign is an initiative of UQ’s Human Trafficking Working Group led by Associate Professor Andreas Schloenhardt from the T.C. Beirne School of Law.
Co-founder of the Group, Dr Melissa Curley from the School of Political Science and International Studies said Dr Schloenhardt had recently received UQ funding to promote both teaching and research collaboration on issues of Human Trafficking as well as Migrant Smuggling.
Dr Curley said the Human Trafficking Working Group united students and academics giving them the opportunity to enrich their understanding of the contexts in which human trafficking occurred.
“Students will be able to conduct research projects on issues such as the politicisation of people smuggling and human trafficking in the media, compensation for victims of trafficking and address some of the challenges faced by countries – such as Indonesia – in implementing and enforcing their new trafficking laws,” Dr Curley said.
“The collaboration will highlight how politics and diplomacy, and foreign policy intersect with the legal analysis of these issues.”
She said the new campaign featured posters, postcards, and a short film which captured the way in which trafficking in persons in Australia is a crime driven by consumer demand.
She said the campaign was also supported by the Australian Federal Police and the Queensland Law Society.
Dr Curley said the initiative provided opportunities for joint collaboration between law and political science students at UQ.
“We hope to encourage dialogue between these two disciplinary perspectives,” she said.
2 June, 2011
Help for rebuilders
A new ‘Build Back Navigator’ has been launched by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to assist people with building and repairing their homes after a natural disaster.
The Navigator indicates the services and support available to guide people through the rebuilding process.
Among many other things it offers advice on insurance, financial support or the right kind of builder.
Water study extended
The deadline for the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to develop SunWater’s new irrigation price path has been extended. .
The deadline will now be October, with the final report now due in April 2012.
This is the first time all of SunWater’s irrigation prices have been investigated by QCA, the Government’s independent economic regulator.
Highway upgrade finished
The Gold Coast Highway upgrade through Labrador is now complete.
The two-lane highway was widened to four lanes, turning lanes were added and a 24-hour T2 transit lane was implemented to ease congestion.
New road surfacing, a central median strip and new intersections with traffic signals were also part of the upgrade.
New school for Mackay
A new State high school, to be built at Eimeo in Mackay’s northern beaches, is to open in 2013.
The school will offer Year 8 from 2013 and all secondary school levels by 2017.
When Stage One of the school opens in 2013, it will cater for up to 300 students and enrolments will grow to more than 1,000 by 2017.
Construction of new roads around the site will begin later this year and work will begin on the school in early 2012.
Skills grants open
Grants are now available for industry groups and companies for training programs to head off future skills shortages.
The grants will be available through Skills Queensland – the industry-led statutory authority established by the State Government in December 2010.
The Skills Queensland Strategic Investment Fund will have $50 million provided by the Government each year together with complementary funding contributed by industry.
More information is available from this PS News link.
Intersection open
The new Sandgate/East West Arterial Road controlled intersection has been opened, five weeks ahead of schedule.
The intersection replaces a temporary roundabout, which kept more than 48,000 vehicles moving each day during the five-month construction of the Sandgate Road Bridge.
When complete the overall project will improve travel times, providing six new lanes for drivers between Bowen Hills and Kedron and four new lanes between Kedron and Toombul.
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