|
|
SearchArchives for May 2011
26 May, 2011
Complaints review
recommends change
Sweeping changes to police complaints procedures have been recommended following an independent review into the Police complaints, discipline and misconduct system.
Premier, Anna Bligh commissioned the review in March, appointing a panel of experts to provide a report to Government advising on a model system.
Ms Bligh said the Simple Effective Transparent Strong Report committed the Government to ensuring the highest standards of conduct in the Queensland Police Service.
“We have one of the most professional police services in the world and for Public confidence in that service to remain high it is important that the Public can have absolute confidence in the system of dealing with police complaints, discipline and misconduct,” Ms Bligh said.
“That is the very least the vast majority of our professional, honest, courageous and hard working police officers deserve.”
She said the Report made 57 recommendations including that Officers no longer be able to investigate serious police misconduct at the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) with the investigations conducted instead by experienced police from other States or other experienced investigators; that the CMC be given a new oversight power to change disciplinary decisions by the police it considers to be too lenient; that the CMC receive a new power to apply to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) for a review of a disciplinary decision made by the police; and that 80 per cent of more of the serious complaints received by police be dealt with within seven months.
“These are wide reaching recommendations and for this reason we will release the Report for community consultation,” Ms Bligh said.
“A public consultation period of six weeks will allow all interested parties to comment.”
Chairperson of the CMC, Martin Moynihan said both his organisation and the Queensland Police Service were part of a steering committee which provided advice and input to the panel’s review.
“The CMC fully supports public debate on this issue,” Mr Moynihan said.
The Independent Panel’s Report is available at this PS News link.
26 May, 2011
Bradley to top job at
Premier and Cabinet
The new Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet has been named as John Bradley.
Mr Bradley’s appointment will follow the impending departure of current DG, Ken Smith who is to become Queensland’s Agent General and Trade Commissioner for Europe and Africa.
Mr Bradley is currently Director-General of the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and has previously held senior roles in Government both in Queensland and Western Australia.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the appointment had been made after an extensive search and merit selection process including interest from interstate.
“I’m very pleased that John will take on this senior role to which he brings 20 years of experience in the Queensland and Western Australian public sectors,” Ms Bligh said.
“He comes to the position with a significant record of achievement in the environment and natural resources sector culminating in his appointment as Director-General of DERM.”
She said Mr Bradley had previously been the inaugural Chief Executive of the Queensland Water Commission, leading innovative demand management and water supply initiatives through what was the worst drought in a century.
“He has previously led electricity reform in Western Australia and gas sector public policy reforms in Queensland, contributing to the growth of our coal seam gas sector,” she said.
“He has diverse public sector experience through holding senior roles in Treasury and as a senior advisor in the office of the Treasurer in the rural adjustment, education and transport portfolios and in academic research.”
The Premier said Mr Bradley would take up the role on 6 June.
26 May, 2011
Trustee trusted with
Annual Report Award
The Most Readable Annual Report category at the Queensland Public Sector Annual Report Awards has been won by The Public Trustee for its 2009-10 Annual Report.
The Trustee also took out the category for Best Report by a Statutory Authority or Government Owned Corporation.
Public Trustee of Queensland, Peter Carne said the wins were affirmation of the quality of work being delivered by his restructured Marketing and Communication Team.
“I congratulate the team on showcasing the great work being performed by The Public Trustee staff located right across the State,” Mr Carne said
“It was important to us that our annual report should not only report accurately on our financial performance, but highlight our achievements and the many services we provide to the Queensland community.”
He said winning the award for Most Readable Annual Report was a particular highlight, given that many of the Trustee’s clients were people with incapacity to manage their financial affairs.
He said The Public Trustee had served the Queensland community since 1916 and drew on this depth of experience to provide reliable estate planning and other services.
Mr Carne said it was a dynamic organisation which continued to evolve to meet the community’s changing needs.
The Public Trustee’s Annual Report 2009-10 is available at this PS News link or phone 1300 360 044 to request a copy.
26 May, 2011
Health database
passes check-up
A new research database links Queensland Health researchers with prospective participants – the first of its kind in the Australian Public health system.
Executive Director of the Queensland Health Office of Health and Medical Research (OHMR), Professor Robin Mortimer said the online Database of Research Activity (DoRA) was an important source of information for consumers to find out the latest medical treatments and ideas being trialled.
Professor Mortimer said the database would create a central catalogue of research activity taking place across the State.
“The database highlights the vast amount of research currently being undertaken throughout Queensland,” he said.
“It really shows how much activity is being achieved in Queensland public hospitals in collaboration with Queensland universities and other organisations.”
He said the DoRA would also enable researchers in rural and remote areas of Queensland to connect immediately with fellow researchers in metropolitan areas.
Research Fellow at Queensland Health, Shoni Colquist said there were many benefits for researchers as well as consumers.
“I can now see what else is being done in the same field across the State and it puts me in touch with like-minded researchers,” Ms Colquist said.
“As a research fellow, I can be contacted about the research I’m doing or I can point people in the direction of DoRA so they can learn about the research I’m doing.”
She said the database also meant General Practitioners could search for projects that might benefit patients and organisations and discover relevant information to help other Queenslanders.
DoRA can be accessed at this PS News link.
26 May, 2011
Testing time for
NAPLAN schools
Schools have been warned against using NAPLAN results to decide on the enrolment of students.
Federal Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett issued the warning saying it was “entirely inappropriate” for schools to use NAPLAN to decide on who should be part of the school community.
He said any schools thought to be doing so should be referred to the relevant State Education Department for investigation.
“The vast majority of schools are using NAPLAN for the purpose that it was intended, that is, as a valuable tool used by parents, schools and Governments to understand and improve literacy and numeracy results of our kids,” Mr Garrett said.
“I fully expect that all students will participate in NAPLAN testing, it is not appropriate to apply pressure to parents to withdraw their children from testing.”
He said attendance data for the day of testing would be published on the My School website and any attempt to manipulate the results would be investigated.
Mr Garrett said NAPLAN was only one indication of how well a child was doing at school, but there were significant benefits in having a diagnostic tool to identify how students were performing in literacy and numeracy.
“We understand that literacy and numeracy are the building blocks of a great education and publishing results on the My School website gives us the opportunity to see how well students are performing in the context of the specific school environment,” Mr Garrett said.
26 May, 2011
Hospitals line up
with online data
Performance information about the State’s hospitals is now available online.
Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson said the new website was another example of how the State was working to make access to health information and services faster and easier.
“It’s about a new way of doing things that means people can access more information about their hospital in a clearer way, and when they want to,” Mr Wilson said.
“Already we report more hospital statistics than any other State in Australia and this new website goes a step further – people can now easily see what services their hospital is delivering and how it’s performing all at the click of a button.
He said Queensland had the nation’s biggest health infrastructure projects – a $7.33 billion program that included new hospitals for the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and the new Queensland Children’s Hospital, as well as the expansion of hospitals across the State.
“These projects alone will deliver more than 1,700 extra hospital beds and the total infrastructure program will mean more than 50,000 construction jobs for Queenslanders,” he said.
Mr Wilson said the latest performance figures published on the new Queensland Health website showed that across the State, the median wait to be seen in an emergency department for a Category One patient was less than a minute - better than the national median.
He said across all five categories patients were waiting well under an hour for treatment, with the median wait in April just 21 minutes.
He said the median wait for elective surgery was 30 days, also better than the national median.
Mr Wilson said as was expected, the number of patients treated across Queensland was well down on the previous period due to the impacts of the natural disasters.
“However, even with closures due to the floods and cyclone, Queensland’s hospitals have continued to beat the national average on wait times in both elective surgery and emergency departments in the January quarter,” he said.
More information about Queensland Health’s new website is available from the ‘What’s New’ section at this PS News link.
26 May, 2011
New DNA lab
passes test
Australia’s most advanced DNA testing laboratory has been officially opened at Coopers Plains.
Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson said the $7.6 million expansion of the laboratory meant it would be able to facilitate more testing with faster results.
Mr Wilson said Queensland was currently the only State where information and test results were exchanged with police via computer link in real time.
“This innovative approach gives our police faster access to better intelligence when it comes to solving crimes,” he said.
“The lab upgrade also means Queensland has access to the best technology when it comes to identifying missing persons, or those lost in large scale disasters.”
He said the skills and knowledge of forensic scientists at Queensland’s DNA labs had been crucial during the recent floods to assist with identifying some of the victims.
“Without them, families would have potentially spent their lives wondering about the fate of loved ones,” Mr Wilson said.
MP for Sunnybank, Judy Spence said DNA technology was rapidly advancing, and the refurbished centre was now able to take advantage of new and emerging testing methods.
Ms Spence said Queensland Health and the police had been working together to improve quality and efficiency and speed up delivery of results.
“Rapid, high-quality DNA analysis is critical to the success of criminal investigations,” she said.
“This is another example of Queensland Health and the Queensland Police Service working together to benefit local communities.”
26 May, 2011
Museum in display
of recognition
Recipients of the 2011 Queensland Museum Medals have been announced.
Acting Minister for the Arts, Andrew Fraser said former Chief Scientist, Professor Peter Andrews and Australia’s foremost expert on land snails, Dr John Stanisic both received the awards.
“Professor Andrews and Dr Stanisic have joined a select group of medal recipients which includes Sir David Attenborough, the late Steve Irwin and Vince O’Rourke AM,” Mr Fraser said.
“Medal recipients are leading experts in their field and spend their lives dedicated to researching and advancing our understanding of our environment and our world.”
He said the medal recipients, normally announced on 20 January but delayed this year because of the floods, had been fittingly presented on International Museum Day.
Chief Executive of Queensland Museum, Dr Ian Galloway said the Queensland Museum Medal was introduced by the Board of the Museum in 1987 to honour individuals who had made a significant contribution in a field relevant to the museum.
“Professor Andrews is at the forefront of initiatives to develop the Australian biotechnology industry and is a strong advocate for the commercialisation of Australian science and research,” Dr Galloway said.
He said Dr Stanisic had served as a passionate advocate for conserving invertebrate biodiversity and highlighting their important role as environmental indicators in ecosystem management.
“Dr Stanisic is Australia’s foremost expert on land snails, having held the position of Curator of Molluscs at the Queensland Museum from 1980 to 2006,” he said.
26 May, 2011
Small print warning
goes into detail
The Office of Fair Trading has warned Consumers to check the detail in advertisements to ensure a smooth buying experience for all parties.
Acting Executive Director of the OFT, Tony Johnson said traders should take care to ensure their advertisements accurately detail the products or services they are selling.
“Whether it be through online marketing, radio or television commercials, or print advertisements, traders need to ensure that the items they are selling are accurately depicted in their advertising,” Mr Johnson said.
“Traders should remember they cannot rely on ‘fine print’ to absolve themselves from providing what has been offered.”
He said this advice followed a recent incident in Toowoomba where a consumer purchased a vehicle advertised on the internet as being equipped with a number of added extras but noticed after collecting the car that the extra features had not been included.
After intervention by the Office of Fair Trading the motor dealer agreed to pay $1,700 for the extras which were advertised.
Mr Johnston said consumers also need to be vigilant and check that what they purchase is consistent with what has been advertised.
“However, if, after purchasing the product, a consumer becomes aware of a discrepancy compared to the one advertised, their first point of contact should be the trader for a refund, replacement or compensation,” he said.
“If the consumer if dissatisfied with the trader’s response they are encouraged to make a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading.”
26 May, 2011
JP workshops for
peace of mind
A series of free workshops have been designed to broaden the expertise of Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Commissioners for Declarations on the Gold Coast.
The workshops are to be held at Robina, Southport and Tugun.
Attorney-General, Paul Lucas said JPs and Commissioners were highly-respected members of the community who played an important role in society.
“There are 80,000 throughout Queensland, with more than 2,600 volunteering their services to witness legal documents for the local community at 146 JP signing sites across the State,” Mr Lucas said.
MP for Broadwater, Peta-Kaye Croft said the workshops would build on the expertise of volunteers and provide useful advice and information about the services they delivered to the people of Queensland.
“Workshop topics will include current issues facing JPs and witnessing Land Title documents, focusing on obligations under the Land Titles Act and Land Act, including information on the processes of title registration,” Ms Croft said.
“The workshops will also provide information about witnessing Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advanced Health Directives, the guidelines for these documents and determining the capacity of the individual.”
MP for Southport, Peter Lawlor said representatives from the Justices of the Peace Branch, Land Titles Office and Office of the Adult Guardian would deliver the workshops.
“JP signing sites, part of the highly successful JPs in the Community program, have been established at shopping centres, courthouses, libraries and hospitals, Local Council chambers and universities throughout Queensland,” Mr Lawlor said.
26 May, 2011
Grants blow in for
cyclone recovery
A total of $2 million in grants is to be made available to industry groups in the areas hit hardest by Cyclone Yasi.
The groups will be able to apply for up to $100,000 to conduct activities that help cyclone-affected communities get back in business and be better prepared for future events with eligible parties including industry groups and natural resource management groups.
Premier, Anna Bligh said helping industries recover had a huge flow-on effect for communities as many jobs relied on supporting those industries.
“I’m sure there are many people who’ve been through the cyclone who now have ideas on how their industry may be able to better cope with the next event,” Ms Bligh said.
“For example, many banana growers who went through Cyclone Larry tried stripping banana leaves prior to Yasi crossing the coast, to reduce damage and allow a return to full production sooner.”
Federal Minister Assisting the Attorney-General on Queensland Floods Recovery, Senator Joe Ludwig said grants were available for groups servicing producers and tourism operators in the declared areas.
“The areas include Cassowary Coast, Hinchinbrook and portions of Cairns, Charters Towers, Etheridge, Flinders and Tablelands Council areas,” Senator Ludwig said.
“It will provide essential tools to support industry resilience, making our communities better prepared for future disasters.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Economies, Tim Mulherin said the grants would provide significant support to local groups keen to put back into their communities by offering practical solutions.
The closing date for applications is 24 June.
26 May, 2011
Minister puts money
on pay ruling
A preliminary ruling from Fair Work Australia that would see underpaid women in the Community Services sector achieve pay increases has been welcomed by the Minister for Community Services, Karen Struthers.
Ms Struthers said she didn’t think there was a single Queenslander who would say workers in the community sector didn’t deserve a significant pay rise.
“The Government welcomes the ruling of Fair Work Australia, acknowledging a workforce, populated largely by women, is deserving of improved pay rates,” Ms Struthers said.
“This decision complements the Government’s embrace of a Queensland Industrial Relations Commission pay equity decision in 2009 which resulted in $414 million being allocated for increased wages for not-for-profit community organisations.”
She said the non-profit sector injected more than $2.7 billion into the economy each year and employed more than 60,000 people in every corner of Queensland.
“The sector includes more than 1,200 organisations providing a vast range of services, including welfare, counselling, care for older people, mental health, homelessness, supporting people with disabilities and child care,” she said.
“The Government will continue to work towards overcoming the many barriers that women unfairly face in participating equally in our society.”
Ms Struthers said the Government would also continue to work with the Health and Community Services Workforce Council to improve workforce sustainability and the complex challenges the State faces as it continued to grow and age.
26 May, 2011
Tourism campaign
just the ticket
British and Japanese travellers are to be urged to take their holidays in Queensland in new marketing campaigns.
The campaigns are the latest initiative of the Queensland and Federal Government’s $12 million tourism recovery package.
Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson said the campaigns would help reach two important tourism markets for Australia.
“In the same way that Japan is seeking to bolster its recovery efforts in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami, so too must we continue our efforts to market Queensland post-floods and cyclone,” Mr Ferguson said.
“These new targeted campaigns are about making sure that Queensland’s holiday destinations continue to be at the top of the mind amongst UK and Japanese travellers and ignite their interest to book a Queensland holiday.”
He said readers of the Mail on Sunday newspaper and Mail Online would be targeted in the UK, while in Japan advertising would target commuters in Tokyo’s traffic trains and subway stations.
“Attractive travel deals will also be on offer to prospective travellers to help create a sense of urgency to book their Australian holiday in Queensland now,” he said.
“Trade familiarisations to Queensland will take place in regions such as Tropical North Queensland and the Gold Coast to educate approximately 72 Japanese travel agents about Queensland tourism products and services.”
State Minister for Tourism, Jan Jarratt said the promotion would feature Queensland’s unique islands and beaches, adventure experiences, unique lifestyle and natural encounters on offer, to impress there’s nothing like a Queensland holiday.
Ms Jarratt said the Japan campaign would also promote low prices while the UK print and online campaign would offer the chance for two UK holidaymakers to win a holiday to Queensland.
26 May, 2011
New family plan to
foster parenting
A new program that involves Aboriginal men in parenting and preparing for fatherhood has been unveiled by the Federal Government.
To be managed on behalf of the Government by Local organisations in Queensland, the Strong Fathers Strong Families project will also be funded in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and South Australia.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Health, Warren Snowdon said the Project would further strengthen parenting partnerships; help fathers get involved with their wives and partners during pregnancy; and interact with their children during their early developmental years.
“Fathers, grandfathers, uncles and other significant male relatives are crucial in the lives of their children,” Mr Snowdon said.
“A solid connection to family and culture gives children a great advantage in their early developmental years.”
He said the program would give men culturally-appropriate information about fatherhood and grand-fatherhood in order to strengthen their role in nurturing the development of children and providing, in return, a motivating factor for their own self care.
“The new program will promote positive, healthy, active fatherhood and grandfatherhood and involve men in the early development of children in local community and group activities,” he said.
Mr Snowdon said the Project would also provide men referral and support to attend local parenting classes, as well as health and related services as needed.
He said the Strong Fathers, Strong Families initiative was part of the nation’s first male health policy and it was succeeding in strengthening the knowledge, skills and confidence of Aboriginal men as role models for the children in their communities.
He said the Queensland organisations to manage the scheme would be Darling Downs Shared Care Incorporated T/A Carbal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Services; and the Royal Flying Doctor Service - Queensland.
26 May, 2011
Chain letters
linked to scam
Another chain letter scam is doing the rounds in Queensland, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned.
The OFT says the ‘David Rhodes’ chain letter scam has appeared before and the letters are once again circulating.
Acting Executive Director of the OFT, Tony Johnson said the letter falsely professes that people can turn $200 into a $70,000 cash windfall over 60 days.
Mr Johnston warned however, that consumers who fell for the scam were instead being left with no return on their investment.
“Those who receive the letter are asked to mail a $10 note to the person at the top of a list of names,” he said.
“They are asked to delete that person’s name, add their own name to the bottom of the list and send copies of the letter to 200 people selected randomly from the telephone directory.”
He said the scam victims were then asked to tape a 5c coin to the front of each letter to draw attention to it.
“The letter claims the cost of photocopying, envelopes, postage and the money sent off is a small outlay for a $77,760 guaranteed return, but despite these promises, consumers usually end up out of pocket,” Mr Johnston said.
He said the new Australian Consumer Law, which began on 1 January, made it a criminal offence to promote or participate in schemes of this kind with maximum penalties of $220,000 for an individual and $1,100,000 for companies.
He said similar schemes in the past had appeared under the names of Paul Collins, Edward L Green and David Stein.
26 May, 2011
Food safety workshop
has food for thought
An international workshop on food safety incidents is expected to lead to better management across the Asia Pacific according to the Chief Executive of Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Steve McCutcheon.
Mr McCutcheon said 18 member nations had taken part in the workshop which would help members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group to develop and improve food safety incident management protocols and practices.
“One of the key outcomes of the workshop is the establishment of a Food Safety Incident Network among APEC member economies which will lead to a faster exchange of information and adoption of best practice approaches to help respond when food safety emergencies arise,” Mr McCutcheon said.
“Having better systems in place to manage incidents means the response to such events can be more efficient and effective, reducing negative effects on both trade and public health.”
He said the workshop was a key part of the program at APEC Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF) meetings.
Australia and China Co-Chair the Forum.
Mr McCutcheon said the third meeting of the FSCF allowed regulators and key international stakeholders to review progress on goals and to restate their commitment to work together to strengthen food safety systems and progress towards a safer regional food supply chain.
He said work undertaken by APEC members had raised the profile of food safety in the Asia Pacific region and resulted in improved communication and information sharing on food safety issues.
“This forum is a way for members to share information and increase knowledge on food safety with APEC member economies sitting at the table discussing food safety priority issues,” Mr McCutcheon said.
“Out of session communication now takes place regularly between members and websites have been established that provide a range of information.”
Mr McCutcheon said the FSCF and its Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN) had also signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Bank with all parties agreeing to work cooperatively on food safety capacity building initiatives, in the APEC region.
26 May, 2011
Taser comments sought
The Crime and Misconduct Commission is seeking public comments on its report, Evaluating Taser Reforms: A Review of Queensland Police Service Policy and Practice.
Comments will be received until 30 June.
The Commission said it could not respond to individual comments, but would analyse all feedback and publish a response on its website at a later date.
The report is available at this PS News link.
Political caps
Donations to political parties and candidates have been capped with the introduction of new legislation.
The laws limit the potential for third parties to try and unduly influence the political system with donations of excessive sums of money to electoral campaigns.
Among other things the laws limit political donations that a person can give to candidates in the same political party to $2,000; limits political donations that a person can give to independent candidates as a group to $2,000; and limits political donations that a person can give to each registered political party to $5,000.
Laser show a first
Brisbane is to stage a new laser light show – the first of its kind in Australia.
The light show – part of this year’s Brisbane Festival - will fill the space between Kurilpa and Goodwill Bridges with a nightly choreographed spectacle that can be seen across the city.
Australian lighting designer, John Rayment, who worked on the Sydney Olympics’ opening ceremony, and creative director Tony Assness, who created the Australian launches of Moulin Rouge and Fox Studios, are working on the project.
Water names wanted
Names have been proposed for the creek that crosses Wappa Falls Road and the waterfall at the end of Pump Station Road, near Yandina in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Both landmarks have been known locally as Mount Combes Creek and Wappa Falls for many years, but their names have never been officially entered into the Department’s Place Name database.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management is seeking comments for or against the proposal from traditional owners, other Indigenous groups, local historians, historical societies, community groups and local residents.
Bridge gets go-ahead
Construction of a new Fursden Creek Bridge will go ahead in Mackay, solving a major traffic headache for the region.
Flooding several times during the summer has blocked access to the new Edmund Casey Bridge.
The new bridge over Fursden Creek built to a similar height to Edmund Casey Bridge, will maintain vehicle access along the Glenella Connection Road during floods.
More than 160 direct and indirect jobs would be created by the $40 million project.
School reopens early
Milpera State High School at Chelmer has been reopened one month ahead of schedule.
The early completion of the $3.4 million repair job means all Queensland Schools damaged by the summer disasters are now back in business.
Milpera was the hardest hit school with 31 classrooms in 13 buildings damaged, furniture and equipment destroyed and outdoor landscaped areas washed away.
New school for Federal
A new $11.7 million Federal State School near Cooroy has been officially opened.
The school includes six new classrooms, a new prep classroom, a sports oval, play areas, an undercover tennis court and a resources centre as well as featuring a solar hot water system and water tanks.
The school’s 98 students moved in at the start of the 2011 school year.
Medicine grants announced
More than $1.67 million in grants for emergency medicine research projects have been announced.
The grants have been made by the Queensland Emergency Medicine Research Foundation which has awarded more than $5.5 million to emergency medicine projects in Queensland since it was established in 2008.
The grants were awarded to 12 recipients to research diverse issues such as treatments for trauma, patient flow and infections.
Netball scores sponsorship
Government sponsorship of $75,000 has been awarded to the Mission Queensland Firebirds netball team to deliver a junior development program.
The program will involve clinics and camps throughout Queensland’s 12 regions with Firebirds players taking part.
Eligible junior clubs who sign up to the campaign may qualify for grants of up to $2,000 for sporting equipment.
19 May, 2011
PS executives to face
public questioning
New laws that allow the Directors-General of Departments and Chief Executives of statutory authorities to be questioned by Parliamentary Committees in public have been introduced into the Legislative Assembly.
Included in a series of Parliamentary reforms announced by the Premier, Anna Bligh, the new laws promise closer scrutiny of legislation and greater accountability and transparency in the law making process.
Ms Bligh said the Parliament of Queensland (Reform and Modernisation) Amendment Bill 2011 would strengthen and support the role of the Assembly in scrutinising legislation and executive Government.
She said the Bill implemented the first stage of reforms by establishing a Committee of the Assembly and providing for Portfolio Committees to be set up.
She said it followed the Committee System Review Report, which was released last year and called for reform to the Parliamentary committee system.
Ms Bligh said the Review Committee’s report was big and bold in its vision and the changes it proposed were widespread.
She said the reforms involved significant changes to the way legislation would be scrutinised.
Leader of the House, Judy Spence said the Committees would be empowered to hold public hearings when undertaking their investigations and they would be encouraged to do so.
“This will result in a more accountable Government and ensure public views are taken into consideration,” Ms Spence said.
“The new committee structure will be in place for the Estimates Committee hearings later this year and will provide enhanced Parliamentary oversight of the expenditure and activities of the Government.”
She said the questioning of Chief Executives and DGs was a significant reform.
19 May, 2011
New workplace laws
are put to work
Queensland is to join a national move towards harmonised workplace laws across Australia by adopting new Work Health and Safety legislation now before the Parliament.
The Work Health and Safety Bill 2011 forms part of the national reform agenda that provides more stringent protection for workers and less red tape and compliance costs for business.
Minister for Industrial Relations, Cameron Dick said removing the confusion, complexity and duplication caused by Australia’s multiple workplace health and safety regimes would help save the Queensland economy more than $30 million a year.
“The new Bill will replace the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 with key changes include broadening the definition of ‘worker’ to include labour hire, contractors and sub-contractors, and imposing 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.”
Mr Dick said the Government was also introducing the new Safety in Recreational Water Activities Bill 2011 to ensure Queensland’s diving and snorkelling industries were covered by safety legislation.
“Recreational diving is estimated to pump about $1.4 billion into the Australian economy every year and more than half of all recreational dives are undertaken in Queensland,” he said.
“This new Bill will help ensure cowboy operators don’t spoil it for the hundreds of high-quality dive operators who help make Queensland an internationally regarded tourism destination.”
He said the Work Health and Safety Bill was developed in consultation with industry, unions, all States and Territories and the Public.
19 May, 2011
Fairer treatment
for fare evaders
A crackdown on fare evaders on public transport has been announced with increased penalties for misusing go cards.
Minister for Transport, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the penalties, charged when go cards are deliberately not touched off, would increase to $10 for trains (concession $5) and $5 for buses/ferries (concession $2.50) from 30 May.
Ms Palaszczuk said fare evaders cost the Government around $18 million in lost revenue each year.
“That’s money that could be spent on adding more bus services in growth areas for example,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said the current penalty for failing to touch off was $5 for train and $3 for bus and ferry, which for bus and ferry was less than a two-zone trip, and there were some customers who deliberately and repeatedly exploited the system.
“TransLink studies show about 70,000 trips a month are fare evaders taking advantage of the low penalty rate by deliberately not touching off at the end of their journey,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said penalties had been kept low due to the large number of new users taking up the go card and getting used to the new system.
“With go card use now at 80 per cent and the system operating to world-class standards, we are looking to target those who evade fares by deliberately abusing the system,” she said.
Chief Executive of TransLink, Peter Strachan said customers who made an honest mistake or were unable to touch off could simply go on-line to request an adjustment.
“Users who touch on or touch off incorrectly receive a message displayed on the card reader next time they use their go card,” Mr Strachan said.
“Changing penalties is the latest measure TransLink has undertaken in reducing fare evasion after the success of new fare gates and senior network officers,” he said.
19 May, 2011
Queenslanders focus
of Queensland Week
Queensland Week 2011 will be a time to celebrate the strength and resilience shown by all Queenslanders, the Premier Anna Bligh has declared.
“Since late 2010, Queensland has had little reason to rejoice as the State was battered by floods and cyclones,” Ms Bligh said.
“Queensland Week 2011, from 4 to 13 June, will reflect on the spirit shown during the disasters that affected more than 75 per cent of our State.”
She said Queensland Week was normally a major celebration but this year it would be an opportunity to recognise community heroes from the times of extreme devastation.
She said the 2011 program of events offered a variety of options to celebrate people, places and stories, while looking towards a strong, safe and healthy future.
“A highlight will be the presentation of medals under the Queensland Disaster Heroes program,” Ms Bligh said.
“More than 3,500 heroes will be recognised at ceremonies in the Lockyer Valley, Townsville, Rockhampton, Emerald, Bundaberg, Ipswich, Cassowary Coast, Toowoomba, Dalby and Brisbane regions.”
The Premier said the Week would also feature a Citizenship Ceremony; Multi-Faith Ceremony; an announcement of the 2011 Queensland Greats; Dress as your Queensland Hero Day; and a variety of events funded through the Queensland Week Sponsorship Program.
She said the week was an initiative of the Queensland Government with sponsors including Tourism Queensland.
For more information on the Queensland Week celebrations, including the full program, visit this PS News link or join ‘Queensland Week’ on Facebook.
19 May, 2011
Fire service fires
up youth
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service is helping educate young people about community safety.
Its new educational resource, SafeSpace, tackles the requirements of being a safe, responsible member of the community.
Minister for Emergency Services, Neil Roberts said the program brought together key issues of community safety in one user-friendly program.
“The program is targeted at children in Years Six and Seven where they are becoming aware of the contribution they can make to safety in their lives and their community,” Mr Roberts said.
He said SafeSpace had a strong fire theme, with fire service examples used to convey the wider issues of community and personal safety and responsibility.
“However the program also has references to the Queensland Ambulance Service, State Emergency Service and Queensland Police Service,” he said.
Mr Roberts said the program took students through practical scenarios which helped inform them about the hazards which existed in the community, what resources were available to deal with those hazards and what they can do as individuals to help them deal with and respond to those hazards and emergencies.
“SafeSpace is based on four major concepts – characteristics of the community; hazards and safety issues in the community; services and infrastructure that support the community; and what it means to be a responsible citizen,” he said.
Mr Roberts congratulated the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service on developing the educational resource.
19 May, 2011
Disaster relief
made easier
Changes have been made to the Disaster Relief Appeal, removing administrative hurdles for people eligible for funds and increasing payments.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the fund had raised $259.45 million to date and she wanted to assure donors that it would all be going to Queenslanders who needed it most.
“Not a cent is being spent on administration, none of the committee members are receiving a payment, and all interest earned on these donations is paid into the fund for distribution to those in need,” Ms Bligh said.
She said $71.5 million had so far reached nearly 27,700 households.
“All of these households received Round One payments and 190 households have also now received Round Two or Round Three payments,” she said, “with assistance of up to $100,000 and $80,000 available respectively.”
She said the current response to the two structural damage funding rounds had been less than expected - 608 applications in total.
She said she believed there were many more people who were also eligible.
“We know that in the implementation of these rounds some people are facing some hurdles,” Ms Bligh said.
“For example, some people are having difficulty getting builders to quote because in some cases the amount of funding provided, after other funds are taken into account, does not make it worth their while.”
The Premier said the Appeal Fund Committee had to strike the right balance between ensuring there was sufficient documentation to support people’s claims and being compassionate and flexible.
19 May, 2011
Reforms spearhead
Indigenous justice
A draft Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice Strategy has been released for public comment.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Curtis Pitt said the Strategy stood on four pillars of reform that addressed the underlying causes of issues such as why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were 12 times more likely to be in prison than non-Indigenous people, and why they were over-represented as victims of domestic and family violence.
Mr Pitt said the Government was working hard to turn the statistics around.
“We have rolled out a range of reforms such as cell visitor schemes, diversion centres, sobering up and counselling services, upgrades of watch houses and community-based justice initiatives such as night patrols,” he said.
“We remain determined, as a Government, to continue to provide practical responses and to come up with sensible workable solutions to meet the justice needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
Mr Pitt said the Strategy was about getting back to basics and looking at the underlying causes of crime.
“They are issues that relate to poverty, alcohol and drug misuse, employment, health, housing and education,” he said.
“The evidence was laid out on the table 20 years ago by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.”
He said the recommendations that were implemented then were a necessary first step in demonstrating a maturity and willingness to move forward in a partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
He said the initiatives in the new Strategy included community safety plans in Cairns, Townsville, Mount Isa, Rockhampton and Brisbane; getting in early and engaging with children and young people; ‘turnaround teams’ to tackle school attendance; and the creation of training and employment opportunities.
19 May, 2011
Crossed wires for
mobile phone users
A study into mobile phones by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that most consumers have a “patchy” understanding of billing arrangements and the costs of their calls.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said there had been profound changes in the range of telecommunications services available, and the way consumers purchased and used them.
“These changes have significant implications for regulatory arrangements, particularly those protections that rely on consumers understanding the structure of telephone numbers,’’ Mr Chapman said.
He said the findings were canvassed and analysed in ACMA’s fourth consultation paper from its numbering work program Numbering: Implications of research into consumer issues.
Mr Chapman said the research provided important evidence of how Australians were using and thinking about their communication services, which would be invaluable as government and regulators considered how to manage the transition to a more converged world.
He said it found that mobile phones continued to leap ahead as the main communication service for 47 per cent of Australians, compared to 33 per cent primarily using a fixed landline.
“There has also been a sea change in the way communications services are purchased,” Mr Chapman said.
“Bundled plans have become very popular; and the research found that three in five mobile phone users and two in five home phone users report have a usage plan.”
He said those who had a usage plan for only one service reported a higher proportion of calls from that service compared to the service without a cap or deal.
“Both of these trends are major factors contributing to a decline in consumers’ understanding of the price and location information embedded in traditional fixed telephone numbers, meaning that embedding this information may no longer be an effective mechanism to fulfil consumer protection needs.” Mr Chapman said.
The consultation paper could be accessed at this PS News link and feedback /comment would be accepted until 1 July 2011.
19 May, 2011
10-year plan to
drive road safety
Queensland is to take part in the Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011–2020).
The aim of the global initiative, being launched in more than 90 countries, is to stabilise and then reduce the forecast level of global road deaths by 2020.
Minister for Transport, Annastacia Palaszczuk said by working together at State, Federal and international levels a collaborative approach to achieving a reduction in road injuries and fatalities worldwide could be initiated.
“With 90 per cent of road deaths occurring in developing countries, Queensland and Australia are a long way ahead within a global context,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“However, there are still many improvements to be made in further developing road safety behaviours.”
As part of the launch of the Decade of Action for Road Safety Ms Palaszczuk also announced that the Department of Transport and Main Roads would increase its sponsorship of the Spinal Injuries Association’s Spinal Education Awareness Team program by $30,000 per year for the next three years.
“The Queensland Government is increasing its sponsorship of this program to ensure the Association is able to reach as many schools in our State as possible and deliver the road safety message,” she said.
“Road trauma continues to be the largest cause of spinal injuries so it is important that this program gets the key messages out to students,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
19 May, 2011
Health body calls
for new blood
The Health Quality and Complaints Commission (HQCC) is seeking healthcare consumers and clinicians to join it as members of its advisory committees.
Chief Executive of HQCC, Cheryl Herbert said applicants should have strong networks and an interest in improving the safety and quality of healthcare.
She said the health watchdog, which monitors healthcare safety and quality, manages almost 5,000 healthcare complaints and enquiries a year.
“This is a unique opportunity to support positive health action by working with us to achieve better healthcare for all Queenslanders,” Professor Herbert said.
She said HQCC was looking for community members in touch with the health issues of consumers, carers and the wider community.
“We also require people with demonstrated healthcare experience to join the Clinical Advisory Committee to advise on clinical matters and support communication between healthcare professionals and the HQCC,” she said.
Professor Herbert said members would be appointed for a two-year term and remuneration and travel expenses would be provided in line with the Queensland Government’s remuneration policy.
She said the HQCC had three key functions – managing complaints, monitoring and promoting quality improvement in health services, and sharing information.
She said expressions of interest would be received until close of business on Wednesday, 25 May.
An information kit, including terms of reference and how to apply, can be found by visiting this PS News link or by calling 3120 5999 or 1800 077 308 (outside Brisbane).
19 May, 2011
Rest stops for trucks
on the right track
Queensland is leading the nation with its program of constructing new rest areas and stopping places for truck drivers.
Minister for Main Roads, Craig Wallace said 23 new rest areas and two stopping places, costing more than $16 million, had been built in the 12 months prior to January this year.
Mr Wallace said most were on rural and regional Queensland roads including the Cunningham, Leichhardt, Dawson, Flinders and Landsborough Highways.
He said a further 33 new rest areas and 23 new stopping areas would be built by 2014 under the Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Program, which totalled more than $58 million.
“Professional truck drivers do a great job keeping Queensland cities and towns connected and delivering our produce to markets,” Mr Wallace said.
“However, they are particularly prone to fatigue, which is a killer on our roads.”
He said the best way to fight fatigue was to take a break, with the additional rest areas and stopping places designed to help keep drivers safe.
He said in 2010 there were four fatalities as a result of fatigue-related crashes involving freight vehicles in Queensland, representing 1.6 per cent of the State’s road toll.
In February this year a $1.3 million rest site at Critters Camp on the Gulf Development Road, south of Normanton was completed.
Mr Wallace said two new sites were also in the final stages of completion at Nondoo and Dirranbandi on the Castlereagh Highway, and planning was under way to build more rest areas on the Bruce and Warrego Highways following the commitment of $30 million in Federal funding.
He said a $2 million site at Tooloombah Creek, between Rockhampton and St Lawrence, was also being planned for delivery by 2013-14 and work on the Warrego Highway included a new $1.1 million site between Toowoomba and Dalby planned for delivery by mid-2012 and a $900,000 site between Dalby and Miles by 2012-13.
19 May, 2011
Healthy prizes in
health awards
The finalists in this year’s Healthy Queensland Awards have been announced with communities, schools and workplaces competing for $1.6 million in prizes.
The top six entries in each category have been recognised for their healthy ideas to help Queenslanders be more active, make healthier food choices and maintain a healthy weight.
Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson said the Awards were a great way for the community to get involved in making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people by 2020.
Mr Wilson said finalists in the community and school categories would each receive $50,000, with $10,000 going to each finalist in the workplace category.
He said one finalist, Cannon Hill State School P&C Association in Brisbane, was helping students, staff and parents increase their intake of healthy foods.
“The prize money will help the school expand its gardening and cooking program and purchase equipment including fridges and ovens,” he said.
MP for Bulimba, Di Farmer said she was pleased to see a local school recognised for its efforts in improving the health of students and their families.
“It’s great that teachers and volunteers will also benefit from increased training as a result of the $50,000 they received for being named a finalist,” Ms Farmer said.
Mr Wilson said the Government had partnered with Keep Australia Beautiful Queensland for the awards.
He said the winning community would receive $750,000, and finalists included Cairns Regional Council; Cassowary Coast Regional Council; Logan Women’s Health and Well-being Centre; and Burdekin Shire Council.
He said the winning school would receive $250,000, and the finalists were Gordonvale State School; Benowa State Primary School; Loganlea State High School; Cannon Hill State School P&C Association; Inglewood State School; and Labrador State School.
He said the winning workplace would receive $50,000, and finalists included Education Queensland (North Queensland Region); and the University of Queensland Wellness.
Mr Wilson said winners would be announced on Thursday, 19 May.
19 May, 2011
Road repairs shift
into high gear
Operation Queenslander has swung into action repairing flood damage to crucial roads in the central part of the State.
The Federal Government has provided $2 million for works along a two-kilometre stretch of the Gladstone-Benaraby Road to repair damage sustained from 2010 and 2011 flooding.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese said Queensland’s road network had received more damage than any other State Government asset during flooding and cyclone events, and reconstruction was expected to take many years.
“Operation Queenslander is under way to repair this damage – the largest reconstruction effort in the State’s history,” Mr Albanese said.
“This massive task will support about 12,500 jobs across the State, at an important time in our economy’s recovery.”
He said the works on Gladstone-Benaraby Road were being delivered under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements program (NDRRA), a joint Federal and State initiative.
“Under NDRRA, the Federal Government provides 75 per cent of the funding, with 25 per cent from the State Government,” he said.
Premier and Minister for Reconstruction, Anna Bligh said all levels of Government were working together to get on with the job of restoring the network to pre-disaster condition.
“The project on the Gladstone-Benaraby Road, between the Benaraby turnoff and the Boyne Island roundabout, is being delivered by Gladstone Regional Council,” Ms Bligh said.
She said preliminary works were under way on the major link, with full construction works to begin in about three weeks.
19 May, 2011
Chemists injected
into diabetes program
A free risk assessment for diabetes is now available at many local pharmacies.
The new program is being rolled out in 119 pharmacies in the hope that 10,000 Queenslanders will have themselves checked by December.
Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson said the facts around diabetes were frightening with 23,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.
Mr Wilson said for every person diagnosed with diabetes, up to one other person remained undiagnosed.
“With free checks now available at pharmacies, more Queenslanders can quickly and easily find out if they are at risk,” Mr Wilson said.
“This program is being funded through the $600,000 announced last year to expand the highly successful Know Your Numbers blood pressure awareness program to include screening for Type 2 diabetes.”
He said the program was one of a range of initiatives in the Government’s $7.5 million Diabetes Action Plan.
“The number of people with diabetes has more than doubled in 15 years with 300,000 Queenslanders now living with Type 2 diabetes,” he said.
“We know that by identifying people with pre-diabetes and diabetes, and offering support, education and early treatment, we can turn the rising tide and improve people’s health.”
Mr Wilson said around 80,000 Queenslanders visited a pharmacy each day, which made them a great place to deliver not only the checks but important information about taking control of people’s health.
He said natural disasters had temporarily held up the roll out of the training program for pharmacists to deliver the checks but this was now back in operation and all participating pharmacies were ready to deliver the tests.
19 May, 2011
Council hopefuls in
line for election
The Department of Local Government and Planning is running an information program about the obligations and responsibilities of being a Councillor and how to nominate in Local Government elections.
‘Intending Candidate Seminars’ are being held in a range of locations across Queensland, including nine in South-east Queensland for the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Somerset, Scenic Rim, Redland, Logan Gold Coast, Ipswich and Lockyer Councils.
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said the State’s Local Government elections in March 2012 would provide an opportunity for Queenslanders to take an active role in decision-making that affected 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,” Mr Lucas 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 the program would be delivered by trained regional staff and would be a useful source of information not only for potential candidates, but also for people wanting to know more about the process of Local Government.
He said the Government would continue to assist Councils to become stronger and more sustainable.
Mr Lucas said the seminars were free to attend, but registration was essential.
19 May, 2011
New Gallery show has
Spaniard in the works
Queensland Art Gallery is to be the first Australian art museum to host a touring exhibition from Europe’s Museo Nacionale del Prado.
The exhibition Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado will open in 2012.
Minister for the Arts, Rachel Nolan said the Spanish collection would be the first from Madrid’s Prado Museum to visit Australia and would commemorate the Art Gallery’s 30th anniversary.
“With more than 70 works, Portrait of Spain will be a magnificent survey of the development of painting in Spain over the course of three centuries, from 1550-1900,” Ms Nolan said.
“It will include work by renowned painters from the Spanish Royal Court, including El Greco, Velázquez, Ribera, Goya and Rubens.”
She said the exhibition would follow on from the French surrealist collection from the Centre Pompidou in Paris, coming to Brisbane later this year.
She said Events Queensland had partnered with the Gallery as presenting sponsor for Portrait of Spain.
Chief Executive of Events Queensland, John O’Sullivan said the Gallery’s past four international exhibitions – Andy Warhol, Picasso & his collection, American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from The Met, and Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future had collectively contributed more than $45 million to the State’s economy.
“As recent successes have shown, Brisbane has all the right ingredients when it comes to hosting major cultural events – we want to build on that momentum and keep it going,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado will be on show at the Queensland Art Gallery from 21 July to 4 November, 2012.
19 May, 2011
Council charges capped
Legislation that will see Council infrastructure capped from 1 July has been introduced into Parliament.
Maximum infrastructure charges will be set at $28,000 for a home with three or more bedrooms, and $20,000 for one and two-bedroom homes.
The maximum charges have been introduced as a way of assisting the recovery of the building industry, giving Local Governments flexibility to choose whether they adopt maximum charges or charge lesser amounts for infrastructure.
Mackay to host climate talks
Mackay is to be the centre for discussion on climate change when the independent Climate Commission comes to town on Friday.
The visit is part of the Commission’s plan to take the dialogue on climate change to the people and officials say it has so far received a well-considered and vigorous response.
The free event will be held at St Pat’s Hall, River St, Mackay from 6pm – 7.30pm.
Volunteers needed for study
A University of Queensland study needs people who handle snakes and spiders regularly.
The study will investigate whether fear of snakes and spiders is the result of evolution or a learned behaviour.
Participants will be required to complete a set of computer tasks involving pictures of snakes and spiders. The tasks take approximately two hours and compensation for time and travel costs is available.
Information about taking part in the study can be obtained by contacting 07 3346 7282 or emailing fea ... @uq.edu.au
Bus seat bonanza
More than 47,000 additional weekly bus seats are to be added to Brisbane’s public transport network.
The extra capacity will coincide with train timetables changes on 6 June which will provide an additional 150,000 weekly seats to customers on the Rosewood, Ipswich, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast lines.
The total package will be the most significant enhancement to the city transport network ever.
Speed limit reduced
A 40km/h reduction in the speed limit on Kin Kin Road between Paynes Creek and Upper Pinbarren Creek Road is to be introduced.
The reduction, from 100km/h to 60km/h will come into effect at the end of June.
It is expected to improve safety along the four-kilometre section of Kin Kin Road.
Upgrade for train station
Taringa train station is to receive a $1.3 million renovation with construction beginning this month.
The work will include toilet upgrades; new and improved seating and signage; a new roof; painting; landscaping; and new passenger information display screens and scenic artwork.
Renovations are part of an overall $200 million Station Upgrade Program.
12 May, 2011
Museum rises to
flood challenge
Items that would create a lasting legacy of the State’s devastating floods are being sought by the Queensland Museum leading up to a special exhibition planned for early next year.
Premier, Anna Bligh said one of the first donations came from helicopter pilot, Mark Kempton whose team rescued 28 people from floodwaters in Grantham on 10 January.
Ms Bligh said Mr Kempton and his crew put their lives on the line to help others.
“Mark and his Emergency Management Queensland crew from Archerfield saved 28 people that day, while another EMQ helicopter picked up another 15 people,” she said.
“It’s with great gratitude that I accept the donation of the uniform that he wore that day.”
Ms Bligh said the Museum was calling for posters and flyers promoting flood fund-raising events, instructions for volunteers, items from evacuation centres, damaged household items and hats, badges and armbands.
She said the museum had already collected a shovel used to help clean up after the floods in Goodna, a poem and a song.
“This activity will lead up to an exhibition to commemorate this event and to ensure no-one ever forgets the tragedy and drama of the Queensland floods,” she said.
Minister for the Arts, Rachel Nolan said it was important to save and share memories of the tragic event.
“The State Library is also coordinating a number of activities connected to the floods,” Ms Nolan said.
“It is seeking disaster-related material with more than 1,000 photographs from Brisbane, Lockyer Valley and Bundaberg, collected to date.”
12 May, 2011
Crime agency comes
clean on reforms
A review of the Crime and Misconduct Commission’s (CMC) internal governance and corporate practices has resulted in several reforms.
Chair of CMC, Martin Moynihan QC said the aim of the review was to improve governance processes, transparency and efficiency.
“There is always room for improvement in any organisation and the CMC is not immune from that need,” Mr Moynihan said.
“Within a few months of being appointed as CMC Chair, I recognised that a review was required to ensure that the organisation remained dynamic and relevant to the needs of Queensland.”
CMC released a statement which said among changes already instigated by the review was the creation of a new position – Executive General Manager – which would support the role of the Chair.
The statement said currently, the Chair was expected to engage in operational, representational, leadership and strategic issues as well as numerous administrative management matters.
It said the Executive Committee had been replaced with an Executive Leadership Group, a much smaller group of senior executives which would focus on the strategic direction of the organisation rather than on operational matters.
It said the internal communication strategy across the CMC was being reviewed and a Managers’ Communication Forum had been established to improve communications.
Mr Moynihan said the structures of key functional areas had been reviewed, such as the misconduct, crime and research areas, to better align the Commission with the key priorities of the organisation, and the number of internal committees had been reduced.
12 May, 2011
Finalists logged on
to ICT awards
The finalists have been announced in the 2011 Australian Government ICT Awards.
In a field of 19 that includes Agencies and individuals from most States and Territories, Queensland is represented by Kym Charlton of the Queensland Police Service whose social media for emergency management made the finals in the Government 2.0 Category.
Announcing the finalists, Federal Special Minister of State, Gary Gray said the natural disasters that faced Queensland during late 2010 and early 2011 demonstrated the leadership qualities and performance of Ms Charlton who spearheaded the QPS’s use of online communications, ensuring a timely and accurate dialogue with the public.
“Her use of social media highlighted the value of such tools in emergency management, as well as in engaging the community for their feedback, experience and expertise,” Mr Gray said.
He said all the finalists showcased Australia’s most innovative eGovernment projects and outstanding achievements across the entire ICT sector in Government.
The Awards program recognised and celebrated the most outstanding initiatives in eGovernment, over a number of ICT disciplines.
“This is the fifth year of the Awards and each year they have continued to expand both in breadth and in the number of nominations submitted,” Mr Gray said.
“We received a record 62 nominations this year, up from our previous record of 41 received last year.”
Mr Gray said the finalists’ nominations would now be assessed by a national judging panel who would determine the overall Award winners.
He said the panel was comprised of selected State and Territory Chief Information Officers and independent ICT industry representatives.
He said Award winners would be announced at a special dinner, held in association with CeBIT Australia 2011, on 1 June at the Sydney Convention Centre.
For the list of finalists in three of the Award categories: the Excellence in eGovernment Awards, ICT Professional of the Year Award and the Government 2.0 Innovator Award visit the ICT Awards Program website at this PS News link.
12 May, 2011
Motorways sale to
drive super forward
The transfer of Queensland Motorways Limited (QML) to the State’s investment arm, QIC has been completed.
Treasurer, Andrew Fraser said the State and QIC had agreed to a market value price of $3.088 billion for QML, which would provide a 40-year tolling franchise for the Gateway and Logan motorways.
Mr Fraser said the transfer would strengthen the State’s finances, as QML would become an asset of the State public sector’s defined-benefit superannuation scheme.
“Finalisation of the transfer will significantly assist the State in managing its ongoing superannuation obligations,” Mr Fraser said
“Our fully-funded scheme is a legacy we want to protect, and QML will sit comfortably as an asset in the defined benefit fund which safeguards the super of workers, including teachers, nurses, police and other Public Servants.”
Mr Fraser said motorists who used the Queensland Motorways road network, which extends 70 kilometres and carries more than 80 million vehicles a year, would also be protected.
“Last year the Government legislated to ensure tolls could not be increased beyond inflation levels,” he said.
“The State retains ownership of the road and bridge infrastructure for the Gateway and Logan motorways- QIC will own the QML business and the right to toll the motorways.”
Mr Fraser said QIC was a natural owner for this type of asset as it was already part-owner of the M7 Motorway in NSW.
He said QIC was also part of the successful consortium that was awarded a 99-year lease of the Port of Brisbane in late 2010.
12 May, 2011
High praise for
drug crackdown
A crackdown on drugs in State schools is paying off with 144 students excluded last year for misconduct involving illicit substances.
Minister for Education, Cameron Dick said the tough measures would continue with students suspended or expelled as part of a zero-tolerance approach.
Mr Dick said detailed data showed a breakdown of the disciplinary actions taken by schools in relation to illicit substances.
He said he was determined to ensure that parents and the community had access to all relevant information about the education system.
“In 2010, of the 485,798 students enrolled in Queensland State schools, only 144, or 0.03 per cent, were excluded for illicit substances,” he said.
“Some 339 students, or 0.07 per cent, received long suspensions of six days or more, and 199 students, or just 0.04 per cent, received short suspensions of one to five days.”
Mr Dick said that meant almost 99.9 per cent of students were doing the right thing.
He said the figures represented an increase on the 2009 totals, which demonstrated principals had joined the crackdown.
He said drug education was embedded in the curriculum of all State schools, both primary and secondary.
“Drugs are an issue in broader society and unfortunately, sometimes those community issues are reflected in our schools,” he said.
“However, the Department of Education and Training specifically addresses these issues through its Drug Education and Intervention in Schools policy.”
12 May, 2011
Water charges
in hot water
Retail and distribution charges for water and wastewater are to be capped for south-east Queensland householders for the next two years.
Minister for Energy and Water Utilities, Stephen Robertson said the Fairer Water Prices for SEQ Amendment Bill 2011 would guarantee the charges would not increase more than the Consumer Price Index.
Mr Robertson said the move was in direct response to Local Governments which were not listening to their community and not accepting responsibility for soaring water and wastewater prices in south-east Queensland.
“This legislation will deliver definitive action to cap the rising water and wastewater prices proposed by the Council-owned distributor retailers,” Mr Robertson said.
“This sends a clear message that Councils need to step up, listen to their community and take responsibility for water and wastewater prices.”
He said the water price announcement by the Brisbane City Council-owned distributor-retailer Queensland Urban Utilities (QUU) was a step in the right direction.
“QUU has taken our proposed legislative changes on board and we are already seeing some positive benefits with four Councils to see a drop in prices,” he said.
“While prices in Brisbane will still increase, they would have been much higher had we not imposed the CPI cap.”
Mr Robertson said the proposed legislation made it clear that Councils could not hide behind their distributor-retailer.
“Under this legislation, south-east Queensland Councils will now be required to put in place a price path, of at least five years, for residential and small business customers from 2013,” he said.
12 May, 2011
Solid foundation for
cyclone shelters
Ten new cyclone shelters and multi-purpose facilities are to be built in North Queensland.
Premier and Minister for Reconstruction, Anna Bligh said the gift of $30 million from the Emirate of Abu Dhabi towards building five more Category five-rated multi-purpose cyclone shelters would be matched by the same amount from the Government.
Ms Bligh said each shelter would provide protection for more than 500 people escaping winds of up to 300km/h, windborne debris and storm tide inundation.
She said the location of the centres would be finalised after local consultations, but were expected to include Cairns, Townsville, Cassowary Coast, Proserpine/Arlie Beach, Mackay/Sarina, Yeppoon/Rockhampton and Weipa.
She said the initiative would mean North Queensland would be more resilient and safer than ever before.
“This is an extremely generous gift from Abu Dhabi which will build a lasting legacy of goodwill and partnership between Abu Dhabi and Queensland,” Ms Bligh said.
“We will build these shelters as quickly as we can and I want as many as possible to open progressively during 2012.”
She said the buildings would provide multi-purpose facilities to allow for year-round community use which could be as auditoriums, theatres, school and community halls, gymnasiums or indoor sports centres.
She said more than 8,000 people were sheltered in make-shift evacuation centres when Category Five Tropical Cyclone Yasi hit in early February, one of three cyclones to hit Queensland this season.
Ms Bligh said the Department of Public Works would undertake four weeks consultation with State MPs and Local Councils regarding specific local needs, location and use.
12 May, 2011
Cigarette warning
a health drawback
The public has been urged not to buy e-cigarettes containing liquid nicotine after the seizure of more than 70 consignments.
Executive Director of the Health Protection Directorate at Queensland Health, Sophie Dwyer said she had been advised that Queenslanders were buying e-cigarettes from overseas websites and importing them into Australia.
“E-cigarettes are illegal in Australia,” Ms Dwyer said.
“They contain vials of liquid nicotine, which is a very dangerous poison.”
She said in the past month, the Brisbane North Public Health Unit had seized and destroyed consignments at Brisbane Airport’s postal screening service.
She said the shipments were destined for locations across Brisbane and regional areas including Cairns, Gold Coast, Darling Downs, Logan, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Wide Bay.
“They are classed as a Schedule Seven dangerous poison under the Australian Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons,” Ms Dwyer said.
“If used inappropriately – or if children get hold of the liquid nicotine – the consequences can be fatal.”
She said the World Health Organisation’s International Program on Chemical Safety advised that 10mg of liquid nicotine could kill a child within five minutes of swallowing it.
“The e-cigarettes are being misleadingly marketed as a safe alternative to cigarettes and as an aid in withdrawal from tobacco smoking – but this is not the case,” she said.
“There is no evidence e-cigarettes are effective in helping people to quit smoking.”
12 May, 2011
Education kit is
top of the class
Every Australian primary school is to receive a new education kit to teach children how to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
Federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland said the Li’l Larrikins Teachers Resource Kit was developed around a national television campaign of safety stories featuring animated cartoon characters.
“It’s important that children are aware of the dangers of natural disasters,” Mr McClelland said.
“The Li’l Larikkins series helps students learn in a fun way that won’t unnecessarily frighten or upset them.”
He said more than 7,800 independent and public primary schools across Australia had already received the resource kit, which included a DVD-ROM containing lesson strategies and student activity sheets for teachers along with background information on the types of disasters likely to happen in different parts of Australia.
Mr McClelland said the safety messages and resource kit were both part of the Li’l Larikkins Natural Hazards Children’s Program which was funded by the Australian Government and developed in partnership with State Emergency Service agencies, the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) and the Ettamogah Group.
“This is a great program which will help children become more aware of their environment and encourages them to share their knowledge with their parents and families,” he said.
“The storms, floods, bushfires and cyclones that have been experienced in many parts of the country over the past summer remind us that it is extremely important families understand and are prepared for the potential danger posed by natural hazards.”
Further information on Li’l Larrikins Natural Hazards Children’s Program and other natural disaster education and awareness initiatives for children can be found at this PS News link.
12 May, 2011
Student numbers
fail the test
A roundtable on international education has considered the problem of falling enrolments of international students in Queensland.
Premier, Anna Bligh said the problem was compounded by the Federal Government imposing stronger requirements on student visas, the images of natural disasters broadcast across the globe, and the strong Australian dollar.
Ms Bligh said the drop in international student enrolments presented a wide range of problems.
“The international education and training sector directly and indirectly employs more than 17,000 Queenslanders so it is in everyone’s interest that the sector gets back on its feet as quickly as possible,” she said.
The Premier was joined at the roundtable by the Minister for Education and Industrial Relations, Cameron Dick and the Minister for Employment Skills and Mining, Stirling Hinchliffe along with key representatives from universities, TAFE, private vocational educational training providers and English language schools.
She said she would be working with her Ministers to forge a new partnership with industry to lead the fightback.
“I will also be taking up the issues of student visas with the Michael Knight, who was appointed by the Federal Minister for Immigration to conduct an independent strategic review of Australia’s student visa program,” she said.
“There is no question that the last few months have been difficult for Queensland’s international education providers but I am confident that together we can get the industry back and firing on all cylinders,” Ms Bligh said.
12 May, 2011
Teacher bonuses a
first class plan
A national system of pay bonuses for Australia’s teachers has been announced by the Federal Government.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the Commonwealth would provide $425 million over the next four years to ensure every classroom teacher in the country was eligible for a bonus payment.
Ms Gillard said this would mean around one in 10 teachers would receive a bonus - about $8,100 for those with most experience and around $5,400 for a teacher in the first few years of their career.
She said the first bonuses would be based on performance in the 2013 school year and paid in early 2014.
Ms Gillard said teachers were vital to ensuring children got a good start and while few had joined the profession for the money, most people would agree that the best teachers should be rewarded.
“We know that independent research conducted as recently as this year shows that a system of meaningful appraisal and feedback for teachers can increase their effectiveness by 20 to 30 per cent,” Ms Gillard said.
She said the method of assessing a teacher’s performance, the Australian Teacher Performance Management Principles and Procedures, would be fair and equitable.
She said the Principles and Procedures would include a range of evidence such as lesson observations, student performance data, parental feedback, and teacher qualifications and professional development undertaken.
She said the existing Teacher Quality National Partnership and other reforms had been making a difference in Victoria where models of school-based and teacher-based rewards in Government and independent schools were already being trialled.
Further information is available from this PS News link.
12 May, 2011
Election changes to
set new boundaries
The independent Change Commission has been asked to review the divisional boundaries for 12 Councils ahead of next year’s Local Government elections.
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said the 12 Councils had been advised their divisional boundaries were either out of quota or would become so during their next term.
“I have referred these matters to the independent Change Commission to conduct a redistribution for each Division within the Councils to ensure fair electoral boundaries for next year’s election,” Mr Lucas said.
“There is nothing more important to local voters than elections which are fair, and this process will ensure each Division is represented equally.”
He said under current electoral laws, all divided Councils must review their divisional quotas to determine if there was a reasonable proportion of electors in each Division.
“The results of these reviews must be provided to me as Minister for Local Government so I can progress them to the Change Commission,” he said.
“The Change Commission can conduct public hearings and take submissions from members of the local community.”
Mr Lucas said the Local Government Act 2009 provided that a reasonable proportion of electors was worked out by dividing the total number of voters in the Council area by the number of Councillors (not including the Mayor), with a tolerance allowed.
He said the Councils to be considered by the Commission were Bundaberg Regional; Cairns Regional; Gold Coast City; Ipswich City; Isaac Regional; Logan City; Moreton Bay Regional; Redland City; Rockhampton Regional; South Burnett Regional; Sunshine Coast Regional; and Whitsunday Regional.
12 May, 2011
Gold Coast show
in show and tell
The compulsory purchase of a Parklands site, which will involve relocating the Gold Coast Show, has been announced by the Premier, Anna Bligh.
Ms Bligh said the Gold Coast Show was currently held at Parklands but would be relocated to land on the southern side of the Nerang-Broadbeach Road at Carrara, opposite the new Metricon Stadium where the Gold Coast Suns would play.
She said the relocation presented an opportunity to provide not only a permanent Gold Coast Showground but also to expand the Carrara precinct into a major entertainment and sporting precinct.
“The vision for the Carrara precinct incorporates elite sport training and development, community sport and a range of entertainment activities,” Ms Bligh said.
“What this plan does is retain this important event and part of the Gold Coast’s heritage while looking to the future and creating thousands of jobs and new opportunities on the Coast.”
Chair of Gold Coast City Council’s Commonwealth Games Consultative Committee, Councillor Peter Young said the show needed a new home with easy access to public transport services.
“Now the site has been determined, the effort must turn to delivering the best possible facilities to cater for the show and for the various other activities a showground must accommodate,” Councillor Young said.
“The purchase of the new site will enable us to deliver a fully integrated sports precinct at Carrara - which supports our long-term objectives for sports tourism.”
The Premier said if the Gold Coast’s bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games was successful, the Games village, proposed for the existing showgrounds site would be the catalyst for a health and knowledge precinct.
12 May, 2011
TV minister pulls
out digital date
A switchover date to digital television for regional Queensland, and the launch of free-to-air digital TV services by satellite, has been announced.
More than half a million households in regional Queensland across the Wide Bay, Capricornia, Darling Downs, Central Coast and Whitsundays, North Queensland and Far North Queensland will switch to digital only free-to-air television on 6 December this year.
Federal Minister for Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said more than four out of five households in regional Queensland had already converted to digital TV.
“Those households yet to make the switch to digital now have a deadline for when their analog TV signals will be switched off for good,” Senator Conroy said.
He said the switch to digital-only television offered improved picture and sound quality and greater program choice with access to new digital channels.
“In the lead-up to the switchover date broadcasters are rolling out new digital TV transmitters to improve the quality of digital TV reception throughout the switchover regions,” he said.
Senator Conroy said households in regional Queensland that did not have adequate reception of terrestrial digital TV services in their area six months before the switchover would be able to access the Government-funded Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service to receive the full suite of digital TV channels.
He said the Household Assistance Scheme would also provide practical help to eligible households in regional Queensland to make the switch to digital TV through the supply and installation of a high-definition set-top box at no cost to eligible recipients.
He said the Scheme included households where a person received the maximum rate of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension or Income Support Supplement.
12 May, 2011
Culture display
a world first
A joint effort by cultural organisations in the South Bank precinct is to lead to a world-first exhibition of Torres Strait Islander arts and culture on a size and scale never before attempted.
Minister for the Arts, Rachel Nolan said the landmark celebration would feature art collections, performances, lectures and activities for all ages from 1 July to 23 October and unite all the arts organisations in the South Bank precinct for the first time.
Ms Nolan said Torres Strait Islands: A Celebration would involve the Queensland Museum South Bank, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, State Library of Queensland, Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art.
She said the different organisations would present exhibitions, performances and a dynamic public program including the 2011 Mabo Oration.
“It will start on 1 July, which is the 140th anniversary of the culturally significant Coming of the Light when the London Missionary Society arrived in the Torres Strait,” she said.
“Over the weekend there will be special performances, community celebrations, family activities and feasting across the entire precinct and there will be something for everyone to enjoy.”
Ms Nolan said the program would include an exhibition of archival materials from the State Library of Queensland’s collections; Contemporary Art from the Torres Strait Islands, an exhibition of work by more than 40 artists at the Gallery of Modern Art; Awakening: Stories from the Torres Strait, a collection of objects, including ceremonial masks and archaeological findings at the Queensland Museum; a new work by the Bangarra Dance Theatre; and the Mabo Oration at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
12 May, 2011
Buy smart comp
is smart idea
The 10th annual Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Buy Smart competition has been launched.
The competition is designed to assist young people sharpen their consumer and financial literacy skills in order to help them save money and spend wisely.
Minister responsible for Fair Trading, Paul Lucas said these days young people begin using mobile phones, debit cards and credit cards at a much earlier age and the OFT wanted to help them avoid any troubles or future debt.
“For instance, each year about eight per cent of Queenslanders applying for bankruptcy are under 25,” Mr Lucas said.
“In addition, the average age at which young people begin using mobile phones is 13 and 20 per cent of people under 18 say phone debt had caused them major problems.”
He said it was the responsibility of society to arm children with the knowledge early on so that later in life when it came to buying a car, getting a loan or renting a home, they were clever consumers.
“This is the sort of know-how that the annual Buy Smart competition wants to encourage and develop – real skills for real life situations,” he said.
Mr Lucas said working individually or in teams, students in the competition were required to research a particular issue and then make a creative presentation which demonstrated their consumer know-how and financial flair.
“Potential topics include mobile phones, spending wisely, budgeting, buying and running a car, shopping online, saving and credit,” he said.
“The aim is to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they will need when entering the marketplace.
Mr Lucas said the competition would close on 16 September.
12 May, 2011
Paper outlines
facts on fax
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a new standard for telemarketing via fax.
Chairman of ACMA, Chris Chapman said the Fax Marketing Industry Standard 2011 set rules about when and how fax marketers could contact people.
“There is concern at the rate of growth in recent years and the inconvenience and intrusiveness of unsolicited fax marketing on Australians,” Mr Chapman said.
“After consulting with the fax marketing industry, consumers, and consumer organisations, the standard is effective from today (5 May) and will provide the community with greater certainty regarding the behaviour they can expect from fax marketers.”
He said key conditions of the standard included the times when marketing faxes could not be sent; information that must be provided on a marketing fax; provision of an opt-out option; and, limiting the number of marketing faxes that could be sent to a number over a particular period.
Mr Chapman said the standard applied to all participants in the fax marketing industry and to all marketing faxes sent to Australian fax numbers, whether or not the numbers were on the Do Not Call Register.
“This means that any business, charity, researcher, or other organisation that sends unsolicited marketing faxes must meet the requirements in the industry standard,” he said.
Mr Chapman said ACMA had a number of enforcement options, ranging from formal warnings to penalties of up to $250,000.
More information is available on the ACMA website this PS News link.
12 May, 2011
QPSU warns on email
The Queensland Public Sector Union (QPSU) has voiced concern at an email recently sent to QPSU members from the Australian Prison Officers Association soliciting money
The union has encouraged members to disregard the email as the organisation has no links to the QPSU and is not endorsed by the union.
Officials are trying to find out how a list of members was obtained or developed by this organisation.
Insurance up
After a review of insurance premiums QSuper has decided that death and total and permanent disability and income protection premiums will increase from 1 July.
The increase is required to cover the rising costs associated with an increased number of members accessing insurance benefits.
Pool register extended
A six month amnesty for people to register their swimming pools on the State Government’s pool register has been announced.
People would now have until 4 November to record their pool on the register.
The amnesty comes in the wake of recovery efforts following the January floods and Cyclone Yasi.
Consumers warned
Consumers have been warned against dealing with steel kit home company Global Home Solutions.
The Office of Fair Trading said the warning followed previous warnings it had issued about associated companies, ASK Homes Enterprises and ISK Homes and their former Director, Mathew Bradley Willaims.
Global Home Solutions has been attempting to sell franchises in Queensland and the Northern Territory from its base in Thailand.
Highway gets green light
Five Bruce Highway projects have been reinstated as part of the Federal Budget.
The projects were deferred early this year to ensure priority would be given to roads damaged by Queensland’s natural disasters.
They are back on track after the Queensland Government advised the Australian Government it had the capacity to complete both the reconstruction activities as well as deliver the scheduled Bruce Highway works.
Irrigators get water
The Department of Environment and Resource Management has ruled that irrigators in the Atherton sub-artesian area will have access to 100 per cent of their groundwater entitlements for the 2011-2012 water year.
Director of Regional Services at the Department, Andrew Buckley said the result was due to above average rainfall in the Atherton area.
“Staff have analysed water levels at several key observation bores which show continuing recharge to the groundwater system from recent rainfall,” Mr Buckley said.
Transit winner named
GoldlinQ, a consortium which includes companies Keolis, Downer EDI, McConnell Dowell, Bombardier and Plenary, has been announced as the successful bidder to build and operate the $1 billion Gold Coast Rapid Transit network.
The network will stretch from the new University Hospital to Broadbeach.
GoldlinQ was chosen from three consortia shortlisted for Stage One of the project last year.
5 May, 2011
Land valuations out
under new scheme
Valuer-General, Neil Bray has issued landowners across Queensland with more than 1.6 million valuations of their properties.
Mr Bray said that for the first time a site value methodology was used on all non-rural land, bringing Queensland into line with other States.
He said the new methodology was a key outcome of the State Government’s reforms of valuations and would provide a better basis to compare land values across all of Australia.
“In Queensland, the Valuer-General has determined that 89 per cent of land holdings are classified as non-rural and were valued using site value,” Mr Bray said.
“The remaining 11 per cent are classified as rural and were valued using unimproved value.”
He said the introduction of site value had not had a noticeable impact on the valuations of most landowners and property market movements remained the primary driver for changes.
Mr Bray said the valuations would take effect on 30 June for Local Government rating, State land tax and State land rental purposes.
“From this date onwards all rateable Local Governments will be valued annually, except in unusual circumstances or if there has been little or no market movement from the previous year,” he said.
“It is important that landowners realise that valuation notices are not rate notices. Rates are set under the Local Government Act 2009 and the City of Brisbane Act 2010 by Local Government authorities when they determine their annual budgets.”
Mr Bray said landowners directly affected by extreme weather events who had not received a valuation notice by mid-May should contact their local Department of Environment and Resource Management office.
5 May, 2011
Recovery effort
healing wounds
A new report is showing that good progress was being made in the State’s disaster recovery efforts.
The Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s April Monthly Report shows that all ports were back in operation, only one school remained closed and thousands of kilometres of State roads had been repaired.
The Report contained figures to the end of March.
It includes observations that more than 6,000 kilometres of State Roads had been repaired; 4,298km of the railway network had been repaired; all 11 ports affected by the natural disasters were now back to full operation and only one school (Milpera State School) was still operating from an alternative location.
The Report said a total of 646,000 Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments had been made, totalling approximately $745 million.
Premier, Anna Bligh also released another two key documents in the recovery process - the Operation Queenslander Implementation Plan and the Operation Queenslander Local Plan Guide.
Ms Bligh said the Implementation Plan sits beneath the overarching State Plan and sets out how the complex rebuilding tasks would proceed as smoothly, painlessly and efficiently as possible.
She said Local Plans would be developed by those who knew and understood local conditions best.
She said the Guide was a practical tool to help communities work through the planning and rebuilding process
“The sheer size and scope of these disasters means that for some Councils and communities this is the first time they have faced this type of rebuilding task,” Ms Bligh said.
“Other Councils are more experienced with disasters – but for all Local Governments this guide will give practical, useful advice.”
She said the documents were available from this PS News link.
5 May, 2011
PS to deliver for
flood inquiry
Premier, Anna Bligh has stepped in to clarify the responsibilities of Queensland State Public Servants appearing before or assisting the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the recent floods.
Ms Bligh said her “clear and unequivocal” expectation was that every Public Servant would assist the COI in every way possible and provide any information requested.
“I have directed my Director-General to issue a memo to all Public Servants to put this beyond doubt,” Ms Bligh said.
Director General of the Department of the Premier and the Cabinet, Ken Smith confirmed the Premier had asked him to write to all Queensland Public Servants, State Emergency Services and Rural Fire Service volunteers clarifying the need to fully co-operate with the COI.
“You are free to approach the COI in a personal, as well as a work, capacity,” Mr Smith said in his memo.
“If the COI approaches you, you should co-operate fully.
“You should be aware that the COI provides protections to all individuals providing evidence – this includes public servants and volunteers.
“You should honestly answer all questions relating to those matters within your area of responsibility.”
Mr Smith said the legal section of each Department would be available to assist staff deal with the Inquiry at any time, “particularly should you be asked to provide a formal statement or appear at a public hearing.”
The memo was written after a rural fire brigade volunteer from Grantham told the Inquiry she felt under pressure to destroy a report about events before the 10 January flood hit the Lockyer Valley.
Other fire brigade volunteers had said that on one occasion Government barristers had turned up at a Commission interview and employees were told to consider the law on Public Servants speaking out.
Seventeen people died in the Lockyer Valley flood, three are still missing.
5 May, 2011
Foundation laid for
rebuilding plans
Homeowners in Brisbane have been told they can go ahead and rebuild above flood levels.
The Government has told Brisbane City Council (BCC) that it can adopt a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to allow flood-affected properties on standard lots to be built up to 9.5 metres above ground level without the need for a development approval.
The current planning limit is 8.5 metres.
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said about 12,000 Brisbane homes were affected by the January floods.
“Many developers want to get on with the job of building houses and units in areas that may potentially be impacted by future floods if they are not built at a particular height,” Mr Lucas said.
“For flood-affected properties that are unable to be raised to achieve flood immunity, the TLPI introduces a number of new standards such as flood-resilient building design and materials including water-resistant sheeting for new building works below minimum floor levels.”
He said the Government had worked closely with BCC and had done everything in its power to speed up planning instrument approval to get people back into their homes as soon as possible.
He said the TLPI establishes an interim residential flood level, which is based on the highest of either the January 2011 Brisbane River flood event or the Defined Flood Level, as established in the existing planning scheme.
Mr Lucas said it was a temporary solution and BCC would have to amend its planning scheme before the TLPI expired in April, 2012.
5 May, 2011
Design competition to
cure terminal outlook
Eight Brisbane Ferry Terminals destroyed during the floods are to be rebuilt to a design emerging from the winning entry in an international competition.
Launching the competition, Acting Prime Minister and Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan said it was an invitation to designers and architects from across the world to become part of the rebuilding of Brisbane.
Premier, Anna Bligh said it was an unprecedented partnership between the Federal and State Governments which had committed $145 million to replace the Brisbane Ferry Terminals and the Riverwalk.
“CityCat and Ferry Terminals are not infrastructure that would normally qualify for funding under the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, but the State and Federal Governments recognise how vital they are to our capital’s transport infrastructure,” Ms Bligh said.
“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to build CityCat and Ferry Terminals that are truly unique and will be instantly recognisable as a distinctive part of the River City’s landscape.”
She said expressions of interest would be sought for a single design that could be adapted for terminals at River Plaza, West End, North Quay, Queensland University of Technology, Sydney Street, Holman Street, Regatta, and University of Queensland St Lucia.
She said a selection panel, chaired by the Government Architect, Philip Follent and supported by a technical advisory group, would select a shortlist of three who would then be asked to develop a concept design.
Ms Bligh said the winning design would be awarded a contract as consulting architect.
She said members of the public would also be able to have their say on the shortlisted entries.
5 May, 2011
Building report
to nail reforms
A technical report on structural damage to buildings hit by Cyclone Yasi is expected to inform future design and construction standards across Australia according to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB).
The Board funded the report entitled TC Yasi Structural Damage to Buildings which was compiled by James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station.
Chairman of the ABCB, Graham Huxley said James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station (CTS) marshalled Australia’s leading cyclone researchers and building professionals to compile data for the report.
He said the ABCB which provided financial support for the report, welcomed its release.
“The report noted that under the heavy wind loads of TC Yasi, buildings that had been built or extensively modified since the 1980s performed well,” Mr Huxley said.
“However, the report clearly pointed to the need for further review of a range of issues affecting community safety and resilience in cyclone prone areas.”
He said the report recommended several issues for consideration by industry, governments and the community relating to the performance of building products, Australian Standards and the cyclone construction requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC).
Mr Huxley said the Board would consider the report’s implications for work it already had underway on the adequacy of existing cyclone construction requirements and would engage with Standards Australia on issues identified in the report.
The ABCB also noted that the Cyclone Testing Station would work with other relevant authorities on various aspects of the report.
He said the ABCB was a joint initiative of all levels of government in Australia, with the building industry, and oversaw issues relating to health, safety, amenity and sustainability in building.
Mr Huxley said the Board promoted efficiency in the design, construction and performance of buildings through the National Construction Code.
The report was available on the Board’s website at this PS News link or from James Cook University at this PS News link.
5 May, 2011
CMC knocks out
Taser report
A report from the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) has found that although there is no evidence of widespread misuse of Tasers by the Queensland Police, improvements in controlling their use are still required.
Deputy Director of Research at CMC, Rebecca Denning said the Commission evaluated the effects of 27 recommendations arising from a joint Police-CMC review in 2009 following the death of a man in north Queensland after he was tasered.
“So far, 24 of the 27 recommendations surrounding Taser policy and practices have been implemented and we are seeing signs of some improvement,” Dr Denning said.
“The frequency of Taser uses decreased considerably when the revised policy was introduced in September 2009, and we saw some reduction in the proportion of people who were the target of multiple or prolonged Taser discharges.”
However she said there was still need for improvement.
“Taser deployments since the introduction of the revised policy were generally more likely than before to involve a person suspected of having an underlying mental or physical health condition,” she said.
“This is despite the revised policy highlighting the possible risks of Taser use against people in potentially ‘at-risk’ groups.”
The Report also raised concerns that more than 20 per cent of Taser uses were targeted at Indigenous people who were more likely to suffer from illnesses such as heart and lung disease placing them at greater risk of harm from Taser deployments.
Dr Denning said the CMC would like to see a further reduction in the number of people who were the targets of multiple or prolonged Taser discharges.
The CMC Report made 21 recommendations which focussed on further changes to policy and practices, including improved monitoring of Taser use by the police.
5 May, 2011
Apple island
losing appeal
State Public Servants in Tasmania are concerned that PS job cuts may be on the table after the Opposition obtained documents under Freedom of Information laws.
Tom Lynch, from the Community and Public Sector Union, said the union was demanding to see the detail of the Government’s redundancy plans.
He said a letter from Treasury to Government agencies allegedly outlined strategies approved by Cabinet to cut the public sector wage bill, including vacancy control measures, early retirement incentives and targeted voluntary redundancies.
Mr Lynch called on Premier Lara Giddings to end the uncertainty.
“What I would be guessing there is the Government is planning to put out a redundancy program even lower than the one that it ran last time,” Mr Lynch said.
“Two weeks (pay) for each year of service is below market standards”
He said if the Government was making decisions to make PS staff redundant it should at least pay them community standard amounts.
He said some staff were being told to take $20,000 and go because the offer may be less later on.
Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said Premier Giddings had no intention of imposing forced redundancies on the public sector but she had been overruled by her Cabinet colleagues.
“This document is devoid of any mention whatsoever of the Premier’s preferred plan and that is to have a forced redundancy program,” Mr Gutwein said.
The Premier said the Government was exploring all options to achieve the savings required.
5 May, 2011
Lessons learned from
school violence
The number of students absent for disciplinary reasons in Queensland State schools has risen as a result of a harder line on bad behaviour.
Figures released by Education Queensland showed schools were getting tougher on violent or misbehaving students.
Minister for Education, Cameron Dick said schools were places of learning and he made no apologies for State school principals taking a tougher approach.
“Most students want to learn and they shouldn’t have to put up with disruptive classmates who muck up or act violently,” Mr Dick said.
“Students who are suspended or excluded for bad behaviour need to use the time out to have a good, hard look at themselves and decide what they want from the education system.”
Mr Dick said in 2010 there were 7,390 long suspensions, an increase of 596 or 8.8 per cent, on the previous year.
He said an additional 55,423 short suspensions were applied, which was a rise of 2,019 or 3.8 per cent.
He said exclusions remained steady with 931 incidents, while 816 students had their enrolments cancelled, a rise of 54.3 per cent.
“In October last year, new laws were passed giving principals the power to exclude students without Departmental approval,” Mr Dick said.
“Principals are responsible for the safety and education of students and these powers ensure they can act decisively if a student puts other students’ safety or learning at risk.”
5 May, 2011
Commission to check
Council changes
Proposed changes to Townsville and Gympie Councils’ electoral arrangements are to be reviewed by the independent Local Government Change Commission.
The Commission is responsible for deciding whether to change Local Government electoral arrangements and reviews issues such as the number of Councillors and whether the Local Government is divided or undivided.
Minister for Local Government, Paul Lucas said Townsville City Council had requested a reduction in the number of its Councillors from 12 plus the Mayor to 10 plus the Mayor.
“Townsville City Council has indicated this change would bring about significant savings and would also bring the number of Councillors in line with other Local Government areas of similar population size,” Mr Lucas said.
“Locals have also expressed their desire to have individual Councillors representing specific areas, a move that makes sense for a city of Townsville’s size.”
He said Gympie Regional Council recently undertook some community engagement to determine the public’s support for a change from undivided to divided Local Government for electoral purposes.
“Overall there was a significant majority of people (61 per cent) who were in favour of divisions,” Mr Lucas said.
“However, only two per cent of electors responded to the survey and in recent weeks a number of residents have spoken to me outlining their concerns that the Council has decided not to acknowledge the results of the survey supporting divisions.”
Mr Lucas said community consultation could be part of the Change Commission’s process for determining both matters.
5 May, 2011
Maritime safety to
launch new office
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) plans to set up a new office in new premises in the Gladstone City Centre overlooking Gladstone Harbour.
Premier Anna Bligh said over the next 18 months, MSQ would almost double its operational staffing numbers to monitor increased traffic in the harbour and around the Great Barrier Reef
Ms Bligh said MSQ would be the anchor tenant in a new development that would see the existing car park adjacent to the Gladstone Entertainment Centre become a six-storey office block with Maritime Safety on the top level.
She said the new location would give maritime experts a clear line of sight into the harbour, one of the State’s premier ports.
“This is all part of our Government’s determination to keep the Great Barrier Reef pristine and safe as we see a larger volume of cargo vessels in the region as a result of a significant increase in vessel traffic as new LNG export markets open up,” Ms Bligh said.
“It’s about protecting our greatest natural asset.”
The Premier said that following the grounding of the cargo ship Shen Neng 1 near Great Keppel Island last year, the State and Federal Governments had announced funding for increased GPS tracking of ships in the region.
She said GPS tracking would start on 1 July, with operations to move to Gladstone after initially being delivered out of Townsville.
“Once these new Gladstone premises are completed before the end of next year, GPS tracking of large vessels in our waters will become a Gladstone-based operation,” Ms Bligh said.
“That means the Gladstone-based MSQ operational staff will go from about 18 to 35 to carry out this critical service.”
5 May, 2011
College report gives
teachers top marks
The Queensland College of Teachers’ annual report outlines the college’s achievements throughout 2010.
Minister for Education, Cameron Dick said the Report shows the effect the College was having on the quality of teachers.
“The Queensland College of Teachers’ annual report shows the college is upholding high teacher standards and maintaining public confidence in the profession, highlighted by the fact Queensland has the strictest teacher registration regime in the country,” Mr Dick said.
He said there were now 97,000 teachers registered to teach in the classroom, with 7,440 applications processed in 2010 and a further 38,800 applications for renewal.
He said every year, only a small minority of teachers were found to be unsuitable for the profession.
“These matters are dealt with either directly by the College through the suspension of teacher registrations, or taking other disciplinary action, or by referral to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal,” he said.
“In 2010, the registrations of 19 teachers were cancelled and 13 were suspended.”
“These figures show that Queenslanders can have confidence in our teacher registration regime.”
Mr Dick said Queensland was the first State in Australia to set up a registration system for teachers and it continued to lead the way nationally.
“The vast majority of our teachers work hard to deliver educational outcomes for our children,” he said.
“Every day, they demonstrate their expertise, innovation and dedication to students – they deserve our praise.”
5 May, 2011
Areas earmarked for
ear health service
More Aboriginal children in the Cherbourg and South Burnett areas are to have easier access to specialist ear health services with the expansion of a mobile screening project.
Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson said the program gave access to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist without the need to travel.
He said under the program, which was part of Queensland Health’s Deadly Ears initiative, mobile screening would be provided in more local schools and day care centres
“Before this, children had to go to a hospital or primary health care centre for ear health screening, and many simply did not attend,” Mr Wilson said.
“By ensuring children can more easily access this important service we’re hoping to improve treatment rates and ultimately prevent hearing loss.”
He expected to see more than 1,000 children screened in the region in the next 12 months, with the proportion of young people who had been screened growing to around 82 per cent.
The Minister said the Government had provided more than $205,000 in new funding to expand the mobile screening program.
He said one staff member was already in place, and a second was being recruited to start work this month, allowing the number of schools being serviced to grow from 15 to 20.
He said the program enabled images of the children’s ears to be sent to a specialist via a secure wireless internet link, allowing their ear health to be assessed rapidly and treatment prioritised.
The Minister said the program was another example of the Government’s policy of delivering more services sooner, closer to home, for regional and rural Queenslanders.
“We’re finding innovative new ways to deliver services to ensure all Queenslanders can access quality health care,” Mr Wilson said.
5 May, 2011
School reforms earn
high marks
The Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) Reform Council has announced that all States and Territories have made progress improving the literacy and numeracy of their school students.
Issuing its first report on the five-year Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership, the COAG Council said good reforms had been implemented under the Agreement.
Chairman of the COAG Reform Council, Paul McClintock said the $540 million National Partnership Agreement on Literacy and Numeracy was a commitment from all Governments to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, particularly for those students most in need.
Mr McClintock said the Council acknowledged that good reform activity had been implemented under the Agreement.
“These activities have so far assisted 1,000 schools across Australia, with over 400 000 students, including 28,000 Indigenous students,” he said.
“In NSW individual learning plans have been developed for almost 5,000 students, and in South Australia 30 literacy and numeracy coaches have been introduced in schools.”
He said Queensland had a total of 20 assessments with all 20 being judged as “benchmark achieved”.
Mr McClintock said while the Council was pleased to see that good progress had been made under the Agreement, there were some issues that COAG had been asked to address.
He said many of these issues concerned the high level of variation across the States and Territories in their approach to setting and measuring targets under the Agreement.
“While a degree of variation is important to allow flexibility in implementing strategies most appropriate to each government’s circumstances, too much variation can have some implications for transparency,” Mr McClintock said.
“It is encouraging that States and Territories now have an important opportunity to address these issues in the reporting framework.”
He said the Council’s report assessed each government’s achievement against their individual performance benchmarks.
He said under the Agreement, reward payments of up to $350 million were available to States and Territories in 2010–11 and 2011–12, subject to the Council’s report to COAG.
Mr McClintock said the allocation of reward funding was at the discretion of the Commonwealth Government.
To view the full report visit this PS News link.
5 May, 2011
Fishing ban saves
green turtles
An attempt to prevent the death of more green turtles in the Boyne River has been implemented with a two-month emergency ban on net fishing near the river mouth.
Minister for the Environment, Kate Jones said she issued an Interim Conservation Order (ICO) under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, following the death of 22 turtles in the river in the past few weeks.
“This 60-day ban is aimed at stopping further deaths of the turtle in this region,” Ms Jones said.
“Almost 20,000 barramundi recently washed over the Awoonga Dam spillway and have been moving along the Boyne River system.
She said investigations suggest several commercial net fishers had been targeting the fish by setting nets at the river mouth, a practice which may have been the cause of the turtle deaths.
“I want to thank the commercial fishing industry for their support for this ban,” Ms Jones said.
“We will be working closely with industry to identify the direct cause and consider ways to address this problem.”
Ms Jones said the ICO effectively extended the current closure in the Boyne River that had been due to end on 1 May, and established an additional closure seaward of the river mouth.
She said observations over recent weeks had confirmed that turtles were being caught in fishing nets and the lucky ones were subsequently being released.
“Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) officers and locals had reported a number of live turtles being released from these nets,” she said.
“However, while released alive, their ability to survive can be greatly reduced and that is why we need to address this issue.”
Ms Jones said QPWS rangers would be conducting increased patrols of the area, and would work alongside Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers to ensure compliance.
5 May, 2011
Wartime projects
target memorials
Funding for 22 projects to honour Queensland’s wartime heritage has been announced, as part of the Australian Governments Saluting Their Service grants.
Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon said the grants, 93 of which were awarded nationally, provided funds to help communities build and maintain memorials, capture the wartime history of their towns, and preserve memorabilia for future generations.
“The 93 projects (nationally) range from assistance for a reunion luncheon in Sydney to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Australian Women’s Army Service, to funding for a new annual Anzac Day concert in Canberra, as well as support to help publish a book titled Easter Monday 1941,” Mr Snowdon said.
He said the funding, worth a total of $224,165, would commemorate those who served, and continued to serve, Australia in wars, conflicts and peace operations.
“In almost every city and town across the country there’s history of Australian service,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Through these projects we can help ensure the contribution of our servicemen and women is remembered, and their sacrifice is not forgotten”.
The 22 grants awarded to Queensland organisations total $61,114 and provided funds for an array of initiatives including veterans’ reunions; restoration of memorials; school initiatives; and the preservation and display of Australian wartime memorabilia.
Major Queensland beneficiaries included the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association (Queensland Branch) Inc; Bowen, Laidley and Toogoolawah RSL Sub-branches; and Greenmount State School, which received $4,000 to help upgrade the Greenmount State Primary School Memorial and its immediate surrounds.
Mr Snowdon said local community and ex-service organisations interested in applying for funding should visit this PS News link, or call their nearest DVA office on 133 254 (for metropolitan callers) or 1800 555 254 (for non-metropolitan callers).
5 May, 2011
Coal terminal signed up
A 99-year lease has been drawn up for the X50 Abbot Point Coal Terminal, with proceeds to be directed to Queensland’s natural disaster recovery.
Terms had been agreed between the Government and the Mundra Port Pty Ltd at a price of $1.829 billion.
The transaction exceeded initial expectations of $1.5 billion.
Busway turns 10
The 10th anniversary of the completion of Brisbane’s South East Busway, which runs from Brisbane Central Business District to Eight Miles Plains, has been marked.
The first stage of the South East Busway (CBD to Woolloongabba) was opened on 13 September, 2000; the second stage (to Eight Mile Plains) began full operations on 30 April, 2001.
The 17-kilometre busway runs adjacent to the South East Freeway and includes 10 modern bus stations and a bus operations centre.
Tourism heads head south
The Queensland on Tour road show, involving 200 Queensland tourism operators is travelling through NSW and Victoria as part of the joint Federal and State Governments’ $12 million tourism recovery funding package.
The purpose of the five-day interstate road show is to deliver the message that Nothing Beats Queensland for a holiday.
The bus tour is promoting a range of Queensland holiday deals and giveaways.
Development Committees in the money
Additional State and Federal funding is to go to Queensland’s Regional Development Australia Committees (RDAs) next year.
The RDAs will receive an extra $480,000 to help them strengthen their ability to build capacity and gain information on the priorities identified in their regional roadmaps.
RDA committees provide advice to Government on regional Queensland priorities as well as engaging with their communities and promoting practical and attainable solutions.
Radar in place
Site preparation work for a temporary radar facility at Machans Beach in Cairns has begun.
The Airservices Australia radar will maintain the current levels of flight safety in the region while the permanent Cairns Terminal Area Radar is upgraded.
The $5.5 million upgrade is part of an $80 million nationwide infrastructure modernisation program to ensure the safe and efficient movement of air traffic in Australian airspace.
Toolkit for tour operators
Tourism operators have been provided with a marketing toolkit containing logos, templates and guidelines.
The toolkit is designed to be used as part of the operators, own marketing activities to link with the Nothing Beats Queensland campaign.
The marketing tools have been developed by Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia as part of the $12 million tourism recovery strategy.
|
|