River drilling starts on Underground Bus and Train project

Geotechnical drilling under the Brisbane River has started as part of planning works for the $5 billion Underground Bus and Train project. Premier Campbell Newman, Acting Transport and Main Roads Minister Lawrence Springborg and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk visited the Sea Lift 7 barge today which started geotechnical drilling investigations. “The drilling work is one…

Queensland leads the way on jobs

Queensland has consolidated its place as the nation’s engine room of job creation after the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics were released today. Acting Treasurer John McVeigh said that 75 per cent of all the jobs created in Australia over the year to December 2013 were created in Queensland. “35,200 jobs were…

Queensland property market activity continues to grow

Queensland’s property market has continued its revival with a strong increase in the number of lodgements with the Queensland Titles Registry in 2013. Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said latest statistics show the Titles Registry received an average 3,240 lodgements per day during December 2013, well above the overall 2013 daily average…

Boosting economy and services focus of Six Month Action Plan

Supercharging the state’s economy and delivering better services for Queenslanders are the priorities of the Newman Government’s latest Six Month Action Plan. Premier Campbell Newman said the State Government would continue to focus on creating the best environment for business investment in the country. “Recent economic figures show that Queensland’s economy is outperforming the rest…

Red tape reduction boosts apprenticeship and Indigenous opportunities

The Newman Government’s war on red tape has resulted in a new training policy for apprentices and trainees across Queensland from 1 July 2014. Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the Queensland Government Building and Construction Training Policy rolled two existing policies into one. “This amalgamation will streamline compliance and reporting requirements and…

Minister warns of phishing email scam

Queenslanders beware, another scam targeting electricity consumers has reared its head. Acting Energy and Water Supply Minister Andrew Cripps said Ergon Energy customers were being targeted with phishing emails in the form of bogus electricity accounts. “The emails from a company calling itself Pacific Gas & Electric include a link which directs customers to a site where they…

Surge in Queensland property industry confidence

A new report out today shows Queensland’s property industry is the most confident in the nation, Premier Campbell Newman said. The Property Council of Australia – ANZ Property Industry Confidence Survey shows Queensland leading the way with a surge in industry confidence for the March quarter of 10 points. “That result tells us that the…

State funding boost for local community groups

Maroochydore’s Suncare Community Service and the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club are among those who were successful under the latest round of State Government community funding. It’s part of millions of dollars provided across Queensland through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and the Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund. Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said the…

New Children’s Commissioner appointed

A government executive with 15 years of management experience delivering services to vulnerable Queenslanders has been appointed as Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Child Guardian (the Children’s Commissioner). Acting Child Safety Minister Jann Stuckey today announced Mr Stephen Armitage had been named as the new Children’s Commissioner. “Mr Armitage’s extensive background includes…