Slow down, children are crossing

Queensland drivers are being urged to slow down around schools with hundreds of students headed back to school on Tuesday.  Acting Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister John McVeigh said drivers needed to take extra care in schools zones as children were often unpredictable.  “Children may duck out onto the road or misjudge traffic, but…

Landholders embrace vegetation management reforms

Queensland landholders are getting behind the Newman Government’s vegetation management reforms, with almost 1500 people attending 66 public information sessions held right across the state during December 2013. Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said landholders were given a comprehensive understanding of the changes, which removed unnecessary paperwork and allowed farmers and graziers…

Fee-free training for 2013 graduates

Fee-free apprenticeships and traineeships are now available in more than ten industries for Year 12 students who graduated in 2013. Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the qualifications in high demand areas were chosen by the Newman Government and industry. “Together we’re determined to boost the Queensland economy after years of Labor mismanagement,…

New era for 54 more Independent Public Schools

The start of the school year will mark the beginning of a new era for 54 of Queensland’s new Independent Public Schools. Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the schools would have more freedom to decide their direction and make decisions that benefitted local students and communities. “Along with the first 26…

New partnership delivers for seniors

Council of the Ageing Queensland (COTAQ) has been selected to play an important role in representing the interests of older people across the state. Communities Minister Tracy Davis said COTAQ would receive $375,000 over three years through an innovative Government partnership, the Seniors Advocacy and Research Initiative. “This funding will allow COTAQ to work with…

Tougher school disciplinary powers in 2014

Queensland state school principals will have greater powers to discipline students when school starts back next week. Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the Strengthening Discipline in Queensland State Schools strategy was introduced as part of the Newman Government’s Great Teachers = Great Results and would give principals the increased authority they’d…

School dates and holidays for 2014

Queensland state school students will return for Term 1 on Tuesday 28 January, the day after the Australia Day public holiday. Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said teachers would report back on Thursday 23 January, with student-free staff development days planned for 23 and 24 January. “I’m looking forward to another significant…

Queensland growing as economic powerhouse

CommSec’s latest State of the States report shows Queensland has the fastest economic growth rate in the nation, cementing its position as the best place in Australia to invest, employ and grow your business. Premier Campbell Newman said economic growth was up 4.2 per cent from this time last year, as the Government’s hard work…

Early Start for 2014 Prep students

Prep students in Queensland state schools will be given greater opportunities to learn and improve their literacy and numeracy skills thanks to a new teacher kit delivered by the Newman Government. The Early Start Kit is a suite of literacy and numeracy materials which gives schools and teachers the opportunity to monitor the progress of…