Carbon tax and Labor legacy biggest impact on power prices

Labor’s carbon tax will add $170 to an average Queensland household’s electricity bill. Energy Minister Mark McArdle said the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) announcement that electricity prices will increase by 13.6 per cent in July showed the challenge facing Queensland to address Labor’s painful legacy of locked-in costs of electricity supply. The QCA found the…

Planning a brighter future for construction sector

A blueprint for the future of Queensland’s construction industry is beginning to take shape with 75 industry leaders coming together for the first stage of the Queensland Government’s ConstructionQ initiative. Minister for Housing and Public works Tim Mander said the Industry Leaders workshop was an important first step on the path towards a 30 year…

Maroochydore bus station taxi trial begins

Helping people get home safely is the aim of a new late-night taxi pick-up zone at the Maroochydore bus station from Friday night.  Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson, who championed the move, said the 12-month trial was in response to community concerns.  “This new taxi zone will ensure people can wait in an area with…

30 years of safer school road crossings

Queensland school children are celebrating three decades of safer road crossings, with the first school crossing supervisor introduced 30 years ago. Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson, Minister for Education, Training and Employment John Paul Langbroek and Member for Ipswich Ian Berry celebrated the milestone with Queensland’s longest serving supervisor in Ipswich. “It was…

Calling all Champions

Calling all champions of arts, science and innovation: The Queensland Government wants to salute you as part of a new program recognising people who work to make the state a vibrant hub for ideas and culture. Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Ian Walker today announced the opening of the Champions programs,…

Petroleum and gas sector to benefit from new reforms

Queensland’s petroleum and gas sector now has greater investment certainty with the Newman Government delivering important reforms to the tenure framework.   Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the tenure reforms built on the Newman Government’s strong plan to encourage the next generation of projects in the petroleum and gas sector, to…

New website shines a light on SEQ’s solar competition

South east Queensland’s solar customers on the transitional 8 cent feed-in tariff will now have an easy way to shop around for the best feed-in tariff deal. Energy Minister Mark McArdle today launched the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA)’s latest tool to help solar customers get the best deal for exporting their solar energy. “This online…

Freeze fire fatalities this winter

Homeowners are being reminded to develop and practice their fire escape plans and put safety first as the temperature drops. Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Jack Dempsey said winter was traditionally a busy time of the year for Queensland firefighters, with more house fires reported. “We promised at the election to revitalise frontline fire…

Independent consultancy appointed to undertake fisheries review

A review to simplify and improve the management of Queensland’s fisheries is underway with the appointment of independent consultants MRAG Asia Pacific. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said MRAG had been chosen from a strong field of candidates due to their extensive national and international fisheries experience. “Fishing industry groups has indicated…