Camera action will deliver justice and savings

Reforms that will bring Queensland’s courtrooms into the 21st century and further improve court efficiency will be introduced in Parliament this week. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie and Chief Justice Paul de Jersey demonstrated technology that would allow expert witnesses to give video evidence from anywhere in the world. “We live in a…

Book in for Premier’s Reading Challenge

Queensland kids will be encouraged to discover the joy of reading and boost their literary skills by taking part in the 2014 Premier’s Reading Challenge. Premier Campbell Newman and Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek launched the challenge which attracts more than 100,000 participants annually. “Reading is a vital skill and the annual challenge,…

Property reforms an easy sell for Queensland

Buying a property or vehicle in Queensland will be a whole lot easier thanks to new laws passed by the State Government in Parliament last night. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said splitting the Property Agents and Motor Dealers Acts (2000) into separate industry-specific Bills meant an end to the ‘one size fits all’ approach…

Building industry to benefit from cuts to red tape

The State’s construction industry has received a boost, with new legislation making it easier, quicker and more cost-effective to connect to the water and sewerage system. Water Supply Mark McArdle said the Water Supply Services Legislation Amendment Act will help speed up and simplify development approvals for building projects of all sizes. “We promised at…

Compare Queensland’s debt in real time

Queenslanders will be able to log onto the Strong Choices website and watch our debt levels accumulate in real time compared to the other Australian states from today. Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the unprecedented scale of the State’s debt, which now drains $4 billion in interest repayments every year, was being realised by huge numbers…

Wind farm code out for public comment

A draft code providing clear and consistent standards for the assessment of wind farm development applications in Queensland has been released for public comment, delivering on a key election promise. Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the draft code had been developed to provide a consistent approach to…

Auxiliary Firefighters Charter Signed

Firefighting services for Queenslanders are set to further improve with the signing of a charter between Queensland Government, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services and the Auxiliary Firefighters Association of Queensland. The signing of the charter formalises a working partnership for the more than 2,000 Auxiliary Firefighters across Queensland and ensures the will have their voices…

Celebrate Queensland Day at work and win great prizes

Queenslanders have been invited to join in the state’s party by hosting an event in their workplace on Friday 6 June as part of Queensland Day in the Office. Premier Campbell Newman said Queensland Day marked the day we officially separated from New South Wales and has long been regarded as the state’s birthday. “It…

Coolum Soccer funding win gets more kids into sport

Kids just wanna have fun while playing soccer on the new inflatable field at Coolum Football Club, State MP Fiona Simpson discovered today. Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson was visiting the Coolum Football Club today to see firsthand how State Government funding was being put to good use to encourage younger kids to play sport.…

Lighters out in Queensland prisons

It’s lighters out in Queensland’s prisons with all correctional facilities going smoke-free from today, but many prisoners have already chosen to butt out. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said Queensland Corrective Services and Health officials had worked hard all year to ensure a smooth transition to the new, healthier policy. “We made a…