Taxpayer funding for political parties will be slashed under reforms to Queensland’s electoral system passed in Parliament today. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said the Government’s reforms would protect and modernise Queensland’s electoral system. “We promised at the election that we would restore accountability to Government and these reforms clean up electoral amendments,…
Queensland’s environment will be the big winner after the new Environmental Offsets Bill was passed in parliament fulfilling another election commitment by the Newman Government. Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, Andrew Powell, said the new legislation gives the government the opportunity to focus investment on frontline corridors with high environmental value. “This means for…
It sounds like something out of science fiction but a US company is planning to produce kidney tissues using a 3D printer. And there’s a Queensland connection. Minister for Science and Innovation Ian Walker said mini-kidney tissue would be printed by America’s 3D bio-printing company Organovo following an agreement signed with the University of Queensland’s…
A free, independent system to review decisions made by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission has been established, in a significant reform to the building industry. Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mander said that previously, home owners, builders, contractors and certifiers could only appeal the building industry regulator’s decisions in the Queensland Civil…
The building and construction industry will receive another boost with legislation that brings down costs by reducing red tape. Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mander said moving the licensing and compliance function to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission would result in cost and efficiency savings for the industry. “There are currently two…
Queenslanders can have their say on how crime is tackled in their state, with a special Parliamentary Inquiry shining a light on the issues that affect them. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said the Inquiry into Criminal Activity would help build upon extensive crime-fighting reforms and successes already achieved by the Queensland Government.…
Queensland exporting businesses making important contributions to the state’s economy through job creation and increased community prosperity can now nominate for the 25th Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards. Treasurer Tim Nicholls said Queensland’s exporters were taking on the world and succeeding, reinforcing the state’s strong track record of supplying innovative and reliable goods and services…
Delivering better mental health outcomes for Queenslanders is the goal of a major review of mental health legislation to pave the way for more relevant and effective laws. Health Minister Lawrence Springborg released a discussion paper for public comment on changes to the Mental Health Act. “Years of ad hoc approaches by Labor Governments have…
Significant savings are on the way for Queensland’s construction, resources and tourism industries thanks to red tape busting reforms to the QLeave scheme, passed in Parliament last night. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Jarrod Bleijie said they delivered on the Government’s election promises to supercharge the economy and revitalise frontline services. “Both workers and businesses…
Resolving payment disputes in Queensland’s construction industry will be easier and more transparent under changes introduced to Parliament. Minister for Housing and Public Works Minister Tim Mander said the Building and Construction Industry Payments Act was created in 2004 to give builders and contractors an alternative way to resolve construction payment disputes, but the industry…