Student scholarships to boost state’s skills

Frontline education services are about to be further boosted, with teaching students and university graduates to benefit from $680,000 in scholarships announced by the Newman Government. Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek announced 40 scholarships under the Step into Teaching Scholarship and STEM Teaching Scholarship programs, each worth up to $25,000. “We want to…

Community helicopters to get night vision

Community-based helicopter rescue operators from Mackay to the New South Wales border will share in $3.57 million State Government funding to equip themselves with state-of-the-art night vision goggles (NVG). “The use of NVG is the benchmark practice for night time emergency medical helicopter operations,” Acting Health Minister Scott Emerson said today. “This money will support…

Queensland leads the nation in jobs creation

Queensland is again leading the nation in jobs creation, according to the latest ABS Labour Force data. Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the result showed the Newman Government’s plan to grow a four-pillar economy, after years of Labor neglect, was working. “Queensland experienced the strongest increase in trend employment, with 4,200 jobs created in October,” Mr…

61 recruits join Queensland Police ranks

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has received a boost with 61 new officers inducted into the service this afternoon. Police Minister Jack Dempsey said the 61 new police officers had spent the last 25 weeks learning the skills they need to improve the safety of Queensland communities, which had deteriorated under Labor. “I thank the…

Green light for tougher school discipline powers

Queensland’s state school principals will have greater discipline powers to manage disruptive student behaviour from the start of the 2014 school year. Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the Education (Strengthening Discipline in State Schools) Amendment Bill 2013 had been passed by Queensland Parliament heralding major improvements for state school operations. “The…

Queensland ecotourism zips to new heights

Visitors to a popular Sunshine Coast national park are set to reach lofty new heights with the Queensland Government opening an Expressions of Interest process for a zipline canopy tour. Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey and National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said Kondalilla National Park could soon be home to a new ecotourism experience, as the…

Action Plan to clean up litter and illegal dumping

The Newman Government has launched an Action Plan to clean up litter and illegal dumping throughout the state.   Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell said the Action Plan was a long-term initiative by the Newman Government to reduce litter and illegal dumping.   “We will focus on effective programs to change community…

Queensland national parks protected into the future

Queensland parliament today passed amendments to cut red tape and increase protection of the state’s national parks, to further build the state’s four pillar economy and get Queensland back on track. National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said the Newman Government was continuing to deliver upon its election commitments to reduce red tape and conserve natural…

Budget to rebuild Queensland and grow Sunshine Coast

The 2013-14 State Budget is focused on growing the economy, rebuilding Queensland and making our communities more resilient, Treasurer and Minister for Trade Tim Nicholls says. Mr Nicholls said communities across the State and in the Sunshine Coast region would benefit from the Newman Government’s positive plans. “In more ways than one, this Budget is…