The largest area of Queensland ever drought declared

Emergency aid and funding will be made available to another 15 shires after 79 per cent of Queensland was declared in drought, the largest area ever recorded. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh added the southern Queensland Shires of Banana, Bundaberg, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, South…

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Greater access to ombudsman services

More Queenslanders will get support to resolve energy and water disputes after the Newman Government announced a review of the role of the Queensland Energy and Water Ombudsman. Energy and Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said the review would consider expanding the scope of customer complaints the ombudsman could investigate. “This review is part of…

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State listens on flood planning

The push to make Queensland communities better protected against flooding is changing the way councils can apply for funding. Community Recovery and Resilience Minister David Crisafulli has called for Expressions of Interest for the first time from the state’s 77 councils for projects that will help their communities be better prepared to avoid the worst…

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Insurance data predicts lift in construction activity

Construction activity is set to boom across the state, with insurance policy data released by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) increasing by 27 per cent in two years. Minister for Housing and Public Works, Tim Mander, said the data showed the Government was delivering on its election promise to grow construction as one…

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Nineteen bidders vie for integrated resorts

A total of 19 national and international developers have registered their interest in delivering up to three new world-class Integrated Resort Developments in Queensland. Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the announcement shows that people want to invest and do business in Queensland. “The level of interest in…

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Queensland’s resources sector moving up the ranks

Moves to strengthen Queensland’s resources sector by encouraging investment and cutting red tape have been endorsed by an independent industry survey. Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps welcomed the results of the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2013 and said it showed the Government was delivering on its election promises. “We…

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Respected doctor’s advocate welcomes improved contracts

Better working conditions and entitlements provided by new contracts to 650 Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) in Queensland Hospitals have been recognised in the final report of their industrial advocate, outlined in State Parliament today. Health Minister Lawrence Springborg welcomed the findings of the VMO’s long-time industrial representative, Dr Ross Cartmill which had been subsequently endorsed…

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Queensland Choices consultation to secure our future

Queenslanders are being asked to join the conversation about Queensland’s choices to reduce the $80 billion debt left by the previous Labor Government, Treasurer Tim Nicholls said today. “Queensland is a great place to live and work, but the outlook for our strong economic future is being overshadowed by an $80 billion black cloud of…

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Doors open for small business

Online tendering resources will allow small businesses to operate on a level playing field with larger enterprises for the first time, delivering on the Newman Government’s election promise to cut red tape and regulation by 20 per cent by 2018. Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the…

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