Positive signs for housing industry

Queensland’s housing industry continues to show positive signs, with figures released today showing housing finance approvals for owner occupied dwellings rose in August for the 20th consecutive month. Treasurer Tim Nicholls said approvals rose 0.3 per cent in trend terms in August to be up 5.0 per cent over the year. “Queensland has had the…

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Carers Week celebrates our dedicated carers

Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson is encouraging residents to acknowledge the hard work of local carers during Carers Week, which will be held from 12 to 18 October.   Ms Simpson said that half a million people in Queensland provide care and assistance to loved ones who need help with everyday tasks because of disability,…

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Strong Choices will boost Queensland jobs

Jobs figures out today highlight the need for Queensland to reduce debt so it can increase funding for job-creating infrastructure projects. Treasurer Tim Nicholls said while the ABS figures showed Queensland’s annual trend jobs growth was higher than the national average at 1.4 per cent, there was still more to be done. “Regardless of uncertainty…

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Asset leasing plan will reduce debt and create jobs

The Queensland Government’s $80 billion debt would be reduced and funds would be freed up for job creating infrastructure under the final Strong Choices plan to lease some government-owned assets.  Premier Campbell Newman said the Government had listened to Queenslanders and responded to their feedback about retaining their stake in public assets.  “We have listened…

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Strong Choices Plan gets finishing touches

Queenslanders will see the Government’s finalised Strong Choices plan to pay down the State’s $80 billion debt through asset leases next week.  Premier Campbell Newman and Treasurer Tim Nicholls today put the finishing touches to the plan which they will take to Cabinet on Tuesday.  “This is a momentous decision for Queensland and we’ve taken…

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New app released for Rego Sticker Liberation Day

Checking your car registration status will be simple for Queensland drivers following the release of a new app to coincide with Rego Sticker Liberation Day. Assistant Minister for Public Transport Steve Minnikin said that from today Queenslanders could rip off their sticky registration labels for good. “Cutting red tape for Queenslanders is all part of…

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Government pledges $36 million for more apprenticeships

School leavers and people looking for new skills or a career change will have more opportunities under a new innovative scheme paying employers up to $6,000 for each additional apprentice taken on this financial year. Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the $36 million Queensland Apprenticeship Pledge was an investment in the…

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Queensland students get lessons on alcohol and drugs

Queensland secondary students will start a new education program to prevent alcohol and drug-related violence from Term 4, delivering on the election promise to revitalise frontline services. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the new program was part of a suite of initiatives developed under the Queensland Government’s ‘Safe Night Out Strategy’. “The Alcohol and other…

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Spring funding boost for local community groups

  Seven not-for-profit organisations in the Maroochydore electorate will be celebrating funding wins from latest quarterly round of the State Government Gambling Community Benefit Fund. Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said the funds totalling $183,984 would help these hardworking groups to continue their invaluable work in the local community. “Our local groups play a huge…

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