Draft Plan of action: Strongest Choice now the Smartest

Treasurer Tim Nicholls today released the Government’s Draft Plan of action to reduce the $80 billion state debt and $4 billion interest bill – the ‘Strongest and Smartest Choice’ for Queensland. “Our Draft Plan is the strongest choice because we have always been committed to fixing the state’s finances and ridding Queenslanders of the burden…

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Coral reef fin fish closures

The Queensland Government has announced the Coral reef fin fish closed season dates for the next five years which will provide certainty and long-term planning for fishers. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said setting the dates in advance would assist fishers in their planning. “Tourism operators and commercial fishers will benefit from…

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Six of Queensland’s greatest recognised

Five remarkable individuals and one outstanding institution have been recognised as this year’s Queensland Greats. The 2014 Queensland Greats are: community leader Dr Sallyanne Atkinson AO custodian of the country Fred Conway arts philanthropists Dr Patrick Corrigan AM and Win Schubert cancer prevention researcher Professor Adèle Green AC prominent disability service provider Endeavour Foundation. Premier…

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Asian Cup 2015 football bonanza tickets on sale

Queenslanders are being urged to get in quick with tickets now on sale for the biggest international football tournament Queensland and Australia have ever hosted. Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey said the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 would cement Queensland’s standing for international sporting events and build…

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$250,000 boost to Queensland research

Research projects that could lead to a low GI sugar to help fight diabetes and tooth decay and another study that hopes to grow bones for bone grafts are a step closer today after they were awarded $250,000 in Queensland Government grants. Science and Innovation Minister Ian Walker announced this investment under the 2014 round…

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Carbon tax and Labor legacy biggest impact on power prices

Labor’s carbon tax will add $170 to an average Queensland household’s electricity bill. Energy Minister Mark McArdle said the Queensland Competition Authority’s (QCA) announcement that electricity prices will increase by 13.6 per cent in July showed the challenge facing Queensland to address Labor’s painful legacy of locked-in costs of electricity supply. The QCA found the…

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30 years of safer school road crossings

Queensland school children are celebrating three decades of safer road crossings, with the first school crossing supervisor introduced 30 years ago. Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson, Minister for Education, Training and Employment John Paul Langbroek and Member for Ipswich Ian Berry celebrated the milestone with Queensland’s longest serving supervisor in Ipswich. “It was…

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Planning a brighter future for construction sector

A blueprint for the future of Queensland’s construction industry is beginning to take shape with 75 industry leaders coming together for the first stage of the Queensland Government’s ConstructionQ initiative. Minister for Housing and Public works Tim Mander said the Industry Leaders workshop was an important first step on the path towards a 30 year…

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Independent consultancy appointed to undertake fisheries review

A review to simplify and improve the management of Queensland’s fisheries is underway with the appointment of independent consultants MRAG Asia Pacific. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said MRAG had been chosen from a strong field of candidates due to their extensive national and international fisheries experience. “Fishing industry groups has indicated…

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Freeze fire fatalities this winter

Homeowners are being reminded to develop and practice their fire escape plans and put safety first as the temperature drops. Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Jack Dempsey said winter was traditionally a busy time of the year for Queensland firefighters, with more house fires reported. “We promised at the election to revitalise frontline fire…

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