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Queensland flood appeal hits $7 million mark

Premier and Minister for the Arts

The Honourable Anna Bligh

31/12/2010

Flood appeal hits $7 million mark

Queensland's flood appeal has hit the $7 million mark thanks to generous donations from Origin Energy and the Commonwealth Bank.

Premier Anna Bligh today thanked the companies who today each contributed $1 million to the appeal, taking the total donated to date to $7.25 million.

"These companies have businesses right across Queensland and many have themselves been significantly affected," Ms Bligh said.

"What's more many of their employees and customers are also doing it tough.

"The support from the corporate sector for this public appeal in the past 48 hours has been amazing."

Ms Bligh thanked all of the companies who had donated to date, saying they had once again confirmed their commitment to Queenslanders.

"We are now well beyond the $7 million mark and every cent will go right back to Queenslanders across these flood ravaged towns."

The Australian Red Cross has agreed to manage the fund on behalf of the Queensland Government, with the Government and Red Cross covering any administration costs.

The Premier, who was in Rockhampton and Bundaberg today with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, said the damage bill when the flood waters finally receded would be enormous.

"Obviously we won't have a true picture of the extent of the damage until the flood waters recede and the clean up begins but in state owned infrastructure alone, such as roads, rail and schools, we are looking at a bill that could well run into the billions.

"This doesn't include the damage to crops, and of course the heart-breaking damage to personal property.

"Queenslanders are going to need every bit of help they can get and the support for the disaster relief appeal has been overwhelming."

Ms Bligh welcomed the Commonwealth's announcement today it would provide additional assistance ($1000 per adult and $400 per child) for people significantly affected by the floods.

"The Gillard Government has been working closely with us to ensure that Queenslanders affected by these devastating floods will be able to access as much support and assistance as they need."

Ms Bligh said today's announcement by the Commonwealth would build on the existing assistance already available for people in flood affected areas provided jointly by the State and Commonwealth governments, including:

• Personal Hardship Assistance grants of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $850 for a family of five or more, are available to people experiencing hardship to meet the cost of essentials like food, clothing, medical supplies and accommodation.

• The Essential Household Contents Grant provides assistance of up to $1640 for individuals and $4980 for families to help with the cost of replacing items like fridges and other essential household items.

• Structural Assistance Grants of up to $10500 for individuals and $14200 for families a re available to help repair uninsured owner-occupied homes.

People who are experiencing personal hardship due to the flooding should contact the Department of Communities on 1800 173 349 or visit www.communities.qld.gov.au

To donate to the Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal go to www.qld.gov.au/floods

Flood Update: Other states sending aid to Queensland

Premier and Minister for the Arts

The Honourable Anna Bligh

31/12/2010

Other states sending aid to Queensland

Premier Anna Bligh today thanked the New South Wales and Victorian Governments for their commitment of relief personnel to assist with the flood response and recovery in Queensland.

The Premier visited flood affected communities in Bundaberg and Rockhampton with the Prime Minister today and said the extra personnel would go a long way to assisting those in need.

"Our hardworking emergency services personnel and volunteers are doing a fantastic job dealing with these extraordinary floodwaters," Ms Bligh said.

"I want to sincerely thank our southern neighbours for their welcome contribution during this difficult time."

"These additional personnel will relieve exhausted staff and volunteers across the state and in particular, begin the difficult job of rebuilding and recovery."

"This is a marathon, not a sprint and where we can, we need to relieve our dedicated staff and volunteers."

Around thirty volunteers will arrive from Victoria next week along with four to six Instant Management Team staff.

NSW will send twenty operations centre staff.

Arrangements for where these volunteers will deploy are still being made. Some will certainly be based at the Emergency Coordination Centre at Kedron to assist with planning recovery efforts, and others will sent to at-risk areas as the need arises.

"Many of the staff at EMQ have been working tirelessly since Christmas Day to ensure our state is well prepared for these unprecedented weather events."

"Visiting Rockhampton and Bundaberg today and Emerald yesterday, I was again reminded of the incredible resilience and community spirit of Queenslanders."

"On behalf of all Queenslanders, but particularly those hit hardest by these floods, I want to thank the people of New South Wales and Victoria for their support.

"The most important thing to do at the moment is to ensure residents remain safe and I pay tribute to the fantastic work all emergency personnel and volunteers are doing across the State."

LNP Opposition looks foolish over attacks on Tugun desalination plant

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

The Honourable Stephen Robertson

31/12/2010

Tugun desal plant delivering water security for SEQ

The Tugun desalination plant is delivering South East Queensland residents with vital clean drinking water after unprecedented rainfalls have resulted in poor water quality in the Brisbane River.

The desalination facility was brought up to full capacity on Wednesday after heavy rainfall over the Lockyer Valley and Bremer catchments resulted in large amounts of sediment in floodwaters flowing down the Brisbane River.

Water Minister Stephen Robertson said the poor water quality presented real challenges for water treatment plants like those at Mount Crosby, which are the main supply for Brisbane.

"The Mount Crosby plant is continuing to produce safe drinking water, but its production has been limited due to the amount of sediment in the waters flowing down the Brisbane River," Mr Robertson said.

"Bringing the desalination plant up to full capacity meant that the flood-associated issues at Mt Crosby could be addressed without compromising water security or quality for Brisbane.

"This supply has been used to replenish reservoirs on the Gold Coast and for pumping into Brisbane via the Southern Regional Water Pipeline, ensuring that supply to Brisbane remains constant and at a high quality.

"The Tugun desalination facility and interconnecting pipelines have again proven that they underpin water security for South East Queensland, ensuring that we continued to supply good quality drinking water," Mr Robertson said.

"We have always said the plant is an investment that will deliver water security to South East Queensland both now and into the future.

"And that's just what it's doing," he said.

"By maintaining the desalination facility in standby mode, we will ensure that it is available when needed in the future - without the cost of producing water at other times.

"What's more, the events of the last week demonstrate that the Bligh Government's water grid also delivers major benefits in terms of flood protection and water quality management."

Illegal use of fireworks can lead to serious injury and a heavy fine

Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minister for Trade

The Honourable Stephen Robertson

31/12/2010

Illegal use of fireworks can lead to serious injury and a heavy fine

Queenslanders illegally using firecrackers and fireworks risk serious injury and heavy fines, Mines and Energy Minister Stephen Robertson warned today.

"As New Year celebrations approach some people may be tempted to purchase illegal fireworks," he said.

"Fireworks are dangerous and if not used properly can cause severe burns, blindness, loss of limbs and even death.

"These fireworks may not meet the stringent safety standards imposed by the Queensland Government for the authorised sale of fireworks to licensed operators.

"Queensland banned the sale of crackers and fireworks to the public in 1972 for safety reasons.

"It is an offence for the public to buy, possess or use fireworks and anyone caught will be prosecuted.

"The penalties are severe - up to $40,000 and/or six months' imprisonment."

Mr Robertson said even the humble sparkler - which the public can legally buy - has the potential to injure people if not used correctly and under supervision.

"I am urging anyone with information relating to the illegal sale or use of fireworks to pass that information on to police."

Mr Robertson also urged Queenslanders to take care when attending organised public fireworks displays during New Year celebrations.

"We want people to remember these fireworks celebrations for all the right reasons, not because someone ignored safety instructions from the event organisers," he said.

All approved public fireworks displays in the state are conducted by licensed fireworks contractors who operate under the

"Queensland Government Explosives Inspectors will be on the ground checking fireworks display set-ups before New Year events to ensure all safety requirements have been followed.

"Licensed fireworks operators are extremely safety conscious and I am asking the public to be safety conscious too.

"Follow all safety instructions given by fireworks operators, event organisers and security personnel, and keep behind safety barriers."

Mr Robertson also reminded people to keep their pets safe.

"Dogs and cats can be frightened by fireworks, become distressed and escape from their properties, only to be found wandering some kilometres away. Horses can also be frightened and should be restrained.

"Before you leave home to see the fireworks, please secure your dogs inside the house or garage, where they'll be in familiar surroundings and cannot escape or injure themselves," he said.

More information about explosives and fireworks safety is available on the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation-Mines website at

www.dme.qld.gov.au/mines/explosives_fireworks_safety.cfm

For further information about fireworks safety, contact government Explosives Inspectors by telephone on:

• Brisbane and Southern Queensland: 3238 3728

•Central Queensland: 4938 4442

• Northern Queensland: 4799 7004


• Statewide: 1300 739 868

Should teens face criminal charges after floating 15km along dangerously swollen river

QCW COMMENT:

It was a totally idiotic thing for the three teenagers to attempt to float 50km downstream from Ipswich to Brisbane along the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers on blow-up mattresses. (See story below.)

These clowns should be roundly condemned for their dangerous stupidity.

But the question needs to be asked as to why the forces of the Queensland criminal law should be wasted on prosecuting this trio.

Queenslanders do relatively stupid things every day and are never charged with public nuisance.

Examples include:

• Driving through flooded streams and causeways

• Climbing places such as Mt Tibrogargan

• Fishing off sea walls and rock ledges

• Swimming outside the flags on patrolled beaches

• Using hang gliders and gyrocopters.

No one ever gets charged for these "crimes".

But if you are a fun-loving kid from Ipswich, you are hauled off to the slammer and treated like a common criminal for throwing blow-up mattresses into the Bremer River for a bit of a frolic.

When the "public nuisance" provisions replaced the old "disorderly conduct" offence under the Queensland Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931", it was never thought that the Queensland police state would re-emerge as strong as ever having gone into hibernation following the anti-authoritarian Bjelke-Petersen regime from 1968 to 1987.

Now, every human foible and minor peccadillo runs the risk of police scrutiny and prosecution in the already overloaded magistrates court.

The Queensland Police Service under Commissioner Bob Atkinson should stop being the self-appointed fun police of Queensland.
Who could ever forget the disgraceful police incident some years ago when an all-night party goer walking through the Brisbane Mall around 6am wearing a tutu was arrested for creating a public nuisance.

Who did he offend? Who was he a nuisance to? - Just a couple of prude coppers, no doubt.

It is also reminiscent of the disgraceful incident at the Goodna Boat Ramp when a speedboat driver who had been involved in a crash on the river objected to being filmed by a television news cameraman.

The Goodna Police threatened to charge the cameraman - who was over 30 metres away - with public nuisance if he continued.

That was a pure neo-Nazi approach to closing down the Queensland media and denying the public the right to know about the incident which occurred in a public place and was a matter of genuine public interest.

Police harassment of fun-loving Queenslanders - and the media - should stop now.

Commissioner Atkinson should put that as Number 1 on his list of 2011 New Year's Resolutions.

Original Story:

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

27.12.2010

Teens float 15km along dangerously swollen river

Daniel Hurst

December 27, 2010 - 7:59PM


Three men in Ipswich attempted to float from Ipswich to South Bank on blow-up air mattresses.

Three teenagers allegedly tried to float 50 kilometres from Ipswich to Brisbane on blow-up air mattresses amid dangerous conditions have been charged with public nuisance.

Police said the men, one aged 18 and the other two 17, began their quest to ride to Brisbane's South Bank when they entered the swollen and fast-flowing Bremer River around lunch time today.

The "foolish" trio allegedly launched their single blow-up mattresses at the point where Ironpot Creek flows into the Bremer River, near Gregory and Sydney streets, just to the north-west of central Ipswich.

Police received a call just before 1pm from a worried resident who saw the men floating down the river, but officers were unable to find the trio when they conducted a patrol near Sydney Street.

During this time another observer approached police, triggering an extensive search involving four police crews and then SES swift water rescuers.

The SES patrolled from the Brisbane River and Bremer River junction, finding the group about 500 metres south of the Warrego Highway bridge over the Bremer River.

Police said the trio had floated about 15 kilometres, during which time police received nearly a dozen triple-zero calls to assist the men, before they were retrieved from the river at 2.30pm.

If they had made it to their destination of South Bank, the men would have travelled about 50 kilometres.

A police statement said the men, who were from West Ipswich and Redbank Plains, were issued with notices to appear in court for public nuisance offences.

The statement castigated the men over their "foolish and dangerous" behaviour, saying conditions could change rapidly.

"This type of behaviour is hazardous and unpredictable due to the nature of flood waters and the dangers associated with storm debris and road washouts," police said in the statement.

"Parents are also reminded to ensure their children are not playing in flood prone waterways, watercourses and drains as water levels can rise quickly."

Meanwhile, two adults and two children have been winched to safety after getting stranded and clinging to a tree in floods south of Toowoomba.

An Emergency Management Queensland helicopter had to be brought in to assist the four people, who became stuck along Toowoomba Karara Road near Leyburn this afternoon, a spokesman said.

Authorities were called to the scene about 3.30pm but Queensland Fire and Rescue workers were unable to get to the group by vehicle, he said.

They were winched to safety just before 5pm.

The EMQ spokesman could not confirm how the group became stranded, but the incident comes in the wake of repeated warnings by authorities not to drive across flooded roads.

Earlier today, Acting Queensland Premier Paul Lucas said 20 people had been rescued by swift water rescue crews in the past two days following the recent deluge.

Police, meanwhile, said two children were lucky to survive after they were swept into waters at Proston, northwest of Kingaroy, today.

The 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old brother were believed to have been attempting to cross the flooded Stuart River Bridge on Boondooma Road when they were swept downstream by the fast-flowing waters, police said.

They grabbed onto a tree and held onto it while awaiting rescue by emergency services workers.

Gympie Superintendent Ron Van Saane said the two were extremely lucky to have escaped their ordeal relatively unscathed.

"This was so nearly a terrible tragedy for a Queensland family," he said in a statement.

"We are again urging members of the public not to enter or drive into flood waters.

"They are inherently dangerous with many unforeseen hazards. Do not be deceived by the surface appearance of water, and don't risk your life or that of others by trying cross swollen bridges or watercourses."

WORSE TO COME FOR SODDEN QUEENSLAND: LUCAS

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health

The Honourable Paul Lucas

27/12/2010

WORSE TO COME FOR SODDEN QUEENSLAND: LUCAS

Acting Premier Paul Lucas has warned the big Christmas wet was far from over and urged Queenslanders to prepare for worsening conditions.

Mr Lucas, who visited flood-affected areas of the Central Highlands with Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts today, said a severe weather warning remained in place over much of the state.

"Heavy rainfall has already been experienced across inland areas in the past 24 hours.

Heavy falls are expected to saturate southern and inland areas of the State over the next few days," he said.

"We spoke today with officials of the Banana Shire and Central Highlands Regional councils, pledging government support.

"State, district and local disaster management groups are working together to prepare residents throughout the Queensland.

Theodore, Chinchilla, Jericho, Alpha, Barcaldine, Killarney, Taroom, Eidsvold and Emerald are experiencing flooding or expecting to be flooded.

"Other towns could be added to the list, depending on how much rain falls over the next couple of days, and where."

Mr Lucas said the Dawson River at Theodore was at its highest level for 50 years and the town was isolated.

"Authorities have now called for voluntary evacuations.

"If the advice is to take the unprecedented step for mandatory evacuation of the entire town, I have indicated that the Government will support that."

Mr Lucas and Minister Roberts were told while in Emerald that heavy rain overnight would flow into already saturated catchments.

"We are closely monitoring river heights and flows but further flooding is certain.

"Many of Emerald's residents, including the Mayor, remember the last serious flood in 2008."

"We are also closely monitoring the flooded rivers that flow into the Fitzroy, with the possibility of flooding in Rockhampton either this weekend or early next week."

Rain continues and water levels continue to rise at isolated Chinchilla and Dalby.

"Many houses and businesses in low-lying areas were cut off by floodwaters as water levels rose above the 6.6m level of the 1983 flood," Mr Roberts said.

"An evacuation centre has been established in at the Chinchilla Cultural Centre.

"For the second time during these most recent floods, the emergency alert will be used tonight in Dalby.

"The alert will enable all affected residents to be warned, as the Myall Creek rises rapidly.

We are also closely watching the situation at Dalby and Roma, but the major threat seems to have passed in Charleville."

A severe weather warning is in place for the east coast between St Lawrence and the NSW border, extending inland to the southern central highlands and Coalfields, the northeast Maranoa and Warrego and northern Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service swift water rescue personnel have responded to more e than 50 incidents since December 17. They have been involved with police and SES volunteers in 20 incidents in the past 24 hours.

"Thirteen people have been rescued from floodwaters," Mr Roberts said.

"With 21 flood-related deaths over the past two seasons, we again highlight the dangers poses by floodwaters.

"We appeal for people to keep out of floodwaters - they can be deadly."

More than 1500 calls have been made to the SES 132 500 number in the last 24 hours. The majority of calls have been for advice and assistance with flood operations.

SES jobs have included assisting with leaky roofs, sandbagging and transporting of people and supplies across flooded waterways.

Emergency services are on standby throughout the State to assist residents, for storm and flood related assistance contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 and for assistance in a life threatening emergency call Triple Zero (000).

Only if Brisbane's buses and trains were like this ......

Only if Brisbane's buses and trains could be filled to capacity each morning and afternoon, Rachel Nolan and Campbell Newman would be happy little Vegemites!

Do you know how many people can fit in a Philippines jeepney? - One more!

Queensland Government readies for storm season with special bank arrangements

Premier and Minister for the Arts

The Honourable Anna Bligh

24/12/2010

Banks, Australia Post on board for stricken communities

Premier Anna Bligh today announced it would be easier for stricken communities to access disaster-relief funds under a new agreement between the State Government, National Australia Bank, ANZ and Australia Post.

"In the past, when a disaster was declared in a community, relief cheques were only able to be cashed at the Commonwealth Bank, the State Government banker on which the cheques were drawn.

"Obviously, this was a problem in towns with no nearby Commonwealth Bank branch.

"That's why we are pleased to announce today the NAB, ANZ and Australia Post have come on board.

"The agreement is in place right now, so if a situation arises where we need to declare a disaster, everyone will be ready to go.

"The storm season is well upon us and we are expecting very heavy rain over the next week.

"We know that in the event of a disaster, people's lives are turned upside down.

"People need emergency funding fast - they have enough to worry about without getting to a bank in another town.

"Under these new arrangements, if the Commonwealth doesn't have a branch in town, another bank might, or there may be a post office.

"In larger centres, all four would work together in a cooperative effort.

"This is a classic example of good corporate citizenship - these institutions will be providing these services at no extra charge to the State Government.

Ms Bligh said the agreement was co-ordinated by Queensland Treasury as part of the Government's integrated disaster response strategy.

"The Department of Communities - often the lead agency in disaster recovery -mobilises an army of public servants who volunteer to leave their own homes and families to work in disaster-affected communities," Ms Bligh said.

"These disaster recovery teams get services and the emergency cheques moving so people can buy essential supplies.

"I know I speak for all Queenslanders when I say we never want to see a disaster - especially over Christmas.

"But the good news is that if we do - we're prepared."

Queensland Consumer Update: Plan ahead and know your consumer rights

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

The Honourable Peter Lawlor

Plan ahead and know your consumer rights

Queenslanders should start planning now if they are thinking of hitting the post-Christmas sales and stick to a budget.

Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said the Boxing Day sales were a great way to get items for a cheaper price, however shoppers should spend only what they can afford.

"I'd urge shoppers to resist the sales hype and go into the sales with a plan of what they're after and a limit on how much they'll spend," Mr Lawlor said.

"At this time of year, people can easily get themselves into debt they won't be able to pay off later."

Mr Lawlor said it was also timely to remind consumers of their refund rights and responsibilities.

"Following Christmas, Fair Trading always receives complaints about purchases," Mr Lawlor said.

In 2010, Fair Trading received 3900 complaints about refunds which was down from 2009 when 4200 complaints were received.

People are legally entitled to a refund, exchange or repair if a product is faulty; does not do the job it is supposed to; does not match the description or sample shown; or does not last for a reasonable time.

Shops are entitled to require proof-of-purchase before they offer to refund or exchange products, so consumers should make sure they take their receipts or paperwork with them.

"Some shops offer a refund or exchange if your loved one does not like their gift to generate goodwill and return business. However they do not legally have to do this," Mr Lawlor said.

Consumers are

not entitled to a refund if they:

• knew about a fault prior to purchase

• caused the fault

• change their mind

• choose the wrong size or colour

• find the item cheaper elsewhere

• purchase an item which later goes on sale after the date of purchase.

If you experience problems with a purchase speak to the trader in the first instance, if you are unsatisfied with the response contact the Office of Fair Trading for advice on 13 13 04.

Berri disappointing what this fruit juice company has been doing

Berri busted for misleading labels

Labels on some National Foods juices will be changed from next March after the ACCC found the claim of fresh juice to be misleading.

The ACCC says the claim of fresh juice is misleading.

The labels on Berri juices will be changed from 'Australian Fresh' to 'Australian Grown' because some of the juice has been cold-stored for up to six months.

National Foods will also have to provide more detailed content information on its Daily Juice products.

The changes to cartons and bottles will make it clear the products contain a blend of fresh, reconstituted and stored juice.

www.abc.net.au

Gold Coast Real Estate Scandal: Stung investor pleads for price-fixing probe as agency collapses

A FAMILY blamed in part for the collapse of a top real estate agency has issued a plea to the chain's national chairman, Brian White.

They want him to investigate an alleged price-fixing scheme that affected the values of multi-million-dollar properties on the Gold Coast.

The collapse of Ray White Broadbeach, which was placed in receivership on Tuesday with debts of up to $5 million, follows a severe market downturn as well as a relentless campaign by aggrieved investors Rod Lambert and his wife, Lisa, who have made allegations of fraud that are under investigation.

The appointment of receivers to the leading agency has rung alarm bells across the property market on the Gold Coast, where beachfront values have plunged by as much as 50 per cent since the peak of the boom in 2008.

An investigation by The Weekend Australian earlier this year revealed that a string of transactions involving "put and call" contracts on properties along the Mermaid Beach strip had led to values being artificially inflated by millions.


Queensland's Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor said he believed the transactions "stink to high heaven" and were a matter for police. Mr White told The Australian yesterday it would be best if Queensland police and the Office of Fair Trading could complete their investigations into the transactions as quickly as possible.

"These matters should be brought to a head and we are ready for full disclosure and we want to bring it on," he said.

He said Mr Lambert, a highly experienced real estate agent and developer, had become obsessed by his losses after buying a property at the top of the boom, and blamed the Ray White Group.

Mr White said of Mr Lambert's plea: "We are keen for independent investigations to reach their conclusion and we are ready to co-operate in any way we can."

Owners are sitting on multi-million-dollar losses as the property market continues to decline, if several highly unusual Mermaid Beach transactions investigated by The Weekend Australian earlier this year were to occur in greater numbers.

Mr Lambert, who has lost several million dollars, said he was waging a David and Goliath battle that would end only when Mr White acknowledged the culpability of people in one of his leading agencies. The agency's principal, Gary Gannon, and top agent, Michael Kollosche, have acknowledged that some of the transactions had unusual features, but have emphatically rejected being responsible.

Mr Lambert said yesterday: "We take no pleasure out of what is happening in the market, but we will not stop until there is acknowledgement and justice."

More than 90 people are employed in the Broadbeach agency and Mr White said that his family would work closely with the receivers to ensure the staff and their clients were supported.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

Queensland puppy farms putting cash ahead of care are on borrowed time

Joint Statement

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland

The Honourable Tim Mulherin

Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships

The Honourable Desley Boyle

23/12/2010

Puppy farms putting cash ahead of care are on borrowed time

The Bligh Government is planning a dog breeder identification system - a first for Queensland - in a bid to squeeze unscrupulous dog farmers out of the market.

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle said the dog breeder ID was being developed in partnership with industry to give consumers a pro-welfare choice when it comes to buying a puppy.

"It is a sad fact that puppy farms exist," Ms Boyle said.

"There are unscrupulous puppy farmers out there who keep animals cooped up in cramped conditions where they are constantly pregnant or lactating just to keep up with buyer demand," she said.

"These are ruthless operators who typically put cash ahead of care and buyers are none the wiser. Puppy farms are not registered breeders."

Ms Boyle said the new breeder ID would change that by assigning each breeder property with its own number and breeders would be required to show their number at pet shops and in any advertisements.

The Bligh Government is developing the new system in consultation with key stakeholders including the RSPCA, Animal Welfare League, Dogs Queensland, the Local Government Association of Queensland, the Australian Veterinary Association and the University of Queensland.

Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Minister Tim Mulherin said at the heart of the matter was improving the welfare of animals.

"The consensus is we need to move on this issue and we are developing a new policy to help Queenslanders make an informed choice which would squeeze unethical puppy farmers out of the market," he said.

"We are not out to get responsible dog breeders who do the right thing - far from it.

They will be showcased because they will have a dog breeder ID and be proud to promote it.

"Consumers will be looking for a breeder ID, and good breeders will be in demand.

"We will also be encouraging Queenslanders to buy only from registered breeders."

Other elements of the Bligh Government's plan include:

• Requiring breeder ID numbers to be displayed at points of sale or in advertising for sale or supply;

• Compulsory microchippping of breeding bitches;

• A requirement that the registration number/microchip number of the breeding bitch must be included as part of the microchip information on all animals bred from that dog;

• Development of Dog Breeder Standards by Biosecurity Queensland (DEEDI) in consultation with stakeholders;

• Breeders to continue to be subject to the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (ACPA) as well as any new requirements under the proposed Dog Breeder Standards under ACPA.

Consultation with stakeholders is continuing and the new system is expected to be up and running before the end of 2011.

It is expected the new Breeder Identification number will be brought in under an amendment to the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.

Government acts to further protect Great Barrier Reef

Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability

The Honourable Kate Jones

11/12/2010

Government acts to further protect Great Barrier Reef

The Queensland Government is taking further action to protect freshwater wetlands in river systems that flow into the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones today announced the release of draft laws to protect wetlands of high ecological significance (HES) at risk of environmental damage from high impact earthworks.

"Wetlands are the Reef's natural kidneys and without them the Reef would suffocate. They play a vital role in the state's landscape and biodiversity," Ms Jones said.

"But they have been at risk of environmental damage because in the past major earthworks on freehold land have not required a development approval.

"The draft State Planning Policy released today aims to permanently address this concern."

Ms Jones said members of the community are invited to comment on the draft policy, which is the next step toward cementing the Temporary State Planning Policy put in place for Great Barrier Reef wetlands protection earlier this year.

"The protection of Queensland's wetlands is part of the Bligh Government's 10 year reef water quality protection plan released in 2009," she said.

"Following consultation and consideration of more than 50 pubic submissions regarding the Temporary policy, the government has decided that permanent planning and development laws are required and should be extended to the southern catchments of the Burnett and Mary Rivers.

"The draft laws will apply to wetlands of high ecological significance from the Mary River to the Daintree River catchments.

"These wetlands cover a small area and are vulnerable to major development yet they play a vital role in maintaining water quality and are often essential habitat for iconic native wildlife.

"The new State Planning Policy is about developing a consistent local government approach to ensure that activities in GBR catchments do not hinder natural water flows."

The draft laws provide permanent planning and development requirements for draining, filling and levelling works and building channels or diversion banks near designated HES wetlands.

Domestic and low-impact earthworks, such as fencing or the construction of small structures like sheds, remain exempt from the draft laws, as are routine agricultural activities such as crop rotation, fallowing fields and harvesting.

The draft planning laws can be viewed at www.derm.qld.gov.au or by contacting the SPP Project Manager on 13 74 68.

Million dollar makeover for Queensland casinos

Premier and Minister for the Arts

The Honourable Anna Bligh

11/12/2010

Million dollar makeover for Queensland casinos

The Bligh Government has given the green light to a $625 million investment for the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Townsville casinos, providing a shot in the arm for tourism and jobs.

Premier Anna Bligh welcomed Tabcorp's significant investment and said it was a sign of confidence in the state's tourism industry.

"This major redevelopment is a great leap forward for our tourism industry, providing yet another drawcard to our cities, while boosting jobs in the construction and gaming industries," Ms Bligh said.

"Tabcorp's proposal is timely, particularly for the Gold Coast, coinciding with the government's bid for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

"It would provide much-needed new hotel rooms for the influx of international and domestic tourists, should our bid be successful.

"With the Gold Coast construction due to start in 2011 it's also great news for local tradies and builders and suppliers who have been doing it tough - it's a reason to enter the new year with a new optimism."

Tabcorp's investment would see a new five-star hotel in Brisbane, along with an upgrade of existing gaming space and hotel rooms at the Treasury Casino.

Townsville's casino would be refurbished, and gaming and non-gaming facilities at Jupiter's Casino would be upgraded, including eight new restaurants and bars, a new private gaming room for VIPs, and an upgrade of the gaming floor.

As part of the redevelopment, 500 gaming machines have been allocated to be shared across the Gold Coast and Brisbane casinos.

Minister for gaming Peter Lawlor said the machines would be sourced from existing, unallocated machine licences.

"The machines will be reallocated from within the current cap, so there will be no increase overall in poker machines in Queensland," he said.

Mr Lawlor said Tabcorp would implement voluntary player pre-commitment in all its Queensland gaming venues, confirming Queensland as the state with the most pre-commitment machines in the country.

"Tabcorp has undertaken to install pre-commitment technology in its gaming machines, which helps to address problems associated with gambling," Mr Lawlor said.

Player pre-commitment allows patrons to set individual limits on time or money, prior to playing the machines. The Bligh Government trialled this technology in 2008 - and to date - almost 50 venues have signed up.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the proposal would increase investment and create more jobs in Queensland.

"About 3,000 construction jobs will be created over the life of the project, and once fully established, the project will create demand for 1,400 jobs," Mr Fraser said.

"No increase in poker machines, new attractions and accommodation for tourism, and a massive investment to stimulate employment, is a 'win-win-win' for Queensland."

Mr Fraser said the 500 machines would be drawn from the hotel's allocation and in return the government would adjust current taxation rates from 1 July 2012 to ensure the project is revenue neutral.

The arrangements include

· The base tax rate for hotels will be set at 35% (currently 35.91%)

· The top marginal rate applying to clubs will be reduced to 35% (to maintain consistency with current tax arrangements)

· The thresholds for the Health Services Levy will be adjusted upwards from $100 000 to $140 000

· The gaming machine cap for individual hotels will be increased from 40 to 45.

However, this will not result in additional machines overall as the machine authorities will need to be sourced from other hotels, for example by purchasing from within the hotel market.

Taken together the package will ensure that the overall gaming machine revenue tax take will not increase because of the new arrangements.

New consumer laws for all Australians from 1 January

December 2010

Message from the Minister

Welcome to a special 'Australian Consumer Law' edition of the Smart Business Bulletin.

The introduction of the Australian Consumer Law on 1 January 2011 will bring a number of important changes to the Queensland marketplace. For the first time businesses trading across state borders will be regulated by a single set of rules, and consumers will enjoy a broader range of protections covering a greater range of transactions.

This special edition is designed to give you an overview of the Australian Consumer Law and how it may affect your business.

For more information visit

www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.

Peter Lawlor MP

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

Introduction to the Australian Consumer Law

On 1 January 2011, a single, national consumer protection and fair trading law will commence across Australia. It will mean that businesses only have to comply with one fair trading law, regardless of where they are located in Australia.

The Australian Consumer Law (ACL) replaces the

Commonwealth Trade Practices Act 1974 and large sections of Queensland's Fair Trading Act 1989.

The new Commonwealth Act will be called the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

The ACL is designed to:

• reduce costs to business, as they will only need to comply with one set of national laws

• enable the confident participation of consumers in markets in which both consumers and businesses trade fairly

• improve consumer wellbeing through consumer empowerment and protection

• foster competition. It is essential that businesses and legal practitioners familiarise themselves with the new legislation to ensure compliance from 1 January 2011.

A series of guides are available, covering:

• consumer guarantees – an updated set of rights and remedies, similar to Queensland's current refund and warranty laws

• sales practices – provisions relating to door-to-door trading, telemarketing, the unsolicited supply of goods and services, lay-by agreements and how goods and services are priced

• avoiding unfair business practices – advice on avoiding activities that constitute misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations

• product safety – a new national regime will commence as part of the ACL

• unfair contract terms – a court will be able to void unfair terms in standard form consumer contracts.

From 1 January 2011, you will be able to order hard copies of these resources from the Queensland Government bookshop.

What's changing for Queensland businesses?

The provisions of the ACL are drawn from Australia's existing fair trading laws, so most businesses will already be familiar with many parts of the ACL.For Queensland businesses, there are a few significant changes:

• Lay-by agreements must now be in writing and clearly expressed in plain language. If a consumer terminates a lay-by agreement, the business may only charge a reasonable termination fee (one that covers its costs).

• A business cannot display a price that is only part of the total cost of an item, without also displaying the total cost as prominently as the part cost. For example, if a consumer must sign a two year contract to qualify for a particular deal, you must display the minimum cost over the two years of the contract, not just a monthly cost.

• The provisions for door-to-door sales have changed. A consumer is now entitled to a 10 business day cooling-off period. To assist businesses with the transition to these new rules, a business may comply with either the ACL or the pre-existing Queensland laws, up to 30 June 2011.

• A national regime for product safety will be introduced. Governments will have increased power to issue safety warning notices to the public, issue temporary or permanent bans on unsafe products and compel a business to recall an unsafe product.

Anyone involved in the supply chain of a product who becomes aware that it has caused death or serious injury/illness must notify the ACCC.

Seminars

In early 2011, fair trading experts will be conducting seminars for businesses and consumers throughout Queensland.

Business' new obligations under the law will be discussed, and fair trading experts will be available to answer your questions.

The seminars are free and open to anyone.

Video resources

A general introduction to the ACL, focusing on consumer guarantees and sales practices, was presented on 26 October.

Click here to watch the video.

A product safety presentation, discussing mandatory reporting and recalls, was hosted on 12 November.

Click here to watch the video.

A training module for businesses, focusing on consumer guarantees, has been produced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Watch or download the video here.

Stay up-to-date
You will soon be able to keep up-to-date with OFT by following us on Twitter and Facebook. In the meantime, ensure your home is safe for young children by watching our new furniture safety video on

YouTube.

To keep up-to-date with the latest business news and tips, subscribe to Smart Business Bulletin at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au/sbb.

For our current readers - don't forget, the survey is still open. We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to complete the following survey, as your responses will help us shape future issues of Smart Business Bulletin. Once you've completed the survey, enter the email address used to subscribe to Smart Business Bulletin to enter the draw. Completed surveys received by the closing date of Friday 10 December 2010 will go into the running to win a $100 Coles Group and Myer gift voucher.

Start the survey now!

More information
For more information, visit the Office of Fair Trading website or the Australian Consumer Law website. From 1 January 2011, the information on the Office of Fair Trading website will reflect the changes to marketplace rules that are introduced by the ACL.

Crime does not pay as DPP targets $27m from crooks

Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations

The Honourable Cameron Dick

10/12/2010

Crime does not pay as DPP targets $27m from crooks

Queensland's crackdown on the ill-gotten gains of criminal activities continued in 2009-10, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions helping to target cash and assets worth almost $27 million from criminals.

Attorney-General Cameron Dick praised the performance of the ODPP's confiscations unit when tabling the office's annual report today.

"The Bligh Government is determined to stop criminals from profiting from serious illegal activity and the ODPP plays a vital role in recovering these ill-gotten gains," Mr Dick said.

"Seizing the proceeds of crime not only strips criminals of their cash and assets but also takes away the power that wealth gives them and hinders their capacity to reoffend.

"The community as a whole benefits from this excellent work by the ODPP, which works with the Crime and Misconduct Commission to recover millions of dollars in funds that would otherwise have remained in the hands of criminals."

Mr Dick said the ODPP, acting for the CMC, commenced 69 new confiscation proceedings and obtained 97 new restraining orders during 2009-10, restraining assets valued at $19.5 million.

"Assets worth $5.57 million were also forfeited to the state, up 68 per cent from last year.

"In addition, $1.12 million was collected from criminals through penalty orders and another $571,000 in cash was forfeited.

"As a result of the combined efforts of the ODPP and the CMC, the total amount recovered from criminals in 2009-10 reached $26.76 million.

"Since the confiscation scheme commenced in 2002, assets valued at more than $110 million have been restrained and $22.2 million has been forfeited."

Mr Dick said the confiscation totals were achieved during a busy year for the ODPP, with the prosecution service involved in more than 1000 criminal trials and more than 5000 sentences during 2009-10.

He said more than 43,000 offences relating to 11,246 accused were referred to the ODPP for prosecution.

"Of these, 1951 matters were dealt with in the Magistrates Court and a total of 4525 indictments were presented in the Supreme or District courts," Mr Dick said.

"ODPP prosecutors conducted 1028 trials and prosecutors and legal officers appeared at 5473 sentences and 259 bail applications.

"The office also provided assistance to victims of crime through its 16 victim liaison officers across the state, with more than 39,000 instances of contact with victims during the financial year.

"I commend the Director of Public Prosecutions and his staff for continuing to provide Queenslanders with a professional prosecution service."

Attorneys-general to discuss legal gags on Facebook

One of the attorneys-general, John Rau, from South Australia, this morning said he would raise concerns about the effectiveness of suppression orders in the age of social networking.

"The publishing on a site such as Facebook of the name of an accused, whose identity is suppressed, could prejudice a fair trial and prevent justice being done," he said.

"It is vital that we work to ensure that justice, in respect of all crimes, is administered fairly and this requires looking at the changing face of technology and social media."

Suppression orders are issued by courts to prevent newspapers and other types of media revealing the identity of people involved in sensitive cases, such as those involving children.

Model suppression-order provisions approved by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General at an earlier meeting in May include internet publication as a form of publication that can be prohibited by a suppression or non-publication order.

However Mr Rau said the typical user of a social networking website would probably not know of, or be reckless about, the existence of a suppression order, he said.

"By raising these concerns I hope to determine, in conjunction with the Attorneys-General, whether further work is required to identify additional option for enforcing suppression orders within the social media context."

Also to be discussed at the meeting today is the topic of an R18+ rating for video games.

"I have an open mind about this matter, but if classifications are to apply to computer games, it is my view that the required model will need to clearly enhance protection offered to children," Mr Rau said.

Consumer Warning: End of year travel? Don’t let scammers take you for a ride

SCAMwatch is warning travellers to be cautious if they are approached on holidays by strangers offering travel club memberships which seem too good to be true.

Following a previous SCAMwatch radar on holiday club scams targeting victims via telephone and fax, SCAMwatch has received reports that scammers are becoming more outgoing, approaching victims in person. 

Scammers have targeted Australian holidaymakers on the street, in hotels and in bars in the Asia Pacific region. The scammers offer expensive memberships to travel clubs which provide fake accommodation vouchers for five star hotels and resorts in other countries.

Victims report being approached by non-locals and are asked to pay a significant initial deposit by credit card, often for $2,000 or more. To receive a 'full membership' consumers must make several follow-up payments.

If you fall victim to this scam the accommodation venues you call or visit are likely to have no knowledge of the vouchers or deals. When you try to contact the travel club business about the fake vouchers you may not be able to get through to them or will receive no assistance in correcting the problem.

SCAMwatch is also advising travellers not to provide any holiday details on social networking sites, including destinations and travel dates. Scammers may be able to gain control of your social networking account or email to pose as you and send distress emails asking for financial help from your family and friends.

Protect yourself

• Never provide your credit card details and other personal information to someone you don't know or trust. Not only could you lose your money but the scammers may also commit identity fraud.

• If someone approaches you claiming to be from a travel club business, search the company name on the web before you sign up, many scams can be identified this way. 

• Independently contact the hotels and resorts that the vouchers relate to and ask them what discounts apply.  Often scammers have no arrangements with the accommodation providers to offer discounted stays. 

• When you are on holiday, make sure family and friends have a way of contacting you other than by email - such as a mobile or through your hotel.

• If you think you have provided your credit card or account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Report

You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.

More information

Check out other SCAMwatch radars on holiday and travel scams:

• Discount holiday accommodation vouchers

• Don't tell scammers your holiday plans

• Don't be grounded by flight booking scams

• Beware of scam scratchie cards in your letterbox

Stay one step ahead of the scammers.

Explore SCAMwatch for more tips on how to recognise and protect yourself from scams.

Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council members give community greater input into criminal sentences

Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations

The Honourable Cameron Dick

03/12/2010

Advisory council members give community greater input into sentencing

A new era in Queensland's criminal justice system has started today with the appointment of 12 members to the state's first Sentencing Advisory Council.

Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the council was a key part of the Bligh Government's plans to strengthen the state's sentencing regime.

"The Sentencing Advisory Council will give the community a stronger voice in sentencing issues in Queensland," Mr Dick said.

"We have assembled a very capable group with expertise in and experience with criminal law, indigenous and juvenile justice, domestic violence, law enforcement and victims of crime to provide advice to the government on important sentencing issues.

"The council's first task will be to provide recommendations to the government about standard minimum sentences for a range of serious crimes."

Mr Dick said the council's inaugural chairperson was respected academic Professor Geraldine Mackenzie, the dean of the Faculty of Law at Bond University.

"Professor Mackenzie is a distinguished legal academic and has a detailed understanding of the criminal law and sentencing," he said.

"The council also includes victim advocates Beryl Crosby, Jonty Bush and Christy McGuire, Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson and Director of Public Prosecutions Tony Moynihan SC."

Mr Dick said council members were formally appointed by the Governor-in-Council yesterday after expressions of interest were sought from the community.

"The quality of applicants was very high and narrowing the field down to the final 12 members was very difficult," he said.

"However, I am pleased that the final group has a good blend of expertise, experience, common sense and practical knowledge, as well as regional and metropolitan members.

"A key role of the council will be to promote consistency in sentencing, stimulate public debate and raise awareness of the complexities of the sentencing process."

The council's first meeting is expected to be held before Christmas.

The members of the inaugural Sentencing Advisory Council are:

Geraldine Mackenzie (chairperson) - Professor Mackenzie is currently the Dean, Faculty of Law, Bond University. Before this she was Foundation Head, School of Law, University of Southern Queensland.

Christy McGuire - Ms McGuire is the co-ordinator of the Zig Zag Young Women's Resource Centre. Before this, she provided support to female victims of sexual assault, and was involved with the Immigrant Women's Support Service.

Jonty Bush - Ms Bush has worked for the Queensland Homicide Victim's Support Group, including as the Chief Executive Officer. She was named Young Australian of the Year in 2009 for her work supporting victims of crime.

Beryl Crosby - Ms Crosby is the president and spokesperson for the Bundaberg Hospital Patient Support Group. She is also a member of the Bundaberg Health Community Council, and Health Consumers Queensland (a consumer advisory body to the Minister for Health).

Nicholas Tucker - Mr Tucker has been a member of the Protect All Children Today board since 2005, undertaking the role of chairperson for the past two years. PACT represents the interests of child victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system. Mr Tucker is also a barrister, with experience liaising with members of Indigenous communities.

Jeff Hunter SC - Mr Hunter is one of Queensland's leading criminal barristers and has extensive experience practising in the criminal law area. He worked for a number of years as Deputy Public Defender at Legal Aid Queensland. He has also been a Crown Prosecutor in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Hunter moved to the private bar in 1999.

John Allen - Mr Allen has been a barrister since 1986 and has recently been appointed as Public Defender at Legal Aid Queensland.

Kevin Cocks - Mr Cocks is the director of Queensland Advocacy Incorporated and is well regarded for advocacy for disadvantaged people, particularly those with a disability. In 2005, he was awarded the Human Rights Medal by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

Bob Colless - Uncle Bob Colless, of Cairns, is well versed in Indigenous justice issues and is the current deputy chair and manager of Gum ba Gumba. Gumba Gumba is the Cairns and District Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Elders and the Cairns Community Justice Group, which operates programs to support the Indigenous community, and has strong links with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service. Uncle Bob is also involved with the Cairns Murri Court as an Elder.

Bob Atkinson APM - Mr Atkinson has been Queensland Commissioner of Police since 2000.

Tony Moynihan SC - Mr Moynihan has been Director of Public Prosecutions since 2008. He has previously held the positions of Crown Prosecutor within the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Deputy Public Defender with Legal Aid Queensland.

Kelvin Anderson - Mr Anderson was appointed Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner in February 2009 after serving as Commissioner of Corrections Victoria.

Image from top of the range at Toowoomba

Low-level cloud and rain at 4.45pm this afternoon.

Final flight for F-111s this Friday morning over Ipswich and Brisbane

Ground crew prepare  a RAAF F-111 taking part in the aircrafts' last major international excersise Operation Pitch Black  in the skies above the Northern Territory. 
Ground crew prepare a RAAF F-111 to take part in one of the
aircrafts' last major excersise.
 

The Royal Australian Air Force has released details of the last flights of its F-111s ahead of their retirement on Friday.

The F-111s will depart Amberley at approximately 11.20am (AEST) for the last time and fly over Ipswich, Brisbane, northern NSW, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts before returning for their final landings at RAAF Base Amberley.

They'll fly at a relatively low speed and altitude to allow photos and video footage to be taken, an RAAF spokesman said.

They'll pass over Laidley, Rosewood, Amberley, Ipswich, and Brisbane at approximately 11.50am (AEST).

The group will then split, with aircraft flying a northern route over Sandgate, Redcliffe, Bribie Island, Caloundra, Maroochydore and Noosa.

F-111s on the southern route will overfly the Gold Coast, Coolangatta, Byron Bay, Ballina, and Evans Head.

The spokesman said the best vantage points in Brisbane included Mt Coot-tha, Red Hill church, Victoria Park, Toowong Reach, Southbank, the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point cliffs, and Mt Gravatt.

The aircraft will return to Amberley at approximately 12:45pm (AEST), to land for the last time.

"The Royal Australian Air Force and in particular, the F-111 community, wishes to acknowledge the outstanding public support and interest in the F-111 - a unique aircraft that has served Australia very well for over 37 years," the defence spokesman said in a statement.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au

 

Queensland Local Government Election rules revamped

Amendments to the Queensland Local Government Act to allow mayors and councillors to stand for state parliament without having to resign to contest the election have been welcomed by local government.
 
State Parliament's Law, Justice and Safety Committee has released its report with 33 key recommendations on the running of future council elections.
 
Other recommendations include a cap on election expenditure, the introduction of divisions for all local councils with a populations exceeding 30,000 and a ban on radio and television advertising for local government elections in the three days prior to an election.
 
Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully, Queensland's longest-serving city councillor,  said the proposal to allow mayors and councillors to nominate for state parliament without first resigning from council overturned the "unfair and undemocratic laws" introduced by Peter Beattie in 2001. 

Cr Tully said Mr Beattie had a "love-hate" relationship with local government, forcing through unpopular amalgamations and preventing most councillors seeking higher political office.
 
"The Committee Chair Barbara Stone and the other members ought to be congratulated in standing up for the democratic rights of all Queenslanders including the 73 mayors and other councillors across the state.
 
"If the Bligh government accepts these recommendations, it will be a giant step forward for democracy in Queensland and will be the first major policy decision of the Beattie era overturned by the Bligh government."
 
In another recommendation, the Committee rejected plans to introduce a property franchise in Queensland which would have allowed non-residents to vote in council elections.
 
Cr Tully said this would have been the "thin edge of the wedge" allowing cashed-up property owners who live interstate to influence local council elections in Queensland.
 
In a blow to the Greens, the Committee decided against recommending the introducing of a senate-style proportional representation voting system for Queensland local government elections.
 
The committee noted the "harmonisation of voting systems across all levels of government may go a long way towards reducing the level of informal voting by Queensland voters".
 
Cr Tully called on the state government to retain optional preferential voting for local government.
 
"It is fair, democratic and easily understood by voters and has lead to a dramatic reduction in the level of informal votes at council elections in Queensland."
 
Other key recommendations are:
 
• Retaining the last Saturday in March as the quadrennial council election date
 
• Retention of compulsory voting for Queensland council elections
 
• Mayors to continue to be elected by the people
 
• Simplified procedures for absentee voting in council elections
 
ends

REPORT NO. 78:
http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/committees/LCARC.asp?SubArea=reports

Yankee disgrace: US toymaker Hasbro scraps plan to launch Transformer Spastic in the UK

US toymaker Hasbro will not launch its latest Transformers model in the UK because of outrage over it being named "Spastic".
 
The company was reportedly shocked at the outcry in Britain after revealing the name online,  the Daily Mail said.
 
The term "spastic" is widely-used in the US as a casual word for clumsiness or to describe someone who is overexcited - but is seen as derogatory and politically incorrect in Britain and Australia.
 
The company said it "intended no offence by the use of the name 'Spastic'" and added that "it will not be available via traditional retail channels in Europe, including the UK."
 
"Our goal is to have all families who enjoy our brands feel good about their purchases and experiences," Hasbro added.
 
The toy will still go on sale with its original name in the US as planned in January.
 
Transformers is a toy line centred on two factions of warring alien robots. In a 26-year history, it has expanded to encompass comic books, animation, video games and movies.
 
 

Gold Coast developer Susanne Rae Percival banned for 10 years over $20 million scam

A Gold Coast property developer who conned more than 500 people out of
a total $20 million has been banned from the financial industry for 10
years.

Susanne Rae Percival was working for a legitimate finance company,
Adelaide-based AAA Shares Pty Ltd, when she convinced customers to
invest in numerous privately owned companies without disclosing her
conflict of interest.

Ms Percival then used the money to fund property development projects
undertaken by a series of businesses under the banner IC Group, which
she operated from Bundall on the Gold Coast.

Advertisement: Story continues below
She continued to provide the shonky investment advice for six years,
until the Australian Securities and Investments Commission launched an
investigation in late 2008.

By then she had raised more than $20 million from at least 500 investors.

According to ASIC, investor returns relied on the property development
companies generating profits that could be used to repay the
investment companies, which had on-lent the original funds at a higher
interest rate.

But from about 2008, many of the property development companies became
embroiled in financial difficulties and were placed into the hands of
receivers.

The properties were sold to repay the principal financier, the
National Australia Bank, and there was insufficient left to repay the
investment companies. They became insolvent, leaving the investors
empty-handed.

In a statement issued yesterday, ASIC said Ms Percival, who was
declared bankrupt on November 24 last year, had not warned potential
investors of the risks.

"Ms Percival failed to adequately explain the basis of her advice,
take into account many investors' personal circumstances, advise many
clients of the unsecured nature and risks of the proposed investment
or of her own interest in the financial products she was
recommending," the statement says.

"ASIC was also concerned that when recommending and assisting a number
of investors to transfer existing superannuation benefits into self
managed superannuation funds, Ms Percival failed to provide them with
the required comparative information regarding the switch costs and
obligations associated with conducting a self managed superannuation
fund.

"In a number of instances, Statements of Advice were not issued and
where they were issued, they often did not contain the above
prescribed information."

Ms Percival accepted an enforceable undertaking not to engage in
financial services until 2020.


BrisbaneTimes.com.au

NZ couple Tone and Dennis Munro fined $100,000 for Queensland real estate ripoff

Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

The Honourable Peter Lawlor

11/11/2010

Real estate duo fined $100,000

A New Zealand couple who sold investment properties to Queensland residents has been hit with fines totalling $100,000 after being found guilty of misleading consumers in the Mackay Magistrates Court this week (9/11/10).

Tone Susann Munro, 60 was convicted and fined $60,000 and Dennis Leslie Munro, 58 was convicted and fined $40,000.

The court was told the pair sold house and land packages to unsuspecting investors in Mackay during 2007 and 2008, targeting residents through a display stand at a local shopping centre.

The court heard the duo deliberately misled potential buyers to make as many sales as they could. This included telling investors that pools and air-conditioning units were included in their building contracts when they weren't.

To induce buyers into signing contracts, it was falsely represented that they would receive rebates from the builders of up to $10,000. The builders had given no authority for these representations to be made.

Buyers were also told that the houses would be completed within six weeks when the actual construction time was about four months.

The Munro's also falsely claimed they were licensed with the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. Real estate agent licences are issued by the Office of Fair Trading, not the REIQ.

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said it was important consumers dealt with a licensed real estate agent when looking at purchasing or selling property.

"Consumers and businesses can conduct a free search online at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au to check if a particular agent is licensed," he said.

"Queenslanders deserve to know they are dealing with reputable and licensed agents.

To check if a real estate agent is licensed, or for more information about breaches of fair trading law, consumers should contact Fair Trading on 13 74 68 or visiting the website, www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au

..................................
COMMENT: The last thing the people of Australia expect is shady ripoff merchants from New Zealand conning unsuspecting consumers.
The NZ authorities should check the backgrounds of Mr and Mrs Munro.

Their visas should be revoked and they should be booted out of Australia as an example to other dubious conmen from New Zealand planning to come to Australia.

127 complaints against private Queensland Building Certifiers

Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology

The Honourable Robert Schwarten

09/11/2010

Complaints against building certifiers only 0.15% of total inspections

The 127 complaints received by the Building Services Authority (BSA) about licensed building certifiers last year were just 0.15 per cent of the 87,000 residential construction projects that required the services of a building certifier, Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said today.

Mr Schwarten said although complaints rose from 85 in 2009, it was still a tiny fraction of the building development approvals for residential construction work by certifiers.

The rise in complaints about certifiers mirrors complaint increases in other sections of the building industry following the Global Financial Crisis.

"The BSA takes each and every complaint seriously and investigates it thoroughly," Mr Schwarten said.

"It assists homebuilders who have disputes with builders, certifiers and other building industry professionals," he said.

"None the less, the number of complaints about certifiers is very small compared with the total inspections done.

"The increase in complaints in the past year is due to the Global Financial Crisis, which is still impacting severely on the building industry.

"It also is due to homeowners' greater awareness of their rights through activities such as BSA Consumer Information Seminars."

Mr Schwarten was responding to information requested in Question Without Notice number 1919, asked by the Shadow Public Works spokesperson Jann Stuckey.

He said the 87,000 inspections figure did not include approvals for commercial work, owner-builder works and some approvals for alterations and additions.

The time taken to investigate complaints about certifiers has decreased from 200 to 155 business days in the past two years.

The complaint investigation process is rigorous and includes giving the certifier 30 days to respond to the complaint.

The BSA also is appointing additional staff to its complaints processing unit.

Building certifiers' functions include:

• assessing building development applications for compliance with a variety of building codes and government planning schemes;

• inspecting building work at various stages of construction to verify compliance with the plans, specifications and approvals issued;

• certifying building work by issuing inspection certificates, final inspection certificates and certificates of classification as may be relevant; and

• the power to take enforcement action against builders and home owners for breaches and/or matters of non-compliance with building development approvals.

AMP Capital Mt Ommaney Centre Management accused of Gestapo-like tactics

The 12.01am release on 9 November 2010 of Call of Duty Black Ops by EB Games has made headlines around the world.

But the release at the Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre in Brisbane's western suburbs, was marred by three security guards on duty to control some 30 anxious customers who were waiting for the witching hour to obtain their long awaited prize for a ripoff $120.

Outside the EB Games store, there are seats for customers located about 15 metres on either side of the store.

One parent who needed a breather for the 90 minute wait for his son to get his game decided to take a seat.

"Stop. You can't go there," roared the officious security guard.

"Why," the poor hen-pecked chap responded.

It was a decision by Centre Management the guard thundered.

But it was OK to sit on the other seat, an equal distance from the store - but not the first one.

Has the world gone completely crazy!

But the customer couldn't sit on the seat suggested by the security guard because a woman was flat out asleep across the whole seat.

That didn't seem to worry the security guard who couldn't seem to grasp the illogicality and stupidity of not allowing weary parents and potential purchasers to use both seats.

Then the parent enquired if he could take a photo of the store front with his son outside with his long-awaited purchase.

"No, that's contrary to AMP policy as well. They won't allow pictures of stores to be taken," the security guard roared.

Now, either the guard was smoking opium or AMP Capital Centre Management at Mt Ommaney are the worst centre managers in Australia.

Two seats - but you can sit on only one of them!

And very sorry, you cannot take a picture of your child outside the EB Games store on what was to be the happiest night of their life.

Denied a picture by a cruel and heartless Centre Management!

Whoever is in charge at AMP Capital Centre Management Mt Ommaney should be given the Royal Order of the Boot if the security guard's allegations are true.

And if the Little Hitler security guard's claims are not true - she should be given free membership for a year of Actors' Equity!

Qantas drama over Singapore

 
A QANTAS A380 has reportedly lost an engine after taking off from Singapore,with reports coming in that it has landed in Changi.

QF32 reportedly lost an engine after takeoff from Singapore for Sydney.

The aircraft then circled the airport before landing minutes ago.

A DFAT spokeswoman said the organisation had received reports of the incident but could not confirm any details at this stage.

"We've heard a report but we're waiting for details," she said.

"It's all a bit sketchy at the moment."

More: CourierMail.com.au

State Government clampdown on public nuisance offenders likely prompt usual LNP knee-jerk response

Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services

The Honourable Neil Roberts

26/10/2010

PUBLIC NUISANCE TICKETING TO BE EXTENDED STATE-WIDE

The ability for police to issue tickets for public nuisance will be extended state-wide following State Parliament's passing of the Police Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 tonight, Police Minister Neil Roberts said.

Mr Roberts said public nuisance ticketing had been trialed for 12 months in the South Brisbane and Townsville Police districts following a recommendation from the Crime and Misconduct Commission.

"The Crime and Misconduct Commission's report, Policing Public Order: A review of the public nuisance offence identified ticketing as a viable option for dealing with public nuisance behaviour," Mr Roberts said.

"Griffith University evaluated the trial and concluded infringement notices were a cost-effective means of dealing with public nuisance offences.

"It found that during the trial period 46% of all persons ticketed had no previous criminal history - consistent with the CMC report findings that policing of public nuisance offending is focused on managing 'party people' in response to public concerns.

"The ability for police to issue infringement notices will be in addition to current actions available to police, including diversion, cautions, issue of move-on-directions, issue of notices to appear and arrest and charge.

"The issuing of infringement notices will reduce the necessity for offenders to be taken into police custody for relatively minor offences and enable police to spend less time on paperwork for public nuisance offenders and be available to perform operational duties."

Mr Roberts said that in implementing state-wide public nuisance ticketing, the Queensland Police Service would maximise the use of alternatives to enforcement action, where appropriate, to ensure ticketing did not unreasonably impact on vulnerable social groups.

This included conducting ongoing evaluation through an Operational Performance Review on Public Order Offending, 12 months after state-wide implementation.

"The Police Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 also amends the Prostitution Act 1999 to provide for the automatic suspension and cancellation of a licensee's licence or an approved manager's certificate on the non-payment of annual fees," Mr Roberts said.

"Some licensees and approved managers were of the view that because they had a three-year licence or certificate, they should not be required to pay annual fees.

"The Bill allows for the automatic 28-day suspension of a licence or an approved manager's certificate on the non-payment of the annual fees.

"If the licensee or approved manager fails to pay the outstanding fees within the suspension period or in accordance with a payment plan, their licence or certificate is cancelled."

The Bill also amends the Prostitution Act to strengthen the Prostitution Licensing Authority's disciplinary inquiries into licensees or approved managers, and ext ends criminal history checking of persons appointed to, or seeking appointment as a member of the PLA or persons employed or seeking employment as a staff member of the PLA.

"Finally the Bill amends the Police Service Administration Act 1999 to enable the electronic assessment of criminal history records for employment screening purposes," Mr Roberts said.

"This legislation balances the rights of individuals and the rights of the community to a safe and fair society by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the QPS and the PLA."

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Bendigo Bank comes good while McDonald's consumer ripoff in Australia is exposed over "touch and pay" credit cards

The introduction of "touch and pay" credit and debit card terminals across Australia is receiving a mixed response from consumers.

Under this system, the automatic card readers can approve a transaction - up to $100 - without any requirement for a PIN or a signature.

The potential for abuse or fraud is obvious.

If a credit or debit card is used fraudulently, a customer using the traditional signature authorisation has some comeback to prove that the signature was not theirs.

Under the new procedure, if a card is lost or stolen, the customer has little or no proof that he or she was not the user of the card.

McDonald's staff at Mt Ommaney in Brisbane - which has introduced this new system - are telling customers that if their card is fraudulently used, the customer will be legally liable for any loss.

It is absolutely scandalous for McDonald's to be washing their hands of any responsibility.

McDonald's introduce this system for their own benefit and if a card if used fraudulently, they don't want to know about it.

Of all the anti-consumer things McDonald's has done in Australia over the years, this one would take the cake.

McDonald's are acting like clowns on this issue which is likely to blow up in their face.

The only good news in this consumer shambles is the advice from the Bendigo Bank.

Bendigo Bank is taking a totally responsible and honourable approach to the fraudulent use of a credit or debit card in such circumstances.

Bendigo Bank advised one customer this week:

"If a merchant has adopted this service, the terminal will not prompt the customer for a PIN or signature. These small ticket transactions are considered a minimal fraud risk due to their low value and face to face environment. Any fraudulent activity made on the card for small ticket transactions will be investigated and covered by the cardholder's financial institution if found unauthorized."

Congratulations to the Bendigo Bank for this initiative but why should the Bank bear the loss while McDonald's - which adopts this system mainly for their own convenience - gets to keep the money from the fraudulent use of a credit or debit card?

McDonald's deserve one big Aussie raspberry over this.



Google travel search will revolutionise consumers' travel plans


Being your own travel agent via the internet is about to become easier through technology that will do more of the trawling for you.

STAND by for a new era of online travel research, where you can get options, prices, images and other key information with one quick search.

Google is experimenting with technology that will allow it to provide much richer search results, eliminating the need for consumers to trawl through multiple sources or cross-reference information from several sites.

Travellers will, for example, be able to look at a map and see actual prices for hotels in a given area (along with images and information on facilities and nearby attractions), with the ability to click through to make a reservation via a third-party booking site.

There will also be a new landscape for flight bookings if US regulators approve Google's purchase of software firm ITA, which specialises in the organisation of flight data.

Google is reluctant to comment on the potential of the software until the regulatory review is complete but industry commentators say the $US700 million ($725 million) purchase would change the face of flight searches. The technology would act as a "meta-search" engine, scouring the internet for the best deals and presenting the data in a way that is easier for consumers to view and compare.

Commentators say it would take on existing meta-search sites such as Kayak and Skyscanner, which search across multiple websites for fares and other travel deals.

Google has categorically stated it is not getting into the business of selling travel (doing so would jeopardise its advertising revenue) but is aiming to dramatically improve the search experience, which it believes is far from ideal.

Consumers currently need to go through several different sites to find detailed information and pricing but the ITA software would allow for much richer information at the initial search stage.

"ITA offers a lot of technology that we don't currently have and a lot of expertise in the travel sector," says the head of the travel group for Google Australia, Nikolai Pitchforth.

Pitchforth says travel-related searches in Australia are up 20 per cent and 80 per cent of these searches are for very specific queries. Whereas someone might once have searched for "Sydney hotels", they might now be looking for "boutique Sydney hotels with a swimming pool".

Consumers have become more demanding of travel suppliers and expect niche rather than mass audience information. Pitchforth says one of the biggest trends over the past year has been a four-fold increase in the use of mobile internet and applications, through smartphones and devices such as iPads.

"It's something that has been talked about in the travel arena for some time but recently we've really seen it take off," Pitchforth says. Many travel companies have created mobile versions of their websites and Webjet recently launched a full iPhone application for domestic flight bookings.

The Australian market can also expect to see much greater use of video content, map content and social media. "I think we'll see more and more travel companies trying to provide a richer source of content," Pitchforth says.

A study by market research firm TNS has found the majority of Australians are now confident making online bookings with established travel brands. One in two Australians say they book travel online because they believe it is cheaper, while nearly a third believe online travel information is more reliable than traditional off-line sources.

Only a quarter believe the service of online travel agencies is not as good as traditional travel agents, while less than 20 per cent believe online bookings are only for experienced travellers.

"Digital is for everyone these days," says the director of travel and leisure research at TNS, Carolyn Childs.

There has been much debate on the future of traditional travel agents in this environment.

Pitchforth says consumers once used the internet to supplement information from travel agents but this situation has reversed, with travel agents being used to supplement information found online.

Is the death knell sounding or will travel agents survive in a changed form?

Pitchforth says traditional agents are still very much in play for "non-routine" bookings.

"I think there might have been an assumption that people either use online sources or they use offline sources but we're seeing people using a multitude of sources, both online and offline," he says.

"I think it's more that the role of a travel agent will change, to become more of an adviser."

Expedia has rivals riled

The global nature of online travel is creating some interesting challenges around licensing and consumer protection. Webjet and other travel agencies are furious that Expedia is being allowed to operate in the Australian market without an Australian travel agent's licence and membership of the industry's compulsory consumer protection scheme.

Expedia says it is not eligible for an Australian licence or participation in the Travel Compensation Fund but industry observers note that Zuji, also foreign-owned, does comply with Australian licensing.

BrisbaneTimes.com.au

Queensland Police Disgrace over brutal attacks

Why has nothing happened to the cops who stood idly by and did nothing to stop the brutal attacks by crooked Queensland cop Ben Price at Airlie Beach.

This is an absolute scandal.

No cop should be allowed to resign to avoid punishment.

Consumer alert on scam phone calls

www.dynamicbusiness.com.au

Senator Conroy warns about scam phone calls

By David Olsen on Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Senator Stephen Conroy, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and
the Digital Economy is warning businesses about an increase in the
number of scam phone calls in Australia.

Queensland Police last month issued their own warning about scam phone
calls coming from people who told victims they were calling from
Microsoft or were working for another company on behalf of the
software giant to delete virus infections on peoples computers.

"People can protect themselves from scams by applying common sense
rules. If something being offered sounds too good to be true, it
probably is," Senator Conroy said.

Complaints about scam phone calls to the Australian Competition and
Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Australian Communications and Media
Authority (ACMA) have spiked in the last few months, increasing 1000
percent from 200 to around 2,000 calls per month.

"If people are targeted by a scam telephone call they should never
disclose any personal or financial details and they should immediately
hang up the phone.

"I would also encourage people to report the scam so that the ACCC and
ACMA can investigate and take action against those responsible."

Senator Conroy said the ACCC and the ACMA were warning consumers about
scam telephone calls where callers:

advise that the person's computer is infected with a virus and request
credit card details to fix the problem
offer products, services or cash under fake government grants
seek bank details in order to process a bank fee refund or tax refund
offer to place the person's number on the Do Not Call Register for a fee
ask consumers, using a recorded message, to dial 9 for a 'free' holiday.