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Food court rip-off: One in four underpay - Sydney Morning Herald

Food court rip-off: One in four underpay - Sydney Morning Herald: "
Food court rip-off: One in four underpay
Sydney Morning Herald
More than one quarter of Queensland take-away food outlets in food courts audited last year were underpaying staff and flouting workplace laws, the Fair Work Ombudsman has revealed. Fair Work inspectors recently checked the books of 128 businesses ...

and more »
"

Consumer Bastardry: Telstra bombards customers over unpaid bills

 
TELSTRA has been accused of harassing and bullying customers over unpaid bills, with relentless barrages of automatic calls every two hours.
 
One man too sick to pay his bill said the telecommunications giant called him about seven times a day from 7am, with an automated message demanding he organise payment of his account.
 
Former Telstra customer Gary Duffy said he was harassed non-stop after medical complications from a heart operation left him struggling to afford basics like rent and food.
 
"They were just constantly, constantly ringing and it's just an absolute nightmare," he said.
 
Mr Duffy, who has suffered repeated strokes and seizures since his operation, said the deluge of calls and letters every two or three days pushed him to the verge of a breakdown.
 
"It's almost like someone knocking on your door every hour saying, 'Hey, you've got to pay this bill'," Mr Duffy said.
 
"If it was an ex-partner ringing you all the time, you could take them to court and have them stopped, but apparently with Telstra they think they're above everything."
 
Mr Duffy said he had relied on his phone in case of a medical emergency but had been afraid to turn it on because of the calls.
 
He had abandoned using a phone at all until a friend bought him a pre-paid phone as a gift on Friday.
 
Internet users have also expressed outrage over the automated calling tactics, with some worried that scammers could replicate the calls to obtain personal details from unsuspecting customers.
 
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission guidelines recommend companies do not contact a debtor more than three times a week.
 
Consumer group Choice spokeswoman Ingrid Just said the frequency of Telstra's automated calling seemed "excessive".
 
"The telco obviously needs to recoup their debt (but) should be using all channels, not just one," Ms Just said.
 
She said customers who felt harassed as a result of such calls should tell the company involved.
 
A Telstra spokeswoman confirmed the telco used automated calling for debt recovery but said the system allowed customers to opt to organise payment of their bill or speak to a consultant in order to stop the calls.
 
She said many customers had given positive feedback on the system.
 
YOUR RIGHTS
 
A debt collector should only contact you when it is necessary and reasonable.
Contact should be limited to a maximum of three phone calls or letters a week.
Debt collectors must not frighten, intimidate or embarrass debtors.
They must not talk about your situation to other people, including family.
 
 
 

Who's a Bad Boy?

Why, it's RACQ Insurance!

Flood ravaged Goodna selected as site of first NBN roll-out

The flood ravaged Ipswich suburb of Goodna will be the first of three
places in southeast Queensland to receive the roll-out of NBN
high-speed broadband internet.

More than 600 families lost their homes in Goodna as a result of the
January flood.

NBN will commence their local roll-out in Goodna in November as part
of the $43 billion project to extend super-fast internet broadband to
all Australian cities and towns with populations of more than 1000.

Springfield Lakes had previously been announced as the first Ipswich
suburb to get NBN internet but Goodna won out because of better
network facilities at the Goodna exchange.

Aspley on Brisbane's northside and Toowoomba will also receive an
early roll-out of the high-speed internet which will connect 93% of
Australian homes.

An initial small-scale trial was previously approved for Townsville.

Local Goodna Councillor Paul Tully said today's  announcement was
great news for the suburb.

"This will provide a much-needed boost for householders, schools and
businesses around Goodna.

"People are still trying to get on their feet after the flood and this
announcement will be appreciated by everyone in the suburb.

"Goodna has had a big kick in the guts in the past six months but this
announcement is fantastic news."

Whatever happened to Brisbane's Sizzler poisoner: Is she still on the loose - Are Sizzler restaurants safe from rat poison?

Accused Sizzler poisoner flees
 
by Margaret Wenham
 
From: The Courier-Mail
 
January 11, 2008 11:00PM
 
 
 
THE woman accused of poisoning food at Sizzler restaurants nearly two years ago absconded from custody before Christmas and has not been seen since.
 
Her December 13 disappearance, while she was on an outing from a Wacol mental health facility, in Brisbane's west, was the second time the 59-year-old woman had escaped in six months.
 
She previously absconded from a secure ward of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in June last year.
 
Police said they were concerned for the woman's safety and did not consider her to be dangerous.
 
Yesterday Queensland Health refused to answer questions about the escape saying it was "unable to comment on individual cases". However, it is understood the woman was with a carer the day she fled.
 
Following a Mental Health Court hearing last year, the woman was found to have been of unsound mind when in January and February 2006 she allegedly laced two dishes of food with rat poison at Sizzler restaurants in Brisbane at Toowong and the City's Myer Centre.
 
At the time Judge Anthe Philippides ordered the women – who had an extended history of schizophrenia – be detained for involuntary treatment with only limited and escorted leave.
 
In her written judgment, she said the woman's treating psychiatrist had recommended long-term treatment under a forensic order due to the "likelihood of (the woman) refusing treatment and the fact that she poses a high risk of harm to others".
 
A spokeswoman for Sizzler confirmed the company was aware the woman was missing. She said the company did not believe their restaurants were at any risk.
 
Anyone with information about the woman should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
 
COMMENT: The public deserves to know if this woman is still a threat. Why have the Police and Sizzler gone quiet on the issue?

SCAMwatch email alert: Computer remote access scammers now masquerading as Telstra - new twist [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Computer remote access scammers now masquerading as Telstra - new twist

View radar online.

Added: August 2011

SCAMwatch has received reports of a new twist on the computer remote access scam with callers now claiming to be from (or affiliated with) Telstra or BigPond.

This is a variation on an existing scam in which scammers operating out of what reports suggest to be overseas call centres, falsely claim to be making tech support calls from Microsoft or Windows.

How the scam works

  • You receive a scam call out of the blue and the caller claims to be from a large telecommunications or computer company/brand such as Telstra, BigPond, Microsoft or Windows.
  • Alternatively they may claim to be from a technical support service provider.
  • They tell you that your computer has been sending them error messages or that it has a virus.
  • They may mention false problems with your internet connection or your phone line which they say may have affected your phone and computer's recent performance. They may also claim that your broadband connection has been hacked.
  • They will request remote access to your computer and if you say yes, will run a 'scan' that shows up a fake virus. 
  • They will try to trick you into buying unnecessary software or a service to 'fix' the computer. They may also ask you for your personal and bank/credit card details.
  • The scammer may initially sound professional and knowledgeable however they will be very persistent and may become abusive if you don't do what they ask.
  • Note: you don't have to be a Telstra or Microsoft customer to be called by these scammers. You don't even have to own a computer!

Protect yourself

  • Telstra has advised that it does not request credit card details over the phone to fix computer or telephone technical problems, and that it is not affiliated with any companies that do. Telstra will also not call requesting personal details.
  • If you receive a phone call out of the blue about your computer and requesting remote access - hang up – even if they mention a well-known company such as Telstra.
  • NEVER give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer. 
  • If you have given remote access to your computer, or you fear that your computer has been hacked, seek out help or advice from a qualified and reputable computer technician. 
  • Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. 
  • Make sure your computer is protected with regularly updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall - research first and only purchase software from a source that you know and trust. 
  • If you have fallen victim to a scam or you receive a lot of unsolicited emails and phone calls consider changing your email address and phone numbers. 
  • If you think you have provided your 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

Stay one step ahead of scammers - visit the SCAMwatch website, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
________________

If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.

2011 Flood Sequel: Triple-0 operator on admin duties

 
 
The police officer who reprimanded a woman for driving through flood waters minutes before she and her 13-year-old son were swept to their deaths has been demoted to administrative duties.
 
Acting Commissioner Ian Stewart revealed the posting this afternoon in a press conference in response to the Flood Commission of Inquiry interim report.
 
Senior Constable Wheeler will remain on administrative duties until the internal investigation in to his conduct on January 10, the day flash flooding rushed through Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley, has been completed.
 
The interim report has recommended better training for emergency call centre operators.
 
"I accept we have work to do in that area," he said.
 
"Those were extraordinary times we all faced.
 
"I would also like to highlight the significant and professional work done."
 
He said the Queensland Police Service had already started developing a better training program for emergency call centre operators and would implement it as soon as they are "satisfied" with it.
 
Senior Constable Jason Wheeler became the voice of under-trained emergency call centre staff after the tape of him taking Donna Rice's triple-0 call was played during the inquiry hearing.
 
Mrs Rice told Senior Constable Wheeler she was "stuck" in her car with her two sons Jordan 13, and Blake, 10, to which he responded: "Why did you drive through the flooded waters?"
 
At the end of the phone conversation he said: "You shouldn't have driven though it in the first place, OK."
 
It later came out the police officer had only two days of training before that fateful day when 1000 calls came in to the Toowoomba-based centre within an hour.
 
 
 
COMMENT: Read the Flood Report. The demoted cop classified the dying woman's
call as Code 3 - non-urgent.  Perhaps, the QPS should consider sacking him.

London comes to the Gold Coast

Minister for Transport and Multicultural Affairs

The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

29/07/2011

A little bit of London comes to the Gold Coast

A revolutionary double-decker bus will be trialled on Gold Coast tourist bus routes in order to carry more passengers and boost awareness of public transport across the Gold Coast.

Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk inspected the new locally-built bus - Australia's first low-floor twin steer, wheel chair accessible bus - at Southport this morning.

"Gold Coast tourists will be among the first to use this groundbreaking new double-decker bus which will run along the Gold Coast Highway between Tweed Heads and Southport ," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"The State Government has worked hard to support business and promote tourist growth and it's great we can transport tourists and commuters along the coast in world-class locally-made buses.

Ms Palaszczuk said the new double-decker would carry 96 seated passengers and run on route 700, run by Surfside Bus Lines.

"These new home grown double-decker buses are designed to be big on space, comfort and savings," she said.

"They not only carry more passengers than standard buses but also have the same footprint as a standard 12.5-metre-bus.

"They have comparable manoeuvrability compared to articulated buses thanks to an unprecedented engineering feat - two steering axles at the front and one fixed axle at the back."

"We expect to have the double-decker out on the road from mid August."

Megan Harkin, from Surfside's parent company Transit Australia Group (TAG), said Surfside was excited to be adding this Australian first to our fleet mix and also contributing to a greener public transport service.

"Our passengers and drivers will be impressed with the comfort and the quality finish of the product," Ms Harkin said.

"We have drivers lining up to be rostered to drive this remarkable vehicle."

The State Government, through TransLink, is funding the new double-decker bus at a cost of about $80,000 a year.

The bus is expected to operate on Route 700 between Tweed Heads and Southport starting mid-August.

External hard drives being sold by discount retailer ALDI have been found to contain computer virus

ALDI external hard drives available for sale as part of its "special
buys'' purchases have been found to contain a computer virus.

The Fission External 4-in-1 hard drive, DVD, USB and card reader
device was withdrawn from sale this morning.

The hard drive is supplied to ALDI by a company called Smart IT
Australia, described on its website as a global company which sells
electronics products to 10 countries.

The company also supplies support for ALDI electronics products
branded under the Tevion label.

ALDI is recommending consumers who have already purchased the hard
drive and connected it to their personal computers to use Kaspersky
anti-virus software or similar to scan computers and USB storage
devices to detect and remove the virus if present.

ALDI has also told customers that free anti virus checkers can be
downloaded at free.avg.com.

``A full re-format will remove the virus from the 4-in-1 Hard Drive,''
a statement from ALDI advises.

``Customers who have purchased the product can return it to the store
where they bought it to receive a full refund.''

Consumers can also contact the manufacturer's technical support
hotline on 1300 558 702.

More: www.couriermail.com.au

NRL: Additional team should come from south-east Queensland, clubs told Brad Walter

SOUTH-EAST Queensland appears likely to be home to a 17th NRL team
after club bosses were told it was the only area where a new side
would increase the value of the next television rights deal.

The news is a blow to the Central Coast Bears and other bid teams who
are vying to enter the NRL when officials decide to expand.

However, the advice of Colin Smith, of LEK Consulting, who has been
engaged by the NRL as a consultant on the next broadcast rights deal,
is a boost for the hopes of the recently launched Brisbane Bombers and
the Ipswich consortium.

Advertisement: Story continues below The newly established independent
commission, which is due to take over the running of the game from
November 1, would be expected to call for applications from other
interested bidders when and if they decide to expand the competition.

With officials having ruled out commencing formal negotiations for the
new broadcast deal to start in 2013 until the commission comes to
power, it is almost certain that no new team will be admitted before
2014 - and possibly not until 2017.

There is a view that Perth should be the first place the game expands
to, as the two-hour time difference would enable a live match to be
broadcast on the eastern seaboard at either 9.30pm Friday or Saturday
or 6pm Sunday.

NRL officials outlined three scenarios for the next television deal,
which ranged from $1 billion over five years to $1.4 billion. The
amount of the salary cap and club grant would depend on the value of
the television deal, with funding and player payments to increased to:

$1 billion TV deal:

- Salary cap: $5.1 billion

- Club grant: $5.6 million

$1.2 billion

- Cap $5.9 million

- Grant $6.45 million

$1.4 billion

- Cap: $6.6 million

- Grant: $7.2 million

Smith is understood to have told last Thursday's conference of NRL
club chief executives and chairmen that the only new team broadcasters
would pay more for in the next rights deal was one based in south-east
Queensland.

Club bosses were told that television executives believed
Queenslanders were ''peculiar'' in that they would support any
Queensland team - the Broncos, the Cowboys or the Titans - but not
teams from anywhere else.

That theory was the reason Channel Nine began televising two Friday
night games several season ago - one involving a Queensland team that
is broadcast live in Queensland each week.

However, officials want to scrap the second Friday night game and a
number of alternative time slots were discussed at last week's meeting
- including a return to a 3pm kick-off on Saturday afternoons.

From 2013, there could be Saturday games at 3pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Also under consideration is a 6pm Sunday match, which has had mixed
success in AFL.

The Herald was told yesterday that all time slots were options when
talks with the broadcasters officially kick off. However, the clubs
insisted that they want fixed scheduling to be introduced from the
2013 season onwards and expect the negotiating team, which is yet to
be decided, to enter discussions on that basis.

Monday night football is here to stay, and could be on free-to-air
television for the first time in 2013 as it is attracts up to 400,000
viewers each week on Fox Sports.

Clubs expect to receive greater compensation from the next television
deal for hosting games on Monday nights than they currently get.

Officials are considering selling games on Friday nights, Saturdays,
Sundays and Monday nights to separate broadcasters.

State of Origin and Test football could also be sold separately to
premiership matches and the finals series.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/additional-team-should-come-from-southeast-queensland-clubs-told-20110725-1hx8v.html#ixzz1TAK3BPEq

Vice-regal clash with Brisbane airport security staff over Quentin Bryce setting off alarms

 
Governor General Quentin Bryce: set off alarm at airport security screening area.
 
SHE might be the Queen's representative in Australia but Quentin Bryce has discovered the job doesn't come with all the boss's perks.
 
The Governor-General was involved in a weekend security incident at Brisbane Airport after she went through a checkpoint without the usual clearance - something only the Queen and the Pope can do.
 
Ms Bryce was travelling privately when she set off alarms at Qantas's security screening area on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Courier-Mail has been told the female officer-in-charge of walk-throughs directed the Governor-General to go through the checkpoint again, leading to a hostile exchange between the officer and Ms Bryce's own security from Australian Federal Police.
 
Throughout the exchange Ms Bryce remained silent, according to airport sources.
 
She was then escorted from the screening area by the AFP agent while the female security guard was temporarily moved to "other duties" by her manager.
  
Transport Workers Union branch secretary Peter Biagini said it was "an absolute disgrace this employee was disciplined for enforcing the law".
 
The officer was reinstated to her position a short time later.
 
The Governor-General was later found by security in the Qantas' Chairman's Lounge where special clearance was given for her to fly.
 
A Qantas spokesman declined to comment on the incident but said the airline's policy was the same for all passengers.
 
She said all passengers must be cleared by security before boarding a Qantas flight.
 
The acting official secretary to the Governor-General, Mark Fraser, said Ms Bryce was travelling privately and Government House had no comment to make.
 
An AFP spokeswoman said Ms Bryce and AFP officers complied with all security requests.
 
"The AFP believes officers acted appropriately in this matter," she said.
 
Ms Bryce was Queensland's Governor before her federal appointment in 2008 and it is not her first travel controversy.
 
In 2009 her office came under fire for spending $700,000 on an 18-day African trip.
 
 
 
COMMENT: Why doesn't Jim Carden from the Brisbane Airport Corporation step in and show some testicular fortitude and sort out this mess.  After all, it's his Airport which is in the spotlight over this debacle.  Treating the Australian Governor-General like a potential terrorist is nothing short of outrageous.

Gold Coast council may help fund police helicopter while Brisbane still doesn't have one

The Gold Coast needs a police helicopter to fight crime and the
council might help fund it, Mayor Ron Clarke says.

Mr Clarke will today ask councillors to vote on a plan to partially
fund a six-month trial.

He says a police helicopter is needed, especially in light of the
recent wave of gun crime that's hurt the tourist strip's reputation.

But he says previous campaigns to secure one have failed.

"We've tried before and the state government has got other priorities
and can't afford it," he told ABC Radio.

"We believe it's so urgent. We need to get one up there."

Mr Clarke declined to say how much a police chopper service would
cost, but saw it as a necessary expense.

"It's going to cost money but it really is a priority, I believe."

The Gold Coast has been grappling with what Premier Anna Bligh has
called an uncharacteristic "wave of crime", including three fatal
shootings in less than two months.

The government has insisted police have adequate resources to deal
with the situation, including a new serious and violent crime squad.

But the police union has said more officers are desperately needed,
and has expressed fears innocent lives could be lost as organised
crime spills onto the streets.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/gold-coast-council-may-help-fund-police-helicopter-20110725-1hvxt.html#ixzz1T4VvwO6c

Internode ripoff price shock: up to $189.95/month

The NBN Co. retail pricing table released by Internode.

The NBN Co. retail pricing table released by Internode.

Promises from the government that consumers will be able to access the NBN for comparable prices to current day plans are "untenable in practice", internet provider Internode says.

Internode today became the first ISP to reveal retail prices for internet and phone services delivered via the national broadband network. Prices range from $60 to $190 a month.

Customers will have to buy a bundled package that includes both home phone and internet access and the cheapest plan at the slowest speed will be $59.95 for a 12 megabits per second (12 Mbps) connection and 30GB of downloads.

The monthly cost includes line rental and will be available later this year for people living in sites where NBN Co is testing its new network.

In a blog post accompanying the new prices, Internode chief executive Simon Hackett criticised the competition regulator and NBN Co. He argues the number of connection points in the network will increase costs for smaller carriers, and questions a monthly $20 per megabyte volume fee imposed on carriers by NBN Co.

"The National Broadband Network (NBN) is the subject of promises from the government that consumers will pay comparable prices to current day ADSL2+ and phone service bundles in order to access entry level NBN based services, and that NBN based retail pricing will be nationally uniform," said Hackett.

"Unfortunately, a number of pressure points in the wholesale pricing model exist which will make these promises (from the government) untenable in practice, unless serious issues with the underlying pricing model are addressed by NBNCo and the ACCC."

Hackett has published a detailed analysis going into the technical specifics about why the government's pricing expectations are unreasonable.

Comment is being sought from the Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.

However, Teresa Corbin, chief executive of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), said the prices released by Internode were comparable to today's prices. But people who want higher speeds would have to pay more to get them.

"At first glance for customers who want to have a similar speed and download allowance as they do now – living in a metropolitan area, for example with 12 Mbps – the price for these bundles are comparable to what's available today," she said.

"If you are living in a regional area you will get higher speeds for your money that what would be currently available. The phone line bundled in is going to make it much cheaper for some people."

Internode's general manager of regulatory and corporate affairs, John Lindsay, said the average broadband user currently downloads less than 20 gigbytes per month.  

''Thirty gigbytes is significantly more than the 18 gigabytes that the average Internode customer uses a month and is well suited to households with one or two computers and perhaps smartphones or tablet type devices.  The rungs above that are more suited to people that have multiple computers or teenagers with computers.''

He said 30 gigabytes is enough to download a couple of movies a week along with music and general surfing. 

However, Mr Lindsay said the prices are provisional and could be higher in regional areas.

''As we are obliged in the future to connect at regional points of interconnection, that is likely to drive our costs up and that may result in us having to charge more for the service for people in those regional areas.''

''Until we have offers from any of the wholesale carriers to provide us with backhaul from those points of interconnet, we don't know [how much more it will cost].''

NBN Co is the government-owned company building a broadband network where 93 per cent of premises will have a direct optical fibre connection.

The remaining premises will be connected by satellite services, which are now on sale, or fixed wireless, which will be available within a year.

Rugby League shock: Channel 9 knocks Ipswich for six

On page 77 of today's Courier-Mail, Channel 9 is reported as having "a clear preference" for a second Brisbane NRL team.

Despite the fact that the western corridor is the fastest-growing region in Australia with its own NRL bid based on Ipswich, Channel 9 has tried to punt a 40/20 and lost.

A second Brisbane team would be a disaster for the Broncos and its legion of fans whereas an Ipswich - Logan - Toowoomba team with feeder links through Ipswich Brothers to the rest of the state would provide a major boost to Rugby League in Queensland.

Channel 9 has kicked Ipswich in the groin over its reported decision to back a second Brisbane NRL team when the only rational option is the western corridor bid.

NRL boss David Gallop should tell Channel 9 boss David Gyngell to shove it up his jumper.

Queensland anti-hoon laws get more bite

Hoons and repeat dangerous drivers will face tougher penalties under a Queensland government plan to beef up impoundment laws.
 
Someone caught for a first hooning offence, such as street racing or burn-outs, will face an automatic seven day impoundment of their vehicle, up from the current 48 hours.
 
A second offence will attract an automatic 28-day impoundment and police will be able to apply to the courts to have the vehicle seized for up to three months.
 
Under the current laws, a car is only impounded for 48 hours for a second offence unless police secure court approval for a three month impoundment.
 
The new rules, approved by State Cabinet this morning, will see vehicles impounded after a third offence for four weeks, with police having the ability to apply for the vehicle to be forfeited.
 
The measures also apply to repeat dangerous driving offences, such as drive unregistered and uninsured vehicles, driving while unlicensed or disqualified, or driving with a high-range blood alcohol level.
 
Police Minister Neil Roberts said 28,000 vehicles had been impounded for a 48-hour period since anti-hooning laws were introduced in 2002.
 
Premier Anna Bligh, announcing the changes this afternoon, said the new legislation would be introduced by the end of the year.
 
"Hoons and repeat dangerous drivers have no place on our roads," she said.
 
"Their behaviour makes them a danger to themselves and a danger to other road users."
 
 

Digital TV not-so-free-to-air for country Queenslanders as switchover looms

The Federal Government's plans to help senior citizens get ready for digital TV is being touted as a rort in waiting.
 
Thousands of Queenslanders could be forced to pay $500 or more to access free-to-air television under the switch to digital from the end of the year.
 
Some of the biggest costs will be felt by householders in remote areas that will not automatically be reached by a digital signal when analog television is switched off in regional Queensland in December, followed by the rest of the state by 2013.
 
Switch-over costs include at least $200-$300 to have direct-to-home satellite equipment installed, $270 for a decoder for each extra television set as well as installation costs.
 
The cost estimate is after Federal Government subsidies.
 
It comes amid ongoing debate about the Federal Government's $308 million digital set-top boxes for pensioners scheme, with the Opposition revealing yesterday $70 million of the funds would be spent on administering the program.
 
Master electricians have warned of insulation-style rorting as workers with little experience move in to the industry to take advantage of subsidies.
 
One regional Queensland installer, who asked not to be named, said he had turned down work under the scheme because the fee paid by government contractors to installers barely covered expenses such as petrol, which could involve a 200km round-trip.
 
"The pay per job is definitely not good enough for what you have to supply," he said.
 
Switching to digital will be costliest for regional Queenslanders who rely on "self-help" analog transmission towers that will not be converted to digital.
 
Homeowners in areas where the towers will not be converted will need to pay for the installation of satellite television equipment to watch digital television.
 
Barcoo Shire Mayor Bruce Scott said it would mean stumping up hundreds of dollars for satellite while the rest of Queensland faced only a minimal cost.
 
A spokesman for Senator Stephen Conroy said endorsed installers received training to identify safety issues.
 
He said the out-of-pocket cost in regional areas requiring satellite could be as low as $220 a home.
 

Queensland Unit Buyers Beware: Do your searches

Unit buyers have been urged to shell out the extra cash for detailed
property searches at the time of sale, following concerns over the
plight of a group of Kangaroo Point owners.

Highlighting the case are nine owners who want the right to live
permanently at the Quest on Story Bridge apartment complex near the
Story Bridge Hotel.

Unit owner Cameron Green said lawyers carried out standard property
searches for him in 2009 but this did not reveal that only short-term
occupants were allowed.

He said he and other buyers were not made aware when they bought their
homes that they could not live in them permanently, due to a
development condition imposed on the 14-year-old building.

It is understood a building approval search would have revealed the
problem but this type of check is generally considered to be
"optional" during conveyancing.

Unit Owners Association of Queensland vice-president Paul Cassels said
buyers should be cautious and recommended they go beyond standard
property searches.

"When you spend $500,000 or $1 million [on a unit], to me spending
another $1000 on a report is money well spent," he said. "It's such a
specialist area."

He said buyers should check building classification and should also
familiarise themselves with body corporate arrangements.

Asked whether real estate agents should disclose short-term or
long-term occupancy rules, Mr Cassels said they may not know.

He said buyers should engage specialist lawyers and body corporate
experts to do such checks.

Mr Cassels also advised people buying apartments off the plan not to
simply use the developer's lawyers.

The state government's Office of Fair Trading last night encouraged
homebuyers to carry out adequate property searches.

"Queensland's real estate laws are based on the concept of 'buyer
beware' and purchasers are encouraged to carry out their own searches
and due diligence to their satisfaction when purchasing a property,"
the office said in a written response to questions last night.

"Agents must give buyers a copy of the warning statement before they
sign any contract. The warning statement stresses the need for the
buyer to get independent legal advice regarding the property they are
about to buy."

The office said state regulations also required real estate agents
"disclose information about a property to a buyer if it has been
specifically requested or if non-disclosure would be unfair to the
buyer".

Conveyancing and body corporate inspection expert Dee Pannell said in
her experience it was not uncommon for unit buyers to find out
important information after the sale had been completed.

Ms Pannell said she hoped buyers would become more aware and
solicitors more diligent in sourcing property "search agents" who
provided a thorough inspection report.

"I have been beating my head against a brick wall for at least 10
years trying to get buyers to understand the worth of a comprehensive
report," she said.

The owners of nine units at the Quest on Story Bridge apartment
building have lodged a development application with Brisbane City
Council seeking approval to use them for permanent residency.

The 14-year-old Quest on Story Bridge apartment complex, opposite the
Story Bridge Hotel, currently contains mostly serviced or rented
apartments but also houses several owner-occupiers.

Local councillor Helen Abrahams backflipped on her initial support for
the development application after inspecting one of the units at Quest
and speaking to businesses and council officers.

The Quest on Story Bridge franchise, which manages the building and
services apartments in its letting pool, wrote to the council saying
it often had to turn business away because short-term accommodation
was in such strong demand, while warning that local shops relied on
visitors.

Brisbane City Council neighbourhood planning chair Amanda Cooper said
she could not comment on the matter while the development application
was being assessed by council officers.

However, she said planning rules distinguished between short-term and
long-term accommodation because the impacts on neighbouring residents
were different.

Mr Green, a first home buyer and lawyer, said the residents simply
wanted to use their units for the purpose for which they were sold.

"While we may have be let down by a number of people along the way,
the critical thing to remember is that we haven't given up," he said.

"Instead of pointing the finger at others, which would have been an
easy option in many instances, we've tried to fix this mess.

"We've engaged lawyers and town planners and collectively spent tens
of thousands of dollars trying to comply with the law."

He said the issue was complicated by the fact business owners were
"looking to force us out of our homes to further their own commercial
interests".

Quest on Story Bridge was contacted for comment on Friday and
yesterday, but so far it has not responded.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/property/unit-buyer-beware-warns-expert-20110711-1har9.html#ixzz1SDXTdARK

Baby bling banned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

BABY bling, a popular product category on the web, has been banned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission when it poses a risk to infant health.

The ACCC's product safety department has slapped a ban on dummies and dummy chains decorated with tiny beads which can easily detach and pose a choking hazard.

The ban was announced by Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, David Bradbury, after work by NSW Fair Trading officers found the products during regular compliance checks with traders. It is believed the outlets were located in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta.

"Testing by NSW Fair Trading of such products indicated that the dummies failed tension tests, with a number of crystals becoming detached and posing a serious choking, inhalation or ingestion hazard," Mr Bradbury said.

A spokesman for Mr Bradbury said that although the products were not widely available, the ban had been moved quickly into place before their popularity could take off.

 "We wanted to act before people started selling them at places like markets, and things like that," the spokesman said.

Details of the interim ban are available at www.productsafety.gov.au.

SCAMwatch email alert: Beware of scam calls offering carbon tax compensation payments [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Beware of scam calls offering carbon tax compensation payments

View radar online.

Added: July 2011

SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be alert to scam calls offering to pay carbon tax compensation into your bank account or asking survey questions about the carbon tax.

How the scam works

  • You receive a call from a scammer claiming to be from the Federal Government or a Federal Government department.
  • The scammer will ask for your bank account details in order to pay a carbon tax compensation payment into your bank account. 
  • Early reports are that the scammer will offer $5,000 in compensation however this amount may vary from call to call.
  • The scammer may ask you if you would like the compensation paid via a direct deposit or via cheque.
  • If you give the scammer your bank details they will gain access to your money and any personal details which are linked to your bank account.
  • Some scam callers may also claim to be running a survey on the incoming carbon tax.

Protect yourself

  • If you receive a phone call out of the blue asking for your bank account or personal details, or claiming you need to pay money to receive a compensation payment, hang up immediately. 
  • Be alert to scam survey calls which ask for personal and financial details.
  • The Australian Government will never call you to ask for your bank account details or to offer you carbon tax compensation.
  • If you're not sure that a call is a scam you can check by independently using official contact details, never use phone numbers or email addresses provided by the caller. 
  • NEVER provide or confirm your personal details over the phone unless you made the call using details you found yourself and you trust the other party. 
  • If you think you have provided bank account or credit card 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.

Stay one step ahead of scammers - visit the SCAMwatch website, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
________________

If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.

Food Recall: McCain Family Pizza

Queensland Health advises of a food recall relating to:
 
McCain Family Pizza
 
- Cheese and Bacon

- 500g

Best Before: Mar 2012 B 090

and

Mar 2012 C 090.
 
McCain's Foods Pty Ltd (Vic) is conducting a consumer level recall on the above product due to the possible presence of foreign matter contamination (metal pieces).  

This recall is the result of 3 complaints. 

The product is sold in Coles, Bilo, Coles Online, Woolworths / Safeway, Franklins and Independent Supermarkets (including IGA and Foodland stores).

Approximately 26 cartons of the potentially contaminated food found its way into Queensland.  
The matter is being co-ordinated by Queensland Health.

Beau Robinson relishes Reds big break

When the Reds began their 2011 Investec Super Rugby campaign, Beau Robinson was pulling beers at the Irish Heart in Goodna and considered a bolter to make the squad. Now, after an amazing six months, he looms as a key player in their grand final bid.

Consumer Report: Should the Queensland public boycott Solomons Flooring?


Has Ms Fosse taken the gloss off Solomons?

The Sunday Mail (3 July 2011) recounts one of the most-bizarre events imaginable following a recent legal case in Brisbane.

Home owner Valerie Adams won a 7-month legal battle against Solomons Flooring at Brows Plains.
 
She had forked out a $900 deposit for a new carpet but three days after being told it would be installed within two weeks, she was advised the carpet would not be available for more than a month or even longer.
 
The store agreed to a refund which never eventuated forcing Valerie Adams to take action against Solomons in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

On June 22, Solomons was ordered to refund Mrs Adams $900 by the end of June.

This is when the apparent bastardry of Solomons really kicked in.

Bank records show that the refund was made over eight days with nine separate payments.

On one day, the intelligentsia at Solomons refunded $77 comprising four separate payments of 25c, $75.20, $1.05 and 50c.

But worse was to come when, according to The Sunday Mail, Solomons Flooring owner Sarah Fosse said the tribunal order had not specified how the deposit was to be refunded.

"We weren't told how to pay her," Ms Fosse said with the innocence usually attributed to someone who has difficulty understanding the intent of a court order.

Then Mrs Fosse dropped an absolute clanger: "As and when the funds were there, we transferred them across".
 
Wow!  What a gob smacking admission!

Things are apparently so financially tight at Solomons Flooring, the company was literally down to its last 25c in order to satisfy the tribunal order.

If Solomons could not find $900 to comply with a Tribunal order in one payment and is forced to pay as little as 25c at a time, their finances would appear to be in a somewhat precarious position, to say the least.
 
If consumers believe the company's explanation, they should think twice about dealing with Solomons or, if their Christian charity dictates, they could each donate 25c to Sarah Fosse to keep things going at Solomons. After all, 25c appears to be a big amount for Solomons.
 
If consumers don't believe the explanation, they should simply boycott Solomons over its treatment of Valerie Adams.
 
If she wishes, Queensland Consumer Watch would like to give Sarah Fosse the opportunity of putting her side of the story about Solomons' financial position and its reasons for paying Valerie Adams in the drip-feed manner in which it did. 
 
Our email address is QueenslandConsumerWatch@gmail.com


Toothless Tiger No More: CASA finally shows some testicular fortitude over Tiger Airways

The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority has finally shown that it is no longer a toothless tiger by suspending Tiger Airways from Australian skies.

But in a disappointing move, Tony Davis, Tiger Airways CEO told ABC News 24 that he does not accept there is any immediate risk to passenger safety.

Until today, CASA has always completely lacked any testicular fortitude in dealing with recalcitrant Australian airline operators.

Tiger's slogan "Fly Cheaper" could now be re-styled as "Fly Cheaper and Die".

But thanks to CASA, this is unlikely to ever happen.

If CASA is genuine over this issue, it should move to permanently revoke Tiger Airways' licence.

After all, Tiger Airways has basically thumbed its nose at CASA and the people of Australia for far too long.

Toowoomba Church Politics: Abortion furore rages after church sacks hospital board

Sacked St Andrew's Toowoomba Hospital governors are planning legal action after the Presbyterian Church of Queensland abruptly removed them from their posts amid tensions over the hospital's abortion policy and the church's influence on operations.

The PCQ dismissed 12 of the hospital's governors last week.

Yesterday, former board members said they were planning a legal challenge to their dismissal and bristled at perceptions they took a pro-choice stance on abortion.

Former board member Paul McMahon said the sacked governors refused to back a motion suggesting the hospital not perform abortions unless the mother was threatened with immediate death.

But he said the hospital's current position on abortion was "hardly a loose policy".

"The hospital already has very, very strict termination laws such that there were only two terminations last year," he said.

"One related to a dead baby in the womb and the other related to a baby that would not survive outside the womb.

"What's happened now is that the hospital and past governors are being painted as pro-choice. That sickens me."

Mr McMahon said the sacked governors were considering defamation proceedings and also believed the church contravened corporations law when it asked governors up for re-election to sign a nomination form pledging to act according to the tenets of the church.

"[The law] says that a director's first duty is to the organisation, you can't have two masters," he said.

"We said we couldn't sign them because in our view they contravene corporations law."

PCQ moderator Graeme McKay told ABC radio yesterday morning media reports of the sackings had focused too heavily on the abortion issue.

He said the governors were removed last week because they were trying to limit the church's influence on the hospital.

"The reason they were removed is some of these governors were seen to be taking steps to remove the church from the hospital," he said.

"The Presbyterian Church does have a statement on abortion and some of the board members took an issue with the church's position on abortion."

Former St Andrew's vice-chairman Jock Lambie said he still hasn't been notified by the church of his dismissal.

He said he received a phone call from Mr Fairweather last Monday saying he had been sacked three hours before a board meeting he had expected to attend.

Dr Lambie said he expected a review of the hospital's abortion policy to be the new board's first order of business.

However he defended the existing stance on abortion.

"The only abortions that are done are when the baby is not expected to survive," he said.

"They [the church] leave that up to God. That's alright except none of them are women, so they don't know what it's like carrying a monster in their belly.

"The two most recent terminations that were done, the babies had no heads. How would you like to carry that, knowing it was there, for an extra 20 weeks to go through a painful labour and produce a child that lives for five minutes?"

Yesterday, St Andrew's chief executive Ray Fairweather said the hospital would follow the wishes of the new board of governors, which is expected to review the hospital's abortion policy.

Mr Fairweather said he would have no problem working with the new board appointed by the PCQ.

"[A change in abortion policy] is up to the board of governors," he said.

"I have 35 years' experience working with boards of directors, I've established new boards, I've worked with any range of boards and this is just another situation that I have to work with."

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/abortion-furore-rages-after-church-sacks-hospital-board-20110627-1gn3o.html#ixzz1QZZxQIr7

Brisbane stores to ban hoodies in crime crackdown


SHOPKEEPERS are declaring their stores a 'hoodie free zone' in a
police-backed trial to clamp down on robberies in Brisbane's west.

Under the police initiative, Wynnum shops will be encouraged to ask
customers wearing "hoods" to remove them when entering a store.

Wynnum district acting superintendent Paul Scanlan said the 'Hoodie
Free Zone' has been developed because of an increase in armed
robberies where offenders have worn hooded jumpers.

He said educating businesses on how to avoid falling victim to armed
robberies may result in a reduction in the crime rate in the area.

"By encouraging customers to remove their hoodies, retailers can
minimise the risk of being a target," Mr Scanlan said.

"This initiative includes a 'Remove Hoodies on Premises' sticker to be
placed in prominent positions inside businesses.

"Along with this sticker, retailers will also receive height stickers
and an armed robbery awareness brochure."

If successful the one-month trial will be extended to other Brisbane suburbs.

www.couriermail.com.au

GoVia launches another consumer ripoff

This email has just been sent to GoVia customers.
Their justification is that because the NSW Government rips off drivers, it's OK for GoVia to do the same.

Quite bizarre logic from the dills running GoVia's media machine.


Today's GoVia email:

Dear

We wish to advise you that from 1 July 2011 a video matching fee will be applied to your go via account if a tag is not detected in your vehicle when it travels through a toll point.

This fee is in addition to the toll and covers the cost of processing an image of your vehicle's licence plate number and matching it against your account.

This brings Queensland Motorways' account customers in line with customers of other Queensland and interstate toll road operators and with our non-account customers.

Our video matching fee was introduced in July 2009 when free-flow tolling commenced on the Gateway and Logan motorways and it is included in the go via terms and conditions.

Until now Queensland Motorways has absorbed this cost for account customers.

As at 1 July 2011, the video matching fee will be 42 cents per toll point and, if applied to your account, will be clearly displayed on your transaction listing and statement.

To avoid the video matching fee make sure:your tag is correctly installed in your vehicle
you listen for the beeps when you travel through a toll point
your account always remains in credit
you keep your account details up-to-date.

To help you confirm that your tag is correctly installed and that you understand what the beeps mean, click here to access the go via tag user guide. To check your account details, please visit

govia.com.au.

Yours sincerely

 
John Gardiner

Westfield Chermside now complete bastards: Weekend shoppers to be slugged for parking

Weekend shoppers will be slugged with parking fees at Westfield Chermside, despite earlier claims the move was a way to stop commuters using the shopping centre as a public transport park-and-ride.

The retail group's decision to charge on weekends comes on the back of a warning from the National Retailers Association that more shopping centres around the state will introduce paid parking as the state continues to grow.

Despite the backlash against Westfield's decision to introduce fees for shoppers who stay longer than three hours, company spokeswoman Julia Clarke said the proposed system would be operating every day of the week.

Ms Clarke said the company would charge customers on weekends because company research had found those parking for longer than three hours were much more likely not to be using the centre for shopping.

"Certainly commuters are part of the issue with the parking but because we know that 93 per cent of shoppers get their trips done in under three hours there are still people weekdays and weekends who are there for longer for three hours for whatever reason," she said.

"So we know that there are going to be some people who will shopping for longer than three hours but those fees will be quite nominal, only a few dollars."

In another concern for shoppers, NRA executive director Gary Black said he expected more shopping centres in Queensland to enforce paid parking as the state's population continues to grow.

"Progressively, with population growth the stress on the parking facilities is increasing and spaces are less freely available so centres I think have had to respond to this and I think it is totally legitimate to focus their actions on people who are using these parking facilities who have no intention of shopping," he said.

"Ultimately this is a supply and demand issue and where there are restraints on expanding car park facilities it's inevitable that shopping centres will take measures to ensure that people are parking in their centres with the intention of shopping there."

Mr Black said shopping centres would not implement measures that would deter shoppers from using their facilities and affect their profitability.

Ms Clarke said there were no confirmed plans to extend paid parking to other Westfield centres around Brisbane.

SCAMwatch email alert: Beware of scams targeting VIPtel Mobile customers [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Beware of scams targeting VIPtel Mobile customers

View radar online.

Added: June 2011

SCAMwatch is warning current and former VIPtel Mobile customers to beware of scam phone calls offering a refund in exchange for payment of a fee. Scammers may claim to be from Centrelink and will ask for the fee to be paid by wire transfer.

How the scam works

  • You receive a phone call out of the blue from a scammer claiming to be from either Centrelink, a 'consulting company', an unspecified government department, or a lawyer, who claim they have access to customer refunds from VIPtel Mobile.
  • The scammer will advise you that you are entitled to a refund, claiming it is the result of court action.
  • The ACCC has taken a number of court actions against EDirect Pty Ltd, which at the time traded as VIPtel Mobile. The ACCC confirms there are currently no refunds due to any current or former VIPtel Mobile customers as a result of these court actions. 
  • The scammer will ask you to pay a fee via wire transfer in order to receive your refund. If you pay this money you are likely to lose it all and will not receive any money or "refund" in return. Some victims have reported losing over $3,000 to this scam.
  • The scammer may already have some of your personal information, such as your financial or contact details, and may use these to make the scam seem legitimate.

Protect yourself

  • If you receive a phone call out of the blue claiming you need to pay money to access a refund, hang up immediately. 
  • If you're not sure that a call is a scam you can check by independently using official contact details, never use phone numbers or email addresses provided by the caller. 
  • NEVER provide or confirm your personal details over the phone unless you made the call using details you found yourself and you trust the other party. 
  • Where possible, avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for up-front payment via money order, wire transfer or moneygram. It is rare to recover money sent this way.  
  • SCAMwatch urges you to never pay money upfront to receive a 'refund' or 'free' money – this is advance fee fraud, also know as an up-front payment scam. 
  • If you think you have provided bank account or credit card 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

Stay one step ahead of scammers - visit the SCAMwatch website, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
________________

If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.

Safety warning as weekend weather lures boaties

Minister for Main Roads, Fisheries and Marine Infrastructure

The Honourable Craig Wallace

17/06/2011

Weekend weather lures boaties

Boaties lured onto the water this weekend by the prospect of an end to a long run of poor boating weather shouldn't lose sight of safety, Marine Infrastructure Minister Craig Wallace said today.

"After a particularly cold and wet Queen's Birthday long weekend, many boaties will be keen to make up for lost leisure time," Mr Wallace said.

"However it is more important to make sure you don't overlook your safety obligations.

"Conditions can change quickly, so make sure you check the weather before you head out. "Make sure you tell the local VMR where you are going, as well as when and where you're due back.

"Ensure that you're carrying all your required safety equipment including EPIRB, lifejackets and flares and it is all up-to-date.

"With many boaties making it a family occasion it's more important than ever for skippers to ensure that everyone has a lifejacket, knows how to use it and can find it in an emergency.

"And remember, that the same under .05 rule for drink driving applies to skippers on the water as it does for drivers on our roads," Mr Wallace said.

For safety and weather advice go to www.msq.qld.gov.au

Political Shock: LNP labels Queensland's sports stadiums a waste of money

Hon Phil Reeves MP
Member for Mansfield

Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Sport

17 June 2011

LNP labels Queensland's sports stadiums a waste of money.

The LNP has come out claiming the Bligh Government's investment in world class stadiums is a waste of tax payers money.

The Shadow Treasurer Tim Nicholls, in his budget reply, twice attacked the Bligh Government's policy of providing Queensland with major sporting facilities.

State Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said under the LNP, a new stadium for this region would never be a reality.

"This is just another example of how when it comes to building stadiums, the LNP has no policy and no game plan claiming football stadiums are a waste of money."

Mr Schwarten said the LNP's so called leader Campbell Newman has already gone on record saying he'd wait for private enterprise to come to the party if a new stadium was to be built in Rockhampton.

"Stadiums are not cash cows, their viability is a long term proposition, something private enterprise wouldn't entertain."

State Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan was astounded the LNP could claim an investment in the region's future would be a waste of tax payers money.

"By contrast the Bligh Government has committed to building a stadium in Rockhampton if the bid for a new NRL team is successful," Mr Hoolihan said.

The recently completed Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast is a perfect example of how the Queensland Government's investment in major facilities delivered 1100 jobs and over the next decade is expected to inject $340 million into the local economy.

LNP votes against lower electricity bills

Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade

The Honourable Andrew Fraser

17/06/2011

LNP votes against lower electricity bills

Campbell Newman and the LNP have voted against the Bligh Government's budget plans to lower electricity prices by $113 next year and boost jobs in the building industry.

Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the LNP's decision meant they had no credibility when discussing cost of living issues.

"LNP MPs had a chance to stand up for lower electricity bills tonight, and they failed," Mr Fraser said.

"The LNP has proven that when it comes to cost of living, they're all talk and no walk.

"This was a direct chance to support the Bligh Government's efforts to ease cost of living pressures, and they squibbed it.

"They also voted against the Queensland Building Boost - our plan to offer a $10,000 grant for new home builds across Queensland, creating building jobs and jobs throughout the housing supply sector.

"The Bligh Government will ensure the passage of this legislation, ensuring 1.4 million Queensland households and small businesses get the benefit of a lower power bill, and promoting and boosting jobs in our construction sector."

80 channel UHF CB radio now legal in Australia

Variations to the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations)
Class Licence 2002

ACMA varies the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations)
Class Licence 2002
After consideration of submissions received in its recent public
consultation process (IFC 03/2011), the ACMA has, by way of a notice
published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette (the Gazette)
on 19 May 2011, varied the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio
Stations) Class Licence 2002 (the CB Class Licence).

The variation of the CB Class Licence commenced on 27 May 2011.

The variation of the CB Class Licence was brought into effect by the
making of the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class
Licence Variation 2011 (No. 1) (the CB Class Licence Variation) by the
ACMA on 17 May 2011, the registration of the CB Class Licence
Variation in the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments and by
the CB Class Licence Variation being published in a notice in the
Gazette.

The Variation provides for additional channels in the UHF citizen
band. Some of these additional channels are allocated as repeater
channels. The variation relaxes the duty cycle restriction for
telemetry and telecommand transmissions and permits the transmission
of identification and position information. The variation clarifies
the conditions applicable to 'simplex' use of repeater channels within
range of repeater stations. The linking of repeater stations and
individual CB stations has been prohibited to minimise potential
congestion and interference.

Seventeen submissions were received during the consultation phase.
Submitters were generally supportive of, or were silent about, the
proposed:

introduction of the additional channels;
relaxation of the telemetry and telecommand duty cycle restriction;
allowing the transmission of station identification and position
information; and
prohibition of the linking of repeater stations.
Of the concerns that were raised, the most significant related to:

the potential for mutual interference between the operation of 25 kHz
stations and the nearby operation of stations on the adjacent 12.5 kHz
channels;
the potential for 'simplex' use of repeater channels to cause
interference to stations using repeaters; and
the prohibition on the linking of CB stations.
Submissions were received from:

Alain Mugnier
ARCIA
David Tones
Doug Page
GME
Jacob Givney
James Brown-Sarre
Ministry of Economic Development NZ
Motorola (152 kb)
Rockingham Advanced Computers
Rodney James
Roland
Russ
Terry Ayscough
The Northside Radio Association Inc
Trevor
UHF CB Australia (36 kb)
Background
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) seeks comment
on a draft Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class
Licence Variation 2011 (No. 1) that will vary the Radiocommunications
(Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002.

Following consultation between the ACMA, industry and the public in
the context of the ACMA's review of the 400 MHz band, the ACMA
proposes to increase the number of radiofrequency channels in the UHF
Citizen Band.

The ACMA proposes to vary the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio
Stations) Class Licence 2002 (the CB Class Licence) to facilitate
operation on the new channels. Other proposed variations to the CB
Class Licence include variations to:

facilitate the transmission of electronic identification and location
information;
relax the duty cycle restriction for telemetry and telecommand transmissions;
improve the regulatory effectiveness of the CB Class Licence;
prohibit the indirect linking of repeater stations; and
prohibit the linking of CB stations.
More Information
The current licensing arrangements are set out in the
Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002.

The proposed variations are set out in the Radiocommunications
(Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence Variation 2011 (No. 1).

The proposed variations are discussed in the paper Proposed variations
to the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence
2002 (Word [161 kb] or PDF [124 kb] formats).

Submissions
Closing date for submissions was by close of business 4 March 2011.

SCAMwatch email alert: New inheritance scams page on SCAMwatch [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

New inheritance scams page on SCAMwatch

The SCAMwatch website has added a new scam category. Follow the link below for information to help you avoid inheritance scams.

Inheritance scams
An inheritance scam is when a scammer contacts you out of the blue to tell you that you've been left, or are entitled to claim, a large inheritance from a distant relative or wealthy benefactor who has died overseas.

The scammer will pose as a lawyer, banker or other foreign official and will advise that the deceased left no other beneficiaries...read more.

 

Stay one step ahead of scammers - visit the SCAMwatch website, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
________________

If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.

Minister meets beetroot growers affected by cannery closure

Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies

The Honourable Tim Mulherin

01/06/2011

Minister meets beetroot growers affected by cannery closure

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin today met with beetroot growers who will be affected by the closure of the Golden Circle beetroot cannery at Northgate.

Heinz Australia last week announced it will shift production of sauces, beetroot and some meal products from Australia to New Zealand with 160 jobs lost in Queensland and more in other states.

"This announcement by Heinz is another challenge to growers in a small, specialised industry, in a region recently affected by floods," Minister Mulherin said.

"It is also a blow to the confidence of the local community and economy with a significant potential to affect local suppliers, transporters and related businesses.

"The meeting today gave growers the opportunity to raise their concerns. It also allowed us to share with them the support Government can offer.

"Our aim is to ensure growers do not suffer any lasting impacts from this change - we will work with growers to transition them into other crops or markets within Australia.

"This may include working with industry and Heinz to identify potential joint projects to refocus the industry or working with growers to investigate alternate ways of using beetroot as an attractive high value healthy food product.

Minister Mulherin said the Department of Employment, Economic Development  and Innovation (DEEDI) would be providing agronomic support, technical services and financial advice to growers affected by the closure.

"DEEDI senior horticulturist David Carey has been nominated as a relationship manager and will be a conduit between industry and government," Mr Mulherin said.

"Growers will also be able to access a range of services including Farm Financial Counsellors to help growers adjust to new circumstances and make the most of any financial assistance provided by Golden Circle."

Mr Mulherin said flood affected producers in the Lockyer Valley were able to access financial assistance under NDRRA.

Ads, ads and more ads

Now that today's Courier-Mail has devoted pages 2 and 3 to full-page advertisements for Westpac, perhaps they could consider winding the clock back 100 years by covering page 1 with ads with the news relegated inside.

Anyway, Westpac is obviously more important than news about the Gold Coast's armed robbery crisis, the Coast police shooting or the latest machinations of the Queensland Health Department.

WHO says mobile phones may cause cancer

CNN Reports:

Radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, the World Health Organization said today.

The agency lists mobile phone use in the same "carcinogenic hazard" category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform.

Yuk - Filthy pigeons invade Roma Street Food Court

Dozens of filthy pigeons have invaded the Food Court above the Roma Street Railway Station creating a health scare outside KFC, McDonald's and the Donut King.

Some QR commuters with the same amount of brains as the fleas infecting the renegade pigeons are even feeding the birds.

Why is Queensland Rail doing nothing to exterminate these troublesome pests?

SCAMwatch email alert: Beware of scam phone surveys which lead to other scam calls [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Beware of scam phone surveys which lead to other scam calls

View radar online.

Added: May 2011

SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be alert to scam telephone surveys which gather your personal and banking information and use it to make future scam phone calls you receive appear legitimate.

How the scam works

  • You receive a call out of the blue from a scammer who pretends to be conducting a legitimate telephone survey.
  • The scammer may claim to be from a genuine research or survey company or calling on behalf of a bank/financial institution.
  • Scammers often only ask a small number of questions, usually two or three.
  • Questions may focus on the bank or financial institution you use, whether you are happy with their service, and if you would consider changing banks. 
  • You may also be asked which branch you opened your account at. Once the scammer knows your branch they can use it to find the BSB number which will often make up the starting digits of your bank account number.
  • Within a few weeks you may get a second scam call. 
  • The second scam caller may try to convince you that they are legitimate by using the personal details you gave them during the telephone survey. They may seem convincing because they know which bank you are with, which branch you bank at, and the starting digits of your bank account number.
  • Scammers may quote the starting digits of your bank account number and then ask you to provide the remaining numbers.
  • The call may be an overcharged bank fee reclaim scam or any other scam which tries to steal your money and your personal and financial details.

Protect yourself

  • Whilst telephone surveys are often conducted as part of legitimate research exercises, it is important to remember that scammers sometimes pose as surveyors in order to win your trust.
  • If you are asked to participate in a telephone survey and are interested in participating, you don't have to answer their questions straight away. If you are in any doubt at all, ask the caller which organisation they are from and arrange a time for them to call you back.
  • In the meantime call the organisation's official contact number to ask if the survey is legitimate. If they answer no, or if you can't find any mention of the organisation or their contact details, it is most likely a scam.
  • Never use the contact details provided by the person who called you - try to find official contact details through a phonebook or an online search.
  • Don't give your personal, credit card or account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source.
  • If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

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

More information:

Stay one step ahead of scammers - visit the SCAMwatch website or follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter at http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
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SCAMwatch email alert: New scam alerts 6 May 2011 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

New scam alerts 6 May 2011


Scammers pose as government & banks offering to reclaim overcharged bank fees
May 2011: Beware of scam callers pretending to be from the Government or a bank and asking for an upfront fee to reclaim your overcharged bank fees. Scammers pretend to be from a fake government department, specifically an 'Australian Government Reclaim Department' (or variation on this). Some scammers also claim to be from the 'Office of Fair Trading' or a bank.

The caller will say you are eligible to several thousands of dollars in overcharged fees in return for an upfront payment of a few hundred dollars, typically calling it a donation to charity, an administration fee or taxes. If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately. If you're not sure that the call was a scam you can check by independently finding the bank or Government department's contact details and calling them directly. Read full alert…

Fake FBI email scam claims you've visited "illegal websites"
May 2011: Beware of fake Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) emails which claim that you've visited illegal websites. These emails are a scam. If you receive one, delete it! Don't open any attachments and don't provide your personal details. The emails instruct you to answer a list of questions, often in an attached .zip file. If you open the attachment, it could infect your computer with a virus or malware and give the scammer access to your personal information, such as your online banking passwords. If you answer the questions within the attachment or reply to the scammer with personal details, you may put yourself at risk of identity theft. Read full alert…

Stay one step ahead of scammers - visit the SCAMwatch website, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
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If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Flash Flooding


Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Flash Flooding
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in the MORETON BAY and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, GOLD COAST CITY, GYMPIE, SUNSHINE COAST and SOMERSET Council Areas.

Issued at 3:48 pm Tuesday, 3 May 2011.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:50 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the area southwest of Gympie, Tallebudgera, Miami, Dayboro and Mount Mee. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect Coolangatta, Caboolture, the area south of Gympie, Narangba, Burpengary and Wamuran by 4:20 pm and Strathpine, Redcliffe, Deception Bay waters, Beachmere, Kandanga and Amamoor by 4:50 pm.

Very heavy rainfall, flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

Thunderstorms today have already produced very heavy rainfall of 35mm in 30 minutes at Moogerah Dam at 1:40pm.
Small hail has been reported around Brisbane between 1pm and 2pm.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.
BoM Radar | Early Warning Network | Unsubscribe

SCAMwatch email alert: Make mum’s day, not a scammer’s! [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Make mum's day, not a scammer's!

View radar online.

Added: April 2011

If you're shopping online for a Mother's Day gift be alert! Scammers use online classifieds and auction sites to post scam ads, taking your money but leaving you without that perfect gift for mum!

Scam classified ads can appear to be for anything from puppies to cars. The scammer will often advertise the item at a low price; generally much lower than comparable items advertised on the same site.
When you show an interest, the scammer often claims that they are travelling or have moved overseas and that an agent will deliver the goods following receipt of your payment. However, once you send money you won't receive the goods and will not be able to contact the seller.

Online auction scams operate in a similar way and often occur when a scammer sells you a faulty or worthless product. Scammers may pretend to be selling authentic branded items, that when delivered are obvious imitations. They may not even deliver the item at all.

Most online auction sites put a lot of effort into spotting scammers, so scammers will often try to get you to make a deal outside of the site's secure payment facility. If you do this, you will lose any protections that the site operator offers to their users. Following payment you may receive a fake email receipt claiming to be from the website's payment system provider, however, once you send money, you may not receive the goods.
 
Alternatively scammers may claim that the winner of an auction you were bidding in has pulled out, and then offer to sell the item to you. Once they have your money, you will never hear from them again and unfortunately the auction site may not be able to help you.

Warning signs

  • An item is advertised on an online classifieds site at a very low price, often lower than comparable items advertised on the same website.
  • The seller often claims to be overseas.
  • For online auction scams, the seller will ask you to complete the sale outside of the auction site, e.g. by electronic funds transfer or a wire service.
  • Following payment you may receive a fake email receipt falsely claiming to be from the auction website's secure payment provider.

Protect yourself

  • Be cautious—if the advertised price of an item looks too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Don't trust the legitimacy of an ad just because it appears on a reputable online classifieds or auction website—scammers post fake ads in these too.
  • Where possible, avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for up-front payment via money order, wire transfer or international funds transfer. It is rare to recover money sent this way.
  • Do an internet search using the exact wording in the ad—many well-known scams can be found this way.
  • Request a number of photos of the item from the seller, if they refuse it may be that they have stolen a photo from a genuine ad and have no others.

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

More information
Check out our Auction and shopping scams and Classifieds scams pages for more information.

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If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please visit the unsubscribe page on SCAMwatch.

Property values dive in Queensland flood zones | Courier Mail

Property values dive in Queensland flood zones | Courier Mail
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