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Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds
Media Release: Get rid of your Tupperware in Queensland before new law hits
Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State
The Honourable Paul Lucas
14/10/2011
New drug law puts hole in supply chains
People found to be in possession of chemicals and ingredients used to manufacture illegal drugs could face trafficking charges when amendments introduced to Queensland Parliament yesterday are passed.
Attorney General Paul Lucas said the Government would seek to introduce a new offence of Trafficking in Precursors under the Drugs Misuse Act which would carry a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.
Mr Lucas said current legislation meant anyone found to be in the possession of a single precursor chemical or apparatus such as glassware or a pill press were charged with unlawful possession, unlawful supply or unlawful production carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.
He said the amendments aimed to see people in these circumstances charged with trafficking which would lead to a stiffer maximum sentence.
"Criminal groups have been dividing up responsibilities for equipment and substances used to make drugs so no one person holds all the key ingredients and equipment," Mr Lucas said.
"This is being done in a deliberate bid to avoid prosecution on trafficking charges.
"What these new laws will do is make sure courts have tougher sentences available to them to send a clear message that involvement in the manufacture of amphetamines, from the supply of chemicals to providing a pill press, can result in trafficking charges.
"This reflects the gravity and true criminality of possessing vast quantities of precursor chemicals used in the production of dangerous drugs.
"Anyone caught in the possession of a precursor chemical or apparatus will be charged with trafficking, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years.
"The message is clear: if you don't have the chemicals to make dangerous drugs you can't make them. If you can't make them, you can't sell them. End of story."
Mr Lucas said Trafficking of a Dangerous Drug carried a maximum sentence of between 20 and 25 years depending on the type of drug and its quantity.
Media Release: No more smoking mulberry leaves in Queensland as we did as kids
Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State
The Honourable Paul Lucas
14/10/2011
New laws to stop the sale of synthetic drugs
Individuals selling synthetic cannabis in Queensland will no longer be able to circumvent laws prohibiting their sale by changing the ingredients in the product.
Attorney General Paul Lucas said amendments to the Drugs Misuse Act introduced to Parliament yesterday would allow authorities to charge someone with selling a banned substance even if key ingredients had changed to circumvent laws.
Mr Lucas said current laws meant substances were illegal if it could be proved that they actually had a similar effect to banned substances on Schedule 2 of the Drugs Misuse Regulation.
He said people selling substances on Schedule 2 of the Drugs Misuse Regulation could face a maximum of between 15 years and 20 years in jail but proving the effect could involve lengthy scientific processes.
The amendments will allow authorities to charge a person with supply of a dangerous drug if the substance is not on the banned list but is intended to have the same effect as a banned substance, Mr Lucas said.
"In recent times, there has been much media attention on products like Kronic which are cannabinoids intended to have the same effect as marijuana," Mr Lucas said.
"The Government has been making moves to ban cannabinoids, with three added the list of banned substances in September and the Government continuing to investigate if another 19 should be added, but in the past, people have attempted to circumvent these laws.
"Brands like Kronic have historically changed the ingredients that are used to manufacture the substance.
"Proving that the new product actually has the same effect as other banned cannabanoids can be difficult and take a long time meaning products are in the shops and on sale while scientific evidence is gathered.
"What this amendment means is that authorities only have to prove that the producer as little as intends for the product to have the same effect as a banned substance before a person can be charged and face the same stiff penalties.
"As Kronic is intended to have the same effect as other banned substances, the sale of Kronic will be effectively banned and no changing the chemicals that make it up will change that."
Mr Lucas said synthetic drugs had very complex chemical compositions.
"Drug cooks can make slight changes which technically make it a different drug even though it is intended to have the same effect," Mr Lucas said.
"Rather than let criminals set the agenda, this puts police one step ahead of the game and the health of young Queenslanders susceptible to taking drugs so much better off."
Mr Lucas it was important strong controls were in place from both a health and law and order perspective.
"These amendments will make it easier for authorities to act when substances have one aim and one aim only and that's to mimic the effects of illegal drugs," Mr Lucas said.
"Illegal drugs can have enormous impacts on society, in people's families and in the workplace.
"The consequences of synthetic drug use can have similar impacts.
"That's why we're making these amendments."
More than 380 drugs are currently listed in Schedule 2 of the Drugs Misuse Regulation meaning they are illegal to use in Queensland unless prescribed by a doctor or otherwise authorised by law.
QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Flash Flooding, Damaging Winds
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QLD Severe T'Storm: Large Hail, Damaging Winds. Laidley, Ipswich, Esk
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Domino's Pizza Ripoff at Sea World
The side of the box reads:
At Domino's we give you great tasting food for a GREAT PRICE.
A great price? Yes, a great ripoff price!
Another disgraceful Domino's Pizza ripoff.
SCAMwatch email alert: Continue to beware of scam solar offers [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Continue to beware of scam solar offers
Added: September 2011
SCAMwatch is warning Australians to continue to be wary of scammers who offer bogus government rebates for the installation of solar panels.
How the scam works
- You receive an unexpected call, email or house visit from someone offering either free solar panels or a government rebate/grant on solar panels following an upfront payment.
- Scammers may pose as government representatives or mention government affiliation or programs.
- The scammer may ask for bank account details or for a fee to be paid before the rebate/grant can be processed. In some instances, these promised rebates have not been paid.
- The scammer may pressure you into making a hurried decision claiming that the false grants or rebate schemes are due to close soon.
- In some instances the scammer may offer free solar panels in exchange for placing advertising signs on your property for a number of months. They will request an upfront fee and claim to repay it over the duration of the advertising.
- The scammer may claim to be from a legitimate company which sells solar panels and may even organise to visit your home but will not show up.
Protect yourself
- Australian Government departments will never phone or email you asking you to pay upfront amounts in order to claim a rebate.
- Never confirm or provide personal details over the phone or by email unless you initiated the contact and trust the other party.
- Be cautious if you are contacted by someone claiming to be from government or a genuine solar energy provider. Verify who they are by finding the agency or company's contact details from an independent source such as a phone book and contacting them directly.
- 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
SCAMwatch has issued a previous radar on energy scams:
- August 2010: Beware of green scheme scammers
The Australian Government offers genuine rebates for the installation of solar panels and individual states and territories may also offer ongoing feed-in tariff programs. For further information on all available rebates visit the Living Greener website maintained by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
You can also visit the Clean Energy Council website for a list of accredited solar installers.
Stay one step ahead of scammers, 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.
State Government plans to jail dog offenders
Queensland will consider jail penalties for people whose dangerous dogs injure or kill someone.
Attorney-General Paul Lucas says he will examine whether a specific jail provision is needed in the Animal Management and Care Act, which already has penalties of up to $30,000.
It comes after the Victorian government moved to introduce "Ayen's Law", imposing jail terms of up to 10 years for owners of killer dogs.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Four-year-old Ayen Chol was last month mauled to death by a pit bull cross, prompting the state's government to toughen up its dog control laws.
Mr Lucas said Queensland may follow.
"There's a really good reason to have a look at what they're doing in terms of the criminal law to see whether ours needs any adjusting," he told ABC Radio today.
"If people are so foolish, so unwise, so dangerous in their behaviour that someone could be injured ... if it's with a car or with a dog it's a similar point, isn't it really?
"If a child loses their life or ... is seriously injured because someone couldn't give two hoots about controlling their dog, I think that's a reasonable point in terms of criminal law."
www.BrisbaneTimes.com.au
Attorney-General Paul Lucas says he will examine whether a specific jail provision is needed in the Animal Management and Care Act, which already has penalties of up to $30,000.
It comes after the Victorian government moved to introduce "Ayen's Law", imposing jail terms of up to 10 years for owners of killer dogs.
Advertisement: Story continues below
Four-year-old Ayen Chol was last month mauled to death by a pit bull cross, prompting the state's government to toughen up its dog control laws.
Mr Lucas said Queensland may follow.
"There's a really good reason to have a look at what they're doing in terms of the criminal law to see whether ours needs any adjusting," he told ABC Radio today.
"If people are so foolish, so unwise, so dangerous in their behaviour that someone could be injured ... if it's with a car or with a dog it's a similar point, isn't it really?
"If a child loses their life or ... is seriously injured because someone couldn't give two hoots about controlling their dog, I think that's a reasonable point in terms of criminal law."
www.BrisbaneTimes.com.au
Woolworths rips off customers again
Woolworths have embarked on a new and sneaky campaign to rip off customers.
In Queensland's Sunshine State where pineapples thrive, Woolies has got its knives sharpened to cut the tops of every pineapple they sell.
This prevents home gardeners from using the tops to grow their own fresh pineapples.
Very clever. Very sneaky.
It stops the average member of the public from utilising sound environmental practices in growing their own fruit.
They are forced back to Woolworths to buy more pineapples without tops.
If convenience is the issue, why doesn't Woolworths offer customers a choice - pineapples with or without tops?
Another Woolies ripoff where prices might be down but corporate trickery is up, up, up!
QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Damaging Winds
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SCAMwatch email alert: Beware of scam websites making fake claims of government affiliation [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Beware of scam websites making fake claims of government affiliation
Added: September 2011
SCAMwatch is warning small businesses and consumers to be on the look out for scam websites that either falsely claim to be affiliated with government or boast bogus government endorsements.
How the scam works
- These scams operate through websites which charge a fee for services offered freely or at a lower cost by government or charge for services they never end up delivering.
- This scam commonly targets registrations and renewals, for services such as:
- business registrations
- grants
- tax file numbers
- travel documents
- online business directories.
- Sites often use prominently-placed official logos, links to genuine government websites and photos of well-known Australians or landmarks to give the websites the appearance of authenticity and authority.
Protect yourself
- Most Australian government websites use the '.gov.au' extension – never .org, .net or .com.
- Government services are never paid via wire transfer.
- The Australian Government website www.australia.gov.au is a safe portal for finding government services, including travel, tax and grants, and will help to avoid unauthorised third party providers.
- If you want to use a third party service check out who you are dealing with and what the industry requires in the first instance from an independent source and read all the terms and conditions.
- Be wary of misused trust marks, logos, seals of approval – they may just be copies and not the real thing.
- Never enter your personal, credit card or banking details on a website unless you have checked it is authentic—scammers can use your details to commit identity fraud or steal your money.
- 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
SCAMwatch has issued previous radars and a media release on scams which impersonate government:
- September 2011 - ACCC media release - International internet sweep targets websites with false sponsorships
- July 2011: Beware of scam calls offering carbon tax compensation payments
- May 2011: Scammers pose as government & banks offering to reclaim overcharged bank fees
- October 2010: Scammers offer 'guaranteed' Australian visas
- September 2010: Fake grants from a fake government department
- September 2010: Do not pay for the Do Not Call Register
Stay one step ahead of scammers, 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.
Australian-first action taken against dodgy Gold Coast employer, Australian Shooting Academy
In the first action of its kind in Australia, a Gold Coast indoor shooting range has been fined $30,000 for trying to force workers to sign away their penalty rights for overtime, and work on weekends and public holidays.
The Australian Shooting Academy, at Centro Surfers Paradise shopping centre, has been fined $25,000 and company director and part owner Michael Joseph Murphy has been ordered to pay a further $5000.
The business was also ordered to pay compensation of more than $7000 to one worker.
The penalties, imposed in the Federal Court in Brisbane, are the result of a prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
They were imposed by Justice John Logan after Mr Murphy admitted he was involved in ASA breaching workplace laws in 2010 when six employees were asked to sign Individual Flexibility Arrangements which removed their entitlement to penalty rates for overtime, weekend and public holiday work.
Five of the six employees ultimately signed the IFA but the judge ruled the adverse action, coercion, undue pressure and duress provisions of workplace laws were breached when one of the employees signed only after he was threatened that there would be no work for him if he did not.
The sixth employee who refused to sign the IFA and was given no further work was awarded $7146 compensation.
The office of the Fair Work Ombudsman said it is the first time in Australia it had taken legal action over alleged contraventions relating to IFAs.
It is unlawful for employers to force employees to agree to an IFA and it is unlawful to make an IFA a condition of employment.
COMMENT: Employers like this should be banned from operating businesses for a fixed time,
just like company directors who are banned for dodgy practices. Ignorance of the law is not
a valid legal excuse in Australia. Michael Joseph Murphy should publicly apologise for his
actions. The fair Work ombudsman should be congratulated for this legal action.
just like company directors who are banned for dodgy practices. Ignorance of the law is not
a valid legal excuse in Australia. Michael Joseph Murphy should publicly apologise for his
actions. The fair Work ombudsman should be congratulated for this legal action.
Immigration Minister Bowen comments on High Court Malaysian refugee decision
Despite the Minister's comments, the 6:1 High Court decision is not particularly surprising.
Indonesian people smugglers will be rejoicing over today's decision.
High Court rejects Australian Government's plan to send refugees to Malaysia
The High Court of Australia has rejected Australia's plans to send refugees to Malaysia.
Click to read High Court judgment: http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/cases/cth/HCA/2011/32.html
Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds
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Channel 9 News tonight live from their chopper "near Beerwah"
They had breaking news from the scene last weekend so why not again tonight to fool the viewers of southeast Queensland.
Then they could sack a few more good staff for just doing their job.
Time spent obese linked to health risks - NHS Choices
Time spent obese linked to health risks - NHS Choices:
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Time spent obese linked to health risks
NHS Choices It has been well established that being obese increases the risk of death and numerous health conditions, for example heart disease, diabetes and cancer. The researchers say that when quantifying the risks of numerous diseases the measures used have ... and more » |
The key to a good night's sleep - Sydney Morning Herald
The key to a good night's sleep - Sydney Morning Herald:
Sydney Morning Herald |
The key to a good night's sleep
Sydney Morning Herald ... obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, diabetes or hypertension,'' he said. Dr Sarah Blunden, a sleep research fellow at the University of South Australia's Centre for Sleep Research, says it's simple: if you don't sleep, nothing else works. ... and more » |
Property auctions hammered on The Block - NEWS.com.au
Property auctions hammered on The Block - NEWS.com.au:
The Age |
Property auctions hammered on The Block
NEWS.com.au Real Estate Institute of Queensland managing director Dan Molloy the results from The Block auction showed that buyers were not being swept away with the hype and were still making decisions they felt comfortable with. Mr Molloy told The Courier Mail ... Lack of market confidence causes The Block property flopCourier Mail all 18 news articles » |
Mining boom not boosting our mood - Ninemsn
Mining boom not boosting our mood - Ninemsn:
Sydney Morning Herald |
Mining boom not boosting our mood
Ninemsn A motel operator in country Queensland, a university in Sydney and a farmer in Victoria's Wimmera region each, in their own way, face competition from overseas as buyers of their goods and services weigh up the options. A holiday in Fiji, a university ... PRESS DIGEST-Australian Business News - Aug 24Reuters BHP offers sacked workers jobs at its Pilbara minesWA Business News (subscription) all 1,289 news articles » |
Qld drink safe precincts working: govt - Ninemsn
Qld drink safe precincts working: govt - Ninemsn:
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Qld drink safe precincts working: govt
Ninemsn The Block agents under investigationVictoria's consumer watchdog has raided the offices of the real estate agents handling the sale of four properties in Network Nine's hit series The Block. Homeless man with golden voice sues agentsA homeless US man ... and more » |
Coast property holds on - Sunshine Coast Daily
Coast property holds on - Sunshine Coast Daily:
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Coast property holds on
Sunshine Coast Daily “The Queensland property market continues to be impacted by lower consumer confidence and the uncertain nature of the global economic situation, including the recent pronounced stock market jitters around the globe,” REIQ managing director Dan Molloy ... and more » |
Foster's ups defence in takeover battle - Sydney Morning Herald
Foster's ups defence in takeover battle - Sydney Morning Herald:
BBC News |
Foster's ups defence in takeover battle
Sydney Morning Herald Market share is a big issue for Foster's and its latest falls can't be completely attributed to one-off issues such as the floods in Queensland, a cool summer and a challenging consumer market. Foster's market share and profit growth in beer has been ... Foster's May Use Share Buyback to Blunt Appeal of SABMiller's Hostile BidBloomberg SABMiller times its hostile bid to maximise pressure on Foster'sThe Australian all 323 news articles » |
Bunnings talks competition with Masters - Current.com.au
Bunnings talks competition with Masters - Current.com.au:
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Bunnings talks competition with Masters
Current.com.au ... Masters, is set to open in Melbourne next month, offering consumers a variety of hardware and electrical products including a dedicated appliance range. In addition to stores that will be rolled out across Queensland, Victoria and the ACT, ... |
Poor Foster's result puts bidder in driver's seat - Sydney Morning Herald
Poor Foster's result puts bidder in driver's seat - Sydney Morning Herald:
Telegraph.co.uk |
Poor Foster's result puts bidder in driver's seat
Sydney Morning Herald Shareholders understand that beer sales have been falling in the face of weak consumer confidence and the Queensland floods. But they also understand that for years Foster's has been losing market share to its competitors - even though management said ... THE DISTILLERY: SABMiller pursuitBusiness Spectator Foster's poor results clear the way for SABMiller takeoverTelegraph.co.uk Foster's May Use Share Buyback to Blunt Appeal of SABMiller's Hostile BidBloomberg The Australian all 392 news articles » |
Rogue Cold Rock stores closed following franchise breach - Dynamic Business
Rogue Cold Rock stores closed following franchise breach - Dynamic Business:
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Rogue Cold Rock stores closed following franchise breach
Dynamic Business Three Cold Rock Ice Creamery stores in Queensland have been placed into administration after being taken to court for breaking their franchise agreements. The franchisees of three Townsville stores attempted to re-brand the outlets under the name 'If ... and more » |
Business failures spike to highest level in a year - Sydney Morning Herald
Business failures spike to highest level in a year - Sydney Morning Herald:
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Business failures spike to highest level in a year
Sydney Morning Herald ... rate in key consumer-driven industries, showing a lack of confidence in the current market and difficulty in accessing credit. New South Wales had the highest number of failures at more than 1200, followed by Victoria with 615 and Queensland at 462. and more » |
Falling home prices threaten $20bn in annual foreign investment - The Australian
Falling home prices threaten $20bn in annual foreign investment - The Australian:
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Falling home prices threaten $20bn in annual foreign investment
The Australian Brisbane has also been weak, with prices off more than 6 per cent this year, but much of the drop stems from the devastation to the capital of Queensland state earlier in the year from a series of floods. and more » |
Don't hold your breath for solar - Business Spectator
Don't hold your breath for solar - Business Spectator:
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Don't hold your breath for solar
Business Spectator Despite this, average demand in Queensland, driven by large use of air-conditioning, has become the highest in Australia and is still pushing towards eight megawatt hours a year. The south-east Queensland distributor Energex, which is spending $4 ... |
Retail banking division shows early signs of improvement - The Australian
Retail banking division shows early signs of improvement - The Australian:
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Retail banking division shows early signs of improvement
The Australian ... which was partially blamed on increased provisioning ordered to cover the damage created by January's floods in Queensland. The bank reported that consumer lending fell 1.9 per cent over the past year as consumers paid down debt, instead of taking ... and more » |
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