The Crisafulli Government will re-establish the Bruce Highway Advisory Council (BHAC) by the end of 2024 as part of its commitment to providing a long-term plan for the Bruce Highway.
Expressions of interest are now open to Queenslanders who regularly use the Bruce Highway between Carseldine and Cairns and can identify priority locations for future investment to improve road safety.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is currently seeking nominations for regional representatives from the following Queensland districts:
Road safety will be at the forefront of the re-established BHAC – bringing key stakeholders and industry together – with regional representatives playing a vital role in informing the Council on priority investment locations. Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg will chair the BHAC.
Capacity and flood resilience will also be addressed however, the focus of the BHAC is to advise on current challenges and opportunities, as well as investment priority and sequencing of key upgrades along the Bruce Highway.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg says the Crisafulli Government made a commitment for a re-established Bruce Highway Advisory Council to meet before Christmas, and that’s exactly what we’ll do.
“It’s important we listen to our regional communities to be able to deliver the upgrades that are so desperately needed to the Bruce Highway,” Mr Mickelberg says.
“We want to hear from a broad cross section of people who drive the Bruce Highway regularly from the Far North to south of the Sunshine Coast, whether they be truck drivers, local commuters or interested stakeholders.
“The BHAC will provide the Crisafulli Government with advice on challenges and opportunities, as well as investment priority and sequencing on the Bruce Highway.
“One of my key priorities as Minister for Transport and Main Roads is to help deliver a long-term upgrade plan to bring the Bruce Highway up to safety standards.
“I will also be calling out the Federal Government for cutting its share of funding to the Bruce Highway and calling for a return to the long-standing 80:20 funding split for the national highway.
“I look forward to hearing from regional representatives and their firsthand experience using the Bruce Highway at the first Council meeting scheduled for December 2024.”
Queenslanders interested in supporting the Bruce Highway Advisory Council need to submit an expression of interest by 5pm Friday 29 November 2024.
More information is available at https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/business-with-us/bruce-highway-advisory-council
The Crisafulli Government has today announced it will establish a Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland.
Volunteering participation had fallen by more than 10 per cent over the previous three years, impacting many community organisations’ ability to deliver for Queenslanders and respond in times of emergency.
The inquiry, which will be established before the end of the year, will focus on the following five areas:
Establishing the Inquiry delivers on a commitment of the Crisafulli Government for the 100-day Plan.
Minister for Volunteers Ann Leahy said the Parliamentary Inquiry would be an important first step in providing more support for Queenslanders who wanted to volunteer.
“Volunteers make vital social and economic contributions to our state,” Minister Leahy said.
“I have been engaging with volunteers and volunteer organisations and they’re telling me there are a range of obstacles stopping people from volunteering.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to removing those barriers and creating pathways to volunteering. This inquiry is the first step toward that.
“We want to make sure that anyone that has a passion to make a difference in their local community has every opportunity to become a volunteer.”
Minister Leahy said the Committee would be tasked with delivering a report to the government by September 2025.
“Public contributions to this inquiry are vital and I encourage those groups and individuals with an interest to get involved when the inquiry opens,” she said.
“The experiences of volunteers on the frontline need to be heard so the barriers they face can be addressed and we can reverse the decline in volunteering numbers.”
Forty-five students from across Queensland and their schools have won a share of over $15,000 for their outstanding entries in this year’s Buy Smart Competition.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, Deb Frecklington, handed out the prizes to the winning students at the award ceremony held at Parliament House today.
“The way we use money has changed significantly, so teaching kids about how to use it is even more important," Attorney-General Frecklington said.
“Just two weeks into my role as Attorney-General, it was great to have the opportunity to meet so many young Queenslanders interested in learning more about consumer and financial literacy skills.
“More than 8,000 young Queenslanders – from the Torres Strait down to the Gold Coast and out west to St George – took part in the Buy Smart program this year.”
Entries across three age categories addressed a range of consumer issues including scams, budgeting, online shopping, and buying a first car.
Among the first-place winners were St Dympna’s Primary School Year 6 students Meredith and Ruby whose entry featured an episode of a ‘talk show’ called The Daily Gossip.
The episode focused on the topic of shrinkflation, with Meredith and Ruby acting as hosts and highlighting examples from popular brands and encouraging viewers to pay closer attention to unit pricing.
Other creative entries in this year’s competition included a song about scams, a choose-your-own adventure book for online shopping and a stop motion film for teens buying their first car.
Carinity Education Southside – an alternative school for vulnerable girls – was awarded the Fair Trading Commissioner’s School Champion prize.
The school was awarded $1,500 for its sustained commitment to teaching consumer literacy to its students, including many who are experiencing a form of personal hardship.
See the full list of winners on the OFT website.
· Queensland Government announces new Tourism Cabinet Committee.
· The Committee places tourism front and centre for the new LNP State Government.
· Committee will meet for the first time next month, with a major focus on tourism productivity and delivery.
The Premier, David Crisafulli, has announced the establishment of a Tourism Cabinet Committee, which will drive tourism productivity and delivery for Queensland.
The announcement was made during the DestinationQ Conference today, held during the sector’s annual ‘Tourism Week’.
The Committee will deliver a cohesive approach to growing the Queensland tourism industry and remove the roadblocks previously preventing new tourism projects taking flight.
A 20-year tourism strategy for Queensland will also be a major focus of the Committee, which will monitor the development and delivery, including reviewing business cases for major tourism proposals.
Members of the Committee include:
· Minister for Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell (Chair)
· Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie
· Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last
· Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander
· Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg
· Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Tourism Cabinet Committee would help deliver a Fresh Start for Queensland and would ensure delivery of a new 20-year tourism strategy in partnership with industry.
“Work has already commenced on a 20-year tourism strategy outlined in our 100-day plan and this Tourism Cabinet Committee will be instrumental in delivering it,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“Tourism is one of State’s biggest exports and with many Queensland jobs relying on it, we must do more to deliver major new tourism projects for our state.
“Developing new tourism products, promoting them to the world and focusing on the future of the industry are keys to the continued growth and success of the sector.
“Ecotourism is one example of what we must do into the future, with projects including the Skyway in the Whitsundays and the Wangetti Trail in the Far North as key examples of what we should be working toward.
“These key portfolios brought together will allow us to drive over the roadblocks that have left tourism at a standstill under the previous government.”
The Queensland Government has announced a pause on the use of Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPICs) on new government funded construction projects to boost productivity.
Following through on its election commitment, the Government will introduce legislation to re-establish the Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) by the end of 2024, with its first order of business a review of the Queensland building industry.
Until the review has occurred and the government has responded, BPICs will be paused, stemming budget blowouts and the flow-on impacts to the broader construction market in Queensland, and ultimately the cost of living for homeowners and renters.
It follows revelations from Treasury modelling if BPIC continued in its current form, Queenslanders would pay an additional 7% rent over the next five years and 22,000 homes would not be built across the State.
The pause announced today will apply to new projects and those that have not yet reached procurement stage. There may be opportunities for existing projects to improve productivity with the suspension.
This is part of the Queensland Government’s commitment to boost productivity and deliver projects on time and on budget.
BPICs have applied to government construction projects costing more than $100m and set conditions on employment terms. BPICs require the prequalification of contractors and subcontractors before being able to undertake major government project work, limiting the pool of available contractors and sub-contractors.
Industry critics said BPICs create extra red tape and distorts procurement outcomes, contributing to increased costs and reduced market competition.
The pause aims to lower the cost of doing business in Queensland. Safety outcomes will not be compromised.
Best practice workplace health and safety systems and standards and best practice commitment to apprentices and trainees will continue to remain in force.
Independent economic modelling by Queensland Treasury over 2024-30 estimates BPICs are likely to increase project costs by up to 25 per cent and create a net economic cost of up to $17.1 billion.
As well as major general infrastructure projects like hospitals, roads and rail, BPICs were also extended over future renewable energy projects.
The Government is focused on delivering regulatory efficiency, while protecting worker safety, fair pay, contract compliance and boosting workplace productivity.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said BPICs have had a significant impact on productivity and labour capacity and have resulted in delays on government-funded major projects.
“We need to urgently control the cost blow-outs of government-funded construction projects, which ultimately hits the hip-pockets of Queensland families and businesses,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“Queenslanders shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of this which is why we’ve ordered this pause and review.
“It will also give sub-contractors, especially small and family businesses and regional firms, a greater chance of securing work on government projects, without all the costs and time involved in having to gain unnecessary prequalification.”
Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said not only would BPICs impact housing, but they would also impact energy projects.
“Independent Treasury modelling shows Queenslanders will pay more to rent a home and there will be fewer homes built in our state under the current BPIC conditions, it would be irresponsible to ignore this advice in the face of a housing crisis,” Minister O’Connor said.
“If BPICs were to continue, they would also apply to energy and storage projects implemented by Government Owned Corporations, placing upward pressure on electricity prices and household cost of living.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said pausing BPICs would allow for new projects to go ahead without additional overheads, while the QPC review is carried out.
“The cost of delivering critical road and rail projects that are needed to deliver the infrastructure our growing State needs will be reined in,” Minister Mickelberg said.
“We will honour existing contracts and work with industry as best as we can to help deliver those on time and on budget.”
More information about BPIC is available at: Supporting Best Practice Principles | Department of Energy and Climate
Local councils will receive a share in more than $13 million to help boost recycling rates thanks to the Queensland Government’s Let’s Get It Sorted Partnership Program.
Announced by Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell while inspecting the new Sunshine Coast Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Nambour for National Recycling Week today, the program provides councils with a framework, tools, and funding to help improve household recycling habits and tackle littering and illegal waste issues.
The first tranche of the program, funded by Queensland’s waste levy as part of the Recycling and Jobs Fund, will see $7.15 million go to 26 councils and two Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs), with applications still open to apply for further funding.
While onsite at the MRF, Minister Powell encouraged Queenslanders to get involved with National Recycling Week by ensuring they keep recyclables loose in their yellow-lid bins and using resources like Recycle Mate, B-cycle, and mobile muster for disposal information.
The Let’s Get It Sorted Partnership Program is part of the Queensland Government’s drive to establish a zero-waste society within a circular economy by 2050.
A state-of-the-art facility, the Nambour MRF is operated by Sunshine Coast Council and was funded through an agreement between all levels of government, with $21.9 million from the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund, $13.5 million from Council and a $5.1 million joint contribution from Australian and Queensland governments under the Queensland Recycling Modernisation Fund.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, and Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said the Let’s Get it Sorted program was designed to reduce litter and boost recycling rates.
“Avoiding waste and reusing and recycling gives us cleaner environments, healthier ecosystems, green jobs, and stimulates our economy,” Minister Powell said.
“It also conserves our natural resources, helping to protect Queensland's incredible natural beauty and our outstanding quality of life.
“That’s why we’re helping local councils to boost recycling rates, and why I’m saying Let’s Get it Sorted this National Recycling Week, Queensland, by paying attention to what goes into our recycling bin after first reducing and reusing materials wherever possible.”
Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor, Cr Tim Burns, said the Council was appreciative of the Queensland Government’s support through the grant.
“This funding will significantly enhance our waste education and recycling initiatives, helping us to create a cleaner and more sustainable community.
“With this support, we can engage more effectively with our community on how to recycle the right way as well as providing clear messages about the correct way to use a garden organics bin.
“This will be done through a bin inspection program, and by connecting with our community though local events.
“By recycling correctly, we contribute to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Sunshine Coast.”
The Queensland Ministerial Housing Taskforce has convened its first meeting, after being constituted during Monday’s meeting of Cabinet, less than a week after Minsters were sworn into their portfolios.
The Taskforce will be responsible for bringing together the major housing portfolios of government to streamline and remove the roadblocks for new housing to be delivered.
The major focuses of the Ministerial Housing Taskforce includes:
The Taskforce will be chaired by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie and attended by the Treasurer and Minister for Home Ownership, David Janetzki, Minister for Local Government, Ann Leahy, and Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Jarrod Bleijie said the Ministerial Housing Taskforce would be instrumental in securing Queensland’s housing foundations.
“Queenslanders voted for a Fresh Start and the Crisafulli Government is doing just that with our commitment to deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders,” Mr Bleijie said.
“The Ministerial Housing Taskforce will bring together Ministers with responsibility for housing to ensure we streamline the process and remove any roadblocks to delivering one million homes in the coming two decades.
“After years of Labor’s Housing Crisis, the Crisafulli Government will secure our housing foundations.
“The Taskforce will be laser-focused on delivering housing supply after the number of new homes plummet under the former Labor Government.
“We will also work closely with the community housing sector and local government to remove the roadblocks that are locking Queenslanders out of homes.
“This work will also help funnel our $2 billion housing infrastructure fund to where it is needed to kick-start new housing developments.”
Ministers in the new Crisafulli Government will be held accountable to delivering a Fresh Start for Queensland, with their Charter Letters handed down by Premier David Crisafulli today.
The letters have instructed the Ministers to implement The Right Plan for Queensland’s Future and reminded them of their commitment to Queenslanders to deliver the priorities of the new Ministry.
Premier Crisafulli emphasised the importance of being focused, disciplined, and united as the Ministers work on the deliverables of their respective portfolios.
He has the reiterated the key commitments to:
Premier David Crisafulli said Ministers would be held accountable to their Charter Letters, which outlined how the government would deliver on the commitments made to Queenslanders.
“Our Government has a plan for the first month of office, for the rest of this year, for the first 100 days, and for the next four years, and these Charter Letters ensure Minsters are focused on that plan,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“We promised a government that worked for Queenslanders and I have tasked my Ministers to do exactly that.
“Queenslanders voted for a Fresh Start and this is one of the first steps in delivering that change for our state.
“I expect every Minister to be accountable as they implement the deliverables of their portfolios and to uphold the values of government as they go about their business.
“We have been given the incredible privilege of serving the people of Queensland, and our Government will continue to work every day to drive this great state forward.”
Charter Letters are available to view here.
The Crisafulli Government has taken the first steps toward fixing the Miles Government’s DNA debacle, appointing forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright to undertake a review of Queensland’s DNA testing operations.
Dr Wright, who exposed critical failings with the forensic testing of samples in thousands of cases that resulted in two separate Commissions of Inquiry, will undertake an extensive assessment of the progress of reforms and examine the progress of the testing of samples related to historic cases.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, Deb Frecklington said the appointment of Dr Wright was part of the Fresh Start Queenslanders had voted for.
“Dr Wright is not only an expert in her field, she is courageous and fearless with impeccable credentials,” Minister Frecklington said.
“That makes her the best person to undertake this review, which is essential for ensuring justice is achieved in every case involving DNA evidence.
“Dr Wright led an international team of DNA specialists identifying Thai tsunami victims, was manager of the National DNA Database during a national expansion and has worked in academia for more than a decade.
“She currently works for the Australian Army developing forensic capability for counter-terrorism and national security needs.”
The first Commission of Inquiry in 2022, under former Queensland Court of Appeal President, Walter Sofronoff KC, found many DNA samples went untested and others were incorrectly ruled to contain insufficient DNA to justify further forensic testing.
The second inquiry in 2023 under former Federal Court judge Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC found an automated extraction method yielded up to 92 per cent less DNA than the previously used manual technique.
“We promised Queenslanders if elected we would immediately act to address Labor’s serious failings to deliver justice for victims of crime,” she said.
“Appointing Dr Wright in the first week since being sworn in should give Queenslanders faith I am committed to delivering the reform desperately needed.
“The hardworking staff at FSQ perform an invaluable role in our justice system and should be supported with the appropriate resources and procedures to allow them to get on with their job.”
Dr Wright's findings and recommendations will be reported to the Government mid-next year.
The Crisafulli Government has taken the first step to restore safety where you live, instructing the Department of Justice to begin preparing the Making Queensland Safer Laws.
The legislation, which will be enacted before year end, will include Adult Crime, Adult Time, remove Detention as a last resort and put the rights of victims ahead of offenders.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity, Deb Frecklington, said the new laws were the Government's first legislative priority, to ensure Queenslanders could feel safe in their homes and businesses.
“We promised Queenslanders we would take immediate action to restore community safety and that’s exactly what we’ve done,” Minister Frecklington said.
“Communities across Queensland were let down by the former Labor Government, who weakened youth justice laws, creating a Youth Crime Crisis.
“These laws are the first step in restoring safety where you live.”
Minister for Youth Justice and Victim Support and Minister for Corrective Services, Laura Gerber, said strong laws were the first step in protecting Queenslanders from becoming victims of crime.
“Queenslanders voted for a fresh start and Adult Crime, Adult Time is a key part of that,” Minister Gerber said.
“These laws will help keep dangerous offenders off our streets and finally raise the rights of victims ahead of the rights of offenders.
“These laws will also empower the court to consider an offender’s full criminal history when sentencing.
“They fulfil our commitment to victims that the Crisafulli Government would waste no time strengthening youth justice laws to restore safety where you live.”
