Most ‘Bringing them home’ recommendations ignored – indigenous leader

Only three of the 54 recommendations of the “Bringing Them Home” report have been implemented, an indigenous leader said yesterday. The Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, was tabled in the Federal Parliament 13 years ago on Wednesday. Speaking at the National Sorry Day Community BBQ at Kuril-dhagun at the State Library of Queensland, Reconciliation Queensland indigenous co-chair... Read More

Qld defeats NSW in first Origin clash

An unconvincing New South Wales came within four points of Queensland in last night’s State of Origin game. But questions remain about NSW’s final try, which was awarded by the video referee despite an apparent knock-on by scorer Ben Creagh. NSW’s Jared Hayne scored early, but Queensland soon equalised in the filthy, driving rain of the first half, which caused plenty of ball-handling errors. NSW scored a penalty goal soon afterwards but that was the last time... Read More

Graffiti artists spray court complex – and it’s all legal

A wide-smiling judge in flowing wig with uplifted gavel, and a square-eyed skull leering through the greenery are just two of the larger than life images tagging the building site of Brisbane’s new justice district. Project management and construction company Bovis Lend Lease, contracted skilled aerosol artists to add colour to the safety warnings on the extensive hoarding around the new legal precinct. Projects Engineer Raquel Tudor said that they were advised to contact Jugglers... Read More

Dogmatic councillors argue over who cleans up the mess

Pooper-scoopers became the subject of debate in a slanging match at yesterday’s Brisbane City Council meeting. It all began over who should take the blame for a simple Brisbane residential mapping error. Lord Mayor Campbell Newman, Opposition leader Shayne Sutton, and two other councillors spent 10 minutes pointing the finger over three Hamilton Road properties that were drawn in the wrong precinct. The properties – 420, 426 and 428 Hamilton Road – were incorrectly included... Read More

A century’s images of war

An exhibition at the Brisbane Powerhouse captures 100 years of war through the eyes of the photojournalist. Degree South: War uses images taken over nearly 100 years to look back, forward and sideways at the events of modern war. The exhibition shows that in the human aspect of combat there is no glory or glamour in war. These images record the impact of battle on all participants, civilian and military and show that under fire and in the thick of it even the most committed soldier’s... Read More

Music video contest picks winners

Brisbane’s world premiere Music Video Mash Up Competition came to a close last week as winners were announced at the Brisbane Powerhouse. The competition began on April 30 when 19 local bands and young filmmakers were randomly paired together and given three days to create a music video. The videos were revealed at the UQ Schonell theatre on May 10, where a crowd of 300 voted for the best video. MVMU organiser Dorian Ribeiro said all filmmakers and bands did a fantastic job. “I... Read More

12-storey blocks to replace timber houses at Kangaroo Pt

Kangaroo Point residents will meet on Thursday to discuss rezoning plans that would see high-density apartment blocks in the Raymond Park area. Local councillor Helen Abrahams said today the meeting will be held to provide details on the council’s plans, which could see old tin and timber houses in the area replaced by eight and 12-storey apartment buildings. “It’s a simple information meeting. We’re giving people the ability to know what others think,” she... Read More

West End parents win fight for school crossing

Half a million dollars will be allocated in the upcoming budget to improve pedestrian safety on West End’s busy Montague Road, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman promised today. The decision comes after local parent Linda Hogendoorn urged councillors to install a pedestrian crossing so residents and students of West End State School could safely cross the main road to access nearby Davies Park. During an impassioned speech in the Council Chamber this afternoon Mrs Hogendoorn (pictured... Read More

Qld unemployment too high – Langbroek

Queensland’s unemployment rate rose above the national average this month and not enough is being done about it, according to Opposition leader John-Paul Langbroek. Australian Bureau of Statistics show Queensland unemployment rose to 5.6 percent compared to a national average of 5.4 percent. Mr Langbroek said Ms Bligh’s election promise to create an extra 100,000 breadwinners was another lie and showed a lack of connection with Queenslanders. “The bottom line is the number... Read More

Cameraholics get their photographic fix [with video]

Hundreds of camera enthusiasts flocked to Brisbane this morning to get their photographic fix at Cameraholics’ Camera and Photographic Fair. Young and old gathered around tables stacked with cameras, lenses, flashes, enlargers and every other imaginable photography-related piece of equipment at the annual event. The Photographic Society of Queensland first held the event in 2000 and it now attracts large crowds and interstate stall-holders. Many of the items for sale predate... Read More

Brisbane dancer wins women’s half-marathon

More than 3000 runners and walkers, from the elite to the general public, turned out for the Noosa Running Festival at Noosa Sound on Sunday morning. Alexandra Headland’s professional triathlete Tim George, 22, led at the turnaround and was a popular local winner in a time of one hour ten minutes and 50 seconds. “I really enjoyed the crowd support and they let me know the gap distances along the way,” he said. He is an athlete to watch, having won the Men’s Open Elite... Read More

Parliament – 150 years of same old same old

Parliament House opened its doors to the public on Saturday to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Parliament in Queensland, but a peek into the history books reveals the more things change, the more they stay the same. When the then colony’s first Parliament opened on 22 May, 1860 it had two houses, no parties and only 26 members, but although some things have changed a lot in the past century and a half, the general principles of Parliament and the to-and-fro of politics... Read More

Angry locals demand heavy truck ban

Windsor residents want the Brisbane City Council to limit construction trucks to four-tonne and place chicanes in the street to ease traffic noise during the construction of the Airport Link. Victoria Street resident Stephen Pahl said locals also demanded the release of the Airport Link traffic management plan. At a rally last Sunday residents said the council had turned a blind eye to major traffic noise problems in the area. Local resident Stephen Pahl said the Council’s... Read More

Greens call for foreign aid boost

The Federal Government is facing calls to increase its foreign aid budget, despite having downgraded its aid target for the next financial year. Speaking at a forum in the Brisbane electorate of Bonner last week, Greens candidate Darryl Rosin and Make Poverty History national co-chair Andrew Hewett called on the Government to increase their aid target to 0.7 per cent of Australia’s gross national income (GNI). Australia is now committed to contributing 0.5 per cent of... Read More

Paniyiri Festival draws record crowds

Queenslanders flocked to the Paniyiri Festival in record numbers over the weekend to enjoy all things Greek. More than 75,000 people attended the two-day event compared to last year’s attendance of about 45,000. About 30,000 people went to the Festival on Saturday alone, a 40 percent increase on last year’s attendance for the same day, according to marketing consultant Lorraine Monsorte. Paniyiri, held annually to celebrate Greek culture, is in its 34th year in Brisbane.... Read More

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