Messenger shoots media, Springborg

Former Liberal National Party (LNP) MP Rob Messenger yesterday called for the resignation of LNP deputy leader Lawrence Springborg and defended himself against claims he misused taxpayer funds. Mr Messenger said Mr Springborg played a prominent role in the publication of a story in the Courier-Mail last week which suggested he used his parliamentary travel allowance to pursue a personal relationship. “The member for Southern Downs (Mr Springborg) and his staff have overstepped... Read More

Bias in mobile phone study affected cancer link – expert

The largest international study carried out to date into mobile phones and brain cancer found no conclusive evidence of a link between the two. The University of Sydney’s lead Australian author of the Interphone study Professor Bruce Armstrong said some bias within the study meant a definitive link could not be proven. “My take on the Interphone study is that yes we do have some suggestions of an increased risk but we cannot confidently say there is or isn’t a risk on the... Read More

Queensland has ‘toughest youth justice system’

Opposition criticisms of the youth justice system were branded as “scandalous mistruths” today by Queensland Minister for Community Services and Housing Karen Struthers. Opposition deputy leader Lawrence Springborg said yesterday a youth who committed 19 property offences while on bail for grievous bodily harm would not serve a single day in detention. “This young criminal and serial violent offender just received two years probation and 50 hours community service,”... Read More

Hurricane Katrina influences $315m Redcliffe bridge design

The Ted Smout memorial bridge as part of the Houghton highway duplication will open on July 11, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told Parliament today. The 2.7km, $315 million dollar bridge, named after First World War veteran Ted Smout, will improve the link between Brisbane and Redcliffe. Ms Bligh said lessons learnt from Hurricane Katrina influenced the design of the bridge which was built to withstand a 1 in 2000 year storm, the first of its kind in Australia. Ms Bligh said the... Read More

Births, deaths and marriages to go digital

Plans to digitalise six million records relating to births, deaths and marriages in Queensland were announced in Parliament yesterday by Attorney-General Cameron Dick. Mr Dick said that it was a significant milestone. “It fulfils a commitment made in last year’s budget when the government committed $20.8 million over five years to digitalise paper records,” he said. With this program of work any Queenslander who applies for a birth, death or marriage certificate will have... Read More

Big bore ready to start work

Two imported tunnel-boring machines will be ready to start work on the Airport Link tunnel in July. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh told parliament today 80 workers were assembling the boring-machines, which arrived from Germany late last year. “This assembly work has been ongoing since November 2009, and these two massive drills are now ready to get to work,” Ms Bligh said. “In coming weeks the 12.48-metre-wide cutter head- the biggest ever used in this country-... Read More

Johnston denies acting violently towards fellow councillor

Suspended LNP councillor Nicole Johnston tonight strongly denied allegations she acted violently towards Cr Ian McKenzie, who sits beside her at Tuesday meetings in the council chamber. She said such claims were “unsubstantiated”. Cr Johnston, who was suspended from the LNP in March for alleged gross disloyalty to her party, said she only learned late this morning that a formal letter of complaint had been made against her by Cr McKenzie. “At this point I’ve only... Read More

LNP defector claims party boss swore, demanded money

Queensland Liberal National Party defector Aidan McLindon today released details of a volatile disciplinary meeting in which he claims he was ordered to pay $12,000 to the LNP secretariat and had to face “abusive and intimidating confrontations”. [WARNING: strong language follows] Mr McLindon, MP for Beaudesert, said the meeting occurred in February as a result of his disparaging comments in the media about deputy leader Lawrence Springborg, and a failed tilt at the... Read More

Move to ban sales of pets from shops

The Pet Industry Association of Australia said a petition calling for the sale of cats and dogs to be banned in pet shops was poorly researched and unfairly targeted retailers. An e-petition before the Queensland Parliament is calling on the government to prohibit the sale of household pets in stores on the grounds it is inhumane and cruel. The formal request also suggested pet store sales encouraged “impulsive, reckless purchases” and resulted in thousands of dumped cats... Read More

Body art carnivale a sensory feast

There was standing room only as intricately painted human canvasses paraded for an enthusiastic audience at the prize-giving of the “Australian Body Art Carnivale” in Eumundi at the weekend. Organiser Danielle Taylor said it was the pre-eminent, largest body art show in Australia. In its third year, the Eumundi spectacle has human body art competitions as the core of the festival’s attractions and lived up to its billing as “a feast for the senses”. With... Read More

RACQ supports $152 licences for Qld motorists

The RACQ supports the new “smart licences” for Queensland drivers — despite the high cost. A five-year driver’s licence that today costs $73.30 will cost $152.50 in 2014-15. RACQ spokesman Jim Kershaw said the motoring organisation welcomed the new cards despite the price hike. He said the technology was long overdue. “At least the cost is a one-off every five years, unlike rego and petrol costs,” he said. Mr Kershaw said it was too early to gauge public... Read More

Airport link trucks make street ‘unliveable’

Windsor residents have attacked Brisbane City deputy mayor Graham Quirk for refusing to attend a rally to discuss claims the airport link construction traffic has made their street unliveable.   Windsor resident Stephen Pahl appealed to the Brisbane Council meeting last week for action after outlining major noise issues with heavy construction traffic in Victoria Street, Windsor. Mr Phal said he delivered the speech to council after a petition with 29 signatures from the 43... Read More

Gateway popularity causes computer crash

The popularity of yesterday’s second Gateway Bridge opening extended into cyberspace, causing the official website to crash more than 12 hours before the event. Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace confirmed the system crashed on Saturday night. The site went into meltdown when last-minute visitors tried to register for the event to assist the government public transport strategy. When the website did return online about 6.30am on Sunday a message appeared encouraging people to... Read More

Bridge toll too high: poll

Sir Leo Hielscher at today's naming of the Hielscher bridgesThe rise in tolls for the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges was too expensive, two out of three respondents to a NewsBytes survey said today. The toll for the bridges will rise to $3.85 for a private car on July 1. In a poll of 100 people at the opening of the second bridge, 67 said the new toll was too expensive, 34 said it was reasonable and only one person said it was cheap compared to other cities. Main Roads Minister... Read More

Hundreds of thousands celebrate second Gateway [with video]

The second Gateway Bridge was showcased to the public for the first time today, with thousands coming to see the bridge and be present for the official naming ceremony. Event organiser Kath Rose said 200,000 people came to walk on the new bridge, equalling the number of visitors who came to see the original Gateway Bridge open in 1986. Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace said people had turned up in record numbers to the Queensland Government’s newest piece of transport... Read More

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