Former premier calls for cuts to state governments

Former NSW premier Bob Carr has called for a drastic reduction in the size of state governments. Mr Carr said governments at state level should have no more than five ministers, while MPs should work part-time. Speaking on the ABC’s “Q&A” program, Mr Carr said states had “lost an awful lot of power in the last 20 years”, with the result that “within 10 to 15 years the states are going to have markedly little to do”. “I would... Read More

Flegg bullies government over school abuse

More Government action was needed to stop school bullying, shadow education minister Bruce Flegg said yesterday. Education Minister Geoff Wilson announced last week the federal government had agreed to support Queensland’s proposal of a National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence to be held on the third Friday in March each year. Dr Flegg said while he supported the state Government’s plan to raise awareness of the issue it was by no means a solution. “It’s... Read More

Wilson attacks teachers’ test ban

The Queensland Government yesterday stepped up its attack on the Queensland Teachers’ Union for their proposed moratorium on the upcoming national literacy and numeracy tests (NAPLAN). Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said he had lodged a dispute notice with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission over the union’s decision to place a ban on its members administering the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy tests in May. The union... Read More

Review: The Tasmanian Babes Fiasco

Brisbane Arts Theatre This is a raucous play about the depraved and crazy antics of a flatshare in Brisbane. Designer Richard Hunt has done extremely well in setting the predictable scene of the housemates’ living room. Posters of bands line the walls, empty bottles of alcohol are stacked everywhere, random junk lies strewn around and in the midst of it all is an old worn-out couch. Shaun King as author John Birmingham guides the audience through the two-hour play, retelling... Read More

Tosa Mitsuatsu’s byobu screens

When Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji a millennium ago, he probably didn’t expect to be lauded in the 21st Century as the author of the world’s first novel. Nor would the Japanese novelist have foreseen his Casanova-like character’s tales depicted on large scale artworks in faraway lands. The Queensland State Art Gallery is currently showing Tosa Mitsuatsu’s depiction of Genji Monogatari on byobu folding screens. Byobu (屏風) literally means... Read More

Hats hats hats at QAG

Hats, hats and more hats, in every shape, style, colour and size imaginable. If this sounds like your idea of heaven then head to the Queensland Art Gallery, where the exhibition Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones, is currently running. The exhibition is a collaboration between London’s Victoria and Albert museum and one of the world’s leading milliners, Stephen Jones. It explores the art of millinery, from inspiration and creation of the hat, to the client who carries the... Read More

Garden gnome chess and giant scrabble

Garden gnome chess and giant scrabble are part of a council-supported Games Night in King George Square. Run on the last Thursday of each month, the free event kicked off yesterday with giant scrabble as the main attraction. Game lovers also played cards, chess and Connect Four on the tables provided. Organiser Amy Saunders started the social event to bring people from different backgrounds together with simple games. “So many different people can play them,” she said. Next... Read More

Hawkins praises plus-size models

Jschool student Avelima Eliepa quizzes Jennifer Hawkins, while fellow student Anthony Gough takes notes. Jennifer Hawkins was a big hit in Queen Street yesterday where she modeled Myer’s new Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. The featured designers included Bettina Liano, Wayne Cooper, Cooper Street, and Manning Cartell, just to name a few. Shoppers crowded into Myer to watch the fashion show, which included plus sized models for the T14 plus size range. “I thought that the... Read More

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