Valley cameras ‘won’t stop crime’

Closed circuit television cameras with speakers installed in Fortitude Valley and the CBD will have no real effect on crime, according to a leading criminologist, while civil libertarians are concerned about invasions of privacy. Bond University criminology professor Paul Wilson said research showed CCTV cameras did not prevent crime. “It may be good at detecting offenders, but it doesn’t lead to reduced alcohol or drug offenders’ crime – that’s the... Read More

Building workers rally in city

Hundreds of angry construction workers have marched on the Commonwealth Law Courts building to protest over contracts. In their second major protest this year the workers took action yesterday against alleged sham contracting in the construction industry. About 500 workers from four unions stopped work to protest the court’s recent finding against them, as well as new evidence from an independent investigation. Workers were from the Plumbers’ Union, Electrical Trades Union,... Read More

Foreign crime gang targets Queenslanders

A foreign crime organisation is targeting cashed-up people in Queensland, armed with knowledge of their annual salaries and personal details. A senior fraud police officer said this week the criminal cell was using information they bought over the internet from marketing companies. The information is used to identify individuals who are then conned into sending money to a fraudulent offshore investment scheme. Fraud and Corporate Crime Detective Superintendent Brian Hay said... Read More

Ebony shows it’s important to care

Recognised for her services to the elderly, 22-year-old Ebony Ryan of Taringa is in the running to be awarded the title of Queensland Young Volunteer. She spends 12 hours a week volunteering for Blue Care where she has three elderly charges. Every Thursday Ebony can be found with Ellen (pictured left with Ebony), one of her “ladies” as she affectionately calls them, drinking coffee, eating biscuits and chatting. When asked what they talk about Ebony smiles: “her... Read More

At least 87 dead in Norway massacre

At least 87 people are confirmed dead in the worst attack on Norway’s soil since World War II, with the number expected to rise. A bomb that exploded outside Oslo’s government quarter yesterday has so far claimed the lives of seven people and injured many more. Shortly afterward the blasts a man posing as a police officer entered a Social Democrat youth camp on Utøya and opened fire with an automatic weapon, killing 80 people – mostly teenagers aged between... Read More

Explosions rock Oslo

Two powerful explosions have rocked Oslo’s government-quarter and forced the evacuation of Norway’s prime minister Jens Stoltenberg. At least eight people have been confirmed injured in the apparent terrorist attack. Smoke is said to have engulfed the area after the first bomb exploded at 3:20pm local time. “It blew up like hell,” one eye-witness told Newsbytes. “There’s glass everywhere…It looks like it could be a car bomb. There’s... Read More

Dress down to get stress down

It’s a day all about relieving stress, where you’re encouraged to wear slippers to the office in an effort to boost morale. You may even decide to wear a poncho, or a red hat with bright orange socks. Whatever outfit you decide, it won’t matter. You will be letting the world know you’re taking part in Lifeline’s fourth annual Stress Down Day on Friday 22nd July. Lifeline spokesman Brendan Maher said stress was a growing community issue needed more awareness.  “We... Read More

Celebrations for Queensland icon

Break out the sponge cake, chocolate icing and coconut tonight – it’s National Lamington Day! Australia celebrates its fifth National Lamington Day on 21st July, after the first day to honour the dessert was named in 2006. The lamington has had a rich and contentious history, New Zealand and Australia still arguing over who first invented the spongey dessert. But the controverial crumbs will be swept under the rug today as Australia celebrates the lamington, which... Read More

Health minister grilled over missing $62 million

A parliamentary estimates hearing scrutinised state Health Minister Geoff Wilson yesterday by about the missing $62 million in staff overpayments. The independent member for Gladstone Liz Cunningham questioned Mr Wilson on how staff could prove they were paid correctly, when the new payslips lacked the necessary detail. “It appears to me… they’re being required to meet a reverse onus of proof,” she said. “But the detail upon which they must base that... Read More

City gives Reds the royal treatment

Thousands of people packed Queen Street today to congratulate the Queensland Reds for their Super Rugby Grand Final win. Captain James Horwill (pictured with final try-scorer Will Genia on his right) thanked the crowd of fans who turned out and who stuck with Queensland through the tough years. “You’ve been amazing for the last couple of years,” he said. “It makes a massive difference to all the boys so thank you for turning out today.” The Premier, Lord Mayor and Minister... Read More

Queensland beats Canterbury to take Super Rugby glory

Both teams had come from areas of natural disasters this year, but in the end the Queensland Reds were victorious 18-13 over the Canterbury Crusaders in the Super Rugby grand final on Saturday night. In front of a sold-out crowd of 52,113, the Crusaders came out strong in a gutsy performance and held 60 percent possession in the first half. The sides fought tooth and nail and the match remained scoreless until Quade Cooper kicked a penalty goal after 32 minutes. Then three minutes... Read More

Review: Mrs Carey’s Concert

Preparations for a school concert will always be nerve-wracking for students and teachers alike. But when the big event is to be held at the Sydney Opera House and the music teacher is the determined, passionate Mrs Karen Carey, the potential for a riveting documentary is created. Mrs Carey’s Concert follows the teachers and students of Sydney’s Methodist Ladies College (MLC), an elite girls’ school with a strong music department. Although the lead-up to a concert... Read More

Maroons make it six in a row to farewell Lockyer in style

If ever there was a State of Origin match destined to live up to expectations this was the one. Darren Lockyer (pictured), the immortal in waiting, played his final Origin game and got the send-off he deserved as the Maroons romped home with a 34-24 win over New South Wales last night. It was the sixth straight series win for Queensland in the interstate rugby league contest, winning two games to one this year. Lockyer was at his vintage best dominating from the outset, plotting,... Read More

Reds down Blues in historic Super Rugby semi-final

The Reds continued their dominance of the Super Rugby competition last night, victorious over the Blues 30-13 in front of a sea of red at Suncorp Stadium. With a healthy attendance of 44,940, with only the southern top tier empty, the crowd were encouraged to repeat ”we are red, we are red” to support their union boys in their first final in 12 years. The first try at the eleventh minute set the mood for the game, with Reds’ wing rocket man Rod Davies intercepting... Read More