Labor claims secrecy on city plan

The city council administration is keeping information about changes to the new city plan secret, Opposition and independent councillors claimed at yesterday’s council meeting. Opposition leader Milton Dick asked the Lord Mayor what changes were being made to the plan after chair of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment committee Cr Amanda Cooper revealed the State Government had made recommendations. But Lord Mayor Graham Quirk implied the information... Read More

Quirk promises ‘no trickery’ in council budget

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has promised there will be no “trickery” in the forthcoming budget for Brisbane city. Opposition leader Milton Dick accused the Lord Mayor of tricking ratepayers by re-announcing existing projects in the budget. “Why are you treating ratepayers with such contempt?” Cr Dick asked. But Cr Quirk told today’s council meeting re-announcements of existing projects, such as the Open Level Crossing Projects at Robinson Road in Geebung and Telegraph... Read More

Football fever urged on Brisbane

People of Brisbane city should show their colours and team spirit this football season, according to Lord Mayor Graham Quirk With the first State of Origin clash next Wednesday, Cr Quirk said Brisbane should embrace the month of June and the football season. “What we are calling on people to do is to show their colours, and it doesn’t matter what colour they may be following, what football team they may be supporting, we are asking businesses, individuals, hotels, restaurants,... Read More

10 new schools for south-east Queensland

Queensland’s south-east will gain 10 new schools, while nine face the axe. Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek told parliament today the government would build 10 schools in “growth hot spots” including growth belts south of Ipswich and in Brisbane’s outer north. The schools will be built in a public-private partnership, with companies invited to bid for the contracts. There will be two secondary schools and eight primary schools. Mr Langbroek said the... Read More

150 years since Pacific Islanders arrived

Events will be held across Brisbane this August to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Australian South Sea Islanders’ arrival in Australia. In an address to Brisbane City Council this week, spokesperson Jeanette Kirk spoke of the troubled past of the South Sea Island people, known as Kanakas. When she asked for a show of hands from councillors as to who knew the significance of 2013 to her people, less than half in the chamber raised their hands. “2013 is the commemoration... Read More

Community groups call for end to domestic violence

Passionate community groups and talented young performers gathered in Brisbane yesterday to promote awareness of domestic family violence. It was a part of domestic violence prevention month. The Queen Street event, called “Out of the Shadows”, drew attention to the suffering of children and young adults as a result of abuse within families. A variety of stalls provided fact sheets and information pamphlets and treats. A member of a young women’s shelter group,... Read More

Mayor defends overseas trips

Overseas trips by councillors were slammed as an extravagance at today’s Brisbane City Council meeting. Opposition leader Milton Dick asked the Lord Mayor to guarantee that ratepayers would not be subject to increasing overseas travel costs for LNP councillors. He said overseas trips were an extravagance the Brisbane City Council could not afford, given the council’s “difficult financial circumstances”. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said ratepayer-funded overseas trips were... Read More

Swan accuses Opposition of fear-mongering

Treasurer Wayne Swan has dismissed Opposition concerns over budget debt as “fiscal fear-mongering”. Speaking during a fiery question time today Mr Swan also compared the Opposition to the Tea Party in the United States. Mr Swan levelled the accusations at shadow treasurer Joe Hockey when responding to repeated questions about the level of peak gross debt in last night’s budget. Mr Hockey asked whether the $300 billion gross debt cap would be raised, given the projected gross... Read More

Review: A Streetcar Named Desire

New Farm Nash TheatreShuffles were seen from the audience as they leant forward in their seats, waiting in awe for that historic cry. “STELLAAAAAAA!” cried the slick Stanley, played by Tristan Ozinga. With a great, powerful scream, ears trembled and eyes widened. Would Stella take back her beloved Stanley? A cast of 10 brings Tennessee William’s mid-20th century U.S. classic to life through director, Brenda White’s dramatic play at Nash Theatre. It tells the... Read More

Protest at sex clinic cuts

Federal Labor this week joined the fight against a Queensland government decision to cut 32 staff from the Brisbane Sexual Health Clinic at Biala House in Roma Street. Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (pictured) and parliamentary health secretary Shayne Neumann voiced their anger on Tuesday night at a meeting organised by the Queensland Nurses Union. Hundreds of people attended the meeting at the Wickham Hotel, Fortitude Valley. Many wore badges saying “Hands off our sexual... Read More

Empty chairs witness 18 domestic violence victims

Eighteen empty chairs symbolising the 16 Queensland women and two children who lost their lives last year to domestic violence captured the attention of onlookers at a Kangaroo Point candlelight ceremony on Wednesday night. On the two smaller, wooden chairs sat two teddy bears. The event, with guest speakers, a choir and candle lighting, launched the National Domestic and Family Violence Prevention month. Ann Rob told her story of the struggle to protect her younger sister and... Read More

Workplace equality ‘good for business’ – Kirby

Businesses which failed to support sexual equality in the workplace would lose staff, customers and profits, retired High Court Judge Michael Kirby has warned. Mr Kirby, 74, Australia’s longest serving judge, outlined his case to members of the Brisbane Gay and Lesbian Business Network last night. “Being an equality employer is not only the right thing to do, it’s good for business,” he said. “It’s good for the loyalty of your staff, and it is appreciated by straight... Read More

Modern obituaries put truth before praise

No longer just grim notifications of death, obituaries have become colourful features in newspapers around the world. Visiting British editor and writer Tim Bullamore (pictured) spoke this week of the evolution of obituaries in a lecture aptly titled “Obituaries to die for”. A classical music agent turned expert obituary writer, Mr Bullamore has written for a variety of major British newspapers including The Times and The Daily Telegraph. Many of his obituaries... Read More

News by Email