Queensland’s marine fatalities toll was the worst on record last year, with 20 deaths and 24 people suffering serious injury. Opposition transport spokesman Fiona Simpson says the State Government doesn’t have enough water police on duty and there should be more education for boat users. The figures are revealed in Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ) annual […]

The man who challenged the Rudd Government in the High Court over the constitutional legality of the $900 economic stimulus bonus will continue his campaign to “fix the federation” by standing as a Senate candidate in next month’s federal election. Law lecturer and former barrister Bryan Pape (pictured) told Newsbytes today he would file his […]

RSPCA Queensland recently began an e-petititon to the Queensland Government to enact a Breeders Code of Practice and a Pet Shop Code of Practice to help stop illegal puppy farming. The animal welfare organisation also wanted the Government to introduce compulsory licensing and regular monitoring of companion animal breeding operations so they comply with the […]

Australian Greens leader Senator Bob Brown said this week a law means political parties must discuss preferences for the Senate. However, there is no such law. In an interview with the ABC’s chief political correspondent, Lyndal Curtis, on Monday, Mr Brown said the law existed. He said “[T]here is a requirement in the Senate by […]

With the federal election set for August 21, each major party has come up with a slogan to represent them throughout the election campaign. But the Labor Party’s “Moving Forward” and the Liberal’s “Real Action” catchphrases have attracted criticism for being simplistic and condescending. Prime Minister Julia Gillard defended her party’s slogan on the ABC’s […]

Two election candidates rejected Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s policy on asylum-seekers at a rally in Brisbane on Friday. Greens candidate for the seat of Brisbane Andrew Bartlett (pictured) said people were very disappointed at how badly they had been let down by the ALP Government. He said substantial, genuine change meant shifting votes away from […]

The introduction of zero-alcohol limits for novice drivers of any age has been welcomed by Queensland’s motoring body, the RACQ. The tough new laws, which came into effect last month, prohibit all learner and provisional licence holders, and all restricted (RE) motorcycle licence holders in their first year of riding, from driving after consuming any […]

Brisbane City Council should “come clean” on revenue raised from water charges, Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser said last week. Mr Fraser said the Council should tell Brisbane residents what they planned to do with the recent average increase of $107 per water bill. “Only $44 of that amount is due to increases in State bulk […]

The “sexy piece of infrastructure” that is light rail will be critical in securing the 2018 Commonwealth Games for the Gold Coast, according to Queensland government architect Phillip Follent. While the event is still eight years away and preparation in its early stages, Mr Follent (pictured) said light rail, with correct planning and infrastructure, had […]

Nicole Johnston sits alone at the front bench on the opposition side of the Brisbane City Council chamber. She is like a naughty girl forced to sit in front of the headmistress. The council’s headmistress is chairman Margaret de Wit, who has twice this year thrown Cr Johnston out of meetings after clashes and warnings. […]

Brisbane City Council voted on Tuesday to remove building restrictions on hundreds of houses in Camp Hill, although it faced opposition from the Opposition. Following the decision, more than 500 homes in the area will be removed from Brisbane’s Demolition Control Precinct (DCP), lifting restrictions on building and renovating that previously ensured new homes maintained […]

Controversy over the new Graceville community garden continued to rage at last week’s Brisbane City Council meeting, with rebel councillor Nicole Johnston repeatedly asking the administration to table a report on the garden. The 33-page report was funded by Council and prepared by the Benarrawa group, a small community-managed organisation based in Graceville which supported […]

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through the city on Friday night protesting against the deaths of 10 people when Israeli commandos boarded a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and activists to the Gaza Strip. The march followed a similar gathering on Tuesday night. Organiser of the two protest marches, Justice for Palestine’s Kathryn Zahran, said Australia […]

Brisbane City Council today signed an historic agreement with the Shingle Inn to recreate its original shop in City Hall. The original booths, windows and silverware have been saved from the iconic Shingle Inn (pictured left), which operated at its Edward Street address from 1936 to 2002. They will now be unpacked to form part […]

In a fiery exchange at today’s Brisbane City Council meeting, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman attacked the Opposition over the $6,000 bottles of Grange consumed by the previous administration and demanded an apology. “The leader of the opposition’s comments were in the paper, they were a lie, and they have not been withdrawn and I’m quite […]