Bleak future for construction workers under Bligh

April 3rd, 2010

Construction and housing sector workers face a bleak future despite the empty rhetoric of Bligh and Labor’s ‘100,000 new jobs’ mantra, the LNP said today.

LNP Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Employment and Economic Development Tim Nicholls said figures released today by the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) painted a bleak picture of Queensland’s economic health.

“The construction and housing sector lost 20,000 full-time jobs between August 2008 and November 2009,” said Mr Nicholls.

“According to the latest UDIA figures the sector has shed a further 4200 jobs, which in some regions represents more than 50 per cent of the workforce.

“This represents a real human tragedy for those who were duped at the last state election by Anna Bligh’s claims that a re-elected Labor government would create 100,000 new jobs. Read More…

More confusion as Premier stands on Minister’s toes

March 17th, 2010

The Premier has caused more confusion for councils and residents by weighing in on the development debate in South East Queensland.

LNP Spokesman for Infrastructure and Planning David Gibson said the Premier’s decision to rein in her Minister had just made matters worse.

“A month ago the Minister was all for duplex developments in tin and timber suburbs, but now the Premier has announced Go and No Go zones across South East Queensland,” Mr Gibson said. Read More…

Waiting, waiting, gone

March 16th, 2010

QUEENSLANDERS will be waiting a long time for Godot after yet another international stage production has been forced to bypass Brisbane, the LNP said today.

Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the British stage production Waiting for Godot, labelled one of the biggest international plays of the year and starring Ian McKellen has been forced to bypass Brisbane due to a lack of venues.

“This is yet another example of Queensland’s art community suffering from the Bligh Labor government’s inability to plan for the future,” said Mr Langbroek. Read More…

Recognising grandparents as carers

March 10th, 2010

Private Members Bill Title - Seniors Recognition (Grandparents Providing Care) Bill 2010

Date introduced into Parliament - 10 March 2010

Reasons for the Bill -

• To implement a legislative framework that recognises the contribution of grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren.
•  To provide a mechanism to allow this recognition to be used as part of a decision-making process, ensuring that when decisions are made by authorities on issues that directly affect grandparents providing care or their grandchildren, there is a framework to assist this decision-making.
• To establish the Grandparent Carer’s Charter, which sets out the contributions of grandparents providing care, the importance of consideration of grandparents in decision-making, and the unique place they hold in our community.

The situation in which grandparents are primary carers for their grandchildren is increasing, and now accounts for more than 1 per cent of families across Australia, and more than 30 000 children.

While community-based support groups are available across the State, the status of grandparents providing care is not defined.  As family members who step in to become the immediate family of children, and who provide for, care for and love their grandchildren, and raise them through formative years, grandparents providing care deserve the recognition of the Parliament and the community for the work they do.

Recognition also requires a promise to consider the affects of decisions on grandparents providing care and their grandchildren. The Bill introduces a Charter to provide recognition for grandparent carers, and the framework to support consideration of the Charter in the making of relevant decisions.

The Charter

 Because—

the Parliament recognises that grandparents who provide accommodation and care for their grandchildren make a significant contribution to the lives of their grandchildren and deserve respect and support for their roles as full-time carers; this Act establishes the following Grandparent Carers Charter—

1. The State recognises the effort and dedication of grandparents in our community and the vital community service they perform.
2. The State recognises that grandparents who provide full-time care to their grandchildren are primary care givers and deserve the same rights as other primary care givers.
3. The relationship between grandparent and grandchild should be honoured and respected.
4. Grandparents providing full-time care to their grandchildren should be respected by our community and supported by all levels of government, institutions and organisations.
5. The views and needs of grandparents, providing full-time care to their grandchildren, should be taken into account, together with the views, needs and best interests of their grandchildren, when making decisions that may affect either the grandchild or the ability of the grandparent to provide full-time care.
6. Grandparents should be recognised for the unique knowledge, love and experience they contribute to their grandchildren’s growth through formative years.

Seniors Recognition (Grandparents Providing Care) Bill 2010

Second Reading of the Bill