Articles etc.

[SurfRail]

As appallingly silly as this is, I at least find it heartening that he has knifed himself without hesitation.  I cannot imagine this happening under Bligh or Beattie, and speaks to some amount of "honour", for what that word is worth now.

Somebody may be able to confirm, but I believe Fraser made one of his ministers fall on his sword for not declaring something at Customs!  (To be expected after the activities of a certain Mr Cairns and Mr Connor came to light in preceding years...)

[Stillwater]

The teddy bear affair! 

CanDo wants to distinguish his government from Bligh.  Mr Gibson has paid a high price, but the government's integrity is strengthened.  His departure means one less person fighting for the SCL duplication within the ministry. 

[Fares_Fair]

Indeed.

[somebody]

I find this a bit petty.

Perhaps being such a goose as to have not paid the speeding fine is a reason to ask for his resignation, but otherwise, people do make mistakes and there is no evidence in the article to suggest he knew that his licence was suspended.

The federal travel rorts affair was pretty petty also.

They should never have accepted David Campbell's resignation in NSW either.  He didn't actually break any rules in that case.

[Fares_Fair]

Great news for the Sunshine Coast ...
Glen Elmes MP (Noosa) to be Minister for Aboriginal and Islander and Multicultural Affairs.

[Jonno]

I find this a bit petty.

Perhaps being such a goose as to have not paid the speeding fine is a reason to ask for his resignation, but otherwise, people do make mistakes and there is no evidence in the article to suggest he knew that his licence was suspended.

The federal travel rorts affair was pretty petty also.

They should never have accepted David Campbell's resignation in NSW either.  He didn't actually break any rules in that case.

I am more concerned that as a society we just accept that speeding (our roads are safe enough...cr%p), killing 1500+ people and mainming 100's each year is just "A part of modern life".    Yes the Police Minister (and any other Minister) MUST fall on his sword if they break the law!!!" otherwise it sends the message "Oh Speeding is not such a Bad Thing"

[Mr X]

Good. Bligh never did this when her ministers stuffed up. Struthers, Schwarten, Lucas and Robertson, anyone? 

[Cam]

Good. Bligh never did this when her ministers stuffed up. Struthers, Schwarten, Lucas and Robertson, anyone? 

Rachel Nolan received 6 speeding infringements over about 10 years whilst she was an MP. She had several ministries - including Transport.

[Stillwater]

In the past, Mr Elmes has said that the Sunshine Coast Line duplication is not so much an issue for his electorate of Noosa.  It is.  Nonetheless, he would support his fellow Sunshine Coast based ministers in any discussion around the Cabinet table.

[Stillwater]

There is an ongoing issue for government and that relates to the system/process that led to Mr Gibson losing his licence.  I have no doubt the system worked correctly, and there is a fine line between handling this matter through the fine recovery process or through the courts.  Do you clog up the courts with hearings about fine defaulters or do you let the bureaucracy follow a path that leads eventually to cancellation of a licence for not paying a fine? 

In times past, if a person is to be deprived of a liberty, the matter went to before a magistrate.

Maybe it is a case of highlighting how the system works.  Mr Gibson now knows how it works.

[somebody]

Remember Nic Griener was forced to resign as Premier and later in a court of law declared innocent.

Cry me a river.

He might not have violated a law, but the standards of ethics in the Parliament were lowered and he fully deserved it IMO.

I think the federal independents should do a similar thing now.  If it wasn't a finely balanced Parliament, I have little doubt that the member for Dobell would be out on his ear at least of the ALP and possibly the Parliament as well by now.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetiimes --> Full shadow cabinet list:

Full shadow cabinet list:

    Annastacia Palaszczuk – Leader of the Opposition; Attorney-General, Justice and Industrial Relations; Education, Training and Employment; Tourism, Small Business, Major Events and Commonwealth Games; the Arts.

    Tim Mulherin – Deputy Opposition Leader; State Development, Infrastructure, Planning and Racing; Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Local Government; Science, IT and Innovation.

    Curtis Pitt – Leader of Opposition Business; Treasury and Trade; Energy and Water Supply; Main Roads; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Sport and Recreation.

    Jo-Ann Miller – Opposition Whip; Health; Natural Resources and Mines; Housing.

    Desley Scott – Deputy Opposition Whip; Disability Services; Community Services, Child Safety, Multicultural Affairs and Women; Mental Health; Transport

    Bill Byrne – Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services; Construction and Public Works; National Parks, Environment and Heritage Protection.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/1-vs-5-labor-mps-jump-at-shadows-20120418-1x7e1.html

[Jonno]

Notice how transport is with community services and Main Roads with Treasury & Trade. It is how Labour sees public transport.

[SurfRail]

Notice how transport is with community services and Main Roads with Treasury & Trade. It is how Labour sees public transport.

I don't think anybody has to be terribly concerned with what they have to say about transport infrastructure, planning or services for the next 3 years, to be frank!

RailBoT, the RACQ and other membership based groups will be the only effective voice with the potential to challenge the government during this Parliament.

[Mr X]

I would have thought it would make sense for the minister in charge of infrastructure to also be concerned with transport and main roads. Guess not  :conf

They had their chance in government and they blew it. Now time to face the music- opposition.

[Stillwater]

What will be the LNP answer to Labor's world clarse document, Connecting SEQ 2031?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bligh's seat at risk in the voter fallout from her exit

[Mr X]

I don't think the "we have to vote again" factor will hurt the ALP as much as it would if the by-election was held on a different day to the council elections. They had to come out and vote for council anyway and at most people lose 5mins by lining up at the extra table added for South Brisbane to collect the extra form.
I imagine some people will be turned off from the LNP for a range of factors- balance in parliament, scrapping literary awards etc.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor will retain Bligh's seat: poll

[Jonno]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor will retain Bligh’s seat: poll

To me this shows just how disconnected our politics/voting is from delivering policies that work.

[somebody]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor will retain Bligh's seat: poll

To me this shows just how disconnected our politics/voting is from delivering policies that work.

Because the Greens would be better?  They want to take buses out of the Sydney CBD 

[Jonno]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor will retain Bligh’s seat: poll

To me this shows just how disconnected our politics/voting is from delivering policies that work.

Because the Greens would be better?  They want to take buses out of the Sydney CBD 

So do we eventually except for a few local services (light Metros. CCR, Light Rail, etc.).

[somebody]

Who is "we"?  It doesn't include myself.

[Jonno]

Who is "we"?  It doesn't include myself.

So Adelaide Street is sustainable long-term?  Cultural Centre and Melbourne Street Portal sustainable long-term.  This city needs to start moving millions more by PT.  Buses are not going to cut it for trunk routes.

[somebody]

What's wrong with Adelaide St?

CC & Mel St portal - send more buses via Captain Cook Bridge + third "platform" for West End services.

[Jonno]

What's wrong with Adelaide St?

CC & Mel St portal - send more buses via Captain Cook Bridge + third "platform" for West End services.

Adelaide street is a congested mess of buses

Re: Other suggestions! Short term and get us to 8.1% of trips!

Our city needs a paradigm shift in transport and that is going to take significant numbers bei g moved along a spiderweb of trunk routes fed and linked by bus services.  Anything less will deliver gridlock, financial bankruptcy for Govts and an economy held random to increasing fuel prices.

[somebody]

Yeah well Sydney CBD gets about 74% of peak motorised trips on PT.  A bit more than your 8.1%.

[Mr X]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor will retain Bligh's seat: poll

To me this shows just how disconnected our politics/voting is from delivering policies that work.

Voters of South Brisbane have a choice. Aside from a cascade of minority parties pushing smaller agendas, the main front runners are:
1. Jackie Trad, another Labor staffer, only real claim to anything is that she is a mum and lives in the electorate (whoop de doo). Another Labor hack who is close to Anna Bligh.
2. Clem Grehan. Solid experience in many industries internationally and in Australia, such as development, surveying, lecturing, construction etc.. Hard working, supports good infrastructure. Someone who isn't a career politician.
3. Jo Bragg. Experience in environmental law and sustainable development, has worked with issues such as coal, gas, development and wildlife protection

I know who I am voting for, and I honestly can't believe the majority of people in S. Bris want to side with Mrs Trad.

[somebody]

Who is the Labour candidate or member who is not a party "hack" ?

[Mr X]

Who is the Labour candidate or member who is not a party "hack" ?

Someone who has actually had a career outside of politics?
Party "hacks" come from ALL parties, not just the ALP.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Trad claims narrow victory and sends warning to Newman

[Mr X]

Brisbanetimes --> Trad claims narrow victory and sends warning to Newman

Despite what you might think Ms Trad, your comments show you are completely out of touch with the electorate. Since the election, the Labor brand has deteriorated, not improved. She hasn't even won the seat of SB; the LNP aren't conceding defeat yet on this one.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor confident in South Brisbane

... Jackie Trad has been appointed opposition spokeswoman for transport, environment and the arts despite votes in the South Brisbane by-election still being counted.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/labor-confident-in-south-brisbane-20120429-1xslx.html
...

[Golliwog]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/opposition-roles-to-dwindle-20120501-1xwgu.html

Opposition roles to dwindle
May 1, 2012 - 2:49PM


Liberal National Party MPs will dominate the parliamentary committee system designed to keep the government of the day accountable, with 75 per cent of positions going to the ruling party.

brisbanetimes.com.au last month reported the LNP was planning to cut the number of non-government MPs on the six-member portfolio committees from three to two, in the wake of the party's election landslide.

But Leader of the House Ray Stevens today announced the government would also increase the size of each committee from six members to eight.
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This means LNP MPs will hold six out of eight positions on each portfolio committee, while the remaining two positions will be left to some combination of Labor, Katter's Australian Party and independent MPs.

Queensland Parliament's seven portfolio committees are a vehicle for scrutinising legislation, investigating key issues, and reviewing budget spending.

While not always in the public spotlight, the work of the committees is considered crucial given Queensland Parliament does not have an upper house to keep a check and balance on the government of the day.

Currently, the law states each committee must have at least six members and half of them must be government MPs and half non-government MPs.

In the event of a tied vote, the chair, usually from the government of the day, has a casting vote. But any committee member can write a dissenting report which is included in the committee's reports on proposed new legislation and other proposals.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Mr Stevens said the committee system would be "enhanced" by increasing the size of portfolio committees to eight members this term.

A formula would also be enshrined in law to determine the make-up of committees depending on the make-up of parliamentary numbers.

For example, when non-government members hold fewer than 15 per cent of the seats in Parliament, the committee size would be eight members made up of six government MPs and two non-government MPs.

If non-government representation is between 15 per cent and 25 per cent, seven-member committees would be made up of five government MPs and two non-government MPs.

If the non-government representation is between 25 per cent and 50 per cent, six-member committees would have three government MPs and three non-government MPs, similar to the system under the existing law.

Mr Stevens, an LNP MP, said the changes were needed to ensure the committees could continue to effectively scrutinise new laws and the actions of government.

"The original laws establishing the new portfolio committee system were not designed in a way that took into account the result the Queensland public delivered at the March 24 state election," he said in a statement.

"As such, the Clerk of the Parliament has advised the laws now need to change to ensure the committees remain workable and can function practically.

"The Clerk's advice, which the government accepts, is to increase committee membership this term to eight members, made up of six government members and two non-government members.

"This change is in line with a 1992 recommendation of the Electoral and Administration Review Commission - established out of the Fitzgerald Inquiry - that the makeup of parliamentary committees should reflect the composition of the Parliament."

The announcement comes in the wake of confirmation the Labor opposition will be moved out of the parliamentary precinct and into another building nearby, prompting ALP criticism.

The LNP has decided not to house Labor in the purpose-built opposition offices on Level 6 of the Parliamentary Annexe, saying this was needed for committee meeting space.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was concerned the parliamentary precinct would now become a "government precinct".

"The opposition is very concerned that they are going to be once again booted out of the parliamentary precinct," she said.

"I am concerned about the cost to taxpayers. There is a purpose-built office there on level 6 that is ready to utilise and we could move in straight away. We want to get on with the job.

"Now we are told we're going to move not once but twice. From Monday we'll be working from Mineral House and four weeks later we'll be moving into [a] Public Works [building]."

Mr Stevens said there would be office space in the parliamentary precinct for opposition MPs and some of their support staff during sitting weeks.

Mr Stevens said the total number of committee members was increasing because some appointees sometimes could not attend due to other commitments.

Pressed on whether the changes to the ratio of non-government MPs would reduce scrutiny, Mr Stevens said: "Not really."

He said the changes were based on formulas worked out by the Clerk of the Parliament. It would be "crazy" to keep a three-each committee breakdown because that would mean non-government MPs would have to juggle numerous committees.

Mr Stevens said he was confident government and non-government MPs alike would be able to raise questions and make suggestions for improvements to legislation.

"Say the numbers are 4-3 it's still going to be voted down if you like. It's not a matter of voting it down, it's about having a full and complete investigation of the legislation," he said.

"You will find as was the case in the last Parliament is the people who raise the questions are from the government side.

"We won't necessarily agree with the opinions that these LNP MPs raise; they may well have an opinion shared by the non-government members.

"The point is in order to have rigorous and complete scrutiny of the legislation before it is debated in the house and this legislation is improved."

Earlier, Mr Stevens said in his statement the LNP was "determined to govern responsibly and to respect the faith the Queensland public has shown in us".

He said the government understood the crucial role committees played in scrutinising the actions of government.

"We also recognise the committee system needs to reflect the realities of the Parliament, and that is why we will act on the Clerk's advice to amend the Parliament of Queensland Act," he said.

Katter's Australian Party last month blasted any reduction to non-government committee roles as "dangerous", saying the government must not reduce parliamentary scrutiny.

The government has argued that many committees meet on Wednesday mornings it is therefore impractical for some MPs to be members of numerous panels.

Ms Palaszczuk said the opposition was yet to be formally advised of the committee system changes, which went "to the heart of our democracy where there is a government and an opposition".

She said the opposition would expect no changes to the composition of the budget estimates committees and Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee.

Last year, Mr Newman's deputy, Jeff Seeney, backed away from the LNP's support at its 2009 convention for a referendum to re-establish an upper house in Queensland.

Mr Seeney said people at the convention had wanted to see more accountability and input into legislation. However, he said the push for an upper house had been "superseded by the new committee structure" supported by both major parties in 2010.

[Golliwog]

Brisbanetimes.com.au --> LNP launches development shake-up

Twelve-storey buildings are likely to be allowed in the part of West End opposite Toowong, while plans to build a boutique hotel under the Story Bridge will be revived.

Premier Campbell Newman and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk fronted the media this morning to signal their plans for changes after the Liberal National Party's victory at state and local government levels.

As flagged during the state election campaign, management of the South Bank parklands will return to Brisbane City Council, rather than be overseen by the powerful state body South Bank Corporation.

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Mr Newman said the council would receive state government funding to ensure it was not left out of pocket when it regained control of South Bank.

The exact amount was yet to be decided, but Mr Newman said the state government's existing annual subsidy for the South Bank Corporation was $10 million.

Mr Newman also said development areas under control of the state government-established Urban Land Development Authority would be handed back to Brisbane City Council.

The urban development areas to be transferred are in Carseldine, Woolloongabba, North Shore Hamilton and Bowen Hills.

Mr Newman said the council would be given the ULDA's strong powers, which included approving developments without the community having the right to appeal.

However, he argued the council, unlike the ULDA, was a "democratically elected local government" accountable to voters.

Mr Newman and Cr Quirk also reached an in-principle agreement that the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan would be resubmitted to the state government to allow 12-storey buildings to be constructed between Montague Road and the Brisbane River.

The "Riverside South" precinct at the centre of the discussions is south of Davies Park.

The previous state government had insisted no more than seven storeys should be allowed in the area.

Mr Newman and Cr Quirk also plan to revive Brisbane City Council's Howard Smith Wharves proposal to build a boutique hotel and parklands under northern end of the Story Bridge.

The Labor government scuttled the hotel plans last year, citing flood risks.

Mr Newman and Cr Quirk have also agreed to split the bill to upgrade level crossings at Robinson Road, Geebung, and Telegraph Road, Bracken Ridge, an issue they said had reached a "stalemate" when the Labor government was in charge.

The combined cost would be $260 million, Mr Newman said.

The LNP vowed during the election campaign to re-empower local councils.

Mr Newman said the management of Roma Street Parklands, Roma Street Forum and Emma Millar Place would also return to Brisbane City Council.

He said the detail of the South Bank transfer was still to be decided, noting the council could take control of the South Bank car parks so it had a revenue stream to manage the parklands.

However, commercial tenancies were likely to stay with the state government.

Asked whether he might be giving the local council free rein, Mr Newman said: "The previous Labor government felt it should be in the game of running these little patches of park around Brisbane. Why?"

Cr Quirk was unsure when asked whether the council would try to retain the expertise of the South Bank Corporation and take on some of its officials.

"I think that's all up for grabs at the moment," he said, without putting a timeframe on the transfer.

"Everything comes to an end and I just say I think there needs to be a transitional period across."

Cr Quirk was lukewarm on former premier Anna Bligh's idea of expanding South Bank further, in a concept called "South Bank 2", saying it was a debate for another day.

"I think we need to just manage what we have at the moment," he said.

Cr Quirk argued Labor's rejection of the Howard Smith Wharves hotel proposal was more about politics than flood risk, saying there was less water in that area than there was in the location earmarked for the South Bank expansion.

Mr Newman, the former Brisbane lord mayor, and Cr Quirk, his former deputy, touted their ability to work together as a "new partnership".

Mr Newman said the government also wanted to work with other councils in a similar fashion, hailing councils as the level of government closest to the people.

Interesting. 12 storey buildings at West End, how are the Cityglider and 199 going to cope? Of course, they're planning provisions are going to require these new massive buildings to be planned for floods, right? I also think giving the BCC money to take back control of South Bank, etc is crap. When the State took it off them, did they get BCC to give them money then?

I also thought the LNP kicked up a lot of fuss about the ULDA's powers, yet it's now ok for them to be given to BCC because they're democratically elected.

I'd also say the point about the location of South Bank 2 having more water on it during the flood than the Howard Smith Wharves site is a big "So what?" argument. Buildings can be designed to allow for flooding (no important services in the lower floors, designing the structure to minimse it's impact on increasing localised flooding, etc), and the South Bank 2 plan also had a decent amount of open space/park adjacent to the river, which is what you should have. I have no problems with the Howard Smith Wharves hotel idea, provided it's done sensibly. I also believe that's exactly what the previous State Government said, they had nothing against developing the site, but hte plans they had been given by BCC/the developer weren't up to the standard they wanted.

[colinw]

ROFL! 

"Time to bring them back Premier ... "

    "What's that Bob?"

    "Trams Premier .. "

    "Of course ... DING DING ..."

Commenter
    Ozbob
Location
    Congestion Capital
Date and time
    May 4, 2012, 12:25PM

        Still waiting for news of the underground rail station at Geebung.

    Commenter
        J. Fraser
    Location
        Queensland
    Date and time
        May 4, 2012, 12:44PM


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/lnp-launches-development-shakeup-20120504-1y2q5.html#ixzz1troWpPEF

[somebody]

Not sure how trams came into it!!??

[Golliwog]

He's mentioned that underground Geebuny thing a few times and I still can't remeber anytime we've suggested anything even close to that. :conf

[HappyTrainGuy]

I suggested an elevated Geebung to Gold Coast Q1: Level 55 train line via Mt Stalpton doopler radar/top of the Story Bridge walkway.... But it might have been a smart ass comment after his Geebung subway lol.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Labor brand plea: 'We're not toothpaste'