Learner drivers found driving unaccompanied will lose their licence under proposed new road safety rules. Under current rules, learner drivers are issued with four demerit points when successfully gaining their learner plates. If they are found driving solo they are issued a $160 fine and lose one demerit point. In the period May 2010 to...
A number of bills have recently been submitted to Queensland Parliament relating to the treatment of animals with the introduction of amendments to create a new offence of serious animal cruelty under the Criminal Code. Anyone convicted of this offence will be automatically banned from owning animals of the same type for a minimum of...
In March the Attorney-General tasked the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) with the job of conducting public consultation across the community and industry on the National Classification Scheme. The review was to take into consideration the rapid pace of technological change, the need to improve classification information available to the community, the effect of media...
Queensland Emergency Services has just launched a $3.8 million public education campaign aiming at ensuring Queenslanders are fully prepared for this year’s wet season. The campaign was developed in response to interim recommendations from the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and from the Bureau of Meteorology’s prediction of another possible busy storm and cyclone season....
The Queensland Government recently introduced legislation to parliament which will represent the first major overhaul of Queensland’s domestic and family violence legislation in over 20 years. The Domestic Violence and Family Violence Protection Bill 2011 included proposed changes to improve the safety and protection of people affected by domestic and family violence and to reduce...
The Federal Government has reintroduced student amenities fees with the passing of the Higher Education Support Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill recently. These fees were scrapped under the Howard government in 2005. With the fees now reintroduced the student services and amenities fee will provide universities with more than $250 million over four years. Under...
A new Carer Action Plan 2011-14 has been announced for 500,000 Queensland carers. In 2010 the estimated replacement value of informal care provided across Australia was $40.9 billion, although the true value and contribution of carers is irreplaceable. Launched by the Queensland Government this plan will provide a blueprint to ensure Queensland carers get the...
There will be an extra day off for Queensland workers in 2012 following the passage of laws through State Parliament recently. In a proposal to spread public holidays more evenly throughout the year the Queensland Government asked for community consultation on their paper titled ‘Getting the balance right: A proposal on holidays in Queensland’. Feedback...
According to the Australian Crime Commission, serious and organised crime is estimated to cost Australia $10 to $15 million dollars every year. With organised crime frequently crossing borders there are many law enforcement agencies collecting intelligence on their activities. Queensland police will now be able to use criminal intelligence obtained from other law informant agencies...
New legislation making it easier for neighbours to resolve their disputes over trees and fences is now in effect. The new Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Act now places the onus on the proper care and maintenance of a tree with the tree keeper, and provides greater choices for neighbours about trees affecting their property. The Act...
