New rules for duplex owners will simplify the day-to-day management of their properties. The regulation, which commenced on 28 February 2012, allows decisions regarding the management of a duplex to be made by agreement between the owners of the two lots in the duplex, instead of having to go through a formal body corporate meeting...
Fraud and scams can strike a business at any time, and Fraud Week served as an opportunity for everyone to review personal and business financial security procedures. An initiative of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce (ACFT), it also raises awareness on new types of fraud and scams which have recently surfaced. Slam scams! Press delete,...
Building Boost Grant The $10,000 Queensland Government Building Boost Grant has been extended until 30 April 2012. It is available to buy or build a new home in Queensland. Whether you are buying a new home, buying or building your first home ($17,000 available in this instance) or buying a new investment property you may...
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 Parliament aims to improve early childhood education with the passage of the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Bill 2011. The new Act will apply to more than 2600 early childhood services in Queensland with the new National Quality Framework which commenced on 1 January 2012. The framework includes a quality rating system for...
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...
