Last Week in Queensland – 11 July 2016

Federal Election fallout kept everyone entertained last week in Queensland’s media, and consequently squeezed out a focus on other news*.  The impact of new liquor trading laws, on the first weekend of trading, was examined.

Federal Election

• As the narrow result became apparent, Prime Minister Turnbull came under attack from within and without.
• Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has conceded defeat and the Prime Minister has claimed victory.
• We still don’t know for certain whether it will be a majority government, or minority, but a scant majority is most likely
• Both Government and Opposition will now reshuffle their frontbenches.

Returned Prime Minister Turnbull

Governing

• Government denies mining leases undermine reef protection www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-06/springvale-station-and-the-mining-lease-great-barrier-reef/7574034
• Pressure for toughening political donation laws www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/corruption-watchdog-calls-for-donation-transparency/news-story/d5a7b8b7bc7ca759a3a79e424c76d459
• Government bans toxic firefighting foam www.theherald.com.au/story/4019793/queensland-slaps-ban-on-toxic-foams/
• State support for diabetes prevention http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/7/10/palaszczuk-government-cements-commitment-to-help-10000-queenslanders-tackle-chronic-disease

 

The Opposition and Crossbench

• Child safety as a Government weakness www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/almost-half-of-queensland-child-abuse-reports-followed-up-too-late-lnp-20160710-gq2g8j.html

 

Politics

Premier Palaszczuk

• Pauline Hanson at the next Queensland State Election www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/annastacia-palaszczuk-not-scared-of-pauline-hanson-20160707-gq0g48.html
• Labor’s Queensland Branch behind Medicare text messages www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3672881/Labor-s-Queensland-branch-fake-Medicare-messages-sent-voters-day-federal-election.html
• Premier urges Senators to stand up for Queensland www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/premier-tells-new-state-senators-do-the-right-thing-by-queensland/news-story/57537e8f3eafbabf58d4e7ea37dbfe13
• There’s a by-election on 16 July, for the State seat of Toowoomba South – Labor isn’t running a candidate www.thechronicle.com.au/news/thorley-slams-lnp-over-smear-campaign/3058895/

 

Community

• Queensland greyhound racing industry fears closure too www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/vic-racing/queensland-trainers-fear-they-will-be-next-to-go-after-decision-to-shut-down-nsw-greyhound-racing/news-story/f8f479bae5179c47b174cfdb629c4257 – Minister says they’re on their last warning www.qt.com.au/news/minister-says-qld-greyhound-racing-its-last-chance/3058293/
• Bipartisan opposition to ice inhalation rooms on the Gold Coast www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-07/gold-coast-ice-inhalation-rooms-hit-bipartisan-opposition/7576408
• Brexit hits Queensland Public Service Super Scheme www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brexit-hits-qld-public-servant-super-scheme-20160707-gq0tfo.html

 

Economy and Infrastructure

MP Ian Walker, opposed to above ground rail link

• Queensland Government bonds selling well www.afr.com/markets/debt-markets/queensland-lures-bond-buyers-hunting-yield-20160706-gq08ec
• How will inland rail link to Brisbane Port? www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/southeast/state-government-has-the-power-to-stop-an-above-ground-link-from-the-inland-rail-to-the-port-of-brisbane/news-story/c7f2281a87d2c5328e46bc4d803b14b0
• Queensland wants 20% of Australia’s international students: new strategy http://thepienews.com/news/australia-queensland-eyes-20-market-share/
• State Government secures Linc Energy site www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/state-government-secures-chinchilla-site-of-failed-linc-energy-as-it-confronts-cost-of-site-rehabilitation/news-story/ffb1f3e4c0e3e91337610b52e65bd7bf
• Poor coal supply undermines Callide power station performance www.afr.com/business/banks-appoint-receivers-to-us-partner-of-callide-c-power-plant-20160708-gq1a07
• Brisbane Convention Centre world’s best http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/7/7/worlds-best-convention-centre-named-in-heart-of-brisbane

 

Parliament

• Queensland’s Parliament sits again from 19 to 22 July, and 26 to 28 July, for Estimates Committee hearings on the State Budget
• The Queensland Parliament’s summary of what’s new, including newly-introduced and passed legislation, is here www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/whats-new
• The Federal Parliament has been prorogued until after the Federal Election on 2 July – see www.aph.gov.au

 

Sleeper Issues?

• New liquor laws blamed for 20% drop in turnover http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/queensland-venues-report-20-per-cent-drop-business-new-lockout-laws/
• Government Minister alleged to undermine new state laws www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mp-behind-laws-for-alcoholfuelled-violence-in-queensland-says-lockouts-dont-work/news-story/6410b9d574a74adf6f22663098f06e97

 

 

 

 

* We’re not representing that this is a complete coverage of news in Queensland – it certainly isn’t, and it’s what we find interesting or important, and sometimes what’s unusual.  Some of the links will require subscriptions to read content.