GOVERNMENT CHANGES TO TAKE EFFECT FROM I JULY 2007
Published Wednesday, 27 June, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
The Queensland government is set to introduce a range of important legislative and administrative changes from 1 July this year that will make our roads and homes safer, boost competition in the State’s electricity market and encourage more private lawyers to provide legal aid.
Premier Peter Beattie said the government was committed to slashing the road toll and ending the tragic waste of young lives on our roads.
“Our tough new laws will ensure newly licensed drivers will be better equipped than ever before to take the wheel of a car. They will also face more restrictions during the early years of driving than ever before,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are giving police greater powers to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who repeatedly drink drive, drive while unlicensed, unregistered or disqualified or repeatedly drive illegally modified vehicles.
“And it will now be compulsory to have a smoke alarm fitted to all Queensland houses. Smoke alarms are our front line of defence against tragic loss of life in house fires.
“There is a requirement for all new houses constructed in Queensland to meet water targets. There is also land tax relief for Queenslanders.
“1 July is one of the traditional dates in the calendar for implementing significant government reforms and initiatives and this year is no different,” Mr Beattie said.
“There are new initiatives in almost every area of government with the start of a multimillion-dollar plan to address Indigenous alcohol abuse, a 19 per cent increase in fees paid to private lawyers who do criminal law work for Legal Aid clients and a new Workplace Rights Ombudsman’s office.
“I July also signals the full implementation of The National Livestock Identification System for cattle, and a much-anticipated milestone for the National Citrus Canker Eradication Program, with commercial citrus trees being allowed back into the Emerald district for the first time in three years.
“There is a new management plan in place for Moreton Island and administrative changes to transfer responsibility for the Home and Community Care Program from Queensland Health to Disability Services Queensland.”
Media Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
27 June 2007
Tough new driving laws in Queensland from I July
The tough new laws for young drivers represents the biggest licence overhaul in Queensland history.
These new laws are all designed to save young lives and reduce the road toll.
Under the new laws we will be introducing a two-phased provisional licence system in Queensland - a red plate (P1) for one year and a green plate (P2) for a further two years.
Key changes for young drivers (that is those who secure their licence under the age of 25) include:
• doubling the minimum learners period from 6 months to 12 months;
• keeping 17 as the minimum licence age but bringing Queensland into line with all other states by allowing learners licences at 16;
• gaining 100 hours of log book recorded, supervised on-road driving experience for learners;
• high-powered vehicle restrictions during P1 and P2;
• peer passenger restrictions for P1 drivers (only carrying one passenger aged under 21) from 11pm to 5am;
• banning all mobile phone use, including loud-speaker functions, for P1 drivers;
• banning “hands-free” use of mobiles for supervisors and passengers of P1 drivers;
• hazard perception testing prior to P2;
• disqualified/suspended P1 and P2 drivers to go back to P1 stage with additional late night curfew between 11pm and 5am; and a
• requirement to hold a car provisional licence for 12 months prior to gaining a motorbike learner licence.
Full details are available at: http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/youngdrivers/
The Government is determined to make Queensland roads safer.
As part of our crack down police will be given greater powers from 1 July to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who repeatedly drink drive, drive while unlicensed, unregistered or disqualified or repeatedly drive illegally modified vehicles.
The laws will be piloted in the North Coast and Southern police regions, which historically have the highest number of road deaths, before being rolled out across the state.
Media contact transport: Robert Hoge 3237 1942.
Media contact police: Troy Davies 3239 6218
Energy
On 1 July 2007, the power industry in Queensland opens up to competition.
It's a change that will give many Queensland residents and small businesses the opportunity to compare offers from new energy retailers, and make a choice about where they buy their electricity and natural gas.
This follows the sale of the retail arms of ENERGEX and Ergon Energy earlier this year. Under full retail competition, electricity retailers will compete for customers.
As part of full retail competition, the State Government will appoint an Energy Ombudsman so that customers have someone to turn to if they are in dispute with their electricity retailer.
A marketing code of conduct will also be introduced to protect consumers from unscrupulous operators. Customers will also have the added protection of a 10-day cooling off period after they sign a contract with their new electricity retailer.
Media contact: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819
Emergency Services
As of July 1, it will be compulsory for all residential dwellings in Queensland to install and/or maintain at least one smoke alarm.
It means that:
• homes built before 1 July 1997, that don’t already have smoke alarms installed, will need to buy and install at least one 9 volt battery operated smoke alarm;
• homes built after 1997, should have had at least one 240 volt (hard-wired) smoke alarms installed at the time it was built. This is a requirement under the Building Code of Australia (BCA);
• major renovations to a home since 1997 should have included the installation of 240 volt (hard-wired) smoke alarms.
Compliance will be monitored with the help of the REIQ, which will include a section on smoke alarms on documentation when purchasing or renting a residential dwelling.
Media contact: Tim Shipstone 3247 81984
Water
From 1 July 2007, applications lodged for the construction of new houses in Queensland must meet water savings targets.
This requirement extends the existing water savings targets requirement, which has applied to councils within South East Queensland since 1 January 2007 to other parts of the state. The requirement will not apply to houses constructed in areas where exemptions have been granted.
The easiest way to meet the targets is through the installation of a rainwater tank, however other options are available such as dual reticulation, communal rainwater tanks and stormwater reuse.
Media contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825
Land Tax
The Government understands that the rapid escalation in land values around the State is putting pressure on housing investors and that this in turn is passed on to tenants as rent increases.
As a result, the 2007-08 Budget has lifted the individual residents tax-free threshold on land tax from $500,000 to $600,000 and the exemption threshold for companies, trustees and absentees from $300,000 to $350,000.
These changes will apply from 1 July 2007. In addition to these reforms, a 50 per cent cap will be placed, for three years, on the annual increase in land values used for calculating land tax for all parcels of land other than newly-created lots.
Media contact: Scott Dixon 3224 5982
Communities- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
A multimillion-dollar plan to address Indigenous alcohol abuse commences operation on 1 July. The four-year, $36 million Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program aims to help break the cycle of crime and child protection problems so often associated with Indigenous alcohol abuse. Initially, 130 places will be made available for the 20-week treatment program – 40 each in Cairns and Rockhampton, and 50 in Townsville.
Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286
Justice and Attorney-General
From 1 July 2007, fees paid to private lawyers who do criminal law work for Legal Aid clients will increase by 19 per cent. This represents the largest single increase in criminal law fees in Legal Aid Queensland’s history. The hourly rate will increase from an average of $84 to an average of $100.
In the recent State Budget, an extra $4.4 million was committed to increase the hourly rate paid to private practitioners who do criminal law work for Legal Aid.
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 32396400
Workplace Rights Ombudsman
Queenslanders have a new advocate for rights in the workplace with the recent appointment of Queensland’s first Workplace Rights Ombudsman, Don Brown.
The Ombudsman’s office begins operating on 2 July 2007 although the Workplace Rights hotline is already available on 1300 737 841. It was formerly known as the Queensland Fair Go Advisory Service hotline.
The Ombudsman’s role will have the power to:
• provide information and advice to Queensland workers and employers and to promote fair and equitable work practices in Queensland workplaces;
• investigate and report on unlawful, unfair or otherwise inappropriate employment practices;
• refer instances of possible unlawful industrial relations and other work-related matters to appropriate authorities or services; and
• provide advice to the State Government on strategies that might be introduced to mitigate the negative effects of Federal WorkChoices laws, improve protections for vulnerable workers and promote best industrial relations practices in Queensland.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
Disability Services Queensland
Responsibility for the Home and Community Care program will be transferred from Queensland Health to Disability Services Queensland would take effect from 1 July.
The program, with funding of almost $350 million in 2007-8, provides support for approximately 160,000 older Queenslanders and people with a disability and their carers, including in-the-home domestic assistance, centre-based day care, social support and respite care services.
Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286
Moreton Island Management Plan
From 1 July the State Government will implement a new plan for management of Moreton Island National Park, Moreton Island Recreation Area and Cape Moreton Conservation Park.
The major changes include a campsite booking system, better-marked campsites, vehicle go-slow zones and beach safety zones.
Copies of the management plan are available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website www.epa.qld.gov.au Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004
Primary Industries and Fisheries
The National Livestock Identification System for cattle will be fully implemented in Queensland from 1 July. It ensures that Queensland producers now have complete paddock to market traceability for all stock movements.
From 1 July 2007 all remaining exemptions will end. It means:
• all cattle moving to an abattoir for slaughter or to a live export depot will have to be tagged with an NLIS device;
• all bulls, including feral bulls that have been captured and sent to sale or slaughter will require an NLIS tag;
• livestock used in sporting events must be fitted with an NLIS tag and the forward and return movements reported to the database upon completion of the event;
• all cattle moving between properties with different property identification codes (PIC) must be fitted with an approved NLIS electronic device; and
• the movement of the cattle must be reported to the NLIS database within 48 hours by the receiver or person responsible for the stock at the destination.
Citrus Canker
The National Citrus Canker Eradication Program will reach a much-anticipated milestone on July 1, 2007, with commercial citrus trees being allowed back into the Emerald district for the first time in three years.
But only commercial citrus trees will be allowed to be planted in the Pest Quarantine Area. The ban on backyard replanting will continue until after eradication is officially declared – something that is not expected to happen until early 2009.
Media contact: David Potter 3239 6530
Leasehold Rents Capped
Rent increases for Category 1, 6 and 10 state leasehold land leases are capped for the 2007/08 financial year at no more than 20 per cent of the annual rent for the 2006/07 rental period.
If the previous system had continued, Category 1 landholders would have faced massive rent increases of from 400 per cent to 5000 per cent. The new increases also are coming from a low base. The reforms have been welcomed by the rural sector.
Media contact: Paul Childs 3896 3689
Fair Trading
Security Providers
Hefty increases in fines for security firms and people employed as security officers, crowd controllers or private investigators will come into force from July 1, 2007.
Under the Security Providers Amendment Act 2007, individuals and businesses caught operating without a security licence will be penalised up to $75,000 and $937,500 respectively and individual repeat offenders may face jail time.
The penalties for first offences will be increased five-fold. The Office of Fair Trading will increase the number of inspectors checking licenses and making sure security providers abide by the law.
Spot checks are conducted regularly to make sure security providers and licensed venues comply with the law right across the state.
Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act) and the Commerical and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003.
A new Code of Conduct for voting members of Body Corporate committees will come into effect from 1 July under amendments to the BCCM 1997 Act.
Enhancements to dispute resolution processes and the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal will also come into effect, improving access to justice and dispute resolution for residents.
Media contact: Joanne Gibbons 3225 1005.
Premier Peter Beattie said the government was committed to slashing the road toll and ending the tragic waste of young lives on our roads.
“Our tough new laws will ensure newly licensed drivers will be better equipped than ever before to take the wheel of a car. They will also face more restrictions during the early years of driving than ever before,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are giving police greater powers to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who repeatedly drink drive, drive while unlicensed, unregistered or disqualified or repeatedly drive illegally modified vehicles.
“And it will now be compulsory to have a smoke alarm fitted to all Queensland houses. Smoke alarms are our front line of defence against tragic loss of life in house fires.
“There is a requirement for all new houses constructed in Queensland to meet water targets. There is also land tax relief for Queenslanders.
“1 July is one of the traditional dates in the calendar for implementing significant government reforms and initiatives and this year is no different,” Mr Beattie said.
“There are new initiatives in almost every area of government with the start of a multimillion-dollar plan to address Indigenous alcohol abuse, a 19 per cent increase in fees paid to private lawyers who do criminal law work for Legal Aid clients and a new Workplace Rights Ombudsman’s office.
“I July also signals the full implementation of The National Livestock Identification System for cattle, and a much-anticipated milestone for the National Citrus Canker Eradication Program, with commercial citrus trees being allowed back into the Emerald district for the first time in three years.
“There is a new management plan in place for Moreton Island and administrative changes to transfer responsibility for the Home and Community Care Program from Queensland Health to Disability Services Queensland.”
Media Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
27 June 2007
Tough new driving laws in Queensland from I July
The tough new laws for young drivers represents the biggest licence overhaul in Queensland history.
These new laws are all designed to save young lives and reduce the road toll.
Under the new laws we will be introducing a two-phased provisional licence system in Queensland - a red plate (P1) for one year and a green plate (P2) for a further two years.
Key changes for young drivers (that is those who secure their licence under the age of 25) include:
• doubling the minimum learners period from 6 months to 12 months;
• keeping 17 as the minimum licence age but bringing Queensland into line with all other states by allowing learners licences at 16;
• gaining 100 hours of log book recorded, supervised on-road driving experience for learners;
• high-powered vehicle restrictions during P1 and P2;
• peer passenger restrictions for P1 drivers (only carrying one passenger aged under 21) from 11pm to 5am;
• banning all mobile phone use, including loud-speaker functions, for P1 drivers;
• banning “hands-free” use of mobiles for supervisors and passengers of P1 drivers;
• hazard perception testing prior to P2;
• disqualified/suspended P1 and P2 drivers to go back to P1 stage with additional late night curfew between 11pm and 5am; and a
• requirement to hold a car provisional licence for 12 months prior to gaining a motorbike learner licence.
Full details are available at: http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/youngdrivers/
The Government is determined to make Queensland roads safer.
As part of our crack down police will be given greater powers from 1 July to confiscate the vehicles of drivers who repeatedly drink drive, drive while unlicensed, unregistered or disqualified or repeatedly drive illegally modified vehicles.
The laws will be piloted in the North Coast and Southern police regions, which historically have the highest number of road deaths, before being rolled out across the state.
Media contact transport: Robert Hoge 3237 1942.
Media contact police: Troy Davies 3239 6218
Energy
On 1 July 2007, the power industry in Queensland opens up to competition.
It's a change that will give many Queensland residents and small businesses the opportunity to compare offers from new energy retailers, and make a choice about where they buy their electricity and natural gas.
This follows the sale of the retail arms of ENERGEX and Ergon Energy earlier this year. Under full retail competition, electricity retailers will compete for customers.
As part of full retail competition, the State Government will appoint an Energy Ombudsman so that customers have someone to turn to if they are in dispute with their electricity retailer.
A marketing code of conduct will also be introduced to protect consumers from unscrupulous operators. Customers will also have the added protection of a 10-day cooling off period after they sign a contract with their new electricity retailer.
Media contact: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819
Emergency Services
As of July 1, it will be compulsory for all residential dwellings in Queensland to install and/or maintain at least one smoke alarm.
It means that:
• homes built before 1 July 1997, that don’t already have smoke alarms installed, will need to buy and install at least one 9 volt battery operated smoke alarm;
• homes built after 1997, should have had at least one 240 volt (hard-wired) smoke alarms installed at the time it was built. This is a requirement under the Building Code of Australia (BCA);
• major renovations to a home since 1997 should have included the installation of 240 volt (hard-wired) smoke alarms.
Compliance will be monitored with the help of the REIQ, which will include a section on smoke alarms on documentation when purchasing or renting a residential dwelling.
Media contact: Tim Shipstone 3247 81984
Water
From 1 July 2007, applications lodged for the construction of new houses in Queensland must meet water savings targets.
This requirement extends the existing water savings targets requirement, which has applied to councils within South East Queensland since 1 January 2007 to other parts of the state. The requirement will not apply to houses constructed in areas where exemptions have been granted.
The easiest way to meet the targets is through the installation of a rainwater tank, however other options are available such as dual reticulation, communal rainwater tanks and stormwater reuse.
Media contact: Chris Taylor 3227 8825
Land Tax
The Government understands that the rapid escalation in land values around the State is putting pressure on housing investors and that this in turn is passed on to tenants as rent increases.
As a result, the 2007-08 Budget has lifted the individual residents tax-free threshold on land tax from $500,000 to $600,000 and the exemption threshold for companies, trustees and absentees from $300,000 to $350,000.
These changes will apply from 1 July 2007. In addition to these reforms, a 50 per cent cap will be placed, for three years, on the annual increase in land values used for calculating land tax for all parcels of land other than newly-created lots.
Media contact: Scott Dixon 3224 5982
Communities- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
A multimillion-dollar plan to address Indigenous alcohol abuse commences operation on 1 July. The four-year, $36 million Queensland Indigenous Alcohol Diversion Program aims to help break the cycle of crime and child protection problems so often associated with Indigenous alcohol abuse. Initially, 130 places will be made available for the 20-week treatment program – 40 each in Cairns and Rockhampton, and 50 in Townsville.
Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286
Justice and Attorney-General
From 1 July 2007, fees paid to private lawyers who do criminal law work for Legal Aid clients will increase by 19 per cent. This represents the largest single increase in criminal law fees in Legal Aid Queensland’s history. The hourly rate will increase from an average of $84 to an average of $100.
In the recent State Budget, an extra $4.4 million was committed to increase the hourly rate paid to private practitioners who do criminal law work for Legal Aid.
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 32396400
Workplace Rights Ombudsman
Queenslanders have a new advocate for rights in the workplace with the recent appointment of Queensland’s first Workplace Rights Ombudsman, Don Brown.
The Ombudsman’s office begins operating on 2 July 2007 although the Workplace Rights hotline is already available on 1300 737 841. It was formerly known as the Queensland Fair Go Advisory Service hotline.
The Ombudsman’s role will have the power to:
• provide information and advice to Queensland workers and employers and to promote fair and equitable work practices in Queensland workplaces;
• investigate and report on unlawful, unfair or otherwise inappropriate employment practices;
• refer instances of possible unlawful industrial relations and other work-related matters to appropriate authorities or services; and
• provide advice to the State Government on strategies that might be introduced to mitigate the negative effects of Federal WorkChoices laws, improve protections for vulnerable workers and promote best industrial relations practices in Queensland.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349
Disability Services Queensland
Responsibility for the Home and Community Care program will be transferred from Queensland Health to Disability Services Queensland would take effect from 1 July.
The program, with funding of almost $350 million in 2007-8, provides support for approximately 160,000 older Queenslanders and people with a disability and their carers, including in-the-home domestic assistance, centre-based day care, social support and respite care services.
Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286
Moreton Island Management Plan
From 1 July the State Government will implement a new plan for management of Moreton Island National Park, Moreton Island Recreation Area and Cape Moreton Conservation Park.
The major changes include a campsite booking system, better-marked campsites, vehicle go-slow zones and beach safety zones.
Copies of the management plan are available on the Environmental Protection Agency’s website www.epa.qld.gov.au Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004
Primary Industries and Fisheries
The National Livestock Identification System for cattle will be fully implemented in Queensland from 1 July. It ensures that Queensland producers now have complete paddock to market traceability for all stock movements.
From 1 July 2007 all remaining exemptions will end. It means:
• all cattle moving to an abattoir for slaughter or to a live export depot will have to be tagged with an NLIS device;
• all bulls, including feral bulls that have been captured and sent to sale or slaughter will require an NLIS tag;
• livestock used in sporting events must be fitted with an NLIS tag and the forward and return movements reported to the database upon completion of the event;
• all cattle moving between properties with different property identification codes (PIC) must be fitted with an approved NLIS electronic device; and
• the movement of the cattle must be reported to the NLIS database within 48 hours by the receiver or person responsible for the stock at the destination.
Citrus Canker
The National Citrus Canker Eradication Program will reach a much-anticipated milestone on July 1, 2007, with commercial citrus trees being allowed back into the Emerald district for the first time in three years.
But only commercial citrus trees will be allowed to be planted in the Pest Quarantine Area. The ban on backyard replanting will continue until after eradication is officially declared – something that is not expected to happen until early 2009.
Media contact: David Potter 3239 6530
Leasehold Rents Capped
Rent increases for Category 1, 6 and 10 state leasehold land leases are capped for the 2007/08 financial year at no more than 20 per cent of the annual rent for the 2006/07 rental period.
If the previous system had continued, Category 1 landholders would have faced massive rent increases of from 400 per cent to 5000 per cent. The new increases also are coming from a low base. The reforms have been welcomed by the rural sector.
Media contact: Paul Childs 3896 3689
Fair Trading
Security Providers
Hefty increases in fines for security firms and people employed as security officers, crowd controllers or private investigators will come into force from July 1, 2007.
Under the Security Providers Amendment Act 2007, individuals and businesses caught operating without a security licence will be penalised up to $75,000 and $937,500 respectively and individual repeat offenders may face jail time.
The penalties for first offences will be increased five-fold. The Office of Fair Trading will increase the number of inspectors checking licenses and making sure security providers abide by the law.
Spot checks are conducted regularly to make sure security providers and licensed venues comply with the law right across the state.
Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act) and the Commerical and Consumer Tribunal Act 2003.
A new Code of Conduct for voting members of Body Corporate committees will come into effect from 1 July under amendments to the BCCM 1997 Act.
Enhancements to dispute resolution processes and the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal will also come into effect, improving access to justice and dispute resolution for residents.
Media contact: Joanne Gibbons 3225 1005.