GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DRIVE SAFER SCHOOLIES: PREMIER
Published Tuesday, 16 October, 2007 at 02:26 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The State Government will continue to implement a wide-ranging strategy to ensure the highest standards of safety during Schoolies Week next month, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.
The State Government had planned to eventually hand over the running of the event to the Gold Coast City Council, but Ms Bligh said that given the magnitude of the event, Government remained the best-placed body to coordinate the effort.
“Schoolies has grown into a major event that now injects some $60 million a year into the Gold Coast economy,” Ms Bligh said.
“I have been formally advised by the mayor of the Gold Coast that the City Council believes that full responsibility for this event is, frankly, beyond it and the Queensland Government is not prepared to see this event go backwards.
“We are committed to continuing a very strong presence to ensure our young people can gather in safety. Our response to Schoolies is a major cross-agency, logistical feat involving police, emergency services, health, liquor licensing and transport that now costs taxpayers an estimated $4.5 million a year.”
The Queensland Government became involved in Schoolies in 2003.
“Our focus on improving safety and security has resulted in the stabilisation of the number of arrests, which accounted for less than one in 200 of the 35,000 people who attended the first week of last year’s event on the Gold Coast,” Ms Bligh said.
“Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of arrests related to minor offences that will not be a long-term stain on the character of young people with their whole life ahead of them.
“My Government will continue to promote important safety messages and work to keep young Queenslanders on the right track as they enjoy Schoolies.
“I wish the class of 2007 all the best for their future and urge them to have a safe time at Schoolies next month,” Ms Bligh said.
Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities alone contributed $1million to the Safer Schoolies initiative across the State.
“This investment includes seed grants of $100,000 for activities in regions such as Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Yeppoon and the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“We have provided $460,000 to Surfers Paradise Management to encourage more school leavers to get involved in activities that reduce the focus on excessive alcohol consumption,” she said.
“We’ve also given Red Frogs Australia almost $80,000 to provide important outreach support services, with more than 1200 volunteers on the beat providing mediation, referral and visitation services this year.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities had also doubled the number of education panels visiting schools in the South East to talk to students about personal responsibility and safety.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister’s Office – 3235 4280
The State Government had planned to eventually hand over the running of the event to the Gold Coast City Council, but Ms Bligh said that given the magnitude of the event, Government remained the best-placed body to coordinate the effort.
“Schoolies has grown into a major event that now injects some $60 million a year into the Gold Coast economy,” Ms Bligh said.
“I have been formally advised by the mayor of the Gold Coast that the City Council believes that full responsibility for this event is, frankly, beyond it and the Queensland Government is not prepared to see this event go backwards.
“We are committed to continuing a very strong presence to ensure our young people can gather in safety. Our response to Schoolies is a major cross-agency, logistical feat involving police, emergency services, health, liquor licensing and transport that now costs taxpayers an estimated $4.5 million a year.”
The Queensland Government became involved in Schoolies in 2003.
“Our focus on improving safety and security has resulted in the stabilisation of the number of arrests, which accounted for less than one in 200 of the 35,000 people who attended the first week of last year’s event on the Gold Coast,” Ms Bligh said.
“Thankfully, the overwhelming majority of arrests related to minor offences that will not be a long-term stain on the character of young people with their whole life ahead of them.
“My Government will continue to promote important safety messages and work to keep young Queenslanders on the right track as they enjoy Schoolies.
“I wish the class of 2007 all the best for their future and urge them to have a safe time at Schoolies next month,” Ms Bligh said.
Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities alone contributed $1million to the Safer Schoolies initiative across the State.
“This investment includes seed grants of $100,000 for activities in regions such as Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, Yeppoon and the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“We have provided $460,000 to Surfers Paradise Management to encourage more school leavers to get involved in activities that reduce the focus on excessive alcohol consumption,” she said.
“We’ve also given Red Frogs Australia almost $80,000 to provide important outreach support services, with more than 1200 volunteers on the beat providing mediation, referral and visitation services this year.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the Department of Communities had also doubled the number of education panels visiting schools in the South East to talk to students about personal responsibility and safety.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Minister’s Office – 3235 4280