June 2010 . . Carolyns Pine Rivers News
State Member for Pine Rivers
Mobile Office
I understand how busy and hectic people’s lives can be – and how difficult it can be to find the time to come and see me as your State Government representative. That’s why I am coming to see you.
I will be conducting a Mobile Office on Wednesday 16 June from 11 am – 12 pm outside the swimming pool at Dayboro. I look forward to seeing you there.
New brochure on Cybersafety
The Bligh Government has recently released a new brochure, called “Cybersafety”. This brochure is a guide on how parents can keep their children safer from online bullies.
The “Cybersafety” brochure is a practical guide for parents on where to get more information about how to improve the safety of their children when using mobile phones and the internet.
The Queensland Police Service has also launched a government-funded DVD called “Who’s chatting to your kids?” which will be used by police when they visit schools and community groups and speak with parents, guardians and carers.
This DVD complements the “Who’s chatting to your kids?” information brochure produced by the world-renowned Task Force Argos.
This brochure advises parents, guardians and carers of the risks associated with children using the internet and the dangers posed by child sex offenders online. The brochure has been updated to reflect current internet safety advice and advances in technology. To date, 30,000 copies of the brochure have been printed for the public.
For a copy of the new brochure on “Cybersafety” or the brochure “Who’s chatting to your kids?” or for further information, please contact my office on 3205 6779 or email pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Ideas needed for One Punch Can Kill campaign
Young Queenslanders are being asked to contribute their ideas for the next phase of the One Punch Can Kill anti-violence campaign.
The state-wide competition will form the basis of the new campaign. The Government is asking young Queenslanders how anti-violence messages should be conveyed to their own generation – they need to see that the consequences of violent behaviour are simply not worth the risk.
Young Queenslanders will be able to submit a short film, music file, image or simply an idea on what they think the One Punch Can Kill campaign advertising should look like through the campaign’s new website.
The advertising competition will be open from May 21 to July 31. The winning entry will form the basis of state-wide cinema, radio and bus back advertisements later this year. The final winner will be chosen through online voting via the campaign’s website at www.onepunchcankill.qld.gov.au .
Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading challenge is open to all students in state and non-state Queensland schools from Prep to Year 7.
The challenge for school students is for Prep to Year 2 students to read or experience 20 books; Years 3 to 4 students to read, as opposed to experience, 20 books; and for Years 5 to 7 to read 15 books in the period 10 May until 27 August. Experiencing books for Prep to Year 2 students could include listening to stories, shared reading or reading picture books.
Schools play an important role in the challenge by co-ordinating student involvement and this year, schools with a 100 per cent student participation rate will go into a draw for numerous prizes.
As the challenge coincides with the annual MS Readathon, books read by students for the readathon can also be counted towards the Premier’s Reading Challenge. For more information visit www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/readingchallenge. Registrations must be lodged by 28 May.
Ban on Tobacco displays in Queensland by mid 2011
The Queensland Government will ban displays of smoking and related products at general retailers and tobacconists by mid 2011.
Banning point of sale displays for smoking and tobacco products was recommended by the Queensland Parliament’s bipartisan Social Development Committee’s January 2010 report on Chronic Diseases in Queensland.
Queensland already restricts tobacco displays to a square metre for general retailers and three square metres for specialist tobacconists.
Banning product displays will further strengthen Queensland’s already tough tobacco laws, after the Bligh Government banned smoking in private vehicles carrying children under 16 earlier this year.
Restricting retail advertising and promotion of tobacco and other smoking related products has been shown to be an effective tobacco control strategy.
There is also strong evidence that advertising, display and promotion of tobacco products influences the uptake and maintenance of smoking.
Smoking kills an estimated 3,400 Queenslanders every year, with more than 30,450 people admitted to Queensland hospitals each year for smoking-related illnesses.
The new ban will be introduced through proposed amendments to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998.
Have your say on neighbourhood dispute laws
Disputes about trees and fences are two of the biggest causes of neighbourhood discontent in Queensland.
Proposed new laws set to modernise neighbourhood dispute laws are currently open for public comment.
The Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Bill 2010 aims to make it easier for neighbours to avoid and reduce disputes before they escalate and end up in court.
The proposed Bill addresses community concerns raised during two consultation processes including the views that the laws needed to be clearer and easier to follow.
The proposed Bill also reflects the strong community view that a tree keeper should be responsible for the proper care and maintenance of a tree and it provides clear direction about a tree keeper’s responsibilities.
Other general changes include clarification that the ownership of a dividing fence on a common boundary is shared equally between neighbours, clearer rules for pastoral and agricultural fences and a new statutory framework giving the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) jurisdiction to make orders in disputes about trees and fences.
Learn more, get involved and have your say about the proposed new laws. Public consultation closes on 9 July 2010. For more information about the Bill and how to provide feedback, visit www.justice.qld.gov.au
New brochure on Cybersafety
The Bligh Government has recently released a new brochure, called “Cybersafety”. This brochure is a guide on how parents can keep their children safer from online bullies.
The “Cybersafety” brochure is a practical guide for parents on where to get more information about how to improve the safety of their children when using mobile phones and the internet.
The Queensland Police Service has also launched a government-funded DVD called “Who’s chatting to your kids?” which will be used by police when they visit schools and community groups and speak with parents, guardians and carers.
This DVD complements the “Who’s chatting to your kids?” information brochure produced by the world-renowned Task Force Argos.
This brochure advises parents, guardians and carers of the risks associated with children using the internet and the dangers posed by child sex offenders online. The brochure has been updated to reflect current internet safety advice and advances in technology. To date, 30,000 copies of the brochure have been printed for the public.
For a copy of the new brochure on “Cybersafety” or the brochure “Who’s chatting to your kids?” or for further information, please contact my office on 3205 6779 or email pine.rivers@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Ideas needed for One Punch Can Kill campaign
Young Queenslanders are being asked to contribute their ideas for the next phase of the One Punch Can Kill anti-violence campaign.
The state-wide competition will form the basis of the new campaign. The Government is asking young Queenslanders how anti-violence messages should be conveyed to their own generation – they need to see that the consequences of violent behaviour are simply not worth the risk.
Young Queenslanders will be able to submit a short film, music file, image or simply an idea on what they think the One Punch Can Kill campaign advertising should look like through the campaign’s new website.
The advertising competition will be open from May 21 to July 31. The winning entry will form the basis of state-wide cinema, radio and bus back advertisements later this year. The final winner will be chosen through online voting via the campaign’s website at www.onepunchcankill.qld.gov.au .
Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premier’s Reading challenge is open to all students in state and non-state Queensland schools from Prep to Year 7.
The challenge for school students is for Prep to Year 2 students to read or experience 20 books; Years 3 to 4 students to read, as opposed to experience, 20 books; and for Years 5 to 7 to read 15 books in the period 10 May until 27 August. Experiencing books for Prep to Year 2 students could include listening to stories, shared reading or reading picture books.
Schools play an important role in the challenge by co-ordinating student involvement and this year, schools with a 100 per cent student participation rate will go into a draw for numerous prizes.
As the challenge coincides with the annual MS Readathon, books read by students for the readathon can also be counted towards the Premier’s Reading Challenge. For more information visit www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/readingchallenge. Registrations must be lodged by 28 May.
Ban on Tobacco displays in Queensland by mid 2011
The Queensland Government will ban displays of smoking and related products at general retailers and tobacconists by mid 2011.
Banning point of sale displays for smoking and tobacco products was recommended by the Queensland Parliament’s bipartisan Social Development Committee’s January 2010 report on Chronic Diseases in Queensland.
Queensland already restricts tobacco displays to a square metre for general retailers and three square metres for specialist tobacconists.
Banning product displays will further strengthen Queensland’s already tough tobacco laws, after the Bligh Government banned smoking in private vehicles carrying children under 16 earlier this year.
Restricting retail advertising and promotion of tobacco and other smoking related products has been shown to be an effective tobacco control strategy.
There is also strong evidence that advertising, display and promotion of tobacco products influences the uptake and maintenance of smoking.
Smoking kills an estimated 3,400 Queenslanders every year, with more than 30,450 people admitted to Queensland hospitals each year for smoking-related illnesses.
The new ban will be introduced through proposed amendments to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998.
Have your say on neighbourhood dispute laws
Disputes about trees and fences are two of the biggest causes of neighbourhood discontent in Queensland.
Proposed new laws set to modernise neighbourhood dispute laws are currently open for public comment.
The Neighbourhood Disputes Resolution Bill 2010 aims to make it easier for neighbours to avoid and reduce disputes before they escalate and end up in court.
The proposed Bill addresses community concerns raised during two consultation processes including the views that the laws needed to be clearer and easier to follow.
The proposed Bill also reflects the strong community view that a tree keeper should be responsible for the proper care and maintenance of a tree and it provides clear direction about a tree keeper’s responsibilities.
Other general changes include clarification that the ownership of a dividing fence on a common boundary is shared equally between neighbours, clearer rules for pastoral and agricultural fences and a new statutory framework giving the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) jurisdiction to make orders in disputes about trees and fences.
Learn more, get involved and have your say about the proposed new laws. Public consultation closes on 9 July 2010. For more information about the Bill and how to provide feedback, visit www.justice.qld.gov.au
Until next time
Carolyn
