Sept2014_NEWS from SEATH HOLSWICH MP
State Member for Pine Rivers
Shop 5A, 199 Gympie Road, Strathpine Ph 3205 6779
Mt Mee Roadworks Update
The Department of Transport and Main Roads have been undertaking reconstruction works along Mt Mee Road, near Duncan Road and Ocean View, throughout this year. I am now pleased to announce the work, predominantly involving better stabilisation and pavement repairs, is scheduled for completion by the end of September. Unfortunately, one lane will remain closed through the work sites while reconstruction remains underway.
New Crime Legislation
A number of reforms were passed in Parliament recently which saw strong new penalties for animal torturers and sex offenders, new double jeopardy rules and several other changes. These reforms are all delivering on our government’s commitment to keep our community safe.
The reforms include:
A new offence of serious animal cruelty, with a maximum penalty of 7 years in jail.
Applying amendments to Queensland’s double jeopardy rules retrospectively, allowing offenders who got away with serious crimes in the past to be retried if new and compelling evidence emerges.
Mandatory one year imprisonment (maximum 5 years) for a sex offender who removes his or her GPS monitoring bracelet.
Amending the existing offence of Stealing by looting to ensure the penalty applies to an offender who steals property from a declared area under the Disaster Management Act 2003, including when the theft occurs immediately after the declaration ends to ensure victims are appropriately protected until they return to their property.
Increasing the maximum penalty for procuring a child or a person with a mental impairment for prostitution from 14 years to 20 years.
Allowing the court to list a predator convicted of child grooming as a Dangerous Offender, even if he or she was caught by a police officer pretending to be a child.
Creating six new match-fixing offences with maximum penalties of 10 years imprisonment, in line with other Australia jurisdictions.
Allowing online pleas of guilty for minor offences which currently already allow written pleas of guilty.
Domestic Violence
Our government has announced the establishment of a Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland.
Domestic and family violence currently has a huge impact on the community, which is why we are calling on all Queenslanders to get involved.
As a Government, we know we can’t tackle the problem of domestic and family violence alone and so as a first step, a website and survey have been developed for Queenslanders to provide your views and suggestions to the taskforce. The survey can be found at www.qld.gov.au/dfvtaskforce
In addition to the survey, the taskforce will undertake extensive, state-wide consultation with communities, families, individuals, non-government organisations, business and other key stakeholders, with a report to be provided to the Premier by the end of February 2015.
This will also include recommendations on how we can better address domestic and family violence.
The Government’s response to this report will provide the basis for developing a domestic and family violence strategy for Queensland.
A reminder about my Rail Commuter Survey
Hundreds of people have already had their say on the good and the bad of our local rail network, by completing my Rail Commuter Survey.
To have your say, please go to:
and complete the short survey.
Caring For Our Community Grants
The $4 million Caring for our Community program has opened the third round of grants which recognises the invaluable contribution that community groups and their volunteers make to Queensland, and shows our commitment to supporting their hard work.
Small grants of up to $5000 are available for the purchase of essential items and equipment. A small number of grants up to $15,000 may be available depending on the needs of particular communities.
For more information about the Caring for our Community program or to apply for a grant, visit www.communities.qld.gov.au . Applications close on Friday 26th September, 2014.
Keep in Touch via Facebook
Are you on Facebook? Please follow my page to get the latest information about what’s happening in our community, as well as important updates from your State Government – www.facebook.com/SeathHolswichMP
