LINDA’S “VINE” LINES March 08
State Member for Kurwongbah
As we move into the year (and isn’t it going fast) March is a very busy month. International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March and this year’s theme is Queensland Women: Shaping the Future. March 15th is also World Consumer Rights Day which promotes the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose and the right to be heard. Don’t forget if you would like to meet with me but are unable to come to Strathpine, I am happy to meet you in Dayboro, just phone my office on 3205 6779 and either Gai or Sean will help you.
State Government Priorities
The Premier recently outlined in Parliament the State Government’s priorities for 2008. The following are top of the list for the State Government over the next 12 months:
Working towards alleviating chronic traffic congestion through better roads, more buses and trains.
Education including early childhood education (all four-year-olds will have access to 15 hours a week of high-quality early childhood education by 2013).
Fluoride will be introduced to our water supply.
Police will be recruited at record levels, with a further 200 new officers joining our service.
A commitment to help address the housing shortage. This year alone we will build another 500 units of public housing.
In 2008 we will do more to protect vulnerable children.
Addressing the challenges of climate change.
Dayboro Soccer Pitch
On Saturday 2nd February I had the honour of attending the official opening of Dayboro Soccer Club’s new pitch at the Dayboro Showground’s. The club received funding from the State Government and the Pine Rivers Shire Council and it represents a significant investment in the club’s long term future. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all who were involved in bringing the dream of the Dingoes to reality.
Dayboro State School Leaders Induction
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dayboro State School’s Student Leaders for 2008. The Leaders were presented with their badges on Friday 22nd February at an induction ceremony held at the school. I am sure that the students will be great ambassadors for their school and will do themselves and their community proud.
Justice of the Peace Forum
On Wednesday 9th April I will be hosting an information Forum for Justices of the Peace (JP) and Commissioners for Declarations (CDec) at the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club. This will be an opportunity for JP’s and CDec’s to refresh their knowledge on roles and responsibilities as well as information updates on procedures regularly undertaken. Invitations will be sent out shortly.
Grocery Unit Pricing
Recently in Parliament I spoke about how rising inflation has affected grocery prices in supermarkets. I believe one answer that would help to fight inflation and reduce the amount of your grocery bill, is the introduction of grocery unit pricing in our big supermarkets.
A unit price shows the cost of goods per standard unit of measurement. It is a piece of information in addition to the selling price that helps consumers compare products and assess value for money. The Queensland Consumers Association, which first brought this issue to my attention, estimates that by using unit prices a shopper could potentially save $16 on a $43 basket of 14 goods. That is a whopping 37% saving.
Unit pricing is well accepted overseas, and the lesson learned is that for it to be effective it needs to be mandatory. A mandatory, effective unit-pricing system will help in the fight against inflation. It will save consumers money and time and will drive competition between retailers and manufacturers. Small retailers would be exempt.
If you think grocery unit pricing is a good idea, the best way to support it is by making a submission to the current ACCC inquiry into grocery prices. Submissions should be sent by email to grocerypricesinquiry@accc.gov.au no later than 11th March 2008, or you can visit the ACCC website at http://www.accc.gov.au and follow the links.
Funding
Dayboro State School Outside School Hours Care has received funding of $4,063 from the Department of Communities for a shade cover that will assist the organisation to meet legislative requirements in Part 22: Child Care Centres in the Child Care Act 2002.
Smart Moves Initiative
In 2008, Queensland state primary and secondary school students will exercise their bodies as well as their brains when they celebrate the Year of Physical Activity with the implementation of Smart Moves: Physical Activity programs in Queensland State Schools. This program aims to increase student participation in physical activity and improve the quality of that activity. The Year of Physical Activity aims to increase awareness of the link between physical activity and academic achievement and to further engage educators in the process of including physical activity across the curriculum.
For more information on the Year of Physical Activity for Queensland Schools, or if you are interested in getting involved, please visit the website www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy/physicalactivity.
The Premier recently outlined in Parliament the State Government’s priorities for 2008. The following are top of the list for the State Government over the next 12 months:
Working towards alleviating chronic traffic congestion through better roads, more buses and trains.
Education including early childhood education (all four-year-olds will have access to 15 hours a week of high-quality early childhood education by 2013).
Fluoride will be introduced to our water supply.
Police will be recruited at record levels, with a further 200 new officers joining our service.
A commitment to help address the housing shortage. This year alone we will build another 500 units of public housing.
In 2008 we will do more to protect vulnerable children.
Addressing the challenges of climate change.
Dayboro Soccer Pitch
On Saturday 2nd February I had the honour of attending the official opening of Dayboro Soccer Club’s new pitch at the Dayboro Showground’s. The club received funding from the State Government and the Pine Rivers Shire Council and it represents a significant investment in the club’s long term future. I would like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all who were involved in bringing the dream of the Dingoes to reality.
Dayboro State School Leaders Induction
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dayboro State School’s Student Leaders for 2008. The Leaders were presented with their badges on Friday 22nd February at an induction ceremony held at the school. I am sure that the students will be great ambassadors for their school and will do themselves and their community proud.
Justice of the Peace Forum
On Wednesday 9th April I will be hosting an information Forum for Justices of the Peace (JP) and Commissioners for Declarations (CDec) at the Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club. This will be an opportunity for JP’s and CDec’s to refresh their knowledge on roles and responsibilities as well as information updates on procedures regularly undertaken. Invitations will be sent out shortly.
Grocery Unit Pricing
Recently in Parliament I spoke about how rising inflation has affected grocery prices in supermarkets. I believe one answer that would help to fight inflation and reduce the amount of your grocery bill, is the introduction of grocery unit pricing in our big supermarkets.
A unit price shows the cost of goods per standard unit of measurement. It is a piece of information in addition to the selling price that helps consumers compare products and assess value for money. The Queensland Consumers Association, which first brought this issue to my attention, estimates that by using unit prices a shopper could potentially save $16 on a $43 basket of 14 goods. That is a whopping 37% saving.
Unit pricing is well accepted overseas, and the lesson learned is that for it to be effective it needs to be mandatory. A mandatory, effective unit-pricing system will help in the fight against inflation. It will save consumers money and time and will drive competition between retailers and manufacturers. Small retailers would be exempt.
If you think grocery unit pricing is a good idea, the best way to support it is by making a submission to the current ACCC inquiry into grocery prices. Submissions should be sent by email to grocerypricesinquiry@accc.gov.au no later than 11th March 2008, or you can visit the ACCC website at http://www.accc.gov.au and follow the links.
Funding
Dayboro State School Outside School Hours Care has received funding of $4,063 from the Department of Communities for a shade cover that will assist the organisation to meet legislative requirements in Part 22: Child Care Centres in the Child Care Act 2002.
Smart Moves Initiative
In 2008, Queensland state primary and secondary school students will exercise their bodies as well as their brains when they celebrate the Year of Physical Activity with the implementation of Smart Moves: Physical Activity programs in Queensland State Schools. This program aims to increase student participation in physical activity and improve the quality of that activity. The Year of Physical Activity aims to increase awareness of the link between physical activity and academic achievement and to further engage educators in the process of including physical activity across the curriculum.
For more information on the Year of Physical Activity for Queensland Schools, or if you are interested in getting involved, please visit the website www.education.qld.gov.au/schools/healthy/physicalactivity.
Until next month
Linda
