LINDAS VINE LINES
State Member for Kurwongbah, Linda Lavarch: FUTURE ADOPTION LAWS FOR QUEENSLAND; PINE RIVERS COURTHOUSE AND WATCHHOUSE; CARER BUSINESS DISCOUNT CARD; PETRIE RAILWAY STATION UPGRADES; DIARY HIGHLIGHTS!
July/August is show time. The Dayboro Show this year was, yet again, a wonderful event – lots of things to do and see and people to meet. Thanks to the organisers who always put in such a great effort to make it a must attend event. As this edition goes to print, the Pine Rivers Show will be happening and I am looking forward this year to welcoming Senator Mark Furner who has moved in to his new office at Crossroads, Strathpine taking over from Senator Claire Moore who has moved into the city. Bonny Barry, Member for Aspley will also be joining me at the show, so come along and say hello.
FUTURE ADOPTION LAWS FOR QUEENSLAND
The State Government has announced an overhaul of the State’s adoption laws, some of which still largely reflect community values from that time. The Government’s proposals for new adoption laws are set out in the Future Adoption Laws for Queensland – Policy Paper. The proposed new laws are based on outcomes of previous consultation, evidence from research and best practice in other Australian states and territories and will introduce a range of significant reforms, including:
The consents required for a child’s adoption to proceed
How a birth parent’s consent to a child’s adoption is provided
Provisions for open adoption, where birth parents and adoptive parents agree
Eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive parents
Relative and step-parent adoption
The process for selecting and assessing prospective adoptive parents
In addition, the Government has released a consultation paper – Balancing Privacy and Access: Adoption Consultation Paper – which examines the laws relating to obtaining identifying adoption information. Public comment is sought on:
Whether Queensland should adopt the Western Australian model, which would remove past objections to the release of identifying information;
Whether current objections to the release of identifying information should have to be renewed every five years; and
Whether objections to the release of identifying information should expire when a person who lodged them dies.
This is obviously an emotive issue but Premier Anna Bligh has indicated that we cannot continue to leave it in the ‘too-hard’ basket. Queensland’s adoption laws need to reflect modern society and it is planned to have a Bill before the Parliament before the end of 2008.
Copies of the policy paper and the consultation paper are available at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au or you can call my office on 3205 6779.
The closing date for written submissions is Friday 19 September 2008.
PINE RIVERS COURTHOUSE AND WATCHHOUSE
The opening of the Pine Rivers Courthouse and Watchhouse has been deferred due to some delays in completing construction. I hope to be announcing details about the open day which will give local residents an opportunity to check out the new building and facilities before it opens for business.
CARER BUSINESS DISCOUNT CARD
To recognise the valuable role carers play in the community, the Queensland Government has introduced the Carer Business Discount Card scheme. Similar to the Seniors Business Discount Card, the Carers card will enable Carers to obtain discounts and other offers from participating businesses. To be eligible you must be in receipt of a Centrelink Carer Payment or Carer Allowance. Application can be made online at www.qld.gov.au/carercard, by calling Smart Service Queensland on 131304 or you can call my office on 3205 6779 and I will arrange to send out an application form.
PETRIE RAILWAY STATION UPGRADES
Recently I was pleased to co-host a movie night at Strathpine Cinemas along with Queensland Rail to thank commuters for their patience as work continues to upgrade Petrie Railway Station. Over the past few years, the face of Petrie station has changed dramatically with parking facilities greatly improved as well as an upgrade to the bus interchange. Now Petrie is set to be improved further with an extension to the footbridge and a new lift providing access from the eastern car park, as well as platform upgrades providing better accessibility for people with disabilities and new bus awnings. Petrie station is an integral part of the transport network and these upgrades will ensure it remains at the high standard commuters expect of their public transport facilities.
DIARY HIGHLIGHTS!
Seniors Expo – 18th and 19th August at the Strathpine Community Centre, Mecklem St, Strathpine
The Great Brisbane Duck Race on 29th August is organised by the PA Foundation, of which I am a director, to raise funds for research to find better diagnosis, therapies and treatments to improve the lives of cancer patients. By adopting a duck (for as little as $5), you not only have a chance to win a car, but you are also helping in the fight against cancer. You can adopt a duck online at www.pafoundation.org.au or I will have some tickets available in my office and at the Pine Rivers Show.
Until next month,
FUTURE ADOPTION LAWS FOR QUEENSLAND
The State Government has announced an overhaul of the State’s adoption laws, some of which still largely reflect community values from that time. The Government’s proposals for new adoption laws are set out in the Future Adoption Laws for Queensland – Policy Paper. The proposed new laws are based on outcomes of previous consultation, evidence from research and best practice in other Australian states and territories and will introduce a range of significant reforms, including:
The consents required for a child’s adoption to proceed
How a birth parent’s consent to a child’s adoption is provided
Provisions for open adoption, where birth parents and adoptive parents agree
Eligibility criteria for prospective adoptive parents
Relative and step-parent adoption
The process for selecting and assessing prospective adoptive parents
In addition, the Government has released a consultation paper – Balancing Privacy and Access: Adoption Consultation Paper – which examines the laws relating to obtaining identifying adoption information. Public comment is sought on:
Whether Queensland should adopt the Western Australian model, which would remove past objections to the release of identifying information;
Whether current objections to the release of identifying information should have to be renewed every five years; and
Whether objections to the release of identifying information should expire when a person who lodged them dies.
This is obviously an emotive issue but Premier Anna Bligh has indicated that we cannot continue to leave it in the ‘too-hard’ basket. Queensland’s adoption laws need to reflect modern society and it is planned to have a Bill before the Parliament before the end of 2008.
Copies of the policy paper and the consultation paper are available at www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au or you can call my office on 3205 6779.
The closing date for written submissions is Friday 19 September 2008.
PINE RIVERS COURTHOUSE AND WATCHHOUSE
The opening of the Pine Rivers Courthouse and Watchhouse has been deferred due to some delays in completing construction. I hope to be announcing details about the open day which will give local residents an opportunity to check out the new building and facilities before it opens for business.
CARER BUSINESS DISCOUNT CARD
To recognise the valuable role carers play in the community, the Queensland Government has introduced the Carer Business Discount Card scheme. Similar to the Seniors Business Discount Card, the Carers card will enable Carers to obtain discounts and other offers from participating businesses. To be eligible you must be in receipt of a Centrelink Carer Payment or Carer Allowance. Application can be made online at www.qld.gov.au/carercard, by calling Smart Service Queensland on 131304 or you can call my office on 3205 6779 and I will arrange to send out an application form.
PETRIE RAILWAY STATION UPGRADES
Recently I was pleased to co-host a movie night at Strathpine Cinemas along with Queensland Rail to thank commuters for their patience as work continues to upgrade Petrie Railway Station. Over the past few years, the face of Petrie station has changed dramatically with parking facilities greatly improved as well as an upgrade to the bus interchange. Now Petrie is set to be improved further with an extension to the footbridge and a new lift providing access from the eastern car park, as well as platform upgrades providing better accessibility for people with disabilities and new bus awnings. Petrie station is an integral part of the transport network and these upgrades will ensure it remains at the high standard commuters expect of their public transport facilities.
DIARY HIGHLIGHTS!
Seniors Expo – 18th and 19th August at the Strathpine Community Centre, Mecklem St, Strathpine
The Great Brisbane Duck Race on 29th August is organised by the PA Foundation, of which I am a director, to raise funds for research to find better diagnosis, therapies and treatments to improve the lives of cancer patients. By adopting a duck (for as little as $5), you not only have a chance to win a car, but you are also helping in the fight against cancer. You can adopt a duck online at www.pafoundation.org.au or I will have some tickets available in my office and at the Pine Rivers Show.
Until next month,
Linda
