From 1 July, a zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) applies to the following (regardless of age):
   all learner licence holders
   all licence holders learning to drive the next higher class of licence
   all provisional, probationary and restricted licence holders
   all class RE motorbike licence holders for the first 12 months of holding their class RE motorbike licence
   all class RE motorbike licence holders learning to ride a class R motorbike under the authority of their class RE licence
   all licence holders driving tractors and specially constructed vehicles
If you drink then drive or ride while in one of these licensing categories, you will face heavy fines and loss of your licence.
Public Nuisance Ticketing to be extended Statewide
Police statewide will be given the power to issue on the spot fines for Public Nuisance Offences.
A 12 month trial of issuing infringement notices for public nuisance, public urination and associated offences had been undertaken in the South Brisbane and Townsville police districts during 2009.
The introduction of a ticketing system for these types of offences was recommended in a CMC report on Queensland’s Public Nuisance Offences, which was released in May 2008.
Cabinet approved a 12 month trial of on-the-spot ticketing for Public Nuisance offences in addition to existing powers to arrest or issue an offender with a notice to appear in court.
Griffith University had been engaged to undertake an evaluation of the trial. The Griffith report concludes that tickets are a cost-effective means of dealing with public nuisance offences.
During the trial 46 per cent of all persons ticketed had no previous criminal history and only one per cent of people who received tickets contested them before the courts.
The report also found the trial led to improved workload efficiencies for both the courts and police service.
Public nuisance ticketing allowed police to spend more time on the beat responding to the needs of the community, instead of doing paperwork.
Legislation to allow the statewide roll-out of public nuisance ticketing will be introduced into the Parliament later this year.
Government will vote no to daylight saving
The Bligh Government will vote against a Private Members Bill in the State Parliament to stage a referendum on split time zone daylight saving for South-East Queensland.
Caucus have voted to oppose the Bill by Independent MP, Peter Wellington, because regional Queenslanders were overwhelmingly opposed to daylight saving.
Debate on the Private Members Bill will be heard in the Parliament later this year.
New search tool allows public to check a charity
Members of the public can now do a free online check of whether a charity is authorised to collect money in Queensland, thanks to the Queensland Charities and Associations Online Register (QCAOR), search facility on the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) Website.
Previously, you would have made a phone call to do a check but now you can simply jump on the website and type in a name.
The search, which verifies information against a public register of charity records, allows you to see if the organisation you’ve been approached by or are dealing with is authorised to collect money or fundraise in Queensland.
Confirming a registration is a vote of confidence that the money being donated is for legitimate purposes.
The free facility identifies organisations registered under the Collections Act 1966, which requires organisations wishing to publicly fundraise in Queensland to register with the OFT.
New laws to protect workers’ compensation scheme, keep premiums low
Injured Queensland workers will continue to enjoy the protection of Australia’s strongest workers’ compensation scheme under changes passed in Parliament.
Queensland’s workers’ compensation scheme suffered significant losses as a result of the global financial crisis and the government had to take action to ensure its ongoing stability.
The changes that have been passed by Parliament will secure the long-term future of WorkCover Queensland and offset rising costs associated with common law claims.
Workers will still have unfettered access to common law claims while employers will continue to benefit from low premiums.
As a result of the changes, WorkCover Queensland has been able to contain average employer premiums at $1.30 per $100 of wages for 2010-11, up from $1.15.
These changes ensure that WorkCover Queensland will continue to have a strong future, while looking after the interests of injured Queensland workers.
New resources focus on disaster preparedness for the disabled
Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) has teamed up with the Australian Red Cross to educate people with a disability, their carers and families on how to prepare, respond and recover from disasters.
The Australian Red Cross REDiPlan initiative, developed in partnership with EMQ, is a step toward building a more resilient state and reconfirms the State Government’s support for the safety and well-being of our communities.
Understanding the needs and capabilities of a person with a disability during a natural disaster helps make an emergency situation less stressful and potentially saves lives.
People with a disability or their family or carer can use these resources as a useful reference in developing their own personal emergency plans, emergency kits and evacuation kits.
The REDiPlan resources, which include worksheets for each of the four steps (being informed, making a plan, getting an emergency kit, and knowing your neighbours), will be provided to all Queensland local and government libraries, all independent schools and State special schools.
For further information please visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au .