Premier's journal
SEQ Futures now online
11 March 2010
Today the State Government launched a new interactive tool on the Growth Management Summit website (external site) to get Queenslanders involved in shaping our future.
The SEQ Futures program invites users to list their priorities for the future, such as less traffic congestion and walkable town centres. It lets you, the public, tell the government what you value most about the region – like environmental protection, quiet neighbourhoods or local amenities.
I invite all Queenslanders to take the challenge and explore different options to accommodate the expected population growth through SEQ Futures.
After you select from a range of priorities that reflect what you value for our future, you can make choices about how to manage growth, and see the possible futures based on your selections. The program allows you to see the implications of different choices around elements like housing and transport.
The growth that is happening in our State means that we need to make hard choices today to shape the Queensland of tomorrow. By using SEQ Futures the government can ensure we identify Queenslanders’ priorities and views on the future.
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Remembering the AHS Centaur
5 March 2010
This week I attended the memorial service for the AHS Centaur at St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane – a moving service to remember and honour 268 lives cut short.
While there was never going to be a happy ending to this story, after 67 years there is finally the opportunity for some comfort and healing.
The supreme sacrifice these men and women paid while on a mission of mercy will never be forgotten.
The Queensland Government feels privileged to have been involved in the search for the Centaur and play its part in helping to bring peace and comfort to the Centaur families and friends.
And we join search director, David Mearns in sincerely thanking and congratulating those who so tirelessly campaigned for this quest from the very beginning.
View video footage and images of the Centaur story
Read more about the AHS Centaur memorial service
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The Future of Education
4 March 2010
Every child deserves the best education and the Queensland Government will do whatever is necessary to ensure they get it. Here are some initiatives we've launched.
Ready Readers
Last week I launched a campaign to boost the literacy skills of Queensland students. We have begun recruiting an army of 3000 volunteers to read with children in our schools.
Find out about Ready Readers (external site)
Book Vouchers
The Queensland Government has joined forces with the Sunday Mail and Queensland Bookstores to offer a 10% discount off children's books statewide in March. Get your coupon in this weekend's paper.
Premier Bligh and the Sunday Mail join forces to offer affordable children's books (external site)
Community Forums
The first of the education forums are underway with the community contributing lively discussion and feedback about the government's green paper.
Share your ideas or participate in a forum (external site)
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Letter to Facebook
26 February 2010
This week I wrote to the CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg following some alarming incidents in our state.
The internet allows us to access the world at the click of a mouse, but it can also create challenges.
In the space of a week we had two incidents of sickening and illegal material posted on tribute pages set up for children who have had their lives cut short in the most terrible of circumstances.
The deaths of these two children have shocked and shaken the communities surrounding them and indeed Queenslanders all over the State.
And these incidents online only add to the grief already being felt.
Facebook Executive’s have since responded and expressed their sympathy for the friends and family of Trinity Bates and Elliott Fletcher. They have confirmed their commitment to act quickly to remove content that is offensive and breaches its Terms of Use.
Facebook and the Queensland Police Force continue to work together to ensure a safe and positive experience for Australian users.
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Growth Management Summit
24 February 2010
Yesterday I launched the State Government's Growth Management Summit website and invited members of the public to get involved in shaping Queensland's future.
The Queensland Growth Management Summit will take place in the State Library on 30-31 March 2010.
It will be streamed live online so that Queenslanders all over the State will have the chance to be involved.
The summit is a chance to bring together over 200 local and state Government representatives, industry experts, community spokespeople and conservationists from around the State.
It is also a chance for members of the public to be part of the debate about how we better manage growth in Queensland.
The website gives Queenslanders the chance to submit questions for the summit, submit comments or provide feedback.
Visitors to the site will also be asked to complete a survey which will be used to help the Queensland Government understand the community's views on the impacts of population growth.
For more information visit the Queensland Growth Management Summit website (external site).
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Live Q&A forums announced
18 February 2010
Today I announced People's Question Time, a new series of live online forums that will allow the community to engage directly with the Queensland Government.
Held monthly throughout 2010 each forum will be centred around a specific issue relevant to all Queenslanders. Panels will include topic specialists, government Ministers and myself.
The first of the monthly Q&A forums will be held on Friday 26 February between 12–1pm. The topic is 'The Future of Education in Queensland'.
I invite all members of the community to submit questions about ‘the future of education in Queensland’ to the panel both before and during the forums.
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2010 Premier's ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards
21 January 2010
It is my great pleasure to announce that nominations for the 2010 Premier's ClimateSmart Sustainability Awards are now open.
The Queensland Government is delivering its commitment to tackle the problems that current levels of carbon emissions will impose upon us.
Our community and industries are also joined in this task. The ClimateSmart and Sustainability Awards are a great time to share with us your progress and achievements.
The awards are an opportunity to showcase and celebrate individuals, communities and companies that are working to reduce our impact on the planet and sustain our Queensland lifestyle.
Make no mistake - climate change is happening. Its effects are real and we can all be part of the solution.
These awards will present the best new ideas and continue to foster awareness of sustainability.
Nominations close: Friday 26 March 2010
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