Question Time blog: Qld Government announces survey on mobile phone impact in schools
The Education Minister has tasked her department with surveying state schools as part of an investigation into whether mobile phones should be banned in schools.
A statewide survey of schools investigating the impact of mobile phones will be launched, with a decision on whether Queensland will ban mobile phones in schools to be crafted within months.
Former Queensland Family and Children’s Commissioner Cheryl Vardon has been tasked with heading up the evaluation of what the state should do when it comes to mobile phones in schools.
Education Minister Grace Grace revealed in parliament on Thursday she had tasked the department with surveying state schools to get “a clearer picture on exactly what is happening” on phone bans.
“The best interest of our students will be at the heart of what we do,” she said.
Queensland Minister for Education Grace Grace. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glenn Campbell
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier this month said a “nationally consistent” approach was needed for her to ban mobile phones in schools, though experts quickly pointed out that Queensland simply needed to follow interstate counterparts.
Ms Grace confirmed she had raised the matter with federal counterpart Jason Clare, who she said agreed it would be helpful to have a nationally consistent police as different jurisdictions have different interpretations of what a mobile phone ban in schools looks like.
Ms Vardon’s report is set to be ready by the end of June, in time for Ms Grace to take to the next meeting of education ministers.
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Katter's Australian Party leader Robbie Katter is up now, and shifts the tone of Question Time He asks the Premier about a $75m funding package outback mayors in the Burke Shire region are pushing for, to raise bridges and crossings in their flood ravaged communities. Parts of the area have been cut off for up to four months. Ms Palaszczuk says she will meet with the mayor of the region today, and in a rare measured Question Time response thanks Mr Katter for his advocacy – and invites him to also attend the meeting. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with the mayor," she says.
KAP Queensland leader Robbie Katter (2nd right), joined by (L to R) Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, Shane Knuth and Nick Dametto, speaks to the media at Parliament House. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire
– Stephanie Bennett
Minister grilled on coch-up at Townsville University Hospital
A clinical review has been launched into paediatric audiology services delivered by the hospital, which has already identified 14 children who require reassessment.
Ms D'Ath confirmed the chief executive of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (Kieran Keyes) made public statements about the issue yesterday.
“I was verbally briefed on Monday morning (and) I was provided a detailed written brief on Tuesday afternoon or evening and yesterday morning, the chief executive stated to me that he intended to stand up and make public statements," she said.
“He was wanting to brief the board, which is appropriate, and then start contacting the families whose children were impacted.”
The Health Minister said an audit of the use of the implants at the hospital was only partly completed but when the issue became clear, the HHS responded swiftly.
She said about 340 children need to be audited and only about 90 have so far been completed.
– James Hall
'Chaos' and public image: What's been achieved in housing?
Everton MP and former Housing Minister Tim Mander has jumped on board the Question Time train. No surprises here – he also launches with "six months since the housing summit", asking if the "failures are proof this government is in chaos and cares more about announcements". Acting speaker Joe Kelly gives the Premier some latitude in answering – which she happily takes. "I will not be lectured to by the Opposition that attended the housing summit and contributed nothing," she says. "There is a policy vacuum." She even gives the Greens a shout-out – saying "we don't agree with their policy, but at least they have a policy".
– Stephanie Bennett
Fire safety report on failed Griffith project received this month
Deputy Premier Steven Miles has confirmed the government received a fire safety report on the now abandoned Griffith University accommodation site this month.
LNP treasury spokesman David Janetzki asked Mr Miles when the government was advised the site was no longer viable for accommodation.
He also asked when the government signed off on the contract for the 64 homes they have purchased that will replace the Griffith accommodation.
In response, Mr Miles said he received the fire safety standards report in April, and the decision was subsequently made to not go ahead with the project.
The government announced on Wednesday the project would be abandoned because of the detailed works that would be needed to bring the property to modern fire safety standards
– Jack McKay
Winemakers unhappy with Containers for Change expansion
A NATIONAL association representing wine producers has slammed the state government’s decision to expand its container refund scheme to include glass wine bottles, alleging it will “do nothing” for recycling while slapping winemakers $20m a year in costs. The state government on Thursday confirmed the Containers for Change scheme will take glass wine and spirit bottles from November 1, with the decision made after months of consultation. It means Queenslanders will be able to cash in glass wine and spirit bottles for 10c apiece in a few months. Australian Grape and Wine chief executive Lee McLean strongly condemned the move, saying it would “do nothing to increase glass recycling but slug Australia’s winemakers $20 million a year – rising to $100 million if other states follow suit”. “This will not lead to a discernible increase in recycling, and it will not lead to a more circular economy,” he said. “What it will lead to is an increase in the cost of wine at every pub, club, restaurant and bottle shop in Queensland and an increase in carbon emissions. “This is a bad outcome that could not come at a worse time for our industry. In recent years we have faced challenges of fires, smoke, hail, frost, poor fruit set, COVID-19 and the loss of our biggest export market. What we need from the government is support, not another kick in the guts.”
Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie continues the LNP’s theme of prosecuting the state government’s Housing Summit announcements.
This time Mr Bleijie reminded the Premier about a proposal to transfer war widow properties into social and affordable homes, asking how many Queenslanders were living in these properties more than six months on from the Housing Summit.
In response, Annastacia Palaszczuk said “we’re not going into individuals” before again listing the government’s announcements from the Housing Summit and its increased funding for social homes.
But when the Deputy Opposition Leader, in true Bleijie style, rose to bring the Premier back to the specific question, she said she would check with the Housing Minister on the war widow properties.
Will she commit to tabling the response? “No,” the Premier responded flatly, before dragging out a Labor favourite: “I will not be lectured to by those Opposite.”
“Those opposite wanted to privatise 90 per cent of the housing stock.”
The Parliament then erupted into inaudible screams, prompting the Premier to say “don’t come in here with your little …”
But she's interrupted and doesn't finish that remark.
Question Time has kicked off and the first issue prosecuted by the LNP is housing. With six months since the state's housing summit – launched following a campaign by The Courier-Mail – Opposition Leader David Crisafulli wants to know why the government spent $2m on the old student accommodation at Griffith before any fire risks were checked. It comes after Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced yesterday the plan would be ditched. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says more than 60 alternative properties have been identified, pitching the government has spent $4bn on addressing housing. "We are working with a whole range of stakeholders and we will continue to meet with them," she says.
Mr Crisafulli's second question is along the same lines, but now he asks the Premier how many people are living in Catholic church properties, since the idea was floated six months ago. Plenty of argy bargy in the chamber today and a number of members – including Opposition Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie and former Opposition Leader and Nanango MP Deb Frecklington – find themselves on warnings. Ms Palaszczuk says she has spoken with a whole range of providers, but doesn't offer up a figure. She does take the chance to have a sledge at former LNP Housing Minister Tim Mander – calling him "one of the worst housing ministers" the state has had.
Good morning, it’s the final sitting day of this sitting week. It’s a good time to note that the next parliamentary blog will be coming to you live from Cairns, with the regional sitting of parliament to take place from May 9 to 11. May 9 is also the day of the federal budget, as a fun fact. Things that have happened so far this morning include; Burke Shire Council Mayor Ernie Camp and deputy Tonya Murray have made the big trek to Brisbane to make a plea for millions in much needed funding to rebuild its flood-ravaged infrastructure stronger. Glass wine and spirit bottles will soon be able to be cashed in for 10c apiece in a major expansion of the containers for change scheme.
Unions and so-called work ‘perks’ have become the scapegoat for blowouts on Qld projects as the LNP moves to scrap the BPIC policy. But there's more to the story, writes CFMEU official Dylan Howard.
