Police Minister Mark Ryan has this morning announced the move to transfer Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre and the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre from private to public control.
Why Minister had to support union
Minister who attend march counselled
It will cost taxpayers an extra $111 million over four years.
It follows a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation and more than a year of union protests about conditions within one of Queensland’s privately run prisons.
Those protests by United Voice led to the counselling of Housing Minister Mick de Brenni by the Premier after he attended one rally against Mr Ryan.
“The government is of the view that the transfer to public operation will lead to improved staff safety,” he said in a statement.
“Importantly, this decision aligns government policy with issues arising from Taskforce Flaxton.
“The Taskforce observed that Queensland’s hybrid prisons system, with its mix of private and public operational responsibility, was not optimal.
“The government believes by providing QCS with full operational and day-to-day management control of all prisons and all employees, the transition will strengthen corruption resistance in Queensland prisons and improve overall integrity.”
United Voice Queensland President Sharron Caddie issued a statement describing the move as a “step in the right direction”.
“But what we really need is for the Government to address the serious, and potentially deadly, safety concerns our members have raised at Arthur Gorrie,” she said.
Updates
Health Minister Steven Miles says DIY birthing kits are not handed out in Queensland’s public health system.
It comes after Callide MP Colin Boyce referred to correspondence from the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service from March 7 regarding birthing packs issued by Theodore Hospital.
Mr Miles asked the member to table the correspondence.
“The advice consistently to me from Queensland Health is that there is not a practice to issue those kits,” Mr Miles said.
“But if the member has evidence to the contrary he should table it.
“There may be some privately practising GPs who undertake that practice but they are not the responsibility of Queensland Health.”
Housing Minister Mick de Brenni says his Cabinet colleague Mark Ryan has his full support, after being forced to apologise for attending a rally against him earlier this month.
“I apologized to the Premier for my attendance there,” Mr de Brenni said.
“The Minister (Ryan) has my full support.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says there is no appetite for a new coal-fired power station in Queensland.
“There has been no investor that has approached me in relation to building a new coal-fired power station in Queensland,” she said.
“Very clearly there is no appetite for a new coal-fired power station in Queensland.”
The question comes after a handful of Nationals MPs – including Resources Minister Matt Canavan and former-leader Barnaby Joyce – demanded the commonwealth fund a coal project in Queensland before the next election.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says there is no appetite for a new coal-fired power station in Queensland.
“There has been no investor that has approached me in relation to building a new coal-fired power station in Queensland,” she said.
“Very clearly there is no appetite for a new coal-fired power station in Queensland.”
The question comes after a handful of Nationals MPs – including Resources Minister Matt Canavan and former-leader Barnaby Joyce – demanded the commonwealth fund a coal project in Queensland before the next election.
THE Queensland women’s rugby league team will have a name to match their jersey after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced they will be called the Maroons.
She said the Queensland Rugby League had made a “commendable decision” about equality for the state women’s team.
“Our men’s teams over the years have been known as the mighty Maroons – now the women’s team will formally share the same name, as they should,” she said.
“This is common sense but praise worthy acknowledgment by the QRL of the status of the women’s game.
“The Women’s State of Origin match will be played in Sydney on June 21 this year."
She said the QRL was launching a women’s Maroons’ membership and she had been asked to be their first member and was looking forward to the State of Origin match.
“I am sure the Premier of New South Wales and I will come up with a worthy bet closer to the match,” she said.
Teachers and teacher aides weren’t brought to Queensland watchhouses to educate young offenders until March 21 , however the kids were given educational packages to complete , Police Minister Mark Ryan has conceded in Parliament this morning.
“On the 28th of February I advised the House of services provided to young offenders held in watch houses, either on remand or awaiting court appearances,” he said.
“I provided advice to the House that my office had received from the youth justice department about education and other services provided to these offenders.
“I have since been informed that teachers and teacher aides did not start the delivery of educational programs until the 21st of march following a joint risk assessment.”
THE State Government has paid nearly $50 million in grants to victims of last months north Queensland floods, according to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
She told State Parliament this morning the government was “entrenched in recovery efforts” and engaging with local councils, small businesses and the broader community.
“We’ve driven the damaged roads, inspected the flooded schools and seen first-hand the carnage on the cattle properties in the northwest to make sure impacted residents are getting the help they need where they need it,” she said.
She said the Queensland Reconstruction Authority working with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services had assessed damage to more than 8,000 properties.
“More than $28.6 million has been paid out in personal hardship grants benefiting more than 115,000 people,” she said.
“More than $20 million has been paid in recovery grants to more than 300 primary producers and more than $480,000 in small business recovery grants to more than 70 recipients.
“Housing staff have assisted almost 1800 people affected by flooding and everyone who has asked for emergency housing assistance has a safe, dry place to stay.”
She said the North Queensland Floods Appeal had raised about $10 million.
Police Minister Mark Ryan has said bringing the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre and the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre back under state control was the right thing to do.
It follows his announcement this morning.
“This change will lead to increased staff levels at both prisons,” he said.
“Having all prisons under public control will enable greater consistency.”
MAJOR delays with the Government's SPER ICT overhaul has been referred to the Auditor-General.
Treasurer Jackie Trad told Parliament of the referral this morning. The new ICT program for the State Penalties Enforcement Registry was to be in place by the end of last year but now won't be ready until June. Its cost has also blown out from an initial estimate of $47.2 million to $62.2 million.
"I have raised concerns with Treasury about the progress of the SPER ICT Program on multiple occasions," Ms Trad told the House.
"I commissioned a review of the project mid last year when I became aware of delivery issues.
"Additionally, I commissioned ongoing independent assurance of the program.
"Through this assurance work, I have been advised that further delivery issues have arisen during User Acceptance Testing, including the program not meeting its scheduled testing completion date.
"It is now anticipated that the SPER ICT Program will not be ready for operation in June.
"This is completely unacceptable.
"The SPER ICT Program has been referred to the Auditor-General for investigation due to these ongoing delivery delays.
"SPER and Queensland Treasury will fully co-operate with the Auditor-General to complete the investigation as soon as possible."
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has backed Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s proposed laws to penalise social media giants if they fail to remove terrorism footage as soon as it is reported.
“These companies must take down this material it is totally unacceptable for them to not do that,” she told Parliament this morning.
“We have to stop extremism in its tracks, we have to stop it from spreading in our society, we have to call it out and together we will make stand.”
Ms Palaszczuk also offered her condolences to the people of Christchurch after the horrific mosque attacks that left 50 people dead earlier this month.
“Their sorrow, loss and pain are unimaginable,” she said.
“Queenslanders have, as others have around the world, gathered united.
“United at mosques, united in prayers, united standing side by side with fellow Queenslanders no matter their religion or race.”
She said Queensland would not “give in to the hatred that was behind this atrocity”.
“Terrorism has no place in our lives.
“Our society is inclusive, it’s outward looking, it’s multicultural and it is multi-faith.
"This is a time we come together this is Queensland and we stand together, always.”
