Centenary of defeat for the strong-arm premiers – The Qld Weekly #qldpol: @Qldaah

Centenary of defeat for the strong-arms.

(February 28, 2015) – Proof for bail.

(February 27, 2015) – Independence Day.

(February 26, 2015) – Newman book snag.

(February 25, 2015)  – Return to civil unions.

(February 24, 2015)  – Verity did it again.

(February 23, 2015) – Cabinet day.

(February 22, 2015) – Water rising.

Highlights

Blog the week

A slight change to the format to this column to last year. We’ll be blogging the stories of the day, from Sunday through to Saturday. Check back for updates.

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Centenary of defeat for the strong-arms

Campbell Newman has followed in the footsteps of Liberal former Queensland Premier Digby Denham who lost his electorate of Oxley and government in 1915. Both were grain sellers before entering politics and in a quirk of fate, Newman’s seat of Ashgrove covers large sections of Denham’s now defunct seat of Oxley.

In a piece for The Conversation entitled, “History’s lesson for Queensland: a slim majority is enough to be bold”, Postdoctoral Fellow at The University of Queensland Chris Salisbury explores the history of Queensland’s marginal governments through the elections of 1915 and 1998 which gave rise to Labor Premiers TJ Ryan and Peter Beattie, respectively. The later also formed a minority government with independent member for Nicklin, Peter Wellington who has formed government from current Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Denham had become premier of Queensland in 1911 through succession of leadership of the Ministerialist bloc (a pre-cursor to the Liberal Party). As with Newman, law and order was a primary election ticket for the Denham Government. He deployed strong-arm tactics in an attempt to break the 1912 Brisbane tram strike by using police and special constables in a forceful manner. As the strike widened into a general one, Denham feared revolution and called upon the Commonwealth to deploy troops. With the request rejected, he garnered approval from the Queensland Governor William MacGregor to deploy forces from a German warship anchored off the Queensland coast to maintain law and order. With this reassurance, he called an immediate election for 2012. He lost many Brisbane based seats but retained government with a rural base.

Like Newman, Denham picked fights with the unions, even establishing an Industrial Court that did not recognise them. However, his coalition in government began to break down with several government members forming a splinter group called the  Farmers’ Union (a precursor to the Country Party), not unlike the formation of Katter’s Australian Party in 2011 and Palmer United Party in 2013.

Denham also made electoral reform by making voting compulsory for the 1915 election. Newman introduced voting proof of identification ahead of the 2015 poll.

The Ryan Government of 1915 would set-up a progressive platform that would see Labor retain power in Queensland until 1929. Separated by one hundred years, Denham and Newman remain the only two Queensland premiers to lose both their seats and government at a Queensland general state election.

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(February 28, 2015) – Proof for bail

Quentin Bryce hands down report into domestic and family violence

• The Honourable Quentin Bryce writes, “In the 1970s we started to face up to the hidden shame and tragedy of domestic abuse. The first shelter for battered wives and children, ‘Elsie’, was established in Sydney by feminist Dr Anne Summers AO. Today there are more than 300 women’s refuges around Australia and there have been many advances in the past 40 years in how we deal with domestic abuse, but the deeply disturbing fact is that this terrible scourge on our community is increasing in incidence and severity.”: Special taskforce on domestic and family violence in Queensland.
• Daryl Passmore reports, “Specialist domestic violence courts and a new crime of strangulation should be introduced, says a landmark report into the issue. They are among 140 recommendations to tackle what Special Taskforce into Domestic and Family Violence chairwoman Dame Quentin Bryce labelled” this confronting and dreadful scourge in our society”.”: Call for specialist courts to deal with ‘scourge’ of domestic violence.
• Kym Agius reports, “There are on average 180 domestic violence incidents in Queensland each day and a new report makes 140 recommendations to protect victims and hold abusers to account. The “Not now, Not ever” report was handed down by domestic violence taskforce chair former Governor-General Quentin Bryce, who was alarmed by the statistics.”: Domestic violence rising in Queensland according to new report.

Premier receiving the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence report from Hon Quentin Bryce AD CVO. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/wR9gcf3d6k

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 28, 2015

Domestic & family violence is a violation of basic human rights & there is no excuse for not acting to eliminate it. pic.twitter.com/twEyxAocdf

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 28, 2015

#qldpol Reported Qld DV incidents up from 58k in 2011-2012 to 66k in 2012-2014: http://t.co/EbCng3ra2h pic.twitter.com/XqzfG1RLCB

— David Marler (@Qldaah) February 28, 2015

Death threat against Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale

• Joel Gould reports, “A prominent Ipswich businessman is under investigation for an alleged threat to kill Mayor Paul Pisasale.”: Police, CCC investigate ‘death threat’ against Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale.

Newman’s VLAD laws ‘sad indictment on the state’

• Jorge Branco reports, “A Queensland magistrate has launched a fresh spray of criticism against the state’s controversial anti-bikie laws while setting an alleged key player in a north Brisbane drug ring free on bail. Magistrate Christopher Callaghan said the laws “obviously” needed to be amended while considering the bail application of 31-year-old Fitzgibbon man David Chung, charged with supplying and trafficking drugs in a syndicate on Brisbane’s northside. The 31-year-old father had no criminal history or links to any bikie gangs but was charged under the Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Act as an alleged member of a five-person drug syndicate.Mr Callaghan said he had seen no evidence to support allegations Mr Chung was a participant or member in a criminal gang but the laws forced him to reverse the onus of proof for bail.”The mere fact that the police make that allegation is enough to place him in the show cause position, which is a sad indictment on the state of that particular law,” he said.”: Magistrate hits out at VLAD laws.

TC Marcia

• Melanie Whiting reports, “”: Temporary housing prototype survives ultimate test: Cyclone Marcia.
• Gail Burke reports, “Power has been restored to more than 90 per cent of properties after Cyclone Marcia’s march through Central Queensland last weekend.”: Tropical Cyclone Marcia: Power restored to more than 90 per cent of homes.
• Patrick Williams reports, “A charitable organisation coordinating donations to those impacted by Tropical Cyclone Marcia has urged everyone to log them in its virtual warehouse instead of trying to deliver goods to the front line themselves.”: Tropical Cyclone Marcia: GIVIT encourages future donations to be registered online.

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(February 27, 2015) – Independence Day

Peter Wellington nominated for Speaker

• Kristian Silva reports, “Griffith University political scientist Paul Williams said the placement of an independent member in the Speaker’s chair was a “great opportunity” for the parliament.”The parliament will be very evenly divided. You’ve got a non-partisan Speaker and this should be one of the best parliaments we’ve seen in decades,” Dr Williams said.”It’s a statement of confidence in Peter Wellington. It underscores most people’s belief in his integrity and reputation for impartiality. It’s a great boon for the parliament to have a genuinely independent speaker.””Observers have often said the Borbidge parliament was quite a good one, with some exceptions. But it was good in terms of real scrutiny and debate. The first six months of the Beattie government was also good when they didn’t have a majority back in ’98.”People don’t have to fear a hung parliament if it’s handled properly.””: Peter Wellington nominated as Speaker.
• Sarah Elks reports, “Annastacia Palaszczuk has nominated kingmaker Independent Peter Wellington as Speaker ahead of the first sitting of the new Queensland parliament on March 24.”: Queensland kingmaker Peter Wellington made Speaker.
• Leonie Mellor and Melinda Howells report, “Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is nominating independent MP Peter Wellington to be Speaker in the new Parliament, which will resume on March 24.”: Qld Premier nominates independent MP Peter Wellington for Speaker’s role.

.@pwellingtonmp could be the first independent MP to be Speaker since Henry Edward King in 1883 #qldpol pic.twitter.com/IeeoljlfI5

— Retro Queensland (@History_Qld) February 27, 2015

.@pwellingtonmp says it will be historic & an honour should he become Speaker @tennewsqld #qldpol pic.twitter.com/neT36AJtbN

— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 26, 2015

Independent Nicklin MP @pwellingtonmp has accepted the Premier's offer to be the Government nominee for election as the new Speaker. #qldpol

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 27, 2015

Lawrence Springborg says he supports Peter Wellington 4 speaker but with conditions.won't say what they are #9News pic.twitter.com/pZ96vkUuza

— Darren Curtis (@darrencurtis_) February 27, 2015

LNP will support @pwellingtonmp as Speaker but 1st wants to discuss operational issues with @AnnastaciaMP pic.twitter.com/LLZ70fejut

— Tegan George (@tegangeorge) February 27, 2015

55th Queensland Parliament to open March 24, 2015

• Fun fact: The 55th Queensland Parliament will open on March 24, 2015. It will be exactly three years since the 2012 election.

Queensland's 55th Parliament will begin its sittings on Tuesday 24 March 2015. #qldpol

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 26, 2015

"I'm very proud of that fact… I'm very proud that over half are women" @AnnastaciaMP on new #QLD cabinet #qldpol

— ABC Brisbane (@abcbrisbane) February 26, 2015

Former Police Minister Jack Dempsey’s cancer battle

• Cameron Atfield reports, “It started with a sharp pain as he hugged his children and ended with a mastectomy.”: Former police minister Jack Dempsey’s battle with breast cancer.

‘Mermaid’ Ray Stevens chicken dance

Cairns Hospital patient concerns

• Sharnie Kim reports, “A union representative says the Cairns Hospital emergency department (ED) in far north Queensland is struggling to cope with unprecedented patient numbers and the situation should be declared a “disaster”.”: Cairns Hospital record-breaking patient numbers a disaster Together Union warns.

Websites of Premiers past

Preserving the websites of Queensland's past Premiers via @NLAPandora More – http://t.co/aLiDa8Hf6l #qldpol pic.twitter.com/V16SGihr3m

— State Library of Qld (@slqld) February 27, 2015

Verity Barton off the hook

• Kathleen Skene reports, “Police will not charge Broadwater MP Verity Barton with unlicensed driving, claiming there is not enough evidence to pursue the matter. They have also refused to explain why a relatively simple charge was transferred to Brisbane, will not say who made that decision and have spoken cryptically about there being a “conflict of interest” involving local officers.”: Police drop unlicensed driving case against Broadwater MP Verity Barton due to ‘lack of evidence’.

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(February 26, 2015) – Newman book snag

The Palaszczuk administration

• Madonna King writes, “When Annastacia Palaszczuk and her team were being sworn in at Government House, beaming big smiles for selfies, something slightly odd was occurring in one of the state government departments. someone was walking the floors removing every piece of evidence that a previous administration existed. The posters removed were not political; they did not encourage support of the former government or attack the policies of the new bosses, the Labor Government. But anything that related to the Newman Government was taken down; in some instances signs that promoted leadership values that were developed by staff. The ultimate pettiness, though, was when stickers were plastered over small tag lines on internal congratulation certificates. There is no suggestion any of that was ordered by the new Palaszczuk administration. The likely culprit was someone, higher up the public service chain, doing what they thought was right.”: The sting of public service appointments.

TC Marcia – Yeppoon

• Jamie McKinnell reports, “Prime Minister Tony Abbott has visited the central Queensland town of Yeppoon almost one week after it was left battered and bruised by Tropical Cyclone Marcia. Mr Abbott arrived in the regional town late on Thursday afternoon where he met with disaster officials and volunteers for a barbecue at the Livingtsone Council Depot.”: Tony Abbott visits cyclone recovery staff.

TC Marcia – Jambin

The beer garden at Jambin pub is full with locals to talk to @AnnastaciaMP re flood recovery #qldpol @9NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/hFIUz02Xvj

— Howie Bennett (@HowieBennett9) February 26, 2015

Premier meeting and offering support to Jambin residents and families after #TCMarcia #qldpol pic.twitter.com/ejH7uBTiWV

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 26, 2015

TC Marcia – Monto

• Ross Kay and Rachel Fountain report, “Tropical Cyclone Marcia slammed into the Queensland coast as a category five, tearing through Yeppoon and Rockhampton in the state’s central region, but the storm did not stop there. The devastating cyclone was still a category one when it dumped rain on the agricultural town of Monto, west of Bundaberg, on February 21.”: Monto after Tropical Cyclone Marcia: Fourth flood in region is a ‘kick in the guts’ for farmers.

TC Marcia relief funding

• Brisbane Times reports, “Queenslanders affected by Cyclone Marcia can currently apply for a disaster recovery payment of $1000 per adult and $400 per child. But to be eligible, they must have suffered a serious injury or had their home destroyed or extensively damaged.”: Cyclone payment criteria unfair, says Queensland MP.
• ABC News Queensland reports, “The Queensland Government has donated $1 million to four charities helping with the Tropical Cyclone Marcia relief efforts.”: Tropical Cyclone Marcia: Queensland Government gives $1 million to charities helping in recovery effort.

.@AnnastaciaMP announces $1m funding for Salvos, Vinnies and other charities to support cyclone victims #qldpol pic.twitter.com/W9Om6blkpi

— Pamela Frost (@pamela_frost) February 26, 2015

A constructive LNP

• Brisbane Times reports, “Lawrence Springborg says he’ll lead an effective and constructive opposition in Queensland. We are not going to be criticising for the sake of criticising. We’re going to be constructive in our approach to discussing and working with the new government.”: Queensland LNP leader Lawrence Springborg promises constructive opposition.

O week at QUT has a couple of surprise guests this morning. @7NewsBrisbane #qldpols pic.twitter.com/cR8kdOToLi

— Katrina Blowers (@katrinablowers) February 26, 2015

Peter Wellington for Speaker?

. @SpringborgMP "not averse" to Speaker @pwellingtonmp . "That's food for thought," says @AnnastaciaMP @abcnews #qldpol

— Chris O'Brien (@COBrienBris) February 26, 2015

Brisbane City Council push to lift height restrictions

274m aviation restrictions

Brisbane Olympic bid for 2028

Tree of knowledge check-up

• Chrissy Arthur reports, “A multi-million-dollar tourist attraction in western Queensland is being checked over for the first time in five years to ensure it is still safe.”: Tree of Knowledge monument off limits in Barcaldine for five-yearly safety check.

Can’t do ‘CanDo’ book says UQ Press

• Guardian Australia reports, “Wright said the fact that no requirements of manuscript consideration were met, the time involved producing political memoirs, and the consideration of its prospects for success, were all valid grounds for rejecting King’s pitch. “It is unfortunate that this was not explained to Mr King,” Wright said.”: Campbell Newman memoir rejection not political, says publisher.
• Brisbane Times reports, “The University of Queensland Press was right to have rejected a pitch for Campbell Newman’s memoir – but wrong for saying it was because the former premier axed a literary awards program. That’s according to UQP board chair Professor Joanne Wright, who on Thursday revealed the University of Queensland’s disappointment in the publisher’s handling of the proposed tell-all book.”: Right and wrong of rejecting Campbell Newman’s book, according to UQ.
• Patrick Condren interviews Gavin King about UQ Press rejecting Campbell Newman’s book, “We were the most reformist Govt since Kennett 20 yrs ago.”: Former LNP MP Gavin King who will co-author Newman’s book.
• ABC News Queensland reports, “Publishing house University of Queensland Press (UQP) has been accused of rejecting a tell-all book on Campbell Newman because of decisions his government made relating to the arts by the author and former MP Gavin King.”: Campbell Newman biography rejected in political move by University of Queensland Press, author says.
• 9 News Brisbane reports, “The author of Campbell Newman’s planned memoir has accused a publisher of political bias for knocking the book back because of the former Queensland premier’s decision to axe a state literary award. One-time Cairns MP Gavin King agreed to pen Mr Newman’s political story after both lost their seats in the Liberal National Party’s recent state election loss. “It was more the manner, that sort of political bias, if you like,” he told Fairfax Radio of the response. If it’s a crap book, read it first and then reject it.”: Newman tell-all author slams publisher.
• Sarah Vogler reports, “The University of Queensland Press has rejected the option of publishing Campbell Newman’s memoir, insisting it would be a “betrayal” to the literary community and the publisher’s values to do otherwise”: University of Queensland Press rejects publishing Campbell Newman’s book because of axing of literary awards.

Loved backbenching this @couriermail page. Be nice to the little people on the way up… #qldpol #schadenfreude pic.twitter.com/P0TK1d6Kzm

— Baz McAlister (@bazmcalister) February 26, 2015

Newman government favoured male judicial appointments

• Joshua Robertson reports, “Justice Roslyn Atkinson gave a speech defending the appeal court president Margaret McMurdo, who had come under political attack after she questioned whether the former government had an “unconscious bias” against selecting female judges.”: Newman government ‘biased’ towards male judicial appointments, judge says.

Ridiculous time lag on police investigation into Levy

• Joshua Robertson reports, “Queensland police have completed an investigation into whether the head of the crime and corruption commission, Ken Levy, lied to state parliament, but are yet to decide if he will be charged. It took investigators 10 months to examine whether Levy lied to a parliamentary committee in 2013 about his dealings with the then premier Campbell Newman’s office before going public in the media with his support for the government’s controversial anti-bikie laws.”: Ken Levy investigation complete, say police, but no decision yet on charges.
• Maria Hatzakis reports, “Independent MP Peter Wellington has condemned the duration of a police investigation into the acting head of Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) over allegations he misled Parliament.”: Queensland police accused of ‘ridiculous’ delays in investigation of CCC acting chairman.

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(February 25, 2015) – Return of civil unions

Karreman Quarries investigation

• Mark Willacy and Mark Solomons report, “Queensland’s Environment Department has launched an investigation into the alleged illegal dumping of thousands of litres of chemicals and waste oil by one of the state’s biggest quarry operators”: Karreman Quarries accused of illegally dumping chemicals and waste oils at Mount Cotton quarry, company denies allegations.

Palaszczuk’s agenda

• Madonna King reports, “The Palaszczuk Government has moved to sack directors-general, with high profile Health Department chief Ian Maynard terminated today”: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk sacks directors-general.
• Chris O’Brien and Melinda Howells report, “Almost four weeks after the election of Queensland’s minority Labor government, and two weeks after the result was confirmed, it is fair to say the wheels are turning – slowly”: Queensland’s Labor facing big decisions as it prepares to govern state after election win.

Post-Traumatic stress disorder recognised ahead of ANZAC day

Civil unions to be reintroduced

• Sarah Elks reports, “Today, Queensland’s newly minted Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath confirmed Labor would honour its election commitment to reverse the policy change”: Queensland moves to bring back gay civil unions.

TC Marcia – Callide dam spill

• David Lewis reports, “Residents in flooded central Queensland towns are considering legal action over water releases from nearby Callide Dam”: Tropical Cyclone Marcia: Biloela and Jambin residents consider legal action over Callide Dam flooding.
• ABC News Queensland reports, “An independent investigation will be launched into the operation of the Callide Dam, which flooded downstream communities during Cyclone Marcia.”: Cyclone Marcia: Independent investigation into Callide Dam flooding called.
• Tony Moore reports, “The Army may be asked to stay longer in Rockhampton and Yeppoon to help with the Cyclone Murcia clean-up, Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad signalled on Wednesday”: Queensland to ask Army to stay longer: Deputy Premier.

https://twitter.com/dlewis89/status/570480154646089728

Questions over Adani

• Joshua Robertson reports, “Legal group says state environmental regulator gave no regard to reports in India claiming one of the companies in the Adani group was destroying mangroves and bribing officials”: Adani’s fitness to run Queensland mine examined over environmental concerns.

Gold Coast’s cocaine crisis

Newman’s biographer Gavin King

• Sharnie Kim and Adam Stephen report, “Mr King had avoided the media since election night, until yesterday, announcing he would pen the former premier Campbell Newman’s biography”: Ousted Cairns LNP MP Gavin King to write Campbell Newman biography but won’t comment on own election loss.

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(February 24, 2015) – Verity did it again

TC Marcia – Byfield

I've been with @AnnastaciaMP meeting with Byfield locals hit hard by #TCMarcia. They're resilient & have many stories pic.twitter.com/GiPkJMyYpg

— Jo-Ann Miller (@JoAnnMillerMP) February 24, 2015

TC Marcia – Ross River Fever

Ferny Grove – ECQ seeks police advice

• ABC News Brisbane reports, “The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has sought assistance from the police over an ineligible candidate in the state seat of Ferny Grove in last month’s election”: Electoral Commission seeks police advice on ineligible Ferny Grove candidate.

Cyclone Marcia damage bill

• Brisbane Times reports, “The Insurance Council of Australia revealed on Tuesday 8950 claims had been lodged by policy holders affected by the category five cyclone”: Cyclone Marcia damage bill hits $50 million.

Queensland Rural Women’s Award

• Pamela Frost reports, “A farmer awarded for her vision to improve rural industries in Queensland said the hepatitis A frozen berries health scare showed the need for a single labelling system on Australian-produced food”: Rural award winner wants single labelling system on food.
• Rural Women’s Award writes, “The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award is Australia’s pre-eminent Award for rural women. The Award identifies and supports emerging women leaders who have the desire,, commitment and leadership potential to make a greater contribution to primary industries and rural communities”: Rural Women’s Award.

Congratulations to 2015 Rural Woman of the Year, Sherrill Stivano. #rwoty @RIRDCRuralWomen @bellevueluck pic.twitter.com/aVIOsY6KBs

— Shannon Fentiman (@ShannonFentiman) February 24, 2015

Roma's Sherrill Stivano is Qld Rural Women's Award winner, women's minister @ShannonFentiman presents award #qldpol pic.twitter.com/ZBCa6Si9xL

— NewsRegional (@NewsRegionalAUS) February 24, 2015

Biloela

Deeply moved by resilient TCMarcia victims supported by enormous volunteer effort, Qldrs at their best. PdeJ pic.twitter.com/IVcET7Q6Rf

— Governor of Queensland (@QldGovernor) February 24, 2015

Thanking the remarkable impromptu mud army providing relief at flooded #ThangoolSS near Biloela pic.twitter.com/6R2JbKNaw7

— Governor of Queensland (@QldGovernor) February 24, 2015

TC Marcia – Yeppoon

https://twitter.com/SpringborgMP/status/570092671148011520

Police stories

• Jorge Branco reports, “When a Queensland police officer fell off his segway in the middle of a busy street he was surprised no one laughed”: Queensland cop takes a stack on segway, spins it into a fundraiser for sick kids.
• Brisbane Times reports, “Commissioner Ian Stewart says Queensland Police regularly estimate drivers’ speeds before issuing speeding fines”: Queensland police guess speeds for fines, says Commissioner Ian Stewart.

Newman to set record straight

• Brisbane Times reports, “Mr Newman says the book will give an insight into his 13-year stint as mayor of Brisbane and premier of the state, The Courier-Mail reports”: Former Queensland Premier Campbell Newman to write tell-all book.

Verity Barton third time license suspended

• Kathleen Skene reports, “It has been revealed that Broadwater MP Verity Barton lost her licence three times in three years — with the most ­recent suspension enforced one month before January’s state election”: Broadwater MP Verity Barton had a third licence suspension — weeks before the state election was called.

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(February 23, 2015) – Cabinet day

Palaszczuk cabinet meeting

• Chris Salisbury writes, “As Queensland’s new Labor minority government sits down to determine its immediate priorities, it faces a difficult choice: hasten slowly, or seize the day? Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government would do well to take into account some lessons and precedents from Queensland’s electoral history – most notably the 1998 and 1915 state elections”: History’s lesson for Queensland: a slim majority is enough to be bold.

Ministers at the traditional Chinese Lion Dance ahead of the 1st Palaszczuk @QLDLabor Government Cabinet meeting. pic.twitter.com/OCdXb8B9Dt

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 23, 2015

Special thanks to the Chinese community for warmly welcoming the new @QLDLabor Cabinet ahead of their first meeting. pic.twitter.com/ZGcY52MPK0

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 23, 2015

Traditional Chinese Lion Dance at the Executive Building this morning to welcome the new @QLDLabor Cabinet. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/pBVTRnN8ra

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 22, 2015

Premier @AnnastaciaMP chairs first official cabinet meeting #qldpol @abcnews_qld pic.twitter.com/uzeGvsfibS

— Melinda Howells (@MelindaHowells) February 23, 2015

Springborg shadow cabinet meeting

LSpringborg chairs shadow cabinet @abcnews #qldpol pic.twitter.com/sfAMkETq0h

— Chris O'Brien (@COBrienBris) February 23, 2015

.@AnnastaciaMP and Cabinet in spacious new digs, while @LNPQLD shadow Cabinet crammed into small room. #QldPol #9News pic.twitter.com/nXWDgdcbdk

— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) February 23, 2015

Great Keppel Island

• Marlina Whop and Kathy McLeish report, “Some tourism operators on central Queensland’s Great Keppel Island have been hit hard by Tropical Cyclone Marcia and are left dealing with the clean up and severe erosion, but they are vowing to bounce back”: Cyclone Marcia: Great Keppel Island erosion threatening some hotels.

Biloela

• Campbell Gellie and Emma Clarke report, “Tropical Cyclone Marcia may have been gentle on Gladstone, but 120km west, residents are furious their homes were flooded”: Residents blame SunWater for flooded homes.
• Kate Webber and Emma Clarke report, “Grocery stores in Biloela received fresh shipments of stock yesterday and Woolworths is expected to be running at 100{17ac88c265afb328fa89088ab635a2a63864fdefdd7caa0964376053e8ea14b3} by this afternoon”: Banana Shire mops up after Cyclone Marcia.

Premier in Biloela saying thank-you to @QldFES and @QldSES crews for all their hard work in recent days. #qldpol pic.twitter.com/3IK1qHvSMm

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 23, 2015

Commonwealth Games

• Tony Moore reports, “A new rail line, meant to be transporting visitors to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, is behind schedule”: Commonwealth Games infrastructure might not be finished on time: Tom Tate.

Rockhampton

• Patrick Williams reports, “They have survived the wind, the rain and the floods and now residents in central Queensland have another of Mother Nature’s creations to contend with, as a plague-like swarm of insects flock to Queensland towns left devastated by Tropical Cyclone Marcia”: Tropical Cyclone Marcia: Insects bugging Rockhampton residents in wake of rain and floods.
• Kim Stephens reports, “Looters have stolen four generators used to power traffic lights in cyclone-hit Rockhampton, according to Queensland Police who have condemned the “stupidity” of those responsible”: ‘Stupid’ looters steal generators powering traffic lights in Cyclone Marcia-hit Rockhampton.

Maryborough

"Budgie" all ready for Mary River flood at #Maryborough #TCMarcia @abcnews @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/iGP5o15Bhe

— Kathy McLeish (@kathymcleish1) February 23, 2015

Maryborough now preparing for Mary River floods – peak expected later tonight #TCMarcia @abcnews @ABCNews24 pic.twitter.com/80RmDZpMaE

— Kathy McLeish (@kathymcleish1) February 23, 2015

Gympie

Gympie clean-up effort in full swing. They know exactly what to do after so much practice! @7NewsBrisbane #extcmarcia pic.twitter.com/XvMpNmKhJJ

— Sarah Greenhalgh (@GreenhalghSarah) February 22, 2015

The Mary River at #Gympie peaked at 16.6m around this time yesterday…look where it is now @7NewsBrisbane #7NewsQ pic.twitter.com/iMIVc9yOdo

— Sarah Greenhalgh (@GreenhalghSarah) February 22, 2015

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(February 22, 2015) – Water rising

Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Gympie

• Ron Goodman reports, “Floodwaters have peaked in Gympie and slowly begun to recede, Gympie Mayor Mick Curran says”: Cyclone Marcia: Mayor urges caution as Gympie floodwaters start to recede.
• Tony Moore reports, “The mayor of Eidsvold – the little Burnett town hit by a 5.2-level earthquake on Monday and then a cyclone and 200mm of rain on Friday and Saturday – is smiling again today”: Earthquake one day, Cyclone Marcia the next in Eidsvold.
• Tony Moore reports, “Cyclone Marcia has left 100 hundred families in Rockhampton and Yeppoon without homes, Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk has told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday morning”: Cyclone Marcia: 100 families without homes our priority says Annastacia Palaszczuk.
• Cameron Atfield reports, “Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defended the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecasting after the rapid escalation of Tropical Cyclone Marcia caught most by surprise”: Cyclone Marcia: Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk backs Bureau of Meteorology after Marcia surprise.
• Guardian Australia reports, “Defence force moves in to assist in the clean up of Yeppoon and Rockhampton with many homes in the region damaged and lacking power and sewerage services”: Cyclone Marcia: Queensland towns hit by flooding as army helps in recovery.

Hopefully there's a pot of gold at the end for the people of flooded Gympie… @7NewsBrisbane #extcmarcia pic.twitter.com/ZIMChYK3Ho

— Sarah Greenhalgh (@GreenhalghSarah) February 22, 2015

This is what #Gympie residents are waking up to this morning. @sunriseon7 @7NewsBrisbane #extcmarcia pic.twitter.com/YBFV2aeNA3

— Sarah Greenhalgh (@GreenhalghSarah) February 21, 2015

Gympie under water after the Mary broke her banks #qldfloods #bigwet #TCMarcia @9NewsBrisbane pic.twitter.com/acsReTeqDi

— Ebony Cavallaro (@ebonycavallaro) February 21, 2015

 

Intensive care patient airlifted from #gympie – roads are cut @9NewsBrisbane #careflight pic.twitter.com/auLYtmheaq

— Ebony Cavallaro (@ebonycavallaro) February 21, 2015