David Marler

David Marler

Queensland reporter at No Fibs
David is a full time Queensland carer for his son and in quiet times contributes to NoFibs.
David Marler

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David Marler
https://nofibs.com.au/meeting-david-marler-nofibs-twitter-activist-by-griffithelects
Stay up to date as we blog the week in Queensland politics and news.
The Qld Weekly - No Fibs
Sixteen counts of fraud - The Qld Weekly blogazine

Sixteen counts of fraud – The Qld Weekly blogazine

Table of contents

Scott Driscoll? Let’s talk about unions
(May 23, 2015) – Newman’s rego price bulge.
(May 22, 2015) – The Courier Mail attacks Pitt over recession.
(May 21, 2015) – Qld into recession.
(May 20, 2015) – Non-binding votes.
(May 19, 2015) – The Newman coin.
(May 18, 2015) – Scott Driscoll to stand trial.
(May 17, 2015) – Zombie Koalas, Barnaby Joyce’s worst fear.

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Scott Driscoll? Let’s talk about unions

The Liberal National Party’s script writers The Courier Mail don’t want you to think about former Newman Government MP Scott Driscoll who appeared in court on Monday facing sixteen counts of fraud. They don’t want you to Google the photos of him with Campbell Newman, Tony Abbott and Bruce Billson. Instead they want you to read the Des Houghton front page “exclusive” on how public service managers want to help recruit union members under Palaszczuk Government pact.

The truth is Labor has reversed a Newman Government ban on a union workplace encouragement policy in the Queensland public service. Brisbane Times state political reporter, Amy Remeikis wrote;

“In a document released on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website, the government announces its “commitment” to the union encouragement policy, which will see union delegates and membership within the public service not only welcomed but, as the policy title states, encouraged.

“Passive acceptance by agencies of membership recruitment activity by unions does not satisfy the government’s commitment,” the document reads.

“Encouragement requires agencies to take a positive, supportive role, although ultimately it remains the responsibility of the unions themselves to conduct membership recruitment.””

Not much has changed in the LNP since the Newman era. By the afternoon Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg was reading from Houghton’s script describing the public service managers as “quasi union recruiters”.

Perhaps if some  journalists ceased vilifying workers as “union thugs” in their stories the Labor Party wouldn’t have to make inclusive policies. Worth a try media?

https://twitter.com/brookewylie/status/601621315221491712

https://twitter.com/brookewylie/status/601621584722337792

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(May 23, 2015) – Newman’s rego price bulge

Twice level of inflation

Freezing rego prices, power prices or transport fares is a gimmick political parties use to help them win elections. As was the example in 2013 when the state power price tariff freeze ended, power bills shot up by 26.6 percent. It solves nothing for the consumer in the long term and deprives the government of revenue over the short term.

  • Cameron Atfield reported, “Queensland motorists were being treated like “cash cows”, the state’s opposition said, as car registration fees were set to rise at twice the level of inflation. Registration for four-cylinder cars was set to increase from $328.90 to $340.40, with six-cylinder cars going up from $492.30 to $509.50 from July 1.”: Queensland government slammed over car registration hike.
  • Emma Blackwood and Matt Watson reported, “Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the increase was vital for maintaining infrastructure. “We spend money that we collect through registration on maintaining and building the roads that Queenslanders need,” she said. “No political party went to the last election promising a freeze on registration costs and registration prices in Queensland.”: Queensland car registration fees to rise by twice the rate of inflation from July.
Michelle Rattray reported: LNP admits rego increase would have been likely under them after Newman Government's 3 year freeze.

Michelle Rattray reported: LNP admits rego increase would have been likely under them after Newman Government’s 3 year freeze.

Newman Government gag clause lifted

  • Tony Moore reported, “Health and welfare agencies have welcomed the decision by the Palaszczuk Government to axe the controversial “gag clause” from Queensland’s welfare funding arrangements. The Newman Government angered many organisations in 2012 by demanding they not criticise the government if they received state government funding. Opposition Leader and former health minister Lawrence Springborg in June 2012 said the decision to cut back the $907 million funding to community health agencies was linked to the need to cut Queensland’s debt.”: Labor lifts controversial ‘gag clause’ and lets health and welfare groups speak out.

The week in Qld politics with Professor Anne Tiernan

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(May 22, 2015) – The Courier Mail attacks Pitt over recession

No plan accusations

The Courier Mail - Up Pitt Creek - May 22, 2015.

The Courier Mail – Up Pitt Creek – May 22, 2015.

  • Paul Syvret wrote, “Are we in recession?” someone on the cusp of taking the plunge into the housing market asked me in slightly alarmed fashioned yesterday. The answer is no, not really, but the actual question says a lot about how damaging to confidence perceptions of economic weakness can be.”: Queensland Treasurer technically correct that state in recession.
  •  Amy Remeikis reported, “Don’t shoot the messenger, Treasurer Curtis Pitt has urged, saying there was no intention to “scare people” when he announced Queensland had slipped into recession under the LNP. Mr Pitt told parliament Queensland saw negative growth in terms of gross state product over the last two quarters of 2014, with two consecutive quarters of negative growth fulfilling the “technical” definition of a recession.”: Don’t blame me, Queensland Treasurer says over recession claims.

Tim Carmody met with Campbell Newman

  • Joshua Robertson reported, “Queensland chief justice Tim Carmody had a private dinner with former premier Campbell Newman days before taking medical leave from court duties amid renewed controversy over his role. Carmody and Newman, who caused rancour when the then premier handpicked the chief justice in the face of strong opposition from judges and senior legal figures last year, dined together at the Brisbane Tattersall’s club last week.”: Queensland chief justice Tim Carmody met Newman before medical leave.

More women for government boards, committees and statutory authorities

  • Amy Remeikis reported, “Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants to compile her own binders full of women. Ms Palaszczuk, an unapologetic supporter of affirmative action, is picking up the mantle left by former Labor Premier Peter Beattie to ensure “women are equally represented at all levels of leadership, on boards and committees for government bodies””: Queensland Premier’s push for more women on boards.

Drought in Qld rolls on

Former Labor MP Gordon Nuttall release date

  • Brisbane Times reported, “Jailed former Labor minister Gordon Nuttall has reportedly been given a release date. Nuttall will be freed from jail and released on parole on July 20, according to the Seven Network. Nuttall has been serving a 14-year sentence for perjury, corruption and receiving secret commissions. According to Seven his parole conditions will require him to live with his daughter, undergo drug and alcohol testing and not attend licensed venues or drink alcohol at restaurants.”: Disgraced minister Gordon Nuttall to be released from jail in July.
Geoff Breusch reported: Disgraced Beattie government minister Gordon Nuttall will be released from jail, after serving six years for corruption.

Geoff Breusch reported: Disgraced Beattie government minister Gordon Nuttall will be released from jail, after serving six years for corruption.

Disability access for CityCat not 100 percent

  • Cameron Atfield reported, “On a day trumpeted as a triumph for disability access on Brisbane’s public transport network, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has had to face questions about accessibility on the city’s CityCats. Cr Quirk decommissioned the last non-compliant bus at Brisbane City Council’s Eagle Farm bus depot on Tuesday morning, which made the council’s bus network 100 per cent disability compliant. But the self-congratulations among the Liberal National Party administration came to an abrupt end that afternoon during the council meeting at City Hall. Labor Morningside councillor Shayne Sutton blindsided the Lord Mayor with a question about a constituent with a disability who ran into trouble on a CityCat last week.”: CityCat disability access puts dampener on compliance celebrations.

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(May 21, 2015) – Qld into recession

LNP denies Treasury figures

Lauren Day reported: Treasurer Curtis Pitt claims Queensland is now in recession, following two quarters of negative growth in the state.

Lauren Day reported: Treasurer Curtis Pitt claims Queensland is now in recession, following two quarters of negative growth in the state.

Bleijie’s “cushier” question falls flat

  • Amy Remeikis reported, “It was the attack which became an own goal. Former Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie hit Corrections Minister Jo-Ann Miller with a surprise question on disgraced former Labor Minister Gordon Nuttall and his move to a low security prison farm “under her watch”. But it later emerged that Mr Nuttall, who had been designated low security in 2011, was transferred while Mr Bleijie was Attorney-General.”: Disgraced minister Gordon Nuttall moved to soft prison under LNP watch.

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(May 20, 2015) – Non binding votes

Parliament cannot instruct the Executive

Independent MP for Cook, Billy Gordon voted with the LNP and KAP last night to reinstate the Newman Government’s surgery wait time guarantee. What is seen as a victory by Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg in passing the motion has no real substance as it is a non binding vote.

https://twitter.com/SpringborgMP/status/600798155932729344

https://twitter.com/SpringborgMP/status/600849827690254337

Under the Westminster system, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk may take the decision to the Governor to be implemented or she may just as equally decide to ignore it. It’s important to remember that this isn’t the reversal of legislation as the LNP may like Queensland to think. It is simply a motion that the government may ignore or acknowledge.

612 Brisbane: Chris O'Brien explains non-binding voting and Billy Gordon explains why he voted with LNP.

612 Brisbane: Chris O’Brien explains non-binding voting and Billy Gordon explains why he voted with LNP.

Geoff Breusch reported: The LNP has won a non-binding vote with the help of Billy Gordon.

Geoff Breusch reported: The LNP has won a non-binding vote with the help of Billy Gordon.

The day in Queensland Parliament

Contempt of parliament online

  • Amy Remeikis reported, “It’s complicated, but with the passing of your political career, so must end your parliamentary website or Facebook page. Or else. With the shock turn around in seats at the last election, many MPs who lost their seat are yet to update their online profiles with their new employment status. Speaker Peter Wellington warned MPs who still had their job to reach out to their former colleagues. “The issue of former members of this house continuing to use the title of Member of Parliament, MP or the Member for the electorate they formerly represented on websites and other publications has been brought to the attention of the Clerk by a number of sources,” he told Parliament on Wednesday.”: Peter Wellington warns former MPs over their online presence.

Paramedic diagnosed with measles

Double demerits for phoning whilst driving

  • ABC News Queensland reported, “Queenslanders caught using their phone while driving twice in a year will face tougher penalties as part of a road safety crackdown. From September, double demerit points will be issued for two or more mobile phone offences committed within one year, similar to current arrangements for repeat seatbelt, motorcycle helmet and high-range speeding offences.”: Double demerits for Queensland drivers on phones.

Darren Curtis reported: No rise in fines but double demerit points from September for drivers caught phoning whilst driving.

Darren Curtis reported: No rise in fines but double demerit points from September for drivers caught phoning whilst driving.

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(May 19, 2015) – The Newman coin

King Campbell’s treasure

  • Amy Remeikis reported, “What do you get when you cross “Campbell Currency”, coin tricks and Game of Thrones references? Christmas, for Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt. The state’s money man seized the opportunity to spin Chinese nickel into comedy gold, lampooning the $8735 the Newman Government spent on eponymous medallions to give to visiting dignitaries.”: Treasurer lampoons Campbell Newman’s leftover medallions.

Gordon guarantees wait times for Borg

  • Sarah Vogler and Matthew Killoran reported, “Embattled MP Billy Gordon has voted with the LNP, helping to get the Opposition’s motion regarding hospital waiting times over the line. The LNP also benefited from the vote of the Katter’s Australian Party MPs to pass its motion calling on the Government to reintroduce its wait time guarantee “to ensure Queensland patients receive their surgery on time”.”: Billy Gordon, Katter’s Australian Party vote with LNP over hospital wait times.
  • Amy Remeikis reported, “The LNP has handed the government its first defeat in the hung parliament, winning its motion to keep the surgery wait time guarantee, with the help of besieged Cook MP, Billy Gordon. In what has been a loose north Queensland alliance, Mr Gordon and the two Katter Party MPs sided with the Opposition to keep the policy, which Lawrence Springborg enacted while health minister in the Newman Government. Those three votes handed the Opposition the numbers it needed to win the motion. But not necessarily the war – a spokesman for the government said the motion was not binding, “as the parliament could not instruct the executive”.”: Billy Gordon vote leads to government defeat on elective surgery.

Carmody crisis – CJ attends rugby and court whilst on sick leave

SPER was set for sale

  • Amy Remeikis reported, “Labor Treasurer Curtis Pitt has accused the Newman Government of deliberately “fattening” up the state’s SPER debt, to make it more attractive to outsource collection to private contractors. The LNP introduced a plan last year to have the debt held by the State Penalties Enforcement Registry – money owed in fines, unpaid tolls and the like – managed by private debt collectors. In 2012, the debt pool sat at around $771 million.”: Curtis Pitt accuses LNP of “fattening” up state’s SPER debt.

First 100 days of Palaszczuk

  • Amy Remeikis reported, “Time flies when you’re governing – next week marks 100 days of the Palaszczuk Labor Government. While interest groups and critics are at odds when it comes to naming highlights, there is one point everyone seems to agree on. The first 100 days of Annastacia Palaszczuk’s government stands in marked contrast to the first 100 days of her predecessor.”: Annastacia Palaszczuk government first 100 days reviewed.

The day in parliament

Preventing deaths in flood waters

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(May 18, 2015) – Scott Driscoll to stand trial

Sixteen counts of fraud

Pippa Sheehan reported: Former Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll has been committed to stand trial on 16 fraud related charges.

Pippa Sheehan reported: Former Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll has been committed to stand trial on 16 fraud related charges.

The Courier Mail writes the LNP script for the day

The Courier Mail - May 18 , 2015, - No Work Choices.

The Courier Mail – May 18 , 2015, – No Work Choices.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg was reading the script to the media by the afternoon.

https://twitter.com/SpringborgMP/status/600146445224660993

Witness to Carmody Crisis

Max Futcher reported: Chief Justice Tim Carmody's referral to fellow judges as 'snakes & scum' was recorded during a meeting over Ferny Grove crisis.

Max Futcher reported: Chief Justice Tim Carmody’s referral to fellow judges as ‘snakes & scum’ was recorded during a meeting over Ferny Grove crisis.

The Arts Premier

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(May 17, 2015) – Zombie Koalas, Barnaby Joyce’s worst fear

Protest at ANZ bank over support for coal mining

Before the Johnny Depp War on Terrier event erupted, on the political “variety show” known as The Bolt Report, Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce expressed his fear of the Koala people. This week, in Brisbane his fear became reality as the zombie Koala people staggered into a ANZ branch to protest funding of coal mines.

-Ends