In my journal I highlight the important issues, events and stories I come across in my job as the Premier of Queensland.
Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland
Premier Anna Bligh, league legend Mal Meninga and Sports Minister Judy Spence holding Rugby League World Cup trophy.
I’m excited to announce Rugby League’s ultimate prize – the World Cup trophy – will tour Queensland in November as part of celebrations marking Queensland’s hosting the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
The trophy will be on show at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday 8 November and then the Gold Coast on 12 November. It will begin a five-day rail tour of regional centres starting in Cairns on Friday 14 November. The Cup will stop in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg before arriving at Brisbane's Roma Street Station.
At each stop we’ll be hosting a variety of local celebrations featuring past and present rugby league greats. Events will include rugby league coaching clinics, BBQ lunches and educational functions. You’ll have the opportunity to get players’ autographs and have your photo taken with the trophy.
On Wednesday 19 November the trophy will arrive at Roma Street station and be taken to the Queen Street Mall.
Then the trophy and players from the two teams in the final will be taken on a motorcade through the mall, finishing at Queen’s Park (at the end of the mall) for the Queensland Government Welcome Day. Celebrations will include entertainment, a free lunch and the chance for children to test their rugby league skills.
The tour promises to be great fun and I encourage you to take the opportunity to join in.
Queensland to headline ‘08 RL World Cup celebrations
Premier holds Roar Against Racism trophy, flanked by Palmeiras team captain, Reinaldo Da Silva (left) and Queensland Roar Captain, Craig Moore (right).
Last Friday, Brisbane was cast under a Brazilian spell of high energy fun: capoeria dancing, contagious samba beats and a carnivale-style procession in downtown Brisbane.
The world famous Palmeiras football club came to town to teach us a few things about having fun the Brazilian way. And we could learn a thing or too. What infectious energy!
But there was a serious side to all this fun.
Palmeiras was invited to Brisbane as part of the annual Queensland Roars Against Racism campaign, a three-year government initiative committed to showcasing football and stamping out racism.
On Saturday night, the visitors were pitted against our homegrown side, the Queensland Roar, in a pre-season charity match at Suncorp Stadium.
I am proud to say that we held our own - winning 3-1.
Here's a big thank you to Palmeiras for travelling all this way to put the Roar to the test and for sharing some of your captivating culture with us. Brisbane certainly had fun.
Read about Queensland Roars Against Racism initiative
Final countdown: Stars set to ‘roar against racism’ at Suncorp Stadium
The Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award has unearthed some extraordinary talent, which is now on display at Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). I’d like to congratulate the short-listed artists and the winner, Gunybi Ganambarr from Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, whose bark painting Burrut’tji at Baraltja took out the award.
Gunybi’s work stood out to the selection committee because of its innovation within the longstanding tradition of painting on bark in north-east Arnhem Land. His contemporary approach to bark painting features many linear incisions in-filled with white pigment, resulting in a strong sense of movement.
Work by all of this year’s finalists is on public display at GoMA from 11 July to 12 October 2008. The art on show is among the most exciting Indigenous work in Australia and I’d encourage all Queenslanders to come along and have a look.
Photo 1: Winner of the Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award 2008 with his work Burrut’tji at Baraltja.
Photo 2: Shortlisted artist Loongkoonan talks to Premier Anna Bligh about her work Bush Tucker in Nyikina country 2007.
2008 Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award announced
Wednesday night's Origin decider was something special. Apart from a great 16-10 win by Mal's team, the Sydney Stadium hoodoo was put to bed.
As great as it was to win the series, it was particularly sweet given that Queensland did it on New South Wales’ home turf.
As per the side wager with NSW Premier Morris Iemma, the Maroon jersey will take pride of place in his office until Christmas - a fitting reminder of our victory over the Blues!
And as promised, that jersey is now up for auction.
You can bid for the signed Queensland jersey on eBay (non-government site).
I urge Queensland business and League fans to dig deep for this great cause. All funds raised will go to FOGS (Queensland Former Origin Greats) for their great work in Indigenous communities.
It's great to be a Queenslander!
Bid for the signed Maroon’s jersey on eBay (non-government site)
One-off Premier Maroon charity jersey up for grabs
I know tonight most Queenslanders will be glued to their TV screens when our mighty Maroons take on the Blues at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Cameron Smith will lead a pretty impressive team onto the field and, as a self-confessed Titans fan, I expect Scott Prince will play a big role in our attack.
When (not if!) we win tonight, the side wager I have with NSW Premier Morris Iemma will see a Queensland jersey displayed in his office until Christmas. Of course, that also means if we don't win tonight, it'll be a Blues jersey in my office. But I think Cameron Smith and our boys will prove too good for those Cockroaches!
State of Origin is a great tradition and this friendly bet is a bit of fun in the spirit of the game.
Both Morris and I have committed to auction the jerseys for youth charities. Funds raised by the sale of the Maroons jersey will go to FOGS (Queensland Former Origin Greats) to boost their efforts with Indigenous youth in remote communities. It is also a fitting tribute to the work of the late Dick 'Tosser' Turner who died last month.
The jerseys will be auctioned on eBay for two weeks from Thursday 3 July. I urge Queensland businesses and footy fans to dig deep for this great cause.
Have a great Origin night Queensland.
Go the Maroons!
Office decor and charity a winner in Premiers Origin scrap
Queensland Government pays tribute to Godfather of Queensland Origin
I’m very conscious that many Queensland family budgets are under a lot of pressure. Rising petrol costs and higher interest rates on mortgages have made things tough for many people. If my government can do something to help, I think we should.
Unit pricing is a very simple way of empowering shoppers to make the most informed choices when doing their grocery shop. It’s an easy way to compare value-for-money - one can of beans with another can of beans if you like.
It’ll mean that supermarkets will have to advertise how much a particular product is per litre or per kilo, as well as the total price. It’s then a lot easier to compare different products.
Like a lot of Queensland mums - I’m a working mother with a very busy family and I don’t have a lot of time to get my grocery shop done. And standing there trying to calculate which product offers the best value for money not only takes time but it can also be a bit mind-boggling.
We will be looking at introducing compulsory unit pricing for all the major supermarkets and grocery stores - but not the small corner stores. We don’t want to impose unreasonable burdens on these small businesses.
This will be an Australian first. There is a project looking at this on a national level but I don’t want Queenslanders to be hanging around waiting for something that could make a real difference to their budgets as quickly as possible.
Comment on the proposed unit pricing scheme: public consultation ends July 28
Listen to announcement of proposed unit pricing scheme
Read more in my media statement: Bligh moves to ease the squeeze at Qld checkouts
The trade mission to the USA was a great success. Many of our scientists and researchers are doing an outstanding job on the world stage. It was very gratifying to see them at the BIO Conference, and also to see many companies seeking meetings with Queensland companies and researchers. I expect to see real jobs delivered out of the conference over the next couple of years.
As well as the traffic congestion measures mentioned in my previous journal, it was also an opportunity for me to look at issues around climate change and solar energy.
Of course, it’s always great to come home to Queensland. But the trade mission was a valuable learning opportunity and will be the source for some good ideas in the future.
Queensland and Victoria's push for solar energy heats up
View photos from the USA trade mission
Premier Anna Bligh
discusses traffic congestion management techniques
in New York.
Every city in the world has to live with some traffic issues, particularly around morning and evening peak hours.
The first leg of my trade mission to the United States included a visit to New York. New Yorkers are certainly no strangers to traffic congestion! But I’ve been impressed by the systems they have in place to help manage this.
While in New York I took time to learn about these systems to find out if we could apply some of these measures in Queensland.
At the Lincoln Tunnel Traffic Management Centre I saw first-hand the operation of Advanced Incident Management technology.
The three 2.4 kilometre tubes of the Lincoln Tunnel, under the Hudson River, connect Manhattan with New Jersey and carry about 120,000 vehicles per day.
That makes it one of the busiest tunnels in the world.
To help keep the traffic flowing in the tunnel, New York authorities use specialised ‘bulldozer’ trucks to clear minor accidents minutes after they happen.
This could have merit in Queensland, particularly in the South-East. We’ve seen recent examples where one accident on a major arterial like the Gateway motorway can bring the city to a halt: this equipment could change that.
It’s important that we work hard to minimise congestion wherever we can. Congestion is a cost to the economy and productivity but it also affects family lives. The time that people spend sitting in traffic is time they’re not being productive at work and, most importantly, it’s time when they’re not with their families.
I think we can do better and I’m determined to do so.
We’re increasing capacity with the recent approval of Airport Link and the opening of the Tugun Bypass.
We’re improving public transport networks with the recent opening of the Northern Busway, and the Eastern Busway is underway.
There is no single silver bullet to fix traffic management. New roads and better public transport are part of the answer to urban congestion, but using technology to get smarter use of our roads is equally important.
New York has provided some great food-for-thought in that area.
Premier looks to Big Apple to tackle urban congestion
This week I’m travelling to the USA on a trade mission, visiting Boston, New York, LA and Nevada.
One of the main reasons for my visit is to attend the 2008 BIO International Convention (non-government site) in San Diego, California. BIO is the global event for the burgeoning biotechnology industry. More than 20,000 industry leaders, government officials and exhibitors expected to attend this year's event. It provides a unique opportunity to highlight the work being undertaken in Queensland.
From the arts to medicine to transport, Queenslanders are making their mark in the global economy. While in the US I’ll be supporting and highlighting the successes of our Queensland exports and opening doors to further showcase our Smart State to the world.
This Budget is very squarely focussed on the future of Queensland, a Budget that looks over the horizon and anticipates the challenges - whether they are housing affordability, climate change or the need for services and infrastructure.
I want the Australian dream to be alive and well here in Queensland, particularly for young people wanting to own their first home.
Our Budget will make significant changes to stamp duty that will make buying your first home cheaper in Queensland than anywhere else in the country and that’s something I think we can feel very proud of.
One of the biggest issues facing the planet is climate change so it is one of my top priorities.
I know there are many Queenslanders who want to do their bit but don’t have the tools or the knowledge they need. This Budget will change that.
We will introduce a state-wide household service similar to the Home WaterWise service in the South-East that - for the cost of $50 - will deliver $250 worth of equipment and services designed to make Queensland homes more energy-efficient.
This is a real benefit to working families who want to lower their energy use. Every bit counts.
This Budget also delivers a record capital works program - some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the country. And importantly, very significant investment in health, disability services and intervention services to help prevent family breakdown and harm to children.
This is a Budget that is building tomorrow's Queensland, today.
Full details of the 2008-09 Queensland State Budget includes Budget highlights, papers, speeches and ministerial portfolio statements
Listen to the Premier announce the 2008-09 State Budget highlights - Premier Anna Bligh discusses highlights of Queensland's 2008-09 Budget: regional healthcare, infrastructure investment, housing affordability and rebates for the elderly.
Video: excerpt from Treasurer Andrew Fraser's 2008-09 Budget speech
State of Origin is arguably the best quality rugby league you will see anywhere in the country and probably anywhere in the world. No matter who you support, you always get a great night of sports entertainment.
But we Queenslanders are very parochial. We love our state and we love our team and there is nothing better than seeing our boys beating the Blues.
My State of Origin night will be spent with my family, eating pizza and cheering the Maroons. Unfortunately I will be the only one in my house doing so - my husband is originally from Sydney and will be supporting the Blues, as will our sons. There’s a lot of friendly rivalry but it's always a fun night, and like many Queensland families, we enjoy the event in true Origin spirit.
And I'm sure the Blues are going down!
So confident am I that I've put a side-wager on with New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma that will see the winning Premier supply the losing Premier with a fully signed jersey of their team to hang in their office for the rest of the year, at which time it'll be auctioned for charity. So when the Maroons whitewash the Blues this Origin Series, I look forward to the Queensland jersey taking pride of place in Morris' office.
Go the Maroons!
Premier Anna Bligh holds baby Oscar at Brisbane’s Labour Day March, where she announced increased maternity leave for public sector employees.
As a working mother I know how difficult it is for families to strike the balance between work and family life. I also know how important it is to spend time with your children during the early years, particularly when they’re babies.
My government made the decision to increase paid maternity leave for public sector employees from 12 weeks to 14 weeks for two reasons. Firstly, to take some pressure off working mothers and their families in the early months of their child’s life. Secondly, to give the government, as an employer, the best chance of keeping these skilled employees to provide the services Queenslanders want.
I know the issue of paid maternity leave is one that many employers in the private sector are grappling with. While some are in a position to provide it, others find it a bit more difficult.
I hope that over time we see more Queensland employers taking up these sorts of initiatives. When working families can better balance their lives, and employers have a better chance of retaining skills, everyone benefits.
In Cabinet this morning we welcomed four young Queensland Guides who came to serve us a morning tea of the popular Guides Biscuits.
The morning tea, which happens once a year in support of the Guides Biscuit Drive, brought back memories of my own time as a young Guide.
Selling the Guides Biscuits was always fun. I remember even before the chocolate-topped version was available, the biscuits were always a hit.
The Guide Biscuit Drive is a great cause that helps local Guides raise funds for new equipment, training volunteer leaders and other worthwhile projects. With each box you buy, you’re supporting young Queensland girls and women to follow their dreams.
Local Guides will be selling plain and chocolate-topped biscuits for $3 a box at stalls across the state. For corporate orders, phone Guides Queensland on 07 3252 3061.
Queensland Guides Biscuit Drive
The number of Queenslanders that come out to celebrate Anzac Day continues to grow every year and 2008 was no exception.
What made me particularly proud in my first Anzac Day celebration as Premier was the number of young people that marked the day, both at the Dawn Service and later at the Anzac Day March.
Families with young children arrived early to reserve a place near the front of the crowd so their kids could be involved. And the stories that were shared with me that day were truly remarkable.
Queenslanders spoke with great pride and in great detail about their grandfathers and great grandfathers who had served in the World Wars. Their memories captured why we were all gathered there that day: the sacrifice, the camaraderie and a great sense of Aussie pride.
I saw on the news that night the celebrations that happened around the state. From Cairns to Currumbin and west to the Isa, thousands of Queenslanders remembered our fallen diggers this year. The Anzac spirit is alive and well in Queensland.
View photographs from the 2008 Anzac Day Parade in Brisbane
View a video of the 2008 Anzac Day Parade in Brisbane
My recent visit to Hopevale has given me a lot of optimism and hope for the future of Queensland’s Aboriginal communities.
They know the trial of the Family Responsibilities Commission is about giving the children of these remote communities their very best chance for a bright future.
In an increasingly competitive global world, there is no future unless you have basic education, unless you’ve grown up in an environment where your talents have been nurtured, and for far too many children in these communities that hasn’t been the case.
As a former Education Minister who visited a lot of schools in Indigenous communities, I came away with a real sense of success and achievement at Hopevale School.
They have achieved great attendance rates and it’s a terrific outcome I’d like to see repeated in communities right across Queensland.
So I congratulate the community of Hopevale. They’re doing some great work. It’s all too easy sometimes when you’re confronted with very difficult, entrenched social problems to give up in despair, but despair never fixed anything.
I came away from Hopevale full of hope, and I look forward to working with that community to get some great outcomes.
View a video of Premier's visit to Hopevale
Queensland’s first national park, Witches Falls recently celebrated its 100th birthday.
To celebrate Witches Fall’s birthday, I’ve set new targets to preserve our state’s beautiful forests for future generations. In March, I set a target to increase our National Park estate by 50% by 2020 That’s 12 million hectares of national park, the size of two Tasmanias. I also established a dedicated fund to ensure we have the money to achieve it.
It’s an ambitious target, but one I think we owe to the Queenslanders of tomorrow.
Like many Queenslanders, I feel a huge sense of responsibility that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the extraordinary biodiversity and unique environment we do today.
It’s one of the things that makes Queensland a great place to live, and I want to make sure we keep it that way.
Find out how you can enjoy Queensland’s national park treasures.
Queensland to boost national park estate by 50% (media statement)
Video: Witches Falls’ 100th birthday national parks announcement
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