Newman backs racing inquiry to call Bligh

A series of Labor powerbrokers, including former premier Anna Bligh, could be called to front a Commission of Inquiry into the operation of Queensland's racing industry. Source: The Courier-Mail

QUEENSLAND'S racing industry will be investigated by a Commission of Inquiry that is expected to call on a group of former Labor powerbrokers, including ex-premier Anna Bligh.

Premier Campbell Newman told reporters this morning at Parliament House he supports the inquiry.

"We continue to see these allegations of misspending of tax-payer funds and we also hear stories in the media about a failure of process in giving contracts, and there have been many complaints that have directly been made to members of government," he said.

However, he did not indicate who he thinks should be called before the inquiry, saying it was a matter for the Commission of Audit to decide should they agree to establish one today.

"It remains to be seen what happens," he said. 

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie will today formally recommend the inquiry to Cabinet following a series of stories in The Courier-Mail raising questions about decisions worth more than $200 million taken within the racing industry.

The newspaper's stories have focused on the former Racing Queensland Limited regime led by chairman Bob Bentley and a board of directors including Labor powerbroker Bill Ludwig. RQL reported to a series of ministers over the reign of the Beattie and Bligh governments.

Mr Bleijie said the Newman Government had also received numerous allegations.

EDITORIAL: Money mystery in racing

Former Queensland Racing director Bill Andrews is calling for a judicial inquiry into the industry. Picture: Adam Smith

"The Newman Government has been inundated with allegations in the past few weeks that have convinced me a full inquiry into the industry is necessary," Mr Bleijie said.

"I am concerned taxpayers' and racing industry money may have been squandered by the previous racing administration under the Labor Government. I am concerned about the lack of appropriate processes in awarding contracts in the racing industry.

"For example, there are allegations one company was awarded 37 contracts, of which only one went to tender."

The wide-ranging inquiry is expected to examine RQL's actions and the interaction with relevant Cabinet ministers during a series of controversial decisions including:

• A $20 million transfer of taxpayer funds to RQL's infrastructure trust account in the final days before the dying Labor government went into caretaker mode.
• Funding deeds between RQL and the Government for more than $60 million of works in key Labor electorates in the month before the 2012 election.
• RQL's award of more than 30 contacts to Sunshine Coast engineering firm Contour Consulting, most without a tender. RQL has said they were awarded because Contour was a preferred, specialist contractor.
• Contractual payouts given to senior staff who resigned within days of the 2012 election. Two of those staff immediately went to jobs at Contour Consulting.
• The decision by Queensland Race Product Co - a non-profit subsidiary of RQL - to authorise almost $100 million worth of deductions for agency costs by gaming giant Tatts Group, against subsequent RQL legal advice.

Former RQL director Bill Andrews last week called for an inquiry, labelling the Product Co decision a "disgrace" that involved a "hell of a lot of money".

Racing Minister Steve Dickson said he strongly supports the inquiry, which is expected to include cross examinations under oath of key figures within the industry and the former government.

This could include any conversations or direction given by Anna Bligh about the industry in her role as premier.

"The racing industry is vital to the Queensland economy; we need to know what has gone on under the former Government and former industry bosses," Mr Dickson said.

"Questions need to be answered, allegations need to be brought to light."

He said the government has worked hard to clean up racing in Queensland and wanted an industry the state could be proud of - one that was open, transparent and accountable.

"The integrity of Queensland's 30,000 strong racing industry is paramount," he said. "This inquiry is about ensuring the longevity of the racing industry and ensuring it is an industry Queenslanders can trust."

Further details including sitting dates and who will head the inquiry are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.

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PM calls on Newman to make tough choice

Julia Gillard has unveiled details of Labor's school improvement plan.

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard says it's time Queensland's government made some tough choices to put the state's school children first.

Ms Gillard has announced a $14.5 billion boost to school funding over the next six years.

The states will have to pay about a third of that amount.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman claims the state doesn't have enough money to fund the reforms.

But Ms Gillard says the federal government has made a good offer and now it's down to the Queensland government "and the budget choices it's prepared to make".

"You live in a world of tough choices. We've made some to put our kids first. I'm obviously asking Premier Newman to do the same," she told ABC radio.

"That is to make sure that every child goes to a school that is properly resourced and that we get the school funding system right for generations to come.

"Our competitors are improving their schools. If we just sit and let them get in front then that only ends one way ... with us having a weaker economy and less ability to have the high-skilled, high-paid jobs of the future."

Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said he was unsure whether the funding would have a positive impact on the state's schools.

"As a parent I'm confused, I'm sure teachers and students and principals are confused as well," he said.

"That's something we need to clarify, to make sure that our worse-off schools do not continue to be worse off under a standard that the federal government set originally."

Earlier, Premier Campbell Newman dismissed the Gonski scheme saying Queensland can't afford $1 billion more for education without cuts elsewhere.

Reacting to the Prime Minister's announcement of "two-for-one" funding for the Gonski reforms, Mr Newman called for the scheme to be put on hold until after the September federal election.

Julia Gillard promised to spend an extra $14.5 billion over six years to build a "world-leading education system", but said a third of the money would have to come from the states.

Under the plan, Queensland schools would receive an extra $3.8 billion in that period, of which about $1.3 billion would come from the state government.

Mr Newman said it was unreasonable for the Prime Minister to say "you have to spend money on this".

"I don't see where our money will come from without cuts to something else," the Premier said.

"I can't believe they're going to find the money, because they don't have it. The whole thing should be held in the balance until there's a federal election."

Cuts: Gonksi slams school funding reform

He also took a shot at Ms Gillard for revealing more details of her education plan in newspapers without any consultation with his government.

"I've got nothing in writing from them. Here I am, Premier of the State, you're asking me questions about this great announcement and I don't have a letter from the Prime Minister," Mr Newman said.

The issue will be the main topic of discussion at Friday's Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra, which Mr Newman will attend.

Ms Gillard warned the states needed to agree to her plan by June 30 or have their current federal funding maintained, at levels that were decreasing each year due to indexation.

Last night on Twitter, Mr Newman appeared set for a fight at COAG.

"I am amazed by reporting on Gonski - somehow, magically the federal govt has a surplus and the money to pay. Let's see at budget time," he tweeted.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the Premier "would not be bullied into signing up to a deal that left Queensland students worse off".

"From what we understand, the Gillard Government has adjusted back the rate of indexation for the schools that are currently below the schools resource standard," Mr Langbroek said.

"That will mean it will take longer for these schools to catch up to the standard that the Gillard Government is required for our children to succeed at school."

Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Mike Byrne said it appeared the funding arrangements being proposed by the Prime Minister would "widen the gap in resourcing between Catholic and government schools".

"Any reduction in funding comparative to government schools will place pressure on school fees and could force families out of Catholic schools," Mr Byrne said.

"This would ultimately cost government more money."

 - additional reporting by AAP

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Labor uncertainty 'just not on' - Newman

Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan arrive for Question Time in Parliament, where the PM announced the Labor leadership would be put to a vote. Despite speculation that Kevin Rudd would run, he ruled out the prospect moments before the caucus meeting. Source: The Courier-Mail

OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott says the civil war within the Labor Party will continue despite the leadership showdown on Thursday.

"Nothing is resolved," he told reporters in Canberra.

"The civil war will continue as long as Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard are in the parliament."

He described the events as a remarkable and bizarre day.

"I want to reassure people that it doesn't have to be this way," he said.

"We are currently let down by a bad government getting worse.

"But that will change."

Mr Abbott said the coalition was ready to deliver its plans for Australia "as soon as we can".

What Australia needed "right now at a difficult time in the life of our nation" was an immediate election.

"We cannot wait until September 14," Mr Abbott said.

Julia Gillard has responded to Simon Crean's demand to address the Labor leadership by calling a ballot.

"If the prime minister was concerned about the party, if she was concerned about the country, if she was less concerned about herself and her own survival, there would be an election now."

Prime Minister Julia Gillard retained the leadership of the Labor party after Kevin Rudd decided against standing for a leadership vote in the ALP caucus.

No one else challenged Ms Gillard for the leadership at the spill.

Treasurer Wayne Swan remains as deputy prime minister after Simon Crean withdrew his nomination.

Mr Rudd said the only circumstances under which he would stand for the leadership was if there was an overwhelming majority of the parliamentary party requesting his return.

"I'm here to inform you that those circumstances do not exist," he told reporters in Canberra, just minutes before a caucus meeting at 4.30pm (AEDT).

"I take my word seriously."

• Follow our ROLLING COVERAGE of the Federal leadership tussle here

Mr Rudd said to "all and sundry" across the Labor party and the government that "we unite in ensuring that Tony Abbott does not simply walk into the Lodge as if it's his own personal property".

Independent MP Bob Katter predicted the Labor leadership would come up again before the September 14 election.

Kevin Rudd in the house of representatives chamber at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

"I would think it's as inevitable as the sun rises," he told Sky News on Thursday.

But he'd be worried if Julia Gillard didn't continue to lead Labor.

"If she's not in charge then there is a serious situation," Mr Katter said.

The Queensland MP says won't be siding with Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

"With the events of the last two weeks, I refuse to vote with Tony Abbott," he said.

"I thought that was outrageous games playing."

Anthony Albanese said Julia Gillard would stay prime minister after the caucus meeting.

"I restate my view, again, I will never support a spill motion against a sitting prime minister," Mr Albanese said.

"Julia Gillard will remain prime minister after this meeting."

Mr Albanese said he would support Wayne Swan as deputy prime minister.

Dumped minister Simon Crean said earlier on Thursday that he would stand for the deputy position.

Ms Gillard sacked Mr Crean from her ministry on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Crean entered the caucus room without speaking to reporters.

Earlier, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman called for an immediate federal election irrespective of who Labor elects as its leader in a caucus meeting this afternoon.

Mr Newman said his one message for the ALP was it was time for the Australian people to vote for the country's Prime Minister.

"The country cannot afford to waste more time and the outgoing paralysis that we've seen," he said.

"The last two and a half years have been wasted years for this nation because of the power balance in Canberra and we've seen a failure of good government and a failure of clear direction for this nation."

• Follow our ROLLING COVERAGE of the Federal leadership tussle here

Mr Newman would not comment on who he expected to emerge as Prime Minister, but said it would be easier to work with a Rudd Government.

"It's been difficult to work with the Gillard Government. What we need is somebody in there as Prime Minister to take the helm.

"Pick anyone you like but for God's sake then let us go to an election. Let's not wait to September."

A federal caucus meeting at 4.30pm (AEDT) on Thursday will allow a ballot for the leadership positions.

Mr Newman says he has watched the day's events in Canberra with "grim fascination".

"We need certainty now. We've just seen a group of politicos change the person who's in the top job and they're doing it again inside three years," he said.

"It's just not on, it's not the way business should be conducted and I think whoever the Labor party chooses as the Prime Minister this afternoon should go to an election because we need to take the nation forward."

Mr Newman dismissed speculation his leadership would be challenged next.

"I think I've got a great team of people. I have a team that works together and is actually delivering things for Queensland every day of the week."

Labor MPs will decide the fate of Prime Minister Julia Gillard in a caucus ballot at 4.30pm (AEDT), after she called a spill in the wake of demands from Kevin Rudd supporters.

Labor frontbencher Simon Crean met with Ms Gillard for a second time on Thursday morning expressing his concern about the direction of the government and to ask for a spill, but she declined it.

However, after meetings with other senior party members, including Leader of the House Anthony Albanese, the prime minister later told parliament at the start of question time that the ballot would be held.

Mr Rudd has yet to give any indication he will stand for the leadership.

But Mr Crean has told reporters he would himself run for the deputy's position.

• Follow our ROLLING COVERAGE of the Federal leadership tussle here

It is understood Mr Albanese is Mr Rudd's preferred deputy, with Chris Bowen slated for the treasury role.

When he lost a leadership ballot in February 2012, Mr Rudd vowed that he would never again put his name forward.

At that time he only secured 31 votes to Ms Gillard's 71.

Mr Crean told reporters in Canberra the party was at a "stalemate" and something had to be done.

"This is not personal. This is about the party, its future and the future of the country," he said.

"It's not just about changing leaders but showing leadership. That is what we are elected to do."

Mr Crean said Mr Rudd had no alternative but to stand.

"He cannot continue to play the game of being reluctant," Mr Crean said.

Ms Gillard, who gave a rallying speech in parliament as the opposition attempted a no confidence motion, is believed to have a slim majority in the 102-member caucus, with only about 10 to 12 votes leaking to Mr Rudd since the last ballot.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr is overseas and cannot vote.

Opening question time, Ms Gillard challenged Opposition Leader Tony Abbott: "Take your best shot".

Mr Abbott said his no-confidence motion, which did not get to a vote, was about standing up for the "decent, honest, hard-working people of Australia".

"This is about reassuring the Australian people that we are a great people and we are a great country, just momentarily let down by a very poor government," Mr Abbott said.

Ms Gillard drew a line in the sand, arguing that the government had delivered on health, schools, workplace fairness and jobs.

"It is what it has done under my prime ministership and it is what it will do under my prime ministership from this day forth."

View the original article here

Newman: CMC blunder 'is a scandal'

Excerpts from a letter from Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie to Crime and Misconduct Commission chair Ross Martin. Source: The Courier-Mail

THE chairman of the Crime and Misconduct Commission, Ross Martin, SC, has lost the confidence of the State Government and is and is under increasing pressure to resign today - either voluntarily or forced.

• MP Alex Douglas calls for the Attorney-General to resign for 'not understanding his job' [Read more]
• Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie says the "unacceptable oversight" is "maladministration" not seen for many years. [Read more]
• Premier Campbell Newman calls the affair "a scandal" [Read more]
• Parliament concludes 18-hour marathon sitting at 3.30am [Read more]

10.25am: THE former head of the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee has called for the Attorney-General to resign or be replaced, following his comments about CMC chairman Ross Martin.

Jarrod Bleijie has increased pressure on Mr Martin to "take full responsibility" for the release of some sensitive Fitzgerald Inquiry documents, saying the incident was the worst case of maladministration in Queensland for many many years.

Alex Douglas who resigned from the LNP last November to sit as an independent, said he supported a public inquiry into the documents' release.

But he accused the Attorney-General of not understanding his role, and said he had placed the chair of the PCMC in an "impossible position" by publicly seeking Mr Martin's resignation.

"Probably the PCMC Chair (Liz Cunningham) has to ask the Attorney-General to withdraw all comments against Mr Martin unreservedly and publicly, and then Mr Bleijie must go on the record to say "I was wrong, I didn't understand what my job was"," said Dr Douglas.

"You can't be a politicised part of the executive, and be the Attorney-General, you don't get that opportunity."

Dr Douglas also called on the Premier Campbell Newman to replace Mr Bleijie with Ian Walker - who was recently elevated to the Cabinet as Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts.

He said Mr Walker, a former solicitor, would understand what was required of the role of AG.

"You can't have a closed mind about these things, particularly going into a Royal Commission," Dr Douglas said.

The CMC has refused to comment on last night's marathon sitting of parliament in which legislation was passed to protect people named in sensitive documents inadvertently made available to the public at State Archives for eight months.

A public inquiry into the incident will begin next week, chaired by Ms Cunningham, the Independent Member for Gladstone.

9.30am: ATTORNEY-General Jarrod Bleijie has stepped up pressure on the chairman of the Crime and Misconduct Commission to resign, over the release and shredding of some sensitive Fitzgerald Inquiry documents.

After a marathon sitting of parliament where legislation was rushed through to protect people named in the documents, Mr Bleijie said "ultimate responsibility" for the "unacceptable oversight" rested with the CMC chairman, Ross Martin.

"I'm going to be blunt and pretty frank about this. I think we haven't seen this sort of maladministration for many, many years in Queensland," Mr Bleijie told ABC radio.

"The CMC chair needs to take a good look at what's happend here and take full responsibility for it. When you have such a large responsibility as the head of the CMC, you ordinarily accept that there are certain consequences of actions as the head of an organisation."

Mr Martin has refused to comment, and a CMC spokeswoman indicated it was unlikely he would.

"In light of the announcement of a public inquiry this morning we're not in a position to make detailed comment," she said.

Mr Bleijie said the Parliamentary CMC committee chaired by Independent MP Liz Cunningham, would conduct a "quasi Royal Commission" into the release of the documents.

"We want the people of Queensland to know what's gone on here," he said.

The Attorney-General said Mr Martin had already conceded to him, in a letter, the CMC "did allow access to documents that they shouldn't have".

"Queenslanders have to have faith and confidence in their top crime fighting corruption body, the CMC and if this is allowed to be happening over the last eight months where people have been able to access documents that they technically shouldn't be able to because of this administrative oversight as it's been called, I think it's completely unacceptable and someone should take responsibility for it," said Mr Bleijie.

No one has been able to say how many people viewed the documents while they were available at State Archives.

The Courier-Mail would invite anyone who did, to contact us at the following email addresses robyn.ironside@news.com.au or sarah.vogler@news.com.au.

9.00am: Premier Campbell Newman believes Mr Martin should accept responsibility for the release of confidential Fitzgerald inquiry crime documents which could put informants lives at risk.

"It's a scandal," Mr Newman said this morning in Gladstone.

Mr Newman said Mr Martin was also under scrutiny over the shredding of other sensitive documents.

The Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Commission has also lost confidence in Mr Martin, with PCMC chief Liz Cunningham last night highly critical of Mr Martin for failing to inform the committee about the bungled release of the Fitzgerald documents.

In an extraordinary 18-hour sitting that finished at 3.30am, State Parliament voted to place a temporary suppression order on 7000 documents that had already been released to The Australian newspaper.
A spokeswoman said Mr Martin declined to comment.

5am: The Crime and Misconduct Commission is now facing its greatest challenge since its formation following an extraordinary 24 hours in Queensland politics.

Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie this morning has also called for CMC Chair Ross Martin to "take responsibility" for the shredding and accidental public release of sensitive Fitzgerald Inquiry documents that were meant to remain confidential.

"The CMC chair ought to accept full responsibility for this unacceptable oversight. He should also accept the consequences that would ordinarily follow," Mr Bleijie told State Parliament during a marathon 18-hour sitting, indicating the former deputy director of public prosecutions should consider resigning.

"That is his duty, that is his role, just as it is for ministerial accountability," he said.

The Attorney-General said the bungle, which involved thousands of sensitive documents relating to the historic corruption inquiry, had compromised confidence in the CMC and he accused Mr Martin of treating the Newman Government with contempt and arrogance.

Mr Martin and the CMC are yet to comment on the early morning events.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, however, urged Mr Bleijie to be careful with his words.

"We are not the judge and jury of the chair of the CMC," she said.

"The Attorney-General does need to be very careful in his language in this House when the public inquiry has not yet begun."

Mr Bleijie made the call around 2am as he rushed through legislation banning the publication of the information contained within the wrongfully released files for 60 days to allow for an unprecedented public Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee inquiry into the bungle to occur.

Such PCMC inquiries are normally subject to strict confidentiality but parliament this morning voted to make this one public, a first in Queensland Mr Bleijie said.

The inquiry will report back by April 5 to allow the government time to decide its next step before the non-publication requirement lapses.

Mr Bleijie said the inquiry would investigate the wrongful release of the Fitzgerald Inquiry documents along with the CMC's "failure to remedy" the problem immediately, the destruction of Fitzgerald Inquiry files, and the CMC's failure to inform the PCMC of the problem which potentially put vulnerable sources at risk.

Evidence already given to the PCMC, which has been investigating the bungle this week, will also have to be made public.

"The public can't have confidence in these processes if they don't know what's going on," Mr Bleijie said.

"The CMC has an important function. Queenslanders need to be able to have confidence in the administration of the duties and functions of the CMC."

Both the legislation and the move for a public inquiry received support from the Opposition.

Relations between the Newman Government and the CMC have been strained since the LNP came to government with Mr Bleijie last year ordering a review of the watchdog which is due to be handed down next week.

But tensions came to a head this week following revelations the Fitzgerald Inquiry documents, which were to be confidential for at least another 42 years, were made accessible to the public.

Yesterday afternoon PCMC chair Liz Cunningham told State Parliament the committee was unhappy with Mr Martin's explanation of how the files were made public and his admission some Fitzgerald Inquiry-related files were also shredded.

Ms Cunningham also lashed Mr Martin for not informing the PCMC of the issues before they became public this week, telling the house the CMC knew about the accidental release in May last year but no action was taken for four months.

"The committee is not satisfied with the response of the chairperson that he advised CMC officers to quote "fix it" end quote in May 2012 as there seems to have been no follow up action to ensure that the fix by the CMC was appropriate to the circumstances," she said.

"The CMC did not act to address this matter until September 2012."

Two hours later, Mr Martin wrote to Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie about 5.45pm, formally requesting new laws be drafted to protect the information within the files.

About two hours later, at 8pm, Mr Bleijie entered the parliamentary chamber after an extended dinner break and demanded Mr Martin give a better explanation for why the laws were needed before a 10pm deadline.

Mr Bleijie accused him of asking the government to cover up for the CMC's mistakes and described a request by Mr Martin to view a draft of the legislation before its introduction as "abhorrent".

Mr Martin wrote back, saying the laws were requested by Parliament's Crime and Misconduct Committee, which oversees the CMC.

The CMC chair stated he had last night spoken with staff from both Mr Bleijie's office and the Department of Justice on the legislation which he said was well under way when he arrived at the parliamentary draftsperson's office.

"While in the middle of that process, staff of the Department of Justice, acting apparently on instructions, indicated that the preparation was to occur without any assistance from the CMC," Mr Martin wrote.

"You make assertions about when the CMC became aware of the problem. Given the deadline, now is not the place to engage in debate on that point."

Parliament finally adjourned at 3.30am.

-- Reporting by Sarah Vogler, Steven Wardill, Des Houghton, Robyn Ironside

OVERNIGHT, The Courier-Mail reported the Newman Government took aim at Crime and Misconduct Commission chair Ross Martin accusing him of requesting a legislative "cover up" following the breach which saw hundreds of documents either accidentally released and shredded.

Mr Martin yesterday afternoon wrote to the Government asking for new laws to prevent the republication of the CMC's Fitzgerald Inquiry documents, a move Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie described as a request aimed at "covering up" the CMC's"inability to properly perform its functions".

Mr Bleijie was last night poised to introduce the legislation, expected to be called the CMC Administrative Negligence Rectification Bill, but gave Mr Martin until 10pm to provide an adequate reason for doing so.

He lashed the embattled CMC chair for requesting the government change the law to fix the mistake and for requesting he see a copy of the new laws before their introduction, describing that request as abhorrent.

"The government has been placed by the negligence of the CMC and by an extraordinary request made at the very last moment, in a very unsatisfactory situation," Mr Bleijie wrote in a letter demanding Mr Martin provide more information.

The unfolding drama was expected to see parliament sit until the early hours.

Premier Campbell Newman told The Courier-Mail he was deeply concerned by the situation including the failure of the CMC to disclose the mistake before it was made public this week.

"I am therefore very disturbed when I receive a request at one minute to midnight for legislation to aid the CMC in rectifying their negligence," he said.

It follows revelations the CMC not only accidentally released some documents and shredded others, but that the crime watchdog failed to alert the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Commission to the issue.

PCMC chair Liz Cunningham told State Parliament yesterday afternoon the CMC knew about the accidental release in May last year but no action was taken for four months.

"The committee is not satisfied with the response of the chairperson that he advised CMC officers to quote 'fix it' end quote in May 2012 as there seems to have been no follow up action to ensure that the fix by the CMC was appropriate to the circumstances," she said.

"The CMC did not act to address this matter until September 2012."

Mr Bleijie told State Parliament both the CMC and the PCMC needed to be overhauled.

"The continual battle that we have with the secretive nature of the crime-fighting body ... we must address these issues," he said.

"We may be in for a late night."

View the original article here

Newman powers up electricity subsidy

Date/Time: 2013:02:22 20:27:20 Source: The Courier-Mail

PREMIER Campbell Newman has indicated his government will move to subsidise household power bills, to protect Queenslanders from a 21.4 per cent electricity price hike.

The Queensland Competition Authority yesterday released its determination for a double-digit increase based on higher network costs, subsidising solar power users and last year's freeze on the standard tariff.

Although Mr Newman acknowledged his price freeze was a "component'' of what the QCA was putting forward, he described the increases as "unacceptable''.

"What I do say today, is that the government will act to make sure people aren't hit with a double-digit increase,'' said the Premier.

"The government might have to subsidise it, in fact probably will have to subsidise it, but we're determined to find a way to ensure people don't get hit with a double-digit increase."

He said it was too early to talk about the cost of subsidising power bills, or who might benefit.

"Another day, another time when we've done the work we'll be able to talk about our plan here,'' Mr Newman said.

Power bills are set to surge by a staggering 21 per cent. The recommended rise has prompted fears for pensioners' health.

"But...we are determined that people are not hit with an unacceptable double digit power increase."

He pointed out the government had delivered on its "cost of living relief'' election promise by introducing a raft of measures last year.

"People have had a 12-month power price freeze.  They've received in southeast Queensland an $80 rebate on their water bills.  They've seen motor vehicle registration frozen, $7000 in tax taken off the family home,'' said Mr Newman.

"We've provided relief in the areas we said we would."

Under the QCA determination, households currently paying about $1426 a year for power, will see that rise to $1715 in the year from July.

Earlier, households could soon be paying almost $1 per day for electricity before flicking on a single switch.

COST FURY: Macadamia farmer Phil Montgomery says the draft QCA ruling will increase his water and electricity costs. Pic Megan Slade.

Phased in over three years, the cost of just having a power connection would rise from 28 cents to almost $1 per day by 2015/16.

The proposed changes would cause the average bill to increase from about $1426 to $1715 next year.

Treasurer Tim Nicholls has his say on the power price issue: We'll try to insulate consumers

However, the biggest percentage increases will be felt by both extremes of energy consumers - pensioners and holiday home owners.

Robert MacDonald says Tim Nicholls should stop the blame game

Continuing investment in the power network, coupled with subsidies to solar households and lifting of the Government's price cap accounted for more than 70 per cent of the increase under the new pricing model.

The Newman Government immediately tried to distance itself from the QCA's decision, describing it as "unacceptably large".

"This Government is determined to make sure Queensland families are not kicked in the guts by this price rise," Treasurer Tim Nicholls said.

Mr Nicholls conceded the Government would introduce whatever price rise the QCA recommended rather than override the independent authority.

However, the Government will consider making State-owned power generators and distributors absorb some of the increase.

Opposition treasury spokesman Curtis Pitt said the increase proved the LNP hoodwinked people into believing it had an answer to power prices.

Queensland Council of Social Services chief Mark Henley called on the Government to increase the level of electricity concessions available for low-income households.

The state's producers were also quick to criticise the increases, with the Queensland Farmers Federation claiming electricity costs have become one of the biggest challenges facing an industry the Newman Government named as one of its four economic pillars.

The QFF identified growers in the Pie Creek region, near Gympie, such as macadamia farmer Phil Montgomery, as being among those likely to be the worst affected.

Mr Montgomery irrigates 4000 trees on his Jones Hill property which draws water along a channel from the Mary River, and says the draft QCA ruling will double his water costs and increase his electricity costs by 50 per cent.

He says the increases will have big impacts in the food bowl of the Lockyer Valley.

Mr Montgomery paid $1500 a season for electricity to drive the pumps which draw the water. That will rise to about $4000 a season under the QCA rates.

"I'm a businessman and a business that has to cop that kind of increase is out of business," he said.

View the original article here

Newman on Driscoll: It's up to the voters

ALLEGATIONS: Scott Driscoll. Picture: Patrick Hamilton Source: The Australian

PREMIER Campbell Newman has spoken to Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll over a series of allegations revealed in The Courier Mail, but says it was ultimately up to voters to have their say at the next election.

“I have read some of these stories and I have certainly had a chat to him,’’ Mr Newman told 4BC Radio.

“(I said) what are your answers to these sorts of things and you have seen the answers in the newspaper,’’ he said.

“At the end of the day local electorates and the electors in the electorate get to have their say at the ballot box.

“I just make the point that to date I have only seen things that have happened well and truly prior to him becoming an MP.

“There is no suggestion of police investigations, corporate affairs regulators and I am just sort of looking at it from that point of view.”

The Courier-Mail revealed Mr Driscoll failed to declare to Parliament his interest in two companies, but has described the omission as "an oversight".

Mr Driscoll did not inform Parliament of his directorships at the Outsourcing Council Asia-Pacific Limited (OCAP) and the Australian Small Business Coalition until November.

Mr Driscoll wrote to the Clerk of Parliament Neil Laurie to notify him of the "unintended omition (sic)" and that he had tendered his resignation from both "non-trading" entities.

Both companies are also directed by Bruce Mills, a long-time business and political associate of Mr Driscoll's.

It comes as the industrial advocate acting for the retailers' body that Mr Driscoll formerly headed gave details of the role the MP played in trading hours cases fought by the body last year.

The advocate, Colin Dorber, said he had met Mr Driscoll at his electorate office in Redcliffe in August to negotiate the terms and conditions of his representation of the Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers Association in the Industrial Relations Commission.

"Mr Driscoll directed me in all matters and all inquiries I made I was directed to refer to him," Mr Dorber said.

"My relationship with Mr Driscoll ended in mid-September 2012 when he stopped communicating with me and Mr (Bruce) Mills became my instructing officer."

Mr Driscoll on Tuesday rejected a Courier-Mail story that presented evidence he had directed campaigns for the QRTSA, the bulk of whose funding came from the IGA supermarket network, saying he had had "no operational role" at the body since he was elected in March.

Premier Campbell Newman said he "had no reason not to believe" Mr Driscoll.

The Courier-Mail has obtained an email showing Mr Driscoll used his parliamentary email address in August to discuss with a group of IGA store owners how to complete witness statements to be used as evidence in a trading hours case.

In the email, dated August 17, Mr Driscoll told store owners: "Email me your drafted witness statements direct to this email account as I will obtain them personally."

The QRTSA has been in limbo since September when Mr Driscoll's wife Emma became president and Mr Mills, a long-time friend and business associate of Mr Driscoll's, its secretary.

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Fed-up Newman wants fix to runway row

An artist's impression of what Brisbane Airport in Queensland may look like in the future: Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

PREMIER Campbell Newman has slammed delays at Brisbane Airport and urged the Federal Government to intervene to end the impasse between the operators and airlines over funding of a new runway.

Speaking on Radio 4BC, Mr Newman said the delays were "out of control".

Airport chief: Why airlines should help airport pay for new runway

"Anyone who flies regularly will tell you, you're just delayed. Every flight to Brisbane I've been on, you end up circling for at least 30-minutes. This is in the afternoon," Mr Newman said.

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"The cost to business and the economy must be immense."

In response to The Courier-Mail's report that a new parallel runway could be delayed beyond 2020 if airlines do not agree to start paying up now, Mr Newman said an agreement must be reached.

"Please we need an end to the impasse," said the Premier.

"I don't know if the Federal Government themselves have powers to come in and intervene now... but if there is some power mechanism for the Federal Government to come and say "righto we're making a call here", the sooner the better."

He said the privately owned Brisbane Airport Corporation should be aware the current situation was "hurting their brand".

"I say to the airport, you are hurting your brand, you are frustrating your customers who come through, you are forcing people to take their journeys in a different way," Mr Newman said.

"I'm sure for example for many people, they look at going in and out of the Gold Coast."

Brisbane Airport Corporation wants airlines to start paying for the new runway way but the airlines do not way to pay until it is operational in 2020.

On Monday, The Courier-Mail revealed the BAC would delay the next stage of works on the runway if the funding stand-off was not resolved.

Adding to congestion at the increasingly busy airport, has been the closure of the cross runway since September.

It is not due to reopen until next month, weather permitting.

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