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The Queensland Government has a range of important legislative and administrative initiatives.
A run down on these initiatives are as follows:
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The new driving laws are designed to save young lives and reduce the road toll.
After 1 July 2007 the Government will introduce a two-phassed provisional licence system in Queensland. A red plate (P1) for one year and green plate (P2) for a fruther two years.
Key changes for young drivers include:
*doubling the minimum learners period from 6 months to 12 months
*keeping 17 as the minimum licence age, learners at 16
*gaining 100 hours of log book recorded, supervised on road driving experience for learners
*high powered vehicle restrictions during P1 and P2
*banning all mobile phone use, including loud speaker functions for P1 and P2
*banning all 'hands free' use of mobiles for supervisors and passengers of P1 drivers
*hazard perception testing prior to P2
*disqualified/suspended P1 and P2 driver to go back to P1 stage with additional late night curfew between 11pm and 5am
*requirement to hold a car provisional licence for 12 months prior to gaining a motorbike learner licence.
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The Queensland Government is offering a rebate to eligible households that replace their electric hot water system with a solar hot water system or heat pump. The system must be purchased on or after 13 April 2010.
The rebate will reduce the cost of a solar water heater.
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| Emergency Services |  |
It is now compulsory for all residential dwellings in Queensland to install and maintain at least one smoke alarm.
Details include:
*homes built before 1 July 1997, that don't already have smoke alarms installed will need to buy and install at least one 9 volt battery operated smoke alarm
*homes built after 1997, should have had at least one 240 volt (hard-wired) smoke alarms installed at the time it was built. This is a requirement under the Building Code of Australia (BCA)
*major renovations to a home since 1997 should have included the installation of 240 volt (hard-wired) smoke alarms.
Complience to this leglislation will be monitored with the help of the REIQ, which will include a section on smoke alarms on documentation when purchasing or renting a residential dwelling.
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On 1 July 2008, the Department of Natural Resources and Water through the Office of the Water Supply Regulator, commenced administration of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008.
The Act, aims to strengthen the safety and reliability of Queensland's water supplies and protect public health by:
• establishing new regulatory provisions for recycled water and drinking water
• incorporating, largely without change, Chapter 3 'Infrastructure and Service’ of the Water Act 2000.
The Office of the Water Supply Regulator will ensure that service providers meet the new regulatory provisions, and will continue to manage dam safety, water supply assets, and water and sewerage service providers.
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| Local Government - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Partnerships | |
Partnerships Queensland aims to improve the way the state government delivers programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Queensland.
All Queensland Government departments will be guided by:
A set of goals and policy objectives:
• strong families, strong cultures
• safe places; healthy living
• skilled and prosperous people and
communities
A new way of doing business based on:
• partnership
• community engagement
• improved governance
• better performing and more
accountable service providers
• shared responsibility
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| Justice & Attorney General | |
You can receive a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate if you meet the Department’s certificate access policy requirements. You need to prove your identity and pay the required fee.
If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you will need their written approval as well as proving your and their identity.
To make your request you can either:
• complete the relevant application form and send it to the Registry by mail:
Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
PO Box 15188
City East Qld 4002
• apply at your nearest Queensland magistrates courthouse or Queensland Government agency office.
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| Workplace Rights Ombudsman | |
The Ombudsman's office began operating 2 July 2007 although the Workplace Rights hotline 1300 737 841 has been available for longer. It was formerly known as the Queensland Fair Go Advisory Service Hotline.
The Ombudsman's role will have the power to:
*provide information and advice to Queensland workers and employers and to promote fair and equitable work practices in Queensland workplaces
*investigate and report on unlawful, unfair or otherwise inappropriate employment practices
*refer instances of possible unlawful industrial relations and other work-related matter to appropriate authorities or services
*provide advice to the State Government on strategies that might be introduced to mitigate the negative effects of Federal WorkChoice laws, improve protections for vulnerable workers and promote best industrial relations practices in Queensland.
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| Disability Services | |
There is a number of services provided by Disability services including:
Accommodation support services provide support to people with a disability to enable them to remain in their existing accommodation or to move to more suitable accommodation.
Community services provide people with a disability and their families and carers with information about services, help to participate in community life and help carers to provide quality support.
Respite services provide a short-term and time-limited break for families and carers of people with a disability and helps to support and maintain the primary care giving relationship, while providing a positive experience for the person with a disability. Respite may be provided at home or at a respite house.
Community and home care services provide support under the auspice of the Home and Community Care Program (HACC) and non-clinical community mental health services provided primarily through non-government service providers.
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The Office of Fair Trading receives a number of complaints from victims of scams and fraud.
There is useful information on their website on how to recognise, report and protect yourself from scams.
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| Charities and Incorporated Associations | |
The Office of Fair Trading provides useful information on their website regarding the process of incorporating associations.
Developing Your Organisation is a resource funded by the Department of Communities for Queensland Community Organisations containing useful information such as manuals, handbooks, a nonprofit standard chart of accounts, checklists, streamed training videos, model forms, and precedent policies.
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