Blow the Truth

Cavill Mall Surfers Paradise Photo Blow the Truth The Greater Brisbane lockdown lifts at 12 noon today and a number of temporary safety measures will remain in place for all of Queensland. The following restrictions will be in place for two weeks until 12 noon on Thursday 15 April 2021: • You must continue to carry a mask with you whenever you leave home, and wear it in indoor venues • Hospitality venues can open for seated eating and drinking only, and no dancing is allowed • Private gatherings are restricted to 30 people • Businesses can re-open with one person per 2m² • Outdoor events can go ahead with a COVID-safe plan, but masks must be worn if social distancing isn’t possible • Church services will be allowed 100% occupancy with ticketed or allocated seating or adhering to the one per 2m² rule • Restrictions on aged care, hospitals, disability care and correctional facilities will apply with no personal visitors allowed during this period. Thanks to the hard work of Queenslanders

Annastacia Palaszczuk Photo facebook The Greater Brisbane region has now entered a three-day lockdown and increased restrictions are in place across Queensland as evidence of community transmission of the UK strain of COVID-19 continues to emerge. The Greater Brisbane region includes:  Brisbane City Council;  Logan City Council;  Moreton Bay Regional Council;  Ipswich City Council; and  Redland City Council. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the three-day lockdown would be reviewed on Wednesday and allow Queensland Health to carry out vital contact tracing. “This is the UK strain. It is highly infectious. We need to do this now to avoid a longer lockdown,” the Premier said. “Just like the lockdown in January, this is designed to be a circuit breaker to limit community spread as much as possible.” Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the three day lockdown would limit community spread of COVID-19. “With significant community transmission and many venues of concern th

Four Central Queensland race clubs --- including the Yeppoon Turf Club -- will share in nearly $700,000 worth of Palaszczuk Government infrastructure grants, generating jobs for local tradies. Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said the funds would be shared between Yeppoon Turf Club, Blackwater-Bluff Amateur Race Club, Clermont Race Club and Emerald Jockey Club. “Racing is part of our region’s economy as well as community life, especially in some of our smaller and more isolated towns,” Ms Lauga said. “Apart from supporting local clubs and improving facilities for trainers, jockeys, owners and racegoers, these grants will generate work for local tradies in these communities.” The upgrades are part of $2.8 million worth of grants being distributed statewide to some of Queensland’s smallest and most remote country race clubs. Racing Minister Grace Grace today announced the grants to 37 country clubs from Mareeba in the Far North to Betoota in the south-west. “The Palaszczuk Government’s C

Brisbane will enter a three-day lockdown to stop the spread of the highly contagious UK strain of COVID-19. From 6 pm tonight until 6 pm Monday, people in the local government areas of Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Redlands and Logan will be required to stay at home except: to attend work if you can’t work from home; to buy essentials like groceries and medicine; look after the vulnerable; and exercise within their neighbourhood Masks will also need to be worn everywhere in those local government areas except if people are at home. Cafes, pubs and restaurants will be open only for take-away service. Funerals will be restricted to 20 guests and weddings restricted to 10 guests. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the measures follow confirmation late yesterday that a cleaner from a quarantine hotel had tested positive. “There are no second chances with this pandemic,” the Premier said. “That’s why I’m asking people to have a long weekend at home. “We have learned from Victoria, South A

The Palaszczuk Government has today announced a $31.5 million commitment to the multimillion-dollar Gold Coast Turf Club redevelopment. Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the project would include an all-weather synthetic track, a full refurbishment of the racing surfaces, lights and the development of a tunnel. “Most importantly, the redevelopment is odds on to support about 330 jobs during the construction phase alone,” he said. “Because we responded so quickly when the pandemic became a health issue, we are now well placed to roll out our economic recovery plan. “The creation of hundreds of jobs in the construction phase alone will feed strategically into that plan. “There are already almost 1100 jobs on the Gold Coast alone that depend on the racing industry, from trainers and jockeys through to hospitality workers, farriers and equine nurses. “The Gold Coast is one of Queensland’s most magnificent tourism drawcards and the turf club is already home to the internationally ren

The Treasurer today released details of the Palaszczuk Government’s $13.9 billion infrastructure investment for 2020-21 as part of Queensland’s plan to support jobs and accelerate the state’s economic recovery. Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said this year’s capital program re-affirmed Government’s infrastructure guarantee, and was expected to directly support around 44,000 jobs. “The  Capital Program 2020 Update  includes $13.9 billion in infrastructure spending across the state and is aimed at keeping people in jobs, driving our recovery and securing Queensland’s longer-term prosperity,” Mr Dick said. “Our  Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs  strategy for economic recovery has a strong focus on infrastructure, because we know that infrastructure will drive our state’s recovery, future prosperity and resilience. “Today’s capital program update reinforces our commitment to a $51.8 billion program of work over four years and gives the private sect

Premier and Minister for Trade The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk Premier Plans for a future light rail link to the Gold Coast Airport are on track thanks to a pledge by the Palaszczuk Government and the City of Gold Coast to start the business case. Future east-west bus and light rail connections will also be explored with a study to prioritise rapid transit options on the Broadbeach – Robina and Broadbeach – Nerang corridors. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was on the Gold Coast to announce the $7 million deal today, which would be funded under a 50/50 partnership between the State and Council. “This business case will support the next critical steps needed to push major transport investments on the Gold Coast forward which is vital for Queensland’s economic recovery,” the Premier said. “This is about building a pipeline of projects that can continue to support and create jobs, boost our economy and improve transport for locals, particularly those living on the southern end of the

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk media release: Queensland has today declared the greater Sydney area a COVID-19 hotspot, following increasing cases across the NSW capital. Today, 34 (31 new plus three previously declared) local government areas have been declared hotspots by the Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young, meaning as of 1am Saturday August 1, people who have been there within the last 14 days will be turned away at our border unless they are residents. https://www.facebook.com/annastaciamp/videos/708911073299780/ Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said community transmission had increased. “We have seen more cases of community transmission spreading across a wider area of Sydney,” The Premier said. “This includes into areas frequented by tourists, travellers and large numbers of Sydney locals. “Throughout this pandemic we have acted quickly to put the health of Queenslanders first. “And that’s what we’re doing here.” Deputy Premier and Health Minister Steven Miles said that sinc

The Palaszczuk Government has made more than $21 million available to support the health and wellbeing of First Nations Queenslanders and communities during COVID-19. Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the measures aim to combat the spread of COVID-19 amongst First Nations Queenslanders to ensure the coronavirus does not adversely impact their communities or amplify existing health inequalities. “From the moment the virus appeared in Australia we have been working to prevent outbreaks in Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities where we know it would have a devastating impact. “This funding has gone toward preparing for possible future outbreaks in First Nations communities, while remaining committed to existing health services. “We know that First Nations peoples, particular those that are aged 50 and over with one or more chronic health conditions may experience more severe symptoms of COVID-19. “We have to remain vigilant and be able to r

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has assured growers they can maintain a seasonal workforce while meeting their COVID-19 public health obligations. She said the industry needed clarity about managing an incoming workforce, particularly backpackers, at an important time of year. “Everyone needs fresh fruit and vegetables to stay healthy during this time, and much of Australia’s produce is grown right here,” Ms Palaszczuk said. “To harvest these crops our horticulture industry has an average monthly workforce demand of up to 10,000 skilled and unskilled workers over the next six months, but COVID-19 restrictions must also be followed. “So we have a clear message to agricultural employers and workers about what they need to do, especially if they come from a coronavirus hot spot.” Any seasonal worker coming to Queensland would need a border pass and details of: where they had been for the previous two weeks written confirmation of a job in Queensland and where they planned to reside. If they