Thanks for interstate recovery workers

Community Services Minister Karen Struthers today thanked 27 interstate
workers who have been helping with flood recovery efforts in Queensland.

Ms Struthers said 18 workers from South Australia and nine from the
Australian Capital Territory had been involved in a range of recovery
work in Brisbane over the past few weeks.

"We're talking about dedicated people who came to help in our greatest
time of need," Ms Struthers said.

"In cooperation with Queensland's own dedicated workforce, the workers
have helped our state get on the road to recovery as people start to
rebuild their lives and their homes.

"The workers from SA and the ACT have left their families and brought
their skills and experience and we are very grateful for this help.

"This is a clear demonstration of the Australian spirit of mateship and
camaraderie."

The 27 interstate workers, who leave Brisbane this afternoon, were
thanked at a morning tea and debriefing this morning.

They have worked in a range of roles including as community recovery
workers, community recovery centre managers and central office
strategists.

They joined hundreds of staff from Queensland Government agencies, local
councils and partner agencies such as Lifeline, Red Cross and the
Salvation Army who have contributed to the recovery effort across the
state.

"We are out and about all over Queensland to help those who have been
affected by these floods," Ms Struthers said.

"We could not have done this without the efforts of each and every
person working on community recovery.

"Help will continue to be available and I encourage anyone affected by
the floods to phone 1800 173 349 to see what assistance they may be
eligible for."

Suncorp Stadium back in business for Roar local derby

The iconic Suncorp Stadium will be back in business for the Brisbane Roar v Gold Coast United local derby on Saturday 12 February, Sport Minister Phil Reeves announced today.
“This is the news sports fans have been waiting to hear,” Mr Reeves said.
“It was devastating to see our beloved Stadium inundated by the floodwaters.
“But thanks to the amazing efforts of Stadium staff and contractors, the hallowed grounds will be open for business next month.
“I’d like to praise and commend the hard work of staff and contractors who have worked ‘around the clock’ since the floods earlier this month to have events resume at the venue as quickly as possible.
“They have pulled some proverbial rabbits out of a hat to get this outcome and they are to be commended for their dedication and efforts.”
Mr Reeves said because of the substantial damage to the Level 1 area of the Western Stand, all game day operations facilities had been destroyed and needed to be replaced.
“Replacement work has already commenced but it will take time. In the interim, a lot of temporary facilities will have to be used on game days,” he said.
“This includes dressing rooms, referees room, medical room, officials rooms, the Stadium control room and press conference and photographers rooms.
“Grounds-staff will continue their preparations to ensure the best possible playing surface for what promises to be a great finish to the Hyundai A-League home and away season.”
Mr Reeves said from the patrons’ point of view, there will be some changes to entry points and pathways around the Stadium.
“Access to some areas will be restricted due to repair and restoration work being undertaken and there will be limitations on services for an interim period primarily in the Western Stand,” he said.
“One thing that won’t change will be the great atmosphere for which Suncorp Stadium is renowned around the world.
“We know the venue hirers and patrons understand the situation and thank them for their patience and flexibility in working with us during this reconstruction period.
“Given the amount of damage caused by flood waters, it’s amazing that only two games had to be rescheduled from the Stadium to Skilled Park.
“I have seen firsthand the great teamwork being put in to restore the Stadium to its former glory and it s a credit to all involved.
“I hope the re-opening of Suncorp Stadium will provide a morale boost for the people of Brisbane and Queensland recovering from the affects of the floods.”

Counting the cost of floods: revenue write downs

Treasurer Andrew Fraser today said the State’s Budget would be hit by massive revenue write downs to key revenue sources as the State faced a multi-billion dollar, multi-year rebuilding task.
Mr Fraser said write-downs in key revenues such as royalties and transfer duty would add to the $1 billion write down from the GST contained in last year’s Commonwealth Budget update.
“The total taxation and royalty revenue write down across the forward estimates is projected to be more than $1.5 billion since the Budget,” Mr Fraser said.
“That’s put us more than $2.5 billion further behind the eight-ball, when you add on the $1 billion in reduced GST.”
Over four years the key revenue lost comprises:
·Royalties: $159 million
·Transfer Duty: $1.4 billion
·GST: $1 billion
Mr Fraser said royalty income would be hit hardest this year.
“Royalties will take a bath – lost production and a rampant Aussie dollar have delivered a $286 million write down this year, before we make up ground from strong demand in the future.
The floods are expected to put further strain on a housing market already under pressure from tight credit conditions with transfer duty now forecast to be lower than last financial year.
“Our challenge is compounded by a large write down ($344 million) in transfer duty this year from a soft property market that will now take longer to recover.
Mr Fraser also announced planned changes to transfer duty and royalty collection arrangements, aimed at ensuring the State’s revenue base is protected into the future.
From 1 July 2011 royalties will now be collected through the Office of State Revenue with a move towards collection on a monthly basis proposed, Mr Fraser said.
Mr Fraser said discussions had begun with the resources industry to implement the change, aimed at streamlining the collections system which currently operates on a quarterly basis.
Further efforts to harmonise the state’s stamp duty regime will ensure simplified rules and reduce the scope for tax avoidance, said Mr Fraser.
“Queensland will abolish the existing land-rich duty regime which sees different tax rates applying depending on the proportion of land value in a corporate transaction.
“The existing 60% threshold is complex and provides incentive for companies to arrange transactions to avoid triggering tax obligations.
“We will move to adopt the system employed in other states to promote harmonisation and close off the potential for tax avoidance.
Mr Fraser said the changes would likely see in an estimated $30 million in revenue from transactions currently structured to avoid liability being collected by the Office of State Revenue from 2011-12.
“This is not a revenue raising measure– this is about ensuring our system is robust and taxpayers can’t avoid their obligations.
“Harmonising the system will reduce red tape and reduce avoidance.”
The MYFER is available online at treasury.qld.gov.au