Author: Wan Kerr

Queensland Government lauds its success at “Delivering results and driving exploration success”.

According to a Media Release just received from the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, key reforms to State Government mining permit approval processes and new service delivery targets are helping to achieve results and drive exploration success for Queensland.

The Director-General of the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Dr Brett Heyward, today released a new report highlighting his department’s ongoing work to ensure Queensland remains globally competitive and an attractive destination for exploration investment.

“My department is transforming the way our services are delivered to ensure the state’s resources sector remains globally competitive and our regulatory framework encourages exploration activity and opportunities for sustainable growth in regional Queensland,” he said.

“We are introducing better systems to improve the way mining permits and approvals are decided and setting new customer service delivery targets to make our decision making faster, more open, accessible and transparent.

“We also continue to deliver reforms to improve frontline service delivery, reduce red tape and streamline the regulatory frameworks that support the exploration sector.

“These practical reforms will deliver greater certainty to resource companies and communities alike and make Queensland a more attractive place to do business.”

Dr Heyward said exploration investment by industry in Queensland is at near record levels this year at $1.3 billion; including $1.1 billion in coal and petroleum exploration for the past twelve months.

“Queensland has also increased its market share in private capital investment against the rest of Australia.

“My department’s reform process is already removing obstacles to exploration and mining, but there is much more to do in close partnership with industry, landholders and local communities.”

Dr Heyward said the department’s report outlines some of the key exploration activity indicators and reforms underway.

Key reforms to support increased exploration activity include:

•           A new streamlined assessment pathway for coal and minerals exploration permits, meaning permits not subject to native title can be determined within six months or sooner;

•           New land being released for exploration through competitive tendering and making geoscientific discoveries and new data more accessible;

•           The $30 million Future Resources Program to fund seven new initiatives to help industry maximise the success of exploration ventures and improve Queensland’s geological knowledge;

•           A range of legislative reforms to modernise and simplify the regulatory framework for mining and exploration to cut red and green tape by 20 per cent;

•           Online lodgement for exploration permits modernising the old “over the counter” application system;

•            Expanded self-service and permit maintenance functions for industry through MyMinesOnline.

“I believe this report demonstrates that we are listening to our customers’ feedback for faster, more efficient approval timeframes, and we are actively responding to that call.

“The resources sector is a key pillar in Queensland’s economy and we will continue to collaborate with industry to build a modernised and more efficient regulatory framework that provides greater certainty for exploration activity and investment in Queensland,” Dr Heyward said.

A copy of the DNRM performance highlights and key indicators report is available at: www.dnrm.qld.gov.au

 

Brisbane born actress Julia Billington has just landed a major role in the new independent Aussie feature The Trouble with E. The film is in pre-production and starts shooting on November 18th.

In 2006 Julia left Brisbane to study at NIDA the prestigious drama school based in Sydney. Since then she has lived in almost 10 different places but remembers her childhood in the suburb of Indooroopilly. “My childhood was largely spent running around in bare feet, playing street cricket, riding bikes down to the local park, and climbing trees.”

Julia has always had a natural disposition for performing. At the age of 6 she would sit her bemused Maths Teacher parents down to watch poetry enactments, with Roald Dahl’s “Dirty Beasts” being a personal favourite. As she got older her passion grew. She took every opportunity to be involved in acting.

At age 14 she distinctly remembers a conversation with Stephen Matthias, her high school drama teacher, who she believes played a large role in shaping her adult life. “He drew me aside after the closing night production of “Dags” in which I played the lead girl and in response to my disappointment that yet another production was over, he gently said, “Well, why don’t you do this as a career?””

The promising young actress already has some impressive credits to her name. She received rave reviews for her portrayal of Rachel Corrie in the show “My Name is Rachel Corrie”. Billington is the sole performer in the 90-minute one-woman show documenting the tragically short life of the young the peace activist. The project resonated strongly with Julia and “was made even more magical by it being performed at La Boite, back in my home town, Brisvegas.”

In Sydney earlier this year she played the lead in the revival of, “Top Girls”, Carol Churchill’s classic play about Thatcher’s Britain. She has just finished a successful stint at the Brisbane Festival with the phenomenally successful “CUT SNAKE”, which is now in its fifth season and has a sixth already booked. She devised the theatre project with director Paige Rattray.

Julia will now be playing the role of country girl, Trish, in independent Australian feature film The Trouble with E.  Trish is the love interest of the leading character, E, and Julia says of the character, “she is strong, full of conviction, humour, and also vulnerable. It’s a beautiful cocktail to play.”

This role could be Julia’s big break. One thing is for sure. Her drama teacher, Mr Matthias, will be cheering her the whole way.

Music lovers are invited to a live gig at State Library of Queensland, designed especially for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.

On Friday 15 November, popular Brisbane bands The Gin Club, The Stress of Leisure and Jakarta Criers will take to the stage for 4Senses, a multi-sensory performance that uses sight and touch to make music accessible to everyone, including people with a hearing impairment.

4Senses co-creator Tony Browne, said the event will use film track projections, visual light shows, and subwoofer seats to bring the joy of live music to people who might not normally have a chance to experience it.

“I’ve always believed music is more than one dimensional,” said Mr Browne. “Great live music is about the energy in the room and the way performers and the crowd build that energy together, and our aim is to extend this experience out for everyone.

“We’re thrilled to have such prominent acts as The Gin Club, The Stress of Leisure and Jakarta Cries involved in the project, and can’t wait to hear, see and feel their music as it takes over the library,” said Mr Browne

State Librarian Janette Wright said State Library was delighted to partner with 4Senses and Deaf Australia to present this inspiring event.

“Music has a magical ability to bring people together, and can be central to expressing our identity as individuals, as communities and as a culture,” said Ms Wright.

“For the past six months, State Library has been celebrating and exploring this quality, through the exhibition program Live! Queensland band culture.

“4Senses will be the last event in the Live! exhibition series of events at State Library, which closes on 17 November, and will definitely send the exhibition off with a bang!” she said.

4Senses is an 18+ only event. A cash bar available on site. Tickets are $30, with all profits donated to Deaf Australia. Bookings slq.eventbrite.com

When: Fri 15 Nov, 7pm
Where: SLQ Gallery, level 2, State Library of Queensland
Tickets: $30, bookings slq.eventbrite.com

Origin Energy, the largest energy retailer in Australia, is actively blocking renewable energy, a new report finds. The report, “Strangling Renewables: Origin Energy’s campaign against renewable energy” produced by 100% Renewable, a community campaign for clean energy, and Greenpeace Australia Pacific, inspects Origin’s energy dominance and the company’s quest to strangle renewables as part of its strategy to prolong the dominance of gas and fossil fuels.

“Two and a half million Australians have installed rooftop solar and are taking power generation into their own hands. These families are producing clean energy and, at the same time, reducing their bills. The renewable and solar revolution is here but Origin is clearly threatened by this,” Lindsay Soutar, National Director of 100% Renewable , says.

“To shore up its strategy of expanding investment in gas and fossil fuels, Origin is responding the only way it knows –by leading an industry campaign to undermine renewables in our community.”

“As this report shows, Origin is strangling renewable energy in a number of ways, including running a smear campaign against the renewable energy target, which sets Australia’s goal for the amount of our energy produced by renewables, and using misleading public statements to manipulate the general public and politicians alike,” Ms Soutar says.

“Origin’s Managing Director, Grant King, has repeatedly said the renewable energy target is a primary driver of increased energy costs. But, that is inaccurate, with the main cause of price rises – at over 70% – due to over investment in poles and wires.”

“Origin has also underinvested in its own renewable energy portfolio and is blocking other clean energy developers projects from going forward, using its market power to keep renewables on the sidelines,” Ben Pearson, Head of Program at Greenpeace Australia, says.

The report shows that Origin has invested heavily in gas projects, including developing new LNG projects and gas generating plants, and also generates 75% of its profit through its retail arm – but increasingly these are threatened by the emergence of cheaper, cleaner wind and solar.

“In truth, renewables are working. As this report shows, renewables are reducing energy bills and producing clean energy in an efficient way. Not only that, but wind power is lowering wholesale power prices. And other countries are surpassing us with more ambitious renewable energy goals,” Ms Soutar says.

“What Origin is failing to recognise is that Australians overwhelmingly support renewable energy. Survey after survey finds that 70-80% of families want more renewables, not less. At this time we need to be increasing our ambition, not falling behind.”

“Origin’s short-sighted strategy of investing in dying technology and attempting to strangle new ones may be their plan now, but Origin needs to be careful as they risk consumers walking away as they learn about what they are up to.”

With a review of Australia’s Renewable Energy Target scheduled to occur early next year, 100% Renewable and Greenpeace will be continuing to expose Origin’s efforts to undermine the target and ensure the federal government aims higher in its renewable energy goals.

Leading projects firm Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) is hoping to raise $20,000 for Community Plus as it competes in the Santos GLNG Brisbane to the Gold Coast Cycle Challenge in October.

With 20 staff participating in the 100-kilometre ride, SKM is “cycling the talk” and living by its ethos of delivering a positive impact on the communities in which it operates.

SKM has a strong partnership arrangement with West End Community House (WECH), working closely with WECH to support a range of community initiatives and events.

SKM’s Hope Stevens acknowledged the many benefits of the close relationship with WECH. “We’ve shared a lot of information about our respective organisations, discussed various models of corporate citizenship, what we’re both seeking from a partnership and the many ways we can work effectively together,” she said.

Participating in the ride is the latest initiative to support WECH, and a great way for SKM staff to give back to their local community.

“We are proud to participate in this community event as it is not only a great team building event for staff, it will also make a big difference to the community partner we are supporting; that’s a strong incentive and will make us pedal harder for sure!”

For further details about the ride, please visit: https://give.everydayhero.com/au/skm-rouleurs

About Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM)
Sinclair Knight Merz is a leading projects firm, with global capability in strategic consulting, engineering and project delivery. It operates across Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, deploying some 7,500 people from more than 40 offices.
www.globalskm.com

About Community Plus (West End Family Care Services Incorporated)
Community Plus provides active centres to support strong communities within Brisbane’s inner south, including West End Community House, the Yeronga Community Centre, Annerley Community Service, the Kurilpa Kiosk and the Croquet Club Community Hall.

About West End Community House (WECH)
To learn more about West End Community House please visit: http://www.westendcommunityhouse.org.au

 

Child marriage is an act of sexual violence against young girls, says Australian National Committee for UN Women.

The Australian National Committee for UN Women is concerned by the death of a 5  year old Saudi Girl, “Lama”, sexually abused and beaten to death by her father because he questioned his daughter’s virginity. Fayan alGhamdi has avoided a significant jail term by paying $50 000 in blood money to Lama’s mother.

Such horrific acts of violence and a lack of justice for Lama’s death is deeply concerning to the National Committee, which is dedicated to ending human rights abuses against women and achieving gender equality.  The National Committee is seeking to raise $20, 000 by October 11, International Day of the Girl Child, to help girls escape violence and poverty, and access education and a brighter future. Millions of girls around the world need this assistance, says Julie McKay, Executive Director of the National Committee.

“The past year has really shed light on the shocking scale of violence against girls worldwide. The terrible fate  of Lama is just the tip of the iceberg. On year ago to the week Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head by the Taliban for speaking out about girls’ education. Thankfully Malala has fully recovered and is now an  inspirational advocate for girls worldwide. But we know that other girls have not been so lucky. Girls live with violence every day, girls have their rights restricted every day.”

The Australian National Committee is focusing on ending violence against girls, in particular ending the practice of child marriage. Over 60 million girls worldwide are forced into marriage every year. In September, it was reported that an 8 year old Yemeni girl died on her wedding night after being forced into marriage with a man more than five times her age.

“Girls as young as 7 and 8 are being forced into marriage, forced into actions that their bodies are not yet ready for,” says Ms McKay. “Child marriage is physically and emotionally scarring for these girls. Pregnancy is the leading cause of death for 15-19 year old girls worldwide. Girls under 20 are 50 per cent more likely to experience miscarriages or stillbirths than women over 20. Girls worldwide are suffering every day. We need to stand up as a community and take action. This is not a standard we accept for our daughters, and we must not accept it for girls worldwide.”

“UN Women provides shelter, medical and psychological care for victims of violence and provides girls with education and training which enables them to plan for their future. UN Women also works with governments around the world to change laws and ensure that perpetrators of violence like Lama’s father are brought to justice.”

“By providing girls with a chance to grow without violence, to escape poverty and to get an education we are  investing in the future of our world. We are ensuring that these young girls can live free from violence and free to shape their own future.”

Donations to help girls can be made at http://www.mycause.com.au/events/dayofgirlchild or by contacting the National Committee on (02) 6173 3222.

 

Where will your money go?

$1040 can support girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking, giving them shelter, counselling, education and hope for the future.
$520 can fund a community-wide education program to end the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting.
$125 can support school teachers to educate students about forced marriage and early pregnancies.
$99 can provide a pregnant girl with medical care to ensure that she and her child are healthy and safe.

Background Notes:

60 million girls worldwide are forced into marriage before age 18 every year
Pregnancy is the leading cause of death worldwide for women ages 15 to 19
Girls under age 20 are 50 per cent more likely to experience miscarriages and stillbirths
1.2 million children being are trafficked each year – many of these children are girls forced into sex trafficking