For today’s news updates as they happen, follow us here.
For today’s news updates as they happen, follow us here.
The Crisafulli government is refusing to release the advice and modelling it relied upon to suspend the use of Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) on new major projects.
Premier David Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie have repeatedly claimed BPIC made projects more expensive, that it favoured unions like the CFMEU, and needed to be scrapped to deliver capital works on time and on budget.
While the LNP has so far failed to follow Labor’s lead by proactively releasing cabinet documents within 30 business days, an application for the BPIC technical paper that informed the government’s decision has also been refused under the Right to Information Act.
After an internal review, the decision-maker accepted the argument from Brisbane Times that “some of the refused information may be factual or statistical in nature,” and therefore not exempt under the RTI Act. However, releasing it would reveal whether or not it had been considered by cabinet.
“While there have been some public announcements regarding BPIC, the information must be officially published by decision of Cabinet for the exception in … the RTI Act to apply,” the decision-maker ruled.
Bleijie recently said it was “laughable” to suggest the LNP government was less transparent than Labor.
After accusing the former Labor government of unfunded services and capital works blowouts, the LNP government is now reconsidering several projects ahead of the June budget.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will address media this morning. You can watch through the video player below.
Ground staff are working around the clock to repair turf in time for tonight’s A-League clash at Suncorp Stadium, after it was ripped up during two weekend concerts.
Back-to-back concerts by country singer Luke Combs on Friday and Saturday appeared to have damaged grass around the stage area.
More than half-a-dozen workers could be seen yesterday replacing about 2500 square metres of turf at the Caxton Street end.
Brisbane Roar is scheduled to play the Western Sydney Wanderers tonight from 6.35pm.
“Suncorp Stadium … [is] assuring us that they are confident the field will be up to standard, safe and stable underfoot,” a representative for the club told Brisbane Times.
“Apart from expected aesthetic visual scarring in some areas as a result of the recent concert, there are no other concerns ahead of the match.”
A Suncorp Stadium spokesperson said ground staff had “worked around the clock” to repair the turf and “independent testing will be conducted … to ensure the field meets all safety and playability requirements” prior to the game.
Suncorp Stadium is now allowed to host more concerts, and Combs’ visit required organisers to push back a previously scheduled Roar game to a Tuesday night in April.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has conceded there is “work to be done” to support public safety following this week’s revelation that a caravan filled with explosives and an address of a Sydney synagogue had been discovered in Sydney’s north-west.
Appearing on Today with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Marles acknowledged further work was needed to make the Jewish community feel safe.
“We are doubling down in terms of the support we are providing to our police forces,” Marles said.
“There’s an enormous amount of effort going on, and I don’t think anyone is being sanguine about the future. We are very focused on doing everything within our power to combat this and to do everything within our power to make the Jewish community feel safe.”
Dutton didn’t answer a question probing if the response to continuing antisemitic attacks had become politicised, noting instead that frustration from the Jewish community came as incidents “escalated over a period of time”.
“People predicted that there was going to be an escalation in violence … it’s predictable in the sense that people don’t know red lines, and they’ve continued to escalate,” Dutton said.
The Crisafulli government is refusing to release the advice and modelling it relied upon to suspend the use of Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPIC) on new major projects.
Premier David Crisafulli and Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie have repeatedly claimed BPIC made projects more expensive, that it favoured unions like the CFMEU, and needed to be scrapped to deliver capital works on time and on budget.
While the LNP has so far failed to follow Labor’s lead by proactively releasing cabinet documents within 30 business days, an application for the BPIC technical paper that informed the government’s decision has also been refused under the Right to Information Act.
After an internal review, the decision-maker accepted the argument from Brisbane Times that “some of the refused information may be factual or statistical in nature,” and therefore not exempt under the RTI Act. However, releasing it would reveal whether or not it had been considered by cabinet.
“While there have been some public announcements regarding BPIC, the information must be officially published by decision of Cabinet for the exception in … the RTI Act to apply,” the decision-maker ruled.
Bleijie recently said it was “laughable” to suggest the LNP government was less transparent than Labor.
After accusing the former Labor government of unfunded services and capital works blowouts, the LNP government is now reconsidering several projects ahead of the June budget.
The week – and indeed the month – draws to a close with another warm, cloudy day in the River City. We’re expecting a top temperature of 32 degrees today.
The likelihood of showers should increase to about a 20 per cent chance today, growing more likely over the weekend and into midweek next week, when rainy days are forecast.
Spare a thought for those in the state’s north, where a cyclone threat looms and the drenched region braces for yet more rain. Three tropical lows lie off Cairns and the Gulf of Carpentaria, with another set to intensify in the Coral Sea near Vanuatu.
Here’s what’s making news beyond Brisbane this morning:
In comments that have been labelled “despicable”, US President Donald Trump has sought to blame diversity and inclusion policies and the Biden administration for a midair collision in the US capital that killed 67 people.
A proposal to cut the volume of sports betting advertisements in Australia has been put on ice until after the election, jeopardising the prospect of any new regulation on sports gambling.
Jewellery retailer Lovisa has been accused of forcing hundreds of young women to work for free before and after their rostered hours and during lunch breaks in a class-action lawsuit.
The Greens are proposing the federal government pay more than $8 billion to states and territories over four years to cut public transport fares to 50¢ nationwide.
A key police decision made after explosives were found in a caravan in NSW as part of an apparent antisemitic plot was that no one could know details of the investigation – including political leaders. So who knew and who didn’t?
One of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Guy Grossi, has issued a public apology over allegations he groped a woman.
A viral TikTok video falsely claimed a van roaming Las Vegas streets was an undercover vehicle for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Turns out it was an ice-cream van.
Good morning, and welcome to Brisbane Times’ news blog. Today the city can expect a partly cloudy day with a top temperature of 32 degrees.
In local news you need to know this morning:
Brisbane has been urged to follow the lead of fellow Olympic city Paris by investing in cycling infrastructure and, at least for the Games, relaxing helmet laws.
One of Brisbane’s most historic buildings is about to get a new tenant, with a fashion brand submitting plans to fit out the 95-year-old CBD building.
The daughter of a woman strangled by her husband at a Sunshine Coast resort on Valentine’s Day in 2022 has welcomed his 12-year jail term, saying “justice has been served”.
A tiny Holland Park cafe shifts close to 200 sandwiches a day. But one in particular has emerged as Brisbane’s sanger of the month.
After a year of turmoil, Queensland Ballet has named its new artistic director – but that isn’t its only unexpected announcement.
In sport, two rugby union legends have urged more than a dozen off-contract Wallabies to consider focusing on a home World Cup in 2027 rather than chasing overseas contracts.
Three Dolphins figures have addressed the prospect of recruiting one of the NRL’s biggest stars.
And have you been paying attention to the week’s news and trivia? Prove it with Brisbane Times’ multiple-choice challenge.
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