Victorian Labor claims seat of Pakenham as state election counting continues
Adeshola Ore
Victoria’s Andrews authorities is ready to surpass its 2018 historic “Danslide” on Friday with Labor claiming the seat of Pakenham on Thursday afternoon.
Emma Vulin, Labor’s candidate for the newly created seat, in Melbourne’s south-east, claimed victory on Thursday afternoon. The voters equals 55 seats within the decrease home for Labor – the identical landslide victory the social gathering achieved in 2018.
Vulin received the seat on a two-party most well-liked foundation by 307 votes with a margin of 0.39%.
In a Fb put up, Vulin vowed to advocate for the “numerous group” and guarantee infrastructure met the realm’s wants:
I want to thank the folks of the Pakenham district for placing their religion in me. I’ll advocate for our group in Spring Avenue with the identical struggle that noticed me rehabilitate after my stroke.
I’m keen to fulfill everybody and take heed to the wants of our fantastic quick rising and numerous group and guarantee we now have the companies and infrastructure that we’d like as we develop.
Labor can also be forward within the seat of Bass – the ultimate seat to be known as – however the Victorian Electoral Fee stated the formal distribution of preferences can be finalised on Friday.
Key occasions
What we realized in the present day, Thursday 8 December
That’s the place we’ll wrap up the reside weblog in the present day on a busy day of reports.
Right here’s the important thing factors for in the present day:
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After a gathering of power ministers in Brisbane in the present day, Chris Bowen introduced an agreement on a “capacity mechanism” which he stated can be “holding the lights on” so there have been fewer outages when there was excessive demand.
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This comes forward of the nationwide cupboard assembly tomorrow the place it’s anticipated the federal authorities will search an settlement with the states on a cap on coal to lower energy costs throughout the nation.
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The NSW power minister, Matt Kean, indicated NSW was close to an agreement however careworn the state was not looking for compensation for missed royalties, however for the affect it could have on households and companies.
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A former Division of Social Providers official informed a royal fee he was “directed” to water down legal concerns about the robodebt scheme when the coverage was been designed in early 2015.
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The federal authorities introduced overhauls to Australia’s environment laws, together with plans to determine an environmental safety company.
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The Greens stated they might use their boosted numbers within the parliament to push the federal government to ensure the environmental protection agency is independent and has enamel, whereas the Coalition expressed concern it would be detrimental to business forward of a briefing on the plans tomorrow.
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The house affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, introduced the federal government would embark on a new cybersecurity strategy led by three eminent Australians, the previous Telstra CEO Andy Penn, Cyber Safety Cooperative Analysis Centre CEO Rachael Falk and Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld.
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O’Neil additionally introduced two new department-led critiques Australia’s national resilience and democracy resilience.
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The federal government is looking at counterterrorism legislation to see whether or not it adequately covers far-right extremism.
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John Pesutto has been chosen to lead the Victorian Liberal party after defeating Brad Battin in a celebration room poll.
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The NSW government will support an Indigenous voice to parliament being enshrined within the structure.
Till tomorrow, take pleasure in your night.
Peter Hannam
‘Convivial’ power ministers’ assembly a ‘universe away’ from Morrison occasions
Vitality ministers are heading for Brisbane airport (save Mick de Brenni, Queensland’s minister), usually happy with the “group Australia” outcomes in the present day.
What may be shocking is that the problem of coal and fuel value caps barely obtained a point out on the occasion. Federal, state and territory ministers targeted on medium- to long-term points, leaving the fast subject of value caps and compensation (if there’s any) to the “first ministers” once they meet tomorrow.
Certainly, whether or not the worth of coal will probably be capped at $125 a tonne and fuel at $8-$12/gigajoule (or decrease than the $13/GJ being bandied out) stays to be seen. “Numbers had been studiously not talked about” within the chatter on the sidelines of the occasion, one participant tells Guardian Australia.
The federal power minister, Chris Bowen, and NSW counterpart (and treasurer), Matt Kean, had been “fairly convivial” all through, stated our insider. Certainly, the entire assembly was of such a temper. “It’s a universe away from what it was,” this particular person tells us, including such gatherings through the earlier Coalition authorities of Scott Morrison had been “a whole waste”.
The principle achievement was the creation of a capability funding scheme as famous in earlier posts, which successfully kills off work accomplished by the Vitality Safety Board to create a capability market that may have paid mothballed coal- and gas-fired energy crops to remain in enterprise.
Different work to look at features a Nationwide Renewable Vitality Provide Chain Motion Plan (not a really snappy title) that can create job alternatives in manufacturing. It’s to be developed by the top of 2023, and is being led by Queensland’s de Brenni.
Landholders petition NSW power minister over Santos Narrabri fuel challenge
Greater than 200 involved landholders have petitioned the NSW power minister to cease Santos from getting into farming land for its proposed 400km underground fuel pipeline, AAP studies.
The Hunter fuel pipeline would join the $3.6bn Narrabri fuel challenge on NSW’s northern tablelands to Newcastle and the east coast market.
Nonetheless, oil and fuel big Santos can’t proceed with land surveys with out approval from the power minister, Matt Kean.
Farmers and environmentalists on Thursday delivered a petition from 215 landholders alongside the pipeline’s path to Kean’s workplace.
The petition stated the pipeline would disrupt and jeopardise high-value farmland and develop into a stranded asset because the power sector transforms.
Victoria Congdon, whose property within the Higher Hunter Valley touches the 30-metre-wide pipeline hall, stated the challenge would require substantial environmental harm.
“It’s an obscene imposition on landholders, who’ve to change their lives for a challenge that’s outdated and never needed,” she stated.
The western Liverpool Plains beef farmer Margaret Fleck stated the fuel pipeline may upset the fragile surroundings within the space, notably groundwater feeding the Nice Artesian Basin.
Santos has stated the proposed land survey actions can be undertaken by specialist consultants working below the corporate’s supervision.
“Earlier than any survey works start, Santos will meet with landholders to acquire consent on the areas of property to entry and on what and when this can happen,” it stated.
Victorian Labor claims seat of Pakenham as state election counting continues
Adeshola Ore
Victoria’s Andrews authorities is ready to surpass its 2018 historic “Danslide” on Friday with Labor claiming the seat of Pakenham on Thursday afternoon.
Emma Vulin, Labor’s candidate for the newly created seat, in Melbourne’s south-east, claimed victory on Thursday afternoon. The voters equals 55 seats within the decrease home for Labor – the identical landslide victory the social gathering achieved in 2018.
Vulin received the seat on a two-party most well-liked foundation by 307 votes with a margin of 0.39%.
In a Fb put up, Vulin vowed to advocate for the “numerous group” and guarantee infrastructure met the realm’s wants:
I want to thank the folks of the Pakenham district for placing their religion in me. I’ll advocate for our group in Spring Avenue with the identical struggle that noticed me rehabilitate after my stroke.
I’m keen to fulfill everybody and take heed to the wants of our fantastic quick rising and numerous group and guarantee we now have the companies and infrastructure that we’d like as we develop.
Labor can also be forward within the seat of Bass – the ultimate seat to be known as – however the Victorian Electoral Fee stated the formal distribution of preferences can be finalised on Friday.
Peter Hannam
Capability plan would unlock $10bn in new clear power, Bowen says
As we flagged, the power ministers have agreed on a capability funding scheme that can drive as a lot as $10bn of funding into “new renewable dispatchable capability” for the grid.
Critics have sought to deride the intermittency of wind and photo voltaic power as which means they had been basically much less dependable than “baseload” coal and gas-fired energy crops (when the latter don’t break down).
Anyway, below this new association, the commonwealth will open tenders for initiatives that add storage and even new era initiatives themselves. There will probably be an agreed minimal cost for the profitable bidders as a option to underwrite them, and likewise a “ceiling value” ought to income exceed a sure stage (and the earnings shared).
Critically, fossil-fuel crops, current or future, wouldn’t be eligible to use. (No point out of small modular nuclear reactors however presumably that’s an issue to resolve in a decade or later.)
States like NSW and Victoria reckon the capability funding scheme will probably be superb for his or her current applications to ramp up renewables – as do the opposite states or they wouldn’t have signed up.
Teams just like the Good Energy Council have applauded the outcomes as lastly delivering a nationwide plan for renewable power era and storage.
“Which means cheaper, cleaner and extra dependable energy for all Australians,” the council’s CEO, John Grimes, stated. He known as on governments to show their gaze now to a small-scale scheme that will roll out batteries for houses, very similar to an identical program accelerated the take-up of rooftop photo voltaic panels that now dot about one-third of Australian houses.
Likewise, Kane Thornton, the CEO of the Clear Vitality Council, hailed in the present day’s approval as prone to “unlock the subsequent wave of renewable power initiatives”.
“Vitality storage will play an important position in supporting the huge quantities of recent wind and photo voltaic wanted for the long run,” Thornton stated. “Whereas measures to speed up storage rollout are vital, we additionally have to develop the markets and technical frameworks that can allow steady, long-term funding in storage.”
Right here is in the present day’s Afternoon Replace in case you are trying to catch up:
Medibank to go offline this weekend for system overhaul
Medibank is advising it would take its programs offline for Medibank and ahm clients from 8.30pm AEDT Friday 9 December “as we undertake some upkeep to additional strengthen our programs and improve safety protections”.
It’s the primary main overhaul of the corporate’s programs for the reason that large cyber-attack resulted within the private particulars of near 10 million present and former clients being posted on the darkish internet, together with the non-public medical claims for 210,000 clients.
Medibank has suggested clients that is “a deliberate operation with Microsoft and is the subsequent needed part of our ongoing work to additional safeguard our community”.
The programs will probably be again on-line by Sunday 11 December, the corporate has stated, however whereas they’re down, clients received’t have the ability to entry Medibank or ahm companies on-line or by way of the app, and on-the-spot claims received’t be accessible. Retail shops and buyer contact centres will probably be closed on Saturday and can reopen on Monday.
Amplar Health companies won’t be affected.
Melissa Caddick’s jewelry and designer garments successful at public sale
The fraudster Melissa Caddick’s intensive array of jewelry has offered at public sale in Sydney for greater than $800,000, with some objects attracting as a lot as thrice their estimated worth, AAP studies.
Patrons overwhelmed Smith & Singer public sale home on Wednesday evening for an opportunity to bid on the 53-piece assortment as soon as owned by the con artist, in addition to a number of designer garments and equipment.
Caddick, 49, disappeared in November 2020 after federal authorities raided her dwelling as a part of an investigation right into a $23m Ponzi scheme she had been working.
With the notoriety prone to have intensified curiosity within the objects, a quantity fetched far in extra of their reserve.
Essentially the most spectacular piece, a Canturi necklace with diamonds surrounding 13 black sapphires, went for $130,000.
Caddick initially purchased the Stella necklace for $370,000 in 2015.
The matching Stella ring offered for $14,000, whereas the accompanying earrings fetched $7,500.
Her 18-carat gold, diamond and emerald Geometric Lace earrings, valued at between $2,500 and $3,400, went for $10,000.
One other pair of white gold Canturi Cubism earrings offered for $8,500, regardless of a beginning value of $2,000.
An identical bracelet, valued at $7,000, offered for $24,000.
Caddick’s paintings, luxurious items and designer garments have additionally gone below the hammer with the earnings to be returned to her rip-off victims.
4 artworks alone offered for a complete of $48,000.
Adeshola Ore
Victoria’s First Peoples’ Meeting urges Labor to boost the age
Victoria’s First Peoples’ Meeting has urged the re-elected Andrews authorities to boost the age of legal accountability from 10 to 14 forward of a gathering of the nation’s attorneys basic on Friday.
Elevating the age of legal accountability will probably be on the agenda when attorneys basic from federal, state and territory governments meet nearly on Friday.
The meeting – the physique democratically elected to barter an Indigenous treaty framework in Victoria – says the state authorities is “now on discover” to maneuver on the regulation reform.
The co-chair of the meeting, Geraldine Atkinson, says the reform shouldn’t watch for the state’s formal treaty negotiations that are attributable to kick off subsequent yr:
I’m bitterly disillusioned that there’s been no motion, so the federal government is now on discover.
Our kids won’t be used as bargaining chips, the reform must occur and it must occur now … Ten years outdated, that’s so younger. It’s like a child to me. Our kids want love and a serving to hand, to not be thrown into concrete cells.
The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, this week stated his authorities backed a nationally constant method on altering the age of legal accountability. The Northern Territory has develop into the primary jurisdiction to boost the age of accountability from 10 to 12 however Indigenous and authorized advocacy teams say it doesn’t go far sufficient and nonetheless locks youngsters in detention.
State power ministers hail capability mechanism settlement
The Queensland power minister, Mick de Brenni, says the brand new scheme to underwrite renewables would be the loss of life of “Angus Taylor and Scott Morrison’s CoalKeeper”, and will probably be wise market reform leading to new power insurance coverage on the grid:
That is about costs, as a result of solely when the market is dominated by clear, renewable power will we see wholesale power costs come down completely. Secondly, Australia’s renewable power transformation is our alternative to deliver again manufacturing to Australia.
The NSW minister, Matt Kean, thanks Bowen for constructive discussions. He says on coal caps that NSW is just not looking for compensation for misplaced royalties, however monetary help for households and companies for doing what must be accomplished to decrease payments.
He says they’re near touchdown a deal however will say extra tomorrow.
After Kean, there’s the Victorian minister, Lily D’Ambrosio, who says the deal signed in the present day will assist Victoria meet its renewable power targets:
Victoria has all the time had a robust view with regards to the creation of a capability mechanism. That’s it was to haven’t any fossil fuels incentivised for a future that must be carbon emissions free. At this time, I’m actually happy we now have all agreed on a capability mechanism that can just do that. Thanks very a lot, Chris, it has been implausible working with you in the present day, it would allow us as a state to fulfill our formidable renewable power goal.
No extra coal era by 2025, however importantly additionally supporting our nation-leading power storage targets that we introduced again in September.
Tomorrow’s nationwide cupboard to debate energy costs, Bowen says
Bowen provides there will probably be extra popping out from nationwide cupboard tomorrow, the place attainable methods to cut back energy costs will probably be mentioned.
It’s no secret we’re additionally participating with the states. Frankly, notably with these states with coal manufacturing, New South Wales and Queensland, about the appropriate mannequin going ahead to make sure the affect of Vladimir Putin’s warfare doesn’t stream by way of with no response from Australia’s authorities on power costs.
The very fact of the matter is we now have sure powers on the federal stage, states have sure powers, and we now have been working collectively to work out how these powers can come collectively. It’s not the fault of Australians our energy costs are so excessive. The price of manufacturing hasn’t gone up. What is occurring, as a result of each nation all over the world, each authorities is coping with these challenges, and we’re coping with them as nicely, and I look ahead to additional discussions and bulletins tomorrow. It’s truthful to say that governments are working very intently collectively.
Vitality ministers agree on ‘capability mechanism’
After a gathering of power ministers in Brisbane in the present day, the federal local weather change and power minister, Chris Bowen, proclaims an settlement on a “capability mechanism” he says will probably be “holding the lights on”.
Bowen says:
The capability mechanism, which we’ll implement in partnership with the states and territories, will see the commonwealth name choices, for bids, for the particular renewable power that the commonwealth will underwrite going ahead.
It is a wise, fastidiously designed mechanism which is able to unleash funding in clear, dispatchable power proper throughout Australia. It can agency up our grids, offering additional capability as increasingly more energy stations go away the ability grid, as increasingly more coal-fired energy stations shut, we’ll agency the grid going ahead. As we all know, within the final decade 4 megawatts of power left the system and just one got here in.
He says there will probably be extra detailed dialogue in regards to the design components however in the present day is an enormous step ahead.
I’m delighted with the dialog we had across the desk, delighted with the assist from state and territory colleagues as all the time. It’s one group working collectively to get the job accomplished.
Environmental regulation reforms aren’t balanced sufficient in direction of enterprise: Coalition
After Hanson-Younger, there’s the Coalition’s surroundings spokesperson, Jonathon Duniam.
He says he’s “very involved” there isn’t sufficient stability in direction of enterprise within the surroundings bundle, however notes it’s mild on element.
At a time when power costs are going up and also you hear all this rhetoric round no new coal and fuel, and shutting down sure components of the financial system, that’s not good legislative reform. We’ve obtained to get a stability right here, that’s what the minister promised, and I’m involved that’s not what we’re going to get on the finish the method.
He mentions he hasn’t had a briefing but – however will tomorrow. He’s additionally involved about an impartial company having the powers to make selections separated from ministers or the parliament.
It’s an enormous downside for those who don’t design it correctly. I don’t know what the minister has in thoughts. Quite a few enterprise teams, particular person companies and different sectoral pursuits have gone to the minister and instructed she have a look at a greater determination course of.
A five-year appointment maybe, this particular person can solely be eliminated in some probably the most excessive circumstances. To interpret no matter data they’ve earlier than them.
Once more, on the finish of the day, will the inexperienced teams and others who’re against sure components of financial exercise take this to the courts? We’ve to seek out stability. It’s what we’ve been promised and I’m wanting desperately for it however but to seek out it.
Environmental regulation reforms ‘a very long time coming’: Greens
The Greens’ surroundings spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Younger is on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing to debate the federal government’s introduced plans for a federal environmental safety company and related regulation reforms.
Hanson-Younger says the regulation reforms are “a very long time coming” however the satan will probably be within the element as as to if the company can have enamel to behave on placing the surroundings first.
One of many issues we’ve had now’s that our surroundings legal guidelines have actually been servicing the wants of enterprise and growth. In the meantime our forests, bushland, native animals have suffered. We at the moment are in an extinction disaster, we now have to carry that and switch it round, we have to finish native forest logging and put a local weather set off in these surroundings legal guidelines to verify we are able to put a cease to these damaging, extra damaging to loosen from new coal and fuel.
She stated the timeframes outlined in the present day had been too lengthy, and the Greens can be utilizing their energy with the stability of energy within the Senate to push the federal government additional on it.
We aren’t rubber-stamping something, we’ll use our energy within the parliament to verify we glance to push the federal government to go quicker and stronger.
She says the legal guidelines must be robust sufficient, and enforced, and the company have to be impartial, and stresses “the surroundings is in disaster. We have to go quicker sooner”.
That is core enterprise for the Greens. We’re within the stability of energy, we do have clout, and we wish to work with the federal government, we wish to work with the federal government to repair our surroundings legal guidelines and ensure this bundle delivers for the surroundings. They’re meant to be surroundings safety legal guidelines, not enterprise safety legal guidelines.
Peter Hannam
Vitality ministers’ assembly prolonged as capability plan will get nod
The federal, state and territory power ministers assembly in Brisbane in the present day have added one other half hour to their deliberate five-hour gathering to get by way of their prolonged agenda.
Guardian Australia understands a plan to supply incentives to speed up the take-up of recent storage has obtained the nod from the ministers.
Many jurisdictions now have targets to introduce new batteries and different types of storage to assist stabilise electrical energy provides when the proverbial “wind doesn’t blow and solar doesn’t shine”.
Extra shortly, when the ministers flip up for a media convention at 3.30pm native time (4.30pm AEDT). Within the meantime, you’ll be able to observe alongside right here too:
Flood-affected tourism operators open for enterprise
Flood-affected tourism operators alongside the Murray River are open for enterprise and wish to unfold the phrase to holiday-makers, AAP studies.
At Echuca on the Victorian-NSW border, Campaspe Lodge proprietor David Connally stated companies had been going through cancellations and trepidation from vacationers.
“Persons are simply not sure,” Connally informed AAP.
“If the media may begin to give us some constructive press that we’re open and it’s all good, that will be nice.”
The motel proprietor stated highway closure notifications had been typically out-of-date and flood warnings painted a pessimistic image for vacationers.
“You’re driving round and the radio station is saying minor flood warnings for Echuca and downstream from Rochester, which might be correct as measurement goes, however not correct by what is occurring,” he stated.
Connally, whose motel overlooks the Campaspe River, stated bookings had been considerably under typical early summer time ranges.
“We’ve had cancellations for certain,” he stated.
“When folks Google you they’re like, ‘Oh gee, they’re proper subsequent to the river’.”
Between October and December, floods in Tasmania, NSW and Victoria have led to $477m in insured losses throughout 17,200 claims, based on Insurance coverage Council of Australia knowledge.
Tourism operators face a 3rd summer time with no peak season for the reason that Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020.
A Murray River Tourism Board survey discovered virtually 80% of tourism and lodging companies had suffered at the least a 40% discount in bookings for the upcoming excessive season.
Board performing chief govt Will Flamsteed stated tourism companies not had the monetary buffers to face up to the catastrophe and one in 5 had been pressured to face down employees.
“As many as two-thirds of tourism companies within the area have solely minor infrastructure harm or weren’t straight inundated,” Flamsteed stated.
“However they’re severely impacted by the shortage of holiday makers and summer time reserving cancellations, leading to an estimated $128m in misplaced earnings.”
The board and the Victoria Tourism Trade Council welcomed state authorities help to this point, however they’ve known as for extra assist to cowl misplaced earnings for cancelled bookings and public occasions, and to drive the trade’s restoration in 2023.
“If we would like a tourism trade alongside the Murray subsequent Easter, we have to step up and assist these companies,” council chief govt Felicia Mariani stated.
Emergency companies reported a comparatively settled 24-hour interval in a single day, with 84 requests for help, together with 55 bushes down throughout Victoria.
Emergency Victoria has issued a last flood warning for the Campaspe River downstream of Rochester, the place no additional flooding is anticipated.
Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus have been detected in mosquito populations in Campaspe, Horsham and Loddon native authorities areas.
The chief well being officer has warned folks in or travelling to these areas to cover-up, use repellent and take away stagnant water from across the dwelling.
A significant flood warning stays in place in northeastern elements of Mildura in northwest Victoria.
Authorities warn it’s not secure to return for residents of Nichols Level, Bruces Bend and surrounding areas.
Storms worsening in Queensland
Glenn Alderton, the director of Queensland Fireplace and Emergency Providers, informed ABC Information that that they had 40 jobs in a single day on account of principally wind harm.
He stated folks ought to put together for the approaching storms this afternoon.
It’s wherever from I assume Rockhampton by way of the Central Highlands and down by way of the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and out by way of the Lockyer Valley. So wherever within the space, extreme thunderstorms are possible.
Simply exterior of that, some chance of some extreme thunderstorms as nicely. It’s fairly a big space. Whether or not the entire space will get affected or not, we’ll wait and see, however usually in case you are in south-east Queensland, even the Sunshine Coast space, urge you to do some preparation this afternoon ought to we see them tonight.
Requires Queensland to slash ‘absolute rip-off’ learner’s allow price
Queensland drivers pay greater than every other state or territory for a learner’s allow, prompting requires the federal government to slash the $186.55 price, AAP studies.
Younger drivers are slugged greater than seven occasions the allow price of different states in what Liberal Nationwide chief David Crisafulli labelled an “absolute rip-off”.
As compared, a allow prices $25 within the Northern Territory and $26 in NSW and Victoria.
“Queensland learners pay the best price within the nation by a rustic mile to get their learners,” Crisafulli informed studies on Thursday.
“These learner drivers are beginning out in life … the learner’s is a key to opening up a future for a youngster. It’s the flexibility to take a step in direction of getting your personal job and your personal independence.
“It’s time to finish this rip-off, and it’s time to cease the insanity of Queenslanders paying the best charges within the nation to get their learners.”
Crisafulli stated Queenslanders had been already feeling the pinch as on a regular basis prices spiral uncontrolled.
“It’s time this authorities gave these youngsters a break,” he stated.
Transport minister Mark Bailey transport confirmed the prices had been being scrutinised.
“A overview is now below means into all Queensland licence charges, together with C class, R and RE class, P class, L class, and others,” Bailey stated.
Nonetheless, the minister fell wanting promising to decrease licence charges, saying “I’ll let the division conduct that overview and supply an replace to any potential modifications to licence charges as quickly as attainable.”
