Channel 9 annoys and deceives viewers across Australia

Channel 9 advertised all night a special 10.00pm Late News edition on today's devastating Samoan tsunami.

With Samoans, Tongans and other Pacific Islanders around Australia waiting on news of their loved ones, what did Channel 9 do?

It allowed the idiotic escapades of PluckA Duck and other clueless imbeciles to run over by a disgraceful 25 minutes.

This is an appalling gaffe by Channel 9 which has lost the goodwill of thousands of Australian viewers with relatives in the South Pacific.

These people deserve a massive apology from the Nine Network of Australia.

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PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Ipswich Police Operation Tutorial helps keep local schools safe

Congratulations to the Queensland Police Service for its current Operation Tutorial across the city.

Operation Tutorial involves police undertaking foot patrols through local schools at random times.

This is a much-needed initiative to reduce vandalism, graffiti and arson attacks in our schools.

The sight of a police uniform is usually enough to make these gutless wonders scram.

And 40 years ago, a boot up the bum from the local police sergeant would make sure you didn't come back.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Toowong to Everton Park tunnel is fine but what about eliminating the historic Moggill Ferry

The State Government's announcement of a planned tunnel from Toowong to Everton Park is great news for the people of the inner western suburbs.

This futuristic plan would link the Western Freeway with the Bruce Highway.

But what really needs to happen is the scrapping of the Moggill Ferry linking the Brisbane suburb of Moggill with the Ipswich suburb of Riverview.

This 1878 relic of our past originally linked the two fledgling suburbs on either side of the Brisbane River in bygone days when Cobb & Co coaches plied the route from Brisbane to Ipswich.

The Moggill Ferry is currently out of operation for its biennial servicing.

The extra 32km round trip this is causing for motorists shows how important this link is.

A bridge needs to be constructed across the Brisbane River as part of a major western ring road.

The most-sensible place would be at Gailes as a northerly extension of the Logan Motorway across the Brisbane River to Priors Pocket and then through Moggill and the north-western suburbs of Brisbane to link with the Bruce Highway.

The key advantage of a cross-river bridge at Gailes is that is would serve the people of Ipswich and Logan City as well as the western suburbs of Brisbane.

The western suburbs silver-tails might object to this new road through the rarefied atmosphere of Moggill Heights but planning for a major western Brisbane ring road is imperative with the population explosion set for southeast Queensland in the next 20 years.

The Moggill Ferry might be a quaint historic addition to the landscape of Greater Brisbane but a 131 year old vehicular cable ferry is hardly a modern means of transport between the state capital and Queensland's first provincial city.

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PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Office of Fair Trading secures $23,000 fine against unlicensed motor dealer Michael James Harradine

The Queensland Office of Fair Trading has successfully prosecuted Doolandella man Michael James Harradine for selling motor vehicles without a licence.

Mr Harradine's licence was cancelled 4 years ago.

Members of the public are being warned by the Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading Peter Lawlor about this character.

Hopefully, Harradine has learnt his well-deserved lesson the hard way.

This is the full text of today's media release by the Minister:


Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading

The Honourable Peter Lawlor

24/09/2009

Doolandella man fined $23,000

A Doolandella man has been fined a total of $23,000 after pleading guilty to selling motor vehicles without a licence.

Michael James Harradine appeared in the Richlands Magistrates Court on the 14th September and pleaded guilty to one charge of unlicensed motor dealing and five charges of making false and misleading representations from an address at Doolandella and one charge of unlicensed motor dealing from an address in Toowoomba.

Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor said the charges were a result of an investigation by Office of Fair Trading officers.

"Mr Harradine's motor dealers' licence had been cancelled in 2005," Mr Lawlor said.

"However, when OFT officers attended his home in Doolandella they found he had several vehicles at his residence for sale," he said.

"These vehicles were advertised in newspapers and on the internet as being for sale.

"In addition, Mr Harradine gave false information to the purchasers about the background of the vehicles he was selling.

"The misleading information included that the vehicles had been owned by various relatives of Mr Harradine and that he had personally worked on one of the vehicles as a mechanic.

"Mr Harradine told investigators he told fibs or stretched the truth when telling people details about the vehicles.

"OFT officers also identified that Mr Harradine was operating out of business address in Toowoomba dealing in used motorcycles.

"The Property Agents and Motor Dealers Act is in place to protect consumers against unscrupulous people who operate outside the law.

"Mr Harradine received a significant fine for these offences which is indicative of how seriously these types of offences are viewed.

"Consumers should be able to have confidence that they are working with a licensed motor dealer and that details about the vehicle they are interested in purchasing are correct."


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PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Benjamin Wayne Gough - Manager Harcourts Bundaberg features on Today Tonight

PIC: Ben Gough (centre) on Channel 7's Today Tonight on 21 September 2009


Today Tonight ran a story this evening over the actions of Ben Gough in buying and selling a property on the same day at a substantial profit.

He claims he was acting legally and ethically.

That's not what the sellers think.

What does the Queensland State Manager of Harcourts think?

Have you had any dealings with Ben Gough?

Let us know at: Queensland Consumer Watch@gmail.com


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PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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SILKSTONE STATE SCHOOL: Devastating fire may rekindle Blackstone and Dinmore fight

PIC: Silkstone State School goes up in flames today (Courtesy BTQ Channel 7)


The on-going fight to save the Blackstone and Dinmore State Schools from closure at the end of the year may have been given an unexpected boost by today's tragic Silkstone State School fire.

With all schools set to re-open in 2 weeks, the State Government needs to make an urgent decision to bring in numerous demountables to Silkstone or to use the Blackstone and Dinmore State Schools as the on-going bases for local schools servicing the Blackstone, Silkstone and Dinmore areas.

Either way, with the Blackstone and Dinmore State Schools facing a forced permanent closure in 12 weeks and with no chance of the Silkstone State School being rebuilt before the start of the 2010 school year, the State Government now has a clear choice of keeping both the Blackstone and Dinmore State Schools open.

Rebuilding the Silkstone State School will take time but keeping the Blackstone and Dinmore State Schools open in 2010 while the future of the Silkstone site is considered is a simple decision which the State Government should make immediately.

People power may yet prevail in Blackstone and Dinmore!


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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IPSWICH: First pic of today's Silkstone State School Fire

PIC: Courtesy TVQ Channel 10

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Media Release: Call for compulsory sprinkler systems following today's Silkstone State School fire

Media Release from Ipswich City Councillor Paul Tully

Silkstone State School Fire - Call for sprinkler systems in all schools

A call has been made for all Queensland schools to be fitted with sprinkler systems in the wake of today's disastrous Silkstone State School fire.

Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully said barely a school holiday went by without a school fire somewhere in Queensland.

Cr Tully said it was only the second day of the school holidays and one of Ipswich's major state schools had been burnt to the ground.

"This is unlikely to be the last school fire in Queensland this year.

"I am calling for the compulsory introduction of sprinkler systems in all schools across the state.

"The cost of fitting sprinkler systems would be far less in the long run than the ongoing cost of rebuilding burnt schools."

Cr Tully said an arson attack at the Goodna State School could have been averted three years ago if a sprinkler system had been installed.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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James Hardie declared Australia's most disgraceful company

Media Release from Ipswich City Councillor Paul Tully

- James Hardie declared Australia's most disgraceful company after revealing plans to sue Queensland Council -


James Hardie has been declared Australia's most-disgraceful company after it was revealed it is suing Ipswich City Council to recover $195,000 the company paid to a former worker who was exposed to asbestos from the company's products.

In a bizarre twist to last year's successful legal claim against the company by a former council worker for exposure to asbestos, the company is now suing to recover the money from the Ipswich Council.

The worker - Anthony Cannon - was employed by Ipswich City Council for six weeks in 1976.

James Hardie settled the action but is now attempting to recover its payout to the worker.

Ipswich City Councillor Paul Tully, a 30-year veteran of local government, has blasted James Hardie claiming it is the "most-disgraceful, penny-pinching company in Australia".

Cr Tully said the company's latest tactic of trying to shift the legal blame from themselves to individual users of their asbestos products was a "national disgrace".

"This company has destroyed workers' lives across Australia and is now trying to find a scapegoat for the numerous legal actions which it has unsuccessfully defended.

"This company has been proven to have been grossly negligent with its asbestos products and is now attempting to pass the buck.

"Why should ratepayers have to fork out their money to pay for James Hardie's negligence.

"Local government will stand up to this company and fight these absurd claims."

Cr Tully called on the new directors of James Hardie to drop its legal action in the Queensland District Court as a sign of good faith that it finally accepts its responsibility to Australia's asbestosis sufferers.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Minister Annastacia Palasczuk unveils historic plaque at Wacol

PIC: Minister the Hon Annastcia Palasczuk, Member for Inala is joined today by Cr Milton Dick and (left) Dr Noel Wallis for the official plaque unveiling to recognise Dr Stephen Simpson MD, MLC (1792 - 1869).


The Richlands, Inala and suburbs History Group Inc. was responsible for today's event commemorating Dr Simpson who, at various times between 1842 and 1859, was the Commissioner for Crown Lands at Moreton Bay, Protector of Aborigines, foundation member of the Royal Brisbane Hospital Board and the Queensland Legislative Council.

He was one of the most-respected persons in the colony.

In 1843, he moved to Woogaroo - the area now in the suburb of Wacol, part of The Park with former names of the Woogaroo Lunatic Asylum, Goodna Mental Asylum and Wolston Park.
He lived adjacent to the current site of the Wolston Park Golf Club from 1843 to 1853.

Today's ceremony included the planting of several endangered Willem Pines.

Ipswich City Councillor Paul Tully, representing the adjoining suburb of Goodna, attended today's unveiling.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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New Internet scam hits Australia overnight

Another bizarre internet scam has hit Australia overnight.

This one is different from the usual ripoffs in which people are offered untold riches ranging from lottery winnings to deceased estates.

This one demands payment of a non-existent debt from unsuspecting internet users, under threat of legal action.

It even lists PayPal as a means of payment to get the lawyers off your back.
The Australian Government has the legal means to stop these sorts of bogus emails entering Australia.

The government requires ISPs to have filters to stop porn and terrorism but not fraudulent emails which can have a massive financial effect on unsuspecting families.

Be warned - and warn your friends.


This is a copy of the latest scam:

From: rieth, luciano

Subject: Overdue Notice

NDC DEBT COLLECTIONS INC.

ACCT #: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AMOUNT: 0.00
INTEREST: 0.00
RATE: 0.00
FEES: 0.00
TOTAL DUE: $99.83 (WILL SETTLE FOR THIS AMOUNT)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT WE HAVE BEEN RETAINED TO COLLECT THIS DEBT FROM OUR CLIENT.

WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY YOU ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REGARDING THIS DELINQUENT ACCOUNT.

WE THOUGHT IT BEST TO STATE OUR INTENTIONS AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE INTEND TO COLLECT THIS DEBT USING ALL AVAILABLE MEANS AT OUR DISPOSAL.

UNLESS WE RECEIVE PAYMENT FROM YOU, WE WILL ASSUME THAT YOU HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF LIQUIDATING THIS DEBT VOLUNTARILY.

WE WILL ADVISE OUR CLIENT THAT THEY MAY WISH TO FILE SUIT TO RECOVER THIS DEBT. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT IF LEGAL ACTION IS UNDERTAKEN, IT COULD BE COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING.

IF ONE SHOULD LOSE IN SUCH AN ACTION, ONE COULD ALSO BE SUBJECT TO COURT COSTS AND/OR ATTORNEY FEES, IF APPLICABLE.

THERE ARE VARIOUS AVENUES WHICH COULD BE USED TO SATISFY SUCH A JUDGEMENT.

THIS COULD INCLUDE GARNISHMENT OF WAGES, SEIZURE OF BANK ACCOUNTS OR OTHER PERSONAL PROPERTY.

IT IS NOT OUR INTENTION TO THREATEN YOU BUT TO POINT OUT THE PROBLEMS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REFUSING TO PAY A DEBT.

WE HOPE THAT NO FURTHER ACTION WILL BE NECESSARY AND YOU WILL AGREE TO OUR AMICABLE PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT.

PLEASE: TO ENSURE PROPER CREDIT, REMIT PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY.

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE WE MAY BE ABLE TO ACCEPT PAYMENT ON THIS ACCOUNT IN THE FOLLOWING METHOD:

PAYPAL(VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, OR ECHECK).

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO MAKE YOUR PAYMENT:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi- bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8140548

THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.

UNLESS YOU NOTIFY THIS OFFICE WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THIS NOTICE THAT YOU DISPUTE THE VALIDITY OF THE DEBT OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, THIS OFFICE WILL ASSUME THIS DEBT IS VALID.

IF YOU NOTIFY THIS OFFICE IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM RECEIVING THIS NOTICE, THIS OFFICE WILL OBTAIN VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND MAIL A COPY TO YOU OF SUCH VERIFICATION.

IF YOU REQUEST IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THIS NOTICE, THIS OFFICE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR, IF DIFFERENT FROM THE CURRENT CREDITOR.

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT.

ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED SOLELY FOR THAT PURPOSE.


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PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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RAAF Amberley contamination fears grow

PIC: Courtesy QTQ Channel 9


It appears heavy metals including cadmium, mercury, chorium and nickel have been leaking from the antiquated sewage treatment plant at the RAAF Base at Amberley into Warrill Creek.

Warrill Creek flows directly into the Bremer River which joins the Brisbane River near the Moggill Ferry and then flows into Moreton Bay.

The RAAF must ensure their treatment plant is never again used for trade waste.

The health and safety of the people of southeast Queensland is paramount along with the protection of the environment - whatever it costs!


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Senator Fielding is a dill!

PIC: Senator Steve Fielding


He is taking home a king's ransom each year as a Family First Senator for Victoria.

He was challenged by the media in Canberra today to spell "fiscal" and he came up with "f-i-s-k-a-l".

This wasn't just a simple spelling mistake by Senator Fielding - the hapless senator simply doesn't have a clue about the fundamentals of the Queen's English.

Senator Fielding is regularly voting on important laws and policy issues but today's effort shows he is not up to the task.

Maybe it's time for him to shape up or ship out of the Senate.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Cr Matthew Bourke caught almost with his pants down

PIC: Brisbane Councillor Matthew Bourke undressed by The Courier-Mail


He's a Liberal, single and loves showing off his inner self in public.

That's Matthew Bourke, Councillor for the conservative Centenary suburbs who has drawn the ire of Lord Mayor Campbell Newman for his provocative Daddy Cool performance at a University of Queensland Liberal Club function.

Well Matthew - all we can say is all ass and no class!

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Today Tonight gives Aldi Ipswich cheap fruit and vegetable tick of approval

Louis Booval was also named the cheapest meat mart in southeast Queensland.

Forget the ripoffs in Brisbane, shop in Ipswich.

PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Main Roads Minister spot on over speed warning

The Queensland Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace has issued a timely warning over idiots driving through speed-restricted works zone.

You can see it every day and night on the Ipswich Motorway between Dinmore and Darra with lead foots flashing through roadsworks areas endangering workers lives.

It's next to impossible to catch offenders with radar guns because there is nowhere to pull them over.

Perhaps, the State Government should introduce speed cameras routinely in works zones around the state.

The hip pocket is a powerful tool in traffic enforcement and the only one which seems to work.

Graphic pictures, ministerial pleas and police warnings are routinely ignored by these speedsters.

Most people baulk at so-called revenue raising enforcement where drivers are caught a few clicks over the limit but no one should object to strenuous traffic enforcement aimed at saving road workers from death or serious injury.

This is the text of the Minister's Media Release:

Minister for Main Roads

The Honourable Craig Wallace

06/09/2009

Slow down and obey the signs, Minister urges

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace is urging motorists to slow down and keep calm while driving through roadworks, following continued reports of poor driver behaviour across the state.

Mr Wallace said while the department's Safety Around Roadworks campaign had been successful in raising awareness, some motorists were still putting roadworkers' lives at risk by driving aggressively and impatiently through roadwork sites.

"Since the launch of the safety campaign in 2005, there has been increased awareness in the community on safety around roadworks, however we are still hearing about poor driver behaviour resulting in casualties at roadworks," he said.

"Few worksites present as many risks as do roadworks, and drivers have to realise when they ignore reduced speed limits and drive dangerously through these sites, they are endangering the lives of the men and women who are simply trying to do their jobs.

"These workers are helping to deliver a record road construction program to benefit Queenslanders, and while I understand the frustration motorists sometimes feel as a result of roadworks, there is simply no need for drivers to take their frustrations out on workers."

Mr Wallace said statistics show that from 2005 to 2008, there were 71 reported casualties as a result of crashes where roadworks were one contributing factor.

"These statistics do not include the many incidents which are not reported or the types of road user behaviour some roadworkers experience daily.

"The Roadworker Safety Hotline, which is open to Transport and Main Roads employees, has received 82 calls this year, with reports of workers receiving verbal abuse, vehicles weaving into the worksite, and even objects being hurled at workers," he said.

"In June alone there were 12 reported incidents of dangerous driver behaviour.

"Of those, four involved drivers speeding and eight involved motorists failing to stop at either traffic lights or hand-held signage. Several involved drivers ignoring signage and entering closed off lanes, into the path of oncoming traffic.

"In one particular case, a motorist ignored a traffic controller's instructions and proceeded to drive through witches hats and barriers and entered a closed off lane, driving over an island and across southbound lanes."

Mr Wallace said it was disturbing that some of the incidents even involved professional drivers.

"Roadworkers have witnessed truck drivers and bus drivers speeding and ignoring traffic directions," he said.

"And it seems that even children think it's okay to disrespect roadworkers, with one busload of children pelting a work crew with food from a school bus window.

"People have got to get the message that this is kind of behaviour is not okay - it's disrespectful, it's foolish and it's downright dangerous."

Mr Wallace said motorists driving without due care faced fines and demerit points, and the cost of damage to their vehicles.

"The majority of drivers drive sensibly around roadworks, but a minority show either complete disregard or ignorance of the potential risks," he said.

"There is no excuse for some of the appalling driver behaviour roadworkers have to put up with, and the department is working hard to address this and get the message through to motorists.

"It's simple - slow down, drive to changed conditions and obey signage and road traffic controllers' directions."

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PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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Poll shows 80% of Queenslanders support daylight saving

PICS: Daylight saving boost in SEQ
(Courtesy QTQ Channel 9)


An exclusive Channel 9 poll shows 80 percent of Queenslanders now support daylight saving.

Even more extraordinary, 75 percent of those polled would support a trial of daylight saving in Southeast Queensland only.

This massive support for a split time zone overcomes the major stumbling block against daylight saving which has traditionally been the solid opposition in rural and regional Queensland.

Hopefully, the State Government will face up to this issue once and for all and support the 80 percent of voters who support daylight saving.


PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au

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