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Hundreds of local apprentices and trainees get their First Start
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development The Honourable Di Farmer
The Palaszczuk Government is helping to get 400 more council apprentices and trainees across Queensland their first start in a job, thanks to a $6 million investment through Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW).
Visiting Winton Shire Council, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said SQW’s First Start program was part of an ongoing commitment to support training pathways and employment opportunities in local communities.
“This next phase supports 60 local councils and a statutory authority to employ the extra apprentices and trainees,” Ms Farmer said.
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Subscriber only Queenslanders face cuts to vital infrastructure including community pools, libraries and waste services as long-term financial pressures force councils to take drastic action to balance their budgets. Councils say reduced federal assistance grants over years and the COVID-19 crisis has cruelled the finances of many regions. North Burnett Mayor Rachel Chambers warned her council faced being $5.5 million in deficit even if proposed cuts were made. These proposals include reducing swimming pool, library, administration and waste services, she said. North Burnett Mayor Rachel Chambers Cr Chambers said for the community, this meant potentially deteriorating levels of service and staff losses.
Former council CEO loses lawsuit against ex-mayor A former council boss has lost her lawsuit against an ex-mayor and councillors over claims she was sacked for complaining to corruption officials.
Politics by Kelmeny Fraser
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Subscriber only A former whistleblowing Logan council chief executive has lost her lawsuit against ex-mayor Luke Smith and seven councillors over claims she was sacked for complaining to corruption officials. The weeks old decision, which can only be revealed today after the lifting of a suppression order, has fuelled calls by the state s peak council lobby group for an inquiry into the Crime and Corruption Commission over its decision to criminally charge the eight former politicians over former chief executive officer Sharon Kelsey s dismissal.
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A SACKED Ipswich councillor says he backs calls by the head of the Local Government Association of Queensland for an independent inquiry into the state’s corruption watchdog after charges were dropped against dismissed Logan councillors this week.
Fraud charges against eight former Logan councillors were dropped two years after they were first charged and then subsequently dismissed by then-local government minister Stirling Hinchliffe.
The Director of Public Prosecutions decided on Thursday not to continue with the prosecution of the councillors. LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam.
Former Mayor Luke Smith still faces other criminal offences resulting from a Crime and Corruption Commission probe with these matters still before the court.
Fraud charges against eight former Logan City councillors dropped almost two years after sacking
Posted Yesterday at 11:40pm
TueTuesday 13
updated 45
Former Mayor Luke Smith was one of the eight councillors charged.
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Fraud charges against eight former Logan City councillors have been dropped – almost two years after their arrests triggered the entire council s sacking.
Key points:
The charges led to the then Local Government Minister sacking the entire council
The court found there was not enough evidence to sustain the charges
Seven Logan City Councillors and former mayor Luke Smith had all been charged by Queensland s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) with fraud relating to former council chief executive Sharon Kelsey s dismissal.