Emergency Management Levy axed.
A STATEWIDE review by the Queensland Fire Department resulted in a letter to some property owners about an increase to their Levy. Even though the review and the Levy change are consistent with the Act, the Crisafulli Government decided to axe the scheduled increase as a cost-saving measure for impacted owners. If you received a notice of increase from July 1, don’t worry, you will soon receive a letter advising that these changes will NOT come into effect.
State funding to protect local business
The cost of a break-in to a small business isn’t just the value of what’s been stolen, it’s also the repairs, rising insurance and lost turnover from being closed. A new $40 million funding program has been set up to help deter crime against small and family businesses. Councils can apply for up to two grants worth $400,000 each to fund crime prevention measures to improve the security of business strips. This includes CCTV, security lighting, alarm systems, bollards and lockable fencing. I continue to work closely with local councillors and police to address the safety concerns of businesses and all residents.
Attention First Home Buyers
Over the past ten years, Queensland has earned the reputation of having the lowest rate of home ownership of any state in the nation at 63.5%. Finding and keeping a roof overhead has become far too hard, and thousands of young home buyers are unable to get into the market.
I am proud to announce that the Crisafulli Government is reversing this trend. New laws have come into effect that abolish stamp duty on new homes for first home buyers, slashing tens of thousands off the purchase.
Domestic and Family Violence Reforms
As a former Detective and in my capacity as Police Minister, I know that police spend more time addressing DFV call-outs than any other. New laws have now been passed that give police the powers to issue on-the-spot 12-month Police Protection Directions, immediately protecting victims without going through lengthy court processes.