STUDENTS from Alexandra Hills State High School will be among the best equipped in Queensland to tap into the careers of the future, with the first sod turned today for the Centre for Excellence in Automation and Robotics.
 
The Centre for Excellence will operate in partnership with the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) to set students on the path to excel in the industries that are at the heart of Queensland’s future – including the resources sector.
 
Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace today performed the honours at the ceremonial sod turning to kick off construction on the $4.77 million facility. 
 
Queensland Resources Council (QRC) director of skills, education and diversity Katrina-Lee Jones welcomed the State Government’s $4.7 million investment in the centre, which would further develop the skills Queensland needs for the future.
 
“Alexandra Hills State High School is one of 60 schools that partners with the QMEA to provide students with experience and insight in the diverse, high-tech and rewarding resources and energy sectors,” Ms Jones said.
 
“The QMEA gives students hands-on experience with projects that rely on the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
 
“QMEA students participate in a range of activities ranging from data-modelling, to using drones and robotics, to using 3D printing to apply to real-life scenarios relating to solar-power generation.
 
“Experience in automation and robotics goes hand-in-hand with the QMEA program, which helps equip Queensland students with the skills they need for a long-term and prosperous career, and at the same time puts our resources sector on an even more stable long-term footing with access to skilled workers for the future.
 
“The Queensland resources sector is continuing to make new investments in technology and innovation.  A recent QRC survey of CEOs found 91 per cent of CEOs are planning further automation activities, just over a third are implementing artificial intelligence and almost 10 per cent are taking the next step to use augmented reality technologies. 
 
“The skills students from Alexandra Hills State High School develop through the QMEA and through this Centre for Excellence in Automation and Robotics will put them in prime position to capitalise on these jobs of the future.
 
“I look forward to the completion of this outstanding facility.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE NSW Office of Responsible Gambling is looking for the best and brightest minds to help understand gambling-related problems and develop innovative solutions.

Prevention, innovation and technology grants are available for projects that develop innovative initiatives to promote responsible gambling and/or reduce gambling harm.

The Office welcomes proposals or projects that will relate to people living in NSW from organisations or individuals across Australia and internationally.

Submissions open from Tuesday 29 January and close on Tuesday 26 February.
 
Find out more about this grants program. 

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SMALL BUSINESSES in the building and construction industry will benefit from the Federal Government’s decision to extend the instant asset tax write off scheme, according to Master Builders Australia.

Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said, “Master Builders are strong supporters of this measure because it boosts our member’s business success. There are more than 370,000 small business builders who will be winners from this initiative.

“The increase in the small business tax write off scheme to $25,000 and its extension till 2020 is good news for builders around the country but we continue to call for it to be made a permanent fixture.

“This decision is a sign that the Government is listening to industry on what is needed to support small business,” Ms Wawn said.

www.masterbuilders.com.au

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THE Joint Intelligence and Security Committee will hold a public hearing in Canberra tomorrow as part of its review of the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Strengthening the Citizenship Loss Provisions) Bill 2018.

The Committee will hear from a range of submitters including the Law Council, Australian Human Rights Commission and the Department of Home Affairs.

Committee chair Andrew Hastie MP said that the Committee looks forward to hearing from the Human Rights Commission and the Law Council.

“Input from these organisations will greatly assist the Committee in preparing its report on the Citizenship Loss Bill before it,” Mr Hastie said.

The Australian Citizenship Amendment (Strengthening the Citizenship Loss Provisions) Bill 2018 was introduced in the House of Representatives in November of 2018. 

Public hearing details: 9am to 2.30pm, Wednesday 30 January, Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

More information about the inquiry, including a full list of witnesses and submissions received to date, can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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