News Service from House Harris

Qld: New laws to hit some in the hip pocket

BRISBANE, Dec 30 AAP - Queensland drivers caught speeding, not wearing a seatbelt or using a mobile phone will be hit harder under new laws from January 1.

The state government has bumped up the basic penalty unit from $75 to $100, bringing Queensland into line with other states.

Fines for a range driving, parking and smoking offences also will rise.

Drivers caught using a mobile phone now cop a $225 fine, but that will increase to $300 plus three demerit points for a first offence.

Around $70 million in revenue from the new regime will be funnelled to major road safety campaigns, and increasing compensation for victims of crime under the new victims' financial assistance scheme.

January 1 will also see a raft of new policies to better protect householders from noise and air pollution.

The new Environmental Protection Policies (EPPs) will help guide government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and local councils, manage air quality and noise standards.

Councils will be largely responsible for air and noise complaints, but will have greater flexibility in dealing with them.

There will also be changes affecting the building industry.

The government will enforce tighter controls over the labelling of rainwater tanks that supply water to plumbing fixtures, to ensure they are clearly identified.

A new code for maintaining fire safety installations will be introduced, specifying the maintenance records required.

In tax changes from January 1, home transfer and home mortgage duty concessions will not be lost if the home is being disposed of due to an event such as a natural disaster, death or incapacity.