Ex-HMAS Tobruk to be transformed into world-class Queensland dive site

The race was on in November 2016. Federal Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt, called on the residents of Hinkler to join a campaign to show the Federal and State governments that Wide Bay was the ideal final resting place for the decommissioned Navy vessel, the ex-HMAS Tobruk (pictured below).

Part of the campaign process was an online petition at GoPetition. The petition, authored by Federal Member, Keith Pitt, stated, "The decision on ex-HMAS Tobruk will be made very soon and Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt needs your support to show that Wide Bay is the ideal final resting place." 

Keith Pitt, MP, had been fighting to bring ex-HMAS Tobruk to Wide Bay since he was elected in 2013.

The petition outlined, "Keith is fighting for jobs, fighting for a boost to the economy, and is fighting for a better future for our children... Ex-HMAS Tobruk sunk in Wide Bay waters will not only add vital tourism infrastructure to the region, it will add to our military history."

Fast forward to December 2016, and the Wide Bay area received great news. It was announced on Friday, December 2 that ex-HMAS Tobruk would be sunk as a military dive wreck in the Wide Bay-Burnett region. 

Federal Member, Mr. Pitt, was elated with the decision. He comments on the petition, "We did it Hinkler!... I want to thank everyone who not only supported this online petition, but also the petition presented to Federal Parliament in December 2015. This dive wreck will not only bring domestic and international visitors to the Wide Bay-Burnett region, it will bring much needed long term, sustainable jobs and a future for the next generation."

GoPetition congratulates the Member for Hinkler on his success story.

Queensland politicians respond to petition for Mason Jet Lee law

More than 30,000 people have signed a petition calling for a law that any child who is brought to a doctor with suspected abuse injuries should not be sent home, but, according to one report, the Child Safety Minister has said that a system was already in place for this to occur.

The petition was started after Queensland child, Mason Jet Lee (pictured above), was found dead in his home on June 11. Various people were charged in relation to his death.

The petition asserts that, "No child who is referred by a doctor as having sustained injuries intentionally inflicted or sexual in nature will be sent home until a full investigation is completed."

However, according to one report, Minister Shannon Fentiman has said there was already a protocol in place to deal with issues of patients with suspected abuse.

In August, the Courier Mail (TCM) reported that Ms Fentiman had said, “I know Queenslanders want answers. I do, too. That is why an independent, expert panel is reviewing every detail of this case. I have already committed to implementing any recommendations it makes.” 

“Without commenting on any specific case, a Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) team made up of medical professionals, police and child safety officers is required to jointly consider whether or not it is safe for an injured child to return home. In addition, we are currently reviewing the Child Protection Act and will consider this matter as part of that process."

TCM has also reported that Shadow Child Safety Minister Ros Bates has said the system was broken. 

“When the system isn’t working to keep our children safe and frontline officers are stretched to the limit, it seems everyday Queenslanders are left to send a strong message to those in charge and stand up for our most vulnerable,” Ms Bates said.

The exact text of the petition authored by Alicia Duvall can be seen at GoPetition and is as follows:

"We the undersigned call on the Queensland Department of The Premier And Cabinet to present this petition in Parliament and pass a law that:

No child who is referred by a doctor as having sustained injuries intentionally inflicted or sexual in nature will be sent home until a full investigation is completed. When a medical professional or Hospital reports the likelihood of abuse that such a report will be treated in the same manner as a 000 phone call: A LIFE AT RISK, so that these children will be treated as a priority emergency."

Sources: Emma Williams, Caboolture Shire Herald reproduced in the TCM, http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/moreton/child-safety-minister-responds-to-push-for-mason-jet-lee-law/news-story/f25152a40bb22bfeb383fca149c60651

Alicia Duvall, author of the petition, Child Safety Petition: Mason Jet Lee's Law https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/masons-law.html