Sean Baumgart: That's it for us for another day. There could be a few showers around tomorrow, but here's hoping it won't affect the unveiling of the Bee Gees statue in Redcliffe.
Catch us again in the morning here.
Simon O'Brien: There's no word on whether Ringo Starr's presence in Australia had anything to do with it, but the CSIRO has found its yellow submarine.
The autonomous underwater robot known as Starbug didn't return home yesterday after mapping seagrass in Moreton Bay.
Thankfully though after A Hard Day's Night it was found today on Gonzales Beach, Moreton Island.
Somebody get Ringo back to Queensland! This yellow submarine (CSIRO's Starbug) has gone missing off Amity Banks, Moreton Bay. The robot was mapping kelp and coral on the sea floor when it dived out of sight. Photo: CSIRO
Dan Nancarrow: The afternoon commute looks to be a smooth sailing one for those not on the water this afternoon. Translink is reporting no disruptions to train and bus services so far. While CityCat services remain on a 10 minute delay due to debris from flooding.
Amy Remeikis: Question time has ended without the Opposition landing any direct hits on Ros Bates.
Dan Nancarrow: Yep, state parliament must be back:
@tencb @rosbates @tennewsqld @theqldpremier I hear she prefers more luxury-type vehicles... with a chauffeur.
— Jackie Trad (@jackietrad) February 13, 2013
Amy Remeikis: We have now heard "My question is for the Minister of Science,Innovation, IT and the Arts" six times....and all questions have been concerned with lobbying.
Ros Bates begins her answers by routinely telling the Opposition she has moved into 2013, but they seem stuck in 2012.
So far, they haven't managed to trip her up. Ms Bates has just compared the IT systems the Newman government inherited to an old Ford Falcon.
Scott Beveridge: Here are some fascinating stories from Bill Gates, the former 4BH DJ who first heard the Bee Gees singing in between races at Redcliffe speedway when they were 9, 9 and 13 years old.
Not only was Bill the first to record the boys singing and play their music on air, but he came up with their name!
DJ discovered the Bee Gees
Former 4BH DJ Bill Gates remembers "how wonderful" the Bee Gees sounded while singing at the Redcliffe Speedway as boys, before he came up with their name.
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Amy Remeikis: We've had five questions so far for Ms Bates - and now the House is groaning when ever her portfolio is mentioned by the opposition.
Dan Nancarrow: Fan of the hit Aussie movie The Sapphires? Well you might be interested in how the film is being sold to the Yanks. Here's the US trailer:
Bridie Jabour: Daylight robbery: Police are hunting a knife wielding bandit who held up a Gold Coast post office this morning. Police said about 10am the man walked into a Labrador post office on the corner of Central Street and Olsen Avenue, threatening customers and staff.
He got away with some cash and was last seen walking east along Central Street. He is described as being in his 20s, 184 centimetres tall with a solid build, and was wearing a lime green hoodie and dark track pants.
Amy Remeikis: Question Time has begun and surprise, surprise, the first question from the Opposition was to Minister Ros Bates - has she had any meetings with Telstra representatives?
Ms Bates says the Opposition has a obsession with her diary and she would much rather have a question on her portfolio.
"I have met with Telstra, I have met with Optus, I have met with many telecommunication companies," Ms Bates said, adding that when she has met with external lobbyists, she has included that information in her diary, as required.
Telstra, as with most big companies, has in-house lobbyists.
"My job is actually to meet with people in the industry...my job is to consult with people in the industry," Ms Bates said.
Scott Beveridge: Josh Liddle has flown into flocks of birds before but never anything like this.
The north Queensland pilot was preparing to land near Ingham last Thursday when he hit a colony of bats, with one of them smashing right through his windscreen and into his face.
Pilot survives bat strike
North Queensland pilot Josh Liddle recounts how a bat smashed through his windshield, leaving lots of "blood and guts" which he thought may have belonged to him.
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Amy Remeikis: Premier Campbell Newman is making a statement about the floods.
Amy Remeikis: And a motion has just been passed to move Question Time until 3pm.
The ayes have it.
Amy Remeikis: So far, the Speaker, Fiona Simpson, has not referred any of the many contempt of parliament matters to the ethics committee. Most of the matters have been determined by the Speaker to be a matter of debate, not needing further investigation.
Amy Remeikis: The first parliamentary Question Time of the year has opened with Speaker Fiona Simpson reminding the House that contempt of parliament allegations need facts - and that suspicions, feelings and beliefs are not evidence.
Dan Nancarrow: A novel concept will be bringing a little extra romance to customers in select cafes and bookstores around Brisbane on Valentine's Day with the distribution of 12 short stories about love printed on paper napkins.
At venues such as Riverbend Books and Teahouse the 300-word stories about first love, unrequired love, angst ridden gamer lover, and love born out of Brisbane storms from 12 different local authors will be available from tomorrow until the end of the month as part of the Tiny Owl napkin story project.
Twelve stories by twelve difference Brisbane writers are featured on different napkins. Photo: Riverbend Books and Teahouse
Dan Nancarrow: 'Bilbo Fraggins' agrees with us about the Rudd pic:
@therealchappy @brisbanetimes eeeeexclenttttt!!!
— Bilbo Fraggins (@bilbo_fraggins) February 13, 2013
Scott Beveridge: The release of serial rapist Robert Fardon has outraged Bravehearts.
Hetty Johnston spoke outside court a short time ago, saying it's only a matter of time before he re-offends.
Fardon release to 'trash' human rights
Bravehearts Exeutive Director Hetty Johnston is "appalled" by the release of serial rapist Robert Fardon, warning "someone is going to pay the price for this".
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Mitchell Smith: Here's another shot of the celebrations in King George Square:
Carla and the B105 team celebrate in King George Square. Photo: Mitchell Smith
BJ and Carla embrace after BJ pops the big question in King George Square today. Photo: Mitchell Smith
Mitchell Smith: Carla Vincenzo has accepted Barry John Freeme's surprise public proposal at King George square today.
In an elaborate proposal organised by Brisbane radio station B105, BJ revealed himself as a a busker wearing a Guy Fawkes mask standing behind his fiancée while she was serenaded by a marching band, spot dancers and cheerleaders.
Dan Nancarrow: The Newman government's decision to lift the ban on shale oil mining has angered many on social media:
Filthy. Dirty. "Queensland lifts ban on shale oil mining brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/que… via @brisbanetimes
— grace pettigrew (@broomstick33) February 13, 2013
Our own CityKat, Katherine Feeney, has finally succumbed to the spirit of Valentine's Day, revealing that February 14th makes sense now that she's found love. While this week's column might be a bit of a shock to long-time CityKat readers many are getting into the spirit of the day as well:
@katherinefeeney @smh @brisbanetimes "I’ve found someone who takes my fear out of forever" - love that line, so beautiful. Happy V-Day! x
— Zoe Knobel (@zoe_knobel) February 13, 2013
Scott Beveridge: There are some big issues on the plate of Brisbane City Council at the moment.
Namely, some employees alleging they can't reprimand their subordinates because they have links to the Rebels Motorcycle club.
And the Lord Mayor is worried changes to Brisbane's bus routes will mean jobs lost for council bus drivers and poorer transport options for ratepayers.
Here is Brisbane Times Urban Affairs reporter Katherine Feeney talking to Spencer Howson on 612ABC this morning.
Standover tactics within council
Brisbane City Council is investigating alleged standover tactics by employees with links to the Rebels motorcycle club, while jobs are at risk with the axing of bus routes.
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Dan Nancarrow: It has been suggested that Alex Ellinghausen's photo of Kevin Rudd may have caught the former Prime Minister channeling Simpsons character Montgomery Burns. Attached to Tony Wright's analysis of the former Prime Minister undermining Julia Gillard on the issue of mining tax royalties it makes for an "excellent" fit:
Kevin Rudd and Montgomery Burns from the Simpsons.
Dan Nancarrow: Here's a sample of the reaction on Twitter to Bob Katter's comments that same sex marriage wouldn't be discussed at his party's national executive:
Head, meet sand. RT @brisbanetimes Bob Katter says there is "no way" same-sex marriage will be discussed....
— Moko (@MokoTwits) February 13, 2013
@brisbanetimes No doubt discussing the distilling of moonshine and cousins marrying will be fine though.
— Andy Thompson (@AndyJTee) February 12, 2013
Dan Nancarrow: Greenpeace has responded on social media to the Queensland government's lifting of shale oil mining banning:
As if the Great Barrier Reef needed another threat: 'Queensland lifts ban on shale oil mining' ow.ly/hF5Eg #qldpol #ReefatRisk
— Greenpeace Aus Pac (@GreenpeaceAustP) February 13, 2013
Nine News: Union protest action has been going on all week in support of activist Bob Carnegie, who is facing Federal Court on contempt charges. Here's the latest:
Massive rally for possible last day of union activist Bob Carnegie's court case for protesting. @9newsbrisbane twitter.com/Simon_C_Ward/s…
— Simon Ward (@Simon_C_Ward) February 12, 2013
Ten News: More reaction from Hetty Johnston:
Braveheart's Hetty Johnston says Fardon will reoffend within a year @tennewsqld
— Ursula Heger (@ursulaheger) February 13, 2013
Amy Remeikis: Queensland's former housing minister Bruce Flegg has told the Integrity Commissioner, Dr David Solomon, that he has heard of ministers pulling out of meetings when they learn lobbyists are involved.
Dr Flegg resigned from cabinet late last year after claims of undisclosed contact between between his office and his lobbyist son.
Story to come ...
4BC: Child safety campaigner Hetty Johnston gives her reaction to Fardon's release on 4BC:
How many people have to pay the price of this man's freedom? - Hetty Johnston @hettyjohnston tells Greg Cary now on Robert John Fardon.
— Katherine Hornbuckle (@kathhornbuckle) February 13, 2013
Braveheart's Hetty Johnston says she's "appalled" Robert Fardon will be released from jail @tennewsqld
— Ursula Heger (@ursulaheger) February 13, 2013
Scott Beveridge: NRL clubs are defending themselves against claims of doping.
Wayne Bennett says he doesn't know what the Knights are accused of doing, while fans and staff at the Cowboys say they are definitely clean.
Cowboys are 'a clean club'
Cowboys officials and fans say they "don't believe" the club has been involved in doping while Knights coach Wayne Bennett questions "what have we got to confess to?"
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Robert John Fardon will be released from jail tomorrow after a judge ruled any risks to the community could be overcome.
The notorious serial rapist will be released under a strict supervision order, Supreme Court Justice Debra Mullins ruled Wednesday.
Nine News: More on Robert John Fardon's release:
Judge rules Fardon still "a serious danger to the community" but will be allowed out on a supervision order. 34 conditions. @9newsbrisbane
— Ashley McDermid (@AshleyMcDermid) February 12, 2013
Seven News: This from the local courts:
Serial rapist Robert John Fardon will be released under a strict supervision order
— 7News Brisbane (@7NewsBrisbane) February 12, 2013
Tim Lester and Damien Bright: Independent MP Bob Katter says there is ''no way, Jose'' that same-sex marriage will be discussed at the Katter Australian Party's national executive meeting on Friday.
The fiery Queenslander threatened to walk out of a Fairfax Media interview after the issue of internal party divisions on same-sex marriage was raised.
Katter warms to mining tax
Bob Katter is coming around to mining tax reform, but rules out party discussion on same-sex marriage.
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Dan Nancarrow: Just a reminder to take care on the roads when it is wet.
The Australian Traffic Network has reported three separate accidents involving a car and a bike this morning - in Annerley, Albion and Morningside.
Dan Nancarrow: Here's what is making headlines on the front page of brisbanetimes.com.au this morning:
- Pressure mounts on Transport Minister to announce changes to busways before the university semester begins.
- Friend says missing Gold Coast woman Novy Chardon seemed "happy in her life".
- BREAKING: Fugitive former policeman exchanges gunfire with federal authorities in the US.
- Shale oil mining opens new battlefront with conservationists.
- OPINION: If revenge is a dish best served cold, Kevin Rudd was ladling dry ice.
Brisbane bus routes are under the microscope. Photo: Harrison Saragossi
Marissa Calligeros: A woman has died after the motorcycle she was riding collided with an emu in central Queensland on Tuesday afternoon.
It is understood the 58-year-old woman was travelling with her husband, 64, on the motorcycle along Selma Road just outside the town of Emerald, about 900 kilometres north of Brisbane.
The woman, a passenger on the bike, died at the scene.
Dan Nancarrow: Good morning and welcome to Brisbane Live at Work this Wednesday, February 13.
As you've probably already noticed there's been a bit of light rain about this morning.
The forecast for the rest of the day is for cloudy skies and showers during this morning and early afternoon. A maximum of 28 is predicted.
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