Announcements affecting the seafood sector from the major parties kicked off today with the LNP announcing that it would cut payroll tax and also cut red tape and regulation. LNP Leader Campbell Newman said an LNP Government would cut payroll tax by raising the exemption threshold from $1 million to $1.6 million over six years. It is estimated to mean, when the plan is complete, more than 5000 Queensland businesses will no longer pay this tax and about 20,000 businesses would pay less payroll tax. The LNP also intends to cut government red tape and regulation by 20 per cent. “We won’t just cut payroll tax – we’ll change the culture in government from actively promoting red tape and regulation, to actively cutting red tape,” he said. The plan to cut red-tape and regulation will be welcome news across regional Queensland, and among large seafood enterprises that would be positively affected by the change.

Sunshine Coast food to star in ‘Off the Eaten Track’

The delectable delights of the Sunshine Coast region will star in this week’s episode of ‘Off the Eaten Track’ series, which has been produced in partnership with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation.

Mouth-watering local spanner crab, delicious raspberries, sweet pineapples and soothing olive leaf tea will be on the menu as chef Alastair McLeod cooks up fast, fresh and simple recipes on Channel 7 at 7pm this Saturday, December 3.

The second series of this home-grown food show features Alastair travelling from Tropical North Queensland to Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast and the Darling Downs, meeting passionate producers and celebrating the quality and diversity of Queensland’s food. 

Along the way he will delight audiences with his fast, fresh and simple recipes for the busy cook. And with the festive party season already begun, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on Queensland seafood and local producers.

The largest spanner crab producer in Australia – Ceas – is based at Kawana Waters and is one of the businesses profiled in the series.

The company’s general and business development manager, Max Pantacchini, said Alastair McLeod was an excellent food ambassador.

“Alastair has such a great personality and in this show he discovers what most of us want to know about our food but haven’t got the time to investigate,” he said.

“Bringing the Sunshine Coast’s produce to a national audience will be a fantastic opportunity for all of the businesses and industries profiled.

“Spanner crab is a premium product that’s sustainably produced and sold both nationally and internationally. We’re very proud of the quality of our seafood and we hope that this Sunshine Coast episode will boost peoples’ awareness of the fabulous food grown and made here in Queensland.”

The locally bred and grown Aus-Jubilee pineapple will also be featured. For this episode, Alastair travelled to the Queensland government’s newest food research facility and joined consumers taste-testing the pineapple. 

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation’s (DEEDI) Katrina Gething, a Consumer Research Scientist, said the program offered a fresh insight into food production.

“In ‘Off the Eaten Track’, viewers not only learn where their food comes from and how it’s grown, but they can also appreciate some of the science behind the food,” she said.

“DEEDI scientists assist primary producers by researching innovations and technologies to add value and marketability to Queensland food.

“Research into using natural native foods to extend the shelf-life and convenience of seafood for consumers will also be profiled in the show.”

Sunshine Coast businesses featured in episode 1 include:

• Ceas
• Favco
• Freestyle Escape
• Gowinta Farms
• Kin Kin Bees
• Mooloolah River Fisheries
• Obi Obi Essentials
• Montville Markets

The first episode of ‘Off the Eaten Track’ screens on Channel 7 at 7pm on Saturday, December 3.

The four-part series is produced by TPD Media, the team behind Seven's ‘Great South East’ and ‘Queensland Weekender’ programs, in partnership with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. Check out www.offtheeatentrack.tv or Queensland Food’s Facebook page for more details.

Coral Sea – November 2011

 MinisterBurkeDraftCoralSeaMapsReleasedEmbargoedtill251111 (2) 

QSIA Media Release – CORAL SEA

I would like to invite you to participate in the East Coast Trawl Fishery project.

A broad social network analysis involving various stakeholder groups such as fishermen, wholesalers,

processors, retailers, ECTF organisations, and government departments, in the context of social capital will be

conducted. Social capital is used to describe the beneficial outcomes that can be derived from individual and

group interaction and participation in social networks. Social networks focus on relationships that have a

productive benefit, and highlights gaps and barriers to the development and sharing of social capital which may

inhibit the ability of the fishery to function effectively. Essentially, the project looks at who is connected to who,

who works with who and who does not interact with others; is the network functioning well and what are the

challenges and opportunities?Research Information flyer ECTF (VS 2011)