Key dates for the Newman LNP government Here are the key dates for the Newman Liberal National Party government since taking office in March 2012. March 2012 Election result: LNP - 78 seats Labor - 7 seats Katter's Australia Party - 2 seats Independents - 2 seat Labor leader Anna Bligh resigns from the seat of South Brisbane. Annastacia Palaszczuk becomes Labor leader. Campbell Newman promises he and his government will lead with "humility, dignity and grace." Treasurer Tim Nicholls announces former Liberal federal treasurer Peter Costello will lead the Queensland Commission of Audit. April 2012 Newman government ministry is sworn in. The government axes the $240,000 Premier's Literary Awards David Gibson resigns as Minister for Police and Community Safety after it emerged he had been driving while his licence was suspended. The government announces it will freeze the standard domestic electricity tariff, effective July 1 Laws are drafted making it illegal to lie to parliament. Labor's Jackie Trad retains South Brisbane for her party. The LNP government is officially sworn into parliament during the first parliamentary sitting since the election. LNP MPs hold 75 per cent of parliamentary committee positions which are designed to keep the government of the day accountable. Public sector staffing and funding cuts begin A large march is held protesting the de-funding of a gay health group and then unknown fate of Labor's civil union bill Former Premier Anna Bligh's husband, Greg Withers, resigns from the state public service. He had been the Director of the Office of Climate Change, but had been put in charge of winding back green energy programs following the 2012 election Campbell Newman tells parliament the state has 20,000 more public servants than it can afford. The Queensland Commission of Audit interim report is released. It forecasts the state debt will blow out to more than $90 billion in four years and without cuts, the debt will account for 10 per cent of the states revenue over that same period. The LNP government passes amendments to Labor's Civil Union legislation so same-sex couples could still register their relationship but they can no longer have a state-recognised ceremony. Civil partnerships are renamed registered relationships. The government opens expressions of interest for the first 30 schools to register for the independent schools scheme, which would give them greater control over their own budgets and arrangements. The Queensland government joins the High Court challenge against the federal government's mining tax. The LNP state convention is held in Brisbane. It emerges that Liberal National Party treasurer Barry O'Sullivan had been appointed to review the books of government publisher GoPrint and the government plant hire company GoPlants by Housing and Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg. The government maintains Mr O'Sullivan was not paid. Campbell Newman tells the Commonwealth Queensland cannot afford to take part in the National Disability Insurance Scheme at the Council of Australian Governments meeting. Transport Minister Scott Emerson launches a six month review for south east Queensland bus services. Operations at GoPrint are reduced. Treasurer Tim Nicholls announces the state will achieve "fiscal balance" in 2014\15 Almost $23 million in cuts to education are announced, including the axing of the Fanfare schools music competition. Campbell Newman says Queensland is in danger of becoming "the Spain of Australian states" if something is not done to tackle the debt. August 2012 Schools music program Fanfare is saved after a philanthropist steps forward and provides funding. The government issues directives to the public service to allow for some outsourcing. A draft code of conduct is released by Campbell Newman to his ministers; allowing party officials to review government entities is out, as is the blanket ban on ministers holding shares in for-profit companies. Random checks on ministerial interests will be made to ensure there are no conflicts. The government announces it has changes the definition of "front-line" worker from someone who spends the majority of their time in contact with the public to someone who spends at least three quarters of their time in contact with the public. Clive Palmer and Campbell Newman begin a public war of words. Clive Palmer threatens to sue the Queensland government after losing out on a contract to build a rail corridor link to the Bowen and Galilee basin with the Abbot Point coal terminal to rival GVK-Hancock. Clive Palmer announces a "hope fund" for Queensland's sacked public servants. Hundreds of people protest the public service cuts in the Brisbane city centre. September 2012 More than 1000 prison staff walk off the job to protest the state government cuts - the Industrial Relations Commission orders them back to work. The government's first budget is handed down; 14,000 full time public servants are cut. Winners: Schools: $200 million school maintenance fund to fix maintenance backlog of public schools Carers: $15 million, three-year trial to assist elderly parent carers of people with a disability in transition to new care arrangements Tourism: An additional $20 million funding Agriculture: $4.8 million for research to develop Queensland as a grower of tropical pulses First home buyers: $15,000 grant for people buying their first home either off the plan or newly constructed Health and hospitals: budget boosted by 7.4 per cent to more than $11.8 billion, the highest health budget in Queensland's history Losers: Public servants: the equivalent of 14,000 full-time job losses Miners: Coal royalties to increase 12.5 per cent on the value per tonne between $100 and $150 and to 15 per cent thereafter, expected to raise $1.6 billion over the next four years Property buyers: The threshold for the highest rate of transfer duty will increase from $980,000 to $1 million, and the rate will increase to 5.75 per cent Casinos and clubs: Tax hikes to raise $8 million per year The LNP calls on Clive Palmer to consider quitting the party. He predicts a "back bench mutiny" in Queensland. Thousands march against the government's budget cuts. October 2012 The government announces it will sell $1.5 billion worth of shares in QR National, reducing its stake in the privatised coal freight business from 34 per cent to 16 per cent. Campbell Newman flags changes to the Crime and Misconduct Commission claiming it has been "used inappropriately as a political weapon" for 20 years The fight to save the Eventide Nursing Home begins. Budget Estimate hearings are held. Arts Minister Ros Bates tables her lobbyist register following questions about her contact with lobbyists, particularly Santo Santoro. Department of Transport and Main Roads Director-General Michael Caltabiano is referred to the state parliament ethics committee by Transport Minister Scott Emerson after making comments he made at an estimates hearing regarding the appointment of Ben Gommers, son of Arts Minister Ros Bates to a high paying departmental role. Mr Caltabiano said he knew Mr Gommers, "personally" but not professionally. It is later revealed that Mr Caltabiano had business cards naming him as "managing partner" for Entree Vous, a lobbyist firm owned by Mr Gommers and his mother. Mr Caltabiano is stood aside as the department's director general on full pay. Ben Gommers takes sick leave suffering a bowel condition and depression. Arts Minister Ros Bates takes sick leave to further recover from surgery to her shoulder in September and care for her son. State Parliament votes to support a proposed Newman government law to return the Queen's Birthday holiday to the second Monday in June and push Labour Day to the first Monday in October. The state government votes to lift the ban on uranium mining in Queensland. Campbell Newman announces an Open Data initiative, allowing for large chunks of information relating to the government to be published online. November 2012 Ros Bates returns to work and announces her son is also back, "albeit on light duties." The Crime and Misconduct Commission confirms it is investigating the matter surrounding Michael Caltabiano Bruce Flegg sacks his chief of staff, Fraser Stephen and senior media advisor, Graham Hallett. Graham Hallett releases documents to the media accusing Dr Flegg of failing to properly update his lobbyist register, including contact with his lobbyist son, Jonathan. Bruce Flegg resigns as Minister for Public Works Gold Coast LNP MP Alex Douglas publically criticises the plan for a cruise terminal and casino at the Southport Broadwater. Arts Minister Ros Bates amends her lobbyist register after facing questions in parliament from the opposition regarding its accuracy. Ms Bates claimed a staffer accidentally forgot to include a page which included details of more meetings with lobbyists. Clive Palmer attacks the government over its review to right to information laws. Ros Bates falls and injures three vertebrae in her back and goes on sick leave. Clive Palmer is suspended from the LNP. Mr Palmer's membership is reinstated just before he quits the party. The LNP Member for Condamine, Ray Hopper, defects to Katter's Australian Party. The Member for Yeerongpilly, Carl Judge is asked to pledge his loyalty to Campbell Newman amid allegations he had leaked party room details to Clive Palmer. He does not. He is publicly suspended and at a party room meeting, a motion is passed seeking his disendorsement from the party Mr Judge publicly announces his resignation from the party and becomes an independent. The Member for Gaven, Alex Douglas, publicly speaks out against his removal from the parliament's ethics committee. Dr Douglas resigns from the LNP and becomes an independent. The government revokes Labor's fluoride legislation, allowing councils the power to choose whether fluoride is included in their water supply. The government announces it will be releasing the diaries and lobbyist contact registers of Mr Newman and his ministers on a monthly basis. Mr Newman's diary is the first to be released, with other ministers to be released early in the new year. The government amends the Integrity Act to allow for changes to the Lobbyist Code of Conduct. Those changes have been drafted and are currently under review. December 2012 Campbell Newman announces Queensland will go it alone in passing its own Succession to the Crown Act. It is position which is in opposition to the rest of nation's states, but Mr Newman says is important for Queensland's position as a sovereign state. Brisbane-based lobbyist Jonathon Flegg resigns, a month after his father Bruce Flegg quit the Newman government ministry amid criticism of undisclosed contact between the pair. Queensland's public sector union launches a $500,000 advertising blitz attacking the government's public service cuts. Queensland becomes the second state to commit to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with the government promising $1.77 billion by 2018. January 2013 Campbell Newman rules out exceeding the 14,000 public sector job cuts already announced. Campbell Newman declares 2013 to be a year of growth for Queensland Queensland experiences its second major mass flood event in just two years. February 2013 Ros Bates resigns as Minister for Science, IT, Innovation and the Arts citing ill health. Department of Transport and Main Roads stood aside director-General Michael Caltabiano is sacked. In a statement, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman confirms he had given Mr Caltabiano, who remained on full pay, notice that his employment will be terminated from March 15. The Member for Redcliffe Scott Driscoll comes under fire for alleged financial mismanagement and sexual harassment of employees while he was president of the Queensland Retail Traders and Shopkeepers' Association. More allegations come to light about consultancy fees paid by the Regional Community Association Moreton Bay to his wife's company Norsefire. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek announces the government will look into designing its own education reform, but does not entirely rule out taking part in the federal government's Gonski plan. Peter Costello hands down the final Commission of Audit report to Treasurer Tim Nicholls "on time and on budget." March 2013 A 28-page executive summary of the 1000-page Commission of Audit is publicly released. It recommends the sale and outsourcing of state assets and services. The government commits to responding to the report in two months time. Campbell Newman maintains the government will not sell assets without a mandate; meaning taking the matter to election. As yet the government has not ruled out long-term leases. Scott Driscoll continues to be attacked over his dealings. He defends himself in parliament and says he is the victim of a smear and innuendo campaign. Documents have been provided to the Crime and Misconduct Commission which is determining if an investigation is warranted. Senior government ministers, including Campbell Newman maintain that any allegations of wrong doings have been passed on to the relevant authorities. The Commission of Inquiry into the bungled Queensland Health payroll system, initiated by the previous government, begins. It is revealed that sensitive documents relating to the Fitzgerald Inquiry had been mistakenly made public while others had accidentally been destroyed. Campbell Newman and Attorney General Jarrod Bleijie both publicly call for an explanation from the Crime and Misconduct head Ross Martin and the Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee charged with overseeing the watchdog body. Mr Neman accuses the PCMC of being more "lapdog" than "watchdog." CMC Chair Ross Martin announces he will be taking permanent leave as he has cystic fibrosis and needs a lung transplant. The Parliamentary Crime and Misconduct Committee inquiry into the release and destruction of Fitzgerald documents begins. Campbell Newman says a "new standard in government accountability has been set" with the public release of his diary and that of his ministers. Mr Newman said it was the first time in Australia that the diaries of senior government officials have been made available to the public. Council de-amalgamation votes occur - all four, Douglas, Livingstone, Mareeba and Noosa vote yes. After a year: LNP - 75 seats KAP - 3 seats Independents - 4 seats