Zedlines 12 December 2008

Reported by Chris, Nick and April

Blogged by Natasha Christian.

For the first time in history, Brisbane's Gateway Bridge will close briefly in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The bridge will be closed for the installation of a 'gantry' which will take about three hours to complete.

A three year old girl is paralysed in hospital after being bitten by a tick while at her Sunshine Coast home.

She is on a respirator but in a stable condition at Brisbane's Mater Children's hospital and is likely to stay in hospital for several weeks.

Symptoms of a tick bite may include; itchiness, loss of co-ordination, blurred vision and difficulty of speaking and swallowing.

If any of these symptoms occur please seek medical assistance.

With the school holidays starting this afternoon, the community is being urged to keep a close eye on schools over the Christmas break to help protect them from vandalism.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford, says the Communities vigilance has been crucial in reducing vandalism by 24 percent over the last 12 months.

A 'School Watch Hotline' is in place to report possible crime, which receives roughly 60 calls a month from community members.

According to the Medical Staff Association at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, the financial crisis has jeoparadised the Government's original plan for a Queensland Children's hospital on Brisbane's Southside.

Health Minister, Stephen Robertson says that the new facility will go ahead as planned and existing commitments will be followed through.

The hospital plans to be opened in stages from 2011 to 2014 and will cost 1.1 billion dollars.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that public dental patients are more likely to have fewer teeth, gum disease and tooth decay.

The Institute's latest report says 42% of public dental patients were found to have tooth decay compared to 26% of the general population.

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the coalition's blocking of a Commonwealth Dental Health Program has held up much needed services.

Ms. Roxon says the Dental Program would provide extra services for Pensioners and Indigenous Australians.

The Federal opposition and business groups are calling on the government to put emissions trading on hold due to the economic crisis.

Emissions trading is schedueled to begin in 2010 but as job losses increase, it has been called to be put back until 2012.

But Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says that if Australia does not act on climate change, it will deliver a huge economic burden in the long term.

Unions are calling on employers to do everything possible to protect jobs and incomes in the lead up to Christmas.

The recent rise in unemployment last month highlights the need for measures to be taken to protect the nation's workforce.

Australian Council of Trade Union's secretary Jeff Lawrence, says the small increase in unemployment to 4.4% is concerning, however the country isn headed for recession just yet.