2015–16 Activity Statement—Governance

A robust governance system provides the mechanisms by which Queenslanders can shape and nurture their communities. It means that Queensland’s diverse population is engaged and empowered to be involved in decision-making, unnecessary barriers to productivity are removed, and governments function in an environment of transparency and accountability.

The Queensland Government is committed to consultation, integrity and accountability. In 2015–16, the Queensland Government:

Creating jobs and a diverse economy

• established the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council to provide advice, recommendations and practical solutions to identified small business issues
• established the Red Tape Reduction Advisory Council to provide advice to government on red, green and blue tape areas of most concern to small business and assist government to provide a business environment conducive to strong, profitable and globally competitive businesses
• completed a review of arts funding and the manner in which funds are assessed and dispersed ensuring processes to return transparency and fairness to the arts sector
• reviewed government procurement practices to realise a new vision for the future of procurement
• completed Total Asset Management Plans across all departments to facilitate improved asset management and utilisation

Delivering quality frontline services

• continued to implement a customer-centric approach to service design to connect services, reduce duplication, and provide seamless and easy access to government services
• improved government transparency and efficiency of the Open Data initiative and Open Data Portal, publishing more than 2200 datasets and 8400 resources
• increased access to archival collections by increasing the number of indices of records with the assistance of an expanded volunteer program, released additional open datasets and collaborated with University of Queensland software design students on innovative projects to increase access through visualisations
• commenced procurement of a commercial-off-the-shelf ICT solution to collect data on the public sector workforce to improve transparency and accountability in government
• increased the number of justice services available online and investigated and implemented ways to improve frontline service delivery
• increased the number of transport licensing and registration services available online and through smartphone apps

Protecting the environment

• progressed planning reform with the introduction and passage of the Planning Act 2016 package in May 2016 delivering key elements  of the directions paper, Better Planning for Queensland – Next Steps in Planning Reform,  aimed at facilitating Queensland’s prosperity, including through ecologically sustainable development that balances economic growth, environmental protection and community wellbeing

Building safe, caring and connected communities

• Established the Domestic and Family Violence Implementation Council with broad representation from the community to oversee and advocate for implementation of the Not Now, Not Ever report and the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016–26
• commenced piloting an integrated geographical information system to assist with evidence-based planning and development of sport and active recreation places and spaces
• released a new Partners in Government Agreement to cement the strong relationship that exists with the Local Government Association of Queensland
• returned to the Electoral Commission the power to appoint the returning officer for a local government election to ensure local government elections are run in accordance with high standards of independence and efficiency
• required local governments to keep written records of alleged and proven losses arising from fraud as well as material losses, and to report material loss as a result of fraud
• delivered a pre-election training program for intending local government candidates (788 people participated in a total of 90 sessions) to improve awareness and understanding of responsibilities of being a councillor and representing communities
• delivered  a post-election 2016 Councillor Induction Program, involving 66  councils and 587 councillors, mayors and senior staff, to improve understanding of roles and responsibilities in relation to representing the social, economic and environmental interests of their community
• held six financial management workshops for local governments  to increase skills in statutory financial reporting and better managing local government finances and 12 fraud management workshops to assist local governments to develop anti-fraud strategies, fraud policies and associated risk registers
• established the Community Hubs and Partnerships Program Board and Cross Agency Review Panel to support cross-government collaboration and planning to streamline service, particularly in designated Priority Development Areas

Read more about the Plan’s goals, targets and measures for governance.