Messages

Message from the Premier

I am pleased to table this progress report for the 2016–17 financial year on The Queensland Plan.

The Queensland Plan encapsulates what Queenslanders pictured an ideal Queensland to be in 2044. Over the last three years, my government has made great strides in working with Queenslanders to create jobs and a diverse economy, deliver quality frontline services, protect the environment, and build safe, caring and connected communities. My government has delivered on our objectives for the community, which align with The Queensland Plan’s vision and goals, and frame our progress moving forward.

We must continue to be flexible and innovative in positioning Queensland for the future, in order to work towards and build on Queenslanders’ 30-year vision.

We are in the midst of rapid change, and Queensland must keep pace to ensure the continuing strength and resilience of our businesses and economy. My government is focused on diversifying our economy and creating the jobs and industries of the future. We want to ensure Queensland’s capacity to adapt and thrive under new and different pressures. That is why my government has committed a further $93 million over four years under our flagship Advance Queensland jobs and innovation initiative, lifting the total Advance Queensland package to more than $500 million.

Advance Queensland is a long-term investment in the future of Queensland. At the end of the 2016–17 financial year we had already invested more than $205 million and backed more than 1650 innovators, supporting more than 4800 jobs. Our start-up ecosystem in Queensland will continue to grow. And, we will continue to focus on emerging markets and on the opportunities Queensland can harness, while supporting our State’s traditional economic performers.

We need to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future, but this cannot be done by government alone. We achieve more when we work together to benefit all Queenslanders. In order to move forward together, it is vital that we strengthen partnerships between community, business and industry. Our opportunities and our successes are created and shared for the whole state.

I would like to thank The Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council for its continued advocacy for implementation of The Queensland Plan and acknowledge the valuable contribution of each Ambassador. The Chair, the Hon. Tony McGrady and ambassadors Ms Shelley Argent, Professor John Cole, Professor Allan Dale, Ms Erin Faithful, Mr Daniel Gschwind, Mr Mark Henley, Mr Taj Pabari, Emeritus Professor Roger Scott, Ms Karen Tully, Ms Kate Tully and Mr Leon Yeatman all contribute their time and expertise to promoting The Queensland Plan and providing advice on its implementation in a volunteer capacity. I would also like to recognise the contribution of former Ambassadors who stepped down from the Council during the 2016–17 financial year—Ms Jordyn Archer, and Mr Joel Buchholz.

My government is committed to working with Queenslanders to continue to build a healthy, prosperous and sustainable Queensland for all. Together, we will advance our state, grow our economy, strengthen our regions, support our communities and protect our environment.

Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
Premier of Queensland
Minister for Trade

Message from the Leader of the Opposition

I was proud to be part of the government that kick-started The Queensland Plan process in 2013 as a conversation about where all of us as Queenslanders wanted our great state to head.

The Plan was devised by Queenslanders for Queenslanders and this third annual report tracks how we are going in fulfilling the visions set down over three years ago.

Queenslanders expect and deserve a bipartisan approach to the many economic, social and environmental challenges and opportunities that Queensland faces.

The foundation areas identified in the Plan: economy, infrastructure, regions, education, community, health and wellbeing, environment, people and governance must be front of mind for all Members of Parliament on a day to day basis.

The Opposition continues to fully support this Plan and our priorities reflect the fundamental priorities Queenslanders themselves have set.

The Opposition’s priorities are tackling ICE, creating jobs and busting congestion by building more infrastructure, delivering better services and easing the pressure on household budgets.

As Opposition Leader, I’m excited to lead a team that represents all of Queensland, so we can unite Queensland.

I encourage all Queenslanders to continue to get involved, make their views heard and create a state we can all be proud of.

Deb Frecklington MP
Leader of the Opposition

Message from the Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council

In 2014 the Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council was established to promote awareness of, and advocate for, the implementation of The Queensland Plan by the community, business and industry. As a group, we represent the many Queenslanders whose contribution to the original consultation process informed the development of The Queensland Plan, and bring expertise across a range of areas and community sectors, including youth. Our role as Ambassadors is also to provide advice to the Premier about the implementation of The Queensland Plan.

To support and inform us in our work, the Ambassadors Council brings together representatives from the community, business and industry, and all levels of government in our regular meetings. These meetings provide us with valuable insight into activities across the state that are contributing to achieving the goals outlined in The Queensland Plan. We have been honoured to continue this work throughout 2016–17.

Seeking to reflect the statewide focus of The Queensland Plan, in 2016–17 the council held meetings in Ipswich and Townsville and engaged directly with representatives from local government, industry, education, and community organisations. The focus of these meetings was on how the different regions were addressing current challenges and positioning themselves for future growth and prosperity. Presentations by our guests at these meetings made clear the vital importance of economic diversification and services growth in regional economies to the sustainability, prosperity and liveability of regional Queensland.

In Townsville, Ambassadors were reminded of the importance of advanced education, research and development, and of strong social infrastructure being available in regional centres. The Council met with Kirwan High School Principal, Meredith Went, and the Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University, Professor Sandra Harding. Significant discussion included the provision of culturally appropriate and vocationally relevant school programs for Indigenous students; the significance of the relationship between schools and the TAFE system with respect to vocational training generally; and the importance for the wider Townsville community of James Cook University delivering courses attractive to overseas students and research of international significance. The President of the Royal Society of Queensland provided a briefing paper for discussion on curriculum issues linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The Council also met with the Mayor of the City of Townsville, Councillor Jenny Hill, and a number of local councillors, to discuss the action that they are taking to address the issues arising from changing global and economic circumstances.

At Ipswich’s Fire Station 101, Ambassadors were briefed on technology innovation and the opportunities shaping the emergence of the new knowledge economy. Ambassadors were appraised of the major trends and developments shaping the global economy and community and the implications of the global megatrends impacting on Queensland and the 30-year vision captured by The Queensland Plan. The council also received a briefing from the then Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, and the Department of Justice and Attorney-General on actions to address domestic and family violence.

Following the election of the 56th Queensland Parliament, the Ambassadors Council notes the commitments made by the new Queensland Government and their alignment with The Queensland Plan. By the end of 2019, the Premier must formally review The Queensland Plan, and will ask the Ambassadors Council for their advice. In 2016–17, our meetings included a focus on three of The Queensland Plan’s nine foundation areas—Education, Community, and Health and Wellbeing. In the coming year, the Ambassadors Council will focus on the remaining six—Infrastructure, Environment, People, Economy, Regions, and Governance—with a view to preparing a report for the Premier on the continuing relevance of The Queensland Plan, its implementation, and whether The Queensland Plan should be revised.

Each Ambassador has been assigned a foundation area aligned with their background and sphere of influence, and is responsible for leading a considered review of presentations and briefings by experts, government officials, community and sector representatives, and other relevant stakeholders. The Ambassadors Council has asked the Queensland Government for an update on the availability of data against each of the 68 targets in The Queensland Plan, including those for which there is currently no baseline measure, to inform our advice to the Premier. By the time this work is completed in September 2018, the Council will be well positioned to provide advice to the Premier regarding the implementation of The Queensland Plan and any changes needed to ensure it remains relevant to all Queenslanders.

The Ambassadors Council is grateful for the support of the Premier and Minister for Trade, the Honourable Anastacia Palaszczuk, in the form of an additional funding commitment that will enable further community engagement initiatives in in 2017–18. The Ambassadors Council would also like to thank the Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Assistant Minister of State, the Honourable Jennifer Howard for her ongoing commitment in representing the Premier at Ambassadors Council meetings.

We encourage all Queenslanders to engage with The Queensland Plan, and to think and act civically, as the long term vision for their state is progressively realised. We look forward to continuing to promote the implementation of the goals of The Queensland Plan in active collaboration with all stakeholders over the coming year.