2016–17 Activity Statement—Governance

A robust governance system provides the mechanisms by which Queenslanders can shape and nurture their communities. Robust governance 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 2016–17, the Queensland Government:

Creating jobs and a diverse economy

• continued work, through the Community Hubs and Partnerships Program (ChaPs) Board and Cross Agency Advisory Panel, to support cross-government collaboration and planning to streamline services, particularly in designated Priority Development Areas
• facilitated operation of the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council, providing advice, recommendations and practical solutions to identified small business issues
• established the Better Regulation Taskforce as a sub-committee of the Queensland Small Business Advisory Council, providing advice to Government to ensure a fair and balanced regulatory environment
• delivered the first edition of the State of Small Business Queensland 2016–2017 report, a key Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016–20 initiative—the report noted strong economic growth and confidence for Queensland small business
• continued engagement with the Advance Queensland Expert Panel, providing recommendations on future directions, opportunities and challenges in regard to science, innovation, economic development and the growth of the knowledge economy and jobs in Queensland
• engaged with the Federal Government and local governments through the National Business Simplification Initiative to streamline and improve regulatory compliance for Queensland small businesses
• required the Queensland Competition Authority to commence a South East Queensland  bulk water price investigation to ensure prices for South East Queensland residents and businesses reflect prudent and efficient costs
• coordinated submissions of Total Asset Management Plans across all departments to assist asset management and utilisation
• commenced work to introduce Strategic Asset Management Plans in Queensland Government departments.

Delivering quality frontline services

• completed procurement and implementation of a commercial-off-the-shelf ICT solution to collect and validate data on the public sector workforce to improve transparency and accountability in government.

Protecting the environment

• completed a review of how Queensland’s interests in planning and development are protected and managed through the planning system, with new planning instruments commencing in July 2017
• identified recommendations of the Expert Koala Panel through the consultation on the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan to ensure a network of interconnected koala habitat is maintained to sustain South East Queensland’s koala population over the long-term.

Building safe, caring and connected communities

• commenced implementation of recommendations from the Queensland Parole System Review to strengthen Queensland’s parole system
• continued the roll out of an integrated geographical information system to assist with evidence-based planning and development of sport and active recreation places and spaces
• used the Partners in Government Agreement to work collaboratively with the LGAQ and local governments, strengthening relationships and ensuring effective and timely engagement
• introduced ‘real-time’ disclosure for election donations to candidates in local government elections
• delivered 67 face-to-face workshops to 935 councillors and staff to improve governance practices including councillor conduct, ethical behaviour, complaints management, roles and responsibilities
• completed the Fraud Management workshop series—the LGAQ delivered 7 workshops to 71 councillors, assisting local governments to develop anti-fraud strategies, fraud policies and risk registers
• established the Housing Partnerships Office, bringing together expertise to support the Housing Construction Jobs Program, Queensland Housing Strategy and objectives of the Advancing Our Cities and Regions Strategy to renew ageing social housing, create better quality social housing, and increase housing choice and affordability
• negotiated a retrospective policy exemption on behalf of local governments, to claim the cost of using their own staff and equipment to deliver reconstruction works under the Federal Government’s National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA)
• facilitated 24 sessions on the NDRRA and State Disaster Relief Arrangements for state and local government staff, non-profit organisations and other stakeholders across Queensland, providing participants with knowledge and skills on disaster relief and recovery submission and payments, to help Queensland communities recover from the effect of natural disasters
• signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Transport and Main Roads (Fitzroy District), Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council and Central Highlands Regional Council to develop a sustainable works program for the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council
• commenced a co-design process with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, leaders, policy experts, academia, organisations and communities to reinvigorate Queensland’s Closing the Gap agenda by developing a Closing the Gap framework.

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