Queensland Plan Annual Progress Report 2018-19
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The Queensland Plan Annual Progress Report 2018-19 About the report This report lists the activities and programs undertaken by Queensland governments (state and local), industry, community groups and not-for-profit organisations over the 2018-19 financial year to support achieving the 30-year vision developed by the people of Queensland. The report is developed in accordance with the Queensland Plan Act 2014 (the Act) and is available online at www.qld.gov.au/queenslandplan. 1 The 2018-19 year in review The main purposes of the Act are to establish a long-term vision for the future growth and prosperity of Queensland that reflects the aspiration of the community, business and industry and to provide for the implementation of that vision. The Queensland Government continues to meet its requirements under the Act by: • completing the first periodic review of The Queensland Plan (the review); • providing secretariat services to support the Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council (the Ambassadors Council); and • completing the Annual Progress Report for 2018-19. Outcomes of the Queensland Plan Review The review commenced in 2018 and considered the vision outlined in The Queensland Plan, whether the vision accurately reflects the long-term aspirations of Queenslanders, and ways to improve implementation. As with the development of The Queensland Plan, the review outcomes were informed by public consultation which was held in late 2018. As part of this process over 300 stakeholders were contacted with an invitation to provide input into the review. The review found The Queensland Plan broadly reflects the aspirations of respondents, there is support for a long-term plan for Queensland and the vision, foundation areas and success measures of The Queensland Plan broadly align with the priorities of departments and statutory bodies. Opportunities to strengthen implementation of The Queensland Plan were found, noting adoption outside of government has been limited. The Ambassadors Council will strengthen its purpose as champions of The Queensland Plan, focusing on engaging with communities, businesses and industry and pursuing the foundations and targets of The Queensland Plan as they align with Our Future State: Advancing Queensland’s Priorities. In 2018-19, the Ambassadors Council met four times. The Council’s meetings focused on the Review and suicide prevention in regional Queensland. Stakeholders were engaged by the Ambassadors Council and contributed to meeting discussions. The Department of the Premier and Cabinet provides secretariat support to the Council. The membership of the Ambassadors Council at 30 June 2018 was: The Honourable Tony McGrady (Chair) Professor Allan Dale Mr Mark Henley (Deputy Chair) Mr Daniel Gschwind Ms Karen Tully Ms Erin Faithful Professor John Cole Mr Taj Pabari Mr Leon Yeatman Ms Shelley Argent Ms Kate Tully Ms Patsy-Ann Fox This report meets the third requirement of government in the implementation of the Plan. 2 How to read the report The report lists the programs and activities across Queensland that are aligned to each of the Plan’s nine foundation areas. The Plan recognised that the foundation areas are intrinsically interconnected. Where initiatives relate to a number of foundation areas, they have only been included once. The report also provides examples of partnerships across sectors and local community collaboration that align with the vision of the Plan. Finally, the report takes a look at the year ahead, and outlines initiatives that will be delivered in 2019-20. For more information about Queensland Government activities in 2018-19 visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/about/staying-informed/reports-publications/annual-reports. For information about local governments, refer to individual local government websites. Figures in the report have been rounded to one decimal place. 3 Message from the Premier I am pleased to table the Queensland Plan Annual Progress Report 2018-19. As I always say, Queensland’s best days lie ahead of us. The Queensland Plan sets out Queenslanders’ vision for those best days, for an ideal Queensland in 2044. My Government continues to deliver on commitments outlined in The Queensland Plan and The Queensland Plan Act 2014. This annual progress report contains a summary of the outcomes of the first five-year review of The Queensland Plan. I am pleased the review has found that The Queensland Plan remains a relevant and accurate reflection of the aspirations and priorities of the community today. The themes that Queenslanders focused on in developing The Queensland Plan’s long-term vision reflect my Government’s priorities for the community: creating jobs in a strong economy, keeping Queenslanders healthy, giving all children a great start, keeping communities safe, protecting the Great Barrier Reef and ensuring we are a responsive Government. Shortly, we enter into a new decade. My Government has been working strategically and purposefully over the last four years to ensure our best times are ahead. We are playing a key role in unlocking new opportunities to grow traditional industries while also helping to shape the development of emerging industries. We will leave a better Queensland for future generations. My Government’s $755 million flagship Advance Queensland initiative is an investment in innovation to drive economic growth and create jobs across Queensland. Advance Queensland’s programs and activities are driving innovation, building on Queensland’s natural advantages and helping to raise our profile as an attractive investment destination. At the end of 2018-19, we had backed more than 5200 innovation projects which are directly supporting more than 16,400 jobs. Highlights from 2018-19 include: • establishing QCN Fibre to improve the quality and speed of internet services for businesses and households in regional Queensland • hosting the QODE innovation festival which attracted more than 160 exhibitors and 2800 trade visitors • awarding funding to a diverse range of programs and activities including a further round of the Ignite Ideas Fund, enabling recipients to turn their great ideas into commercial reality • appointing Ms Leanne Kemp as Queensland’s first female Chief Entrepreneur • securing the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program Bootcamp, enabling Queenslanders to collaborate with some of the world’s best up-and-coming innovators. I would like to thank the Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council for its continued advocacy of The Queensland Plan and for their input into the review. I would like to acknowledge the valuable contributions of all the Ambassadors for their time and expertise in promoting The Queensland Plan and for providing advice on its implementation in a volunteer capacity: The Chair, the Hon. Tony McGrady; the Deputy Chair, Mr Mark Henley; and ambassadors Ms Shelley Argent, Professor John Cole, Professor Allan Dale, Ms Erin Faithful, Mr Daniel Gschwind, Mr Taj Pabari, Ms Karen Tully, Ms Kate Tully, Mr Leon Yeatman and Ms Patsy-Ann Fox. My Government is committed to working with Queenslanders to build a healthy, prosperous and sustainable Queensland for all. We will advance our State, grow our economy, strengthen our regions, support our communities and protect our environment, towards its best times. Together we will realise our vision for Queensland in 2044. ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK MP PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND MINISTER FOR TRADE 4 Message from the Leader of the Opposition The Queensland Plan is a vibrant and aspirational long-term vision for our state. It was created by contributions from 80,000 Queenslanders to guide future prosperity of communities across our unique state. I am proud of what the Opposition has achieved to ensure the Parliament and Government honours the commitments made in The Queensland Plan. It was a 30-year vision, five of which have now passed. The Opposition continues to uphold positive policies reflecting the priorities set by Queenslanders in the Plan. The Annual Progress Report is an important checkpoint to review targets and the measures in place to reach them. The Queensland Plan is for everyone and can’t be achieved by Government alone. A united Queensland working as one community will accomplish everything we want for the future of our state. Queenslanders are strong and not afraid of hard work. They simply want better lives for themselves and their kids. Our economic plan will make that happen by ensuring Queensland families have better health and education services, cheaper electricity, less congestion, more jobs and no new taxes. Much of our state has been in drought during the life of The Queensland Plan. Reflecting the objective to be a well-planned state with the right infrastructure in the right places, this year my team announced a strategy to drought-proof Queensland with new dams and water projects. The Opposition’s economic plan is a sign of our commitment to The Queensland Plan and we readily work together with the Government in the interests of Queenslanders. My team and I represent all of Queensland and will continue to work hard to ensure the state’s best days are ahead of it. As we move deeper into The Queensland Plan timeline, I encourage all to engage with the Government and contribute to the progress of our state. DEB FRECKLINGTON MP LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRADE 5 Message from the Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council In 2014, the Ambassadors Council was established to promote awareness, and advocate for the implementation, of The Queensland Plan within the community, business and industry. As a group, we serve as champions of the plan, ensuring its visibility and encouraging everyone, from government and large industries to small businesses and individuals, to strive towards its vision and goals. We are also tasked with providing advice to the Premier about the implementation of The Queensland Plan. The Council’s strength has always been its diversity, with Ambassadors living and working in regions from the Tropical North to the Darling Downs. During 2018-19 the Council was delighted to welcome the newest Queensland Plan Ambassador – Ms Patsy-Ann Fox.