Newman Government ticks off every item in Six Month Action Plan

The Newman Government has delivered every item on its Six Month Action Plan and is on its way to setting Queensland back on track, Acting Premier Jeff Seeney announced today.  

“We promised Queenslanders that we would be a Government that acted on its commitments,” Mr Seeney said. 

“We said we’d grow a four pillar economy, lower the cost of living for families, deliver better infrastructure and revitalise front-line services. 

“Now the proof is there for Queenslanders to see that this is a government that actually does what it says it will do. 

“We’ve ticked off each of the 149 actions outlined in our Six Month Action Plan and we’re focussed on continuing to restore economic activity and providing an environment for jobs growth and investment.” 

Some of the actions completed in the Six Month Action Plan include: 

·         Delivering a once-in-a-generation budget to set Queensland’s finances back on track

·         Attracting new aviation business and routes into Queensland from overseas

·         Amending the Racing Act to restructure Queensland’s racing industry

·         Expanding the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme from 1 January 2013

·         Encouraging construction growth by amending the Sustainable Planning Act

·         Delivering a 10 year strategy to upgrade the Bruce Highway

·         Transferring responsibility for South Bank and Roma St Parklands to Brisbane City Council

·         Reforming the Local Government Act to empower local councils

·         Introducing a trial for self-directed funding for people with a disability

·         Completing the Skills and Training Taskforce and delivering the Government response

·         Amending the Weapons Act to introduce tougher sentencing for illegal firearms offences

·         Finalising the recruitment of 300 new police officers

·         Amending the Proceeds of Crime Act to crack down on unexplained wealth

·         Engaging service providers for boot camps to commence in 2013

·         Commencing operation of hospital and health boards across the State

·         Beginning to address the health payroll disaster left by the previous Government 

Mr Seeney also said the Government had committed $395 million – the biggest ever state funding for the Bruce Highway - to fast-track construction of the Cooroy to Curra upgrade with an equal Federal commitment providing an $800 million funding boost. 

“Our Bruce Highway Action Plan is aimed at improving safety and increasing capacity on one of our nation’s most vital freight arterials,” he said. 

“This upgrade is fantastic news for Queenslanders and all motorists who use the road.”

The decision to construct a new CBD tower at 1 William Street would also provide a major boost for the construction and development sector. 

“The $653 million project is the first major private sector development delivered through Projects Queensland and took just five months from registration of interest to announcement,” Mr Seeney said. 

“Work on the site will start immediately in the New Year and the building is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. 

“While Labor continues to carp and criticise this project, the building sector including unions have welcomed the development.” 

Mr Seeney said recent approvals for the Ella Bay resort in Far North Queensland and the Alpha coal project in the Galilee Basin would benefit the tourism and resource sectors of the economy. 

To read the full Six Month Action Plan Report, please visit www.thepremier.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 2 January 2013

Media Contact – John Wiseman 0409 791 281