Boosting economy and services focus of Six Month Action Plan

Supercharging the state’s economy and delivering better services for Queenslanders are the priorities of the Newman Government’s latest Six Month Action Plan.

Premier Campbell Newman said the State Government would continue to focus on creating the best environment for business investment in the country.

“Recent economic figures show that Queensland’s economy is outperforming the rest of Australia,” Mr Newman said.

“The actions to be delivered by the LNP Government over the coming six months will reinforce Queensland’s position as the powerhouse of the nation’s economy.

“Our clear goal is to also improve the services delivered to Queenslanders by becoming the most effective and efficient public service in the nation.

“By making public a series of Six Month Action Plans, I ask Queenslanders to hold us to account against the delivery of our commitments in this Action Plan.”

Some of the major initiatives include: 

• Release Governing for Growth, a whole of government economic strategy
• Launch the 20 year plan for Queensland tourism
• Amend legislation to cut red and green tape for building and construction industry
• Release the Queensland Government’s Digital Economy Strategy
• Establish the Office of the Health Ombudsman
• 54 schools to commence 2014 school year as Independent Public schools
• Open 13 new kindergarten services at state and non-state schools across Queensland
• Deliver 200 additional services to SEQ City Rail Network
• Establish a police hub on the Gold Coast
• Release 30 Year Water Strategy
• Commence construction of 202 new social housing dwellings for Queenslanders with the highest housing needs.  

“Over the past six months we have increased introduced three new youth boot camps, increased the number of police on the beat, introduced tough laws to combat organised crime and unveiled the Brisbane Underground Bus and Train project,” Mr Newman said.

Some of the key achievements over the last six months included: 

• 130 additional police officers on top of normal recruitment levels as part of our commitment to 1,100 additional police officers
• Purchase 27 flood boats to support the State Emergency Service
• Establish three additional youth boot camps in Rockhampton, Townsville and Fraser Coast regions
• Appoint Queensland’s first Health Ombudsman to strengthen patients’ rights
• Commence Rural Telehealth Services at six trial sites across remote Queensland
• Implement the new schools discipline plan for Queensland State Schools
• Develop the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Village at Parklands

For a copy of the progress report and to view the Six Month Action plans visit www.thepremier.qld.gov.au.

[ENDS] 16 January 2014

Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000