Responsive Government the key for Queensland

The Palaszczuk Government will use the State Budget to renew its focus on engaging with all Queenslanders, the Premier said today.

“Our 2018-19 State Budget, a Budget for all Queenslanders, provides us with a unique opportunity to focus our funding and resources where the people of Queensland most need it,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“My Ministers and I are always keen to hear the thoughts of Queenslanders from far and wide on what programs are needed and how services can be improved.

“Governing from the Regions, including our recent visit to Mackay and the Whitsundays, is another opportunity for Queenslanders to tell us, as leaders in service to the Queensland people, exactly what they need.

“Responsive Government is at the core of what my Government wants to deliver to Queenslanders and underpins our commitments to create jobs in a strong economy, give our children a great start and keep Queenslanders safe and healthy.”

The Premier welcomed plans to increase the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s regional presence with the addition of four new regional offices, in addition to the existing Townsville office.

“This expansion of our regional presence will allow us greater direct stakeholder engagement with the community.

“The locations of the new offices will be announced in the near future.”

The Premier also highlighted several economy-growing initiatives funded in the State Budget across the Premier and Trade portfolio.

“The local screen industry will continue to flourish, with the funding of an election commitment for an additional $20 million, bringing the total to $50 million, to help attract job-creating film and television projects to Queensland via the Production Attraction Strategy,” the Premier said.

“Part of this funding will assist in the development of a Far North Queensland screen production strategic plan, with a particular focus on attracting productions to the region, boosting skills and capability among local practitioners, generating economic growth and growing opportunities for industry alignment, particularly with tourism.

“The Budget also allocates $12 million to establish a new film and television studio in Brisbane, giving both emerging and established production companies greater access to the facilities they need, to continue to tell our local stories.”

Engagement and job creation remain the focal points in Queensland’s trade and investment vision, bringing businesses, importers, exporters and other stakeholders together to create opportunities and jobs.

“We are continuing to position ourselves as a trading partner of choice for markets across the globe.

“Queensland is already Australia’s export powerhouse, with one in every four Australian export dollars being generated in Queensland.

“Our 15 trade outposts across the globe continue to promote Queensland-based exports and help Queensland companies make connections overseas, all ultimately driving growth and job creation at home.

“Trade missions, such as the recent BIO2018 conference in Boston, are a key opportunity to engage across oceans, and lock in economy-boosting deals like the $2 billion agreement with Imperium3 for a battery manufacturing plant in Townsville.”

The 2018-19 State Budget includes funding allocations of $116.4M for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and administered allocations of $22.6M ($18.8M plus $3.8M for the first instalment of the $12M for the new film and television facility) for Screen Queensland and $47.5M for Trade and Investment Queensland.

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834