Ensuring future frontline service delivery for Queenslanders

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has commissioned former QUT Vice-Chancellor Peter Coaldrake to map out the best way to ensure Queenslanders continue to have access to the frontline services they need.

Professor Coaldrake will examine how data on public services employees is currently collected to ensure decisions about services provision are made with the best available information.

“One of the areas of focus of our Advancing Queensland Priorities announced last month was to ensure we are a responsive Government for all Queenslanders, no matter where Queenslanders live,” the Premier said.

“Queensland is the most decentralised state in Australia, with 188 hospitals and health facilities and more than 1,240 schools.

“The scale of that delivery means it’s essential we have the most up to date and useful information possible about where we are providing services to Queenslanders, and how we are providing them.

“Queenslanders work hard for the tax dollars they pay, and they deserve to know that money is being used in the most efficient way possible to build new schools, employ more nurses and upgrade our road network.

“As well as examining how that data is currently collected in Queensland, Professor Coaldrake will also look at the evolving nature of delivering services for Queenslanders into the future.

“That means ensuring that, as well as secure jobs, our frontline service workers have the skills and training they need for the future.”

Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said that Queenslanders expect a high-level of services from the Government.

“Unlike the LNP, we value the work that public servants do, from nurses, to teachers, to police, school cleaners, social workers, firefighters and everything in between,” Ms Trad said.

“We are continuing to restore services following the severe cuts under the former Newman Government.

“We are also a Government that values transparency and accountability and I know that the work that Professor Coaldrake will undertake will ensure we are delivering on this front.”

The Premier has also released a report by accountancy firm KPMG titled Enhancing Government Performance Management and Service Delivery.

“The KPMG report shows there is a link between increases in front-line health, education and policing services and improved outcomes for the community,” the Premier said.

“Ensuring we have the frontline workers necessary to deliver the services Queenslanders need is why it was so important that we honour our commitment to restore the frontline services cut by the Newman LNP Government.

“While the KPMG report did not consider the impact of external factors or the time lag that can occur in delivery of some improvements, it found there are a number of areas where we can improve service delivery.

“The KPMG report recommends the formulation of a small number of priorities aligned to the Government’s agenda.

“That’s why last month we released the Advancing Queensland’s Priorities framework to improve the coordination of front-line services and deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders.”

“The KPMG report also informed some important decision-making as part of our budget process.”

Advancing Queensland Priorities creates a clear focus across government in six key areas:

• Creating jobs in a strong economy;
• Give all our children a great start;
• Keep Queenslanders healthy;
• Keep communities safe;
• Protect the Great Barrier Reef; and
• Be a responsive government.

The next step in this process is to ensure Queensland’s frontline services will be able to continue meeting the needs of Queensland’s growing and evolving population into the future.

The KPMG Enhancing Government Performance Management and Service Delivery report can be viewed here

The Terms of Reference can be viewed here.

Media Contact:

Premier’s Office:                   Geoff Breusch            0417 272 875