Published Wednesday, 06 December, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN KEY POSITIONS
Premier Peter Beattie announced today the creation of a new Queensland Government Department.
Mr Beattie said the Department of Infrastructure Delivery would be created under the portfolio of the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure.
He said the new Department would be created by rearranging staff in existing Departments with no extra staffing or operational costs.
“Since returning to government from the private sector, Ross Rolfe has held both the positions of Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Coordinator-General,” Mr Beattie said.
“In that time Mr Rolfe has been responsible for accelerating the development of road, rail, port and water infrastructure to service Queensland’s burgeoning growth.
“In particular he has focussed on planning and implementing the South East Queensland Water grid, overseeing the implementation of the Health Action Plan, overseeing the response to Cyclone Larry, leading new initiatives to attract skilled workers to fill areas of skill shortage, overseeing the implementation of the $66 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and facilitating the development of many major projects.
“More recently Mr Rolfe spearheaded initiatives to streamline approvals processes on critical infrastructure by amending the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act.
“This new machinery of government change will now allow Mr Rolfe to concentrate on whole-of-government policy co-ordination.
“The new Department of Infrastructure Delivery will be headed by former Director-General of Education and the Arts, Ken Smith. He will also be the new Coordinator-General.
“Mr Smith was to have taken up an overseas posting but will now remain here to oversee the delivery of our infrastructure program.”
Mr Smith is a highly-experienced Director-General, having headed the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Planning; Families and Disability Services; Employment and Training and Education and the Arts.
He brings with him a vast amount of experience and knowledge, including overseeing the delivery of the Department of Education’s capital program – the second largest capital spending of all Departments.
In addition, Mr Smith’s experience as Director-General of the Department of Local Government and Planning will be invaluable for his administration of the Office of Urban Management.
Mr Beattie said he would also be taking the opportunity to move the Government’s Trade policy area back into his Department.
I wish both Ross and Ken well in their new roles and I’m sure you will join with me in congratulating them on their appointments.
The new arrangements apply from 15 January 2007.
Prior to that time, Mr Smith will conduct a review of the operations of the Europe Queensland Government Trade and Investment Office, to enhance its role in capturing trade opportunities for Queensland companies.
6 December, 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Mr Beattie said the Department of Infrastructure Delivery would be created under the portfolio of the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure.
He said the new Department would be created by rearranging staff in existing Departments with no extra staffing or operational costs.
“Since returning to government from the private sector, Ross Rolfe has held both the positions of Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Coordinator-General,” Mr Beattie said.
“In that time Mr Rolfe has been responsible for accelerating the development of road, rail, port and water infrastructure to service Queensland’s burgeoning growth.
“In particular he has focussed on planning and implementing the South East Queensland Water grid, overseeing the implementation of the Health Action Plan, overseeing the response to Cyclone Larry, leading new initiatives to attract skilled workers to fill areas of skill shortage, overseeing the implementation of the $66 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and facilitating the development of many major projects.
“More recently Mr Rolfe spearheaded initiatives to streamline approvals processes on critical infrastructure by amending the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act.
“This new machinery of government change will now allow Mr Rolfe to concentrate on whole-of-government policy co-ordination.
“The new Department of Infrastructure Delivery will be headed by former Director-General of Education and the Arts, Ken Smith. He will also be the new Coordinator-General.
“Mr Smith was to have taken up an overseas posting but will now remain here to oversee the delivery of our infrastructure program.”
Mr Smith is a highly-experienced Director-General, having headed the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Planning; Families and Disability Services; Employment and Training and Education and the Arts.
He brings with him a vast amount of experience and knowledge, including overseeing the delivery of the Department of Education’s capital program – the second largest capital spending of all Departments.
In addition, Mr Smith’s experience as Director-General of the Department of Local Government and Planning will be invaluable for his administration of the Office of Urban Management.
Mr Beattie said he would also be taking the opportunity to move the Government’s Trade policy area back into his Department.
I wish both Ross and Ken well in their new roles and I’m sure you will join with me in congratulating them on their appointments.
The new arrangements apply from 15 January 2007.
Prior to that time, Mr Smith will conduct a review of the operations of the Europe Queensland Government Trade and Investment Office, to enhance its role in capturing trade opportunities for Queensland companies.
6 December, 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500