Published Wednesday, 31 January, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
NATIONAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SMART STATE
The latest national Productivity Report has shown Queensland continues to deliver in performance areas of education, health and child protection.
Premier Peter Beattie said the report, which looked a the 2004-2005 financial year, ranked Queensland highly across a number of key areas.
“Education is an essential part of Queensland’s Smart State future, and we continue to perform well,” Mr Beattie said.
"Since 2001, our total recurrent expenditure on government schools has increased by 20.5 percent for primary and 20.4 percent for secondary, compared to the national average of 13.2 percent and 12.1 percent.
“This is despite Queensland state schools recording the highest rate of enrolment growth in the nation from 2000 to 2005, due to strong student retention and population growth.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland was also leading the nation in new child protection funding.
“Of the $96 million increase in child protection spending in 05-06 – $54 million was here in Queensland.
"Queensland also achieved the shortest elective surgery waiting time in the nation, with 90 percent of patients admitted within 105 days and half of those within 22 days, compared with the national average of 217 days and 29 days respectively.
“And it’s important to note these results were achieved before implementation of the $9.7 billion Health Action Plan began, which will continue to improve health services across Queensland."
The report also delivered a number of other positive outcomes for Queensland including the most efficient court system in the country, and one of the most affordable; the highest per capita expenditure on ambulance services in Australia, and shorter than average response times; and the highest real expenditure on child care and preschool services at $187.2 million.
Mr Beattie said while Queensland rated well in a number of areas, he remained somewhat sceptical of the generic performance indicators used by the Commonwealth.
“Comparing the performance of states can be like comparing apples with oranges,” he said.
“The report can be useful in identifying areas where each state is excelling and where improvements can be made, but it cannot be considered a definitive assessment.
“Regardless, we will continue to work towards building a better Queensland through better education, a better health system, and improved social and community services.”
ENDS
Media: 3224 4500
Premier Peter Beattie said the report, which looked a the 2004-2005 financial year, ranked Queensland highly across a number of key areas.
“Education is an essential part of Queensland’s Smart State future, and we continue to perform well,” Mr Beattie said.
"Since 2001, our total recurrent expenditure on government schools has increased by 20.5 percent for primary and 20.4 percent for secondary, compared to the national average of 13.2 percent and 12.1 percent.
“This is despite Queensland state schools recording the highest rate of enrolment growth in the nation from 2000 to 2005, due to strong student retention and population growth.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland was also leading the nation in new child protection funding.
“Of the $96 million increase in child protection spending in 05-06 – $54 million was here in Queensland.
"Queensland also achieved the shortest elective surgery waiting time in the nation, with 90 percent of patients admitted within 105 days and half of those within 22 days, compared with the national average of 217 days and 29 days respectively.
“And it’s important to note these results were achieved before implementation of the $9.7 billion Health Action Plan began, which will continue to improve health services across Queensland."
The report also delivered a number of other positive outcomes for Queensland including the most efficient court system in the country, and one of the most affordable; the highest per capita expenditure on ambulance services in Australia, and shorter than average response times; and the highest real expenditure on child care and preschool services at $187.2 million.
Mr Beattie said while Queensland rated well in a number of areas, he remained somewhat sceptical of the generic performance indicators used by the Commonwealth.
“Comparing the performance of states can be like comparing apples with oranges,” he said.
“The report can be useful in identifying areas where each state is excelling and where improvements can be made, but it cannot be considered a definitive assessment.
“Regardless, we will continue to work towards building a better Queensland through better education, a better health system, and improved social and community services.”
ENDS
Media: 3224 4500