Published Wednesday, 07 February, 2007 at 04:51 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
BEATTIE: ECONOMY, WATER & EDUCATION TOP 2006 ACHIEVEMENTS
Premier Peter Beattie promised another year of delivery in 2007, when he tabled the Government’s 2006 achievements in Parliament today.
Mr Beattie said the State’s strong economic record was reinforced throughout 2006.
“Queensland’s net worth reached over $100 billion in 2006, the highest per capita net worth in the country,” Mr Beattie said.
“We have maintained state taxes at 15 percent lower than the national average, improved the efficiency of government services, and invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to accommodate Queensland’s impressive economic and population growth.
“In every month of 2006-07, our unemployment rate has been below the rest of the country, and has continuously fallen to the 4.1 percent recorded in December. This is the lowest rate on record and around half the rate we inherited from the Coalition in 1998.
“Between January and August 2006 alone, Queensland created nearly 88,700 jobs - over one third of the jobs created in the entire country. In February 2006, the number of people employed in Queensland reached 2 million for the first time.”
Mr Beattie said the Government was also working to secure future water supplies for the State.
“We have begun planning for a state-wide water grid to expand and improve connection between water facilities across the state. Many of the projects that will eventually become the water grid are already well underway.
“We have introduced state-wide water-saving incentives through the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme, and are focused on securing water supplies for the South-East, where the drought is at its worst.
“And we are also focused on securing water supplies for the South-East, where the drought is at its worst.
“Currently our dams and other water storage facilities are separated. In 2006 we began work to deliver the water grid to SEQ, which will connect these facilities, as well as provide new water storage facilities, so that water can be moved where it is needed most,” he said.
The Premier said the Government’s Smart State vision continued to be advanced.
“Our children will have the best ever chance of reaching their full potential with the introduction of the full-time, non-compulsory Preparatory Year.
“The Government will spend $1 billion over the next five years (2006-2010) to modernise and build new school facilities across the state in the most comprehensive school renewal program ever undertaken in Queensland.
“And we have invested in world-class research facilities to attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“We have invested in world-class research facilities to attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“In 2006, almost $74 million was allocated from the $200 million Smart State Innovation Fund for important initiatives such as the Queensland Smart Water Research facility (Griffith University), the Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct (James Cook University) and the Smart State Premiers Fellowship awarded to Professor Ian Frazer.
“The Government continues to renew Queensland’s health system through the $9.7 billion Health Action Plan.
“Vigorous international and interstate recruitment campaigns have ensured we have more clinical staff working in our public hospitals today than ever before.
“We have also improved patient safety through measures such as the new strengthened Health Quality and Complaints Commission to oversee the management of consumer and staff complaints about our health system and to properly monitor and improve the quality of our health services in Queensland.
“And significantly, we have delivered Queensland’s most exciting arts infrastructure development in 20 years - the $322.5 million Millennium Arts Project, featuring the largest modern art gallery in Australia and a world-class State Library.
“This addition to South Bank will allow future generations of Queenslanders to embrace and celebrate a dynamic cultural precinct right here in our State.
“This is a Government of action. 2007 will be a year of delivery as we roll-out the largest infrastructure program Queensland has ever seen,” he said.
Report can be accessed online at http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/library/office/Achievements2006.doc
Media contact: 3224 4500
Mr Beattie said the State’s strong economic record was reinforced throughout 2006.
“Queensland’s net worth reached over $100 billion in 2006, the highest per capita net worth in the country,” Mr Beattie said.
“We have maintained state taxes at 15 percent lower than the national average, improved the efficiency of government services, and invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to accommodate Queensland’s impressive economic and population growth.
“In every month of 2006-07, our unemployment rate has been below the rest of the country, and has continuously fallen to the 4.1 percent recorded in December. This is the lowest rate on record and around half the rate we inherited from the Coalition in 1998.
“Between January and August 2006 alone, Queensland created nearly 88,700 jobs - over one third of the jobs created in the entire country. In February 2006, the number of people employed in Queensland reached 2 million for the first time.”
Mr Beattie said the Government was also working to secure future water supplies for the State.
“We have begun planning for a state-wide water grid to expand and improve connection between water facilities across the state. Many of the projects that will eventually become the water grid are already well underway.
“We have introduced state-wide water-saving incentives through the Home WaterWise Rebate Scheme, and are focused on securing water supplies for the South-East, where the drought is at its worst.
“And we are also focused on securing water supplies for the South-East, where the drought is at its worst.
“Currently our dams and other water storage facilities are separated. In 2006 we began work to deliver the water grid to SEQ, which will connect these facilities, as well as provide new water storage facilities, so that water can be moved where it is needed most,” he said.
The Premier said the Government’s Smart State vision continued to be advanced.
“Our children will have the best ever chance of reaching their full potential with the introduction of the full-time, non-compulsory Preparatory Year.
“The Government will spend $1 billion over the next five years (2006-2010) to modernise and build new school facilities across the state in the most comprehensive school renewal program ever undertaken in Queensland.
“And we have invested in world-class research facilities to attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“We have invested in world-class research facilities to attract top-quality scientists to Queensland and stimulate cutting-edge research projects.
“In 2006, almost $74 million was allocated from the $200 million Smart State Innovation Fund for important initiatives such as the Queensland Smart Water Research facility (Griffith University), the Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct (James Cook University) and the Smart State Premiers Fellowship awarded to Professor Ian Frazer.
“The Government continues to renew Queensland’s health system through the $9.7 billion Health Action Plan.
“Vigorous international and interstate recruitment campaigns have ensured we have more clinical staff working in our public hospitals today than ever before.
“We have also improved patient safety through measures such as the new strengthened Health Quality and Complaints Commission to oversee the management of consumer and staff complaints about our health system and to properly monitor and improve the quality of our health services in Queensland.
“And significantly, we have delivered Queensland’s most exciting arts infrastructure development in 20 years - the $322.5 million Millennium Arts Project, featuring the largest modern art gallery in Australia and a world-class State Library.
“This addition to South Bank will allow future generations of Queenslanders to embrace and celebrate a dynamic cultural precinct right here in our State.
“This is a Government of action. 2007 will be a year of delivery as we roll-out the largest infrastructure program Queensland has ever seen,” he said.
Report can be accessed online at http://www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/library/office/Achievements2006.doc
Media contact: 3224 4500