Published Wednesday, 28 February, 2007 at 04:05 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
BEATTIE TAKES LEAD ON BIG ISSUES
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has created a new, high-powered division in his own Department to drive innovative responses to climate change and other big challenges facing Queensland.
Mr Beattie said he would personally set the priorities for the new Future Strategies Division.
“The first tasks set for the new unit are to coordinate Queensland’s response to climate change, spearhead its drive to develop clean coal technology and develop an effective emission trading scheme,” Mr Beattie said.
“We can not rely on the Federal Government to provide the national leadership needed to tackle the big challenges like climate change.
“Queensland has shown enormous leadership already. We are investing heavily in clean coal technology, have agreed with other State governments to establish a national carbon trading scheme and are setting up a Climate Change Centre of Excellence.
“This new capacity in my Department will ensure we keep the momentum going, coordinate all the activities of the Queensland Government and provide the creativity and innovation needed to make things happen quickly.”
The Premier announced details of the new Future Strategies Division in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet when he addressed the Economic Political Overview forum of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia in Brisbane today.
Mr Beattie said his Director-General, Ross Rolfe was leading the establishment of the new unit and staff were already hard at work attacking the climate change challenge.
“Climate Change is one of the great challenges facing Queensland and the world – it can’t be ignored.” Mr Beattie said.
“The Smart State will light the path to the future.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland continued to demonstrate why it is the economic powerhouse of Australia. We are experiencing a great shift to Queensland in terms of economic power, population growth and intellectual dynamism.
“Queensland has emerged as the national leader on so many of the critical issues facing Australia and our new status is increasingly being reflected in national and international forums,” Mr Beattie said.
The Future Strategies Division will ensure Queensland is at the forefront on a number of priority issues. It will:
• drive an ambitious forward strategy program on issues of national importance;
• aggressively represent Queensland's economic and social interests at a national level;
• develop innovative strategies and policies based on latest thinking and research; and
• identify new ways of collaboration and cooperation between jurisdictions to enhance the Australian Federation.
Some of the critical issues include:
• climate change, including emissions trading options and energy policy and the development of new clean coal technologies;
• northern economic triangle development; and
• reform of key social services, including a new focus on Indigenous policy.
Mr Beattie said Queensland was experiencing unprecedented economic expansion.
“This has brought enormous economic benefits and prosperity to Queensland but has also thrown up challenges,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are determined to meet those challenges by providing national leadership now and into the future.”
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
28 February 2006
Mr Beattie said he would personally set the priorities for the new Future Strategies Division.
“The first tasks set for the new unit are to coordinate Queensland’s response to climate change, spearhead its drive to develop clean coal technology and develop an effective emission trading scheme,” Mr Beattie said.
“We can not rely on the Federal Government to provide the national leadership needed to tackle the big challenges like climate change.
“Queensland has shown enormous leadership already. We are investing heavily in clean coal technology, have agreed with other State governments to establish a national carbon trading scheme and are setting up a Climate Change Centre of Excellence.
“This new capacity in my Department will ensure we keep the momentum going, coordinate all the activities of the Queensland Government and provide the creativity and innovation needed to make things happen quickly.”
The Premier announced details of the new Future Strategies Division in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet when he addressed the Economic Political Overview forum of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia in Brisbane today.
Mr Beattie said his Director-General, Ross Rolfe was leading the establishment of the new unit and staff were already hard at work attacking the climate change challenge.
“Climate Change is one of the great challenges facing Queensland and the world – it can’t be ignored.” Mr Beattie said.
“The Smart State will light the path to the future.”
Mr Beattie said Queensland continued to demonstrate why it is the economic powerhouse of Australia. We are experiencing a great shift to Queensland in terms of economic power, population growth and intellectual dynamism.
“Queensland has emerged as the national leader on so many of the critical issues facing Australia and our new status is increasingly being reflected in national and international forums,” Mr Beattie said.
The Future Strategies Division will ensure Queensland is at the forefront on a number of priority issues. It will:
• drive an ambitious forward strategy program on issues of national importance;
• aggressively represent Queensland's economic and social interests at a national level;
• develop innovative strategies and policies based on latest thinking and research; and
• identify new ways of collaboration and cooperation between jurisdictions to enhance the Australian Federation.
Some of the critical issues include:
• climate change, including emissions trading options and energy policy and the development of new clean coal technologies;
• northern economic triangle development; and
• reform of key social services, including a new focus on Indigenous policy.
Mr Beattie said Queensland was experiencing unprecedented economic expansion.
“This has brought enormous economic benefits and prosperity to Queensland but has also thrown up challenges,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are determined to meet those challenges by providing national leadership now and into the future.”
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
28 February 2006