Published Monday, 19 March, 2007 at 04:24 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
PREMIER RELEASES BUSINESS GRANT DETAILS
Premier Peter Beattie today released commercial-in-confidence information about business grants made by the Queensland Government eight years ago.
Mr Beattie said the release of the information was in line with a commitment he made in amendments to the Freedom of Information Act.
“Under the Queensland Investment Incentive Scheme (QIIS) the Government provides targeted financial support, if and when required, to influence the location of important projects and the attraction of leading companies to the State,” Mr Beattie said.
“We make no secret of this fact and our Government has been very successful in attracting companies to Queensland.
“This has created jobs and business opportunities for thousands of Queenslanders.
“We have not previously released information about these individual grants because it is commercial-in-confidence and would destroy any competitive advantage we have over other States competing for these businesses.
“It also protects taxpayers funds because it prevents bidding wars between companies vying for government grants.
“However, in 2004 I announced amendments to the Freedom of Information Act to strike a balance between the imperative of open government and the need to protect commercial-in-confidence information about government grants.
“Under these amendments I announced that the government would release information about the individual amounts of QIIS incentives after a period of eight years.
“The first of these grants, based on the date the offer was accepted, are now due for release.
“As part of the amendment I indicated that this information would be made available under FOI however in the interests of openness and transparency I am releasing the information today rather than people having to go to the trouble of seeking it under FOI.”
Minister for State Development John Mickel, said using the eight year policy, details of grants would now be published in the State Development annual report each year.
“As the eight year period elapses the details of each grant will published in the annual report,” Mr Mickel said.
For more information regarding the grants please contact the Premiers office.
Monday, 19 March 2007
Premier’s Office - 3224 4500
Minister for State Development - 3224 7349
Mr Beattie said the release of the information was in line with a commitment he made in amendments to the Freedom of Information Act.
“Under the Queensland Investment Incentive Scheme (QIIS) the Government provides targeted financial support, if and when required, to influence the location of important projects and the attraction of leading companies to the State,” Mr Beattie said.
“We make no secret of this fact and our Government has been very successful in attracting companies to Queensland.
“This has created jobs and business opportunities for thousands of Queenslanders.
“We have not previously released information about these individual grants because it is commercial-in-confidence and would destroy any competitive advantage we have over other States competing for these businesses.
“It also protects taxpayers funds because it prevents bidding wars between companies vying for government grants.
“However, in 2004 I announced amendments to the Freedom of Information Act to strike a balance between the imperative of open government and the need to protect commercial-in-confidence information about government grants.
“Under these amendments I announced that the government would release information about the individual amounts of QIIS incentives after a period of eight years.
“The first of these grants, based on the date the offer was accepted, are now due for release.
“As part of the amendment I indicated that this information would be made available under FOI however in the interests of openness and transparency I am releasing the information today rather than people having to go to the trouble of seeking it under FOI.”
Minister for State Development John Mickel, said using the eight year policy, details of grants would now be published in the State Development annual report each year.
“As the eight year period elapses the details of each grant will published in the annual report,” Mr Mickel said.
For more information regarding the grants please contact the Premiers office.
Monday, 19 March 2007
Premier’s Office - 3224 4500
Minister for State Development - 3224 7349