Welford to leave legacy of achievement

Minister for Education and Training, Minister for the Arts and Member for Everton, Rod Welford, has announced he will not contest the seat of Everton at the next state election.

“I have been considering my political future for some time given that by the election next year I will be in my 20th year in Parliament,” Mr Welford said. “I am now satisfied that it is time to pursue some other ambitions”

“It has been an honour and a privilege to have represented the people of Everton and the former electorate of Stafford since I was elected to Parliament in 1989. I have thoroughly enjoyed representing the people in my electorate.

“It has been wonderful to have been able to work in the areas of government that I am most passionate about – education and training, the arts, justice, natural resources and the environment.

“It has been a truly inspiring journey for me and I feel truly blessed that I have been able to make a real and enduring difference in these portfolio areas.

“I am particularly fortunate that during my time in Parliament, I have spent only two of those years not in Government. I have been lucky to have worked with people who are amongst our State’s most outstanding leaders – Wayne Goss, Peter Beattie and now Anna Bligh.

“While I will not be seeking re-election at the next state election, I am determined to finish a number of major projects and initiatives in my current portfolio areas of education, training and the arts.

“Having made the decision to leave Parliament, I feel a greater sense of urgency to complete what I have started so that before the next election I can leave a legacy of sound educational policy in a future-focused education system. There is still a lot more that I want to do.”

Mr Welford said there was important work to be completed before next year’s election including:

• implementing the next phase of the $850 million State Schools of Tomorrow program to modernise our schools
• formulating a renewed vision for public education in Queensland
• working with the Federal Government to progress implementation of its Education Revolution
• announcing a new “Year of” theme for all Queensland state schools following the Year of Physical Activity this year
• continuing to address the skills shortage through the updated Queensland Skills Plan 2008
• producing a Queensland Design Strategy and plans for an Asia Pacific Centre for Design
• ensuring that Queensland continues to make its mark on the international art scene through more blockbuster exhibitions at the Queensland Art Gallery.

“I will of course carry on representing the people of Everton and I thank all of the voters of Everton for their continued support,” Mr Welford said.

“I would also like to thank my family, friends and colleagues for their encouragement and help during my years in Parliament. I would not have achieved all that I have without them.”

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985

Achievements

Rod Welford entered State Parliament as the Member for Stafford in 1989 and was re-elected as the Member for Everton between 1992 and 2006.

Education and the Arts (July 2005 to present)

• Introduced a new school curriculum which provides greater consistency across classrooms and continuity across year levels in what is taught and how it is assessed and reported in Queensland schools through the implementation of the Queensland Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting framework.
• Oversaw the successful implementation of the Prep Year in all Queensland schools
• Accelerated the $120 million Asbestos Roof Replacement Program so that it was completed seven-and-a-half years ahead of schedule
• Introduced a new Code of School Behaviour outlining clear expectations of behaviour standards
• Created the State Schools of Tomorrow program of wholesale renewal of our oldest State schools under the $1 billion Tomorrow’s Schools Initiative
• Put a renewed focus on teacher professionalism and professional development through the establishment of the Queensland College of Teachers
• Introduced the Smart Moves program to mandate 30 minutes a day of physical activity in primary schools and two hours a week in secondary
• Initiated the Year of Physical Activity for Queensland state schools – the first “Year of” theme for state schools which will continue for years to come
• Introduced new literacy and numeracy strategies to develop higher literacy and numeracy standards
• Provided greater specialist education options for students through the establishment of the Queensland Academies, Aviation High and the Queensland College of Wine Tourism
• Committed $70 million over four years to provide every permanent state school and TAFE teacher (working two or more days a week) with a laptop computer
• Oversaw the completion of the Cultural Centre redevelopment, which included the new Gallery of Modern Art and refurbished State Library of Queensland
• Unveiled a new blueprint for Queensland’s arts sector to provide more professional and economic opportunities for established and emerging artists and ensure the sector’s sustainability

Training (September 2006 to present)

• Increased the number of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships and on target to reach 12 400 commencements in 2009
• Shortened the durations for up to 75 apprenticeships to get apprentices through their training more quickly to address the skills shortage
• Introduced a $1000 early completion bonus to encourage apprentices in key trade areas to complete their apprenticeships more quickly

Attorney-General and Justice (February 2004 to July 2005)

• Reformed sentencing practice to address violent street offences
• Introduced greater protections for children giving evidence in court
• Established a new coronial system and new Office of State Coroner
• Reformed the Law of Negligence to reduce legal costs in Personal Injuries claims
• Established the Legal Services Commission and new Legal Practice Tribunal, breaking the control of the Law Society over legal profession discipline
• Extended anti-discrimination laws to protect gay and transgender people in employment including in educational institutions
• Crafted the first Serious Dangerous Offender laws in Australia to allow for preventive detention of serious sex offenders – laws subsequently upheld in the High Court

Environment and Natural Resources (June 1998 to February 2004)

• Established the Environmental Protection Agency
• Created the policy for Queensland’s first solar water heater rebate scheme
• Designed the Vegetation Management laws that enabled Australia to meet its Kyoto target
• Set up the first large scale water efficiency program in Australia (long before water shortages made these programs common fare)
• Introduced the first State Coastal Management Plan to protect Qld coastal beaches
• Negotiated the only Regional Forest Agreement in Australia that received universal support of the timber industry and conservation organisations
• The RFA delivered an extra 425,000 ha of National Parks
• Established the Qld Parks and Wildlife Service
• Initiated action to save the Bilby from extinction