RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS - Queensland Parliament ...

2280 Privilege 31 Oct 2012
resource and infrastructure project supply chains; streamlining and fast-tracking the assessment of
major projects; releasing draft statutory regional plans for the Darling Downs and Central Queensland;
development of a single Queensland state planning policy which will be released for public comment
and then adoption in early 2013; and progressing the strategic assessment for the Great Barrier Reef. In
saying that, I commend the efforts of Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney to cut red tape and regulation and
develop a single Queensland state planning policy for adoption in early 2013. I welcome the transferring
of land use powers back to the local government for better coordination with other development
functions, as ongoing separation of development planning and assessment functions between council
and state government does not make economic or structural sense and has been an example of
unnecessary inefficiency and duplication of development functions.
I turn now to the Energy and Water Supply portfolio. Savings of $35.6 million will be achieved
through initiatives including energy sector reform, sustainable energy projects, water and sewerage
planning, water supply and water demand regulatory arrangements, cessation of redundant carbon
schemes and efficiencies as a result of organisational review. We will also deliver a flexible workforce by
ensuring accountable, transparent and effective corporate governance; building a skilled and
performance oriented workforce; valuing staff through effective communication and engagement;
fostering a zero harm culture; ensuring business continuity; retention of corporate knowledge; and
developing systems to support robust advice, decision making, monitoring and reporting. I also
commend Minister McArdle, as this report highlights one of the reform strengths of this government—
energy reform. Related programs will lead to budget savings of $35.6 million in 2012-13.
The rising cost of utilities has been crippling, particularly for vulnerable groups including
pensioners and single-income families. Reforms like the creation of the bulk water entity are designed to
directly address the inefficiencies that are driving these cost pressures, while the 30-year plan
acknowledged the need to evolve with market dynamics and technologies. I look forward to the
opportunity to further promote the benefits of these reforms to businesses and consumers when the
Minister for Energy and Water Supply, Mark McArdle, hosts an energy forum at the Sandgate Town Hall
during the month of November.
In regard to the portfolio of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth
Games, some of the highlights are: negotiating to attract new aviation businesses and routes into
Queensland, streamlining our service to small businesses by making it simpler to do business with
government, supporting key partners in improving access for tourism and ecotourism operators in and
near national parks, progressing preparations for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and
working with investors and project proponents to encourage the development of new tourism products in
Queensland. Last, but certainly not least, I commend Minister Stuckey and welcome over $40 million for
tourism and events development.
As the member for Sandgate, I am keen to work with the government and local stakeholders in
finding ways to promote the potential of the idyllic bayside suburbs that I represent, as I believe that the
Sandgate electorate has so much to offer with regard to tourism which, of course, would greatly assist
the small business owners in the area as well. I note that funding for training courses for small
businesses have been cut in this budget, but the $9.6 million for business-to-government services will
assist these businesses to access otherwise scarce information and resources through the use of
technology.
So where to from here? Ultimately, I think all of this means that we have a government that is
willing to work with individuals, a government that is willing to work with businesses and a government
that has a plan. We can roll all of this into our four-pillar economy and I am proud to say that
Queensland is open for business.
Debate, on motion of Ms Millard, adjourned.
PRIVILEGE
Release of Cabinet Documents
Ms PALASZCZUK (Inala—ALP) (Leader of the Opposition) (5.01 pm): I seek leave of the House
to table various redacted cabinet minutes of meetings which considered the cabinet documents of the
previous government relating to the IBM contract and the Health payroll which I tabled in the House
earlier today.
Leave granted.
Tabled paper: Cabinet Budget Review Committee—Minutes of Meeting held on 8 July 2010 [1426R].
Tabled paper: Cabinet Budget Review Committee—Minutes of Meeting held on 18 November 2010 [1426S].
Tabled paper: Cabinet Budget Review Committee—Minutes of Meeting held on 14 October 2011 [1426T].
Tabled paper: Cabinet Budget Review Committee—Minutes of Meeting held on 1 December 2011 [1426U].