Annual Progress Report 2008–09 - Queensland Parliament...Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland Annual Progress Report 2008–09 3 In just 12 months my government has worked hard to

Annual Progress Report 2008–09

1Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland Annual Progress Report 2008–09

Table of contents

Message from the Premier .................................................................................................. 3

Q2 Performance snapshot ................................................................................................... 4

Strong ..................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Green ....................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Smart ....................................................................................................................................................................... 28

Healthy .................................................................................................................................................................. 32

Fair ............................................................................................................................................................................... 40

© The State of Queensland (Department of the Premier and Cabinet) 2009.

Published by the Queensland Government, November 2009, 100 George St, Brisbane Qld, 4000.

The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. However, copyright protects this document. The State of Queensland has no objection to this material being reproduced, made available online or electronically but only if it is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered. Copyright enquiries about this publication should be directed to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, by email to [email protected] or in writing to PO Box 15185, City East, Qld 4002.

For further information about this publication, contact 1800 082 105 or visit www.towardQ2.qld.gov.au

ISSN 1837-5758

This document has been printed on environmentally friendly paper.

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In just 12 months my government has worked hard to deliver on our vision for tomorrow – Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland. It is a vision that outlines five ambitions and 10 long-term, measurable targets for shaping our state for future generations and addressing the challenges of the 21st century.

Toward Q2 charts the course for a strong, green, smart, healthy and fair Queensland. The targets are bold and are meant to stretch us.

Achieving them requires shared responsibility by government and the community.

The financial landscape has changed significantly in the past year. What has not changed is my government’s determination to keep focused on building Tomorrow’s Queensland. These targets are even more important in tough times.

Despite the economic downturn we have made progress toward the targets. This report on the progress of Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland indicates that our commitment is paying off.

We are investing $18.2 billion in infrastructure to protect jobs and keep Queensland’s economy growing.

We are tackling climate change, reducing our carbon footprint and protecting our natural landscapes.

We are making sure our children reach their potential while skilling Queenslanders for the future.

We are committed to transforming Queenslanders into Australia’s healthiest people and expanding our busiest emergency departments and hospitals.

We are creating a fair Queensland, with safer and more caring communities.

Mine is a government that is looking across the horizon and to the future. I am committed more than ever to building Tomorrow’s Queensland.

Anna Bligh MP

Premier of Queensland

Message from the Premier

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Q2 Performance snapshot

Ambition Targets Current performance

StrongCreating a diverse economy powered by bright ideas

2020 Target: Queensland is Australia’s strongest economy, with infrastructure that anticipates growth

September 2009 updateQueensland recorded economic growth of 0.8 per cent in 2008–09, compared with the rest of Australia at 1.1 per cent. The 2008–09 figure is a preliminary financial year growth estimate.

BaselineQueensland’s economic growth (5.9 per cent) was second only to Western Australia (6.3 per cent) and well above the national average (3.3 per cent) in 2006–07. The Q2 baseline growth figure for 2006–07 of 5.9 per cent has since been revised to 5.2 per cent as a result of ABS revisions to data.

Source: Office of Economic and Statistical Research, Queensland Treasury, Queensland State Accounts, June quarter 2009. Note: Economic growth estimates are subject to revision following the incorporation of updated data or the adoption of improved methods.

The Q2 baseline growth figure for 2006–07 of 5.9 per cent has since been revised to 5.2 per cent as a result of ABS revisions to data. The 2008–09 figure is a preliminary financial year growth estimate.

2020 Target: Increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queensland businesses undertaking research and development or innovation

September 2009 update36 per cent of Queensland businesses were innovating in 2006–07. This was the best performance in the nation. The baseline figure for Queensland businesses innovating is still current as it is measured every two years. The 2008–09 data will be available mid 2010.

Baseline36 per cent of Queensland businesses were innovating in 2006–07. This was the best performance in the nation.

Source: ABS Innovation in Australian Business (Cat. No. 8158.0).



StrongCreating a diverse economy powered by bright ideas

2020 Target: Queensland is Australia’s strongest economy, with infrastructure that anticipates growth

September 2009 updateQueensland recorded economic growth of 0.8 per cent in 2008–09, compared with the rest of Australia at 1.1 per cent. The 2008–09 figure is a preliminary financial year growth estimate.

BaselineQueensland’s economic growth (5.9 per cent) was second only to Western Australia (6.3 per cent) and well above the national average (3.3 per cent) in 2006–07. The Q2 baseline growth figure for 2006–07 of 5.9 per cent has since been revised to 5.2 per cent as a result of ABS revisions to data.

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Source: Office of Economic and Statistical Research, Queensland Treasury, Queensland State Accounts, June quarter 2009. Note: Economic growth estimates are subject to revision following the incorporation of updated data or the adoption of improved methods.

The Q2 baseline growth figure for 2006–07 of 5.9 per cent has since been revised to 5.2 per cent as a result of ABS revisions to data. The 2008–09 figure is a preliminary financial year growth estimate.

2020 Target: Increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queensland businesses undertaking research and development or innovation

September 2009 update36 per cent of Queensland businesses were innovating in 2006–07. This was the best performance in the nation. The baseline figure for Queensland businesses innovating is still current as it is measured every two years. The 2008–09 data will be available mid 2010.

Baseline36 per cent of Queensland businesses were innovating in 2006–07. This was the best performance in the nation.

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GreenProtecting our lifestyle and environment

2020 Target: Cut by one-third Queenslanders’ carbon footprint with reduced car and electricity use

September 2009 updateThe average Queensland household carbon footprint was 13.10 tonnes in 2007–08 (most recent data). This comprised:

Electricity emissions: 8.05 tonnes•

Fuel related emissions: 4.01 tonnes•

Waste related emissions: 1.04 tonnes.•

BaselineThe average Queensland household carbon footprint was 13.77 tonnes in 2006–07. This comprised:




Source: Preliminary modelling undertaken by Ecofund based on indicative future trends for relevant emissions sources.

2020 Target: Protect 50 per cent more land for nature conservation and public recreation

September 2009 updateLand for nature conservationAs at 30 September 2009, eight million hectares of land was protected in national park estate.

Land for public recreationA register has been established to centrally and consistently measure and report on the amount of land for public recreation across Queensland. To date, 81,000 hectares of land for public recreation has been identified in South-East Queensland using this register.

BaselineLand for nature conservationAs at 30 June 2008, 7.6 million hectares of land was protected in national park estate.

Land for public recreationInformation was not available at time of Q2 release. Register and baseline to be established to measure progress against the target.

Source: Based on Department of Environment and Resource Management data.



GreenProtecting our lifestyle and environment

2020 Target: Cut by one-third Queenslanders’ carbon footprint with reduced car and electricity use

September 2009 updateThe average Queensland household carbon footprint was 13.10 tonnes in 2007–08 (most recent data). This comprised:




BaselineThe average Queensland household carbon footprint was 13.77 tonnes in 2006–07. This comprised:




Preliminary modelling of average Queensland household carbon footprint

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Residual household carbon footprintAverage annual household carbon footprint

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The challenge for community and governments

Toward Q2 Target = 9.18 tonnes per annum by 2020

With policies in place

No policies in place


2020 Target: Protect 50 per cent more land for nature conservation and public recreation

September 2009 updateLand for nature conservationAs at 30 September 2009, eight million hectares of land was protected in national park estate.

Land for public recreationA register has been established to centrally and consistently measure and report on the amount of land for public recreation across Queensland. To date, 81,000 hectares of land for public recreation has been identified in South-East Queensland using this register.

BaselineLand for nature conservationAs at 30 June 2008, 7.6 million hectares of land was protected in national park estate.

Land for public recreationInformation was not available at time of Q2 release. Register and baseline to be established to measure progress against the target.

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SmartDelivering world-class education and training

2020 Target: All children will have access to a quality early childhood education so they are ready for school

September 2009 update29 per cent of Queensland children of kindergarten age (3½–4½) participated in an early education program delivered by a qualified teacher in 2008. This was the lowest in Australia. Across the rest of the nation, participation exceeded 80 per cent and was as high as 96 per cent in some states. Enrolments are expected to grow significantly as we roll-out 240 additional kindergarten services from 2010–11 to 2013–14.

Baseline29 per cent of Queensland children of kindergarten age (3½–4½) participated in an early education program delivered by a qualified teacher in 2007. This was the lowest in Australia. Across the rest of the nation, participation exceeded 85 per cent and was as high as 96 per cent in some states.

Source: Office for Early Childhood Education and Care, Department of Education and Training.

2020 Target: Three out of four Queenslanders will hold trade, training or tertiary qualifications

September 2009 update51.4 per cent of Queenslanders aged 25–64 held a Certificate III or higher tertiary qualification in 2008.

Baseline50 per cent of Queenslanders aged 25–64 held a Certificate III or higher tertiary qualification in 2007.

Source: ABS Survey of Education and Work (cat. no. 6227.0). (Note: 2006 data is based on ABS Census data; 2007, 2008 data is based on ABS Survey of Education and Work estimates with acceptable error band (less than 2 points)). Future performance will be based on ABS Survey of Education and Work and future national census data.



SmartDelivering world-class education and training

2020 Target: All children will have access to a quality early childhood education so they are ready for school

September 2009 update29 per cent of Queensland children of kindergarten age (3½–4½) participated in an early education program delivered by a qualified teacher in 2008. This was the lowest in Australia. Across the rest of the nation, participation exceeded 80 per cent and was as high as 96 per cent in some states. Enrolments are expected to grow significantly as we roll-out 240 additional kindergarten services from 2010–11 to 2013–14.

Baseline29 per cent of Queensland children of kindergarten age (3½–4½) participated in an early education program delivered by a qualified teacher in 2007. This was the lowest in Australia. Across the rest of the nation, participation exceeded 85 per cent and was as high as 96 per cent in some states.

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2020 Target: Three out of four Queenslanders will hold trade, training or tertiary qualifications

September 2009 update51.4 per cent of Queenslanders aged 25–64 held a Certificate III or higher tertiary qualification in 2008.

Baseline50 per cent of Queenslanders aged 25–64 held a Certificate III or higher tertiary qualification in 2007.

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HealthyMaking Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people

2020 Target: Cut by one-third obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and unsafe sun exposure

September 2009 updateOverweight/obese (2009)Men: 62.8 per cent Women: 47.8 per cent

Daily smoking (2009)Men: 17.5 per cent Women: 14.4 per cent

BaselineOverweight/obese (2005)Men: 60.3 per cent Women: 41.3 per cent


Source: Self reported health and weight baseline measure from 2004–05, ABS National Health Survey and current measure from 2009 Queensland Health CATI Survey. Derived from self reported height and weight data collected by telephone interview.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), National Drug Strategy Household Survey – State and Territory Supplement (2007 data) and current measure from 2009 Queensland Health CATI Survey. Next data point for the rest of Australia is 2010, available late 2011.



HealthyMaking Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people

2020 Target: Cut by one-third obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and unsafe sun exposure

September 2009 updateOverweight/obese (2009)Men: 62.8 per cent Women: 47.8 per cent


BaselineOverweight/obese (2005)Men: 60.3 per cent Women: 41.3 per cent


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Queensland Q2 Target Current trend

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Healthy 2020 Target: Cut by one-third obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and unsafe sun exposure

(continued)

September 2009 updateHeavy drinking (risky/high risk) (2007)Men: 11.5 per cent (29 or more standard drinks per week) Women: 12.1 per cent (15 or more standard drinks per week)

The baseline figure for heavy drinking is still current as it is measured annually and the data will be available late 2009.

Unsafe sun exposure (2009)Queenslanders: 13 per cent were sunburnt on a summer weekend.

BaselineHeavy drinking (risky/high risk) (2007)Men: 11.5 per cent (29 or more standard drinks per week) Women: 12.1 per cent (15 or more standard drinks per week)

Unsafe sun exposure (2006–07)Queenslanders: 15 per cent were sunburnt on a summer weekend.

Source: AIHW, National Drug Strategy Household Survey – State and Territory Supplement (2007 data). Next data point is 2010, available late 2011.

Source: National Sun Protection Survey (baseline data from 2006–07) and current measure from 2009 Queensland and Health CATI Survey.



Healthy 2020 Target: Cut by one-third obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and unsafe sun exposure

(continued)

September 2009 updateHeavy drinking (risky/high risk) (2007)Men: 11.5 per cent (29 or more standard drinks per week) Women: 12.1 per cent (15 or more standard drinks per week)

The baseline figure for heavy drinking is still current as it is measured annually and the data will be available late 2009.

Unsafe sun exposure (2009)Queenslanders: 13 per cent were sunburnt on a summer weekend.

BaselineHeavy drinking (risky/high risk) (2007)Men: 11.5 per cent (29 or more standard drinks per week) Women: 12.1 per cent (15 or more standard drinks per week)

Unsafe sun exposure (2006–07)Queenslanders: 15 per cent were sunburnt on a summer weekend. Ri

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Queensland Rest of AustraliaQ2 Target Current trend

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Healthy 2020 Target: Queensland will have the shortest public hospital waiting times in Australia

September 2009 updateElective surgery (2007–08)Median waiting time: 27 days – best in the nation and shorter than the national average of 34 days.

Patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes: 85 per cent – second in the nation and better than the national average of 84 per cent.

BaselineElective surgery (2006–07)Median waiting time: 25 days – best in the nation and shorter than the national average of 32 days.

85 per cent of patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes (third in the nation and better than the national average of 84 per cent).

Source: Department of Health and Ageing, The State of our Public Hospitals Report (June 2009).





September 2009 updateElective surgery (2007–08)Median waiting time: 27 days – best in the nation and shorter than the national average of 34 days.

Patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes: 85 per cent – second in the nation and better than the national average of 84 per cent.

BaselineElective surgery (2006–07)Median waiting time: 25 days – best in the nation and shorter than the national average of 32 days.

85 per cent of patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes (third in the nation and better than the national average of 84 per cent).

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(continued)

September 2009 updateEmergency departments (2007–08)Median waiting time: 28 minutes – third in the nation, and longer than the national average of 24 minutes.

Patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes: 63 per cent – improved from sixth to third best in the nation and lower than the national average of 69 per cent.

BaselineEmergency departments (2006–07)Median waiting time: 29 minutes – third longest waiting time in the nation and longer than the national average of 24 minutes.

61 per cent of patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes – sixth in the nation and lower than the national average of 70 per cent.






(continued)

September 2009 updateEmergency departments (2007–08)Median waiting time: 28 minutes – third in the nation, and longer than the national average of 24 minutes.

Patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes: 63 per cent – improved from sixth to third best in the nation and lower than the national average of 69 per cent.

BaselineEmergency departments (2006–07)Median waiting time: 29 minutes – third longest waiting time in the nation and longer than the national average of 24 minutes.

61 per cent of patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes – sixth in the nation and lower than the national average of 70 per cent.

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FairSupporting safe and caring communities

2020 Target: Halve the proportion of Queensland children living in households without a working parent

September 2009 update10.9 per cent of Queensland children aged under 15 were living in a household without a working parent in 2008. This is lower than the national average of 12.9 per cent.

Baseline15.9 per cent of Queensland children under 15 years were living in a household without a working parent in 2006. This is higher than the national average of 15.8 per cent.

Source: ABS Survey of Income and Housing (ABS Cat. No. 6541.0). (Note: ABS has revised its previously incorrect published figure of 16.2 per cent, available when Toward Q2 was released 8 September 2008, to 15.9 per cent).

2020 Target: Increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queenslanders involved in their communities as volunteers

September 2009 update37.8 per cent of Queenslanders volunteered in 2006. This was higher than the national average of 34.1 per cent. This baseline figure is still current as it is measured every five years. The next data will be available in 2011.

Baseline37.8 per cent of Queenslanders volunteered in 2006. This was higher than the national average of 34.1 per cent.

Source: ABS Voluntary Work Australia (Cat. No. 4441.0).



FairSupporting safe and caring communities

2020 Target: Halve the proportion of Queensland children living in households without a working parent

September 2009 update10.9 per cent of Queensland children aged under 15 were living in a household without a working parent in 2008. This is lower than the national average of 12.9 per cent.

Baseline15.9 per cent of Queensland children under 15 years were living in a household without a working parent in 2006. This is higher than the national average of 15.8 per cent.

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Source: ABS Survey of Income and Housing (ABS Cat. No. 6541.0). (Note: ABS has revised its previously incorrect published figure of 16.2 per cent, available when Toward Q2 was released 8 September 2008, to 15.9 per cent).

2020 Target: Increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queenslanders involved in their communities as volunteers

September 2009 update37.8 per cent of Queenslanders volunteered in 2006. This was higher than the national average of 34.1 per cent. This baseline figure is still current as it is measured every five years. The next data will be available in 2011.

Baseline37.8 per cent of Queenslanders volunteered in 2006. This was higher than the national average of 34.1 per cent.

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Strong

A strong economy rests on economic growth. The target is about building a resilient, flexible and diverse economy and is central to creating and retaining jobs in our state. It is also about managing the contemporary and immediate challenges confronting Queensland, such as the emerging impacts of the global financial crisis, adapting to a low carbon economy and continuing the transformation to a 21st century economy.

The Queensland Government will monitor progress against this target by measuring Queensland’s average annual economic growth rate relative to the rest of Australia over the period to 2020.

Target: Queensland is Australia’s strongest economy, with infrastructure that anticipates growth

Consistent with national and global trends, Queensland’s economic growth has slowed.

Current economic growth figures for Queensland show that the state’s economy grew by 0.8 per cent in 2008–09, which is lower than the 1.1 per cent growth for the rest of Australia. The 2008–09 figure is a preliminary financial year growth estimate. This growth rate is better than the 0.5 per cent growth forecast in the Queensland State Budget (2008–09). Queensland’s growth is forecast to climb back above the national figure by 2010–11.

Achievements and progress toward the target

In the past 12 months the Queensland Government has:

Invested a record $18.2 billion in infrastructure• which is the largest capital program in the nation and is protecting 127,000 jobs. At $4120 per person in 2009– 10 Queensland has the

highest capital program of any state. Capital spending in Queensland is more than $1300 per person above the level of spending across the rest of Australia. Major infrastructure projects include:

$3.4 billion Airport Link project −

completion of the southern approach of the $1.88 billion −Gateway Bridge project

Abbott Point Coal Terminal expansion −

upgrades to the Pacific Motorway, Ipswich Motorway and Gold −Coast Highway

completion of the $119 million Townsville Ring Road −

completion of almost $500 million in new busways, with the −opening of the Boggo Road Busway, Eastern Busway Stage 1 and Northern Busway Stage 1.

Source: Office of Economic and Statistical Research, Queensland Treasury, Queensland State Accounts, June quarter 2009. Note: Economic growth estimates are subject to revision following the incorporation of updated data or the adoption of improved methods. The Q2 baseline growth figure for 2006–07 of 5.9 per cent has since been revised to 5.2 per cent as a result of ABS revisions to data. The 2008–09 figure is a preliminary financial year growth estimate.

Current performance

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Queensland’s Green ArmyQueensland’s Green Army is creating up to 3000 Queensland jobs over the next three years.

The $57 million program will create traineeships and work placements that will enhance the state’s natural assets, strengthen its tourism industry and promote increased environmental awareness.

Fifteen jobseekers in Cairns were recently recruited to the Green Army to work on environmental projects with the Cairns Regional Council.

BoysTown received $151,170 in Green Army funding to protect the remaining vegetation in Veresdale Scrub located in the Beaudesert area, through an active revegetation program and sustaining the existing flora and fauna. With the support of the South-East Queensland Traditional Owners Alliance, eight young Indigenous jobseekers have been recruited to the 16 week project and are now earning money, improving their confidence and developing new skills in weed control and eradication, wildlife surveys, irrigation installation and horticulture.

Delivered jobs for Queensland • through Jobs First: Delivering Jobs for Queensland, a four-point plan to build infrastructure, develop skills for the future, support new and traditional industries and develop new job creation programs.

Supported the development of a new $40 billion Liquefied •Natural Gas industry that has the potential to generate $850 million in state income each year and help provide more than 18,000 new jobs to Queensland, including 6000 jobs in the construction phase alone.

Rolled out new job creation programs • including the $57 million Green Army which is creating up to 3000 jobs and delivering improvements in our national parks and recreation areas. As at 30 September 2009, 40 projects worth $9.31 million have been approved to create 572 jobs. More than 262 traineeship positions have been allocated to local government agencies in 2009–10.

Established 11 Rapid Response Teams • to support retrenched workers across a range of industries including mining, transport, manufacturing and service to transition to new employment. As at 30 September 2009, the Rapid Response Hotline provided advice to 1386 callers, with 926 callers registering for further assistance.

Established the Premier’s Employment Taskforce• to provide expert advice on how to protect jobs and inform government policy in the economic downturn.

Supported Queensland companies • through the Industry Capability Network (ICN). In 2008–09, $1.1 billion of contestable work packages were awarded to Queensland companies. This represents nearly 60 per cent of all awarded contestable packages identified by the ICN. Work packages worth $356 million were won by regional firms.

Secured vital water services • by completing construction and commissioning of South-East Queensland Water Grid projects, including Western Corridor Recycled Water, Gold Coast Desalination, Southern Regional Water Pipeline, Eastern Pipeline Interconnector and Northern Pipeline Interconnector Stage 1, and new water storages at Cedar Grove Weir and Bromelton Offstream Storage.

Provided overseas trade missions and services • through Trade Queensland which has supported the 59.5 per cent increase in Queensland’s merchandise goods to a record $56.3 billion.

Delivered the biggest local expansion of skills and training, •including 150,000 new training places, new payroll tax rebates for apprentices and trainees and new requirements for apprentices on state and federal infrastructure projects.

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In 2006–07, 36 per cent of Queensland businesses developed or introduced new or significantly improved product or services. This made us the innovation leader in the nation, and gave us a great foundation to build on. The baseline figure is still current because it is measured every two years. The 2008–09 data will be available mid 2010.

Meeting our target would see 54 per cent of Queensland businesses innovating in 2020. This would align us with innovation leaders on an international scale.

It will be a challenge to achieve this target due to:

Short to medium-term economic constraints and financial •pressures.

Cost pressures and general downturn in sales due to the global •financial crisis. These pressures have a negative impact on investment decisions including R&D expenditures.

Funding through Australian Government investments, incentives •and programs supporting R&D and commercialisation take some time to be developed and implemented across the country.

In response, the Queensland Government is encouraging firms to innovate and undertake R&D during this economic downturn as countries, industries and businesses that expand spending in these areas have demonstrated that they are most likely to be resilient in the longer-term. They are better prepared for the upturn and better able to take advantage of new business opportunities and economic growth.



Stimulated cutting edge research projects and attracted top-•quality scientists to Queensland by launching the $80 million Smart Futures Fund to move from ‘bricks to brains’ and fund fellowships and research projects.

Invested in world-class research institutes • including $100 million for the construction of the Translational Research Institute. Other investments in R&D infrastructure include the Queensland Institute of Medical Research’s Smart State Medical Research Centre and the Hub for Sustainable and Secure Infrastructure.

Queensland has a strong record of businesses creating and harnessing new ideas to work smarter and develop better products. The links between research and development (R&D) and innovation are universally recognised, as is the relationship between innovation, economic productivity, environmental sustainability and social wellbeing.

Strengthening our performance in innovation will improve our competitiveness, increase Queensland’s attractiveness to business investors and better prepare us to face emerging global issues.

Target: Increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queensland businesses undertaking research and development or innovation


Current performance

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Stimulated innovative culture and capacity • by implementing a range of programs to support growth in Queensland’s R&D sector such as launching the online Innovation Toolbox, SME development programs, Ideas to Market (including incubators) and the QTropics Strategy.

Launched the Smart Industry Policy • that focuses on the need for Queensland businesses to invest in new ideas, technology and people. Over the next 12 months the implementation of the Smart Industry Policy and the priority industry sectors under that policy will be reviewed. This will ensure that the government’s policy in relation to industry development, remains best aligned to achieve outcomes for Queensland in the current economic climate.

Supported researchers through:•

Appointment of three Senior Clinical Research Fellows, −providing $8.5 million for five year projects through the Queensland Health and Medical Research Program.

Investing $40.5 million through the Primary Industries Fresh −Approach Initiative, including $8 million for the Tropical applied R&D and training precinct in North Queensland, $13 million for the new Tropical Biosecurity Laboratory in Townsville, $16.5 million Beef 2020 strategy and a $3 million investment into a consolidated Dairy Research facility in partnership with the University of Queensland.

International fellowships and exchange programs that have −in the past 15 months provided the equivalent of 15 years of research effort on topics as diverse as the impacts of climate change on our environment, renewable fuel technologies, innovative medical procedures and the management of tropical disease.

Commenced construction of Australia’s first ecosciences •precinct at Boggo Road and the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains, with $290 million in Queensland Government funding and $87.9 million in CSIRO investment. This will create 2900 full-time equivalent jobs over the life of the construction project.

Established Q2 partnerships • with the Ai Group and QMI Solutions for strengthening Queensland’s economy by helping businesses become more innovative through the Tomorrow’s Industry project.

World-class research institutesThe Queensland and Australian governments, universities and research institutes, and The Atlantic Philanthropies have come together to provide funding for three new world-class research institutes to the value of more than $700 million.

Together these projects form a tangible demonstration of just how far Queensland has come as a global research leader.

The Translational Research Institute (TRI), including Biopharmaceuticals Australia, is proposed for development at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. The TRI will enhance and accelerate the translation of medical research breakthroughs into better patient care and will be critical to improving the future health of Queenslanders.

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research’s Smart State Medical Research Centre at Herston will house 400 scientists specialising in vaccines, cancer, tropical diseases and mental health. The centre’s state-of-the-art facilities will not only support clinical and basic research, but also clinical trials and teaching.

The Hub for Sustainable and Secure Infrastructure, to be located at Queensland University of Technology’s Gardens Point campus, will focus its research efforts on environmentally sustainable design, construction, management and protection of complex infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, ports, airports and hospitals. It will employ more than 200 academics and higher degree researchers.

These investments in R&D facilities secure Queensland’s international reputation as a leading player in the ongoing quest to crack new scientific frontiers and create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas.

24

Preliminary modelling of average Queensland household carbon footprint

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Green

The carbon footprint measure is based on car and electricity use and the amount of waste sent to landfill.

To achieve the target Queensland households must reduce their average carbon footprint from 13.77 tonnes (calculated in 2006–07) to 9.18 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year by 2020.

Using the most recently available data (2007–08), the average household carbon footprint dropped 4.9 per cent to 13.10 tonnes which comprised:

Electricity emissions: 8.05 tonnes (compared with 8.24 tonnes •in 2006–07)

Fuel related emissions: 4.01 tonnes (compared with 4.23 tonnes •in 2006–07)

Waste related emissions: 1.04 tonnes (compared with 1.3 tonnes •in 2006–07).

During 2007–08 household electricity use rose marginally, however a higher proportion of low-emission energy generation has resulted in less greenhouse gas emissions being generated per kilowatt hour

of electricity. In particular, the drought conditions in South-East Queensland led to reduced electricity generation from the coal fired Tarong Power Station. Some of this capacity was picked up by gas fired electricity generation. Gas fired electricity has made an increased contribution to Queensland’s energy mix over the past three years. This has assisted in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions being generated per kilowatt hour of electricity in Queensland.

The reduction in fuel emissions can be attributed to rises in fuel prices and slower consumption growth, together with a shift to more fuel efficient vehicles. Additionally, the rise in public transport patronage between 2006 and 2008 and initiatives such as the TravelSmart programs are expected to contribute to a decline in passenger car use for travelling to work, education and other social activities.

The amount of household waste to landfill measured as municipal waste in 2007–08 fell by approximately 10 per cent, mainly due to the higher rates of recycling diverting waste away from landfills. The science around calculating greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste has also improved, reducing the estimated greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of waste.

Climate change will affect the quality of life of households and communities across Queensland, as well as elsewhere in the world. Greenhouse gas emissions from Queensland households, along with industry emissions contribute to the state’s high emissions profile. By working toward achieving the target, all households and communities can help the state transition to a low carbon future.

Target: Cut by one-third Queenslanders’ carbon footprint with reduced car and electricity use

Current performance



Preliminary modelling has indicated that successful implementation of state and national climate change policies has the potential to reduce the average household carbon footprint to 12.4 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2020.

This will leave a gap of 3.22 tonnes per household of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 that will depend on households actively changing their behaviour to reduce their emissions and the ability of governments or other groups to influence sustained behavioural change.



Introduced the $196 million climate change strategy• ClimateQ: toward a greener Queensland to address the challenges of climate change. Initiatives include:

$39.3 million for computer-based transport systems to reduce −emissions and ease congestion in South-East Queensland including new technologies to coordinate traffic signals and on-ramps, control lanes and monitor traffic.

$5.2 million to reduce car emissions by promoting walking, −cycling, carpooling and public transport to get to work, major events and other key destinations.

$4.5 million for the Queensland Government to match −dollar-for-dollar motorists who decide to offset their vehicles’ greenhouse gas emissions – the total $9 million will be used to create biodiversity corridors of bushland across Queensland.

$2.9 million to accelerate the planning and development of key −walking and cycling infrastructure in South-East Queensland.

$1.4 million for a trial of low-emission diesel-electric buses in −the public transport fleet.

Commenced the Queensland Solar Hot Water program • to deliver up to 200,000 affordable solar hot water heaters over three years. As at 30 September 2009, more than 40,000 people have registered for this program.

Implemented the Public Place Recycling Program• at Queensland’s four major stadiums in 2009 – the Gabba, Suncorp Stadium, Dairy Farmers Stadium and Skilled Park – involving sports players to promote recycling facilities and diverting over 60 tonnes of recycling from landfill.

Supported the development of new renewable industries •through the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan which aims to leverage $3.5 billion worth of investment and create up to 3500 new green jobs.

Helped Queenslanders reduce their energy consumption• through the implementation of the $60 million ClimateSmart Home Service. As part of the service an electrician visits your home to conduct an energy audit and provide energy advice or energy saving tools, such as light bulbs. In less than 12 months, more than 102,400 households have taken advantage of the service.

Increased use of public transport by 12.5 million trips• with 181.9 million trips made on buses, trains and ferries across TransLink’s South-East Queensland public transport network in the past financial year.

Established a Q2 partnership • with Green Cross Australia to help reduce Queenslanders’ carbon footprint through the Build it Back Green project. The project will help reduce Queenslanders’ carbon footprint by providing information and guidance to people on sustainable building, especially after natural disasters.

1 Million Women1 Million Women is a two year national campaign to engage one million everyday Australian women – regardless of age, beliefs, backgrounds, careers, education and financial situation – to each make a commitment to cut one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions in 12 months.

The collective goal is to stop one million tonnes of emissions from entering the atmosphere – the equivalent to taking 250,000 cars off the road for a year.

The non-profit, non-partisan group Climate Coolers founded by Natalie Isaacs and Michelle Grosvenor aims to build a network of women to take action on climate change and engage others.

Premier Anna Bligh and Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones are among the national ambassadors.

As at 30 September 2009, around 10,000 women had joined the campaign.

Events and communication, both online and word-of-mouth, will be used to continually engage women across Australia to get involved and be active on reducing their carbon footprints with small but sustained behavioural changes. For more information go to www.1millionwomen.com.au

26

Green

The Queensland Government has committed to increase the amount of land in national parks by 50 per cent, to 7.5 per cent of the state or 12.9 million hectares by 2020. This represents a 50 per cent increase on an earlier commitment to have 5 per cent of the state held in national park estate.

As at 30 September 2009, there were eight million hectares of national park in Queensland, an increase of 413,310 hectares during the past 15 months. Of this, 53,310 hectares has been added in the past three months.

We’ve also committed to protect 50 per cent more land for public recreation by 2020. The first register has been established to centrally and consistently, measure and report on the amount of land for public recreation across Queensland. This includes:

Reserves dedicated under the a. Land Act 1994 for certain ‘community purposes’ that would support public recreation activities.

Freehold land owned by local governments, state government, b. Government Owned Corporations and private entities for public recreation purposes.

Non-reserve land leased from the state government or local c. governments for public recreation.

To date, 81,000 hectares of land for public recreation across 11 local government areas in South-East Queensland (SEQ) have been identified using this register. This represents the SEQ baseline. Work will continue on collecting and validating the vast range of information on land for public recreation across each of Queensland’s 73 local government areas. A Queensland-wide baseline will be developed by 30 June 2010, which will include privately owned land for public recreation.



Established new national parks • by:

Converting 22,000 hectares of former forest reserve near −Gympie into the Wrattens and Oakview National Parks. Wrattens National Park is an important refuge for threatened animals and plants, including the black-breasted Button-quail and the Cascade treefrog, as well as giant ironwood trees.

Declaring 13,710 hectares on the Warrego river floodplain −south of Cunnamulla as Binya National Park, the first protected area in that subregion, filling a major gap in Queensland’s representative reserve system.

Queensland’s environment and outdoor lifestyle are coming under increasing pressure from practices such as clearing land for urban development and agriculture, poor land management and the impacts of climate change.

National parks and other conservation areas play an important role in protecting areas of high biodiversity and endemic or at-risk species. Recreation space close to urban populations is necessary for maintaining vibrant, healthy and cohesive communities.

Target: Protect 50 per cent more land for nature conservation and public recreation

Current performance


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Declaring 7360 hectares of native Queensland bluegrass −plains south of Springsure as Albinia National Park, the largest remaining area of this rare native grassland habitat which has been extensively converted to cropping land.

Expanded existing national parks • by:

Increasing D’Aguilar National Park at The Gap by 34,000 −hectares, making Brisbane host to Australia’s largest national park near a state capital central business district.

Expanding the iconic Springbrook National Park by 2772 −hectares. Springbrook National Park and surrounds is an area of significant biodiversity and is part of a World Heritage Area.

Expanding Littabella National Park, northwest of Bundaberg on −the Sunshine Coast hinterland, by 5900 hectares and Burrum Coast National Park, north of Hervey Bay, by 2955 hectares.

Established Ecofund Queensland• , a not-for-profit carbon and environmental offset advisory and trading service that will provide a new, ongoing source of funding for national park acquisitions.

Created a land for public recreation register• and commenced data collection and validation, including calculating a baseline for SEQ.

Commenced construction of a new Kangaroo Point Cliffs parkland• in Brisbane, providing Queenslanders with 10 hectares of spectacular views and recreation space.

Come out and play! Targeting more land for public recreationFor the first time, information about ‘land for public recreation’ is to be integrated statewide. The Department of Infrastructure and Planning is developing novel methods to provide a baseline value (in hectares) of land for public recreation and to enable annual reporting toward this target.

A sophisticated geographic information system (GIS) is used to produce colour-coded maps highlighting the distribution of land for public recreation across certain areas. Initially, the baseline value is being developed for each local government area in South-East Queensland. This process and data is being

used to check the quality of the information and streamline the new system. Further refinement through consultation with local governments will ensure the most cost-effective method is used to regularly and consistently report this information for local government areas across the state.

Creating a baseline and associated maps will provide insight into where land for public recreation is distributed across each of Queensland’s 73 local government areas. By identifying gaps, the government can determine locations where there is less land available for public recreation and prioritise these areas for increases to continue supporting the recreation of all Queenslanders.

28

Smart

The chart shows the anticipated growth in enrolments needed in approved early childhood education programs (i.e. kindergarten programs) to achieve the target by 2020.

Growth in enrolments is dependent on the successful roll-out of kindergarten programs in existing private and not-for-profit long day care centres, as well as the development of additional services.

The proportion of three and a half to four and a half year olds in a quality early childhood education program remains static at 29 per cent in 2007 and 2008. This is not expected to improve until new kindergarten services are opened and a new kindergarten funding scheme is implemented. Additional reforms being progressed to assist this target include introducing a national quality standard for early childhood education and building a highly skilled early childhood workforce.

As these planned new services are opened, the number of enrolments in approved early childhood education programs is anticipated to grow significantly from 2010–11 to 2013–14.



Established the Office for Early Childhood Education and Care• to bring early years and child care services under one umbrella. The office is managing the roll-out of 240 extra kindergarten services in Queensland by 2014.

Expanded kindergarten services • by completing construction of the Browns Plains Early Years Centre in October 2009, and started planning for construction of the Cairns Early Years Centre and six new kindergartens to be co-located with state schools, all to be delivered in 2010.

Commenced the Travelling Teachers Program trial • with more than 141 children from Carole Park, Redbank Plains, Woodridge, Normanton, Richmond, Julia Creek, Surat and Injune participating in quality early childhood programs.

Undertaken consultation• with the early childhood education and care sector to guide the implementation of universal access to kindergarten.

Queenslanders’ education and skill levels have improved, but are not nation leading. While we’ve taken a huge step to improve early childhood education with Prep, we need to go further. Why? Because only 29 per cent of four year olds in Queensland currently access a kindergarten program.

The early years between three and a half to four and a half years are critical. Experiences in the early years of life shape a child’s wellbeing and future life chances. The early years are where we can make the biggest difference in the future, particularly to children living in our most disadvantaged families and communities.

Target: All children will have access to a quality early childhood education so they are ready for school

Current performance


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Integrated early childhood (development) services • by providing family support and child and family health services at Early Years Centres at Caboolture and Nerang as part of the $32 million Early Years Centres program. More than 2000 families access services at the Nerang and Caboolture Early Years Centres each month. Planning has commenced for the Townsville and Gladstone Early Learning and Care Centres.

Continued implementing pre-Prep learning programs for •Indigenous children to better prepare them for school. In February 2009, 680 children were accessing pre-Prep programs across 35 Indigenous communities. By the end of 2009, 13 new and refurbished pre-Prep facilities will have been completed. A further 14 new, refurbished and enhanced pre-Prep facilities are planned for completion in 2010.

Refurbished• the former Victoria Park preschool site in Mackay for use as an early childhood education and care service.

Established Q2 partnerships• with C&K Pre-schooling Professionals and Childcare Queensland to help Queensland children access high quality kindergarten programs in a range of early childhood and care services.

Travelling teachers programEnsuring all children in remote or disadvantaged areas can access and participate in kindergarten programs is a challenge.

The Queensland Government in partnership with the Australian Government and C&K Pre-schooling Professionals, is currently testing how travelling teachers may be able to reach children in kindergartens, family day care and long day care settings.

More than 141 children from Carole Park, Redbank Plains, Woodridge, Normanton, Richmond, Julia Creek, Surat and Injune are participating in quality programs being delivered by early childhood teachers who are four years qualified.

C&K’s project coordinator, Suzie Wood says the ‘visiting teacher’ has had a significant impact on the quality of early childhood programs provided in participating services.

The trials, which are continuing until December this year, are achieving positive outcomes for children, parents, teachers and local communities, including:

improved access to quality early education programs •delivered by qualified teachers in the local community

increased participation in early education for Indigenous •children and children from low socio-economic backgrounds

mentoring and professional support for staff in the •targeted services.

This is one strategy for ensuring all Queensland children, no matter where they live or what their circumstances, have the best possible start to life.

30

Smart

The chart shows the growth in the proportion of Queenslanders with vocational or higher educational qualifications that is needed to achieve the target by 2020.

Increasing the proportion of people aged 25–64 with a Certificate III or higher qualification to 75 per cent by 2020 represents an increase from 1.1 million Queenslanders with post school qualifications in 2008 to 2.1 million in 2020.

In 2008, our progress toward this target increased slightly to 51.4 per cent. This puts us fourth in the state and territory rankings, one place higher than the previous year.

In 2008 Queensland accounted for 42 per cent of all Australian School-based Apprentice and Trainee commencements, higher than any other state or territory.

More than 90 per cent of Queensland students who complete Year 12 are engaged in study or work in their first year post-school, and Queensland participation rates in Vocational and Educational Training (at Certificate III level and above for 15-64 year olds) has been increasing steadily, from 4.8 per cent in 2003 to 5.2 per cent in 2007.



Continued investment• in the $6.2 million three-year statewide initiative to increase the number of School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SATs) commencements to 12,400 by December 2009. In 2008, just over 9000 students commenced a SAT in Queensland and the state accounts for 42 per cent of all Australian SAT commencements – the highest in the country.

Queensland’s future relies on world-class education and training. We must invest in skilling Queenslanders for the future. Evidence tells us the more education people have the more they will be able to seize new opportunities, master new technologies and adapt to changing job needs.

The Queensland Government is helping Queenslanders get the skills they need to succeed in today’s world through the $1 billion Skills Plan, investment in 148,000 trade and training places, and $6.2 million funding over three years to increase School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

Target: Three out of four Queenslanders will hold trade, training or tertiary qualifications

Current performance


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Qualifications drive a successful family businessHave you ever wondered what drives a successful family business? Stephen Smith has found the answer.

The Gladstone business owner has formalised his motor trimming experience by obtaining a Certificate III in Automotive Vehicle Body and is looking forward to expanding his business.

“I’ve been self employed as an upholsterer and motor trimmer for 27 years and have finally obtained my trade certificate,” Stephen said.

“I run my own workshop and now have an apprentice in motor trimming – my daughter,” he said.

Stephen began his quest to grow his family business with a visit to Skilling Solutions Queensland in Gladstone. The free information service assists Queenslanders like Stephen, who have experience and skills to gain recognition toward a formal qualification.

Stephen was referred to Automotive Training Australia to complete the recognition of prior learning process.

“I achieved my trade certificate for trimming and now I’m pursuing a qualification in upholstery,” he said.

“The information Skilling Solutions Queensland provided was very good. They also gave me a little push when I needed it to gain the qualification.”

“It was very satisfying after 38 years to achieve a goal of a trade certificate in a trade I started as a hobby at age 13,” Stephen said.

The government will continue to promote the opportunities that training and skilling can provide for Queenslanders of all ages.

Delivered • outcomes under the Queensland Skills Plan 2008 including:

Improved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to assist skilled −people to gain formal qualifications. Queensland is leading the nation with 6.5 per cent RPL for 2008, compared to the national average of 4.1 per cent.

Created additional training places at Certificate IV or higher to −raise the qualification profile of Queensland’s labour force, with a target of 14,000 additional places available by 2010.

Created more than 10,500 additional trade training places, with −a target of 17,000 extra places available by 2010.

Established a range of industry engagement models to promote −industry leadership of skills formation and skilling solutions.

Commenced • the allocation of 148,000 training places over the next four years. This delivers the Productivity Places Program through industry-led procurement strategies, providing job seekers and existing workers with Certificate II to Advanced Diploma qualifications.

Established a Trade Training Taskforce • to develop strategies aimed at maintaining commencements, upskilling and assisting apprentices and trainees who have lost employment.

Helped Queensland businesses • to support apprentices and trainees through the 25 per cent payroll tax rebate on wages. The rebate has been claimed by 1300 businesses and has been applied to 16,000 apprentices and trainees.

32

Healthy

This chart shows the current and predicted upward trend in overweight/obese Queensland adults. It also shows the gap between the current trend and what needs to be done to achieve the target by 2020.

Queensland’s rates of obesity continue to be a concern with an increase in the proportion of Queensland adults who were overweight or obese, from 49.7 per cent in 2005 to 55.3 per cent in 2009. Almost two in three Queensland men are now overweight or obese and one in two Queensland women are overweight or obese.

However, Queenslanders are starting to choose healthier lifestyles. Queenslander’s consumption of fruit and vegetables has been increasing, with Queenslanders increasing their serves from 3.5 to 4.6 per adult per day1.

1 Queensland Health tracking data for the Go for 2&5® campaign.

We are becoming more active, with 56 per cent of adults engaging in enough physical activity for health benefits (30 minutes a day, at least five times a week), which is an increase of 3 per cent over the past year and a one-third increase since 2004. This is further supported by other sport and recreation data showing a 3.7 per cent increase in Queenslanders aged 15 years and over who are exercising at least three times a week compared with last years’ results2.

2 Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport. Participation in Exercise, Recreation and Sport 2008 Annual Report. Canberra, 2009.

The future wellbeing and wealth of Queensland relies on healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy workforce.

About three million Queenslanders are living with a long-term chronic condition. Tobacco smoking, heavy drinking, unhealthy weight, poor nutrition and physical inactivity are five common risk factors that can lead to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and some types of cancer. Most chronic diseases are largely preventable and prevention is everyone’s business. As individuals, we need to make healthy lifestyle choices. As a society, we need to make the healthy choices the easy choices.

Target: Cut by one-third obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and unsafe sun exposure

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This chart shows the current trend in high risk and risky drinking in Queensland since 2007. It also shows the gap between the current trend and what needs to be done to achieve the target by 2020.

The baseline figure is still current and updated data will be available later this year. However there are signs of positive progress. Data from the Young Women and Alcohol campaign (November 2008 –

March 2009) showed over 70 per cent of young women aged 18 to 22 years in Queensland made or attempted to positively change their drinking behaviour in some way as a result of the campaign. This equates to more than 92,000 young females changing their drinking behaviour.



This chart shows the current trend in smoking in Queensland since 2007. It also shows the gap between the current trend and what needs to be done to achieve the target by 2020.

Rates of smoking have declined significantly since Queensland introduced tougher anti-smoking laws. Our rates of smoking

have seen the greatest decline of all states and territories from 19.8 per cent in 2004 to 17.2 per cent in 2007, and are continuing to decrease with 15.7 per cent of Queenslanders smoking daily in 2009. There are now 17.5 per cent of Queensland men and 14.4 per cent of women who are daily smokers.

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Source: National Sun Protection Survey (baseline data from 2006-07) and current measure from 2009 Queensland Health CATI Survey.

This graph shows the decline in the proportion of Queenslanders who practice unsafe sun exposure, that led to sunburn, needed to achieve the target by 2020.

Queenslanders are demonstrating greater sun safe behaviours with the proportion of people sunburnt declining from 15 per cent in 2006–07 to 13 per cent in 2009.

These are long-term targets and achieving them requires a shared responsibility by governments and the community. There will need to be significant and sustained changes in individual and community behaviour, as well as policy by governments to support healthy choices.



Strengthened Queensland’s anti-smoking laws • by introducing new laws to ban smoking in cars carrying children and give councils power to regulate smoking in malls and at bus stops.

Implemented Smart Moves – Physical Activity Programs •in Queensland State Schools aimed at increasing student participation in physical activity and improving the quality of activity in all state schools across Queensland. More than 484,900 children in 1260 state schools across Queensland are participating in the program.

Finalised • the outstanding projects under round one of the Eat Well Be Active Community Partnerships Program and funded 115 new projects, worth $3.37 million under the second round of the program.

Expanded end-of-trip facilities• to encourage more government employees to walk, run or cycle to work. This includes additional showers, lockers and secure bicycle parking.

Committed• a further $31.9 million to 39 projects across the state to develop or improve community sport and recreation facilities, enabling many Queenslanders to lead more active lifestyles. This includes funding for aquatic centres at Caloundra and Townsville, playing fields at Runaway Bay and extensions to the Police Citizens Youth Club facility at Manunda in Cairns. Also committed $13.2 million through 179 projects for small improvements to facilities.

Delivered the Go for 2&5® fruit and vegetable campaign •featuring television advertisements through to local activities to encourage Queenslanders to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption for better health.

Delivered the Find Your 30 campaign• by providing simple messages and online tools to help people find 30 minutes of daily activity and make healthy food choices.

Completed the new $82 million Queensland Tennis Centre at •Tennyson which will help budding young Queensland players acquire a broad range of skills on the different tournament surfaces used around the world.

Delivered the $1.6 million Healthy Queensland Awards • with more than 330 community organisations, schools and workplaces entering the inaugural awards.

Consulted • with Queenslanders on regulating junk food and drink advertisements during kids’ television viewing times. In total, 2120 Queenslanders completed the survey.

Implemented a comprehensive alcohol reform program• in 19 discrete Aboriginal and mainland Torres Strait Islander communities. The program strengthened legislation; reviewed alcohol restrictions that were in place; identified required health and social services to assist communities to go drier; and implemented those health and social services in partnership with the Australian Government, local governments and communities. The Queensland and Australian governments came together to provide almost $109.8 million over four years.

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Promoted healthy food choices• in Indigenous communities with two full-time nutritionists employed by retail stores in remote communities across Queensland, including the Torres Strait. Healthy food choices policies in Queensland Government retail stores were also reviewed resulting in better nutritional outcomes for communities serviced by the stores.

Established • a support team to assist schools in the development and delivery of curriculum in the areas of physical activity, nutrition, alcohol and drugs and sun safety.

Established Q2 partnerships • with the Heart Foundation and Local Government Association of Queensland for helping improve Queenslanders’ health through the Supportive Environments for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating project and Suncorp for helping reduce Queenslander’s sun exposure through the SunWise program.

A Better Choice Queensland was the first state in Australia to undertake a statewide approach to improve food supply in health facilities with the introduction of A Better Choice Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Health Facilities in September 2007.

The strategy aims to increase the supply of healthy food and drink to Queensland Health staff, visitors and the general public in Queensland Health facilities. The overall intent of the strategy is to work toward increasing healthier options to at least 80 per cent of foods and drinks on display while restricting less healthy options to no more than 20 per cent of foods and drinks on display. Implementation of the strategy became mandatory from 1 September 2008.

The strategy applies to all situations where food and drink are provided to staff, visitors and the general public in facilities owned and operated by Queensland Health, such as hospital canteens and vending machines.

An evaluation was conducted in May 2009 to measure the extent of implementation of the A Better Choice Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy in Queensland Health facilities.

Information gathered through interviews and an online survey indicated that Queensland Health facilities have made significant progress toward limiting the supply of food and drinks from the red (unhealthy) category across a range of food service areas and seen an increase in the availability and promotion of food and drinks from the green (healthy) category. A final report of the survey results are expected to be made available in late 2009.

36

Healthy

Queensland’s elective surgery waiting times remain the best in the country, however they increased from 25 to 27 days from 2006–2007

to 2007–2008. At the same time, the national average has increased from 32 to 34 days.

Sustained population growth, an ageing population and increasing levels of chronic disease are all contributing to the steady increase in the demand for public hospital services. We are working with Queenslanders and all parts of the health care system to improve our public hospital services and cut elective surgery and emergency department waiting times.

Target: Queensland will have the shortest public hospital waiting times in Australia

Current performance



In 2007–08, 85 per cent of patients in Queensland public hospitals were seen within the recommended timeframes for elective surgery. This is better than the national average of 84 per cent and places

Queensland second among states and territories, which is a slight improvement on the previous year.

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Median waiting times for elective surgery

Queensland Australian average

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Patients seen within clinically recommended times for elective surgery



In 2007–08 there were almost 1.5 million presentations to public hospital emergency departments. The median waiting time was 28 minutes and 63 per cent of patients were seen within the clinically

recommended timeframes. Queensland improved from sixth to third best in just one year.

The Queensland Government has taken on the challenge of having the shortest elective surgery and emergency department waiting times in Australia.

Our elective surgery times continue to be the best in the country, and in one year we have improved our emergency department waiting times from sixth to third in the country.

While the results are positive, the demand on services as a result of the predicted increasing and ageing population and the increasing levels of chronic disease will require a continued effort to ensure this target can be met.


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Patients seen within clinically recommended times for emergency departments

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Min

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Median waiting times for emergency departments

38



Invested $786.1 million in health infrastructure• , commenced work on the Mt Isa Hospital redevelopment and continued the redevelopment at Robina Hospital. In addition, work commenced/was completed on the Miles and Collinsville Hospital redevelopments, Browns Plains Health Precinct, Redcliffe Emergency Department upgrade, Nundah Community Health Centre and QEII Elective Surgery Centre.

Invested $145 million to expand Queensland’s busiest •emergency departments. This will deliver upgraded adult and paediatric emergency departments at The Prince Charles, Logan, QEII, Bundaberg, Redlands, Ipswich, Caboolture, Townsville and Toowoomba hospitals.

Reduced elective surgery times by committing $110 million to •Surgery Connect over the next three years to improve access to elective surgery services for patients who have been waiting longer than clinically recommended. This will provide an additional 20,000 elective surgery operations, including 3300 operations for Queensland children.

Opened the new Gold Coast Day Surgery Centre• which is expected to perform up to 6000 elective procedures per year.

Commenced work on world-class health care for Queensland •children including the new Queensland Children’s Hospital, new paediatric services across the state, and a dedicated paediatric emergency department at The Prince Charles Hospital by 2011–12.

Surgery Connect Surgery Connect is aimed at improving access to elective surgery services for patients who have been waiting longer than clinically recommended for elective surgery procedures.

The strategy enables patients to receive their treatment through the private hospital sector where the demand for these services cannot be met in public hospitals. A range of surgical specialities are available including cardio-thoracic surgery, ear, nose and throat surgery, gynaecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedic and general surgery.

This innovative strategy helps ease the burden on our public hospitals which are experiencing increasing demands and contributes to the Q2 target of Queensland having the shortest public hospital waiting times in Australia.

More than 12,200 patients have been treated since the program’s inception in October 2007.


40

This chart represents the annual average decline required over the period to 2020 to achieve the target.

In 2007–08, nearly 11 per cent of Queensland children aged under 15 were living in a home without a working parent. That’s approximately 91,000 Queensland children.

This is a significant decrease on the 2005–06 proportion of children in jobless households and reflects both the strong growth in employment in the period to mid 2008 and an increase in the birth rate across Australia. Queensland now has a lower proportion of children living in jobless households than the national average of 12.6 per cent.

Factors that keep people out of the labour market are complex and inter-related, and the marginally employed are most likely to lose their jobs in an economic downturn, such as has occurred in 2008–09. As a consequence, it is expected the next reporting period may show an increase in the percentage of children living in jobless households.

The ABS Survey of Income and Housing is conducted bi-annually. As an interim measure, the ABS Labour Force Survey data will be used to derive the participation rate for sole mothers, sole fathers, partnered mothers and partnered fathers. These complementary measures will also report the unemployment and participation rates by statistical division for men and women.

This data assists policy makers to focus programs in geographical areas where there are significant numbers of unemployed people, as well as areas where unemployed people are not seeking work.



Maximised Queensland’s workforce participation• by delivering a mix of job preparation, training, vocational skills and associated assistance to 24,000 jobseekers and low skilled workers under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. Eleven Rapid

Fair

Research has shown children who grow up in homes without a working parent are at a greater risk of poverty. They’re more likely to perform poorly at school, be welfare dependent or work in low-income jobs, have contact with the criminal justice system and be teenage parents.

To give these children the best chance at success in the future we must focus our efforts to help jobless parents back into the workforce.

Target: Halve the proportion of Queensland children living in households without a working parent

Current performance

Source: ABS Survey of Income and Housing (ABS Cat. No. 6541.0). (Note: ABS has revised its previously incorrect published figure of 16.2 per cent, available when Toward Q2 was released 8 September 2008, to 15.9 per cent.).

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Children living in jobless households



Youth and Family Service (Logan City) PiP projectThe Youth and Family Service (Logan City) Participate in Prosperity (PiP) program is a great example of the success of the Queensland Government’s strategy to assist all people with the capacity to work to move into the labour force, including unemployed parents and others who have struggled to break through barriers.

The organisation was initially funded for a pilot PiP project and in 2008–09 received a $532,900 grant to continue its work.

Chief Executive Officer Catherine Bartolo believes many people in the Logan and Beenleigh communities are either outside or only marginally attached to the labour market.

“The PiP program makes such a difference to the way we can help them and this creates really positive outcomes for individuals and their families,” said Catherine.

“A key factor is that PiP recognises that multiple barriers prevent some people breaking into or staying in the workforce.

“A major barrier is housing and others are health, child safety and transport.

“Under PiP we are now resourced to be more flexible in our approach to people who need help.

“We can offer highly intensive case management, bringing together key people from government and non-government organisations to help each client tackle their range of barriers.

“Our focus is not so much on getting people into jobs straight away, but rather on addressing the barriers preventing that.

“The result is that we see them becoming more resilient, better placed to start considering and working towards training and employment.

“We’ve now case managed more than 100 clients and the outcomes are really rewarding, with some people moving into jobs in aged care, child care, warehousing, cleaning, hospitality and automotive,” Catherine said.

Two examples from some of the client evaluations say it all in a nutshell:

“Finally someone is looking after those who want to be part of society.” •

“PiP has made me feel like I could do anything I wanted.”•

Response Teams were established to support retrenched workers across a range of industries including mining, transport, manufacturing and service industries in the transition to new employment.

Expanded the Participate in Prosperity program • to assist vulnerable people overcome personal difficulties, develop skills and eventually enter the workforce. A third site was launched in the Inala/Ipswich corridor to address gaps in services to communities. This site joins existing sites in Logan/Beenleigh and Caboolture/Deception Bay.

Established Early Years Centres • that bring together a range of early childhood services, including family support, health referral services, play groups and child care under one umbrella. Access to these services is often essential in supporting parents to rejoin the workforce.

Commenced the Cape York Welfare Reform trial in four •communities on the Cape – Aurukun, Hope Vale, Mossman Gorge and Coen. This project will strengthen partnerships between social housing, child protection, Indigenous programs and training and employment assistance to facilitate pathways into real employment in these communities. School attendance in these communities has increased markedly as a result of the reform trial, with attendance at Hope Vale and Coen in line with much of Australia.

Improved the delivery of government and non-government •services to young people with multiple and complex needs by applying innovative, integrated working models. This includes using common tools, skills development and learnings from the continuous improvement evaluation of the Logan/Beenleigh Young Persons Program, which is a pilot integrated case management model across eight government agencies, now into its second year.

42

In 2006, 37.8 per cent of Queenslanders participated in volunteer work. This is higher than the national average and is the second-highest rate in Australia. The baseline figure is still current as it is measured every five years. The 2010 ABS data will not be available until 2011, however Queensland volunteering data will be collected each year in May and November through the Queensland Household Survey.

Historically, there has been a steady increase in volunteering in Queensland from 26 per cent in 1994 to 31 per cent in 2004 and almost 40 per cent in 2006. Based on this rising trend of people willing to lend a hand, Queensland is well placed to meet the target of increasing the proportion of volunteers to 56.7 per cent by 2020. As at 30 September, there were 6500 Queenslanders volunteering for their local State Emergency Service unit.

In order to reach the target, the population of volunteers needs to increase from 1.165 million in 2006 to 2.482 million in 2020, an increase of approximately 1.317 million people (based on people 18+).

We will be targeting efforts to sustain and increase current volunteers and to increase volunteering in presently under-represented groups, including people aged 18 to 34 and people older than 50.



Recruited 841 new foster and kinship carers • as a result of the first part of a five year innovative foster carer recruitment campaign.

Launched the Golden Gurus project • to harness the expertise of retired business people and community leaders to help community organisations. Already 24 people have registered as Golden Gurus. Of these there are three people who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and eight people from other culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Launched VolBiz • which is an online register where businesses and community organisations can express their interest in linking through volunteering. Nine organisations have already registered their details.

Developed a Memorandum of Understanding• between the Department of Community Safety, State Emergency Service and Surf Life Saving Queensland that will allow surf life saving volunteers, with appropriate training and accreditation, to be called on to help others during significant natural disasters and other emergency events.

Fair

Volunteers make an enormous contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of our state. Volunteering underpins strong and vibrant communities. Caring for our community is about being a good neighbour and citizen and helping out when it is needed.

Increasing our rate of volunteering will help build stronger, more connected and caring communities. Queenslanders have a strong history of volunteering, but we could all do more.

Target: Increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queenslanders involved in their communities as volunteers

Current performance


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Implemented the Certificate II in Active Volunteering program •in nine Queensland state schools. In the 2009 academic year 51 students commenced the program. The two-year program delivered by Volunteering Queensland, helps students gain recognition in service learning activities with local facilities, such as aged care homes and Meals on Wheels. The Certificate II in Volunteering is a nationally-accredited Vocational Education and Training qualification and can contribute four credit points to the Queensland Certificate of Education.

Progressed the Support our Heroes campaign• aimed at dramatically boosting State Emergency Services volunteer numbers in Queensland and helping communities prepare for natural disasters.

Delivered the regional volunteer mentoring program• to connect disadvantaged women socially, professionally and regionally to provide stronger networks.

Launched a statewide Experience Volunteering campaign• to encourage more people to experience the benefits of volunteering.

Established Q2 partnerships • with Volunteering Queensland, Bendigo Bank and Surf Life Saving Queensland to help increase the number of Queenslanders involved in their community as volunteers through the VolBiz and Emergency Response projects.

Youth motivators development projectIn 2008–09 the Cairns-based Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre received $77,000 in Queensland Government funding to deliver the youth motivators development initiative.

Through this initiative 25 young Indigenous and Cook Islander people who have volunteered as mentors at the centre or who have been positive role models through volunteering activity in their local communities, will receive up to $2500 in scholarship funding to access training either through TAFE or other registered training organisations.

The scholarships recognise their efforts in volunteering to mentor young Indigenous and Pacific Islander people and will allow them to study for vocational qualifications, such as Certificate IV in Youth Work and Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs Work.

On Thursday 27 August 2009, the participants were officially recognised at the ‘Scholarship Handover Ceremony’ which was attended by their proud parents.

Ms Melissa Bann, Program Manager at the centre, believes initiatives like these that reward volunteers can produce positive benefits that flow into the whole community. Melissa said, “People who are trained or employed become role models for their family and their community, and consequently, community wellbeing is improved.”

Ms Irene Kebisu, a volunteer mentor at the centre, is now studying a Certificate IV in Youth Work. Irene believes that the youth motivators development initiative ‘will open up more doors for me in my work by providing the knowledge to reach out to other youth who are hurting and lost in the community.’

44

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Annual Progress Report 2008–09 - Queensland Parliament...Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland Annual Progress Report 2008–09 3 In just 12 months my government has worked hard to