Government’s objectives for the community

DPC is committed to providing whole-of-government leadership and collaborating with other agencies and stakeholders to deliver key policy, program and service delivery outcomes that support the Queensland Government’s objectives for the community.

These objectives include:

• creating jobs and a diverse economy
• delivering quality frontline services
• protecting the environment
• building safe, caring and connected communities.

Creating jobs and a diverse economy

DPC in partnership with DSITI will lead the delivery of the government’s Advance Queensland strategy. This four-year initiative is designed to build a diversified and knowledge-based economy that will create and support jobs now and jobs of the future.

Strengthening Queensland’s position within the global marketplace is essential if Queensland industry, business and regions are to thrive and prosper. The department will lead key events, including the Northern Queensland Economic Summit to harness trade and investment opportunities with our world-leading knowledge in tropical science, agriculture, infrastructure and tourism and capitalise on opportunities for Queensland within markets across the globe.

Case study

G20 Leaders Summit

The G20 Leaders Summit held in Brisbane on 15 and 16 November 2014 was the most significant international meeting to be held in Australian history.

The Summit put the world’s focus on Brisbane and Queensland, providing valuable opportunities to promote tourism, build international networks and highlight the best of what Queensland has to offer. As many as 4000 delegates and 3000 international and domestic media representatives attended the event.

A G20 State Coordination Unit was established in DPC to lead the Queensland Government in the delivery of the Summit, and to work with our federal and local government colleagues to deliver a successful and safe event.

Delivering quality frontline services

Empowered communities expect and deserve responsive and integrated government services that are focused on enhancing all aspects of their lives. Collaboration and engagement with stakeholders to drive place-based, demand-led and customer-focused solutions will be a key feature of how we do business.

DPC will also lead a community conversation through Advance Queensland to recognise the importance of an innovation focused and entrepreneurial culture. Industry, universities, entrepreneurs and government will work together to turn new ideas into world-leading products and services. Queensland will look to further strengthen its renowned research base, transform its education and learning pathways and seek to support local talent while competing globally for the best and brightest.

Case study

Community Cabinet

Community Cabinet meetings provide an opportunity for the local community to talk face-to-face with the Premier, Ministers and senior departmental officials in their community on issues that matter at a local and regional level.

The format for Community Cabinet meetings changed during the year to improve engagement with the community. A public forum was introduced at the beginning of the Sunday meeting program to provide the opportunity for local people to engage with the Premier and Ministers in a ‘Q&A’ style format. This has provided a further opportunity for the government to hear firsthand what ideas businesses, families and workers have to make their community a better place.

In 2014–15, five Community Cabinet meetings were held in Keppel, Bundaberg, Mareeba, Townsville and Rockhampton. This led to more than 785 deputation meetings taking place between the public and Ministers, Assistant Ministers and senior departmental officials during the year.

Further information about the location of future meetings and how people can get involved in these events is available on the Premier’s website at www.thepremier.qld.gov.au.

North Queensland office

Earlier this year the Premier announced the re-establishment of a DPC North Queensland (NQ) office located in Townsville.

Operations commenced in June 2015 with Economic Policy already completing a volume of work including setting the policy agenda for North Queensland and preparing for the business roundtables.

The office is currently staffed by three employees of the department, who support the Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, Minister Coralee O’Rourke MP. The team has been busy supporting important initiatives such as the biofuel industry forums and organising a series of stakeholder roundtables.

The office represents ‘boots on the ground’ and a ‘bricks and mortar’ commitment to the North Queensland community, while informing the government of the challenges and opportunities faced locally. As well as identifying economic opportunities for the region, the team will build key relationships with business, industry and the community.

The North Queensland Office is located at 445 Flinders Street, Verde Building, Townsville.

Protecting the environment

One of DPC’s key priorities is to strengthen environmental protection and management by ensuring effective development, coordination and implementation of policy. We recognise that there is an important balance between development and the environment in creating a thriving economy and a vibrant community.

Case study

The Queensland Plan

DPC’s policies, programs and services align with the Queensland Government Response to The Queensland Plan (the government response). The government response supports the government’s objectives for the community and identifies the priorities and key initiatives that will contribute towards implementing Queenslanders’ vision.

Building safe, caring and connected communities

DPC is encouraging safe and inclusive communities by leading domestic and family violence reforms in response to the Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland report.

We will strengthen our workforce, governance and systems to lead and implement government priorities, crossportfolio projects and initiatives, for better outcomes for Queenslanders.

Case study

Anzac Centenary commemorations

Between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate the Anzac Centenary, a five-year program marking 100 years since the country’s involvement in the First World War. In 2014–15, the department’s Anzac Centenary Coordination Unit led and collaborated with stakeholders and partners to deliver a number of key commemoration activities.

Anzac Centenary grants program

The Queensland Government has so far proudly supported more than 140 community projects and events with over $3.2 million in funding, to commemorate the role played by individual citizens or their community as a whole in Australia’s First World War effort.

Round one and two received an overwhelming response with many local groups enthusiastic to commemorate the Queensland Anzac Centenary through unique and exciting projects.

Memorials, exhibitions, publications, theatre and more have been well-received by local communities during this time of reflection and remembrance. Due to the success of the first two rounds, community groups will be given other opportunities to seek funding during the Anzac Centenary.

Domestic and family violence prevention

The Secretariat for the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland was established in Social Policy to support the Taskforce in its review and assist in developing the framework and recommendations for tackling domestic and family violence.

A small inter-disciplinary team of 11 staff drawn from agencies across government supported the Taskforce to successfully achieve a significant work program within a tight six-month timeframe. This involved organising an extensive statewide community engagement and consultation program, delivering a substantial 540-page report outlining a framework for reform, and producing a journal of powerful personal stories written from the words of individuals and families affected by domestic and family violence.

The engagement and consultation process resulted in a deepened awareness and understanding of the impacts of domestic and family violence for Taskforce members and shaped their reform approach. The process involved a listening tour that met with 367 different groups across rural, remote and urban Queensland, two summits—in Brisbane and Townsville—involving more than 225 experts, an online survey that canvassed the attitudes of about 900 individuals, an awareness raising breakfast on White Ribbon Day with 200 attendees, and a call for personal stories and formal submissions receiving 185 responses.

The key achievement of the secretariat was the production of the poignant report Not Now, Not Ever: Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland. The report provides the Taskforce’s vision of a violence-free Queensland and articulates a solid framework for long-term reform. The resulting 140 recommendations are based on extensive research and analysis, performed by the secretariat, and reflect the direct experiences revealed by victims and service providers. The report has received an outstanding positive response from the media, victims, service providers and the general community across Australia.

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