Premier's journal - August 2009
Building for Jobs tour: Day two
This morning I started day two of our "Building for Jobs" tour in Cairns - which was beautiful as always - by announcing a new $5 million tourism boost.
The new "Best Holiday" campaign stars four candidates from big hit "Best Job in the World" campaign doing a rendition of the Monkees theme tune to the lyrics "Hey Hey this is Queensland".
It's a very catchy tune but most importantly it means jobs, jobs, jobs.
Our tourism industry employs 119,000 people and we must do everything we can to protect them.
Which is why today, I also announced we will look at amending the Sustainable Planning Bill to which will mean job-creating building projects are given special status for quicker planning decisions.
This "Building for Jobs tour" is about highlighting what our record $18 billion building program is delivering across Queensland. And here in Cairns one of the major projects underway is the $446 million Cairns Hospital redevelopment.
Today I unveiled the hospital Master Plan which details the “bricks and mortar” that will deliver these expanded health services to the people of Cairns.
From Cairns, it was on to Townsville, where I inspected work on the new Port Access Road, which is ahead of schedule, and met with Townsville businesses about creating more jobs.
The tour is going well.
Building for Jobs tour: Day one
The global recession has not only impacted heavily on the budget bottom line, it's also led to a collapse in apprentice numbers.
As we look down the path to economic recovery, it's vital that we have the skilled up workforce ready to help build a strong State in to the future.
Our record $18 billion and keeping 127,000 Queenslanders in jobs is central to our response to the global recession. Training up our workforce of tomorrow is also critically important.
So today, on Day One of our “Building for Jobs” tour, the Treasurer, Andrew Fraser, and I, announced a plan to get young Queenslanders “apprenticeship-ready” to help with job opportunities down the track.
Under the new plan, they will potentially get their formal apprentice qualification faster by taking part in intensive pre-apprenticeship training and vocational placement.
The program is expected to start early next year. And with the latest figures showing a massive 40 per cent drop in the apprentices in areas like construction due to the economic downturn it's not a moment too soon!
From Salisbury in Brisbane, where we announced the apprenticeship plan, it was then on to the Gold Coast where we inspected work on the $324 million Robina to Varsity Lakes Rail Extension.
I also released the blueprint for the innovative Varsity Station Village Development.
The rail extension is a great example of what our record job-creating building program is delivering for Queenslanders in our growing regions like the Gold Coast.
Tour highlights job creating building program
This week I begin my Building for Jobs Tour which involves a blitz of 10 regional centres over four days.
The Treasurer, Andrew Fraser, and I are on a mission to highlight our record $18 billion building program, an investment greater than any other State or Territory.
Our building program is protecting 127,000 Queensland jobs in these tough times and helping to build the schools, hospitals, roads and other vital infrastructure we need to a strong State in the future.
The massive $1.88 billion Gateway project in Brisbane where I inspected the completed southern approach today is a prime example of what this program is delivering.
I am looking forward to getting out there and chatting with locals and seeing first-hand some of the other great work being done all over the State.
Let the tour begin!
Leading the way
Climate change is one of the great challenges of our times and its vitally important that we take action now, not years down the track.
Today, I launched our new ClimateQ strategy which includes more than $87 million in new initiatives to help get Queensland ready for a lower carbon future.
This is my Government's main weapon in the effort to tackle climate change and will help insulate us against the impact of it.
Because of our widely-dispersed population and traditional reliance on coal and heavy industry, Queensland is the country's main climate change battleground - and we stand to suffer the most if we are not well prepared.
This package gets the balance right and shows that we can lead the way on this critical issue that will affect us for centuries to come.
Prick a Pollie
It's the Year of the Blood Donor and no better time to start a new donor campaign.
The Red Cross Blood Service has launched its Prick a Pollie campaign designed to get politicians across the country to roll up their sleeves and donate.
I admit to feeling a bit squeamish at the thought. But last week I visited the Brisbane City Donor Centre to donate blood for the first time.
The staff were fantastic. It took less than an hour. And now I have signed up to become a regular donor.
Today I urged other Members of Parliament to get behind this campaign. But whether you are a politician or not, the Red Cross has a target of 160,000 new donors this year. So if you are between 16 and 70 years old, and able to do it, I recommend you give it a go - it helps save lives.
To find out how to become a regular donor call the Red Cross on 131495 or visit the Australian Red Cross Blood Service website (external site).
Surrogacy changes
Today I outlined in Parliament our plan to decriminalise an antiquated law which prevents Queenslanders who want to have children from seeking the help of a surrogate mother.
Legislation decriminalising altruistic surrogacy - in other words, surrogacy where there is no financial gain - will be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year. It will also cover same sex couples wanting to have children.
I know that these are issues which will cause a moral dilemma for some people.
But first and foremost this is about acting in the best interests of children born in these circumstances.
Decriminalising altruistic surrogacy will offer fresh hope to people who really want to become parents and bring us in to line with what's happened in other states and territories right around Australia.
Read the following for more information:
Eastern Busway stage two underway
Today, we saw work start on Stage Two of the Eastern Busway, a $465 million investment in better public transport.
As well as being a major congestion-busting initiative, this investment will support more than 2,800 jobs over the next two-and-a-half years.
Today, I turned the first sod on Stage Two - just eight days after the first stage opened for business.
This is a great example of how our record building program is delivering better infrastructure for Queenslanders.
It's good news for commuters, saving nearly 1.5 hours in travel time between Coorparoo and Brisbane's CBD every week.
Ekka time
Premier visits Ekka
It's that time of the year again. One of our most loved events - the Ekka - is in full swing.
And we couldn't get better weather than we have seen. Thousands of people have already visited and, with People's Day tomorrow (Wednesday 12 August), we're expecting thousands more.
This could be the last year that the Ekka will look just like it does now. The proposed $3 billion transformation of the RNA Showgrounds is a step closer after the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) gave its in principle support.
The masterplan for the 15-year project was signed off by the ULDA Board recently. And the project is expected to support up to 2,000 construction jobs a year for the next 15 years.
We need to make sure we give the Ekka the best possible future and this redevelopment, designed by the RNA, will give it just that.
Have your say
The job of delivering accountable and transparent government is never done.
In recent days, I have outlined a comprehensive platform of nation-leading reforms to take us forward.
And, as part of our effort, today I released an Integrity and Accountability in Queensland Discussion Paper which provides an overview of the checks and balances in place, and looks at what can be done to bolster the system in the future.
This a great opportunity for Queenslanders to have their say on these important issues.
So visit Get Involved, and tell us what you think.
You can also participate in an online Q&A forum due to take place this September.
Ahead of the pack on transparency and accountability
I am determined that Queensland will lead the nation in the drive for reform towards more open and accountable relationships between politics and business.
Over the past week, I have announced a comprehensive platform of reforms to deliver the change that Queenslanders are demanding - and yesterday I announced the latest initiative.
Prohibiting lobbyists from also holding Government appointments is about making sure that those who want to lobby government are external to it.
There has been much debate over these issues in recent weeks and Queenslanders should rest assured that I am listening and I am responding.
With my reform agenda we are leading the way!
Last updated Thursday, November 12, 2009
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