2014-15 Budget Estimates Additional Volume · 2014. 7. 31. · Maggie Lilith, Principal Research...

2014-15 Budget Estimates Additional Volume

Finance and Administration Committee July 2014

Table of Contents

Minutes of meetings

Questions on notice – Premier

Questions on notice – Treasurer and Minister for Trade

Answers to questions on notice – Premier

Answers to questions on notice – Treasurer and Minister for Trade

Documents tabled at hearing 15 July 2014

Documents tabled at hearing 17 July 2014

Answers to questions taken on notice at hearing 15 July 2014

Answers to questions taken on notice at hearing 17 July 2014

Minutes of Estimates Meetings

Minutes of Estimates Meetings

• Wednesday 21 May 2014

• Wednesday 4 June 2014

• Tuesday 15 July 2014

• Thursday 17 July 2014

• Wednesday 30 July 2014

!Minutes

Original Held: FAC RD

File No: Minute book

Minutes of a meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee

Held on Wednesday 21 May 2014 - Estimates

At 10:28 am

Room 5.30, Level 5, Parliamentary Annexe

Present:

Apologies:

In attendance:

Correspondence

Matters arising from correspondence

Inquiries

Mr Steve Davies MP (Chair) Mr Curtis Pitt MP (Deputy Chair) Mrs Liz Cunningham MP Dr Bruce Flegg MP Mr Reg Gulley MP Mrs Freya Ostapovitch MP Mr Mark Stewart MP

Nil

Deborah Jeffrey, Research Director Maggie Lilith, Principal Research Officer Lyn Whelan, Executive Assistant

On the motion of Mrs Cunningham, seconded by Mrs Ostapovitch, the Committee agreed that inwards correspondence items 1-1 be accepted.

Revised Schedules 6 and 7

The Committee noted inwards correspondence item no. 1. Discussion ensued.

The Chair indicated that he would investigate further the inclusion of Queensland Treasury Corporation in Schedule 7 and give consideration to writing to the CLA regarding this matter.

Estimates - Questions on notice prior to hearing and questions taken on notice at the hearing

The Committee noted the proposed timetable for Estimates 2014. Discussion ensued.

Tlte committee considered Standing Order 182 - Questions on notice prior to tlte /t earing.

The Committee noted Standing Orders: 182( I), 182(2), 182(3), 182(6), 182(8). Discussion ensued.

On the motion of Mrs Cunningham, seconded by Dr Flegg, the Committee agreed that answers to questions on notice be authorised for publication and put on the Committee's wcbpage as they are received.

Tlte committee considered Standing Order 183 - Questions on notice at tlte /tearing aud additional information.

The Committee noted Standing Orders: 183(1), 183(2), 183(3), 183(4). Discussion ensued. Discussion ensued.

On the motion of Mr Stewart, seconded by Mrs Ostapovitch , the Committee

1

agreed that with respect to questions on notice and questions taken on notice at the hearing:

• Members' questions on notice be forwarded to the Committee secretariat by I 2:00pm Wednesday 25 June 2014.

o Minister's answers to questions on notice taken at the hearing on Tuesday 15 July 20 14 to be returned to the Committee secretariat by 4:00pm Wednesday 16 July 2014.

o Minister's answers to the questions taken on notice at the hearing on Thursday 17 July 20 14 to be returned to the Committee secretariat by 4:00pm Friday 18 July 2014.

Release of inquiry documents

On the mot ion ofMr Pitt, seconded by Mrs Ctumingham, the Committee agreed that pursuant to section 50(2) of the Pari iament of Queensland Act 200 I the Committee authorises the publication of all documents presented to it in the course of its inquiry.

Estimates - Public hearing

Hearing time allocations

The Committee noted attachments 2, 3 and 4. Discussion ensued.

The Committee agreed to finalise time allocations at its' next meeting.

General hearing procedure

TheCommitteenotedStandingOrders: 180(2), 181 (a)(b)(c), 181 (d) 18 1 (f) and 181 (g).

Tile Committee considered Standing Order 181 (e)- questioning by 11011~ committee members.

On the motion ofMr Pitt, seconded by Mr Gulley, the Committee agreed that non-committee Members be given leave to ask questions during the hearing.

Tile Committee considered Mi11isters' opeuing statements

On the motion of Mrs Cunningham, seconded by Mr Pitt, the Committee agreed that the Premier and the Treasurer and Minister for Trade be allowed to make a brief opening statement of up to 5 minutes.

Tile Committee considered Ministers ' use of auciflm:l' materials.

On the motion ofMr Pitt, seconded by Mrs Clllmingham, the Committee agreed that Ministers be allowed to use ancillary materials during the hearing provided the following guidelines are complied with:

o The materials should not be of a size or nature which could create safety or security issues (eg, they impede movement within the hearing room, impede access to and from the hearing room, require power cords to be run across the floor, are difficult to move into and out of the Parliamentary precinct).

• If the materials contain or depict information, that information should also be presented to the Committee in documentary or other acceptable form.

o Advance notice should be given to the Committee secretariat of the nature of any ancillary materials the Minister proposes using, so that the Committee can assess its compliance with the above.

o The materials should not offend existing standing orders of the house.

General Business

2

Close

Next Meeting

The Committee noted the report on Estimates is due by Friday 1 August 2014 and that a elate will need to be agreed on for the adoption meeting.

In line with Standing Order 187(3) any reservation or dissenting reports will need to be with the research director 24 hours from adoption meeting.

The Committee noted the following documents:

o Organisational chart for Department of the Premier and Cabinet

o Organisational chart for Queensland Treasury and Trade

The meeting closed at ll :20am

Wednesday 4 June 2014 unless otherwise determined by Chair.

Finance and Administration Committee

Summary of Inwards Correspondence - Estimated 21 May 2014

1.

Date Rec'd

20.05.14

File No.

E14

From

Mr R Stevens MP, Leader of tile House

Confirmed on Wednesday 4 June 2014

Topic

Updated schedule 6 and 7

Steve Davies MP Chair

3

Minutes




Held on Wednesday 4 June 2014 - Estimates

At 10:35 am

Room 5.30, Level 5, Parliamentary Annexe

Present:

Apologies:

In attendance:

Confirmation of Minutes

Business arising from Minutes

Inquiries

Mr Steve Davies MP (Chair) Mr Curtis Pitt MP (Deputy Chair) - left meeting at 10:38 am Mrs Liz Cunningham MP Dr Bruce Flegg MP Mr Reg Gulley MP Mrs Freya Ostapovitch MP Mr Mark Stewart MP

Nil


On the motion of Dr Flegg, seconded by Mr Gulley, the Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting of21 May, 2014 be confirmed.

Ni l

Estimates - schedule 7 - proposed change to include Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC)

The Committee noted the following document:

• draft letter to CLA

Discuss ion ensued.

The Committee agreed that as schedule 7 has already been adopted for this Estimates, the matter will be reconsidered with regard to Estimates 2015 at a future meeting.

Estimates hearing timetable

The Committee considered the hearing timetables for Estimates.

On the motion of Dr Flegg, seconded by Mrs Ostapovitch, the Committee agreed that with respect to the Committee's hearing on Tuesday 15 July 2014, the order and time allocations, as follows, be adopted:

Inquiries cont.

Close

Next Meeting

Portfolio Detai ls Time

Premier Department of the Premier and Cabinet

9:00am -10:15am Office of the Governor

Morning Tea 10:15am -10:45am


10:45am- 12:00pm Public Service Commission

lunch 12:00pm - 1:15pm


1:15pm- 2:45pm Queensland Family and Child Commission

Afternoon Tea Break 2:45pm - 3:15pm

Department of the Premier and Cabinet Premier Queensland Audit Office 3:15pm- 5:00pm

Office of the Integrity Commissioner

On the motion of Mrs Cunningham, seconded by Mr Gulley, the Committee agreed that with respect to the Committee's hearing on Thursday 17 July 2014, the order and time allocations, as follows, be adopted:

Port folio Details Time

Treasurer and Minister Queensland Treasury 9:00am- 10:15am

for Trade

Morning Tea 10:15pm -10:45am

Treasurer and Minister Queensland Treasury 10:45am- 12:00pm

for Trade

l unch 12:00pm - 1:15pm

Treasurer and Minister Queensland Treasury 1:15pm - 2:45pm

for Trade QIC Limited

Afternoon Tea Break 2:45pm- 3:15pm

Treasurer and Minister Queensland Treasury

for Trade Trade and Investment 3:15pm- 5:00pm Queensland

General Business

The Committee agreed that Members' quest ions on notice be forwarded to the Committee secretariat by I 2:00pm Tuesday 24 June 2014.

The meeting closed at I 0:55 am

Wednesday 4 June 2014 unless otherwise determined by Chair.

2

Confirmed on Wednesday 15 July 2014


3

Minutes




Held on Tuesday 15 July 2014 - Estimates

At 8:33am

Room A35, Ground Floor, Parliament House

Present:

Apologies :

In attendance:

Confirmation of Minutes


Correspondence


Public hearing procedures

Mr Steve Davies MP (Chair) Mr Cuttis Pitt MP (Deputy Chair) Mrs Liz Cunningham MP Dr Bruce Flegg MP Mr Reg Gulley MP Mrs Freya Ostapovitch MP Mr Mark Stewart MP

Ni l


On the motion ofMr Gulley, seconded by Mr Stewart, the Committee agreed that tlte mi nutes of the meeting of 4 June, 2014 at l 0:35am be confirmed.

Ni l

On the motion ofMr Gulley, seconded by Mrs Ostapovitch, the Committee agreed tbat inwards correspondence items 1-3 be accepted and the outwards correspondence items l-8 be endorsed, in relation to estimates.

List of witnesses attending hearing

The Committee noted inwards correspondence item no. I. Discussion ensued.

Answers to Questions on Notice


Non-Committee Members participating in Estimates Hearing


General hearing procedure

The Committee noted the following regard ing Estimates hearing procedures -

• SO 18 1 provides the general hearing procedure for estimates

• direct questions may only be put to the Minister, Director-General or Chief Executive Officer

• depmtmental officers should not be asked questions about government policy (Schedule 3 of Standing Orders)

1

Tabling of documents

The Committee noted that Members do not need to seek leave to table documents unless what they table may offend Standing Orders. Everyone else, including the Minister and visiting Members need to seek leave.

Other Business

Close

Nil

The meeting closed at 8:42 am

Next Meeting Thursday 17 July 2014 unless otherwise determined by Cbair.

Finance and Administration Committee Summary of Inwards Correspondence - Estimates 15 July 2014

Date File From Rec'd No.

1. 11 .07.14 E14 Ms L Grego ric, Portfolio Coordinator, Estimates, Department of the Premier and Cabinet

2. 14.07.14 E14 Ms B McCoan, Policy Advisor, Office of the Premier

3. 14.07.14 E14 Ms A Palaszczuk MP, Leader of the Opposition

Finance and Administration Committee Summary of Outwards Correspondence -Estimates 15 July 2014

Date Sent File No. To

1. 11.06.14 E14.14.02 Mr J Grayson, Director-General, Department of Premier and Cabinet

2. 11.06.14 E14.14.03 Hon C Newman, Premier of Queensland

3. 11.06.14 E14.14.04 Mr M Gray, Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury and Trade

4. 11 .06.14 E14.14.05 Hon T Nicholls, Treasurer and Minister for Trade

5. 24.06.14 E14 CLLO, Treasurer and Minister for Trade (email)

6. 24.06.14 E14 CLLO, Premier of Queensland (email)

7. 10.07.14 E14 CLLO, Treasurer and Minister for Trade (email)

8. 10.07.14 E14 CLLO, Premier of Queensland (email)

Confirmed on Thursday 17 July 2014

Topic

List of potential witnesses for Estimates 2014 on Tuesday 15 July 2014.

Response to Questions On Notice prior to Estimates 2014 hearing

Seeking leave to attend and ask questions at hearing on Tuesday 15 July 2014 and Thursday 17 July 2014

Topic Advising processes for 2014 Estimates

Advising processes for 2014 Estimates



Forwarding QoN for Estimates 2014

Forwarding QoN for Estimates 2014

Advising further processes for 2014 Estimates

Advising further processes for 201 4 Estimates

v/c2 t , •


2

1

Minutes



Minutes of a meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee Held on Thursday 17 July 2014 - Estimates At 8:32 am Room A35, Ground Floor, Parliament House

Present:


Apologies: Nil In attendance: Deborah Jeffrey, Research Director

Maggie Lilith, Principal Research Officer Lyn Whelan, Executive Assistant

Confirmation of Minutes On the motion of Dr Flegg, seconded by Mr Pitt, the Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting of 15 July, 2014 be confirmed.


Nil

Correspondence On the motion of Mrs Ostapovitch, seconded by Mr Gulley, the Committee agreed that inwards correspondence items 1-6 be accepted and the outwards correspondence items 1-1 be endorsed, in relation to estimates.


List of witnesses attending hearing on 17 July 2014 The Committee noted inwards correspondence item no. 2. Discussion ensued.

Answers to Questions on Notice The Committee noted inwards correspondence item no. 4. Discussion ensued.

Answers to questions taken on notice at the hearing on Tuesday 15 July 2014 The Committee noted inwards correspondence item no. 6. Discussion ensued.

Public hearing Public hearing held on Tuesday 15 July 2014 The Committee noted the following documents –

• media articles – Brisbane Times 15/7/14; Brisbane Times 15/7/14 8;11pm; courier Mail 16/7/14

• proof hearing transcript 15 July 2014

2

Other Business Estimates 2014 Report The Committee noted that any statement of reservation or dissenting reports are required to be provided to the research directory within 24 hours after the report adoption meeting eg by 9:00am Thursday 31 July 2014.

Close The meeting closed at 8:38 am Next Meeting Wednesday 30 July 2014 unless otherwise determined by Chair.

.


Date Rec’d

File No.

From Topic

1. 15.07.14 E14 Kamlesh Padarath, Office of the Under Treasurer, QTT

List of potential witnesses for Estimates 2014

2. 16.07.14 E14 Kamlesh Padarath, Office of the Under Treasurer, QTT

Updated list of potential witnesses for Estimates 2014

3. 16.07.14 E14 Ms L Wright, A/Executive Officer, Office of the Director-General, Department of Premer and Cabinet

Transcript amendments from hearing held on 15 July 2014

4. 16.07.14 E14 Ms L Koci, Assistant Policy Officer, office of the Under Treasurer, QTT

Response to Questions on Notice prior to hearing for 16 July 2014

5. 16.07.14 E14 Ms L Gregoric, Portfolio Coordinator, Department of Premier and Cabinet

Requesting information relating to QoN and transcript amendments from hearing on 15 July 2014

6. 16.07.14 E14 Ms L Gregoric, Portfolio Coordinator, Department of Premier and Cabinet

Response to Question taken on Notice at the hearing on 15 July 2014

Finance and Administration Committee Summary of Outwards Correspondence – Estimates 17 July 2014

Date Sent File No. To Topic 1. 17.06.14 E14

(email) Ms L Gregoric, Portfolio Coordinator, DPC Advising processes for QoN taken on notice and

transcript from hearing on 15 July 2014

Confirmed on Wednesday 30 July 2014


1

Minutes



Minutes of a meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee Held on Thursday 30 July 2014 - Estimates At 9:30 am Room 6.53, Parliamentary Annexe and by teleconference

Present:


Apologies: Nil In attendance: Deborah Jeffrey, Research Director

Maggie Lilith, Principal Research Officer Lyn Whelan, Executive Assistant

Confirmation of Minutes On the motion of Mrs Cunningham, seconded by Mr Gulley, the Committee agreed that the minutes of the meeting of 17 July, 2014 be confirmed.


Nil

Correspondence On the motion of Mrs Ostapovitch, seconded by Dr Flegg, the Committee agreed that inwards correspondence items 1-4 be accepted and the outwards correspondence items 1-2 be endorsed, in relation to estimates.


Answers to question taken on notice at the hearing on 17 July 2014 The Committee noted inwards correspondence item no. 2. Discussion ensued.

Transcript changes 15 July and 17 July 2014 The Committee noted inwards correspondence item no. 3 and 4. Discussion ensued. The committee agreed to make typographical corrections where appropriate. The Committee also agreed to the following changes:

Tuesday 15 July 2014 –

• page 5 – number of “VER 12229” change to 12299

• page 37 – “interim commission” change to “interim commissioner”

• page 48 – paragraphs 4 and 6 – “ Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation” change to “Great Barrier Reef Foundation”

• various pages – change references to “Dr” Grayson to “Mr” Grayson

2

Thursday 17 July 2014

• page 50 – “that is another 30 per cent” change to “that is another 50 per cent”

• page 52 – “Lady Gowrie building” change to “Lady Lamington building”

Determination of additional material to be tabled with report(s) and minutes

On the motion of Mrs Cunningham, seconded by Mrs Ostapovitch, the Committee agreed that the Committee table, together with the report, a file titled “Additional Information”, which will contain:

• Copies of meeting minutes

• Questions on notice

• Answers to questions on notice

• Documents tabled at hearing 15 July 2014

• Documents tabled at hearing 17July 2014

• Answers to questions taken on notice at hearing 15 July 2014

• Answers to questions taken on notice at hearing 17 July 2014

Budget Estimates 2014-15 Report

The Committee considered the draft report.

Section Decision Page 1 Agreed Page 2 Agreed Recommendation 1 (Page 2) Agreed Page 3 Agreed Page 4 Agreed Page 5 Agreed Page 6 Agreed Page 7 Agreed Page 8 Agreed Page 9 Agreed Page 10 Agreed Page 11 Agreed Page 12 Agreed Page 13 Agreed Page 14 Agreed Page 15 Agreed Page 16 Agreed Page 17 Agreed Page 18 Agreed

On the motion of Mr Gulley, seconded by Mr Stewart, the Committee resolved that the chair’s draft report, as agreed to, be adopted as Report No. 46 of the Finance and Administration Committee and order that arrangements proceed for printing the report to enable tabling.

Reservation or dissenting reports

The Committee noted that dissenting reports and statements of reservation signed by the member/members are required to be provided to the research director by 9:00am Thursday 31 July 2014.

3

Minutes On the motion of Mrs Cunningham, seconded by Mr Stewart the Committee

agreed that in order for a copy of the minutes to be tabled with the report as per Standing Order 189, the Committee authorises that the Chair, in consultation with non-government members, confirm the minutes of this meeting.

Other Business Nil

Close The meeting closed at 9:30 am

Next Meeting Wednesday 6 August 2014 unless otherwise determined by Chair. .


Date Rec’d

File No.

From Topic

1. 17.07.14 E14 Dr A Douglas MP, Member for Gaven Seeking leave to attend Estimates 17 July 2014 for portfolio on Treasurer

2. 18.07.14 E14 Kamlesh Padarath, Office of the Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury and Trade

Response to question taken on notice at the Estimates hearing held on 17 July 2014

3. 24.07.14 E14 Ms L Gregoric, Portfolio Coordinator, Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Corrections to transcript for Estimates hearing held on 15 July 2014

4. 28.07.14 E14 Ms K Padarath, Office of the Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury and Trade

Corrections to transcript for Estimates hearing held on 17 July 2014

Finance and Administration Committee Summary of Outwards Correspondence – Estimates 30 July 2014

Date Sent File No. To Topic 1. 18.07.14 E14

(email) CLLO, Office of the Treasurer, Queensland Treasury and Trade

Advising processes for QoN taken on notice and transcript from hearing on 17 July 2014

2. 18.07.14 E14 (email)

Leader of the House and Opposition Nominees Response to question taken on notice by Treasurer at the Estimates hearing 17 July 2014

Certified as correct 31 July 2014


Questions on notice

Premier

Questions on Notice Premier of Queensland, Office of the Governor, Public Service

Commission (including Integrity Commissioner), Queensland Audit Office, Queensland Family and Child Commission

2014-15 Estimates - Finance and Administration Committee

1. Public Sector Renewal Board (Page 5)

Please clarify who has been on the Public Sector Renewal Board since its inception in 2012 including any changes to Board Membership and remuneration (listed separately)?

2. Government Executive Support Service (Page 7, 10 and 13) In relation to sponsorships proposed for the 2014/2015 budget – please list separately sponsorships and detail recipient, amount of sponsorship and length of sponsorship (listed separately)?

3. Grants and Subsidies (Page 30) Please detail recipients of Grants and Subsidies and include amounts proposed (listed separately)?

4. With reference to DPC’s responsibility for co-ordinating a whole-of-government response to The Queensland Plan (DPC SDS p. 6), will the Premier provide: (a) A detailed summary of expenses to date (actual expenditure in 2012-13 and 2013-14;

estimated expenditure in 2014-15 and beyond) for all activities associated with the development and response to the plan (each year listed separately)

(b) A list of all staff across the Queensland Government whose main role is to work on the plan (each department listed separately)

(c) A list of all consultants and contractors engaged across government to work on any aspects of the plan (listed separately, including cost of contract)?

5. With reference to the substantial increase in staffing numbers in the Department of Premier and

Cabinet in 2013-14 (DPC SDS, p. 12), will the Premier provide: (a) A full list of position titles, salary levels and roles of the extra 39 positions in Public Sector

Renewal Advice (b) A full list of position titles, salary levels and roles of the extra 30 positions in Policy Advice,

Co-ordination and Cabinet Support Service; and the further extra 12 positions to be filled in 2014-15

(c) The full list of position titles, salary levels and roles of the extra 11 positions in Legislative Drafting and e-Publishing Service?

6. With reference to DPC’s responsibility for whole-of-government communication and

sponsorship (DPC SDS, page 7), will the Premier provide: (a) a detailed breakdown of expenditure on advertising campaigns across government in 2013-

14 (each campaign listed separately, and including portfolio, costs and description of campaign)

(b) forecast expenditure on advertising for 2014-15

(c) a detailed breakdown of expenditure on sponsorships across government in 2013-14 (each sponsorship arrangement listed separately and including portfolio, costs and description of benefits)

(d) forecast expenditure on sponsorship for 2014-15?

7. With reference to the substantial over-run in expenditure for the Government Executive Support service area (DPC SDS, pp. 10, 33), for which $59.9 million is expected to be spent in 2013-14, more than $12 million above the adjusted budget of $47.3 million, will the Premier provide: (a) a detailed explanation for this over-run, which amounts to an over-run of 25 per cent (b) the amounts of extra funding expended in 2013-14 on the following initiatives (listed

separately) a. Anzac Centenary Commemoration Program b. Public sector renewal initiatives c. The Typhoon Haiyan donation d. Planning for G20 events e. Deferrals from 2012-13?

8. With reference to the changes to expenses as a result of the completion of the streamlined

media monitoring trial (DPC SDS, pp. 33, 34), with the Premier provide: (a) A detailed explanation of the trial (b) The outcomes of the trial, including any benefits (c) The cost of the trial (d) The number of staff (including position titles and salary levels) involved in media monitoring

in both the Premier’s Office and in the Department of Premier and Cabinet as at 1 July 2013 and 1 July 2014 (listed separately)?

9. With reference to the performance measures for the Government Executive Support service

area (DPC SDS, p. 17), will the Premier provide: (a) A detailed explanation as to why three measures introduced only one year ago have been

discontinued already (b) A detailed explanation regarding the benchmarks used to establish the 15 per cent target for

the measure, “Cost of corporate services as a % of departmental cost”?

10. With reference to page 8 of the SDS and the establishment of the DPC Environment Taskforce; will the Premier detail; (a) The funding allocation for the taskforce in the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and

2017-18 financial years (b) The purpose of the taskforce (c) The number of staff assigned to the taskforce (d) Whether the taskforce is funded as part of the Government’s $175 million contribution to

the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013 (e) the amount of funding expended by the Department of Premier and Cabinet in the 2012-13

and 2013-14 financial years under the Government’s $175 million contribution to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2009

(f) all projects funded under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2009 in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years, the individual cost of each project, its purpose and geographic location

(g) the amount of funding expected to be expended by DPC in 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 under the Government’s $175 million contribution to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013

(h) List all projects expected to be funded under the plan, the projected individual cost of each project, its purpose and geographic location?

11. Please outline the role of the Public Sector Renewal Board, and highlight its recent findings with

respect to improving services for Queenslanders.

12. Please provide an update on preparations for the G20, especially focussing on opportunities that will arise for Queensland business and tourism from hosting the international summit.

13. Please summarise recent changes to arrangements for legal indemnity for State Employees, and why these changes were needed to improve service outcomes for Queenslanders and better protect Queensland Public Servants.

14. What progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Floods Commission of Inquiry and what other help is government providing to boost safety for Queensland families in times of flood?

15. What has been the process to implement a new values system for the Queensland Public Service and how are these values assisting to provide a higher level of government services to Queenslanders?

16. Please inform the Committee about proposed changes arising from the Police and Community Safety Review. How will these changes help to improve safety for Queensland families when natural disasters strike?

17. What can Queenslanders expect from the Government in contributing to meeting goals and targets set out by Queenslanders in developing a new 30-year plan for the State - the Queensland Plan?

18. What plan does the Queensland government have to ensure young Queenslanders and tourists can expect to have a safe night out, free from alcohol and drug-related violence?

19. What work has the government undertaken in preparation for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, and what will be the benefits of hosting the Games in Queensland?

20. Please provide progress report on implementation of the Queensland Government's 10-year Bruce Highway Action Plan, focussing on the plan's expected outcomes in delivering improved safety, faster traffic movements and better flood resilience for Queenslanders.

Questions on notice

Treasurer and Minister for Trade

Questions on Notice Queensland Treasury and Trade

2014-15 Estimates – Finance and Administration Committee

1. Pages 5, 9 and 11

Please define Revenue Management by category, purpose and expenditure (listed separately)?

2. Service Standards – State Contribution Under ‘State contribution’, expenditure in 2013/14 actual was $36,826,000. Proposed expenditure for 2014/15 is $36,727,000 – please provide a breakdown of this expenditure including the funding for the ‘Strong Choices” campaign (reported separately)?

3. Please provide a breakdown of each area from which transfers to Government will be made including projected transfer amount and source (listed separately)?

4. I refer to page 4 of Budget Paper 2 that refers to the Costello report's recommendations relating to 'contestability' in service delivery which is also the second 'key principle' of the final Costello report. Can the Treasurer advise if any savings have been incorporated in the 2014-15 Budget from 'contestability' and list separately any internal savings by Departments that are being re-invested?

5. At page 57 of Budget Paper 2 projected revenue from guarantee fees over the forward estimates are detailed which include competitive neutrality fees. Can the Treasurer advise what the expected contribution to guarantee fees is from the competitive neutrality fee listed separately for Ergon, Energex and Powerlink for each year from 2013-14 to 2017-18?

6. I refer to page 15 of Budget Paper 2 which states that the assets proposed for divestment by the Government could potentially deliver $33.6 billion with $25 billion used to reduce State debt. Can the Treasurer advise how much of this debt would be paid down in the general government sector and the public non-financial corporations sector listed separately and if not why not?

7. I refer to page 105 of Budget Paper 2 that details that Queensland will lose around $16 billion in Commonwealth funding (as a per capita share), from the Commonwealth reduction in funding of $80 billion for public hospitals (from 1 July 2017) and schools (from 1 January 2018). Can the Treasurer advise how much of this funding will be removed from Queensland public hospitals and schools listed separately to 2024-25 and if not why not?

8. At page 9 of Budget Paper 2 it states that general government capital purchases are $485 million less in 2013-14 than forecast in the MYFER largely due to a range of deferrals associated with health and transport infrastructure. Can the Treasurer provide a list of these project deferrals along with the funding deferred for each project?

9. I refer to page 25 of the service delivery statement for Queensland Treasury and Trade that

details at footnote 5 delays to the SPER Reform Program and the trial of using mercantile agents to act on behalf of the state to collect unpaid fines. Can the Treasurer advise why these delays have occurred and whether they have contributed to a lower collection of fines and forfeitures in 2013-14 compared with 2012-13 as set out on page 70 of budget paper 2?

10. I refer to page 35 of Budget Paper 2. Can the Treasurer advise what the forecast for Gross State Product (GSP) would be in 2014-15 without the 3 percentage point contribution to GSP from net overseas exports in that financial year?

11. What was Queensland’s fiscal position in March 2012, and what has been the budgetary impact of the fiscal repair measures taken by this Government since the election?

12. How has Queensland’s debt position improved in the last two years and how does this compare to previous official estimates?

13. How does Queensland’s forecast economic growth rate compare, looking a) at other states in Australia and b) at Queensland’s recent historical average?

14. Why is gross debt the most appropriate way of measuring Queensland’s financial position?

15. How does Queensland’s tax regime compare to other States in Australia and has Queensland’s tax position improved when compared to previous years?

16. How competitive is Queensland’s jobs market and how does Queensland’s employment growth compare to other states in Australia?

17. How will the 1 William Street project improve Queensland’s budgetary position, what is the cost to Government of 1 William Street and what opportunities does the 1 William Street project create?

18. How does Queensland’s debt impact on the Government’s ability to balance the State Budget and also plan for future growth?

19. How much has been budgeted for the Strong Choices campaign and what are the benefits of educating Queenslanders about the state’s financial position?

20. What options are available to the Government to significantly reduce debt, and what impact would these options have both on the Budget and the delivery of services to Queenslanders?

Answers to questions on notice

Premier

Estimates Hearing 2014 – Finance and Administration Committee

Question on Notice No. 1

QUESTION:

Public Sector Renewal Board (Page 5)

Please clarify who has been on the Public Sector Renewal Board since its inception

in 2012 including any changes to Board Membership and remuneration (listed

separately)?

ANSWER:

The Public Sector Renewal Board (PSRB) membership comprises:

Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Jon Grayson (Chair)

Under-Treasurer, Queensland Treasury and Trade, Mark Gray

Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Dr Doug McTaggart

Chancellor University of Western Sydney, Professor Peter Shergold AC

New South Wales Premier’s ANZSOG Chair of Public Service Delivery, Professor Gary Sturgess AM.

Three external appointees to the Board – Professor Peter Shergold AC, Professor Gary

Sturgess AM and Dr Doug McTaggart.

The Commission Chief Executive, Public Service Commission, Andrew Chesterman

has observer status.

The PSRB was established in June 2012 and two members have changed since

inception:

Jude Munro resigned in July 2012 and was replaced by Gary Sturgess from August 2012

Outgoing Under-Treasurer Helen Gluer replaced by incoming Under-Treasurer Mark Gray from December 2013.

External members receive a sitting fee of $3000 (excluding GST) per meeting attended,

plus out of pocket expenses.



QUESTION:

Government Executive Support Service (Page 7, 10 and 13)

In relation to sponsorships proposed for the 2014/2015 budget – please list

separately sponsorships and detail recipient, amount of sponsorship and length of

sponsorship (listed separately)?

ANSWER:

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet leads the implementation of the Queensland

Government sponsorship policy. Its role is to provide advice to agencies when

assessing and managing sponsorship opportunities. As such, it does not mandate nor is

it responsible for the sponsorship expenditure of other departments.

The department’s sponsorship expenditure for 2013-14 was $593,180.

Each incoming request to the department for sponsorship is assessed on a case by case

basis, and no allocated budget is attached to general outgoing sponsorships for 2014–15.

The committed outgoing sponsorships to date with milestone payments made within the

financial year are at Attachment A.

The department facilitates the annual Queensland Week sponsorship program, which

provides funding to external events held during Queensland Week. The 2015 program is

currently open for applications and has a budget of $85,000.

ATTACHMENT A

Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Committed sponsorship expenditure for 2014-15

Initiative Organisation Expenditure

in 2014-15

(excl GST)

Total value of

sponsorship

(excl GST)

Length of

sponsorship

2015 Queensland

Week sponsorship

program

Various (via

application process)

$85,000 $85,000 One year

2014 Mercedes-Benz

Fashion Festival

Lindsay Bennett

Marketing Pty Ltd

$40,000 $80,000 One year

Queensland Futures

Institute

Queensland Futures

Institute Pty Ltd

$100,000 $200,000 Two years

2014-15 Queensland

Premier's Drama

Award

Queensland Theatre

Company

$71,000 $267,750 Three years



QUESTION:

Grants and Subsidies (Page 30)

Please detail recipients of Grants and Subsidies and include amounts proposed

(listed separately)?

ANSWER:

Page 30 provides the Income Statement for the Administered functions of the

department.

The following entity, as part of the Premier’s portfolio of responsibility, will receive

grants in 2014-15:

The Queensland Family and Child Commission - $10 534 000

The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) was established on 1 July 2014

to provide strong oversight of the progress and effectiveness of the Government’s

comprehensive reform agenda to transform the way our most vulnerable young

Queenslanders are protected from significant harm.

Following acceptance of the recommendations of Justice Carmody’s report ‘Taking

Responsibility: A roadmap for Queensland Child Protection’ the Government has

allocated $406 million over the next five years to keep families together with more

prevention and early intervention services and improved support for Indigenous

families.

The QFCC will, with advice from consumers, providers and expert groups, regularly

run an independent ruler over the reform road map as it is rolled out. This will provide

assurance to the government and the community that its major investment is being used

wisely and most importantly that the right support services are available at the right time

so more children can live at home safely.



QUESTION:

With DPC’s responsibility for co-ordinating a whole-of-government response to The

Queensland Plan (DPC SDS p.6), will the Premier provide:

a) A detailed summary of expenses to date (actual expenditure in 2012-13 and 2013-14; estimated expenditure in 2014-15 and beyond) for all activities

associated with the development and response to the plan (each year listed

separately)

b) A list of all staff across the Queensland Government whose main role is to work on the plan (each department listed separately)

c) A list of all consultants and contractors engaged across government to work on any aspects of the plan (listed separately, including cost of contract)?

ANSWER:

The Queensland Plan is the result of the largest community engagement activity of its

kind ever undertaken in Queensland. An international expert has heralded the process as

a potential exemplar for other state governments worldwide.

a) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet was allocated $4.6 million to develop

and implement The Queensland Plan, including the Queensland Government

response to The Queensland Plan. Expenditure to date includes:

2012-13 2013-14 (to

May 14)

2014-15

estimated

Funds

remaining

Total

The Queensland Plan $2,154,729 $1,523,256 $300,000 $602,015 $4,600,000

The Queensland

Government response to

The Queensland Plan

Nil $10,000 est $10,000 Nil

b) A project team of five officers within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet is

currently facilitating the development of The Queensland Plan with the support of

one officer from five departments (Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Affairs; Department of Education, Training and Employment; Department

of Health, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the

Arts; and the Department of Transport and Main Roads).

c) A range of consultants and contractors were engaged to support the development of

The Queensland Plan broadly including strategic engagement advice, market

research, event facilitation and promotional activities with an actual cost of

$1,394,164, noting that any procurement spend over $10,000 is disclosed on the

Procurement Transformations website.



QUESTION:

With reference to the substantial increase in staffing numbers in the Department of

Premier and Cabinet in 2013-14 (DPC SDS, p.12), will the Premier provide:

a) A full list of position titles, salary levels and roles of the extra 39 positions in Public Sector Renewal Advice

b) A full list of position titles, salary levels and roles of the extra 30 positions and the further extra 12 positions to be filled in 2014-15

c) The full list of position titles, salary levels and roles of the extra 11 positions in Legislative Drafting and e-Publishing Service?

ANSWER:

This increase in staffing numbers reflects the creation of a number of time limited

focussed taskforces.

Within these staffing levels is a notional Corporate Support allocation distributed on a

on a pro-rata basis. This allocation is for services such as financial, information and

communication technology, corporate governance, procurement, facilities management,

Right to Information, correspondence and executive support. This corporate service

allocation does not represent an increase in overall FTE’s as these have been re-

allocated from other Service areas.

PART A

In response to Part A, there was four key sources to which the extra 39 FTEs in Public

Sector Renewal Service can be attributed –

Queensland Health Implementation Unit (Queensland Health

Renewal Taskforce)

12

Public Sector Renewal Division 9

Transport Renewal Taskforce 6

Corporate Support allocation 12

The Public Sector Renewal Services has been very successful in assisting departments

to improve services for Queenslanders, with the following significant results already

achieved:

o Queensland created more jobs than any other state in 2013 o 95.8% trains running on time (January to March quarter 2014), up from 86.2%

(January to March quarter 2012)

o Public housing wait list down 38% in two years (March 2012 to May 2014) o Zero people waiting more than two years for general dental care (June 2014),

slashed from 62,513 people in February 2013

o A 74% reduction in the number of category 1 long wait surgery patients over the

last two years, from 197 in March 2012 to 51 in March 2014.

Queensland Health Implementation Unit (Queensland Health Renewal Taskforce)

Position Level FTE

Chief Executive

CEO – chief executive of health renewal

taskforce

1

Senior Executive

SES3L – senior executive director of

business reform

1

SES2H – senior executive director of

industrial relations and workplace reform;

executive director of health services reform

2

Senior Officer

SO – senior director of service delivery

reform; director of aged care and capital

works planning; director of

communications

3

Administration Stream

AO8 – project manager; business manager 2

AO7 – senior consultant for workplace

relations

1

AO6 – executive support/assistance;

consultant for human resources and

industrial relations

2

Public Sector Renewal Division

Position Level FTE

Senior Executive

SES2L – executive director of

implementation activities

1

SES2L – executive director of productivity 1

Senior Officer

SO – director of implementation activities 2

SO – director of market development 1


AO7 – principal presentation coordinator 1

AO7 – market costing analyst 1

AO6 – project and policy advisor 1

AO4 – support to executive directors 1

Transport Renewal Taskforce

Position Level FTE

Chief Executive

CEO – chief executive of renewal taskforce 1

Senior Executive

SES4H – executive director of renewal 1

Senior Officer

SO – director of renewal 1


AO8 – principal policy advisor 1

AO6 – executive support/policy advisor 1

AO5 – business manager 1

PART B (i)

In response to Part B, during 2013-14 there were six key sources to which the extra 30

FTEs in Policy Advice, Coordination and Cabinet Support Service can be attributed –

Child Protection Inquiry Taskforce 5

Strategic Monitoring Taskforce (Team Secretariat) 4

Environment Taskforce 2

Realignment of organisational responsibilities (re-structure) 9

Normal temporary business fluctuations 1


The Policy Advice, Coordination and Cabinet Support Service area is continually

improving its structure and services to deliver better outcomes for the Premier and

Cabinet and customer agencies. It continues to provide robust policy outcomes to get

the best results for Queensland.

Child Protection Inquiry Taskforce

Position Level FTE

Senior Officer

SO – program director 2



AO4 – executive support/assistance 1

One of the SO roles has been funded by the Department of Communities.

Strategic Monitoring Taskforce (Team Secretariat)

Position Level FTE

Senior Executive

SES3H – leader of strategic monitoring

team

1

Senior Officer

SO – director of strategic monitoring

secretariat

1




Environment Taskforce

Position Level FTE

Senior Executive

SES3H – executive director of taskforce

activities

1



Realignment of organisational responsibilities A number of FTEs were reallocated to this service category, resulting in an

increase of 9:

Position Level FTE

Senior Executive

SES4H – executive directors of social and

economic policy advice and coordination

2


AO8 – manager of counter-terrorism and

crisis coordination; principal project

advisor

2


AO6 – senior policy advisor 1

AO5 – policy advisor 1


Normal temporary business fluctuations Temporary establishment variations were undertaken as part of normal business

fluctuations, which include increases to staff hours of work arrangements and

day to day staff movements, resulting in a net increase of 1 FTE.

PART B (ii)

In further response to Part b, during 2014-15 there are three key sources to which the

forecasted extra 12 positions in the Policy Advice, Coordination and Cabinet Support

Service can be attributed –

Whole-of-Government Strategic Response Unit 9

Strategic Monitoring Taskforce (4)


Whole-of-Government Strategic Response Unit

Position Level FTE

Senior Executive

SES3H – senior executive director of

strategic response taskforce

1

SES2H – executive director of strategic

response taskforce

1

Senior Officer

SO - director of strategic response

taskforce

1



AO7 – senior policy advisor 2

AO6 – policy advisor 1


Strategic Monitoring Taskforce (Team Secretariat)

The taskforce is not expected to continue operating until 30 June 2015, resulting

in a decrease of 4 FTEs:

Position Level FTE

Senior Executive

SES3H – leader of strategic monitoring

team

(1)

Senior Officer

SO – director of strategic monitoring

secretariat

(1)


AO8 – principal policy advisor (1)

AO4 – executive support/assistance (1)

PART C

In response to Part C, during 2013-14 there were there key sources to which the extra 11

FTEs in the Legislative Drafting and e-Publishing Service can be attributed –

Supplementation of drafting resources, ongoing and casual, to deliver

the Government’s legislative program

6

Development of Queensland Integrated Legislation Lifecycle System

(QuILLS)

2


The Legislative Drafting and e-Publishing Service to provide high quality

drafting and publication services. Office of the Queensland Parliamentary

Counsel continues:

o to deliver the government’s significant legislative reform program within required timeframes with a very high level of customer satisfaction

o meeting all requests by Private Members for the drafting of Bills and amendments to government Bills

o working to improve public access to Queensland legislation.

Supplementation of drafting resources, ongoing and casual, to deliver the Government’s legislative program

Establishment variations were undertaken to enable the government to

implement its legislative reform agenda. These additional drafting resources,

ongoing and casual, were fully directed to the Government’s legislative program

(Bills and Subordinate legislation) and to a small number of Private Members

Bills. The additional resources commenced as required throughout 2013-14,

resulting in an increase of 6 FTEs:

Position Level FTE

Senior Executive

SES4H – associate level legislative drafter 1

Senior Officer

SO – senior level legislative drafter 3

Professional Stream

PO3 – introductory level legislative drafter 2

Development of Queensland Integrated Legislation Lifecycle system (QuILLS)

The Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel has been developing an

integrated drafting and publishing system that will improve public access to

Queensland legislation via a new website and will streamline as well as

automate (wherever practicable) legislative production and publishing processes,

resulting in an increase of 2 short-term project FTEs:

Position Level FTE


AO7 – technical manager of data

conversion

2



QUESTION:

With reference to DPC’s responsibility for whole-of-government communication

and sponsorship (DPC SDS, page 7), will the Premier provide:

a) A detailed breakdown of expenditure on advertising campaigns across government in 2013-14 (each campaign listed separately, and including

portfolio, costs and description of campaign)

b) Forecast expenditure on advertising for 2014-15 c) A detailed breakdown of expenditure on sponsorships across government in

2013-14 (each sponsorship arrangement listed separately and including

portfolio, costs and description of benefits)

d) Forecast expenditure on sponsorship for 2014-15?

ANSWER:

Departmental advertising placement includes activity booked through the Queensland

Government’s master media advertising campaign placement agency (such as

preventative health and road safety messages) and non-campaign agency (such as public

notices, recruitment and enrolment information).

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet proactively releases independently audited

advertising placement expenditure by departments on an annual basis on the

Department of the Premier and Cabinet’s publication scheme, available at

http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/right-to-info/published-info/our-finances.aspx.

This information is available each September to allow time for end-of-financial year

data and auditing purposes.

Advertising placement billings to date for April 2012-May 2014 (first 26 months of

government) by departments was $49.09M.

This a 40 per cent reduction compared to the previous administration at $81.78M (first

26 months of parliamentary term – April 2009-May 2011).

For the period July 2013 to May 2014, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet spent

$855,000 on campaign placement. Communication activity includes the Queensland

Plan public engagement process, Anzac Centenary Grant Program and communicating

events for Queenslanders, such as Australia Day, Queensland Day and Queensland

Reconciliation Awards.

Queensland Government departments follow advertising and communication approval

processes and protocols to ensure advertising and communication is justifiable, cost-

effective and fiscally responsible.

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet leads the implementation of the Queensland

Government sponsorship policy. Its role is to provide advice to agencies when assessing

and managing sponsorship opportunities. As such, it does not mandate nor is it

responsible for the sponsorship expenditure of other departments.

The department’s sponsorship expenditure for 2013-14 was $593,180. Each request is

assessed on a case by case basis, and no allocated budget is attached to general outgoing

sponsorships.

The department facilitates the annual Queensland Week sponsorship program, as it has

done since 2010, which provides funding to external events held during Queensland

Week via an application process. The budget for the 2014 program was $85,000 and

supported 17 events across the state. The 2015 program is currently open for

applications and has a budget of $85,000.



QUESTION:

With reference to the substantial over-run in expenditure for the Government

Executive Support service area (DPC SDS, pp. 10, 33), for which $59.9 million is

expected to be spent in 2013-14, more than $12 million above the adjusted budget of

$47.3 million, will the Premier provide:

a) A detailed explanation for this over-run, which amounts to an over-run of 25 per cent

b) The amounts of extra funding expended in 2013-14 on the following initiatives (listed separately)

a) Anzac Centenary Commemoration Program b) Public sector renewal initiatives c) The Typhoon Haiyan donation d) Planning for G20 events e) Deferrals from 2012-13?

ANSWER:

a) The difference in funding is not an over-run. It is a revision of approved funding since the passing of the 2013-14 Appropriation Act. This is in line with normal

Government operating budget processes.

b) Funding expended in 2013-14 on the following initiatives within the Government Executive Support service area are:

a) Anzac Centenary Commemoration Program $4.607 million

b) Public Sector Renewal initiatives1 -

c) The Typhoon Haiyan donation $1.000 million

d) Planning for G20 events $3.000 million

e) Deferrals from 2012-13 - Coordination of State Legal Representation $3.195 million

- Temporary Legal Officer $0.060 million

- Queensland Reconciliation Awards $0.045 million

- Queensland Anzac Centenary Commemoration Program $0.332 million

f) Other $0.409 million

TOTAL $12.648 million

1. Public Sector Renewal initiatives do not form part of the Government Executive Support Service area.



QUESTION:

With reference to the changes to expenses as a result of the completion of the

streamlined media monitoring trial (DPC SDS, pp. 33,34), will the Premier provide:

a) A detailed explanation of the trial b) The outcomes of the trial, including any benefits c) The cost of the trial d) The number of staff (including position titles and salary levels) involved in

media monitoring in both the Premier’s Office and in the Department of

Premier and Cabinet as at 1 July 2013 and 1 July 2014 (listed separately)?

ANSWER:

A 12 month trial of a whole-of-government media reporting service commenced on

1 July 2013, following the implementation of a single media monitoring platform from

April 2013. The single media monitoring platform has reduced government expenditure

on media monitoring by reducing duplication in delivery of press, broadcast and internet

news items, and providing broader access to material delivered across government

monitoring briefs.

The trial of a centralised media reporting service was designed to provide media

monitoring services to all government departments, and ensure the efficient day-to-day

use of the Queensland Government contract with iSentia. It also provided government

departments with additional in-house services such as broadcast copying and transcripts.

To ensure the trial was managed proficiently, a Media Reporting Services team was

established within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, responsible for the initial

establishment and the provision of ongoing services for the initial 12 month trial period.

The cost of the media reporting service was shared on a proportional basis across

government departments.

Users of the media monitoring service have reported high levels of satisfaction with its

performance and additional services, as well as support for its continuation on an

ongoing basis. The service is continuing to drive savings in government expenditure on

media monitoring by working with government departments to refine media monitoring

briefs. The MRS team was also awarded the 2014 Premier’s Achievement Award for

customer focus.

Accordingly, the media monitoring service has been extended for a further three years.

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is currently finalising recommendations for

improvement of the service. This will aim to maximise further savings to government.

The expenditure on the trial (to 26 June 2014) was $1,495,039 against an initial first

year budget of $1.9m. Compared to a ‘business as usual’ approach, total savings of

$525,124 have been made within two primary areas by having a centralised service.

These are as follows:

1. Media monitoring costs paid to the external supplier iSentia by government departments have reduced between financial years 2012/13 and 2013/14 by

approximately $306,000 or 24%.

2. In addition the Media Reporting Services team currently produces the below outputs on average on a weekly basis:

Audio files – 56

Video files – 27

Conference Unit attendances – 6

Transcripts – 39 pages

Previously Government would have used the external supplier, iSentia for these

services. Comparative costings between the two providers represent a value add saving

of $319,124 on an annualised basis.

The Media Reporting Services team staffing as at 1 July 2013 was:

A08 Manager

A04 Media Reporting Officer



A03 Media Reporting Support Officer

The Media Reporting Services team staffing as at 1 July 2014 was:

A08 Manager

A04 Media Reporting Officer A04 Media Reporting Officer

A03 Media Reporting Support Officer A03 Media Reporting Support Officer



QUESTION:

With reference to the performance measures for the Government Executive Support

service area (DPC SDS, p. 17), will the Premier provide:

a) A detailed explanation as to why three measures introduced only one year ago have been discontinued already

b) A detailed explanation regarding the benchmarks used to establish the 15 per cent target for the measure, “Cost of corporate services as a % of

departmental cost”?

ANSWER:

a) The Department’s renewal activities resulted in a restructure of the former Government and Executive Support service that saw the functions of State Affairs

and State Services redistributed across the service areas of Government Executive

Support and Policy Advice, Coordination and Cabinet Support.

As a result, the two measures related to these areas were replaced with:

% client satisfaction with support and advice provided by Government Services; and

% client satisfaction with support and advice provided by Corporate Services.

The third service standard – ‘% of operating budget utilised in delivery of service’

was discontinued following discussions with the Queensland Audit Office and the

development of more informative measures of efficiency. Revised measures were

published on page 17 - such as the average cost of delivery of Government services.

b) The 15% referred to in your question is the 2013-14 estimated actual cost of corporate services as a % of departmental cost.

It is our intention to use the 2013-14 estimated actual cost of 15% as a baseline for

future innovations and efficiencies to reduce the proportion spent on corporate

services and redirect these savings to frontline activities that better benefit

Queenslanders. This baseline of 15% is well under the Australian Public Service’s

average cost for corporate services which sits around 21% as detailed in the recent

National Commission of Audit report – Volume 3.



QUESTION:

With reference to page 8 of the SDS and the establishment of the DPC Environment

Taskforce; will the Premier detail:

a) The funding allocation for the taskforce in the 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016,17 and 2017-18 financial years

b) The purpose of the taskforce c) The number of staff assigned to the taskforce d) Whether the taskforce is funded as part of the Government’s $175 million

contribution to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013

e) The amount of funding expended by the Department of Premier and Cabinet in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years under the Government’s $175

million contribution to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2009

f) All projects funded under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2009 in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years, the individual cost of each project,

its purpose and geographic location

g) The amount of funding expected to be expended by DPC in 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 under the Government’s $175 million contribution

to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013

h) List all projects expected to be funded under the plan, the projected individual cost of each project, its purpose and geographic location?

ANSWER:

a) The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) funding allocation to the Environment Taskforce from 2013-14 to 2017-18 is outlined below.

2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

Environment

Taskforce

691,800 1,287,000 1,209,000 NIL NIL

b) The Queensland Government has formed an Environment Taskforce to develop strategic whole-of-government projects which will deliver on the draft

Queensland Plan’s target of having the best balance of environmental protection

and economic development in Australia. The first priority is to coordinate

implementation of initiatives to ensure the Great Barrier Reef remains the best

managed marine ecosystem in the world. This includes work with the Australian

Government and key stakeholders to develop a Reef 2050 Long Term

Sustainability Plan and ongoing delivery of the Reef Water Quality Protection

Plan (Reef Plan).

c) The Queensland Government has assigned 9.5 FTE to the Environment Taskforce. DPC is contributing salaries and wages for 6 FTE. The remaining 3.5

FTE are on secondment and not included in DPC budget allocations.

d) The Environment Taskforce’s Great Barrier Reef related activities contribute to the Premier’s strong commitment to Reef initiatives.

e) Expenditure by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet for Reef initiatives in 2012-13 and 2013-14 is outlined below.

Expended Budget

2012-13 2013-14 (as at 31 May 2014)

GBR Secretariat 623,744.61 535,422

Note: Cumulative budget underspend related to the Reef Plan project will be

carried over to 2014-15.

f) The projects delivered by the GBR Secretariat for Reef initiatives in 2012-13 and 2013-14 are outlined below.

2012-13 Projects

Description Purpose Cost Location

Publication of the Reef

Report Card for 2011

Report on progress as at

June 2011 against Reef Plan

targets.

8,000

Brisbane

Development and

publication of the

Science Consensus

Statement

To support the development

of Reef Plan 2013, a group

of scientists, with oversight

from the Reef Plan

Independent Science Panel,

was established to review

and synthesise the

significant advances in

scientific knowledge of

water quality issues in the

Great Barrier Reef and to

reach consensus on the

current understanding of the

system.

58,000

Publication of the Reef

Water Quality

Protection Plan 2013

Reef Plan was updated in

2013 with a renewed focus

on best practice,

coordinated capacity

building services and

collaborative effort by

government, industry and

landholders.

2,000

Coordination of Reef

related initiatives

GBR Secretariat staff

coordinated implementation

of Reef Plan actions by a

range of stakeholders and

hosted regular committee

meetings to review and

track progress.

555,744

2013-14 Projects (as at 31 May 2014)

g) In the 2013 State Budget, the Queensland Government allocated increased funding of $2.8 million over three years from 2014-15 for the coordination of

the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. The following allocations from 2014-15

to 2016-17 contribute to the Premier’s strong commitment to Reef protectioni.

Funding Allocation

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

GBR Secretariat 937,000 949,000 962,000

h) The projects expected to be delivered from 2014-15 to 2016-17 include publication of annual Reef Report Cards and coordination of Reef related

initiatives, as per (f) above.

i Note that expenditure across Queensland Government on Reef initiatives in 2014/15 is currently

budgeted at $36 million.

Description Purpose Cost Location

Publication of Reef

Report Card for 2012 and

2013

Report on progress as at

June 2013 against Reef Plan

targets.

1,500

Brisbane

Coordination of Reef

related initiatives

As per above. 533,922

Development of Reef

2050 Long Term

Sustainability Plan

In response to World

Heritage Committee (WHC)

draft decisions for a long

term plan to be prepared by

the State Party ahead of the

2015 WHC meeting.

12,595



QUESTION:

Please outline the role of the Public Sector Renewal Board, and highlight its recent

findings with respect to improving services for Queenslanders.

ANSWER:

The Public Sector Renewal Program is about becoming the best public service in

Australia and putting Queenslanders – the customers – first and at the centre of

everything we do.

The Public Sector Renewal Board (PSRB) provides leadership for the Government’s

renewal activities. Each member has significant expertise, corporate knowledge and

proven experience in public sector management and leading change in government

agencies.

The PSRB provides expert and tailored advice to all departments and support to

Directors-General to implement recommendations from the Commission of Audit. The

PSRB encourages departments to focus on customers and find the best way to deliver

services.

Already, the results of Queensland’s renewal program are significant:

Queensland created more jobs than any other state in 2013

95.8% trains running on time (January to March quarter 2014), up from 86.2% (January to March quarter 2012)

Public housing wait list down 38% in two years (March 2012 to May 2014) Zero people waiting more than two years for general dental care (June 2014),

slashed from 62,513 people in February 2013

A 74% reduction in the number of category 1 long wait surgery patients over the

last two years, from 197 in March 2012 to 51 in March 2014.

A number of lessons are clear from departments discussions with the PSRB:

Business as usual is not sustainable. Government cannot continue on the same path and deliver the same services, it needs to actively renew public services to

provide better services and value for Queenslanders.

Engage partners early. The public sector must engage customers, community groups and the private sector. Engagement needs to be at the design stage, not at

the delivery point when it is too late.

Successful renewal of services is centred on customers. Simplifying business processes results in quicker services to customers (e.g. transport customer

service centres – slashed waiting times to renew driver licences and Department

of Health – reduced emergency department waiting times).

Decision-making to the frontline. Delivering better services for Queenslanders is being achieved through equipping front-line workers with tools (e.g. smart

device for police officers) and empowering them to deliver the services their

customers need (e.g. greater decision-making to local school principals).



QUESTION:

Please provide an update on preparations for the G20, especially focussing on

opportunities that will arise for Queensland business and tourism from hosting the

international summit.

ANSWER:

The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be one of the most significant events in Queensland’s history, putting both Brisbane and Cairns and our region on the international stage.

Being invited to stage the G20 leaders’ meeting in Brisbane is the biggest vote of confidence ever in our city and state and our ability to host a major world event.

The first and foremost priority is to stage a safe and secure event for visiting leaders, delegates, the media and our own community.

The joint planning of policing, security and support services with the Australian Government is progressing well.

We have plans to capitalise on the opportunities that the G20 will bring to Queensland, from the immediate boost to our accommodation, hospitality and service sectors to the

giant spike in international awareness of our state and capital in the months and years to

come.

Short term economic benefits from expenditure in Brisbane generated from G20 visitors is expected to top $24 million ($17.8m room occupancy + $5.7m other expenditure)

during the Summit period.

An extra 20 conferences have already been booked for Brisbane in 2014, compared to 2013, adding an extra $50 million to the city’s economic worth.

The Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ meeting in Cairns is expected to generate an estimated $2million worth of accommodation expenditure and an additional

$1 million estimated additional spend by delegates and media.

3000 media representatives, half of them international media, and 4000 delegates will be Brisbane during the Summit and around 900 delegates and media and approximately

1000 support staff will be in Cairns for the G20 meeting in that city.

We’re planning to show G20 visitors the best that Queensland has to offer – they will relay their experiences of our world-class infrastructure, skilled workforce and obvious

lifestyle advantages back to their home countries.

This is our chance to showcase our key industries and our economic potential to the world.

There will also be pictures of Queensland beamed around the world – this has the potential to boost to tourism over the coming years.

Throughout this year we’ll be sharing our trade and investment achievements and building long-lasting relationships with our G20 partners, some of them visiting our

state for the first time.

Our G20 Economic Leveraging Strategy, which was recently endorsed by Cabinet, includes a number of initiatives that will highlight our successes and the many

investment opportunities that exist in agriculture, tourism, resources and construction,

education, science and innovation.

The strategy includes an international media initiative, a G20 Queensland Trade and Investment Summit to be held during Queensland’s Export Week in October, and the

Cairns Future of Tropical Economies Conference to be held just prior to the G20

Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting.

We’ve also endorsed a G20 Engagement and Communication Strategy, which will target both national and international audiences.



QUESTION:

Please summarise recent changes to arrangements for legal indemnity for State

Employees, and why these changes were needed to improve service outcomes for

Queenslanders and better protect Queensland Public Servants.

ANSWER:

The Public Service and Other Legislation (Civil Liability) Act 2014 commenced on 31

March 2014 and provides State employees with the best protection from civil liability in

Australia.

Employees across our great workforce, including police officers, health workers,

teachers and emergency services officers are automatically protected from civil liability

when performing official duties. Any civil liability that may attach to those employees

automatically transfers to the State.

A new guideline on indemnity (e.g. for the provision of legal representation) has also

been issued that again provides support for employees when performing official duties.

This is a significant improvement on the previous arrangements that required an

employee to apply for legal support and for Crown Law advice to be obtained before a

decision could be made about whether support would be provided.

The legislation and guideline support the public service values and the government’s

goal to make the Queensland Public Service the best Public Service in Australia.

They support an environment that encourages employee engagement and empowers our

workforce to look for innovative solutions, unleash their potential and make courageous

decisions that better manage risk, without the concern of civil liability. The result will

be better, smarter and simpler outcomes and service delivery for the Queensland

community.

This support does not affect the high standards that the government and the community

expect of State employees. If an employee is found to have acted without good faith

and grossly negligently, then the State can recover contributions from the employee

(e.g. costs associated with responding to or settling a claim).

In addition, employees who have not met expected conduct or performance standards

could be subject to management or discipline action.

We are proud to be leading the nation on this front, and creating workplaces that enable

our workforce to provide the best possible service to the people of Queensland.



QUESTION:

What progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Floods

Commission of Inquiry and what other help is government providing to boost safety

for Queensland families in times of flood?

ANSWER:

Progress on implementation of the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry (the

Commission) final report recommendations is going well. The Government is

continuing with implementation of the outstanding recommendations.

As at 27 June 2014, 98 recommendations had been implemented of the 123

recommendations which fall within the State’s responsibilities. Twenty-five

recommendations remain ongoing and progress has been made on all outstanding

recommendations. The ongoing recommendations are primarily those which the

Commission of Inquiry recognised would need to be implemented over the longer term,

and include the Brisbane River Catchment Study and the Wivenhoe, Somerset and

North Pine dam optimisation studies.

The Government is continuing to work with local governments and other stakeholders

to protect communities from future flooding and other natural hazards, and to build

more resilient communities.

The Department of Local Government, Community Recovery and Resilience

administers disaster mitigation and resilience funding through a joint application

package. Funding allocations across the relevant programs include:

Royalties for the Regions (R4R) - $40 million for flood mitigation projects over four years (2012–13 to 2015–16) with $10 million available in 2014-15

Local Government Floods Response Subsidy (LGFRS) - $40 million in state funds over three years (2012–13 to 2014–15) with $12.8 million available in 2014-15

Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) - $24 million available in 2014-15 in joint State and Australian Government funding delivered under the National

Partnership Agreement on Natural Disaster Resilience.

Projects funded under the R4R, LGFRS and NDRP include levees, detention basins,

backflow prevention devices, flood mapping and flood, river and rain gauges. The

NDRP also funds projects that provide volunteering support or improve community

education and preparedness for natural disasters such as bush fires and floods.

The Queensland Government also continues to deliver the Get Ready Queensland

campaign, a year-round, all-hazards disaster preparedness and resilience-building

initiative. The aims of Get Ready Queensland are to:

position Queensland as Australia’s most disaster-resilient state

integrate all preparedness activities year-round under one brand engage all Queenslanders to participate.



QUESTION:

What has been the process to implement a new values system for the Queensland

Public Service and how are these values assisting to provide a higher level of

government services to Queenslanders?

ANSWER:

Reinvigorating the public service, to make it the best, most responsive public service in the

nation is a key priority for Government. Refreshing and renewing the public service culture

and values is critical to achieving this goal, as we must fundamentally shift the way in

which the public service operates, to deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders.

During 2013, a significant state-wide engagement process informed the development of

Queensland’s first set of official whole-of-government aspirational values. The values were

built from the ground up, by engaging face to face and online with thousands of employees

across the state at all levels of the service.

The values reflect what employees collectively deem to be important, and serve as clear

beacons to guide their decisions, behaviours and actions at work. The five values are:

customers first, ideas into action, unleash potential, be courageous, empower people.

These values put us right up there with the leading private sector employers and

governments around the world, where organisational values provide vision and leadership

for their people. The values guide and inspire public service employees every day to strive

towards delivering smarter, simpler and better outcomes for their customers, the people of

Queensland.

While it undoubtedly takes years to embed any new culture, there is already evidence of the

values being implemented in agencies and at a whole-of-Government level.

There are many great examples of the work happening in agencies which reflect how the

new public service values are making a difference for Queenslanders. This includes

empowering our people and putting ideas into action to reduce the length of hospital

emergency department stays, cut red-tape to assist small business owners, reduce customer

wait times in transport and main roads customer service centres, launch online drivers’

licence applications and many more examples. All agencies are looking at the way they do

business, focusing on finding better ways to deliver services, and putting customers first to

deliver the services Queenslanders need now and in the future.

From a whole-of-Government perspective, the Public Service and Other Legislation (Civil

Liability) Amendment Act 2010 is a great demonstration of how the Queensland

Government is supporting employees to live the values. The Act provides employees with

automatic legal protection from being civilly liable while acting in their official capacity. In

this environment, employees across the state are empowered to be courageous, and make

the best decisions in the circumstances, which leads to more ideas into action. Customers

will ultimately benefit through improved decision-making and service outcomes.



QUESTION:

Please inform the Committee about proposed changes arising from the Police and

Community Safety Review. How will these changes help to improve safety for

Queensland families when natural disasters strike?

ANSWER:

Former Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Mick Keelty was eminently

qualified to lead

Date post:	05-Feb-2021
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