The Estimates Hearings follow the presentation of the Queensland 2023 Budget and gives an opportunity for Members of Parliament to ‘drill’ down into the details on how funds are being spent, or not spent.
As part of efforts to see the failings of this process addressed, we continue to advocate for a review of the Committee and Estimates systems and are currently awaiting a determination from the Committee of the Legislative Assembly. More information is available here.
As per last year, in efforts to achieve greater transparency, efficiency and to demonstrate how this can be achieved, we submitted Questions on Notice (QONS) to the various portfolio Committees, which were not accepted due to Standing Orders 181 and 182 which need to be amended, as they constrain the intent of the Freedom of Information Act 2019.
In response, these QONs were sent to the relevant Ministers, over a broad range of budgetary inquiries relevant to the Noosa Electorate from roads to black spots, rail to community batteries, palliative care to polystyrene! All fifty-five (55) questions are listed below and will be updated as responses are received.
As Sandy said in her Statement of Reservation to her Legal Affairs and Safety Committee (LASC) Report 53 on the 2023-24 Estimates Appropriation Bill 2023, the LASC Hearing was productive, with the Chair being generous with the cross bench specific time allocations, which allowed a total of ten (10) questions throughout the sessions to the Attorney General and Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency.
These were utilised to gain greater clarity on Noosa topical issues, such as how adequate police resourcing is determined and what can be done when courts do not utilise the legislative tools (harsher penalties) provided for repeat offenders, all the way through to how our Local Disaster Management Groups are updated on the progress of recommendations from the IGEM report. These are all available below, and as it is not a short read, you use the ‘Control F’ search function on computers to skip to the topics you are interested in!
To view Sandy’s 2023 – 24 Budget Summary including her reply speech, please visit www.sandybolton.com/budget-2023-24-summary.
Transcripts for all the 2023 Estimate Committee hearing are available at www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Estimates-Hearings
If Noosa Electorate residents have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au or on 5319 3100.
QUESTIONS DURING & SUBMITTED BEFORE THE LEGAL AFFAIRS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE ESTIMATES HEARING
Grouped together by issue. To view the full video of the hearing head to: https://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/Committees?reference=C7341#parentVerticalTab7. To read the transcript for the hearing, please visit https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2023/2023_08_09_EstimatesLAC.pdf.
Bluecard funding
In relation to the Government expenditure of $1.07b on Justice Services in 2023–24 (SDS, p10) what proportion has been dedicated for increases to Blue Card Services to ensure timely and appropriate processing of Blue Card applications for our Indigenous communities?
Over the last few years, the Queensland Government has implemented significant initiatives to support First Nations applicants to increase accessibility and participation in the blue card system delivering better outcomes for applicants and their communities.
In 2022–23, Blue Card Services continued to implement the Safe Children and Strong Communities Strategy and Action Plan to improve the engagement and outcomes for First Nations applicants and organisations accessing the blue card system. Among other things this included working with communities at a local level to identify options for service design and delivery and ensuring that processes are culturally appropriate, culturally safe, simplified and connected. For 2023–24, the Government has committed $0.737 million and two full-time staff to progress this important work.
The strategies implemented under Safe Children and Strong Communities are having a positive impact with the number of self-identified First Nations applicants being issued with a blue card increasing from 92% in 2020–21 to 94% in 2022–23.
Critical to this outcome is the work undertaken by a team, including identified First Nations liaison officers, dedicated to assisting First Nations applicants. For 2023–24, $1.871 million has been allocated to this team for employee expenses and travel to undertake community engagement.
This will allow the team to continue its work at the local level providing one-to-one support to 34 remote and regional communities, in addition to tailored assistance to First Nations applicants across Queensland.
This includes supporting First Nations applicants who have been asked to make a submission about their criminal history and/or other assessable information, by talking with them and allowing them a voice to support their application and address the risks to children identified from their assessable information. The officers have undertaken trauma-informed training and are experienced in engaging with applicants in a culturally appropriate, culturally safe and sensitive way. The First Nations officers also provide a cultural lens to assist the decision maker with the consideration of information relating to a First Nations applicant where this is considered appropriate.
These targeted measures have enabled greater participation in the blue card system by First Nations applicants who might have otherwise not engaged, which may have been for a variety of reasons, such as literacy issues, limited access to resources and support or a general apprehension about the system. It has also enabled Blue Card Services to make more culturally informed decisions.
During 2022–23, Blue Card Services travelled to Yarrabah, Mossman, Palm Island, Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon, Mornington Island, Aurukun, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Woorabinda, Doomadgee, and Normanton. Blue Card Services also completed outreach visits to Toowoomba, Logan, Cairns, Townsville, Charters Towers, Mt Isa, Charleville, Roma, Cunnamulla, Rockhampton, St George, and Ipswich to provide direct support to First Nations applicants.
As a result of this work, there has been an increase in the percentage of blue cards issued in the 34 remote communities, rising from 86% in 2019–20 to 90% in 2022–23.
Where an applicant has not engaged in the assessment process, the dedicated team undertake extensive steps to contact the applicant to assist them to engage in the process, including multiple attempts to contact by post/phone/email/text messaging as well as reaching out to their linked employer or organisation. If Blue Card Services is unable to contact an applicant for submissions through these extensive efforts, and where the legislation allows, the application is withdrawn rather than the alternative which means proceeding to issue a negative notice which has significant adverse implications for the person, including preventing them from reapplying for two years.
The work undertaken to support First Nations peoples has had a positive impact, reducing the percentage of applicants whose applications are withdrawn due to non-engagement from 4% in the 2020-21 financial year to 3% in the 2022–23 financial year.
In 2022–23 financial year, 14,455 (94%) of applicants who self-identified as First Nations peoples were issued with a blue card.
Of the applicants who self-identified as First Nations peoples, where there was no assessable information, online applications were finalised with an average of two business days (three days less than the target of five business days). Where less complex police information required assessment, applications were finalised with an average of 12 business days.
More complex applications can take longer to process for a number of reasons, including the need to gather more information from external sources to inform the assessment process to ensure applicants are provided natural justice, and the time needed to undertake a thorough and robust assessment to ensure a decision is made in the best interests of children.
Applications may also take longer if Blue Card Services needs to obtain information from other agencies or there are other circumstances beyond its control, such as the level of applicant engagement in the process. To reduce the volume of older files requiring complex eligibility assessments across all applications, including those made by First Nations applicants, the Government has committed in the 2023–24 budget $896,000 and five additional full-time staff for a team dedicated to this work.
In addition to the practical support Blue Card Services is providing to self-identified First Nations peoples, work is also being undertaken to:
- Review the blue card and kinship care approval end-to-end processes, in collaboration with the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services to build a stronger evidence base to better understand the interactions between the kinship care system and blue card requirements to inform future reform work;
- Engage child protection peak, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP), at a cost of $28,800 (GST excl.) to undertake research and consultation with their members (community-controlled child protection organisations) to identify barriers that the two separate approval processes pose for prospective kinship carers. It is anticipated the information gathered from this consultation will provide a further evidence base for future reform;
- Pilot Blue Card Liaison Officers in First Nations communities, a model co-designed with Community to provide place-based support to help people navigate the blue card system requirements;
- Strengthen information sharing procedures across Government, in particular with respect to kinship care;
- Prioritise key elements of the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) report recommendations including, reviewing the decision-making framework to ensure it is fit for purpose;
- Review existing resources and correspondence for applicants to ensure they are in plain English; and
- Provide cultural capability training for all staff and targeted trauma-informed training for those in roles involving regular and direct contact with First Nations peoples.
While there will always be a small proportion of applicants who will be prevented from working with children as a result of their known police and other information, there are still a number of applicants who apply and later withdraw from the process or don’t apply at all due to misinformation about the blue card system.
Blue Card Services is working to provide greater support for these people.
Blue Card Services will continue to work with employers and government agencies to promote and protect the best interests of children, which includes dispelling myths about the blue card system, building relationships and providing culturally responsive services to support individuals, employers and communities.
Body Corporate Commissioner funding
With the Government set to spend $1.07b on justice services in 2023-24 (SDS, p10) can the Attorney-General report whether there has been an allocation increase for the Body Corporate Commissioner for 2023-24 and the forward estimates to address growing service demand?
The Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management (BCCM office) provides a dispute resolution and information and education service under Chapter 6 of the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997 (BCCM Act) and its regulation modules. In addition, the same services are provided for the Building Units and Group Titles Act 1980 (BUGT Act) and several Specified Acts:
- Integrated Resort Development Act 1987 (IRD Act;)
- Mixed Use Development Act 1993 (MUD Act);
- Sanctuary Cove Resort Act 1985 (SCR Act);
- Registration of Plans (H.S.P. (Nominees) Pty. Limited) Enabling Act 1980; and
- Registration of Plans (Stage 2) (H.S.P. (Nominees) Pty. Limited) Enabling Act 1984.
The BCCM Act and Specified Acts provide the governing framework for about 51,000 community titles schemes, comprising over 525,000 lots and over 500 BUGT Act schemes.
In the 2023-24 budget the Government has provided an additional $3.5 million and six full-time equivalent staff over three years to support the implementation of community titles legislation reform in an environment of continued sector growth and service demands. The funding provides capacity to clear improve dispute resolution timeframes and to consider future organisational and service models to address service growth.
Training for fire staff
With the Government committing $41.3 million in 2023–24 for the Disaster and Emergency Management Reform (QFES IGEM SDS, p 2), can the Minister report what improvements are being funded for firefighter training for rural and volunteer fire fighters, as well for non-voluntary staff over the forward estimates?
I am advised by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services that the uplift provided to the Rural Fire Service, as a result of the $578 million reform package, will have a significant positive impact on the access that Rural Fire Service volunteers and staff have to training and frontline support.
In fact, the clear focus of the uplift of 114 full-time equivalent for the Rural Fire Service, will be to directly support volunteers on the front line.
For example, I am advised that there will be additional dedicated specialist training personnel deployed to every region.
This is in addition to the work already underway on the design, development and delivery of the Rural Fire Development Framework which is a revised training structure, linking the training undertaken by our volunteers directly to the roles that they do.
By aligning training courses to Rural Fire Service roles, volunteers can develop and maintain the skills they need to succeed in their duties and continue supporting Queensland communities.
I am advised that to date, the first two phases of the Rural Fire Development Framework have been delivered to the Regions and there is an ongoing commitment of funding and support to increase the delivery of train the trainer workshops.
In 2023-24, the Crew Leader Program and Certificate III Pathway for Frontline Volunteers and Staff will be released. This training will improve delivery and provision of brigade response to bushfire and other local events.
In addition, a number of product improvements in existing course content is underway to incorporate flexible learning initiatives such as podcasts, micro learning and eLearning components. These improvements have led to a more engaged learner cohort.
I am advised that in 2023-24, QFES will further improve the risk-specific training design and development such as remote and isolated structural response to identified areas based on local need and risk profile.
Additionally in 2023-24, QFES is designing and developing a capability enhancing staff development framework model that will deliver technical skills, non-technical skills and leadership skills required to lead the Rural Fire Service into its new established functions under the future Queensland Fire Department.
Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) funding
With the budget allocation of an additional $27m in funding for Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) in 2023-24 (Budget Paper 4, p 145) can the Minister identify specifically what these funds will be used for, and with the transition to MRQ what communication processes are being put in place to enable members to make an informed decision on whether and when to transition to MRQ?
This Government’s $27 million commitment for 2023-24 will fund the Marine Rescue Implementation Program (MRIP) within the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
Funding includes the establishment of a service headquarters, onboarding a Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) Chief Officer and staff based in Southeast and Regional Queensland. Capital expenditure allocations include new vehicles, vessels and trailers, and facility enhancements.
Work continues using this year’s budget to establish support systems required for service delivery, volunteer management and training, with appropriate induction and onboarding requirements for service volunteers and employees.
I am advised by the QPS that existing units from Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) and Volunteer Marine Rescue Association Queensland (VMRAQ) who choose to join MRQ will undertake a phased transition to MRQ from July 2024 to ensure continuity of services through a carefully managed process. The phased transition intends to minimise impact to operational units whilst maintaining safety for the Queensland boating community.
MRIP will utilise criteria to transition units to MRQ with a risk-based transition approach. I am further advised that a few units may transition prior to July 2024 as part of an ‘early adopter’ pilot to ensure the QPS works closely with volunteers to effect change.
The budget provides continuity of a proactive consultative framework, enabling stakeholders, including VMRAQ and AVCGA to be engaged, informed, and involved across the Program and transition. This includes the MRQ Implementation Working Group, an election commitment enabling volunteers and representatives of the boating public to guide MRQ’s development since March 2021.
I am informed by the QPS that MRIP engages regularly with VMRAQ and AVCGA State and Unit members to share Program updates face-to-face, through site visits with volunteers, distribution of newsletters and through the dedicated Facebook page for MRQ.
Local awareness campaigns are planned for the boating community prior to the transition of each Unit, ensuring public awareness regarding the change as the transition proceeds.
Sentencing for repeat offenders
Ms BOLTON: Good morning, everyone. Attorney, given ongoing concerns regarding the courts not utilising the legislative tools they are given to deliver harsher penalties to a repeat offender, what powers does the attorney have to remedy this? If there is none, what can be done to address this?
Mrs D’ATH: If I am understanding the member’s question correctly, the member is asking how I intervene where I believe the court’s sentence is not meeting community’s expectations.
Ms BOLTON: Correct.
Mrs D’ATH: The powers that I have is through appeal. That is what we do. The police also have mechanisms for appeal. Through the separation of powers, I cannot instruct a judge or magistrate to revise their sentence in any way other than through appeal processes. That is what the justice system in this country is all about: it sets up mechanisms where, if I am advised by Crown Law or the Director of Public Prosecutions that we believe a particular decision—and we are not just talking sentencing, but any decision of the court—either is an error at law or is not in line with community’s expectations, we can certainly appeal those, and we have on numerous occasions. Some are successful and some are not. Of course, we can go to higher courts and can go all the way to the High Court if necessary in relation to those matters. As I say, police also have those powers to appeal certain matters.
The causes behind that offending—the circumstances, whether the individual has a history of offending, the seriousness of offending, what they have done since they are alleged to have committed the offence, what have they done, have they acknowledged guilt in relation to that offending, have they sought to rehabilitate, what actions have they taken to address those issues in their lives in between the alleged offending and being convicted and sentenced—that the courts will take into account.
So, when governments of any persuasion start putting in minimum mandatory sentencing, what they are saying is that they are taking away the discretion of the courts to consider all of those elements. For example, if you put in place minimum mandatory sentencing in relation to manslaughter: we talk about some of the domestic and family violence situations where mothers have actually been charged with manslaughter because they failed to give care to their child when in consequence it has been because of the person who is perpetrating violence against them that stopped them from doing that. There are a whole lot of reasons why that has occurred and why that discretion is so critical in a democratic society and in the justice system across our country. There are very limited circumstances where you would put in minimum mandatory sentencing, such as murder.
It is something about which all governments tread very carefully. They understand the importance of the court having that discretion so that they and the jury—they are being judged by their peers—have all of the information and can take in all of that information when making decisions on sentencing.
Ms BOLTON: In essence, there is not any movement with our repeat offenders regarding car theft et cetera?
Mrs D’ATH: The government is not considering mandatory minimum sentencing, no.
Ms BOLTON: I refer to the response to question No. 13 regarding QCAT. I note the number of files pending, as of March 2023, for over 24 months for ‘children and young people’. Is there any risk assessment done when QCAT is dealing with these disputes to ensure that none of those children are at risk during the actual process? Two years seems a very long time for these cases to still be not addressed.
Mrs D’ATH: I thank the member for the question, and it is a very legitimate question around the ongoing safety of the individuals. It is not possible for me to comment because, obviously, the consideration of QCAT is a matter for QCAT. As I said, due to the separation of powers I am not responsible for those decisions and the matters that they consider. I will say that matters that are delayed over a long period are often delayed due to a whole range of different circumstances. It may be at the request of the individual parties or all parties to have the matter adjourned. They may be awaiting further information, advice, investigations, reports and so forth or it could be due to the availability of parties. There are so many factors that any individual case has to take into account.
Ms BOLTON: If the appeals process, as you have just said, is unsuccessful at times, is there then another mechanism, for example, bringing into legislation mandatory sentencing? Is that another avenue to meet community expectation?
Mrs D’ATH: Certainly, minimum mandatory sentences is a tool to enforce that someone must be sentenced, but sentenced does not necessarily mean sentenced to detention; it may be sentenced to particular outcomes. However, we must tread very carefully in relation to those, not only with regard to human rights and the United Nations conventions in relation to the rights of individuals and presumption of innocence and so forth but also because every case is different.
Ms BOLTON: Attorney, turning to efforts to reduce family and domestic violence, in a situation, for example, where a suspected perpetrator is admitted to hospital after an altercation in the family home and hospital staff cannot hold that person under either a mental health order or for drug issues, is there anything mandatory in place such as staff having to report to police to make them aware this person is being released?
Mrs D’ATH: Obviously I cannot speak to the procedures within hospitals. That would be a question that would go to the Minister for Health. I can confirm that my department works very closely with agencies like Queensland Health. Speaking generally, hospital staff are in a unique and challenging position when it comes to the situations the member is discussing. The staff’s primary duty, of course, is to care for the patient and the health circumstances they are responding to. However, if hospital staff do suspect that a patient may be a risk to others if released, they should certainly contact QPS, and they can do that. I think we can always do more in this space. I am happy to discuss this further with the health minister and the member, remembering that it is people’s confidential information. We certainly have other circumstances and obligations—for example, because of cases we have seen around child abuse—where it is required to be notified to police. These are discussions that we can have on an ongoing basis to see what more we can be doing. You have already pointed to a couple of important areas, which is what the health system can do in relation to mental health or drug and alcohol issues.
Ms BOLTON: Obviously I cannot speak about it because it is in the judicial realm now, but I am referring to the release of somebody who then became a risk and created a situation. There was no mechanism within the hospital system with regard to the mandatory reporting of their concerns of that risk. I understand what you are saying insofar as that is for hospitals. In terms of working with the Minister for Health, I am trying to understand what could be put in place to ensure that, when hospital staff are concerned and there is no mechanism to hold someone, all staff know the process as part of the alert.
Mrs D’ATH: As I say, if hospital staff suspect that a patient may be a risk to others if released they could contact the police. It is something that I am happy to continue to discuss with Queensland Health and QPS. As we know, there would not be a process where Queensland Health would be the appropriate body or authority to hold onto someone beyond assisting them with their health needs. That is not where someone should be detained. If police need to intervene and whether police should be taking someone into custody is something we can continue to have dialogue with Queensland Health and QPS about in terms of whether that should occur, in what circumstances that might occur and how that would occur.
Ms BOLTON: Commissioner, earlier I asked the Attorney regarding a suspected domestic violence perpetrator when they are hospitalised after an altercation. What processes or policies are in place when the hospital cannot retain them under a mental health or drugs issue? I understand there would be a protocol within the hospital, but from my understanding when police are contacted they are told that unless something has been done there is nothing to hold that perpetrator any longer. Is there anything that can be done when hospital staff are concerned but cannot hold somebody to prevent them being released back to where they can then do harm to their families?
Commissioner Carroll: It depends where that perpetrator sits in the scheme of things. The reason I say that is: if you look at our high-risk teams—and I will pick on Logan, and this is done around the state—they are categorised in terms of high risk, medium risk and low risk. Depending on where the perpetrator sits within that, there would be certain actions taken such that they would be checked up on and it would be checked that they would be abiding by their conditions, so certainly at the back end there is action in relation to those people. Across the state we have high-risk teams and we have a vulnerable persons unit, so the police would be well aware of who that is and, as I said, they would be addressed in terms of where they sit on that risk matrix and that risk scale.
Ms BOLTON: Commissioner, to be assessed for risk they would have to be somebody who had already come onto the radar of police, but for those who have not previously is there anything that hospital staff can do, such as call police, and is there anything then they can hold them on, especially at the request of families?
Commissioner Carroll: As you know, they would normally go in under what is an emergency mental health order, but certainly I would expect that hospitals would refer that to police because they would not have the powers to hold someone unless there is a reason to hold them, and that is coming through the police in the first instance.
Ms BOLTON: And police do have powers to hold them?
Commissioner Carroll: They can investigate initially and then if the investigation is substantiated, depending on what the matter is, they definitely have powers to hold them. It is not uncommon for us to hold people in hospitals—we will deploy
Emergency accommodations
Ms BOLTON: Attorney, previously you responded to the member for Cooper regarding new initiatives for emergency accommodations that include eight new shelters and some other things. Does the rollout date of October 2024 include construction?
Mrs D’ATH: No. My understanding is that the eight shelters are already constructed. We have established eight new shelters since we came to government. In terms of the other programs and the pilot that I talked about—the house connector—we are hoping that those new roles will start in October this year, with an evaluation in 2024 for those new roles.
Ms BOLTON: In amongst those new initiatives and in the budget, is there anything to address the ongoing issue of emergency accommodation? Over the weekend, from four o’clock on a Friday, we have only one service to address emergency accommodation—that is, the 1800 number. They cannot assist or provide any forms of accommodation—this is a constant. It is up to us to house and take in domestic and family violence victims. Is there anything that can alleviate the immediate situation at the moment?
Mrs D’ATH: We are working across government and with the housing minister in relation to what else we can do in both emergency short-term accommodation and also the longer term, which is what the house connectors are about. You are right: I think we all get individuals who come directly to us as members of parliament seeking assistance. Aside from the number that you talked about, I also have in my community organisations that provide support that assist with getting emergency accommodation. The department of housing also directly provides assistance to get emergency accommodation for women fleeing domestic and family violence.
Ms BOLTON: Just to confirm, that does not occur after four o’clock on a Friday, and a lot of those organisations are funded and created. We have a lot of organisations operational, but they seem to close at four o’clock on a Friday and I think it is that weekend period. Is there anything that is going to be done to uplift because it is often on a Friday night when there is big demand?
Mrs D’ATH: Sure. My understanding is DVConnect itself is a 24/7 line, so it does not shut down at 4 pm on a Friday afternoon. We do ask people who are seeking assistance, both victims and perpetrators, in relation to domestic and family violence to ring DVConnect. That will be the starting point to try to reach out to other services that can assist. I am not saying that we have all of the answers yet. There are a lot of recommendations. We have committed to implementing recommendations from the first report of the Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce over four years which started last year. We have a second report with many recommendations and there is a lot more work to be done and so I am not in any way indicating that the job is finished, but we do encourage people to ring that DVConnect line for that reason.
Ms BOLTON: They do, but the problem is there is nowhere for them to even send them. With that, to finish, in those shelters is there anything for the northern Sunshine Coast within the Noosa region, because we are just absolutely desperate?
Mrs D’ATH: I am happy to follow up on the eight shelters, but I think the member was here when I read out earlier the funding injection going into a large number of service organisations for a whole lot of other services, including the refuges that they run, so the eight is not the total. I guess in asking the question whether there is anyone servicing that area, we are probably better off looking at across service providers, not just the eight particular new shelters that we talked about. I am being advised the shelters are in Brisbane, Townsville, Charters Towers, Coen, Roma, Caboolture and the Gold Coast for those particular new ones and Tingalpa is the final location. I should say, because I did, I think, answer before—it might have been to the member for Whitsunday—that all of them were established. I am being advised that the Tingalpa one is the final location, but the capital was federal funding and state funding is covering operating costs. But I think they are established? They are? Okay, so they all are established. I do not know if my department can advise of all of the other private providers and what services they are providing in your particular area. I am being told we can take that on notice, so we will come back to you, member for Noosa.
Staffing Shortages
Ms BOLTON: Attorney, in the response to question on notice No. 7 regarding legal aid services, there is a reference to recruitment challenges. Obviously that goes across many government organisations and also the private sector. Are there any initiatives similar to what QPS is doing in the recruitment of international officers to fill those spaces? Is there anything similar happening in the other realms that are experiencing those shortages?
Mrs D’ATH: I cannot speak for Legal Aid per se—they were here this morning and able to answer questions—but it is difficult. I have no doubt that there are challenges in relation to the legal profession, whether it is our community legal centres, ATSILS, Legal Aid and even across the department but particularly the private profession. I have spoken to the Bar Association. I even asked the question, just as I did in health: ‘Is this about graduates? Are we not getting enough students wanting to go to law school and enough graduating with legal qualifications? Is that part of the reason we have a shortage?’ Realistically, the shortage is about experienced lawyers, as we have seen across so many industries, making decisions about what their future looks like and how they want to work. COVID has shifted the way people look at their employment and how they want to operate—whether they want to work from home, interstate or remotely and just work-life balance. All of these decisions have had an impact. Since the borders opened, people have travelled and want to work elsewhere and work overseas. I have no doubt that those bodies, including Legal Aid, are doing everything possible to attract, but it will be a challenge and it is a challenge. Trying to compete with the fees of the private sector in the legal profession, like other areas, will always be difficult. We continue to fund Legal Aid and try to support it as best we can. We are providing additional funding for ATSILS as well. Specifically for ATSILS, it is about giving them $9 million to see if this helps to offer higher wages so they can be competitive, because we do not want ATSILS removing services in our rural and remote communities as that will have a detrimental impact.
Ms BOLTON: Are you working with the federal government? We are hearing—it is not just within these types of organisations but also in the private sector—cases of them not delivering the orders. There is a five-year waitlist because they cannot get everything—boat builders et cetera. There are federal constraints around permits and things like that. Is the state government working with the federal government to see whether there is some relief?
Mrs D’ATH: Are you specifically talking about Legal Aid now?
Ms BOLTON: I am talking broadly. I have just used Legal Aid as an example.
Mrs D’ATH: Sure. In terms of what we are doing to support business, what we are doing in the training and skills space and those types of things are questions that should directed to the small business and training and skills minister. Otherwise it comes down to individual portfolios and what they are doing in terms of working with the Commonwealth on incentive programs in particular areas and attracting people from overseas. I know the Commonwealth is alive to the workforce shortages across so many industries. I know they are looking at how they streamline those services, particularly around immigration and work visas.
Police Pursuit Policies
Ms BOLTON: Commissioner, given the reports that offenders are now utilising the disempowerment of police in the pursuit policies which have been raised, is there going to be any review on those policies and efforts to reduce some of the horrendous statistics we are seeing and perpetrators, including in DV?
Commissioner Carroll: Sorry, member, can you repeat, if you do not mind, the second part, the pursuit policy?
Ms BOLTON: Yes, the pursuit policy. Will there be a review of those policies in order to get a reduction on what we are seeing currently with stolen vehicles and also an incident which obviously we cannot speak about that happened in our shire just a fortnight ago?
Commissioner Carroll: I will touch on why the pursuit policy was brought in and how a lot of research went into it and to advise that ultimately, yes, there will be a review. It came in as a result of 22 deaths from 2000 to 2009. The policy is actually a restricted policy, but in certain circumstances you are still allowed to pursue. Since then, from 2019 to 2022, there have been two deaths attributed to the pursuit policy. There is a recommendation from the State Coroner who has asked us to expedite the review and, as a result, a current review is underway.
Ms BOLTON: Minister, we have been advised that Operation Sandstorm has completed and is no longer operational, and that is on the Cooloola Coast. Can you provide the rationale for why this was ceased given the ongoing offences committed along that stretch and what will be implemented to replace it?
Mr RYAN: I am always happy to get some more information from you about what you have heard because I have just been advised by the commissioner that the operation is continuing; it has not ceased. I have some detail that the commissioner has just provided to me. It has been ongoing since 2019. There were 18 deployments last year and 14 deployments to date this year with particular focus around peak visitor periods. It is conducted by the Wide Bay Burnett Police District, alongside Queensland Parks & Wildlife. It includes emerging technologies like drones to capture hooning and dangerous driving. They have had some significant success with the work. The data I have is that since the beginning of 2022 to 30 June this year, there have been almost 1,400 traffic infringement notices, over 9,000 roadside breath tests and 365 drug tests.
Ms BOLTON: Commissioner, can you quickly share how adequate police numbers are determined for a region? You mentioned earlier demand and rostering, but how is that calculated given the increase we have had in domestic and family violence?
Commissioner Carroll: There are a number of criteria used in that: demographic factors is one, clearly, crime trends, local policing initiatives, historical demand for service, and particularly now and in recent years, the actual demand of an area. I would say that a few years ago we were quite immature in measuring demand, particularly hidden demand. Part of recommendation No. 1 for the commission of inquiry is actually looking at demand. We have more sophisticated systems to look at that. There are a variety of factors, but for me the most accurate is to look at that hidden demand that in the past we actually did not see. I have touched on some of those things, as I have said: demographic, crime, local initiatives and that demand modelling.
Accommodation for Prisoners Eligible for Parole
Ms BOLTON: Commissioner, can you update us on any progress regarding efforts to reduce the number of prisoners who are eligible for parole but have not been able to provide the required details of accommodation that they will be able to go to?
Commissioner Stewart: That is an important part of parole determinations. Of course, the determination on parole is a matter for the Parole Board Queensland—an independent authority that makes the decisions and the determinations in relation to parole. Accommodation is one of the significant risk factors in relation to people who are released from custody transitioning into the community. In order to ensure they have the best chance of success on parole, accommodation, employment, family support and other supports are the important factors. Our Community Corrections people do accommodation risk assessments and provide that information to the Parole Board when they are making their determinations. From our perspective, we fully support the role and the need for those who are ready and eligible for parole to safely exit custody and be supported on parole.
We work very closely with the Department of Housing in relation to housing stock that is available through the public housing process. We work very closely with other partners such as St Vincent’s that have accommodation that they provide for people exiting custody. In addition to that, we have re-entry services in the men’s and women’s prisons across the state. The re-entry people have significant contacts throughout the community in relation to housing and housing stock.
We then have to overlay community safety. Community safety is at the core of everything we and the Parole Board Queensland do—without speaking for the Parole Board Queensland. We need to ensure that the accommodation that is identified is in a safe location, does not impact any victims or any concerns that might be raised by any victims, and provides support for those people to ensure they are not then in a position where they could potentially reoffend.
In answer to your question, we are doing everything we can. We see that as one of the most critical elements of release on parole. We do everything we can to support people, acknowledging that it is difficult to find appropriate housing for people.
Ms BOLTON: Since last estimates, have the statistics improved? We did hear last estimates and in inquiries that there were a lot of people sitting there who could be paroled but could not be because, even though we have all of those agencies, accommodation could not be found.
Commissioner Stewart: Minister, I do not know that that would be something for us to answer. From our perspective, we do everything we can and the Parole Board are the people who make the determination in relation to parole.
Mr RYAN: The President of the Parole Board is available to answer the question.
Mr Byrne: As the commissioner has explained, it is not a simple process. Community Corrections, which is an arm of Corrective Services, assesses all accommodation for prisoners who are vying for parole being granted by the board. What the board has introduced to try to fast-track the process, because the provision of housing is outside our province, is a system whereby if a person is ready for parole so far as risk is concerned, so far as they have done the appropriate programs and so far as they have support, both professional and/or family, then we grant the prisoner parole subject to finding accommodation. That, from discussions, assists the housing organisations such as CREST to prioritise that prisoner for accommodation and they work through it that way. We also fast-track at our end in the sense that, once that stage is reached, the board delegates the authority to approve an address to the chair of the particular board making the decision in consultation with the Public Service representative who liaises with Community Corrections about that. From the Parole Board point of view, that is how we do the best to minimise the time that prisoners spend in prison simply for want of housing. I do not have the exact numbers in front of me, but I can try to obtain those.
Ms BOLTON: That would be good. In one of our inquiries, Sisters Inside said that each time an address was given only one would be accepted instead of being able to put, say, three addresses for the Parole Board to check. What was slowing the process was that only one address could be given per application and if that was rejected then they had to go back and start the process again.
Mr Byrne: The commissioner may be able to answer that more directly, but certainly from the parole point of view it is outside our control. We welcome the addresses being given to us. I am not sure of the process, but we often get more than one submitted by prisoners. Sometimes none are suitable and sometimes two are suitable and then we try to approve both so that there is flexibility in the management of that person in the community.
Impacts of the Transfer of Youth Offenders into Adult Prisons
Ms BOLTON: Commissioner, you spoke of employment—and part of that is the work skills programs. In terms of the reforms facilitating the transfer of adult detainees out of youth detention into the adult correctional system, what impact is that having given previously we heard that the work skills programs were not being delivered appropriately because of overcrowding in prisons?
Commissioner Stewart: We have a number of programs and experiences in industries that we offer prisoners across the state. As I said before, employment is a critical element of success for people leaving our custodial centres or, alternatively, going onto parole. Interestingly enough, across the state we have a whole raft of opportunities for prisoners, whether it is learning skills in laundry, sewing, metalwork or painting. We have a lot of processes with agencies where people attain certificate IIIs or certificate IVs in skills across the organisation. Whilst a youth coming out may not have the exact program to follow on with, we would work with that individual to determine what is the best that we can offer them within our system. There are raft of opportunities in relation to industries and processes as well as numeracy and literacy and education.
Ms BOLTON: So there has been no detrimental effect to youth transitioning out of the youth sector to the adult sector?
Commissioner Stewart: My position would be that we would be able to offer individuals the chance to gain skills in relation to meaningful employment. The other thing is that we have work camps throughout the state as well. People in areas such as Innisfail and Julia Creek speak so highly of individuals. There is a work camp at Winton that I visited recently. One of the individuals there indicated that he was a boilermaker. When he finished his sentence, he gained employment in Winton. It is a significant focus of ours in relation to rehabilitation and wanting to stop reoffending.
Outstanding Recommendations from IGEM Report & Australian Warning System
Ms BOLTON: Commissioner, what feedback has been received on the introduction of the new Australian Warning System? Also, are there any outstanding recommendations from the IGEM report from 2020?
Commissioner Leach: Thanks for highlighting what is a very important part of the national warning system. With regard to the Australian Warning System, because we have our fair share of disasters across Australia—not just bushfires but storms, floods, cyclones—each jurisdiction has developed its own warning systems organically over many years, and so for the travelling public it can be quite confusing when you move from one jurisdiction to the other not being familiar with the various warning systems. There has been a project running for a number of years now to develop the new Australian Warning System. The new Warning System, if you are familiar with it, has three levels of advice to the community. There is an advice message that goes out to let the community know that an incident has started. There is no immediate danger, but people should stay up to date with what is going on in their local area. Then there is a watch-and-act signal. That is to let the public know that there is a heightened level of threat and the conditions are changing and people need to start thinking about their circumstances and whether they need to take action to protect themselves. The last level is an emergency warning, and that is where people may be directly in danger and need to take action to protect themselves. The new system that is being rolled out also involves community education, so we are doing all sorts of electronic media and print media to make sure that the new system is known and to let the public know the sort of standard icons that will be used as part of the warning.
Ms BOLTON: We have not had an incident yet to see how the feedback is from the communities?
Commissioner Leach: It is a relatively new system. We have introduced it for bushfire here in Queensland and are progressively moving to other hazard types as well. A couple of other jurisdictions have adopted the Australian Warning System in full and I think we will get a lot of feedback over the next 12 months as we move through our bushfire seasons nationally and severe weather seasons. There has been a lot of effort go in to educating the community about this and we hope that we have had a fair level of penetration because this is information that is important to people’s personal safety.
Ms BOLTON: Are there any outstanding recommendations from that IGEM report from 2020?
Commissioner Leach: I might defer to the Inspector General Emergency Management.
Mr Dawson: In respect to the recommendations that are currently underway, there are recommendations in play at the moment from a number of different reports that have been done, but I am pleased to report that 60 per cent of all current recommendations of 112—that is 67—are currently implemented and three are superseded. That leaves about 38 per cent, or 42, that have not yet been implemented. That does not mean to say they are not underway, because every recommendation is underway. In the current light of the Reform Implementation Taskforce, a lot of the work there is actually going into that as well. We form part of that as a member, as do others, and part of that is making sure that recommendations that are still outstanding or are underway are translated across in that whole exchange process.
Ms BOLTON: Within that process, are the LDMGs notified of the progress of any? How does that information filter back?
Mr Dawson: Thank you for the question. It is a good question. The information around progress of recommendations from reviews is reflected on our website. It is a cabinet-in-confidence process. The process goes into the minister. As a result of that, every six months we do an update. Part of that is around that transparency so community can see the progress being made against the recommendations from the various reviews. I can say that they are all underway.
Questions ‘On Notice’ to Ministers Estimates 2023 (letters sent 26 and 31 July 2023)
Grouped together by Queensland Minister. A reminder, some Questions have yet to be responded to, we will continue to update this as answers are received.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade And Investment
Given the increases in Land Tax from $1.78B in 22-23 to 2.04B in 23-24, (Budget Paper no 2, page 87), with this 15 percent increase falling on property owners and passing on to tenants, will the Government freeze the Land Tax at 2021 valuation levels to prevent further rental increases in the housing crisis?
Despite the recent nation-wide increase in land values, the current land tax threshold and exemption in Queensland ensure that most landowners won’t have a land tax liability, and those with small investment property holdings will generally have a minimal land tax liability.
In particular, the key exemption for principal places of residence means most Queensland homeowners have no liability for land tax.
The thresholds at which land tax becomes payable in Queensland are among the most generous in Australia. For individuals, the land tax-free threshold of $600,000 is one of the highest in the country.
In its recent Budget, Victoria announced it will reduce the land tax threshold to just $50,000 from 1 January 2024 — meaning Queensland’s individual threshold will be 12 times higher than Victoria’s, despite Queensland also generally having lower average land values.
The generosity of Queensland’s land tax threshold is even more apparent when the threshold is put in the context of other major states having higher comparative average house and associated land values.
In addition, land tax in Queensland is subject to a system of three-year averaging of the land value, which helps further smooth the impacts of increasing land values on the tax payable by landowners.
To make it easier for landowners to apply for an exemption from land tax for the property they live in, the government is also putting in place an automatic exemption process for the principal place of residence for eligible owners, based on appropriate verifying data.
Regarding the total payroll tax (and mental health levy) of $5.8b in 2022-23 (Budget paper 2, p 239), will the Government commit to ensuring that the $100m expected increase for GP clinics be removed in perpetuity to prevent further pressures on these clinics and their patients who will experience an increase in fees as a result?
Payroll tax is administered in accordance with the Payroll Tax Act 1971 (Payroll Tax Act), which provides the legislative basis for the imposition of payroll tax in Queensland. Relevantly, payments made to contractors are subject to payroll tax, unless an exemption applies.
The contractor provisions in their current form have been in place since 2008. QRO has not changed how it administers these provisions in relation to medical practices.
In response to requests for guidance from the medical industry, QRO has published Public Ruling PTAQ000.6.1 Relevant contracts-medical centres which clarifies how the Payroll Tax Act applies to certain contractual arrangements between medical practices and GPs.
As you may be aware, to support medical practices to come into compliance with their payroll tax obligations, the Queensland Government has announced a payroll tax amnesty on payments made to contracted GPs up until 30 June 2025.
The amnesty provides medical practices who are not currently complying with their payroll tax obligations, or have been subject to audit activity, in relation to payments to contracted GPs with time to review their arrangements, seek advice, and implement necessary changes to ensure future compliance with their payroll tax obligations. Medical practices that receive the amnesty would not be required to pay payroll tax on payments made to contracted GPs until 1 July 2025.
The action taken by the Government to address this issue, means Queensland is the most generous state for delivering real support for our hard working GPs. In dollar terms, this means our Government is providing an amnesty at a cost to the budget of $100 million per year. This will give relevant medical practices sufficient time and resources to ensure that they are able to come into compliance with the application of payroll tax to their business when the amnesty expires on 1 July 2025.
With the budget listing modest growth in transfer duties (Budget paper No. 2, p 79) and given the need to increase housing stocks for families during our present housing crisis, will the Minister reconsider the Government position on providing temporary exemptions on transfer duties to encourage retirees to downsize their homes?
Although there is no specific transfer duty concession currently provided for retirees over the age of 65, there are significant transfer duty concessions available to all home buyers in Queensland, which would also benefit seniors who may be downsizing. Queensland remains one of the only jurisdictions that has a principal place of residence concession, providing a saving of up to $7,175 in transfer duty to anyone buying a home to live in, including seniors and pens ioners.
Additionally, Queensland’s transfer duty rates are structured to ensure that, depending on the value of the respective properties, purchases at lower values, such as when downsizing, are liable for lower rates than transactions at higher values.
Further Information on the principal place of residence or ‘home’ concession from transfer duty can be found at https ://www .qld.gov .au/housing/buying-owning-home/advice-buying- home/transfer-duty
In regard to broader fee and cost of living relief for seniors, I assure you the Queensland Government is committed to providing substantial support for all Queenslanders who face cost of living challenges. The Queensland Government provides a significant range of concessions, subsidies, discounts and rebates every year which help reduce transport, housing , healthcare, education, water and energy costs for millions of Queensland households. In 2022-23, the value of these concessions is $6.786 billion, an increase of more than 10 per cent from 2021-22.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing
Manufacturing support for Noosa
With the Government committing in 2023-24 $32.2 million for Made in Queensland and $28 million for Building our Regions (SDS p 6) what manufacturing industry support will the provided to the Noosa and Sunshine Coast Regions to support affordable housing technologies and advanced manufacturing?
As outlined in the 2023–24 Budget Paper, the Palaszczuk Government has budgeted $32.2 million for the Made in Queensland program. This program is available to small to medium sized manufacturers in Queensland to increase their productivity and international competitiveness through the adoption of advanced manufacturing equipment, technologies, processes and systems.
The next round of the program will open later in 2023, and manufacturers across Queensland, including the Noosa and Sunshine Coast areas, will be encouraged to apply to support their advanced manufacturing projects. I will provide information to your office when the next round opens. Previous Made in Queensland recipients have belonged to a variety of industry sub-sectors including, support for manufactured products into the construction and housing industries.
Extend manufacturing hubs to Noosa
With the Budget identifying increased funding for the Manufacturing Hubs Grant Program (SDS p 7) will the Government extend the Program to the Noosa and Sunshine Coast regions in addition to the Gold Coast?
The $16.7 million allocated to the Manufacturing Hubs Grants program continues support for eligible businesses in the Manufacturing Hub regions, to build advanced manufacturing capabilities. As you are aware, the Manufacturing Hubs are currently located in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Gold Coast, and I will continue to consider further locations.
The department has two manufacturing staff based in Maroochydore who are working with a range of manufacturers across the wider Sunshine Coast region, supporting them to grow and diversify their businesses.
Minister for Communities and the Arts
With $4.2m funding provided in the Budget in 2023-24 to expand food and emergency relief throughout Queensland (SDS, p4), can the Minister report what support will be provided in the Noosa electorate for emergency relief services?
The Palaszczuk Government is delivering $4.3 million to extend and expand food and emergency relief throughout Queensland in 2023-24 to continue the provision of emergency relief supports (including vouchers, food parcels and contributions to payments such as utility bills). Planning is currently underway for the delivery of this funding and as such specific locations cannot yet be provided. The funding announced in the 2023-24 State Budget follows an additional $3.3 million in 2022-23 announced at the October 2022 Housing Summit, which doubled funding of emergency relief providers and food relief services Foodbank, Oz Harvest and Second Bite. -3- The newly announced funding is in addition to the existing funding in 2023-24 of $2 million for emergency relief across the state and $1 million for food relief services. In the Noosa electorate, the department funds the following services:
- Pomona and District Community House (Neighbourhood Centre funding of $273,706), responds to the needs and priorities of the community using a place-based approach, assisting individuals and families to access to appropriate services and supports, and provision of critical social infrastructure to communities.
- Funding contributions to Pomona and District Meals on Wheels ($2,199) and Tewantin/Noosa District Community House ($3,487) support vulnerable individuals in their local community, as well as commitment to volunteering and social infrastructure.
- Maroochydore Financial Counselling (Financial Literacy and Resilience service funding of $154,482) assists vulnerable Queenslanders by enabling clients to access financial information, strategies, and options suitable to their needs, through financial literacy education, advocacy and case management to clients experiencing financial hardship. In addition to services that are located within the Noosa electorate, the department funds a range of services across the Sunshine Coast area that are available to Noosa residents. Noosa residents can also access services from eight Queensland Community Support Scheme providers located in neighbouring electorates.
People living in the Noosa electorate are able to seek Emergency Relief support through statewide Emergency Relief providers, such as the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul, and Wesley Mission.
Funding for lifeline
Given the Government commitment supporting the community service system (SDS, p8) as part of its $492m expenditure in 2023-24 (SDS, p 12), what funding increases is the Government allocating to Lifeline to address increased demand?
The department does not provide funding to UnitingCare for the delivery of their Lifeline service. The Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services, and Minister for Women, has recently announced new funding of $12 million over the next four years for Lifeline to continue its critical work in providing quality mental health support to Queenslanders, and $12 million for Kids Helpline.
Fantastic outcome to our advocacy on this, please see our Noosa 360 update available at www.sandybolton.com/lifeline-funding-secured-august-2023
Funding for youth organisations
With the budget funding $194m for community services in 2023-24 (SDS, p 9) what increased allocations have been made for youth organisations that deliver peer-to-per programs as part of providing greater assistance and support?
The department does not directly fund frontline youth services. The portfolio responsibility for this enquiry is best responded to by the Honourable Craig Crawford MP, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services. However, the department does provide opportunities like the annual Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (QIYLP) and the Queensland Youth Parliament (QYP) delivered by YMCA. Both QIYLP and QYP offer former participants the opportunity to return as mentors, guiding and assisting new participants, peer-to-peer on their leadership journey and throughout the program.
Funding for hospital transport
Given the 2023-24 funding of $194m (SDS, p 9) for community services, what additional allocations of funding will be urgently made to the Anglicare hospital transport service between Noosa and the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, due to oversubscribed services and applicants being turned away?
The department administers the Community Transport initiative as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing commitment to enabling economic participation, supporting healthy communities, and reducing social isolation for Queenslanders. The Community Transport service is not a hospital transport service. Questions about transport for hospital and health services should be referred to Minister Fentiman. Community Transport has a unique and valued role in relation to other mainstream transport options, through enabling vulnerable people to access a variety of community, health and social services, and more actively participate in their communities. There are two service providers funded by the department in 2023-24 to provide Community Transport services across locations on the Sunshine Coast, including the Noosa area:
- $32,944 funding for Anglicare (The Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane) until 31 December 2023
- $74,866 per annum for Comlink Australia Limited until 30 June 2028.
In June 2023, AnglicareSQ advised the department of their business decision to cease delivering Community Transport services. As part of their transition plan, AnglicareSQ has worked with the department to execute a six-month contract until December 2023 to enable continuity of supports to their existing service users and a planned transition for these clients to other services as appropriate. Comlink Australia Limited also delivers Community Transport in the Noosa area and has a five-year contract in place to 30 June 2028. Comlink Australia Limited has advised the department that they have capacity to support new service users in the Noosa area.
Minister for Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
With the Government dedicating $120m in the 2023-24 Budget (SDS, p 9) to Treaty and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, can the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure on Treaty over the forward estimates including allocations for communication and engagement with the broader community?
The Palaszczuk Government is committed to progressing a Path to Treaty in Queensland. The $120 million identified in the Service Delivery Statement (SOS) is the full 2023-24 budget for the Treaty and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. The Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB) is a short-term interim body to continue momentum while the First Nations Treaty Institute and Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry are established. The role of ITTB includes engaging with the broader Queensland community. ITTB conducted extensive community engagement activities this year in relation to the establishment arrangements for the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and the First Nations Treaty Institute. Up to $5 million over two financial years has been allocated to support the work of ITTB – noting this has been funded through returns from the $300 million Path to Treaty Fund rather than the Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (the department) budget allocation, as outlined in the SOS. Additionally, the role of the Path to Treaty Office within the department, includes working with ITTB to facilitate community engagement to generate broader understanding of Queensland’s history, particularly with non-Indigenous Queenslanders. Once established, both the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and the First Nations Treaty Institute will also have important roles in communicating and engaging with the community in relation to truth-telling, healing and treaty making. The allocated budgets for these entities will be finalised on their establishment.
As the 2023-24 Budget commits $120m (SDS p 9) for building local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authority and governance, and supporting local decision-making bodies, can the Minister identify what funds have been provided for this purpose to Kabi Kabi indigenous communities over the forward estimates?
The Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts (the department) is working with local First Nations leaders across Queensland, including Kabi Kabi Traditional Custodians, to support communities to establish Local Decision Making Bodies (LDMBs) to have a greater voice in how government services are delivered. Operational grants and remuneration are available to support and mobilise LDMBs once established. Since 2019-20, the Palaszczuk Government has allocated almost $6.9 million over four years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing, with a particular focus on youth suicide prevention, early childhood, and family support. Under the Local Thriving Communities Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWS) Program, the department is supporting several initiatives, co-designed with local leadership, to improve mental health and social and emotional wellbeing outcomes, respond to substance misuse, and reduce rates of suicide in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Queensland.
Two initiatives have been funded on Kabi Kabi country and surrounding areas:
- $234,960 was allocated to Galangoor Duwulami Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation (Primary Health Care Service) in 2022-23 to deliver the Galangoor Child and Youth Connect Program in the Maryborough and Hervey Bay areas. This initiative was aimed at filling a gap in culturally safe mental health services available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people aged eight to 18 years, by increasing access to counselling and creating referral pathways to other support services.
- $1.4 million was allocated over three years for the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) to implement an Early Childhood Wellbeing Program. As an extension of IUIH’s existing successful Birthing in Our Community initiative, the Early Childhood Wellbeing Program is providing culturally safe wrap-around supports to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Strathpine (home of the Turrbul Peoples), north of the Pine River to Caboolture (located on Kabi Kabi Country). The development of Family Care Plans and the facilitation of Early Learning Playgroups, at-home visits and specialist referrals are supporting First Nations children to thrive in their early years, reach their developmental potential, and successfully transition to early education and school.
Minister for Housing
Funding to reach 11,000 year social housing target & Long term housing plan
With the Government committing $778.1m over 5 years to continue the delivery of Housing and Homelessness Action Plan commencement targets (SDS, p 2), when will the Government commit the necessary additional funds to reach the target of 11,000 new social and affordable homes a year as recommended by the Qld Council of Social Service?
Given the Government expenditure of $778m over 5 years to deliver the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, when will the Government replace this short term 4-year plan, and the growing out of date 2017-2027 housing plan with a long term 20 year housing strategic plan?
In response to 2 questions above, the Minister for Housing provided the following:
I note your reference to the findings of the report ‘A Blueprint to tackle Queensland’s housing crisis’ commissioned by the Queensland Council of Social Service, and published on 20 March 2023. The report acknowledged the Queensland Government’s focus on housing as a policy priority and the establishment of the Housing Delivery Board to provide leadership and oversight of a whole-ofgovernment response to addressing housing supply and support needs.
The report also noted the Government’s investment in social and affordable housing commitments up to March 2023, through QuickStarts Queensland (QSQ), the $1 billion Housing Investment Fund and headleasing. Since the release of this report, the Government doubled our Housing Investment Fund to $2 billion, with $130 million per annum now available to support the delivery of 5,600 social and affordable homes by 30 June 2027. In addition, as part of the 2023-24 State Budget an additional $1.1 billion was committed for the delivery and supply of social housing across Queensland, including $322 million to boost QuickStarts Queensland by 500 homes, bringing the target to 3,265 social home commencements by 30 June 2025.
The remaining $778.1 million over five years was allocated to support the ongoing delivery of social housing, including to:
- continue the delivery of Housing and Homelessness Action Plan commencement targets, including in remote and discrete First Nations communities
- offset unavoidable cost increases and supply chain impacts in the construction sector
- retain and upgrade dwellings for social housing that would have otherwise been sold.
This brings to State’s investment to $5 billion in social and affordable housing supply and housing and homelessness support –comprising of $3 billion funding to support the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025 (Action Plan) and a $2 billion investment for the Housing Investment Fund. This is the largest concentrated Queensland Government investment in housing in our history and will help support the State’s commitment to commencing 13,500 social and affordable homes by 30 June 2027. While progress on housing supply is being made, the Government is pulling multiple levers to address Queensland’s housing challenges. Good progress is being made in delivering more social and affordable homes – 858 new social homes were delivered in 2022-2023. Beyond building more social and affordable homes, action is being taken to boost the supply of private housing.
The Department of Housing (department) is working with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning to ensure the state’s planning frameworks support the supply of housing across the spectrum from social housing to private options and with Queensland Treasury on the Build to Rent initiatives. Greater certainty for renters and property owners is also being provided through regulatory reform for residential tenancies. -2- In addition, the department offers a broad range of housing assistance to support the diverse housing needs of Queenslanders.
In 2022-2023, the department provided almost 213,000 forms of housing assistance to Queensland households, including emergency housing, social housing, private market assistance and homelessness services. Private market assistance that may assist households to access the private rental market include:
- RentConnect services
- Bond loans and rental grants
- Rental Security Subsidy
- Helping Hand Headlease program
- No Interest Loan Scheme – Regional Discretionary Fund.
We are working to better understand the demand for housing across the state and engaging the expertise of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute to develop a robust model to predict future demand for and supply of housing, with a particular focus on social housing, in Queensland. This work is underway and when complete, will be used to inform future housing strategy, policy and funding priorities.
The Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2027 sets the 10-year vision for the State’s housing system and the Queensland Government’s commitment to making sure all Queenslanders have a pathway to safe, secure and affordable housing.
The Housing Strategy drives new ways of working across government and the sector, increasing supply and providing housing with support to Queenslanders according to their needs. It is delivered through multiple and consecutive action plans, ensuring the work being delivered remains responsive to current and emerging community needs. The Action Plan was released in mid-2021 and reaffirms objectives to increase social and affordable homes and to transform the way housing services and supports are delivered. The Action Plan is driving improvements to delivering housing and supports, in partnership with the community sector, which is an important step towards ending homelessness in Queensland. It is a whole of government plan with significant investment and actions to provide better housing support and deliver more social and affordable housing supply through QuickStarts Qld, the Housing Investment Fund and Headleasing.
In 2019, the Palaszczuk Government released the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Action Plan 2019–2023 to strengthen joint decision making that enables community-led and place-based responses between Government and First Nations peoples. The Government is committed to closing the housing gap for First Nations Queenslanders and is co-designing Our Place: A First Nations Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2024-2027 with community. The 2023-2024 State Budget includes $51.3 million over four years to support the outcomes under the Our Place: A First Nations Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2024-2027, the second three-year Action Plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing. This new Action Plan will focus on progressing Closing the Gap initiatives, enhancing culturally safe services and delivering innovative housing supply issues.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The 2023-24 Budget has allocated $9.4m for strengthening two sections of Kin Kin Road in the Noosa electorate (QTRIP). Can the Minister report whether funding is allocated to undertake review and assess the requirements for other state roads that connect to this road which are also impacted by heavy haulage trucks in the electorate?
As Kin Kin Road is a state-controlled road, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is responsible for its management and maintenance. TMR is undertaking significant road upgrades to improve the safety and condition of Kin Kin Road. Design work has started for two future widening and strengthening projects on priority sections of Kin Kin Road between Sallwood Court and Turnbull Road, and between Williams Road and Western Branch Road.
Additionally, I am advised TMR’s road widening and strengthening project to improve safety on the 800 metre section of Kin Kin Road, north of the Kin Kin Range, is nearing completion. TMR is also replacing the existing single-lane timber bridge over Six Mile Creek on Kin Kin Road near Pomona to improve safety, reliability and flood immunity.
TMR will continue to monitor other state-controlled roads in the Noosa Electorate and undertake maintenance as required.
Gympie Nambour rail
With the Government committing $8.2b for transport services in 2023-24 (SDS, p12) and with continued studies and business cases being prepared for consideration of service changes, will the Government fund an interim much needed increase in the Gympie-Nambour rail service frequency until the long-term studies are complete?
Translink receives many requests for additional rail services, and these requests must be prioritised against competing needs across the state and the levels of funding currently available.
The North Coast Line (NCL) north of Nambour has many sections of single track which make operations of more passenger services challenging. I understand that operating additional shuttle services between Nambour and Gympie North would reduce the number of freight and long-distance passenger services that can be operated.
Given the above, I am advised that TMR has no plans to immediately increase rail frequencies between Nambour and Gympie North, however, several projects are underway to deliver better rail services on the Sunshine Coast in the future. These projects include $1.5 million to develop a Brisbane to Sunshine Coast (B2SC) Rail Corridor Strategy, $14 million for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line project business case, and $6.25 million for the Beerburrum to Nambour (B2N) Rail Upgrade Duplication Study.
The B2SC Rail Corridor Strategy will develop a corridor vision and staged program of priorities to 2051 on the NCL, between Brisbane and Gympie North. I understand the strategy will guide future non-infrastructure and infrastructure investment opportunities to improve network capacity, travel times, safety, resilience and efficiency for passenger rail and freight. It will also consider the forecast population growth in the Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie regions, and government priorities and objectives for the rail network as outlined in the SEQ Rail Connect blueprint.
The B2N Rail Upgrade Duplication Study will then take the outputs from the B2SC Rail Corridor Strategy to inform planning requirements on the NCL, specifically between Beerburrum and Nambour, with considerations of services to and from Gympie. I am advised the planning proposed within the B2N Duplication Study will consider opportunities beyond the delivery of B2N Stage 1, including scope and potential timing for full duplication of the rail line between Beerwah and Nambour, refined alignments to optimise travel times, and upgrades to existing stations and park ‘n’ ride facilities.
I understand the outcomes of the B2SC Rail Corridor Strategy and the B2N Duplication Study will inform further investment decisions in the rail network between Brisbane and Gympie, dependent on, and staged according to, the highest priorities across the transport and rail networks to meet population growth and service demand across Queensland.
Tewantin bypass
Given the $2.9b investment in transport infrastructure for 2023-24 (SDS p 12), regarding the budget for the Tewantin Bypass stages 2 & 3, can the Minister provide the timeline for detailed design and construction commencement?
TMR is aware of the importance of the Tewantin Bypass to the Noosa community. A total of
$1.4 million has been allocated in Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2023-24 to 2026-27 to progress early planning for a long-term solution to increase capacity and safety, and ease congestion between Cooroy-Noosa Road and Eumundi-Noosa Road.
At this stage, it is too early to confirm the scope and timeline for the next stage of the Tewantin Bypass. Design and construction timelines for future upgrades have not been determined and will depend on the availability of funding and the prioritisation of competing infrastructure projects across Queensland.
Zero emission buses
With the budget allocating $5 million in 2023-24 for the Zero Emission Bus Program (SDS p 4) can the Minister advise as to the status, outcomes, and recommendations of the recent Zero Emission industry roundtables that the department facilitated? Will these outcomes see the roll-out of electric buses in the Noosa electorate soon?
The Zero Emissions Bus Program (ZEBP) is working to deliver the Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022-2032 commitment that all new Translink funded urban buses in
South East Queensland (SEQ) will be zero emission from 2025. I understand regional Queensland’s bus fleet will begin its transition to zero emissions between 2025 and 2030. I am advised that beyond the above commitment, there is no timeline for the rollout of zero emission buses (ZEBs) to specific areas of SEQ.
The ZEBP undertook industry engagement from January to March 2023. This involved seeking feedback from participants about any manufacturing, financing and industry capability issues and opportunities associated with SEQ’s transition to ZEBs. I have enclosed a summary of the findings of this engagement period, as provided to industry roundtable participants.
An allocation of $5 million was included in this year’s budget to conduct further investigations into the financial and commercial implementation of the ZEBP to inform a further submission to government in late-2023, prior to the commencement of procurement.
School transport
With the government funding $4b in 2023-24 for Passenger Transport Services including the School Transport Assistance Program (STAS), will the Minister provide flexibility to approve student bus transport even when the school attended does not match the school funded for STAS. This is occurring when families must accept a rental in another catchment area during a housing crisis, when there is already an overlap in bus provision between two schools only 4kms apart, for example Noosaville and Tewantin.
The Queensland Government has recently amended the School Transport Assistance Scheme (STAS) to recognise the needs of modern day families. I understand that over $18 million in funding has been allocated over a four year period (approximately $4.3 million per annum) ongoing from 2026-27 to expand STAS to cater for students living in shared care arrangements and travelling on public transport from a second address. This change recognises the varied family situations that occur today.
In respect to the issue of housing availability and its impact on family eligibility for STAS, I am advised that exemptions from the STAS guidelines cannot be granted. STAS is a statewide scheme which requires consistent guidelines to ensure assistance is provided equitably throughout the state. To provide exemptions for families moving out of the catchment of their current school to access available housing would set a precedent which could not be sustained across Queensland.
In addition to introducing assistance for students living in shared care arrangements, I can confirm that TMR is currently delivering a number of other important initiatives which may assist in identifying future opportunities in relation to the delivery of STAS. This includes undertaking a review of our contractual framework to deliver better school transport network solutions. I understand modernised ticketing equipment is also being rolled out which will provide access to improved data and better insights into the scheme.
Minister for Digital Services
The 2023-24 Budget has identified $200m for implementation of the “Our Thriving Digital Future” Program (SDS, p 3), including improving connectivity and reducing black spots. Can the Minister report on what the Government is doing to reduce Black Spots in the Teewah/Cooloola area and Noosa North Shore?
The Noosa region benefitted in the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) Round 1, where the Australian Government approved new 4G macro cells at Belli Park and Kin Kin; and Round 2, where new 4G macro cells were approved at lnskip Point, Boreen Point, Cootharaba Road and Pomona-Kin Kin Road. As part of Round 2 of the Australian Government’s Regional Connectivity Program, I understand the Australian Government approved a new 4G macro cell at lnskip Point. The Palaszczuk Government has allocated $120 million for co-investments as part of its Digital Economy Strategy allocation to improve connectivity and address blackspots. The Queensland Government has been working with carriers, councils and the Australian Government to identify areas for potential co-investment. The guidelines for Round 7 of the Australian Government’s MBSP place emphasis on remote, very remote and First Nations communities. It is expected the Australian Government will make announcements in late-2023 after the assessments ofapplications.
Sharing enforcement info between agencies
With the 2023-24 Budget funding an allocation of $200m to, amongst other initiates, enhance digital government services (SDS, p 3), what actions will Government undertake to ensure that QPS, QPWS, DAF and MSQ have the ability to easily and instantaneously share compliance and enforcement information across the four agencies?
No funding was allocated to the department in the $200 million for initiatives specifically addressing data and information sharing related to compliance and enforcement.
Minister for Resources
Given the significant investment of $177m in land administration and property services in 2023-24 (SDS, p 5) will the Minister commit to reforming land valuations to provide Queenslanders the individual property valuation details and establish an independent body to assess objections?
The State Valuation Service within the Department of Resources issues land valuations on behalf of the Valuer-General, an independent statutory officer.
There is also a statutory objection process for landowners to object to the land valuation for their property under the Land Valuation Act 2010 (Qld). Independently chaired conferences are offered to all objectors of land valued at over $5 million.
Should this process not be successful, any constituent who continues to object to their land valuation can appeal the valuation decision in the Land Court.
Funding for non-claimant indigenous groups
With an allocation of $177m for land administration and property services (SDS, p 5), including for negotiation of native title claims, what proportion is allocated for legal and other resources for the local community and non-claimant indigenous groups in relation to claims?
Native title claims are filed in the Federal Court of Australia (the Federal Court), and the State of Queensland (the state) is a party to all claimant applications (including non-claimant applications) over any land and waters in Queensland. The state prefers to negotiate claimant applications with a view to reaching an agreed outcome, by way of a consent determination of native title. The Department of Resources 2023—24 budget includes $6.02 million for these Federal Court applications.
Minister for Health
With the 2023-24 Budget listing new funding of $25.6m for Palliative Care (Budget Paper No 3, p 23) will the Minister report the average cost to government for caring for end-of-life patients in public hospitals in comparison to community palliative care hospices?
The Palaszcuzk Government has committed additional funding of $171 million from financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26 as part of reforming and strengthening palliative care services. This investment is guided by the `Palliative and End-of-Life Care Strategy’ and the supporting `Queensland Health Specialist Palliative Care Workforce Plan’ (Workforce Plan), which were released in October 2022, following targeted consultation and engagement during 2021 and in early 2022. In 2022-23, the estimated total cost of palliative care services delivered in public hospitals was $140 million. In 2023-24, the Department of Health is investing $24.4 million (ex GST) in nongovernment palliative care services for direct service delivery to clients in Queensland. Community palliative care service target outputs are expressed as either hours of service or occupied bed days and not on a cost per client per day basis. Hours of service or occupied bed days cannot be easily converted to an average cost per patient. Additionally, the complexity of each individual client needs to be considered in these difference health care settings hospital-based or community based which impacts cost data. The hospice model allows for the hospitals/palliative care units to focus on the more complex care requirements which may require resources only available in acute hospital facilities. Queensland Health has committed to undertake a review process for funding and contractual arrangements in place with community organisations that provide palliative care services, with any agreed changes to take effect from 2024-25 onwards.
Funding for orthopaedic surgery
With reference to $1.6b Budget for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service for 2023-24 (SDS, p 115), can the Minister advise what increases have been dedicated to reducing wait times in orthopaedic surgery?
The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service is working hard to reduce the elective surgery wait list, and plan to spend over $32 million in 2023-24 to reduce wait times in Orthopaedic services. Strategies to increase capacity and reduce patient wait times include increasing surgery volumes as workforce shortages are addressed, improving operating theatre utilisation, reducing list cancellations, improving pre-admission processes, regular wait list audits, running elective surgery lists on weekends and public holidays, and leveraging capacity in the private sector where appropriate. These strategies have reduced the number of patients waiting longer than clinically recommended and it is anticipated further improvements will be made as the Health Service continues to deliver on these initiatives. For example, in July 2023, 117 patients were seen for Orthopaedic Elective Surgery, which is a 17 per cent increase from July 2022.
Minister for Queensland Ambulance Services
Given the 2023-24 Budget provides for 144 new and replacement ambulance vehicles and 200 ambulance operatives (SDS, p31), can the Minister advise how many of each will be allocated to the Sunshine Coast Region, and for the ambulances how many will be replacements and how many new?
As part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Putting Patients First plan, we are investing $148.9 million to increase the capacity of the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) to meet future demand across the state. This includes 144 new and replacement ambulance vehicles and 200 additional ambulance operatives. The QAS has 10 vehicles planned for the Sunshine Coast District with new and replacement vehicles to be provisioned. The Sunshine Coast District was allocated 16 full-time equivalent (FTE) ambulance operative enhancements in the 2023-24 financial year, and the Maroochydore Operations Centre allocated a further 10 FTEs.
000 triaging
With the 2023-24 Budget reporting on expansion of the Clinical Hub for triaging 000 calls (SDS, p 1) can the Minister report on the impact of this initiative on ambulance availability and response times, including for the Noosa electorate?
The QAS’s Clinical Hub provides early clinical intervention, secondary triage and health navigation for lower acuity patients calling Triple Zero (000). Since the Clinical Hub’s implementation in the early stages of the COVID-19 health pandemic, more than 25 per cent of patients who have been contacted by the Clinical Hub have been navigated into alternate healthcare pathways. Each time an ambulance vehicle dispatch is avoided, this increases the availability of an emergency ambulance vehicle to respond to higher acuity cases including within the Noosa response area.
Minister for Training and Skills Development
Funding for training and education
The Budget identifies more than $1.2 billion in skills and training initiatives in 2023–24 (Budget Paper No 2, p 18). With the Noosa electorate losing its TAFE facility and local University campus, what funding is being made available to develop and deliver effective skills training and educational opportunities to replace these?
As you are aware in early 2021 , the former Department of Employment, Small Business and Training commenced an Expressions of Interest process regarding the former Tewantin TAFE campus, with a successful proponent being selected in early 2022. Finalisation of the future of the site is subject to an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with the Kabi Kabi People. Negotiations between the State and the Kabi Kabi continue with potential resolution currently anticipated to be finalised in 2024. The Palaszczuk Government continues to invest in and maintain campuses located within the region, which includes the Nambour and Mooloolaba TAFE campuses. Since 2017, the Queensland Government has invested over $288 million into upgrading, renewing and revitalising TAFE campuses, to ensure a skilled workforce is supported and Queenslanders are prepared for jobs in emerging industries. This investment includes improving trade training facilities at the Nambour TAFE campus, as well as the new $2 million Cyber Security Training Operation Centre at the Mooloolaba TAFE campus, which was opened in 2022 as part of the Equipping TAFE for our Future initiative. In relation to your question regarding funding being made available to develop and deliver effective skills training and educational opportunities, I can advise that there are a range of accessible and affordable vocational education and training programs that support individuals to participate in training and develop skills that lead to sustainable employment. These programs target key industry areas and priority cohorts to build the collective capacity to meet workforce needs and are delivered by Skills Assure Suppliers across Queensland, including in regional centres such as the Sunshine Coast. · Since 2015, $10.7 million has been committed in the Noosa electorate under the Skilling Queens landers for Work (SQW) initiative to assist 127 4 disadvantaged job seekers (includes results of recent funding round). As of 30 June 2023, 972 job seekers from the Noosa electorate have been assisted, with 676 people securing a job as a direct result of their participation in SQW. In the most recent funding round (Round 1, 2023-24), one successful project in the Noosa electorate worth $517,900 has been funded to provide job opportunities for 20 disadvantaged Queenslanders.
Minister for Employment and Small Business
Noosa funding Queensland Workforce Strategy
With the Government introducing in the Budget a funding package of $70m for new initiatives in the Queensland Workforce Strategy (SDS, p 4), will the Government ensure that grant funding will be available for applicants in the Noosa electorate?
In relation to your question around new initiatives in the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 relating to grant funding availability for the Noosa electorate, I can advise these initiatives reflect the commitment from government, industry and community to work together to tackle skills and labour shortages right across the State. The Workforce Connect Fund (WCF) is a key action of the Queensland Workforce Strategy, with $18 million available over two years to fund large, scalable projects, delivered by industry peak bodies and community peak organisations to connect, develop and implement new and innovative strategies that support the attraction and retention of employees now and into the future. Under the 2022-23 funding round, 16 projects worth a total of $12.5 million in funding have been approved state-wide. Some of these projects will benefit the Noosa electorate both directly and indirectly through the availability of online workshops and access to resources developed as a result of these currently funded projects. An additional $2 million is available under the WCF to small business employers through the HR Support Grants for Small Business. Under this funding, up to 400 eligible small businesses who identify, through Industry Workforce Advisors, an immediate need for HR solutions, can apply for funding of up to $5000 to support them to address this need. Small businesses in the Noosa electorate are eligible to work with Industry Workforce Advisors and develop tailored workforce plans and potentially apply for a grant. Information on Industry Workforce Advisors and the HR Grants for Small Business is available at https://www.business.qld.gov.au/runningbusiness/employing/planning-workforce/industry-workforce-advisors. The Diverse Queensland Workforce (DQW) program has been expanded as part of Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, and the Caloundra Community Centre has been awarded $250,000 to establish the Sunshine Coast Migrant Hub to assist up to 100 participants. Local migrants, refugees and international students residing in the Noosa Electorate may be assisted through the Sunshine Coast Migrant Hub to find work and employers in the Noosa electorate may be connected to job seekers. The Big Plans for Small Business Strategy 2021-2023 also includes a significant grants package to assist small businesses to grow and thrive. Businesses can utilise grant funding to increase key capabilities, embrace innovation, and capitalise on high growth opportunities. Under this strategy, 87 businesses in the Noosa electorate have received grant funding commitments totalling more than $473,200.
Minister for Youth Justice
Given the Budget increase for Youth Justice of nearly $446m over 5 years (SDS, p 4), will provisions be made to trial relocation sentencing options for repeat youth offenders to provide an extra option for the courts and create greater safety for communities?
In reference to your question regarding Youth Justice relocation sentencing, I can advise that this is not a preferred option, as moving young people to remote locations is not a safe, effective or efficient solution to youth crime. Young people who need to be removed for the safety of the community need to be held in a secure environment, which is only available in youth detention centres (YDCs). Relocation sentencing takes young people away from their community and doesn’t help them develop strategies that will stop them offending when they return home. It removes young people’s access to the health, education, training and support services needed to address the root causes of their offending and break the cycle of re-offending. There are very clear connections between childhood trauma and offending behaviour. Many of the young people who continue to offend have been victims of crime themselves and have grown up experiencing family violence, have a parent who has been incarcerated, and have had inconsistent schooling. 3 In contrast, On Country programs, currently being piloted in Townsville, Cairns and Mount Isa, take young people onto country for shorter periods, as part of a broader program that links them to their community, building networks and supports that will last beyond the program. An independent evaluation of the On Country pilot shows mixed outcomes across the three and that it is a relevant service that is valued by First Nations peoples and communities. This evaluation is largely qualitative and will be supplemented by further data and cost analysis to assess program effectiveness and value for money. YDCs provide young people with services that address criminogenic needs inhouse, including youth workers, caseworkers, program officers, psychologists, teachers, nurses, doctors, speech and language pathologists, cultural staff and community visitors, and also have access to the broader service systems available in Brisbane and Townsville, which cannot be replicated in remote areas.
Early intervention
With the $446m increase for Youth Justice funding (SDS, p 4) what proportion of this funding will be utilised in earlier identification and intervention strategies and services including in our schools?
In reference to your question on the proportion of increased Youth Justice funding to be utilised in earlier identification and intervention strategies and services including in our schools, I am pleased to advise you of the following early identification and intervention strategies and services which represent 18% of the $446 million increase in Youth Justice funding.
- $30.1 million for Intensive Case Management which in addition to focusing on serious repeat offenders aged 10-17 years provides early intervention support to their siblings and the rest of the family, improving family functioning and strengthening family protective factors.
- $29.4 million for diversion programs which deliver a multi-faceted approach to young people aged 10-15 years at high risk of offending or re-offending. Services include after-hours support, cultural mentoring, bridging to flexi-school and case management, and alternative opportunities and activities for at-risk young people. The service is available in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich, Cairns and Townsville.
- $6. 7 million for trial sporting initiatives with the Johnathon Thurston Academy in Far North and North Queensland and the Brian Kerle Academy in South-West Brisbane. Both initiatives will include working with young people at risk of offending or re-offending. Services include use of sport as an engagement tool and using team sports to build skills in communication, health, relationships and managing emotions.
- $5 million for the Community Partnership Innovation Grants program for local services and community members to identify, design and deliver programs and services that respond to the causes of youth crime, based on identified local needs and service system gaps.
- $3 million to establish the Townsville Street University, a model that is focused on the reconnection of young people with their community and the cultivation of social inclusion. The aim of the Street University is to provide a safe space for young people to engage in vocational and education workshops, drug and alcohol treatment services, life skills training and mentoring with pathways to further education.
- $1.8 million to implement Early Action Groups in Cairns and Mount Isa, currently operating in Townsville, which bring together the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training, the Queensland Police Service, the Department of Education and other key government agencies, to provide intensive coordination of services and support to young people aged 8-16 years, who are at risk of falling into a cycle of crime. They provide wrap-around services tailored to needs and risk, and deal with underlying issues that lead some young people to offend, including poor school attendance, mental health concerns, drug and substance misuse, domestic violence and family dysfunction. Total funding across government for this initiative is $5 million.
- $0.85 million to provide an early intervention approach to problematic youth behaviour in the Townsville Shopping Precinct.
- The Queensland Youth Partnership Initiative which engages corporate and community partners to deliver programs to young people engaging in anti-social behaviour in shopping centres. It aims to promote community safety and prevent nuisance behaviour and crime by diverting young people into constructive and sustainable activities in Rockhampton, North Lakes, Chermside, Coomera, Helensvale and Toowoomba. 4 This new investment builds on existing programs and services including:
- Family-Led Decision Making is an early intervention approach specifically aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. This program supports families and communities to work with young people on their behaviour, including anger management, respectful relationships and cultural identity.
- The Transition to Success program supports young people to attend and access programs and training to improve their social and emotional wellbeing to get them back into school, into training and into jobs. They attend classes and activities, undertake certificates through the vocational education sector and address behavioural problems. Programs include construction, landscaping, agriculture, engineering and foundation skills in areas such as literacy and numeracy.
- The Mount Isa Transitional Hub provides support to young people after-hours, works with the community, and is a culturally safe response for young people who are at risk of offending and entering the youth justice system.
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Of Queensland
With the Budget Capital Statement identifying Olympic venue infrastructure spending of $7.1b over 10 years (p 17) and capital investment of $19b (p 1) over the forward estimates to deliver the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, will the Speaker commit to reintroducing a Public Works Committee to ensure appropriate Parliamentary oversight of this work program?
It is not the role of the Speaker to commit to reintroducing a Public Works Committee to ensure appropriate Parliamentary oversight of any program.
It is the statutory role of each portfolio committee to consider Appropriation Bills and perform their role in relation to their portfolio area of public accounts and public works, as provided in Division 3 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Rural Communities
With the Government committing $247m in 2023-24 to enabling Queensland’s agriculture industry growth (SDS p 7), will the government provide appropriate industry adjustment assistance to put Queensland at the forefront of animal welfare and facilitate the earlier introduction of egg production standards for the banning of cage eggs before the default national agreement of 2036?
The Agricultural Ministers Meeting on 13 July 2023 endorsed the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry which include a timeframe for phase-out of conventional cages between 2032 and 2036, depending on the age of infrastructure. It was left to each jurisdiction to determine the timing for implementation of the standards and guidelines. A strong transition away from conventional cages is already underway, driven by consumers, major retailers and many producers. The Queensland Government has not committed funds to structural adjustment for Queensland cage egg farmers.
Invasive species eradication in our parks
With the Government allocating $151m for biosecurity (SDS, p 7), with the Queensland Audit Office stating in a recent report that there is no feral cat action plan, will provision be made to funding eradication programs of invasive species from in and around our National Parks?
Feral cats are an established invasive animal, that are widespread in all parts of Queensland. Feral cats are not the target of statewide eradication funded by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF). The management of the impact of invasive species on the environmental values of National Parks is the legislated responsibility of the Department of Environment and Science (DES). DAF does not provide funds to DES to undertake that responsibility from the $151M allocation to biosecurity.
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry
Buy back commercial fishing licenses
Given the Governments funding of $12m over three years for sustainable fisheries (SDS, p 2), what proportion will be committed to the buy-back of commercial fishing licenses in environmentally vulnerable areas as part of further sustainability and stability of stocks?
The Queensland Government’s commitment of $12M over three years will be used to fund the continued implementation of the Queensland Sustainable Fisheries Strategy 2017-2027, paving the way for a world-class fisheries management system. It will be used to boost compliance, monitoring, engagement and communication, and deliver more responsive decision-making. The potential buy-back of commercial fishing licences will be funded separately through dedicated funding of $100M dollars. More information can be found in the joint media release at https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/plibersek/mediareleases/tackling-risks-reef.
Minister for State Development
Given that we are in an ongoing housing crisis, with the Government committing in the Budget an extra $1.1b to housing (Budget Paper No 1, p 7), will the Minister suspend the Queensland Government Land Transaction Policy requirement that land transfers between departments must be at market value, to allow government owned sites and houses to be gifted or free leased to the Department of Housing immediately to be utilised for housing?
The Queensland Government Land Transaction Policy establishes a whole-of-Government property ownership and management framework for land transactions. The policy supports government departments in managing their property portfolios to achieve public benefit and to deliver the best value for Queensland, including by supporting job creation, community use and economic growth opportunities.
When a property is determined by an agency to be surplus, all other government agencies, including the Department of Housing, have an opportunity to notify the owner-agency of its interest. An inter-agency transfer is given preference over disposals to the private sector. While the policy provides that inter-agency transfers of government owned land should be at market value, exemptions from this requirement are already possible under the policy.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure
With the Budget committing $71m in 2023-24 for “Better Planning for Queensland” (SDS, p 9) will the Minister commit to reviewing and improving the planning scheme so that the lawful use of a property is known, communicated and enforced over the lifetime of the property and consistently across Queensland?
I am advised that local governments are responsible for preparing planning schemes that regulate where and how development can occur, for ensuring land uses are lawful and for undertaking any necessary enforcement action for unlawful uses. Local governments have a range of online services for the public to access information about building and planning approvals, zoning and other information that applies to properties, examples are the Noosa Shire Council’s application tracker, property enquiry tool and interactive map tool.
Olympics legacy
With the Budget Capital Statement identifying Olympic 2032 venue infrastructure spending of $7.1b over 10 years (p17) will the Deputy Premier ensure that as a legacy for Queensland, any built Olympic accommodations will be transferred to community housing providers at completion of the Games?
As an outcome of the Housing Summit in October 2022, an initiative (Initiative 12) is focused on the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The objective is to ‘Ensure the Brisbane 2032 Olympic
and Paralympic Games delivers a positive legacy and increases supply of social and affordable housing. The Queensland Government is currently working through the opportunities of this initiative that includes the Athlete Villages.
Minister for Local Government
With the Budget committing $280m for Local Government governance, support and administration of funding programs (SDS page 9) will the Minister commit to provide grants for local governments to monitor and manage Short Term Accommodation (STA) regulations where STA’s are excessively distorting the local housing market?
The Queensland Government partnered with the University of Queensland to review the impact of short term rental accommodation (STRA) on housing affordability and availability across the state. The Queensland Government has committed to looking into the implementation of a state-wide registration system, which is a key recommendation of the review. The registration system could serve as a tool to support local governments in monitoring short-term rental activity and could provide valuable insights into its impact on our housing market over time.
Local government accessibility officers
Given the Budget commitment of $280m for Local Government (SDS page 9) will this include an allocation to provide funding to local governments to employ accessibility design staff to ensure that the built environment is assessed to accommodate all regardless of capability or age?
While there is no specific funding for councils to employ planning or design staff, the Queensland Government provides significant support to councils to support the delivery of liveable local communities. This includes funding through programs such as the South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program (SEQCSP) and Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program, which are focused on supporting council provide the infrastructure and services local communities need and want.
The 2022-24 round of the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program (LGGSP) included $5 million in funding for planning projects to support councils undertake strategic planning for infrastructure, business case development and detailed design projects. I understand that design staff could have been employed on a project basis under this program.
I can advise that the council may be able to apply for funding to deliver additional liveability projects under the next round of the SEQCSP.
Minister for Education
In school personal development
In reference to the $12B dedicated to school education in 2023-24 (SDS Page 10), can the Minister detail what proportion is being allocated to the development and deployment of a mandatory whole-of-schooling-life personal development curriculum (incorporating respectful relationships, self-management, and mental wellbeing) including monitoring of behaviours as part of early interventions?
As previously advised in my letter to you dated 9 February 2023, the Palaszczuk Government announced a $15.469 million investment over three years from 2022 to 2024 to support all Queensland state schools to implement respectful relationships education, as a primary prevention approach to domestic, family and sexual violence.
This funding supports eight Principal Advisor roles in the regions, to enhance delivery of respectful relationships education in Queensland state schools. Each state school has also been provided with Teacher Relief Scheme funding to assist with providing teachers time for respectful relationships education curriculum planning or accessing appropriate professional development.
Since February 2023, Principal Advisors — Respectful Relationships Education have delivered professional development events including face-to-face and virtual workshops, 10 online webinars, and support to strengthen the capability of Queensland teachers and regional officers. Additional professional development events are being scheduled for delivery in the remainder of the 2023 school year.
To further strengthen respectful relationships education delivery, the Respect program and the Respectful Relationships Education hub were made available to all Queensland schools. The Respectful Relationships Education hub is a publicly available website with information and resources for families, high school students and school staff on respectful relationships, consent and reporting sexual assault and harm.
Programs and resources such as the Respect program support teachers in the delivery of the Australian Curriculum. Decisions about which resources are needed by individual schools are best made by principals and their school communities to ensure that they meet the specific needs of their students and broader community.
The Australian Curriculum: Heath and Physical Education is mandatory in all Queensland state schools and includes focus areas such as relationships and sexuality, mental health and wellbeing, and safety. These focus areas provide opportunities for teachers to explicitly teach the curriculum in age-appropriate ways while contextualising for the diverse needs of their students.
The Department of Education is delivering on the Palaszczuk Government’s $106.7 million commitment over three years for a Student Wellbeing Package. Commenced in July 2021, up to 464 additional psychologists or similar wellbeing professionals are being employed through the package to provide direct support for students’ mental health at school. 2 In addition, the Student Wellbeing Package is supporting 50 Queensland state schools with secondary-aged students to provide students with free access to a GP at school one day per week during school terms. GPs and wellbeing professionals working in schools are well-placed to intervene early in students’ health and mental health concerns, ensuring students can access the support they need in a safe environment, at no cost to them or their families.
Funding for advanced manufacturing
With the Government in 2023−24 investing over $1.5 billion in facilities in Queensland’s state schools (SDS, p 1) what proportion is being utilised for the detailed design of the priority components of the Master Plan including the Advanced Manufacturing Hub for the Sunshine Beach State High School, and in which period for the forward estimates?
In relation to an Advanced Manufacturing Unit for Sunshine Beach State High School, as advised in my response to Question on Notice 791 tabled on 14 July 2023, the Master Plan for Sunshine Beach State High School, completed in October 2022, was developed to guide and inform future infrastructure planning.
I am pleased to advise that in early 2024, the department will commence pre-construction planning for an Advanced Manufacturing Unit at Sunshine Beach State High School, in preparation for potential future funding.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen
With the Government committing over $1b in the 2023-24 Budget (SDS, p 7) for growing the Queensland energy sector, what commitments are the Government making to provide community batteries to local regions to support renewable power generation and decentralise the grid?
The Queensland Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan (the Plan) was launched in September 2022 and outlines the pathway for Queensland to meet its renewable energy and emissions targets while ensuring the continued delivery of affordable, reliable and clean energy. A range of storage technologies, including batteries at various sizes, will be needed as part of the energy system transformation and to support decarbonisation of the electricity system.
Under Action 1.3 of the Plan, the Queensland Government is investing $500 million for more large-scale and community batteries to support the needs of customers served by Queensland’s extensive electricity system, building on the $200 million already invested under the Queensland Renewable Energy and Hydrogen Jobs Fund. This funding is available to Queensland’s publicly owned energy businesses to invest in battery projects across Queensland.
The Commonwealth Government is also running its $200 million Community Batteries for Household Solar Program, with around 400 community batteries expected to be deployed across Australia. Under this program, I understand Noosa Council, in partnership with Yarra Energy Foundation and the not-for-profit Zero Emissions Noosa Inc, was awarded a $500,000 grant to support the deployment of a community battery.
One of the benefits of community batteries is that they can store excess renewable energy produced by solar photovoltaic systems during the day and discharge it in the evening when electricity demand is typically higher, smoothing out the electricity demand curve, and alleviating peak periods which require additional expenditure on the network, which is passed to all customers. The energy produced in the Noosa area will therefore be produced, stored and used locally.
In partnership with electricity retailer Origin Energy, government owned corporation, Energy Queensland Limited (EQL), is also installing up to 30 batteries on power poles and five ground mounted batteries connected to the low voltage electricity network in the Ipswich area as part of EQL’s innovative Neighbourhood Battery Trial. The trial will further explore the impacts and opportunities of these types of batteries on the grid and for electricity customers and suppliers.
Minister for Public Works and Procurement
With the Government continuing to rebuild QBuild by strengthening its regional footprint, with total expenses in the Budget of $1.17b for 2023-24 (SDS, p 23) can the Minister report what expansion will occur in the Sunshine Coast and particularly the Noosa electorate?
In 2023, the Queensland Government announced the next stage of Rebuild QBuild. As part of Rebuild QBuild, a new depot is proposed in the Sunshine Coast area. This initiative will provide a location to secure local regional jobs for trades and apprentices as part of the growth plan. It is proposed the new depot will cover the north area of the Sunshine Coast and a geographical area from Coolum Beach across to Kenilworth, west of Kilcoy and down to Caloundra, providing a modern agile space to accommodate supervisors, forepersons, trades and apprentices.
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef
In reference to the 2023-24 Budget reporting the continued implementation of ecotourism plans within the $407m allocation for Parks Wildlife and Conservation Services (SDS, p 11) and with Government accepting the Qld Audit Office recommendation to develop an overarching state-wide policy position on Ecotourism that defines the scales and types of Ecotourism development acceptable to the State, can the Minister identify when this policy will be completed and when public consultation will occur in developing it?
In reference to the 2023-24 Budget reporting the continued implementation of ecotourism plans within the $407m allocation for Parks Wildlife and Conservation Services (SDS, p 11) and with Government accepting the Qld Audit Office recommendation to develop an overarching state-wide policy position on Ecotourism that defines the scales and types of Ecotourism development acceptable to the State, can the Minister identify when this policy will be completed and when public consultation will occur in developing it?With reference to the Queensland Audit Office (QAO) report Growing ecotourism in Queensland, I am advised that the Department of Environment and Science (DES) is working with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport to progress the QAO recommendation to develop an overarching Statewide policy position on ecotourism. Public consultation will be undertaken, the timing of which is still to be determined.
Funding for national parks
Within the budget allocation for 2023-24 of $407m allocation for Parks Wildlife and Conservation Services (SDS, p 11) can the Minister report what is allocated for National Parks located in close proximity to urban areas to address to fire risks, intrusion of weeds and degradation due to excessive visitation?
DES has the primary responsibility for fire and pest species management for the 13 million hectares of parks and forests across Queensland. Fire and pest management is planned and delivered across the State within a values-based management framework that provides a strategic, adaptive and risk-based approach to protecting values of highest importance As a shared responsibility, fire and pest management is also undertaken with the Australian Government, Natural Resource Management groups and First Nations organisations at various scales.
Cooloola recreation area plan
Given the expenditure of $38.6m over 5 years for Queensland protected area strategy (SDS p 3), can the Minister please advise the expected timeline for the release of the draft Cooloola Recreation Area Management Plan that was due for release for public consultation at the end of 2022?
In relation to the draft Cooloola Recreation Area Management Plan (the Draft Management Plan), I am advised that DES has been working with the Kabi Kabi First Nations people and Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC to develop a co-designed draft management plan for the Cooloola Recreation Area that prioritises the protection and management of the key natural, social and cultural values of the area. The Draft Management Plan is currently being finalised and once approved, will be released for public consultation through DES’ website.
Polystyrene pollution
With planned expenditure in 2023-24 of $374m on environmental programs (SDS, p 11) what activity is the Government undertaking to prevent polystyrene polluting our waterways?
Addressing expanded polystyrene (EPS) is included in a number of actions in Queensland’s Tackling plastic waste: Queensland’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan (the Plastics Plan), which sets the direction for Queensland to be part of the global solution to plastic pollution. The Plastics Plan identifies and prioritises actions at every step in the supply chain, to help reduce plastic waste and reduce the amount of plastic in and entering the environment in order to drive long-term change and identifying actions at every step of the plastic supply chain.
In March 2021, the Australian Government also released the National Plastics Plan 2021. The National Plastics Plan 2021 includes an action for government to work with industry to phase out certain problematic plastics in line with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation’s work with industry to-date on problematic and unnecessary plastics including EPS packaging.
In addition to this, from 1 September 2023, the Queensland Government has banned EPS foodware. EPS loose-fill packaging material (packing peanuts) will also be banned under our single-use plastic items bans. The Queensland Government has also identified a possible ban on EPS trays, such as fruit and meat trays or serving trays, which will be explored from 1 September 2024 in Queensland’s five-year roadmap for action on single-use plastic items.
Minister for Science and Multicultural Affairs
With the 2023-24 Budget allocating $107m for science services (SDS, p 11) can the Minister identify what funding is being provided to develop improved methods of reducing wildlife roadkill on Queensland roads?
As the management of roadkill on State-managed roads falls under the portfolio responsibilities of the Honourable Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services, your correspondence has been forwarded to his office for consideration.
Clean herbicides
With the 2023-24 Budget allocating $107m for science services (SDS, p 11) can the Minister identify what funds are allocated for investigating environmentally friendly herbicides and pesticides for use in vegetation and pest management in Queensland?
Lastly, DES works closely with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (OAF) to inform Queensland permits from the Federal Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) that allow minor use of registered chemicals for control of environmental weeds. The research of new herbicides and pesticides to inform APVMA permits is led by OAF. As OAF falls within the portfolio responsibilities of the Honourable Mark Furner MP, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, your correspondence has been forwarded to his office for consideration.
Minister for Seniors and Disability Services
Concession on transfer duties for seniors
With the budget allocating $1.4b for cost-of-living relief (SDS, p 3) will the Government allocate funds to enhance the Senior Card to provide concessions on transfer duties to incentivise downsizing to support seniors and free up family housing?
No response has been received so we have included in our advocacy for the 2024/25 State Budget
Study on long term impacts of aging and internal migration
Given the commitment of the Queensland Government to spend $124m on senior and disabilities in 2023-24 (SDS on page 8), what work has the Government undertaken to estimate the long-term (10-20 year) impact of aging and internal migration on the government service needs of local communities including the Noosa electorate over that period?
No response has been received so we have included in our advocacy for the 2024/25 State Budget
Minister for Child Safety
Funding to resolve bluecard differences between departments
With the Government dedicating $2.1b to Child and Family services in 2023-24, can the Minister report on what funding is allocated to resolving differences between the Department and the Bluecard system on who can supervise children in care?
No response has been received so we have included in our advocacy for the 2024/25 State Budget
After hours care for youth residential
Given the Government expenditure of $2.1b to Child and Family services in 2023-24, what increases have been allocated to ensure that all youth residential care homes are provided after hours care and supervision?
No response has been received so we have included in our advocacy for the 2024/25 State Budget
Premier and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games
With the Budget Capital Statement identifying Olympic venue infrastructure spending of $7.1b over 10 years (p17), will the Premier commit to providing an equivalent $7b on new expenditure in Queensland’s regions who will not otherwise benefit from the 2032 Olympics, including redirecting any allocations for the rebuilding of the Gabba, and instead utilise the Carrara Stadium as recommended by the International Olympics Committee?
No response has been received so we have included in our advocacy for the 2024/25 State Budget
Public sector inquiry
Given the Budget commitment of nearly $17m over five years for the Public Sector Commission to implement reforms of public sector culture and capability (SDS, page 23) and identified issues in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic and interventions to the housing crisis, will the Premier exercise the power under the Public Sector Act 2022 – s254 – to request the Public Sector Commissioner undertake a Public Sector Review in relation to these?
No response has been received so we have included in our advocacy for the 2024/25 State Budget