April 30, 2013
The State Government has announced it will investigate selling off Stanwell, operators of the Tarong Power stations and Meandu Mine.
The government today released its response to the Independent Commission of Audit’s Final Report.
Treasurer Tim Nicholls tabled in Parliament both the Commission’s Final Report and the government’s response to the report’s 155 recommendations.
Mr Nicholls said the Commission of Audit had provided the State Government with a blueprint to meet the fiscal and economic challenges facing Queensland.
“The report makes it very clear that business as usual is not an option if we want to repair Queensland’s parlous fiscal position,” he said.
“The Commission of Audit’s modelling shows us that the economic growth rate over the next 40 years will be significantly lower than it has been over the last 25 years.
“At the same time the government is facing a growing demand for services with limited options for raising additional revenue.
“This is an issue that we must confront now if we are going to provide future generations with the same great opportunities we have enjoyed in the past here in Queensland.”
Of the 155 recommendations made by the Independent Commission of Audit, the State Government has proposed to adopt 118 outright. A further 13 are noted, six not accepted and the remainder are “under consideration”.
“The Final Report makes recommendations on the sale of government businesses, but the government’s position remains unchanged,” Mr Nicholls said.
“An open and informed debate is required and the government will not sell these businesses without a mandate from the people of Queensland.”
Mr Nicholls said the government had ruled out selling off government-owned electricity transmission businesses.
“However we will be investigating the possibility of divesting other businesses, including Stanwell, CS Energy, QIC, the Port of Gladstone and the Port of Townsville,” he said.
“Unlike the previous Bligh-Fraser Labor Government, which embarked on a fire sale of assets, the Newman Government will be guided by what is in the best interest of Queenslanders in any future decision.”
Mr Nicholls said the report was about much more than government ownership, with only five of the Final Report’s recommendations relating to the sale of government businesses.
He said the only way the government could expand and improve frontline services for Queenslanders was to fundamentally change the way services are delivered.
“The report recommends the government continue to provide core services such as policing, public safety, emergency and justice services,” Mr Nicholls said.
“It also recommends the government work more closely with non-government providers to find the best and most cost-effective way to deliver other social services without compromising quality or service.
“There are Queenslanders who aren’t getting the services they need because for decades the government hasn’t changed the way it does business.
“We need to ensure that quality services are provided by the most efficient and effective provider, whether that is government or non-government.
“The Final Report also makes recommendations on changes to the way the public service is structured, organised and managed to be more flexible, responsive and efficient in supporting service delivery in a modern 21st century economy.
“Our goal is to make Queensland’s Public Service the best in all of Australia.
“The government’s response is a plan for better services for Queenslanders, a better public service and restoring Queensland’s financial health.
“It’s about making Queensland the best State in Australia and about making this the best government in Australia.”
Mr Nicholls said the State Government and its members wanted the people of Queensland to join with them and take part in the significant reform journey ahead.
“It will increase productivity, deliver better services and make sure Queensland is a Great State with Great Opportunity,” he said.
Download the Commission of Audit Report:
Related articles:
