Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, today launched his Government’s plan to deliver an improved public sector for Queensland.
The Premier said the Even better public sector for Queensland strategy 2024–2028 will build greater public trust and confidence in the Queensland public sector and deliver better services and outcomes for all Queenslanders.
The newly-released strategy is accompanied by a two-year action plan, to ensure smooth implementation, he said.
“My government values public servants. We have spent many years rebuilding the public service and improving and enhancing the conditions of Queensland public servants,” said Mr Miles.
“On the first day I became Premier, I committed I would do more to make sure our hard working public sector staff have everything they need to do their jobs well.
“This five-year strategy has been developed by the public sector for the public sector, and it has this government’s full support.”
Development of the strategy was informed by engagement with public sector employees, stakeholders and industry experts, as well as insights from workforce data and research into emerging trends and challenges, he said.
“A starting point for the Even better strategy was Professor Coaldrake’s call for public sector rejuvenation through a focus on performance and integrity.”
“The strategy highlights the role of public servants in providing government with frank and fearless advice.
“It also stresses the importance of a public sector which is responsive to the community, culturally capable, fair to its employees and apolitical.
“I look forward to continuing to work together to achieve great things for Queensland and for Queenslanders.”
The Public Sector Commission (PSC) will lead implementation of the strategy.
The Queensland Government strengthened the role of the PSC as a system leader and steward of the sector under the Public Sector Act 2022 (Act).
The Public Sector Governance Council will provide oversight for the strategy’s implementation.
In addition to senior public sector leaders, two community representatives have been appointed to the Council.
Ms Angela Leitch and Professor A J Brown AM will provide expert advice to support the Council’s role in monitoring the sector’s performance, fostering excellence and integrity, and promoting collaboration.
Ms Leitch is a Woppaburra woman with extensive experience in the public and tertiary sectors and is currently the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Australians) at the Queensland University of Technology.
Professor Brown is a renowned expert in public integrity and is currently a professor of public policy and law at Griffith University and the chair of Transparency International Australia.
“The Queensland Government has the biggest and most diverse workforce in the state, and with this comes a great opportunity,” said Public Sector Commissioner, David Mackie.
“It is critical that while we are delivering services or supporting frontline services, we have an eye on the challenges we will face in the future so we can be well positioned to respond to them.
“There’s a genuine spirit of service that runs through the Queensland public sector, and this strategy will help shape that spirit into strength.
“The strategy will help Queensland’s public sector evolve over the next five years while continuing to serve with integrity, professionalism, and commitment to better outcomes for our community.
“I look forward to working with Ms Leitch and Professor Brown through the Public Sector Governance Council as part of delivering this work to build an even better public sector,” he said.