Premier Steven Miles has launched the government’s plan to deliver an even better public sector for Queensland.
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.
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.
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.
Quotes attributable to the Premier Steven Miles:
“My government values public servants. We have spent many years rebuilding the public service and improving and enhancing the conditions of Queensland public servants.
“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.
“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.”
Quotes attributable to the Public Sector Commissioner, David Mackie:
“The Queensland Government has the biggest and most diverse workforce in the state, and with this comes a great opportunity.
“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.
Further information:
Short bios:
Ms Angela Leitch
Ms Angela Leitch is QUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Australians) and is responsible for developing the strategic direction of the university relating to Indigenous matters, including institutional policy, strategy and advice.
Ms Leitch is a proud Woppaburra woman and is the Secretary of the Woppaburra Aboriginal Land Trust.
She is a board member of the Queensland Families and Children’s Commission Advisory Council and Director of the Queensland Music Festival Pty Ltd.
Professor A J Brown AM
Professor A J Brown is professor of public policy and law in Griffith University’s School of Government and International Relations and co-leader of the Centre for Governance and Public Policy’s integrity, leadership and public trust program.
He is the chair of the Australian chapter of Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organisation.
Professor Brown has 30 years of experience in public accountability and integrity systems. He has worked as a senior investigator for the Commonwealth Ombudsman, and was an Associate to the Honourable Tony Fitzgerald AC KC, former President of the Queensland Court of Appeal.
In 2023, Professor Brown was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the fields of law and policy, in particular, his work relating to whistleblower protections.