2016-2017 Budget Estimates Volume of Additional Information€¦ · 21/07/16 11.4 Ms S Moran, Estimates Team, Cabinet & Parliamentary Services Unit, Office of the Director - General,

2016-2017 Budget Estimates Volume of Additional Information

Health, Communities, Disability ServicesAnd Domestic and Family ViolencePrevention CommitteeAugust 2016

Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention

Committee

Consideration of 2016/2017 Portfolio Budget Estimates

Volume of additional information

Table of contents

Minutes of meetings

Meeting of 15 June 2016 Meeting of 17 June 2016 Meeting of 27 July 2016 Meeting of 9 August 2016

Questions taken on notice prior to the hearing

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and family Violence Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services

Answers to questions taken on notice prior to the hearing

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and family Violence Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services

Additional information subsequent to the hearing providing clarification and corrections

Letter from Director-General, Queensland Health dated 28 July 2016 clarifying response following review of hearing transcript Letter from Mr M Hogan, Director-General, Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services correcting response to question eight taken on notice prior to the hearing

Copies of documents tabled at hearing on 27 July 2016

Tabled by member for Mudgeeraba – extract from Hansard dated 27 August 2016 Tabled by Member for Surfers Paradise – extract from Hansard 15 June 2016 Tabled by Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services – Announced Priority Capital Program Projects

Minutes of meetings

• Meeting of 15 June 2016 • Meeting of 17 June 2016 • Meeting of 27 July 2016 • Meeting of 9 August 2016

1

Minutes - Estimates

Original Held: HCDSDFVPC RD

File No: Minute book

Minutes of a meeting of the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee

Held on Wednesday 15 June 2016

At 8:32am

Committee Room 3, Level 6 Parliamentary Annexe

Present:

Ms Leanne Linard MP, Chair

Mr Mark McArdle MP, Deputy Chair

Mr Sid Cramp MP

Mr Aaron Harper MP

Mr Joe Kelly MP

Mrs Tarnya Smith MP

In Attendance: Ms Deborah Jeffrey, Research Director

Mr James Gilchrist, Principal Research Officer

Mrs Lyn Whelan, Executive Assistant

Correspondence register

On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr McArdle the Committee resolved that the inwards correspondence item 1 be accepted.

Members Information Manual 2016

Members’ Information Manual provided with the agenda.

Draft timetable Draft timetable – Estimates 2016

The Committee agreed to defer this item.

Draft hearing schedule Draft hearing schedule – Estimates 2016 The Committee agreed to defer this item.

Public hearing – General procedures

Attendance of chief executive officers of agencies

The Committee agreed to defer this item.

Participating members (SO 181) On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Kelly the Committee resolved that non-Committee Members be given leave to ask questions during the hearing.

2

Ministerial opening statements

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Kelly the Committee resolved that each Minister may make an opening statement of up to [5 or other timeframe to be agreed] minutes.

Ancillary material

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper the Committee resolved that Ministers at the Estimates hearing on 27 July 2016 are permitted to use ancillary material that complies with the following:

The material should not be of a size or nature which could create safety or security issues,

Information depicted in the materials should also be presented in documentary or other acceptable form, and

Advance notice should be give of the nature of ancillary material to be used.

Questions on notice at the hearing and additional information (SO 183)

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Kelly the Committee resolved that with respect to questions on notice taken at the hearing on Wednesday 27 July 2016 to be returned to the committee secretariat by 3:00pm on Friday 29 July 2016.

Other Business Nil

Next Meeting: Wednesday 27 July 2016 (prior to Estimates Hearing), unless determined otherwise by the Chair.

Close: The meeting closed at 8:40am.

Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee

Summary of Inwards Correspondence - Estimates

15 June 2016

Date Rec’d

File No. From Topic

1. 20/05/16 11.4 Mr T Nicholls MP, Leader of the Opposition Seeking leave for opposition members to participate in HCDSDFVPC Estimates hearing

Confirmed on Wednesday 27 July 2016

Leanne Linard MP

Chair

Minutes - Estimates



Minutes of a meeting of the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee

Held on Friday 17 June 2016

At 1:08pm

Committee Room 3, Level 6 Parliamentary Annexe

Present:

Ms Leanne Linard MP, Chair Mr Mark McArdle MP, Deputy Chair Mr Sid Cramp MP Mr Aaron Harper MP Mr Joe Kelly MP Mrs Tarnya Smith MP

In Attendance: Ms Deborah Jeffrey, Research Director Ms Sue Cawcutt, Inquiry Secretary Mr James Gilchrist, Principal Research Officer Ms Lyn Whelan, Executive Assistant

Draft timetable Draft timetable – Estimates 2016

The Committee noted the following documents:

• Draft timetable

Discussion ensued.

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper the Committee agreed that the proposed timetable for the estimates process be adopted.

Draft hearing schedule Draft hearing schedule – Estimates 2016

The Committee noted the following documents:

• Draft hearing schedule

Discussion ensued.

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper the Committee agreed that the proposed schedule for the hearing on 27 July 2016 be adopted.

Public hearing – general procedures

Attendance of chief executive officers of agencies On the motion of Mr Kelly, seconded by Mr McArdle, the Committee agreed that the relevant Chief Executive Officers of the agencies listed in Schedule 7 of the Standing Orders be required to attend the Estimates hearing only for the time allocated to their respective portfolio area set out in the hearing schedule.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 27 July 2016 unless determined otherwise by the Chair.

1

Close: The meeting closed at 1:12pm.

Confirmed on Wednesday 27 July 2016

Leanne Linard MP Chair

2



Minutes of a meeting of the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee - Estimates

Held on Wednesday 27 July 2016

At 8:30am

Room A35, Level A Parliament House and the Legislative Council Chamber

Present: Ms Leanne Linard MP, Chair Mr Mark McArdle MP, Deputy Chair Mr Sid Cramp MP Mr Aaron Harper MP Mr Joe Kelly MP Mrs Tarnya Smith MP

In Attendance: Ms Deborah Jeffrey, Research Director Ms Sue Cawcutt, Inquiry Secretary Mr James Gilchrist, Principal Research Officer Ms Lyn Whelan, Executive Assistant

Confirmation of Minutes

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper, the Committee resolved that the minutes of meetings held on 15 June 2016 and 17 June 2016, as agreed to, be confirmed.

Matters arising from minutes

Nil

Correspondence On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr Mrs Smith, the Committee resolved that the inwards correspondence items 1-9 be accepted and the outwards correspondence items 1 – 7 be endorsed.

Matters arising from correspondence

Non-Committee Members participating in Estimates Hearing

The Committee noted correspondence item nos. 1 and 2 and that approval had been granted at the previous meeting.

List of Witnesses attending hearing

The Committee noted correspondence item nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6. Discussion ensued.

Answers to Questions on Notice

The Committee noted correspondence item nos. 7, 8, and 9. Discussion ensued.

Public hearing procedures

General hearing procedures

The Committee noted that SO181 provides the general hearing procedure for estimates. Direct questions may only be put to the Minister, Director-

Minutes - Estimates

1

General or Chief Executive Officer. Departmental officers should not be asked questions about government policy (Schedule 3 of Standing Orders).

Tabling of documents

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

Quorum The Committee noted that there needs to be at least four Committee Members present to form quorum throughout the day. Non-Committee Members are not included to form quorum.

Naming of Children

The Committee noted that children should not to be named during the Estimates hearing.

The Committee suspended its business at 8:38am to hold the following public Estimates hearings in the Legislative Council Chamber:

9:00am – 11:00am Minister Fentiman Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

11:30am – 1:00pm Minister O’Rourke Disability Services and Seniors

2:00pm – 3:30pm Minister Dick Department of Health Hospital and Health Services Office of the Health Ombudsman

4:00pm – 5:30pm Minister Dick Department of Health Hospital and Health Services Queensland Institute of Medical Research Mental Health Commission

The Committee adjourned to meet in private session at 5:30pm

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper, the Committee resolved to amend the hearing schedule agreed to on 17 June 2016; to resume the hearing at 5:45pm for 1 hour.

5:45pm – 6:47pm Minister Dick Queensland Ambulance Service

The public briefings closed at 6:47pm.

Next Estimates Meeting:

Tuesday 9 August 2016 unless determined otherwise by the Chair

Close: The meeting closed 6:47pm.

2

Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee

Summary of Inwards Correspondence - Estimates

27 July 2016

Date Rec’d

File No. From Topic

1. 28/06/2016 11.4 Mr T Nicholls MP, Leader of the Opposition Seeking leave for additional members to participate in HCDSDFVPC Estimates hearing

2. 4/07/16 11.4 Ms J-A Miller MP, State Member for Bundamba Seeking leave to participate in HCDSDFVPC Estimates hearing

3. 21/07/16 11.4 Ms S Moran, Estimates Team, Cabinet & Parliamentary Services Unit, Office of the Director-General, Department of Health

Attaching Estimates Hearing Witness List and Organisational Charts for each

4. 22/07/16 11.4 Ms M Wyer, Manager (Estimates), Cabinet and Parliamentary Services, Office of the Director-General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Attaching Estimates Hearing Witness List and Organisational Charts for each – Ministers O’Rourke and Fentiman

5. 25/7/16 11.4 Ms M Wyer, Manager (Estimates), Cabinet and Parliamentary Services, Office of the Director-General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Updated Witness List for Minister Fentiman

6. 25/7/16 11.4 Ms S Moran, Estimates Team, Cabinet & Parliamentary Services Unit, Office of the Director-General, Department of Health

Updated Witness List – Shaun Drummond to replace Ken Whelan

7. 26/7/16 11.4 Ms L Andrewartha, A/Manager and CLLO, Cabinet and Parliamentary Services, Office of the Director-General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Attached Government and Non-Government Responses to Questions on Notice for Minister Fentiman

8. 26/7/16 11.4 Ms L Andrewartha, A/Manager and CLLO, Cabinet and Parliamentary Services, Office of the Director-General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Attached Government and Non-Government Responses to Questions on Notice for Minister O’Rourke

9. 26/7/16 11.4 Mr D Noon, Manager, Cabinet and Parliamentary Services, Office of the Director-General, Department of Health

Attached Government and Non-Government Responses to Questions on Notice for Minister Dick

30/Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee

Summary of Outwards Correspondence

27 July 2016

Date Sent File No. To Topic

1. 20/06/16 11.4 Mr M Hogan, Director-General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

2016 Budget Estimates process information

2. 20/06/16 11.4 Hon S Fentiman MP, Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence


3. 20/06/16 11.4 Hon C O’Rourke MP, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland


4. 20/06/16 11.4 Mr M Walsh, Director-General, Department of Health


5. 20/06/16 11.4 Hon C Dick MP, Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services


6. 30/06/16 11.4 Mr M Hogan, Director-General, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Government and Non-Government Questions on Notice

7. 30/06/16 11.4 Mr M Walsh, Director-General, Department of Health

Government and Non-Government Questions on Notice

Confirmed on Tuesday 9 August 2016.

leanne Linard MP Chair

3



Minutes of a meeting of the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee - Estimates

Held on Tuesday 09 August 2016 At

8:33am

Room 5.04, Level 5 Parliamentary Annexe via teleconference

Present:

Ms Leanne Linard MP, Chair Mr Mark McArdle MP, Deputy Chair Mr Aaron Harper MP Mr Joe Kelly MP Mrs Tarnya Smith MP

Apologies: Mr Sid Cramp MP

In Attendance: Ms Deborah Jeffrey, Research Director Mr James Gilchrist, Principal Research Officer Ms Julie Fidler, Committee Support Officer

Confirmation of Minutes

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper, the Committee resolved that the minutes of meetings held on 27 July 2016, as agreed to, be confirmed.

Matters arising from minutes

Nil

Correspondence On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mrs Smith, the Committee resolved that the inwards correspondence items 1-5 be accepted.

Matters arising from correspondence

Additional information subsequent to the hearing providing clarification of transcript

On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mr McArdle, the Committee resolved that, pursuant to section 50(2)(a) of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, the additional information provided by way of clarification be authorised for publication and put on the Committee’s web page and linked to the transcript.

Transcript corrections

The Committee noted correspondence item nos. 2, 4 and 5. Discussion ensued. The Committee agreed to the requested amendments.

Minutes - Estimates

1

Matters arising from correspondence cont.

Correction of answer to question on notice

On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper, the Committee resolved that pursuant to section 50(2)(a) of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001, the additional information provided by way of clarification be authorised for publication and put on the Committee’s web page.

Draft Reports On the motion of Mr McArdle, seconded by Mr Harper, the Committee

resolved that the Chair’s draft report, as agreed to, be adopted as Report No. 22 of the Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee and order that arrangements proceed for printing the report to enable tabling.

Determination of additional material to be tabled with reports

On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mrs Smith, the Committee resolved that the Committee table, together with the report, a file titled “Additional Information”, which will contain:

Copies of meeting minutes Questions on notice Answers to questions on notice Copies of documents tabled at hearing 27 July 2016 Additional information provided subsequent to the hearing

providing clarification and corrections.

Reservation or dissenting reports

The Committee noted that statements of reservation or dissenting reports, signed by the Member/Members are required to be provided to the research director by 8:30am on Thursday 11 August 2016.

Minutes On the motion of Mr Harper, seconded by Mrs Smith, the Committee resolved that in order for a copy of the minutes to be tabled with the report as per Standing Order 189, the Committee authorises that the Chair, in consultation with Deputy Chair, confirm the minutes of the meeting.

Other Business Nil

Close Meeting closed 8:45am.

Confirmed on Thursday 11 August 2016.

Leanne Linard MP Chair

2

Questions taken on notice prior to the hearing

• Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister

for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and family Violence

• Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland

• Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services

Government Members Questions – Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee

Minister Shannon Fentiman MP– Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for

Child Safety, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence

1 Page 3 of the SDS refers to the “safety, belonging and well-being of children and young people not able to be cared for by their families”. Could the Minister please advise what is being done to improve procedures when children in care go missing?

2 With reference to the domestic and family violence investment outlined on page 8 of the SDS, and more specifically the recently published report of the KPMG audit into DFV resourcing, can you please advise what is planned to fix gaps identified in the report, such as central Queensland?

3 I refer to page 3 of the SDS and note $13.8 million is budgeted for in 2016-17 for Family and Child Connect services in Mt Isa/Gulf and Cape York/Torres Strait. Can the Minister please outline the approach to delivering these services in remote Queensland and how is this different to other Family and Child Connect services already established?

4 I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services SDS and note the rate of children entering out-of-home care is predicted to fall in 2016-17. I also note reductions in the number of children in out of home care is a key target set by the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry and now supported by the Supporting Families Changing Future reforms. Can the Minister please advise how these targets are being evaluated and what early outcomes are being observed?

5 I refer to page 8 of the SDS, and the Violence Against Women Prevention Plan. Can the Minister please advise on the progress of this Plan, and how it will help Queensland women?

6 I refer to page 8 of the Service Delivery Statement, and more specifically the allocation of domestic violence funding. I also note that the responsibility for domestic and family violence refuges are currently being transferred over from housing to communities. Can the Minister please advise of the process for this transferral?

7 I refer to page 8 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement that details funding of $3.5 million in 2017/17 for new rest and recovery services in 15 Safe Night Precincts. Can the Minister please outline how these rest and recovery services will help to reduce alcohol related violence and create safer entertainment precincts?

8 With reference to page 3 of the SDS, and the protection of children from harm, can the Minister please advise the number of children’s cases reviewed by child death review panels in the 2015/16 financial year?

9 I refer to the modernisation of the Community Recovery Disaster Management System, mentioned on page 9 of the SDS. Can the Minister please provide more information on what this will mean for people seeking assistance following a disaster?


10 With reference to table 1.1 on page 5 of Budget Paper 4, can the Minister please advise how your Department is meeting its reprioritisation target for 2016/17 and how does it compare to historical targets?

Estimates Hearing 2016 Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Estimates

Committee

Non-Government Question on Notice No. 01

Question To:

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Hon Shannon Fentiman MP

Question:

I refer to page 3 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS) which lists $10 million to “support the expansion and integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family support and child protection services” and I ask - can the Minister advise:

a) How this $10 million will be spent; and b) Whether this funding allocation includes the hiring of any additional staff?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS) which states that $6 million will be spent on an “Empowering Families Innovation Fund” and I ask - Can the Minister advise:

a) How this fund will be administered; b) Whether any additional staff will be hired to administer this program; and c) What portion of this $6 million will be spent on employee expenses and administrative costs?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS) which states that $1.2 million over five years has been allocated to establish a scholarship scheme in partnerships with the Smith Family to support up to 100 young women leaving care to access higher education, and I ask: Can the Minister advise who will be responsible for the administration of this scholarship program and whether any specific criteria has been established for the awarding of these scholarships?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes that the estimated actual rate of children entering out-of-home care per 1,000 children was higher than the target for 2015-16 of 2.0 per 2,000, but that the 2016-17 target has been reduced to 1.6 per 1,000, and I ask: Can the Minister advise why this target has been reduced when the estimated actual figure for last financial year exceeded the previously higher target?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 20 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which states that user charges and fees are expected to provide $21.77 million of revenue in 2016-17, an increase of more than $7 million since 2015-16, and I ask: Can the Minister advise how this extra revenue is being generated through charges and fees, and whether service users are experiencing higher costs since last financial year?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 17 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which provides for a 5,942 Departmental staff, a reduction of 52 from 2015-16, and I ask: Can the Minister advise how this reduction in staffing levels will be achieved and which areas of the department will see a reduction in staff?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 17 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists staffing allocations for the Department, and I ask: Can the Minister advise how many staff the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services employs in its SES stream in 2015-16, and whether the number of SES roles is expected to increase over 2016-17?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 3 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a 2016-17 service area highlight of “$45.7 million for Intensive Family Support services across the state which will complement the Family and Child Connect services,” and I ask: Can the Minister outline the number of families accessing the Family and Child Connect services and the Intensive Family Support Services since their inception and further outline whether these new services are making an impact on intakes?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 17 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists staffing allocations for the Department, and I ask: Can the Minister advise how many complaints of staff misconduct relating to inappropriate use of confidential information or other IT breaches has the Department investigated in the past 12 months and, in the case of substantiated outcomes from these investigations, what action was taken against the individual staff members?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 2 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a Departmental priority of “transforming child protection to enable children and families to maintain safety, wellbeing and belonging,” and I ask: Can the Minister detail Child Safety caseload levels over the past 5 years; the current child safety office caseload and whether or not there are any projections that these caseloads will reduce further and by when?


30/06/16

QON Question

Minister Coralee O’Rourke MP, Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland

1 Would the Minister please provide information on the cost to the Queensland Government of delivery of Accommodation Support and Respite Services as a registered provider with the NDIS?

2 With the full rollout of the NDIS across Queensland now underway, how many public service positions will be made redundant and how is the Government ensuring the disability sector has the capacity to support the extra demand?

3 Will the Minister please advise how many people with disability had entered the NDIS in the early launch sites of Townsville, Charters Towers and Palm Island as part of the early launch cohort, as at July 1?

4 Will the Minister advise how the Government is responding to the Queensland Public Advocate’s Upholding the right to life and health: A review of deaths in care of people with disability in Queensland report and what processes are in place to ensure the safety of people with disability?

5 Will the Minister please advise on progress of the development of the one stop shop where older Queenslanders will be able to access information about services essential to seniors?

6 Will the Minister please advise when the report from the Government’s Taskforce on the Residential Transition for Ageing Queenslanders will be released and how the report will support older Queenslanders to remain in their communities?

7 Can the Minister provide advice on how the Advancing North Queensland – Investing in the future of the north document will contribute to the Government’s commitment to growing north Queensland’s economy and creating jobs?

8 Would the Minister please provide a detailed progress update on projects within the accelerated works program in North Queensland, and the number of jobs that have been created?

9 The Government’s recently released Advancing North Queensland – investing in the future of the north document states that water security and water infrastructure were one of the issues commonly raised by stakeholders across north Queensland. What is the Queensland Government doing to respond to the need to secure water and build infrastructure to facilitate growth and jobs in the north?

10 What is the Minister and the Queensland Government doing to address regional youth unemployment levels and respond to youth crime in North Queensland?


Committee


Question To:

Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, Hon Coralee O'Rourke MP

Question:

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services' Service Delivery Statement (SDS) regarding NDIS readiness initiatives and ask - can the Minister please itemise the readiness initiatives that will be funded in 2016-17 and outline how the department will be measuring the success of these initiatives?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services' Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes $3.3 million is allocated for "housing solutions for people with disability for whom other housing options do not present a sustainable solution," and I ask:- How many Queenslanders were assisted by this funding in 2015-16?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services' Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes $4.9 million is allocated "to continue to deliver innovative strategies to provide sustainable living options for adults with disability when they can no longer be cared for by their elderly parents," and I ask: Can the Minister advise how many Queenslanders benefitted from this funding in 2015-16?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services' Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes $2.2 million is allocated "to assist people with spinal cord injuries to leave the Princess Alexandra Hospital," and I ask: How many Queenslanders are expected to be assisted by this funding in 2016-17?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to the fact that the efficiency measure of “number of Queenslanders with disability accessing support services,” which was contained on page 7 of the 2015-16 Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Service Delivery Statement (SDS), has been discontinued in the SDS for 2016-17. Can the Minister advise why this effectiveness measure has been replaced in the 2016-17 SDS?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 2 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a Departmental priority of “getting Queensland ready for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and transitioning smoothly during the progressive rollout”, and I ask: Can the Minister advise:

a) How the delaying in signing the NDIS Bilateral Agreement impacted on Queensland’s ability to prepare for the rollout of the NDIS;

b) Given this delay, whether there will be a full complement of National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) staff on the ground at the time of launching the NDIS in Queensland; and,

c) The number of National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) staff that will be in Queensland at the time of the NDIS launch?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 2 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a Departmental priority of “implementing strategies that enable social and economic opportunities for women, seniors, young people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds”, and ask: Of the total Budget allocation for Seniors, can the Minister advise what amount is set aside for frontline service delivery and what amount is administration costs?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to page 2 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a Departmental priority of “getting Queensland ready for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and transitioning smoothly during the progressive rollout”, and I ask: Can the Minister advise what proportion of the total NDIS funding for Queensland will be taken up by employee expenses?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

Will the Minister provide a report to the committee on the membership, activity, outcome of deliberations and achievements of the Interdepartmental Committee for Northern Australia, for 2015-16 and a projection of same for 2016-17 (SDS, DCCSDS, Page 1)?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

I refer to the Advancing North Queensland plan released on 24 June 2016 – the priorities in the plan the Minister is responsible for implementing and ask - what specific allocations have been included in the 2016-17 state budget to progressing each of them (SDS, DCCSDS, Page 1)?


Minister Cameron Dick MP– Minister for Health and Ambulance Services

1 I refer to page 8 of the SDS. What will be the effect on the health budget of the changes being made to Commonwealth funding?

2 I refer to page 7 of the SDS. Can the Minister outline the anticipated effect of planned capital investments?

3 I refer to page 6 of the SDS. What are the expected benefits of significant changes to the operational budget?

4 I refer to page 7 of the SDS. How is the Department managing and improving its major information technology assets?

5 I refer to page 22 of the SDS. How does the increase in staff compare with increases in demand and activity?

6 I refer to page 24 of the SDS. Can the Minister explain the reasons for expected financial operating outcomes for the portfolio and Hospital and Health Services?

7 I refer to page 27 of the SDS. How are individual Hospital and Health Services implementing Nurse to Patient Ratios?

8 I refer to page 44 of the SDS. How is the Government addressing heightened demand for ambulance services in winter?

9 I refer to page 14 of the SDS. How is the Government investing in mental health services compared to previous years?

10 I refer to page 81 of the SDS. How is the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital performing?

Estimates Hearing 2015

Health, Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Estimates Committee


Question To:

Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services, Hon Cameron Dick MP

Question:

With reference to the requirement placed on each Hospital and Health Service [HHS] to deliver an "overall productivity dividend of 2% in the delivery of clinical services" outlined on Page 5 of the 2015-16 State Budget which impacts on the Estimated Actuals for 2015-16 contained within the 2016-17 SDS, can the Minister:

a) provide a breakdown of the productivity dividend in the delivery of clinical services achieved by each HHS [reported separately] as both a percentage as well as in dollar terms; and

b) outline what clinical services were amended or changed in order to achieve the productivity dividend?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to the requirement placed on the Queensland Ambulance Service to deliver a "productivity dividend of 2%" outlined on Page 5 of the 2015-16 State Budget which impacts on the Estimated Actuals for 2015-16 contained within the 2016-17 SDS, can the Minister:

a) provide a breakdown of the productivity dividend achieved by the QAS as both a percentage as well as in dollar terms; and,

b) outline what services were amended or changed in order to achieve the productivity dividend?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to the requirement placed on the Department of Health [DoH] to "achieve a productivity dividend of 2.5%" outlined on Page 5 of the 2015-16 State Budget which impacts on the Estimated Actuals for 2015-16 contained within the 2016-17 SDS, can the Minister:

a) provide a breakdown of the productivity dividend achieved by DoH as both a percentage as well as in dollar terms; and

b) outline what functions and services were amended or changed in order to achieve the productivity dividend?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to Queensland Health’s consolidated Staffing levels outlined on Page 22 of the SDS can the Minister advise how many staff, temporary staff or contracted employees [reported separately] employed by:

a) the Department of Health, b) respective Hospital and Health Services [HHSs]; or c) the Queensland Ambulance Service

have been contacted in the 2015-16 financial year to ascertain if they are interested in taking up a voluntary separation?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to both the: • additional staff undertaking payroll activities on Page 22 of the SDS; and, • the KPMG report released in June 2012 which estimated the cost of the Queensland Health payroll system

would be $1.253B for the years 2009-10 to 2016-17, including $245.5M for key projects designed to address high priority issues;

can the Minister advise if the projects designed to address the high priority issues outlined in the KPMG review: are all expected to be completed in the 2016-17 financial year;

a) have been, or are all expected to be, completed on-time and on-budget; and, b) if the answer to any part of [B] is negative, can the Minister outline the project component, the time over-run

and/or the budget over-run?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to • additional staff undertaking payroll activities on Page 22 of the SDS; and, • the KPMG report released in June 2012 which estimated the cost of the Queensland Health payroll system

would be $1.253B for the years 2009-10 to 2016-17, including $245.5M for key projects designed to address high priority issues which did not include: a) the cost associated with a system upgrade; b) any allowance for overpayment write-offs and associated fringe benefits tax; c) any cost contingencies associated with potential project overspend;

can the Minister outline the total cost to taxpayers of [A], [B] and [C] broken down separately for the period 2009-10 to 2016-17?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to additional staff undertaking payroll activities on Page 22 of the SDS can the Minister advise: a) for each pay-run made over the 2015-16 financial year what was the total average number of overpayments

made; b) for each pay-run made over the 2015-16 financial year what was the total average value of overpayments

made; and, c) what is the current outstanding overpayment balance is for all staff in the employ of Queensland Health

[including both the Department of Health and respective HHS’s] ?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to: • additional staff undertaking payroll activities on Page 22 of the SDS; and, • the KPMG report released in June 2012 which estimated the cost of the Queensland Health payroll system

would be $1.253B for the years 2009-10 to 2016-17, including $245.5M for key projects designed to address high priority issues.

can the Minister advise: a) for the 2015-16 financial year what was the dollar value of overpayments automatically recovered; and, b) for the 2015-16 financial year what was the percentage of overpayments automatically recovered within

three months of being identified?




Question To:


Question:

With reference to Page 7 of the SDS which referred to under the Advancing Queensland Health Infrastructure Program to provide “$230 million over 5 years to 2020-21 ($20 million in 2016-17)” can the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of all capital works projects currently identified as being part of the Program, including for both this financial year as well as over the forward estimates:

a) the name and a brief description of each of the projects; b) the estimated total cost of each of the projects; and, c) the scheduled commencement date of each of the projects?


Committee


Question To:


Question:

With reference to Page 7 of the SDS which states “During 2015-16, the Department undertook a comprehensive review of the current approved capital program. This review identified funds totalling $173.7 million as a result of project and/or program efficiencies” can the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of all projects and/or programs which were identified as being able to achieve efficiencies as part of this review, including:

a) the name and a brief description of each of the projects/programs; b) the estimated total cost of each of the projects/programs; c) the estimated total savings associated with each of the efficiencies identified in the projects/programs; and, d) the scheduled commencement date of each of the projects?

Answers to questions taken on notice prior to the hearing

• Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister

for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and family Violence

• Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland

• Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services

HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, DISABILITY SERVICES AND DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMITTEE

2016 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING

GOVERNMENT QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 1 THE HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, DISABILITY SERVICES AND DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMITTEE asked the Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (HON S FENTIMAN)—

QUESTION

Page 3 of the SDS refers to the “safety, belonging and well-being of children and young people not able to be cared for by their families”.

Could the Minister please advise what is being done to improve procedures when children in care go missing?

ANSWER

The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services is working to help over 11,500 children and young people. In all cases Child Safety Officers are working with a range of people to ensure children and young people are safe in their home, at school and in the community.

This is why my department has responded quickly to ensure agencies and individuals are clear about their roles and responsibilities when a child in care goes missing.

The ‘When a child in care is missing’ protocol for joint agency response outlines how each agency across government is to respond, work together and share information when a child is missing from out-of-home care. This protocol was made available on 11 July 2016 and all departmental resources have been updated to align with the protocol.

But the department did not wait to act. In May 2016, the department released new guidelines for foster carers, carer agencies and child safety staff on responding to children and young people in out-of-home care who go missing from where they live. These guidelines have been well received by the sector. The guidelines consciously focus on ensuring direct carers (foster carers and staff of care services) are fully supported as the department’s partners and empowered to act as any reasonable parent would.

The guidelines have been developed in consultation with a number of agencies, including the Queensland Police Service, Foster Care Queensland, PeakCare, Bravehearts, and a number of residential care providers. Importantly, the department also liaised closely with the Queensland Family and Child Commission to ensure the guidelines respond to the issues they raised in their review into missing children from out-of-home-care.

On 12 May 2016, the Foster and Kinship Care Handbook was updated with a new section on missing children which clarifies direct carer responsibilities. Resources are now being prepared to enable care services to hold information sessions with direct carers to ensure their full understanding of the new guidelines.

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On 12 May 2016, the Child Safety Practice Manual was updated in line with the guidelines and provides clarity on the responsibilities of Child Safety Officers, Managers and Regional Directors.

These changes reinforce the importance of a shared responsibility across agencies, carers and non-government agencies, and our strong commitment to work together to ensure the safety and well-being of children in out-of-home care.





QUESTION

With reference to the domestic and family violence investment outlined on page 8 of the SDS, and more specifically the recently published report of the KPMG audit into DFV resourcing, can you please advise what is planned to fix the gaps identified in the report, such as Central Queensland?

ANSWER

The recent Queensland Budget included a commitment to almost $200 million over five years to implement the domestic and family violence reform agenda in response to the Not Now, Not Ever report.

In 2016–17 this includes new funding of $43.1 million over four years for new or enhanced domestic and family violence specialist services and a further $10.3 million over four years for perpetrator interventions.

The audit is the first step in developing a DFV investment plan but we have already made a start in actioning the Audit’s findings.

Since the Audit was undertaken, we have:

established a new domestic and family violence service in Longreach from March 2016 — a location where no funding has been previously provided

allocated $2,495,321 per annum from March 2016 for new or enhanced services across Central Queensland, including Rockhampton, Gladstone and Emerald

established a new sexual assault service in Mackay

provided funding for safety upgrades in Mackay and Whitsundays to enable victims to stay in their own homes

announced Charters Towers and Roma as the locations for new shelters.

In addition, we are conducting a tender process for a new service for victims in Moranbah and a behaviour change program for perpetrators in Mackay.

We have also announced Mount Isa and the Gulf as the location for a domestic and family violence integrated response trial.

Commencing in 2017, this trial will include a multi-agency team to support victims at high risk of violence as well as new funding for additional support services.

The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services is now doing more detailed planning for the best use of the new investment provided in the Budget.

In addition to the KPMG Audit, the department will use other available data to inform funding decisions, including applications for protection orders lodged at Queensland Courts, police reported breaches of domestic violence orders, use of motels by DVConnect and Child Safety client data.





QUESTION

I refer to page 3 of the SDS and note $13.8 million is budgeted for 2016–17 for Family and Child Connect services in Mount Isa/Gulf and Cape York/Torres Strait. Can the Minister please outline the approach to delivering these services in remote Queensland and how is this different to other Family and Child Connect services already established?

ANSWER

The Queensland Government is committed to developing a service system that ensures vulnerable families get the help they need, when they need it. As part of this commitment, in 2016–17 we are providing $13.8 million to the statewide network of Family and Child Connect services, including two new services in Mount Isa/Gulf and Cape York/Torres Strait.

Family and Child Connect provides an important pathway for families to access the best service for their needs. Families, professionals and others who are concerned about a family they know can contact Family and Child Connect for information and advice about services.

Family and Child Connect services now operate in 18 catchments across Queensland, with only two catchments — Mount Isa/Gulf and Cape York/Torres Strait — left to complete full statewide delivery.

It is vital we do not rush this implementation, but take a considered approach to ensure our investment goes to a service provider who can respond effectively to the needs of the community.

The Commission of Inquiry recommended the child protection reforms be rolled out in a planned and considered way in order to maximise the long term benefits for families. It was recommended that the planned roll out should include adequate time for planning, trialling new models and evaluation over a five year period, with a review of progress scheduled for 2018–19.

In the Cape York and Torres Strait, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services undertook a procurement process between December 2015 and April 2016 for a Family and Child Connect but did not receive a proposal that would meet the needs of these communities.

As a result, the department is continuing to undertake further consultations with the Cape York and Torres Strait communities to determine the best model for connecting families to the support they need. The department is working in partnership with communities to find ways to better deliver service responses that ensure children and families in Cape York and Torres Strait receive the right service at the right time.

-2-

I and my Director-General recently visited the Torres Strait to speak with local service providers about their ideas in how parents and children can be better supported. This visit adds to the great work done earlier this year through a design jam that brought together community members and services to prototype real solutions for their communities.

While this work is underway, the Cairns Family and Child Connect will take calls from Cape York and Torres Strait and assist families to connect with local services.

The Mount Isa/Gulf procurement process will commence shortly. The additional time will allow the commissioning of the Family and Child Connect service to occur with the domestic and family violence services announced in the State Budget.

In response to recommendations of the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence, the Queensland Government is trialling integrated responses in three locations and Mount Isa has been identified as one of the trial sites.

The Mount Isa/Gulf procurement will incorporate Family and Child Connect, Intensive Family Support and domestic and family violence responses, including the Domestic and Family Violence Integrated Response trial.

Given the strong link between families experiencing domestic and family violence and child protection issues, there is a clear need for an integrated approach. The alignment and integration of these initiatives avoids two procurement processes within a short timeframe, reducing duplication for both suppliers and the department.

The Mount Isa/Gulf procurement process will commence in August 2016 and it is anticipated that services will be operational in early 2017.





QUESTION

I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services SDS and note the rate of children entering out-of-home care is predicted to fall in 2016–17. I also note reductions in the number of children in out of home care is a key target set by the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry and now supported by the Supporting Families Changing Future Reforms. Can the Minister please advise how these targets are being evaluated and what early outcomes are being observed?

ANSWER

As outlined in Supporting Families Changing Futures, the Palaszczuk Government has committed to a review of progress towards reform goals and targets as set by the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry.

The review of progress towards reform goals including the Commission of Inquiry targets is being independently conducted by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) and will be finalised later this year.

This Government is not convinced there is enough in the reforms alone to achieve the Commission of Inquiry targets, in particular the ambitious target of a 25 per cent reduction in the number of children in out-of-home care.

In addition to the scope of reform increasing, it is clear some assumptions made by the Commission of Inquiry have not eventuated.

For example the Commission of Inquiry recommended an audit of children in out of home care to identify if a child or young person’s child protection order could be revoked to reduce demand on the statutory system. Audits were undertaken for more than 4,000 children in out of home care and supported by expert independent panels. For 88 per cent of children and young people, the current child protection order continued to be in their best interest. For eight per cent of children, the audits recommended that the current order be progressed to long-term guardianship to their carer providing greater permanency. Only three per cent of children and young people were recommended to have their current order changed or revoked to support reunification. For one per cent of children and young people, the audits recommended the department continue or commence with active reunification.

The Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to these reforms is not limited to ticking off a list of 121 recommendations — core to this Government’s consideration is the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. There is a need to balance driving down demand on the system with the overall safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

-2-

In terms of outcomes being achieved, it is still early days in the reform program. We have made good progress in a number of areas and are starting to see some positive results, with more families accessing supports earlier, a significant reduction in intakes and child concern reports, more children being placed with kin, and our child protection services progressively becoming more targeted and engaging more with families.

The phased implementation of the reforms means that the number of children and young people entering the out-of-home care system will reduce over a period of time. Analysis undertaken by my department has suggested the early intervention focus should begin to have a stronger effect in 2016–17, which is why we reduced the 2016–17 target in the SDS. This is a stretch target, and represents a signal of intent in accord with the intent of the child and family reform agenda.

What remains a key concern to the Palaszczuk Government, is the growing over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in the child protection system. That is why we have also committed to delivering an action plan for vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. This plan, which is over and above the Commission’s recommended reforms, is being developed through a collaborative approach involving Elders, relevant government agencies and community leaders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and peak bodies. It will include existing as well as new practical actions and will be delivered later this year.





QUESTION

I refer to page 8 of the SDS, and the Violence Against Women Prevention Plan. Can the Minister please advise on the progress of this Plan, and how it will help Queensland women?

ANSWER

The Queensland Government is developing a Violence Against Women Prevention Plan that will send a clear, decisive message that gendered violence, in all its forms, is not acceptable and must not be normalised or ignored.

We know that violence against women is widespread and crosses geographic and socio-economic boundaries. It has many different forms, including domestic and family violence and sexual assault, and is deeply rooted in prevailing gender inequality and discrimination.

Queensland’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy 2016–2026 is taking strong action to address one of the most common forms of violence against women — domestic and family violence.

The Violence Against Women Prevention Plan will complement and support the Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Strategy, as well as help to deliver on Queensland’s commitments under the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010–2022.

The plan will identify ways we can prevent and better respond to violence against women more broadly. Actions under the plan will capitalise on existing prevention efforts such as the national campaign ‘Let’s Stop it at the Start’, and drive innovative initiatives and practice.

To inform the plan, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services has undertaken extensive consultation with the community, government and the community service sector, using both traditional and new approaches to consultation.

This consultation process was varied and included:

- an online community survey

- written submissions from individuals and organisations

- feedback from face-to-face meetings with stakeholders in the community and research sectors

- feedback from targeted agency consultations across the Queensland Government.

The department is also capitalising on Queensland’s Our Watch membership and utilising their primary prevention knowledge and expertise to inform the plan.

Building on the consultation to date, the department will undertake a second round of targeted consultations with key stakeholders on a small number of focus areas.

The Violence Against Women Prevention Plan will be released later this year.





QUESTION

I refer to page 8 of the Service Delivery Statement, and more specifically the allocation of domestic violence funding. I also note that the responsibility for domestic and family violence refuges is currently being transferred over from housing to communities. Can the Minister please advise of the process for this transferral?

ANSWER

Domestic violence shelters provide somewhere safe and supportive to go in crisis and are for women wanting to leave a dangerous and violent situation.

The Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence found the funding arrangements for domestic and family violence shelters are not optimal, with women’s shelters and domestic and family violence support services funded and managed by two different departments. These arrangements complicate and fragment service delivery, undermine efforts to achieve greater service system integration and could/can result in poorer outcomes for victims.

To improve our service responses, the Not Now, Not Ever report recommended the transfer of shelters from the Department of Housing and Public Works to the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

The transfer of shelters will encourage a more coordinated and holistic approach to domestic and family violence service delivery. This new approach acknowledges the complexity of the issue of domestic and family violence and seeks to achieve a streamlined and responsive service system.

I have worked closely with my colleague, the Honourable Mick De Brenni MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works to make the formal administration changes required to implement the transfer.

As these changes are made our focus is on ensuring the community organisations and departmental staff involved experience minimal disruption and that service users are not impacted negatively in any way.

The transfer of women’s shelters and other non-accommodation domestic violence support services funded through the Department of Housing and Public Works has been approved by the Premier and Governor in Council and changes will occur as soon as practical.

The transfer of shelters to my department will enhance coordination with broader domestic and family violence responses and make the system easier for women and their families to navigate.





QUESTION

I refer to page 8 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services Service Delivery Statement that details funding of $3.5 million in 2017/17 for new rest and recovery services in 15 Safe Night Precincts. Can the Minister please outline how these rest and recovery services will help to reduce alcohol related violence and create safer entertainment precincts?

ANSWER

Support Services are now operating in 15 designated Safe Night Precincts (SNPs) across Queensland, delivering on the Palaszczuk Government’s election commitment to address alcohol-related violence.

SNPs have been operating in Fortitude Valley, Surfers Paradise and Townsville since 2010. The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services has increased the investment in these vital services by committing funding to an additional 12 SNPs. These are located in Airlie Beach, Brisbane CBD, Brisbane Inner West, Cairns, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Broadbeach, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay, and Toowoomba.

The additional SNP support services create safer entertainment precincts by enhancing the safety and wellbeing of people at risk of harm. They will monitor public spaces to identify people who may be in distress and de-escalate and calm potential conflict as an early intervention.

Services will also reduce the risk of harm from being intoxicated in public places by providing a safe place for intoxicated people to sober up within a supervised rest and recovery area, and frequently monitor clients during their stay for any changes in their mental or physical condition that could indicate the need for medical attention. They will assist people to rehydrate and provide them with access to phones so that they can contact family or friends if required.

Nine organisations have been funded to provide Safe Night services. These services work closely with other SNP stakeholders (police, ambulance and venue security) who are linked via two way radios, and in some precincts they may be linked to the central CCTV monitoring unit that can report real time or potential incidents of violence.

The new SNP services support the implementation of the new laws to tackle alcohol fuelled violence.

Through investing in additional SNPs and collaboration with other stakeholders, the department will continue to work to reduce alcohol related violence and create safer entertainment precincts in Queensland.




No. 08

THE HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, DISABILITY SERVICES AND DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMITTEE asked the Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (HON S FENTIMAN)—

QUESTION

With reference to page 3 of the SDS, and the protection of children from harm, can the Minister please advise the number of children’s cases reviewed by child death review panels in the 2015/16 financial year?

ANSWER

The death or serious injury of any child is a distressing event that leaves a lasting impact on all those involved. The Palaszczuk Government, is committed to doing everything possible to limit these tragic circumstances and keep those children known to us safe from harm.

One way we are meeting this commitment is ensuring a panel of experts review all facets of the department’s interaction with a child and their family when a child dies or experiences a serious injury, and that child was known in any way to the department in the 12 months prior to their death or serious injury.

In the 2015–16 financial year, the Child Death Case Review Panels met on 13 occasions and considered a total of 66 cases. Of these, 59 cases related to the death of a child or young person and seven related to the serious injury of a child or young person. 51 of these 59 related to a death in the year 2015–16, and eight related to a death in the previous year.

The Child Protection Act 1999 provides that an annual report regarding the operations of review panels and actions taken during the financial year in response to panel reports be provided to me by the chief executive within three months after the end of the financial year.

The annual report for 2015–16 will be provided to me by 30 September 2016.

The causes of death or serious injury of children known to the department largely mirror deaths and injuries to children within the broader of Queensland population, with disease and traffic accidents being the highest causes.




No. 09


QUESTION

I refer to the modernisation of the Community Recovery Disaster Management System, mentioned on page 9 of the SDS. Can the Minister please provide more information on what this will mean for people seeking assistance following a disaster?

ANSWER

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $2 million in new funding for 2016–17 to pay for much-needed improvements to our state’s Community Recovery disaster management capabilities. The funding will improve outcomes for people who may be impacted by disasters in Queensland through new disaster resilience initiatives, intelligence and planning mechanisms and increased workforce capability.

Disaster resilience initiatives, focus on improving the preparedness and resilience of the most vulnerable people in our communities by raising awareness of risks and what steps can be taken to improve personal, financial and household resilience and preparedness. For example, what you need to have in a disaster ready kit or how to prepare a communication plan in case you are separated from family and friends. The initiatives will also help link people to existing community supports and services and identify where to find information about the disaster and what actions they should take. The needs of Queensland’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities, will be supported by ensuring information developed is available in a range of languages.

Local community organisations also play a key role in supporting vulnerable community members. To help ensure that community organisations are able to continue delivering services following a disaster, resources will be developed to help improve their preparedness and business continuity planning. The resources will also educate broader community service sector on the role they can play by connecting them to any recovery specific services and supports they may require.

Queensland investment in 2016–17 will be targeted to help Queensland’s most vulnerable to become more prepared and support our key community service group to be better able to respond to a disaster themselves so they can more quickly help others in the community.

The Palaszczuk Government is also enhancing intelligence and planning capabilities, to better identify and target service delivery to those most in need. The funds will allow Community Recovery operations to move away from the current ad-hoc and paper-based planning processes and replace these with more automated data modelling and scenario planning tools. These capabilities will inform the right service, at the right time, in the right location.

New training will develop workforce capability in identifying and responding to the emotional, social and physical wellbeing needs of people impacted by disasters in Queensland and improve our ability to connect people with support, not just process grants.

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In addition to the new funding allocated for 2016–17, during the previous 12 months the Queensland Government has developed online applications and assessment of disaster relief payments to individuals and families. A web portal will allow people to not only apply but also have their identity verified online, their application assessed and if eligible be paid direct to their bank account. The portal, which is a first for any jurisdiction in Australia and at the forefront of disaster relief worldwide is ready to be activated the next time that Personal Hardship Assistance Grants are required following a disaster.




No. 10

THE HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, DISABILITY SERVICES AND DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMITTEE asked the Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence (HON S FENTIMAN)–

QUESTION

With reference to table 1.1 on page 5 of Budget Paper 4, can the Minister please advise how your Department is meeting its reprioritisation target for 2016/17 and how does it compare to historical targets?

ANSWER

This government is a responsible government committed to delivering important measures to support the community and economy, whilst demonstrating ongoing commitment to sound fiscal management.

In 2016–17, the reprioritisation target for the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services is $5.385 million, of which my portfolio areas will contribute $2.994 million from a reduction in supplies and services expenditure. There will be no impact on frontline services as a result of this department’s commitment to reprioritisation, rather savings will be found through good financial management.

This compares with the 2015–16 target for my portfolio areas of $4.254 million which was achieved through productivity savings, uncommitted funding and reductions in contractors, consultants, travel and advertising costs, and unallocated capital funds.

It also compares to a fiscal repair cut of $136 million from my portfolio in the last financial year of the previous government.



NON-GOVERNMENT QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 01


QUESTION

I refer to page 3 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS) which lists $10 million to “support the expansion and integration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family support and child protection services” and I ask – can the Minister advise:

a) How this $10 million will be spent; and

b) Whether this funding allocation includes the hiring of any additional staff?

ANSWER

The $10 million in 2016–17 will deliver new and increased family support and wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

This forms part of the Queensland Government’s investment in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing services, which will be rolled out across the state over the next two years.

The total investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing is $150 million over the next five years. This funding reflects the Queensland Government’s commitment to reduce the unacceptable over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in the child protection system ensuring families can access the right services at the right time to stop their problems from escalating.

This investment, informed by extensive community and stakeholder engagement, will give more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families access to a coordinated mix of services to address their needs and build family and community capacity to safely care for and protect children. These services will provide an integrated, strengths-based and practical response to support families to improve their social, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing and safety.

The Family Wellbeing Services will also contribute to healing the significant harm experienced as a result of past government policy and practices, recognising the ongoing trauma associated with the removal of children from their families. Importantly, they will be delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contracted organisations.

In 2016–17, new services will be rolled out in 20 locations across Queensland, with funding allocations determined on the basis of need, population trends and levels of investment to ensure we are making the most effective use of funding.

This funding will not see any additional staff hired by the Queensland Government, however, I am pleased to advise this funding will see up to 135 workers employed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services. This confirms the Queensland Government’s commitment to jobs and growth in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector.




No. 02


QUESTION

I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS) which states that $6 million will be spent on an “Empowering Families Innovation Fund” and I ask – Can the Minister advise:

a) How this fund will be administered;

b) Whether any additional staff will be hired to administer this program; and

c) What portion of this $6 million will be spent on employee expenses and administrative costs?

ANSWER

The establishment of an Empowering Families Innovation Fund was announced by the Palaszczuk Government as an immediate commitment in Toward a Queensland Action Plan for vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, released in May 2016.

A key concern of this Government is the growing over-representation of vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in the child protection system. There needs to be a fundamental rethink of how government works with vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to turn this around. There needs to be new approaches that focus better on supporting families to stay together, embedding Indigenous perspectives and empowering families and communities.

That is why this Government has committed to delivering an action plan for vulnerable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The Empowering Families Innovation Fund is one of the new, practical actions that this Government has committed to as part of this action plan.

A total of $6 million will be provided over three years to support prevention and intervention programs that strengthen families, support reunification, support greater stability and permanency of children in care and bring forward the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to guide service design, practices and decision-making.

In relation to specific matters:

a) The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services will administer the fund. Details are being finalised and will be released in the near future.

b) No additional staff will be hired to administer this program.

c) No portion of the $6 million will be spent on employee expenses and administrative costs.




No. 03


QUESTION

I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS) which states that $1.2 million over five years has been allocated to establish a scholarship scheme in partnerships with the Smith Family to support up to 100 young women leaving care to access higher education, and I ask:

Can the Minister advise who will be responsible for the administration of this scholarship program and whether any specific criteria has been established for the awarding of these scholarships?

ANSWER

The Palaszczuk Government will ensure up to 100 young women leaving state care will have a brighter future thanks to a new scholarship scheme providing them with financial assistance to complete further studies in their chosen field.

We know that young women in care are dramatically less likely to pursue tertiary study and that education and training, leading to better job security is a protective factor against violence.

On 12 July, I announced the $1.2 million allocation in the State Budget to go towards Queensland’s new higher education scholarship scheme for girls leaving care, delivered in partnership with The Smith Family.

The Smith Family will administer the scheme and build on the success of a similar program called ‘Learning for Life’, which provides financial assistance and support to vulnerable young people for education purposes.

The scheme will offer direct financial assistance to reduce the barriers in accessing higher education for these young women. This support will continue for up to four years or until the completion of the young woman’s chosen educational program.

Importantly, the scheme will also provide mentoring, coaching and support to help these young women establish employment connections and networks.

The selection criteria is currently being determined and is not yet finalised.

The department has partnered with The Smith Family as this organisation has a well-established corporate sponsorship. The Smith Family also have well established networks and relationships with Universities and TAFEs which will also assist in the success of the scheme into the future.




No. 04


QUESTION

I refer to page 4 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes that the estimated actual rate of children entering out-of-home care per 1,000 children was higher than the target for 2015-16 of 2.0 per 2,000 but that the 2016-17 target has been reduced to 1.6 per 1,000 and I ask:

Can the Minister advise why this target has been reduced when the estimated actual figure for last financial year exceeded the previously higher target?

ANSWER

Reducing the number of children in out-of-home care is a key target set by the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry. The Commission proposed, on the basis of full implementation, a reduction in the number of children in care by 25 per cent in five years. That would translate to a reduction in the order of 0.4 children per 1000 in 2016–17.

The previous Government and the Palaszczuk Government have both committed to achieving a reduction in the number of children in out-of-home care.

The previous government initiated a phased implementation of the reforms and the funding required to achieve a phased reduction in the number of children and young people entering the out-of-home care system over time. Accordingly, little impact was expected or seen in 2015–16.

The Palaszczuk Government has continued with implementation of the reforms. However, due to concern that the targets may be unachievable given phased implementation, over-estimation of impacts and lessons to date, earlier this year the Government tasked the Queensland Family and Child Commission with reviewing the reform goals and targets. This is indicated in Supporting Families Changing Futures, released in May 2016.

Good progress is being made in a number of areas, with positive results being seen particularly in relation to families accessing supports earlier and our child protection services progressively becoming more targeted.

As advised in the SDS, analysis undertaken by the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services has suggested this early intervention focus should begin to have a stronger affect in 2016–17, which is why the target has been reduced to 1.6 per 1000. It is a stretch target, and represents a signal of intent in accord with the Commission of Inquiry targets.

Importantly, the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children at risk will always be paramount.




No. 05


QUESTION

I refer to page 20 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which states that user charges and fees are expected to provide $21.77 million of revenue in 2016–17, an increase of more than $7 million since 2015–16, and I ask:

Can the Minister advise how this extra revenue is being generated through charges and fees, and whether service users are experiencing higher costs since last financial year?

ANSWER

The increase in user charges and fees on page 20 of the Department’s Service Delivery Statement reflects invoicing arrangements with the Department of Housing and Public Works for the Youth Housing and Integration Services and post-care support for adults with a disability programs under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH). These arrangements were not in place for the 2015–16 Budget as the Commonwealth had not yet committed to the NPAH.




No. 6


QUESTION

I refer to page 17 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which provides for a 5,942 Departmental staff, a reduction of 52 from 2015–16, and I ask:

Can the Minister advise how this reduction in staffing levels will be achieved and which areas of the department will see a reduction in staff?

ANSWER

The estimated 2016–17 full-time equivalent (FTE) staffing is 5942, which represents a reduction of 52 FTE over the 2015–16 Budget.

This reflects the additional positions for the Supporting Families Changing Futures reforms, including an additional 17 frontline Child and Family Services roles.

These additions are offset by the transfer of Court Services positions to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General as a result of reforms implementing 3 recommendations of the Child Protection Commission of Inquiry and the planned reduction of staff as a result of transitioning existing disability services clients to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Where a reduction in staffing levels occurs through the impact of the NDIS, fundamental to this transition will be employment security for all affected permanent staff in the department, consistent with the Queensland Government Employment Security Policy.




No. 07


QUESTION

I refer to page 17 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists staffing allocations for the Department, and I ask:

Can the Minister advise how many staff the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services employs in its SES stream in 2015-16, and whether the number of SES roles is expected to increase over 2016-17?

ANSWER

In 2015–16, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services employed 38 SES and five SES and CEO equivalent positions on section 122 contracts, one of whom finished on 30 June 2016.

At this point in time, the department has no intention to increase the number of employed CEO or SES equivalent positions in 2016–17.




No. 08


QUESTION

I refer to page 3 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a 2016-17 service area highlight of “$45.7 million for Intensive Family Support services across the state which will complement the Family and Child Connect services”, and I ask:

Can the Minister outline the number of families accessing the Family and Child Connect services and the Intensive Family Support Services since their inception and further outline whether these new services are making an impact on intakes?

ANSWER

In response to the findings of the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry, the Queensland Government is establishing the state-wide network of Family and Child Connect and Intensive Family Support services, which offer support to vulnerable families to address issues without the need for Child Safety intervention.

We know that families are dealing with a complex range of inter-related challenges such as domestic violence, criminal histories, or drug and alcohol problems. This adds to the complexity of case work, and requires early intervention and support.

Since January 2015, 16 Family and Child Connect and 22 Intensive Family Support services have been opened, with only Mount Isa/Gulf and Cape York/Torres Strait remaining to achieve state-wide coverage.

From January 2015 to June 2016, Family and Child Connect services received 17,777 enquiries and referred nearly 9,676 families to a range of social and community services providers to receive support.

Family and Child Connect also recommended an appropriate service for 2,318 families and provided information, advice or resources to a further 3,775 families.

From January 2015 to June 2016, Intensive Family Support, which is one of a number of referral services, have received 4,105 referrals of families for support.

It is still early days, but there are signs that the reforms are beginning to have a positive impact.

In addition to the establishment of Family and Child Connect and Intensive Family Support, other reforms such as changes to legislation and police referral processes are all contributing towards a reduction in the number of intakes into Child Safety.

Reports made to Child Safety (‘intakes’) in the 12 months to 31 March 2015 were 115,136 and fell to 96,976 in the 12 months to 31 March 2016, a 15.8 percent decrease. The number of children subject to concern reports dropped by 10,531.

Together, this is indicating that reporters are being more discerning and more families are getting the help they need, when they need it, instead of being channelled into the child protection system.




No. 09


QUESTION

I refer to page 17 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists staffing allocations for the Department, and I ask:

Can the Minister advise how many complaints of staff misconduct relating to inappropriate use of confidential information or other IT breaches has the Department investigated in the past 12 months and, in the case of substantiated outcomes from these investigations, what action was taken against the individual staff members?

ANSWER

The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services is committed to, and expects, the highest level of ethical conduct by its employees, particularly so when delivering services to vulnerable Queenslanders. Where it is alleged that staff have engaged in misconduct by misusing confidential information and/or the department’s Information Technology (IT) systems, the matter is investigated by the department’s Ethical Standards unit and, where appropriate, referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission. In 2015–2016, the department’s Ethical Standards unit managed 20 matters that involved inappropriate use of confidential information and other IT breaches. Of the 20 matters, 11 have been finalised and nine are ongoing investigations. Of the 11 finalised matters, eight were substantiated. Of the eight substantiated matters, disciplinary action was taken against the subject officers.




No. 10


QUESTION

I refer to page 2 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a Departmental priority of “transforming child protection to enable children and families to maintain safety, wellbeing and belonging”, and I ask:

Can the Minister detail Child Safety caseload levels over the past 5 years; the current child safety office caseload and whether or not there are any projections that these caseloads will reduce further and by when?

ANSWER

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to the continued reduction of Child Safety Officer Caseloads to 15 by 2018–19, as per the recommendation made by the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry. In government, the Liberal National Party (LNP) did not put one dollar behind this recommendation as part of their response — instead the LNP said that reductions in caseloads would be achieved over time by reducing the number of children in out-of-home care.

While investment in prevention and early intervention and community-based referrals is having some positive impacts on the number of intakes received by the department, frontline staff and agency data indicates that we are dealing with more families — parents and children — with very complex needs.

As at 31 March 2016, the average caseload for officers working with children in need of protection and subject to ongoing casework intervention was 19.1. This represents a slight decrease from recent periods, and is the same as the levels recorded 12 months ago.

Data for caseloads has been captured over the past four years, since the 2011–12 financial year. Since that date, caseloads have fluctuated between 20.9 cases for officers working with children in need of protection and subject to ongoing casework intervention (recorded as at 30 June 2013) to 18.9 cases (recorded as at 30 June 2015).

The Palaszczuk Government recognises caseloads are not just about numbers — they represent the children and families who need our assistance and support. Providing such assistance requires highly skilled and values-driven professionals and our ongoing training ensures a capable and motivated workforce. The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services monitors caseloads closely, adjusts allocations and resources, and continues to improve support for frontline staff, who we know are extremely dedicated and hard working.

Next month we will commence an independent analysis of demand and resource allocation. This will inform planning and resourcing going forward and provide a clear roadmap to address pressures and reduce workloads.

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In addition the Queensland Family and Child Commission are conducting a review of targets and timeframes, as part of their oversight role, and will provide advice to government.

During 2015–16, the department continued to monitor and address workloads. Since March 2015, training has been undertaken by 3750 agency and non-government organisation staff in the Strengthening Families Protecting Children Framework for Practice.

This incorporates a suite of engagement, assessment, planning and process tools. This training is equipping staff to better engage families and other care team members.

This training and other Child and Family Reforms aim to reduce demand on the tertiary system, enabling staff to focus efforts on children and families who have been significantly harmed or are at risk of significant harm and those who are in need of protection.

The department also released a refreshed Workload Management Guide for application on 1 July 2016. The guide ensures caseloads for Child Safety Officers are matched to their experience and considers the complexity of safety assessments and planning with children and their families. The department will continue to work with staff, and the Together Union, to develop and implement a better approach to resource allocation and further updates to the Workload Management Guide. This will ensure the department’s benchmarks and resource allocation better align and adjust with the child and family reforms, current and projected demand, and the experience of frontline child safety staff.

These and our other child and family reforms will see benefits to caseloads over the coming years.




No. 01

THE HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, DISABILITY SERVICES AND DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMITTEE asked the Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland (HON C O’ROURKE)—

QUESTION

Would the Minister please provide information on the cost to the Queensland Government of delivery of Accommodation Support and Respite Services as a registered provider with the NDIS?

ANSWER

Queensland commenced rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme on 1 July 2016.

Accommodation Support and Respite Services (AS&RS) clients in Townsville and Toowoomba will become participants in the Scheme in the first year. The estimated cost to the Queensland Government of operating the Townsville and Toowoomba based Accommodation and Support Services as a registered provider under the NDIS in 2016–17 is expected to be $7.035 million dollars. Actual costs will depend on the date of AS&RS clients becoming NDIS participants.

The $7.035 million forms part of Queensland’s in-kind contribution to the NDIS in 2016–17.

In addition, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services has committed approximately $590,000 for a small project team to ensure the maintenance of services to clients through transition and investigate opportunities to minimise costs.




No. 2


QUESTION

With the full rollout of the NDIS across Queensland now underway, how many public service positions will be made redundant and how is the Government ensuring the disability sector has the capacity to support the extra demand?

ANSWER

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a national arrangement for the delivery of disability services in those States and Territories that have signed a bilateral agreement. The implementation of these new arrangements will involve a transition of responsibility from the State or Territory to the Commonwealth.

As a consequence of this transition many career pathways and opportunities will be provided for permanent public servants.

Career pathways include: deployment in alternative roles within the department deployment to suitable roles in other Queensland Government departments working for the NDIA working externally for an NGO provider.

The National Disability Insurance Agency’s (NDIA) Market Position Statement indicates the NDIS is expected to create between 15,900 and 19,400 additional, full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in Queensland.

In this transition of state provided services to the NDIS, 1,294 full time equivalent positions will be progressively impacted over the three year transition period to June 2019.

The Palaszczuk Government remains fully committed to employment security and will continue to fully support staff as we transition to the NDIS. There will be no forced redundancies.

The Queensland Government and NDIA are working together to enable Queensland providers to prepare to deliver services in consumer-driven markets and to support rural, remote and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop sustainable and local service delivery approaches.

Capacity building projects have been funded to assist providers to understand and respond to the new NDIS market including: an online Business Development Package is available at www.communitydoor.org.au. a suite of tools and resources to help providers to respond to consumer demand in the

NDIS is available at www.communities.qld.gov.au/ndis. a resource kit to help small rural and remote and discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander communities develop local approaches to delivering supports under the NDIS is available at www.communities.qld.gov.au/ndis.

http://www.communitydoor.org.au/

http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/ndis

http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/ndis

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The Queensland and Commonwealth Governments are committed to enabling and supporting the sector to build an appropriately skilled and diverse workforce to meet increased demand.

The Queensland NDIS Workforce Strategy – WorkAbility – has been developed by the disability and community services sector through a consortium of peak bodies with support from the Queensland Government. The Consortium includes the Health and Community Services Workforce Council, Community Services Industry Alliance, Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) and National Disability Services (NDS).

The consortium is leading the strategy’s implementation through a collaborative, systemic approach to support ‘local workforce solutions for local needs’ to ensure Queensland has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time to achieve full implementation of the NDIS by July 2019.

The Queensland Government provided $1.03 million in 2015–16 to support the sector to implement WorkAbility, and has a key role as an enabler of the strategy’s implementation.

The strategy facilitates effective and timely access to training, and acknowledges the sector’s existing strengths and networks in our communities. It aligns with the wider national ‘NDIS Integrated Market, Sector and Workforce Strategy’.

WorkAbility Qld Coordinators are on the ground in North Queensland and will be on the ground in each of the NDIS rollout locations to identify and provide information about: • local employment opportunities • local training opportunities • local employers • available support.

Other Queensland Government agencies such as the Department of Education and Training and the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships are also lending support through existing training and employment support programs.




No. 3


QUESTION

Will the Minister please advise how many people with disability had entered the NDIS in the early launch sites of Townsville, Charters Towers and Palm Island as part of the early launch cohort, as at July 1?

ANSWER

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commonwealth and the Queensland Government for the early launch has provision for up to a total of 600 participants to receive funded packages progressively from 1 April to 30 June 2016.

Of these 600 participants, approximately half will be existing Queensland clients and half will be new (that is, people receiving Commonwealth funded supports or people who are not receiving any funded supports at all).

As at 30 June 2016, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) report 537 participants were eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the early launch site; and of these approximately 400 had approved plans (including all anticipated Queensland existing participants).

Furthermore, the NDIA report that of those people who sought access to the Scheme during the early launch, 167 children progressed through the NDIA’s Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) approach. The North Queensland early launch area is the first area nationally to implement this gateway approach. The approach supports all children (0 - 6) and their families who make contact with the NDIS and provides information, guidance and initial responses to their child's disability or developmental concerns. Children who progressed through the ECEI approach and require more intensive early intervention support services will be among those eligible participants who have an approved plan of supports. It is not expected that all children who progress through the ECEI pathway will need a funded plan.

The NDIA advise they are continuing to prioritise the scheduling of planning appointments as eligibility decisions are made to ensure planning is undertaken as soon as possible after eligibility is determined. The NDIA expects to approve many of the remaining 600 plans in early July 2016.

The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services will be undertaking an evaluation of the launch sites with the NDIA.




No. 4


QUESTION

Will the Minister advise how the Government is responding to the Queensland Public Advocate’s Upholding the right to life and health: A review of deaths in care of people with disability in Queensland report and what processes are in place to ensure the safety of people with disability?

ANSWER

The Queensland Government takes the recommendations for improving the health outcomes for Queenslanders with disability seriously and is considering the Queensland Public Advocate’s Upholding the right to life and health: A review of deaths in care of people with disability in Queensland report (the Report).

The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS) is committed to working collaboratively with other departments both state and federal and the National Disability Insurance Agency to address the issues raised.

DCCSDS continues to work with other stakeholders and liaise with the Office of the Public Advocate in addressing the Report’s recommendations.

I am pleased to say that steps have already been taken in response to the concerns outlined in the Report.

The Coroner’s Act 2003 has been amended to enable the Coroner to investigate the deaths of individuals with a disability who are residing in certain accommodation settings.

The Queensland Government has extended its legislative safeguard framework to ensure Queenslanders who receive disability supports funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme will have the same level of safeguards as Queenslanders who receive disability supports funded by DCCSDS.

Further, the Queensland Government, together with the other jurisdictions, is participating in the development of a national quality and safeguards framework for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

I will ensure that we continue to take the necessary steps to safeguard vulnerable Queenslanders.




No. 5


QUESTION

Will the Minister please advise on progress of the development of the one stop shop where older Queenslanders will be able to access information about services essential to seniors?

ANSWER

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to establishing an age-friendly Queensland, ensuring our communities are a better place to live – for everyone.

The Queensland Government recently launched Queensland: an age-friendly community, including an Action Plan that provides a clear way forward to direct the implementation and delivery of age-friendly communities in Queensland.

To build an age-friendly Queensland for everyone we need to listen. Seniors have told us that Queensland Government information and services need to be easier to access and more responsive to their needs.

As a result, we have a solid plan which outlines the Palaszczuk Government’s priorities, initiatives and services that will help to enable people of all ages to actively participate in community life.

Online, we are trialling a new ‘tell us once’ service to make it easier for seniors to sign up for money saving concessions. For the first time, people registering and applying for their Seniors Card will also be able to sign up to save money on their car registration at the same time – saving them a trip to a government service counter. Other concessions will be added to this facility over time.

Since the start of the pilot in April 2016, this joined up Seniors Concessions digital solution has achieved: an 85 per cent reduction in the time it takes a customer to apply for a Seniors Card and

then activate a concession on their vehicle registration a 40 per cent reduction in the number of steps involved in activating a concession eliminated the need for a customer to visit a service counter by enabling the process to be

completed 100 per cent online a significant reduction in the effort required for a customer to complete the application

process improved customer understanding of the types of concessions they may be entitled to.

We are inviting seniors to try the new service, give us feedback and let us know which other concessions they would like to opt into.

In all our online work, we have built-in opportunities for seniors to provide feedback and share their views about what works best for them, with blogs, feedback buttons and of course our Queensland Seniors Facebook page.

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We are committed to engaging with seniors as we build on these personalised, responsive approaches to the services seniors need, with future plans for a citizens dashboard and a mobile application for seniors to access all their service information and notifications.

For the many Queensland seniors who can get online, the Queensland Government will be sharing that information through digital advertising on Facebook and websites which are popular with seniors. We will also provide information through printed materials with new Seniors Cards and in our government service centres.

We are expanding the Seniors Enquiry Line, which already provides a valuable information and referral service on various topics such as finding out about social activities, where to find household assistance, information on concessions, retirement accommodation, financial and legal matters, health, education, transport and many other matters. From 2016–17, an additional $100,000 per annum over four years is committed to the expansion of the Seniors Enquiry Line to offer more information on consumer protections and scams to help protect seniors. This expansion will commence on 1 October 2016.

Tech Savvy Seniors Queensland, a partnership between Telstra and the Queensland Government, is improving the digital capacity of older people through free training in selected libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres across Queensland. Additional community support services for isolated and vulnerable participants to assist them to attend and fully participate in the digital training sessions has also been funded by the Queensland Government and is being delivered by trusted seniors services.




No. 6


QUESTION

Will the Minister please advise when the report from the Government’s Taskforce on the Residential Transition for Ageing Queenslanders will be released and how the report will support older Queenslanders to remain in their communities?

ANSWER

The Taskforce will provide its report with advice and recommendations to the Queensland Government by 31 August 2016.

The primary focus of the Taskforce is to make recommendations to remove barriers to accessing housing options and the related support needs of older people. The forthcoming report is expected to provide recommendations on how older Queenslanders can be supported as they consider their future housing options.

It is expected that the report and recommendations will inform: where Government resources should be directed to support and facilitate older people to

‘age in place’ should they wish to, either in their family home or in alternative accommodation in their local community

the type of programs and services that are needed to support older people in their housing choices

how the Government can assist and work with the private and not-for-profit sectors to achieve better housing outcomes for older people

how the Government can support and facilitate innovation in the housing and associated community services to respond to the housing preferences and needs of older people

how the Government can plan for the future housing needs of an ageing population.

The Queensland Government will carefully consider the recommendations and will publicly release the report and the Government’s response to the recommendations in late 2016.

Government Question on Notice

No. 7

QUESTION

Can the Minister provide advice on how the Advancing North Queensland – Investing in

the future of the north document will contribute to the Government’s commitment to

growing north Queensland’s economy and creating jobs?

ANSWER:

The Queensland Government’s plan for North Queensland – Advancing North

Queensland – Investing in the future of the north was released on 24 June this year.

Advancing North Queensland details the Queensland’s Government actions and five

priority areas that will seek to diversify the region, and create jobs for the future as the

economy transitions.

The five priority areas will see clear benefits for North Queensland: increased

construction and jobs, improved access to export markets and improved transport

efficiency; greater water security; industry innovation converting to commercial

realisation and more investment from Asian markets will grow the economy.

Advancing North Queensland details significant funding as announced in the 2016-17

State Budget, and other measures to support the actions under the five priority areas. For

example:

$2.4 billion identified in the 2016-17 Budget Regional Action Plans for

infrastructure improvements in North Queensland

the additional $40 million commitment to build the North Queensland Stadium,

bringing the Government’s total commitment to $140 million

the $440 million Accelerated Works Program, most of which is being spent in the

north, has already supported over 320 jobs in North Queensland. Accelerated

projects include:

- $13 million for the Cairns Convention Centre roof contract (supporting 30

jobs)

- $25 million for the Cairns Special School (supporting 71 jobs)

- $55 million for the Port of Townsville Berth 4 Upgrade (supporting 100

jobs)

the $100 million Regional Queensland Back to Work package.

The focus is now on getting implementation of Advancing North Queensland right –

driving and shaping delivery of initiatives and efforts to maximise outcomes and benefits

for North Queensland, and where they are needed most.


No. 8

QUESTION

Would the Minister please provide a detailed progress update on projects within the accelerated

works program in North Queensland, and the number of jobs that have been created?

ANSWER:

The Queensland Government is acutely aware of the importance of job-creating projects,

particularly in regional areas, and the Accelerated Works Program is helping to deliver

these jobs.

The Accelerated Works Program was established to support economic activity and

employment in key regional areas. The program, largely targeting North Queensland, will

help maintain local economies and bring forward employment opportunities across regions

of Queensland that are experiencing subdued economic conditions.

There are 91 projects in the Accelerated Works Program that sit within North Queensland.

As at 30 June, 23 projects of these projects were complete, 20 were under construction, and

48 were yet to commence construction. To date, more than 320 jobs have already been

supported in North Queensland.

These projects will bring job opportunities to the region much sooner than would have

happened if the projects were not fast tracked.

Some of the projects that have already commenced are:

- Cairns Special School ($25 million supporting 71 jobs)

- Port of Townsville Berth 4 upgrade ($55 million supporting 100 jobs)

- Cairns Convention Centre roof and façade repairs ($13 million supporting 30 jobs)

- Arnot Creek Bridge upgrade ($10 million supporting 31 jobs)

- Alligator Creek Road to Allendale Drive overtaking lane ($9.8 million supporting 31

jobs)

- Wide centre line treatment - Herveys Range ($6.17 million supporting 19 jobs)

Projects that have been completed include:

- Townsville Port Road train decoupling pad

- maintenance at North Rockhampton State High School

- refurbishment of classrooms at Ayr East State School, Proserpine State School,

Thuringowa State High School and Townsville State High School.


No. 9

QUESTION

The Government’s recently released Advancing North Queensland – Investing in the future of

the north document states that water security and water infrastructure were one of the issues

commonly raised by stakeholders across north Queensland. What is the Queensland Government

doing to respond to the need to secure water and build infrastructure to facilitate growth and jobs

in the north?

ANSWER:

Through the State Infrastructure Plan, this Government has committed to 13 water and

wastewater infrastructure projects in North Queensland over the next four years. These

projects include $5 million towards the Port Douglas Water Supply Reservoir,

$17.48 million for the Burdekin Dam safety upgrade project and $21 million towards the

Townsville Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade. Many of these projects are crucial to the

water supply security of North Queensland communities

The Commonwealth Government also recently announced 14 Queensland projects will be

offered a total of $19.8 million to undertake feasibility assessments relating to water supply

infrastructure proposals under the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund. Nine

of those projects are in North Queensland and include: Southern Atherton Tablelands

Irrigation Development, Raising the Burdekin Falls Dam and Urannah Dam.

The Commonwealth announcement includes a commitment of $2.2 million to investigate

the proposed Hells Gate Dam on the upper Burdekin River. This study was not proposed

under the National Water Infrastructure Development fund and is considered to be an

election commitment of the Federal coalition.

This Government will actively review any new water supply infrastructure proposals put

forward by project proponents and will work with the Federal Government to facilitate this

feasibility work.

However, it is paramount that any future infrastructure is properly planned and

economically viable which means it must be constructed where there is sufficient demand

and targeted at the right users.

The Department of Energy and Water Supply is currently developing the Queensland

Water Security Strategy. The strategy, which will be updated annually, will provide context

for the development of new bulk water supply infrastructure in Queensland, including how

we can better use existing infrastructure and harness new technologies. The initial

Queensland Water Security Strategy is due for completion by the end of this year.


No. 10

QUESTION

What is the Minister and the Queensland Government doing to address regional youth

unemployment levels and respond to youth crime in North Queensland?

ANSWER:

The Government’s first priority is job creation and lowering unemployment, and

Government is also committed to reducing young people’s offending.

The Government is aware that youth unemployment remains higher in many parts of

regional Queensland compared to other parts of the State. The Government is

implementing a range of programs to support people, including young people, in the labour

market, including:

the two-year, $100 million Back to Work – Regional Employment Package aimed

at assisting employers in regional Queensland, including North Queensland, to take

on staff

$240 million over four years though Skilling Queenslanders for Work, which is

also being rolled out across North Queensland, supporting up to 32,000 placements

doubling the payroll tax rebate for employers taking on apprentices and trainees

from 25 per cent to 50 per cent

extra funding injection to strengthen the vocational education and training sector

investing more than $2.4 billion in infrastructure improvements for the North

Queensland region, supporting up to an estimated 7500 jobs. This includes an

additional $40 million to increase the Government’s commitment to $140 million

for the new North Queensland Stadium.

The Government is also committed to a youth justice system that adopts a balanced,

evidence-based approach to reduce youth offending and has already delivered on its

election commitment to repeal the youth justice measures enacted by the previous

Government.

We will also support young people involved in the youth justice system to attend school,

get into training and find work. This initiative, together with other work as part of the

consultation forums, roundtables and the development of the Government’s Youth Justice

Policy makes the important link between education, jobs and crime. This demonstrates the

Government’s commitment to effective measures that address the causes of crime and

reduce re-offending.




No. 1


QUESTION

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS) regarding NDIS readiness initiatives and ask – can the Minister please itemise the readiness initiatives that will be funded in 2016–17 and outline how the department will be measuring the success of these initiatives?

ANSWER

Assisting people with disability, their families and carers, service providers and mainstream services to prepare for transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a continued focus for the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

In 2016–17, my department has allocated $5 million in funding for NDIS Readiness Initiatives.

This includes:

An additional $2.85 million for the Participant Readiness Initiative which now stands at 11 organisations providing workshops and a range of resources to assist people across the state prepare for the NDIS.

$771,000 in recurrent and non-recurrent funding to National Disability Services Queensland to work with small to medium disability and community care service providers to prepare and build their capacity to transition to the NDIS.

$426,000 to continue to support the implementation of the non-government sector Queensland NDIS workforce strategy – WorkAbility Qld.

$1 million to continue the work of the whole-of-government Program Management Office. This Office has the role of liaising with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on rollout and operational matters, coordinating and monitoring the preparation and implementation activities of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services as well as other effected government agencies such as Department of Education and Training, Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Health. Additionally, ensuring the activities of the non-government sector in participant readiness, provider readiness and workforce are monitored.

Success of these important readiness initiatives will be measured in a number of direct and indirect ways.

The biggest measure of success in preparedness measures will be seeing Queenslanders have timely access to the NDIS, and exercising choice and control over their supports through a competitive market environment.

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The 11 Participant Readiness initiative providers each submit reports every quarter to ensure they have completed activities for the three month period as agreed in their endorsed project plans. This acquittal occurs prior to each provider receiving its next quarterly payment. The reports include performance data and data analysis, giving an indication of the reach of the initiative in terms of attendees and number of workshops.

A comprehensive review of the Participant Readiness Initiative occurred in August 2015 analysing 1982 participant surveys and conducting 68 interviews. The results showed that after attending Participant Readiness initiative workshops between 87% and 90% of participants understood the key concepts of the NDIS and between 71% and 80% felt somewhat or a lot ready for the NDIS planning process. A second review will be completed in the second half of 2016.

At 30 June 2016, the 11 Participant Readiness initiative providers have reported they delivered 1376 workshops across Queensland to more than 17,600 attendees.

Provider reports also identify any key knowledge gaps which can then be addressed through communication strategies.

The non-government sector is developing a framework for evaluation of their Queensland NDIS workforce strategy. This will determine the response of the job market and sector readiness to meet increased demand.

The NDIA will monitor market readiness in collaboration with Queensland Government. As at 5 July 2016, there are 138 providers registered with the NDIS to deliver services across the state, based on information from the NDIS website.

Queensland’s overall preparedness for the NDIS is monitored through the Queensland NDIS Transition Steering Committee (TSC) which consists of senior officials from the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments and the NDIA. The TSC is responsible for overseeing the rollout of the NDIS and monitoring progress to ensure the transition is successful.

Additionally, there is external independent reporting on major issues or strategic gaps in the rollout planning and implementation. In recent times the NDIA Market Position Statement for Queensland, BDO Kendall NDIS Readiness Report 2016 – on the journey with you as well as in the National Disability Services (NDS) have published reports on readiness across the State. An ongoing need but no strategic gaps have been identified by these independent external reviews.

Queensland will continue to advocate to the Commonwealth Government to spend more of the $140 million promised for Sector Development.




No. 2


QUESTION

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes $3.3 million is allocated for “housing solutions for people with disability for whom other housing options do not present a sustainable solution”, and I ask:-

How many Queenslanders were assisted by this funding in 2015-16?

ANSWER

The Palaszczuk Government recognises how important it is for people with disability and their families to have choice and control about where they live, and independence in their daily lives.

The $3.3 million referred to on page 6 of the 2016–17 SDS forms part of $6.6 million in capital grants funding to develop eight new housing options for 30 people with disability who are unable to access suitable housing in the general market.

In October 2015, I announced the allocation of this funding to six non-government organisations to build or modify a range of dwellings in areas where there was a high disability housing demand.

These projects involve construction of seven new housing projects and major modification of one existing dwelling.

Capital funding agreements have been signed for all 8 projects and $3.34 million was released in 2015–16 as milestone payments.

Land was owned by the non-government organisations for four of the projects and land has been purchased for the remaining four projects. Architects engaged, builders identified and six of the eight constructions/modifications have commenced.

The seventh project will commence construction within the next four weeks.

The design of the remaining project is being finalised with the non-government organisation and their builder.

Construction is well advanced on five projects in Townsville, Bundaberg, and Rockhampton. It is expected that three of these will be ready for occupancy by October and two by November. Construction for two projects anticipated to be completed by February and April 2017 (pending no significant weather events) and the final project anticipated to be ready for occupancy by June 2017.

It is anticipated that clients will commence moving in when the accommodation is ready for occupancy.

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The projects are located in Townsville, Cairns, Crows Nest, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Logan, and two projects are located in Bundaberg.

The range of accommodation options includes fully accessible units and duplexes which are designed to enable people to live as independently as possible.

In 2015–16, significant work was undertaken by our non-government partners and the department in progressing these announcements. As with all capital projects there is a lead up period of design and construction.

However, subject to the usual factors, it is anticipated that 30 people will commence occupancy of these facilities in 2016–17.




No. 3


QUESTION

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes $4.9 million is allocated “to continue to deliver innovative strategies to provide sustainable living options for adults with disability when they can no longer be cared for by their elderly parents”, and I ask:

Can the Minister advise how many Queenslanders benefitted from this funding in 2015-16?

ANSWER

I regularly hear from elderly parents expressing their concerns about what the future may hold for their son or daughter with disability when they can no longer care for them.

These parents have cared for their son or daughter for many years and some have done it on their own. This government knows these parents deserve certainty. They need to know their adult family member will be safe and well cared for.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to providing elderly parents with greater certainty about where their adult son or daughter with disability will live when they can no longer care for them.

Since 2012, the Queensland Government has committed $16,944,897 ($15 million plus accrued interest) through four funding rounds to 16 organisations for 20 housing projects under the Elderly Parent Carer Innovation initiative.

In 2015–16 this initiative created additional housing places for 56 Queenslanders with disability.

A valuable outcome of the initiative will be a greater choice of housing options and living arrangements for adults with disability throughout Queensland.

This initiative has created a range of accommodation and building innovations and is a great example of how the Queensland Government is partnering with non-government service providers to improve the quality of life of people with disability and their families and carers.

It gives me great satisfaction when attending the opening of these houses, across the state, to witness the pleasure of young adults moving into their own home for the first time and hearing about the peace of mind this initiative has brought to their families.




No. 4


QUESTION

I refer to page 6 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which notes $2.2 million is allocated “to assist people with spinal cord injuries to leave the Princess Alexandra Hospital”, and I ask:

How many Queenslanders are expected to be assisted by this funding in 2016-17?

ANSWER

The Spinal Cord Injury Response (SCIR) is a positive example of a coordinated approach to service delivery between my department and the Departments of Health and Housing and Public Works.

In 2016–17, it is expected up to 18 people with a newly acquired spinal cord injury will be assisted through SCIR to leave the Princess Alexandra Hospital in a timely way and return home safely with the right supports.

For people with a newly acquired spinal cord injury this integrated service delivery means they are:

provided with a range of support including aids, equipment and assistive technologies, personal care support, home modifications or access to social housing

discharged from hospital in a timely manner, back to their local communities, where they have the support of their family and friends.

Through this initiative, my department funds personal care support and home modifications. Providing these two services makes an enormous difference to the lives of people with a spinal cord injury who are ready for discharge from hospital. They can return safely to their homes with the right supports and are less likely to need to be re-admitted to hospital.

Providing personal care services that support a person to get up and out of bed every day also avoids health complications, like pressure sores and frees up high-cost hospital beds for people who need them most.

The level of funding allocated reflects the expectation that, as areas transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), some people will have their support needs met by the NDIS rather than through SCIR.

The level of funding allocated this financial year is less than previous years. This reduction is due firstly because by end of June 2017 North Queensland Region and half of South West Queensland Region will have transitioned to the NDIS, resulting in reduced demand.

In addition, from 1 July 2016 the National Injury Insurance Scheme (NIIS) will ensure Queenslanders who sustain a catastrophic injury in a motor vehicle accident or workplace accident receive reasonable and necessary lifetime care and support. This will lessen the demand on Departmental resources.

The Queensland Government will continue to monitor the number of people entering the health system with spinal injuries.

The Palaszczuk Government will not see a Queenslanders with spinal injury left unsupported.




No. 5


QUESTION

I refer to the fact that the efficiency measure of “number of Queenslanders with disability accessing support services”, which was contained on page 7 of the 2015–16 Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), has been discontinued in the SDS for 2016–17.

Can the Minister advise why this effectiveness measure has been replaced in the 2016–17 SDS?

ANSWER

The discontinued efficiency service standard sought to measure the number of departmental clients with disability currently receiving a specialist disability service and community care clients less dual clients, that is, those clients that receive both disability and community care services.

At the time, the discontinued service standard was used as a proxy to assist in the department’s preparation for transition to the NDIS.

This efficiency service standard has now been discontinued to allow the separate reporting of department’s specialist disability service clients and community care clients.

To replace the discontinued service standard, two new service standards have been developed and incorporated into the 2016–17 Service Delivery Statement (SDS).

A new service standard measures the number of Queenslanders with disability accessing departmental delivered and/or funded specialist disability support services. Data for this service standard will be sourced from the Disability Services National Minimum Data Set.

The other new service standard measures the rate per 1000 of the Queensland population who are aged 64 years and under and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 49 years and under who are accessing community care services. This new community care service standard is consistent with national data reported as part of the Annual Report on Government Services.

Eligible specialist disability service clients and community care clients from Queensland have now commenced transitioning to the NDIS.




No. 6


QUESTION

I refer to page 2 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a Departmental priority of “getting Queensland ready for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and transitioning smoothly during the progressive rollout”, and I ask:

Can the Minister advise:

(a) How the delaying is signing the NDIS Bilateral Agreement impacted on Queensland’s ability to prepare for the rollout of the NDIS;

(b) Given this delay, whether there will be a full complement of National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) staff on the ground at the time of launching the NDIS in Queensland; and

(c) The number of National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) staff that will be in Queensland at the time of the NDIS launch?

ANSWER

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is the biggest social reform in more than 40 years, giving people with disability the power to decide how they receive their supports and to live the life they choose.

The Palaszczuk Government is committed to the full roll-out of the NDIS across Queensland by mid-2019.

(a) The Palaszczuk Government made strong representations to the Commonwealth Government to ensure the very best deal could be achieved for Queenslanders. On 9 September and 18 December 2015 the Premier wrote to the then Prime Minister forwarding a signed copy of the Bilateral Agreement and associated schedules, seeking him to co-sign. On 16 March 2016, the Bilateral Agreement between the Queensland and Commonwealth Government was finalised and signed.

During this negotiating period planning activities were undertaken and in January 2016 the Palaszczuk Government fulfilled its election commitment to an early launch. The early launch involves eligible children and young people under 18 years in Townsville and Charters Towers, and all eligible people on Palm Island.

The delay in signing the bilateral agreement has caused significant challenges for Queensland. However, the Queensland Government addressed this by commencing NDIS services at the launch sites three months earlier than previously planned.

(b) I am informed by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) that as at 30 June 2016, the staffing within North Queensland is in accordance with its workforce plans.

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(c) Because the Palaszczuk Government had a launch started earlier than previously proposed, it was essential that staff commence with the NDIA in November 2015. I am informed by the NDIA that as at 30 June 2016, the Agency had employed around 40 staff within North Queensland. In addition, the NDIA also has engaged a partner agency in Townsville to support the early childhood early intervention services for 0–6 year olds across the launch sites.




No. 7


QUESTION

I refer to page 2 of the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ Service Delivery Statement (SDS), which lists a Departmental priority of “implementing strategies that enable social and economic opportunities for women, seniors, young people, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds”, and ask:

Of the total Budget allocation for Seniors, can the Minister advise what amount is set aside for frontline service delivery and what amount is administration costs?

ANSWER

The Palaszczuk Government values the contributions and experiences of our state’s seniors, and has a vision for a community where older people are supported to lead healthy and productive lives either in work, volunteering or in retirement.

Under the Queensland State Budget 2016–17, a total of $8.3 million for seniors will be invested over four years to deliver the Queensland: an age-friendly community strategy, and implement recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into the adequacy of existing financial protections for Queensland’s seniors.

Of the $8.3 million, approximately $7.2 million will be provided for frontline service delivery, including the following:

$3 million over three years commencing in 2017–18 ($1 million per annum) will be provided through the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services to establish the Advancing Queensland: An Age-friendly Community grants program, to seed fund community initiatives which involve partnerships with local councils and other organisations to test, implement and promote innovative age-friendly projects.

$400,000 over four years from 2016–17 ($100,000 per annum) is provided through the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services to expand the statewide Seniors Enquiry Line to improve services throughout Queensland, including enhancing access to specific expertise and advice on a range of consumer protection issues and scams.

$2.7 million over three years commencing in 2017–18 ($900,000 per annum) will be provided through the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services to Seniors Legal and Support Services and the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit to support service delivery, particularly in regional and remote areas and under-serviced metropolitan areas such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

$426,000 over four years from 2016–17 (around $110,000 per annum) to the Office of the Public Guardian for a front-line position to participate in a whole-of-government strategy to encourage financial planning and uptake of wills.

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$630,000 over three years from 2016–17 ($210,000 per annum) through the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services to continue implementation of the One-Stop Shop for Seniors commitment.

In addition to the $8.3 million over four years, the department has allocated approximately $9.4 million for the Office for Seniors in 2016–17, of which $8.1 million will go to frontline seniors services, including five Seniors Legal and Support Services across the state, the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, the Seniors Enquiry Line, Time for Grandparents, Seniors Week and a range services addressing social isolation.

To support the delivery of these initiatives, the Office for Seniors, Carers and Volunteering has had an increase of 2 FTE positions from 1 July 2015 to shape a strong foundation on which to build a more age-friendly state.




No. 08


QUESTION


Can the Minister advise what proportion of the total NDIS funding for Queensland will be taken up by employee expenses?

ANSWER

The Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth and Queensland for the transition to an National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) outlines the total NDIS funding for Queensland as follows:

Transition Queensland

$mCommonwealth

$m Total $m 2016–17 136.9 100.2 237.1 2017–18 548.9 409.7 958.6 2018–19 1,543.3 1,163.0 2,706.3 Total 2,229.1 1,672.9 3,902.0

The Heads of Agreement between the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments on the NDIS outlines the total NDIS funding for Queensland at full scheme 2019–20

Full Scheme Queensland

$mCommonwealth

$m Total $m 2,030.0 2,140.0 4,170.0

Total NDIS funding for Queensland over the Budget forward estimates is $9.072 billion.

It is not possible to specify the proportion of this total NDIS funding that may be taken up by employee expenses given this will depend on the number of participants to the Scheme, the packages they receive, the services they may access, rates charged by those services and the total wages paid by the National Disability Insurance Agency and the providers of the services to Queensland participants in the scheme.

In relation to Queensland’s funding contribution identified in the 2016–17 Service Delivery Statements, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services has funded the required cash contribution to the NDIS in 2016–17 of $129.5 million from a combination of additional funds provided to the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS) for the NDIS, growth funds to DCCSDS, supplies and services and contributions from other Queensland Government Departments.

During 2016–17 there will be no employee expenses contributed towards the NDIS.


QUESTION Will the Minister provide a report to the committee on the membership, activity, outcome of deliberations and achievements of the Interdepartmental Committee for Northern Australia, for 2015-16 and a projection of same for 2016-17? ANSWER: The Interdepartmental Committee for Northern Australia (IDC) was established to provide whole-of-government consideration to maximise the opportunities presented by the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia. The first IDC meeting was held on 6 August 2015 and has typically met monthly or bi-monthly. The IDC is chaired by a senior officer of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and has representatives at Deputy Director-General level from all State Government departments. The IDC’s objectives are to:

identify State priority projects or initiatives that could be funded or supported through the White Paper

identify how agencies can engage consistently with relevant Australian Government agencies to fund or support State priorities

enable whole-of-government coordination of issues and projects relating to North Queensland

provide a whole-of-government perspective to existing and emerging issues.

The IDC has achieved the following for the period 2015-16:

coordination and provision of material for the North Queensland Economic Summit

development and coordination of Advancing North Queensland – Investing in the future of the north

oversight of Queensland Government agency actions to maximise the opportunities from the White Paper, examples of which include: Northern Australian Roads Program and Beef Roads Program funding National Water Infrastructure Development Fund Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Northern Australian Insurance Premiums Taskforce

whole-of-government oversight on issues specific to North Queensland: Queensland Nickel rapid response Northern Gas Pipeline Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor North Queensland Stadium

For 2016-17 the IDC will continue to coordinate North Queensland policy issues across Government and to support the Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland. The role of the IDC will continue its focus on responding to the White Paper and will ensure coordination of all aspects of economic development in North Queensland.

In particular, the IDC will assist with implementation of actions under the five priority areas of Advancing North Queensland: roads infrastructure; water security; research and innovation; tourism, trade and investment; and North Queensland Stadium.


QUESTION: I refer to the Advancing North Queensland plan released on 24 June 2016 – and the priorities in the plan the Minister is responsible for implementing and ask – what specific allocations have been included in the 2016-17 State Budget to progressing each of them? ANSWER: Advancing North Queensland is a policy platform for delivering outcomes that the north has told us they need, that grow and diversify the region, and create jobs for the future as the economy transitions. Advancing North Queensland is much broader than a budget statement – it is a plan creating a policy setting for the Government to assist, coordinate, influence and lead outcomes, to maximise benefits for North Queensland’s economic development, and to provide a confident stable governance environment that will attract further investment in the region. In line with this Government’s responsible fiscal approach, Advancing North Queensland is about leveraging existing opportunities, as well as creating new ones, and the five priority areas draw on both new and existing funding. There has already been success from efforts to leverage benefits for North Queensland – lobbying the Federal Government to locate both the Cooperative Research Centre and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility in North Queensland, and also securing funding commitments for the North Queensland Stadium. Each of the five priority areas in Advancing North Queensland outline new actions that the Government has committed to advancing North Queensland. Many of these actions are now being implemented and delivered, including within existing resources. In many cases important new funding supports actions under the five priority areas, such as:

an additional $40 million commitment to build the North Queensland Stadium, bringing the Government’s total commitment to $140 million

$1.5 million to stimulate research activity for new agriculture, including leveraging the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia

$10 million for developing the Cairns Innovation Centre $6 million for Regional Innovation Hubs under Accelerating Advance Queensland,

to encourage innovation in regional Queensland $33.5 million for the Connecting with Asia Strategy to increase Queensland’s share

of the Asian tourism market Further, North Queensland is a long term priority for the Government, and this is evidenced by many other key measures largely targeting North Queensland that are outlined throughout Advancing North Queensland and are an important part of this plan. Some of the more significant for example include:

the State Infrastructure Plan – with 86 projects worth $5.4 billion for the North $100 million to help improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef the $440 million Accelerated Works Program, most of which is being spent in North

Queensland, with more than 320 jobs already supported $3.9 billion for North Queensland under the Queensland Transport and Roads

Investment Program 2016-17 to 2019-20

the $180 million Significant Regional Infrastructure Projects Program the two-year $100 million Regional Queensland Back to Work package, giving

regional employers confidence in adding new staff an additional $175 million for round three of the Building our Regions program $77.9 million Rural Assistance and Drought Package to help rural producers and

communities impacted by drought $400 million to Tourism and Events Queensland to focus on statewide marketing

and events investment that will benefit North Queensland, including the new Tourism Network Funding Program 2016-2019

$19.7 million for a Biofutures Roadmap including $5 million for new Biofutures Industry Development Fund

The focus is now getting implementation of Advancing North Queensland right – driving and shaping delivery of initiatives, influencing and facilitating opportunities, encouraging investment, and rallying efforts to maximise outcomes and benefits for North Queensland, and where they are needed most.



QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 01

THE HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, DISABILITY SERVICES AND DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MINISTER FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES (HON C.R. DICK)—

QUESTION:

I refer to page 8 of the SDS. What will be the effect on the health budget of the changes being made to Commonwealth funding?

ANSWER:

COAG Heads of Agreement and Public Hospital funding

At the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) leaders meeting held on 1 April 2016, after sustained pressure from State and Territory leaders, a revised Heads of Agreement on Public Hospital Funding was confirmed, the terms of which were reflected in the recent Commonwealth budget projections.

The revised Agreement will provide Queensland Health with an estimated additional $445 million between 2017-18 and 2019-20, compared with the previous proposal to base Commonwealth hospital funding on a simple indexation formula.

Under the new arrangements, the Commonwealth will only make a 45% contribution to ‘efficient’ growth in public hospital services compared to the 50%, from 2017-18, promised in the National Health Reform Agreement.

The Commonwealth will also apply a national cap of 6.5% in annual growth funding. The revised funding arrangements apply until 2019-20.

National Partnership Agreements

Commonwealth payments under a range of health related National Partnership Agreements and Project Agreements have been in steep decline since 2014-15.

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Overall, Commonwealth National Partnership Agreement funding for Queensland is now projected to be $53.7 million in the 2016-17 financial year, compared to an average of $334 million per annum between 2009-10 and 2014-15.

There was no extension to the National Partnership Agreement on Supporting National Mental Health Reform, which expired on 30 June 2016. This program provided funding for long term social housing and other supports to Queenslanders with severe and persistent mental illness.

Dental funding

Prior to the election, the Commonwealth Government announced its intention to introduce a new Child and Adult Public Dental Scheme on 1 July 2016 to replace the expiring National Partnership Agreement on Adult Public Dental Services and the Child Dental Benefit Schedule scheme.

The announcement was made without the agreement of the States and Territories, who bear the responsibility and risk for delivering public dental services. The required Commonwealth enabling legislation lapsed when the last Commonwealth parliament was dissolved ahead of the 2 July 2016 Federal election.

The current National Partnership Agreement funding was extended by the Commonwealth Minister for Health for six months until 31 December 2016.

This approach does not provide the certainty needed to plan and deliver public dental services. Queensland Health has provided short-term funding guarantees to ensure services are maintained and continue to operate

Ongoing funding uncertainty will undermine Queensland’s ability to retain qualified staff and meet the demand for dental services.

Medicare and Aged Care

The Commonwealth Government holds funding and policy responsibility for the Medicare primary health system and aged care services.

The recent Commonwealth budget extended the pause on the indexation of Medicare Benefit Schedule payments for General Practitioner consultations and other health services until 2020. Increasing ‘out of pocket’ costs could deter people from seeking help at an early stage, when many conditions are most effectively treated. This will also impact directly on the number of attendances to emergency departments, adding to the pressure on already stretched resources.

Other recent proposals from the Commonwealth Government include removing the bulk billing incentives for pathology and medical imaging under Medicare. This has the potential

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to negatively affect health outcomes and increase the demand for these services on the public hospital system.

Changes to the Aged Care Funding Instrument, in the most recent Commonwealth Budget, are estimated to reduce funding for all providers of residential aged care facilities in Queensland by approximately $230.4 million over four years.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 02


QUESTION:

I refer to page 7 of the SDS. Can the Minister outline the anticipated effect of planned capital investments?

ANSWER:

Health services in Queensland are a major employer and driver of future growth across the state, with employment in the healthcare and social assistance sector expected to grow to nearly 16 per cent of all jobs in Queensland by 2036.

Capital investment in health infrastructure over the next five years will advance Queensland’s economy and strengthen our communities. The 2016-17 health capital works program will support approximately 1,500 direct Full Time Equivalent jobs across Queensland.

Capital investment into priority built and eHealth infrastructure is fundamental to Queensland’s health future. In 2016-17, $1.4 billion will be invested to provide the infrastructure needed to meet the growing and changing health needs of the population.

Decisions guiding investment in built infrastructure and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are driven by the health needs of Queenslanders. This investment supports the ongoing investment in asset maintenance, together with refurbishment or replacement of health facilities.

Investment in ICT assets is guided by the eHealth Investment Strategy, which I announced in September 2015, in conjunction with our ongoing commitment to ICT maintenance and asset replacement to maintain business and clinical system sustainability.

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ICT investments have been boosted in 2016-17 with the $173.7 million being announced in the 2016-2017 State Budget, which will support key projects including the refresh of the Laboratory Information System and Finance System Renewal. This will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these critical functions and support quality and safe health care.

We will build on the achievements of 2015-16 and continue the roll-out of the integrated electronic Medical Record (ieMR) Program during 2016-17. In November 2015, the Princess Alexandra Hospital became Australia’s first large scale public digital hospital and is now recognised as the most advanced digital public hospital in Queensland. In February 2016, Cairns Hospital became the second digital public hospital in Queensland.

Queensland is large and diverse, and its health infrastructure needs reflect this. The built infrastructure program provides for the health needs of all Queenslanders – no matter where they live.

Key highlights in 2016-17 include the finalisation of the $1.87 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital. This much anticipated facility will bring a new standard of health care to residents of the Sunshine Coast, providing services previously unavailable. The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board has set a targeted opening date of April 2017. This timeframe enables an appropriate commissioning period and will ensure the hospital opens in a clinically safe manner.

The budget builds on Queensland Health’s pipeline of new investment through the establishment of the $230 million Advancing Queensland’s Health’s Infrastructure Program.

The Advancing Queensland’s Health’s Infrastructure Program will facilitate essential upgrades to health facilities and supporting infrastructure across Queensland. Key projects include:

• Repurposing the Nambour Hospital

• Redevelopment of the emergency department and operating theatres at Atherton Hospital

• Redevelopment of Thursday Island Hospital

• A new Health Precinct for the southern corridor of Cairns.

The program will also support short term carpark solutions at Caboolture and Logan Hospitals.

I look forward to the Turnbull Government’s contribution of $7 million for the Rockhampton carpark and $2 million for car parking at Caboolture Hospital.

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As part of our prudent management of our capital program, funds have been directed to emerging infrastructure needs and priorities. This will support key projects including:

• Laboratory Information System Refresh (subject to business case approval)

• Finance System Renewal (subject to business case approval)

• Wynnum Hospital Redevelopment

• Wynnum Ambulance Station Relocation

• Dimbulah Community Clinic Project

• Alan Ticehurst Building (Cloncurry Hospital).

In addition, the Significant Regional Infrastructure Projects Program (SRIPP), being delivered by the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, includes an additional capital injection for health infrastructure of $34.1 million to respond to community need and provide increasing economic opportunities through job creation, improved liveability and community wellbeing. The SHRIPP focusses on delivering regionally significant infrastructure projects identified by communities for communities. The specific health infrastructure initiatives are:

• New Palm Island Primary Health care facility

• Paediatrics Unit and Townsville Hospital

• Boulia Community Hospital refurbishment

• McKinlay Multi-purpose health service in Julia Creek, refurbishment and expansion

• Step Up/Step Down Mental health facility in Mackay

• Step Up/Step Down Mental health facility in Gladstone

• Step Up/Step Down Mental health facility in Bundaberg.

Queensland’s investment in built and ICT health infrastructure provides for new and expanded emergency departments, better mental health and rehabilitation facilities and new and refurbished health facilities. This equips our health service to provide the right services to their populations, where and when it is needed to support our growing and diverse population.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 03


QUESTION:

I refer to page 6 of the SDS. What are the expected benefits of significant changes to the operational budget?

ANSWER:

In 2016-17, the Queensland Health operating Budget will increase by $1.091 billion or 7.7% to $15.274 billion. $12.614 billion (82.6%) of the Queensland Health total operating budget will be provided to Hospital and Health Services (HHS) and other organisations, including Mater Health Services. This represents an increase of 8.6% from the 2015-16 budget of $11.580 billion.

The increased funding will enable the public health system to keep pace with the ongoing growth in demand for health and ambulance services and will assist Queensland Health to work towards our vision for Queenslanders to be among the healthiest people in the world by 2026. Queensland Health will continue to deliver commitments across key priority areas of need including the nursing workforce, preventative health, patient safety, and mental health.

Frontline Service Delivery

Over 2016-17, frontline services will be enhanced with a continued focus on rebuilding the nursing workforce by recruiting: additional nurse graduates and midwives; 68 additional nurse navigators; and recruitment of more nurses where required to comply with mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. Other investments supporting our frontline services include:

• recruitment of an extra 110 ambulance officers and the commissioning of 170 new and replacement ambulances.

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• $6.0 million in 2016-17 to support the continuation of Drug and Alcohol Brief Intervention Teams in the emergency departments of Logan, Rockhampton, and Townsville Hospitals to combat the ice epidemic in Queensland.

Other key initiatives in 2016-17

Other significant areas of investment across Queensland Health in 2016-17 include:

• $114.2 million in 2016-17 ($361.2 million over four years) to continue to reduce the number of patients who have been waiting longer than clinically recommended for a specialist outpatient appointment

• $59.1 million in 2016-17 ($223.7 million over four years) to continue to deliver the Queensland Government’s commitment to restore frontline nursing positions, including the employment of up to 4,000 graduate nurses, 400 nurse navigators and educators, implementing nurse to patient ratios and school nursing services

• $35.0 million over two years for an Integrated Care Innovation Fund aimed at developing initiatives to deliver better integration of care, address fragmentation in services and provide high-value health care through collaborating with private and non-government sectors to better prevent and detect health issues, strengthening relationships with General Practitioners and Primary Health Networks to deliver faster access to treatment and care, and ensuring that funding and organisational structures are based around providing integrated care to reduce duplication and unnecessary hospitalisations.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 04


QUESTION:

I refer to page 7 of the SDS. How is the Department managing and improving its major information technology assets?

ANSWER:

Investment in eHealth is a cornerstone of Queensland Health’s commitment to improving the healthcare for all Queenslanders. Queensland Health’ eHealth Investment Strategy seeks to balance addressing the renewal of high-risk legacy systems and ageing infrastructure against investments in world-class digital transformation of healthcare services to the people of Queensland.

When I was appointed Minister I was shocked to receive departmental advice that “Queensland Health had a significant number of ICT systems identified as having a risk profile of “High” or “Extreme”.

I was also provided with advice that “There has been an increase in significant ICT outages over the past six months, primarily due to aging infrastructure, unsupported software versions and a break/fix approach to asset replacement”.

As the incoming Minister for Health and Ambulance Services this assessment was alarming.

My challenge as Minister for Health, unlike my predecessor, is to properly engage with and help resolve these challenging problems. Our investment strategy therefore targets:

• a continuous approach to the refresh of our supporting IT infrastructure to ensure clinical and non-clinical staff experience contemporary technologies in the workplace;

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• eHealth infrastructure enablers for world-class business and clinical software applications, including and ability to seamlessly integrate our systems and information; and

• a considered and planned approach to the continued rollout and refresh of our key enterprise clinical and non-clinical systems.

Queensland Health has a complex ICT environment that underpins the effective delivery of clinical and non-clinical services, which is enabled by an extensive ICT infrastructure program. The refresh of ICT assets ensures health services are supported in a way that is sustainable both now and in the future. Supporting the delivery of ICT in a large enterprise such as Queensland Health is demanding and complex. During the last twelve months, Queensland Health has:

• Managed 142,525 new email accounts

• Supported 49,899 desktops

• Prevented 39,665,610 viruses and spam

• Enabled 5,200 Queensland Health smart devices and connected 928 Bring Your Own Devices (BYOD)

• Supported 103,201 desktop telephones

• Supported 11,915 laptops

• Delivered 321,864 Telehealth video call hours

• Supported 330,610m2 of wireless coverage across Queensland Health facilities

• Answered 98% of calls within 30 seconds and reduced call wait times by 80% for the clinical priority hotline enabling faster resolution of IT issues for clinicians and staff.

Queensland Health proactively addresses ICT asset maintenance, replacement or transformation utilising advances in technology that are aligned to the Queensland Government’s cloud first strategy. This strategy aims to lower costs, standardise services and improve quality to accelerate innovation and productivity in the delivery of contemporary health services.

Queensland currently has the largest managed Telehealth network in Australia with over 4,000 hardware and software based videoconferencing systems deployed in over 200 hospitals and community facilities. Telehealth technologies are utilised to support delivery of more than 50 different specialty and sub-specialty services across the State. In 2015-16, 49,468 non-admitted Telehealth service events have been reported, an increase of 44%

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when compared with the previous year. Telehealth has been adopted across all 16 Hospital and Health Services. New Telehealth enabled models of care are being established through improved capability to link the acute setting with General Practice and with patients directly in their homes.

Priority asset replacement and capability enhancement projects include:

• renewal for the pathology and finance systems;

• the continued rollout of the ieMR Program;

• preliminary planning for the replacement of the current Patient Administration System (PAS); and

• investment in enablers such as infrastructure utility, information interoperability and eHealth foundation.

These investments are articulated in Government’s eHealth Investment Strategy 2015, which identified selected investment priorities over the next 10 years to ensure the state's health system, can continue to provide essential services to Queenslanders. The eHealth Investment Strategy ensures that ICT investments form part of a considered and cohesive plan between Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) and the department to better enable the delivery of quality and efficient health services.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 05


QUESTION:

I refer to page 22 of the SDS. How does the increase in staff compare with increases in demand and activity?

ANSWER:

The growth in staff numbers provided by the Budget is appropriate to growth in funding and activity. When considered against increase demand and activity, the growth in staff demonstrates improved efficiency in the system.

Over the 2015-16 and 2016-2017 financial years it is estimated that staff growth will average 3.8% per annum. The majority of the increase in staff is expected to occur in 2015-2016, as the Government restores health services and reverses the damage done by the LNP Government.

Demand is also growing. For example, calls to Queensland Ambulance Service for help have increased close to 5 per cent in the last 12 months. In Emergency Departments, there was a 4.3 per cent underlying increase in the number of presentations between the 2014-15 Service Delivery Statement financial year and the 2015-16 Service Delivery Statement financial years, while the number of elective surgeries has increased 11 per cent in the two years to June 2016.

Additional funding and initiatives undertaken in 2015–16 which contributed to the increase in FTE employees include:

• $202 million to support the ongoing growth in demand for health and ambulance services

• $71.3 million in year for the implementation of strategies to reduce outpatient long waits

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• $47.1 million to support the Sunshine Coast University Hospital transition program in the lead up to the hospital opening

• Funding of $26.6 million to support the Refresh Nursing: Graduate Program to deliver on the Government’s commitment to support new one-year graduate nursing places

• $9.4 million to deliver on the Government’s election commitment to support Nurse Navigator positions, and

• The implementation of the digital hospital program across a number of Hospital and Health Services including Metro South and Cairns and Hinterland.

Additional funding and initiatives planned to continue and / or commence in 2016-17, which may contribute to an increase in FTE employees include: • Increased funding of $224.9 million to support the ongoing growth in demand for

health and ambulance services; • $114.2 million for the implementation of strategies to reduce outpatient long waits; • Recruitment of staff in preparation for the opening of the new Sunshine Coast

University Hospital in April 2017 to ensure a safe commissioning and commencement of services. These roles support the agreed service models for pathology, radiation oncology, medical school placements and soft facilities management;

• Further recruitment of nursing staff to continue to meet the Government’s commitment to refreshing nursing;

• Specific initiatives being implemented through the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service including the School Readiness Program; and

• Introduction of court liaison services and Independent Patient Rights Advisors in accordance with the Mental Health Act 2016.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 06


QUESTION:

I refer to page 24 of the SDS. Can the Minister explain the reasons for expected financial operating outcomes for the portfolio and Hospital and Health Services?

ANSWER:

Queensland Health’s budget will by increased 7.7 per cent this year to $15.274 billion to meet growing demand for health services across the state.

The overwhelming majority of the new budget will go to the Hospital and Health Services to provide front line health services.

This funding will mean more people will be treated in the health system and more staff will be employed to provide these clinical services.

Hospital and Health Services (HHS) generate revenue from a number of sources other than government hospital funding. This can include own source revenue from things like Medicare billing or health insurance rebates.

Over time HHSs can build up retained earnings which are available for investment to bolster service delivery in later years.

In 2015-2016, the Government has worked closely with the HHSs to leverage some of these retained earnings to meet growth in demand within the system and to start to reverse the damage inflicted on health services by the former Government.

As a result of these amendments, in 2015-2016, the estimates show that HHSs spent $99.6 million dollars from their retained earnings primarily to boost local service delivery. This represents less than 0.8 per cent of the total operating budget applied to HHS. Importantly,

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HHSs will continue to have over $250 million in retained earnings which could be made available for allocation to local priorities in the future.

Key investments made by HHSs using these retained earnings include:

• Cairns and Hinterland HHS has invested retained earnings to deliver additional high dependency unit beds and adolescent unit beds;

• Central Queensland HHS has invested in capital infrastructure, including a new intensive care unit and a new helipad at Rockhampton Hospital;

• Children’s Health Queensland HHS invested retained earnings, in partnership with the Department to open additional beds and capacity in the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital;

• Sunshine Coast HHS has invested from its retained earnings to undertake more activity to ensure timely access to services;

• Metro South HHS invested to roll out Australia’s first public digital hospital at Princess Alexandra Hospital;

• Metro North HHS has invested its retained earnings jointly with the department to reduce outpatient waiting lists and to achieve service delivery improvements;

• Mackay HHS has invested to reduce waiting lists for elective surgery and outpatient appointment;

• Wide Bay HHS has invested to increase service provision and activity to meet higher demand; and

• West Moreton HHS has invested into improvements in buildings, including a full refurbishment of Ward 6C at Ipswich Hospital.

This approach to financial management has helped HHS to deliver major achievements in 2015-16, including:

• Treating nearly 50,000 more patients in emergency departments compared to last year;

• Treating over 4,000 more elective surgery patients compared to last year; and

• Achieving a reduction in the number of patients waiting longer than clinically recommended for an outpatient appointment from over 100,000 in February 2015 to less than 60,000 as at 30 June 2016.

The Department of Health in Queensland has internally generated savings to meet a 2.5% efficiency dividend worth over $38 million last year. This was achieved without any

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reduction in service delivery, principally through the prudent reduction in the use of contractors, consultants and advertising.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 07


QUESTION:

I refer to page 27 of the SDS. How are individual Hospital and Health Services implementing Nurse to Patient Ratios?

ANSWER:

On 1 July 2016, the legislative framework commenced to mandate nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient ratios in specified public sector hospitals and wards.

All Hospital and Health Services (HHS) are required to comply with the legislation from 1 July 2016. The associated regulation identifies the facilities and wards that meet the criteria for implementing ratios. The wards are required to have minimum staffing ratios of 1:4 on morning and afternoon shifts and 1:7 on night shifts.

Registered and enrolled nurses providing direct care to patients can be included in the ratio count.

The ratios legislation creates a minimum safe staffing cohort in the context of existing business processes.

A Ratios Implementation Working Group has been established and is chaired by the Deputy Director-General of the Clinical Excellence Division and comprises the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer and representatives of the Health Service Chief Executives, Executive Directors of Nursing and Midwifery Services, and the Queensland Nurses Union. This group provides a forum for issues and concerns to be discussed and where possible an agreed position is reached. The group considers matters such as governance, compliance and reporting, communications and education, and the development of guidelines to support the implementation of ratios within HHS.

The Department of Health is employing a range of strategies to support compliance with the ratios legislation. This includes additional funding support to the HHS to recruit additional new graduate nurses. The recruitment portal was opened for a second period in the 2015-16 financial year, from 6 May to 30 May 2016. This was the first time the portal had been opened mid-year in three years. As of 30 June 2016, records show that 2090 new graduate nurses and midwives were employed in Queensland. The portal will reopen again on 1 August 2016 in preparation for the 2017 new graduate applications.

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Public reporting of compliance with the legislation will occur on a quarterly basis, within three months after the completion of the quarter.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 08


QUESTION:

I refer to page 44 of the SDS. How is the Government addressing heightened demand for ambulance services in winter?

ANSWER:

The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring ambulance services to the community are not compromised during the 2016 winter flu season.

On 11 May 2016, the Government outlined a five point plan to prepare the health system for the challenges of the flu season. This includes:

1. providing an additional $15 million to Hospital and Health Services;

2. delivering access to an extra 139 hospital beds across the state to provide surge capacity in areas of high demand;

3. deploying 12 new Clinical Initiative Nurses in metropolitan hospitals to supervise patients arriving by ambulance vehicles and to get Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) resources back on the road faster;

4. partnering with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), using large data sets to make staffing hospitals and emergency departments during winter more efficient; and

5. bringing forward the recruitment of additional paramedics in response to increasing demand for services.

The plan will assist in improving QAS access to emergency departments and reduce QAS turnaround times.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 09

THE HEALTH, COMMUNITIES, DISABILITY SERVICES AND DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND MINISTER FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES (HON C.R. DICK) —

QUESTION:

I refer to page 14 of the SDS. How is the Government investing in mental health services compared to previous years?

ANSWER:

The Service Delivery Statement for 2016-17 identified $1.55 billion in funding allocated to the service area Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Services, of which $1.22 billion (or approximately 79 per cent) of funding is allocated to Hospital and Health Services (HHS).

This service area now includes funding for specialised mental health services (including non-government organisations), non-specialised mental health related inpatient activity, community alcohol and other drug treatment services (excluding non-government organisations), and state-wide mental health policy and project costs.

The Service Delivery Statement funding is inclusive of all commitments announced in the 2016-17 budget, including the Suicide Prevention in Health Service Initiative. Over a three year period, this initiative will establish a Queensland Suicide Prevention Health taskforce, investigate the events that led to suspected suicides of people who had recent contact with a health service to try and improve responses, and further training for emergency department and other frontline staff to better "recognise, respond to and provide care" for at-risk people presenting to health services.

Other priorities that will be delivered during 2016-17 include:

• Implementation of the Mental Health Act 2016, including establishment of Independent Patient Rights Advisers to ensuring patients of Authorised Mental Health Services and their support persons are advised of their rights and responsibilities under the Act and, where necessary to assist patients to exercise their entitlements

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• $1.5 million contribution to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Drought Wellbeing Service program, which offers counselling and support to people living and working in areas impacted by drought

• $3.5 million for the delivery of the Tackling Adversity in Regional Drought and Disaster communities through integrating Health Services program which is targeted at suicide prevention, building resilience and fostering recovery among people and communities affected by adversity associated with drought, disaster and other crises

• $6 million for tackling the Ice epidemic in Queensland, including continuation of Drug and Alcohol Brief Intervention Teams in Emergency Departments at Logan, Rockhampton and Townsville Hospitals and service responses in targeted areas including Cooktown, Gold Coast, Charleville and Cunnamulla

• $4 million for an adult step up/step down mental health facility in Nundah and a further $12 million for adult step up/step down mental health units in three regional centres (Gladstone, Bundaberg and Mackay).

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 10


QUESTION:

I refer to page 81 of the SDS. How is the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital performing?

ANSWER:

The Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital opened its doors on 29 November 2014 as the largest and most advanced paediatric hospital in Australia. The Lady Cilento, as the primary hospital facility within the Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, is committed to providing the best possible family-centred health care for every child and young person in Queensland.

The service has come a long way. It is a matter of public record that there were problems with the commissioning and opening of the Lady Cilento’s Children Hospital. Notwithstanding this difficult start, staff at the hospital continue to deliver outstanding treatment to some of the sickest children in Queensland.

In November 2015, additional funding of up to $70 million over four years was provided to the hospital to ensure Queensland’s sickest children receive the best possible care.

This package of funding has enabled the dedicated clinicians and management at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital to increase bed capacity, recruit additional staff and provide additional services to Queensland’s sickest children and deliver significant improvements in performance. This includes:

• An increase in the number of available funded beds by 31 to 331.

• From January to June 2016 all children and young people have received their elective surgery within clinically recommended times. This is an improvement from the 84 children and young people who had waited longer than clinically recommended as at 30 June 2015.

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• Percentage of elective surgery patients treated within clinically recommended time has improved since 2014-15 with 100% of category 1; 84% of category 2 and 96% of category patients treated in-time in 2015-16 against a target of >98%, 95% and 95% respectively.1

• The percentage of emergency department patients who departed the hospital within four hours of their arrival remained steady between 2014-15 financial year and 2015-16 at 81%1. There has been a significant improvement in the 2016 calendar year, with the HHS achieving 83.3% in June 2016.

• The number of children waiting longer than clinically recommended for an outpatient appointment has reduced by 40 per cent from 4,227 at 30 June 2015 to 2,521 at 30 June 2016.

• Additional funding provided has also enabled the recruitment of more than 175 full time equivalent nurses to provide timely and safe services to Queensland’s children.

• The investment has also enabled a robust and sustainable staffing model to be implemented for the Statewide Paediatric Retrieval Service. The model enhances the partnership with regional hospitals and reduces the need to redeploy staff engaged in frontline care for retrieval duty.

As can be seen as a result of the additional investment and Children’s Health Queensland’s commitment to delivering high quality hospital and health services to the young people of Queensland, significant improvements have been experienced across the health service with improved health outcomes for children, young people and their families.

1 As per the 2016-17 Service Delivery Statement

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 11


QUESTION:

With reference to the requirement placed on each Hospital and Health Service [HHS] to deliver an "overall productivity dividend of 2 per cent in the delivery of clinical services" outlined on Page 5 of the 2015–16 State Budget which impacts on the Estimated Actuals for 2015–16 contained within the 2016–17 SDS, can the Minister:

a) provide a breakdown of the productivity dividend in the delivery of clinical services achieved by each HHS [reported separately] as both a percentage as well as in dollar terms; and

b) outline what clinical services were amended or changed in order to achieve the productivity dividend?

ANSWER:

In 2015-16, a 2 per cent productivity dividend was calculated on the basis of all the Activity Based Funded (ABF) services.

No productivity dividend was applied to any non ABF funded services.

Applying the productivity dividend in this way does not reduce funding to a Hospital and Health Service (HHS). It requires a HHS to undertake 2 per cent more activity than previously purchased for the same level of funding.

This improves the efficiency of the health system.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 12


QUESTION:

With reference to the requirement placed on the Queensland Ambulance Service to deliver a "productivity dividend of 2%" outlined on Page 5 of the 2015-16 State Budget which impacts on the Estimated Actuals for 2015-16 contained within the 2016-17 SDS, can the Minister:

a) provide a breakdown of the productivity dividend achieved by the QAS as both a percentage as well as in dollar terms; and,

b) outline what services were amended or changed in order to achieve the productivity dividend?

ANSWER:

In 2015-16, a 2 per cent productivity dividend was calculated on the basis of increased activity performed by the QAS.

It requires the QAS to undertake 2 per cent more activity than purchased for the same level of funding.

This improves the efficiency of ambulance services.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 13


QUESTION:

With reference to the requirement placed on the Department of Health [DoH] to "achieve a productivity dividend of 2.5%" outlined on Page 5 of the 2015-16 State Budget which impacts on the Estimated Actuals for 2015-16 contained within the 2016-17 SDS, can the Minister:

a) provide a breakdown of the productivity dividend achieved by DoH as both a percentage as well as in dollar terms; and

b) outline what functions and services were amended or changed in order to achieve the productivity dividend?

ANSWER:

The Department of Health’s (DoH) productivity dividend of 2.5% equates to a target of approximately $38.2 million of savings in 2015-16.

The DoH estimates include a forecast of $38.9 million in savings through: management of contractors, consultants and advertising; and a reduced spend on legal and insurance costs. This is detailed as follows:

2015-16 DoH Savings Achieved ($M)

Contractors 31.9 Consultants 0.9 Other 6.1 Total Savings Made 38.9

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 14


QUESTION:

With reference to Queensland Health’s consolidated Staffing levels outlined on Page 22 of the SDS can the Minister advise how many staff, temporary staff or contracted employees [reported separately] employed by:

a) the Department of Health,

b) respective Hospital and Health Services [HHSs]; or

c) the Queensland Ambulance Service

have been contacted in the 2015-16 financial year to ascertain if they are interested in taking up a voluntary separation?

ANSWER:

Queensland Health does not have voluntary separation programs or voluntary redundancy programs in place.

Queensland Health complies with relevant Government policies and directives in relation to separations and adheres to the employment security policy for government agencies as part of its commitment to fairness for its workforce.

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 15


QUESTION:

With reference to both the:

• additional staff undertaking payroll activities on Page 22 of the SDS; and,

• the KPMG report released in June 2012 which estimated the cost of the Queensland Health payroll system would be $1.253B for the years 2009-10 to 2016-17, including $245.5M for key projects designed to address high priority issues;

can the Minister advise if the projects designed to address the high priority issues outlined in the KPMG review: are all expected to be completed in the 2016-17 financial year;

a) have been, or are all expected to be, completed on-time and on-budget; and,

b) if the answer to any part of [B] is negative, can the Minister outline the project component, the time over-run and/or the budget over-run?

ANSWER:

The additional staff referenced on page 22 are working on the Queensland Ambulance Service Human Resources/Payroll solution and the Health Rostering Project.

I am advised that 5 projects identified in the KPMG report were completed between 2012 and 2015. The Health Rostering Project was scheduled in the KPMG report to be completed in the 2014 financial year, two years after the release of the KPMG report. In February 2015 when I became Health Minister, it was not completed and is ongoing.



QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 16


QUESTION:

With reference to


• the KPMG report released in June 2012 which estimated the cost of the Queensland Health payroll system would be $1.253B for the years 2009-10 to 2016-17, including $245.5M for key projects designed to address high priority issues which did not include:

a) the cost associated with a system upgrade;

b) any allowance for overpayment write-offs and associated fringe benefits tax;

c) any cost contingencies associated with potential project overspend;

can the Minister outline the total cost to taxpayers of [A], [B] and [C] broken down separately for the period 2009-10 to 2016-17?

ANSWER:

The additional staff referenced on page 22 are working on the Queensland Ambulance Service Human Resources/Payroll solution and the Health Rostering Project and are unrelated to allowances made for overpayment write-offs and associated fringe benefits tax, and unrelated to any cost contingencies associated with projects.

In 2015-16, $1.069m of overpayments were written off or waived, along with a $0.04m in associated FBT liability in accordance with the Overpayment policy which was implemented under the LNP Government in July 2013. I am advised that this is lower than the average amount written off under the LNP Government the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years ($1.137m).



QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 17


QUESTION:

With reference to additional staff undertaking payroll activities on Page 22 of the SDS can the Minister advise:

a) for each pay-run made over the 2015-16 financial year what was the total average number of overpayments made;

b) for each pay-run made over the 2015-16 financial year what was the total average value of overpayments made; and,

c) what is the current outstanding overpayment balance for all staff in the employ of Queensland Health [including both the Department of Health and respective HHS’s]?

ANSWER:

The additional staff referenced on page 22 of the 2015-16 SDS are working on the Queensland Ambulance Service Human Resources/Payroll solution and the Health Rostering Project and are unrelated to any overpayments made in the 2015-2016 financial year, and are unrelated to any outstanding overpayment balances. Furthermore, information on the accuracy of pay runs, which reflects performance relating to overpayments and underpayments, is reported on page 30 of the SDS.

Notwithstanding the above I am advised:

(a) During the 2015-16 financial year, 1,696 overpayments were made on average each pay period. This compares to an average number of 1,825 overpayments that were made on average each pay period under the LNP Government in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years;

(b) The total average value of overpayments made in the 2015-16 financial year was $692,366. This compares to a total average value of overpayments of $777,610 that

were made under the LNP Government in the 2012-13 and 2013-2014 financial years; and

(c) As at 30 June 2016, the outstanding overpayment balance of staff employed by the Department of Health and Hospital and Health Services is $43.5 million. This compares to a total outstanding overpayment balance of staff employed by the Department of Health and Hospital and Health Services of $48.82 million as at 30 June 2015. This compares to $57.2million by current employees owed as at 30 June 2014, or $65.7 million owed at the end of 30 June 2013.



QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 18


QUESTION:

With reference to:


• the KPMG report released in June 2012 which estimated the cost of the Queensland Health payroll system would be $1.253B for the years 2009-10 to 2016-17, including $245.5M for key projects designed to address high priority issues.

can the Minister advise:

a) for the 2015-16 financial year what was the dollar value of overpayments automatically recovered; and,

b) for the 2015-16 financial year what was the percentage of overpayments automatically recovered within three months of being identified?

ANSWER:

The additional staff referenced on page 22 are working on the Queensland Ambulance Service Human Resources/Payroll solution and the Health Rostering Project and are unrelated to overpayments automatically recovered in the 2015-16 financial year.

I am advised that for the 2015-16 financial year the dollar value of overpayments automatically recovered was $15.5million. This compares to $14.8million for 2014-15. The changes to support automatic recovery came into effect in 2013-14.

I am advised that, for the 2015-16 financial year, the percentage of overpayments recovered within three months of being identified was 85.4%. This compares to 84.3% for 2014-15.



QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 19


QUESTION:

With reference to Page 7 of the SDS which referred to under the Advancing Queensland Health Infrastructure Program to provide “$230 million over 5 years to 2020-21 ($20 million in 2016-17)” can the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of all capital works projects currently identified as being part of the Program, including for both this financial year as well as over the forward estimates:

a) the name and a brief description of each of the projects;

b) the estimated total cost of each of the projects; and,

c) the scheduled commencement date of each of the projects?

ANSWER:

The Advancing Queensland Health Infrastructure Program will provide $230 million over the next 5 years to address a number of key priority initiatives. All of these initiatives are in planning stages.

Details of funding and construction for each project will be available when the relevant proposals are progressed through the planning phases as well as Department of Health and broader Government project approval processes.

The initiatives in the program include:

Nambour Hospital (adaptive re-use)

• Repurposing the Nambour Hospital to support the Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH)

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Atherton Hospital

• Refurbishment and upgrade including the emergency department and operating theatres

Cairns Health Precinct

• Support for the development of a new health precinct in the southern corridor of Cairns

Thursday Island Hospital

• Refurbishment of the Thursday Island Hospital

Car parking at Caboolture and Logan Hospitals

• Delivery of temporary car parking solutions

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QUESTION ON NOTICE

No. 20


QUESTION:

With reference to Page 7 of the SDS which states “During 2015-16, the Department undertook a comprehensive review of the current approved capital program. This review identified funds totalling $173.7 million as a result of project and/or program efficiencies” can the Minister provide a detailed breakdown of all projects and/or programs which were identified as being able to achieve efficiencies as part of this review, including:

a) the name and a brief description of each of the projects/programs;

b) the estimated total cost of each of the projects/programs;

c) the estimated total savings associated with each of the efficiencies identified in the projects/programs; and,

d) the scheduled commencement date of each of the projects?

ANSWER:

As part of the management of the Department’s extensive capital program a comprehensive assessment was undertaken during 2015-16.

Within the capital program, unspent allocations from prior years are routinely aggregated and consolidated over the forward estimates. The consolidated amounts have accumulated over a number of years. The aggregated total can then be allocated across the forward estimates. This is the source of the funding.

The funding was drawn from clustered programs including the Priority Capital Program, Emergent Works Program and Unallocated Information Communication and Technology Program.

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This kind of reallocation represents a prudent and sensible approach to asset management and has allowed the Government to address chronic underinvestment in these projects by the previous government.

Upon my appointment as Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, I was advised that a number of ICT systems were identified as having a risk profile of “High” or “Extreme” and that, over the final six months of the former LNP Government, there had been an increase in significant ICT outages, primarily due to ageing infrastructure, unsupported software versions, and a break/fix approach to asset replacement.

That is why the Government, as part of the 2016-2017 State Budget, made the decision to direct $173.7 million to two critical Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects– the Financial System Renewal and the Laboratory Information System renewal projects. These funds will provide infrastructure that is critical for the provision of high quality health care across Queensland.

The Department’s forward planning considers both built and ICT infrastructure needs and, where necessary, decisions are made to reprioritise current and future spending to ensure critical and emerging needs are met. Providing project information, costs and cost savings for each of the contributing projects, as requested, would require manual mapping back over at least five years of the consolidated amounts and would unnecessarily divert Queensland Health staff from their duties delivering and supporting health services in Queensland.

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Copies of documents tabled at hearing on 27 July 2016

• Tabled by member for Mudgeeraba – extract from

Hansard dated 27 August 2016 • Tabled by Member for Surfers Paradise – extract from

Hansard 15 June 2016 • Tabled by Minister for Health and Minister for

Ambulance Services – Announced Priority Capital Program Projects

4 Estimates-Communities, Women, Youth, Child Safety and

Multicultural Affairs 27 Aug 2015

Ms DAVIS: Thank you, Minister. Can you provide the savings expected with respect to fringe benefits tax?

Ms FENTIMAN: I thank the member for the question. In relation to fringe benefits tax budget savings, the department has maintained an FBT budget to meet expected costs based on the 2014 FBT liability. Since this time, improvements in a number of areas, including logbook administration and reductions in the fleet size for SES vehicles, has resulted in FBT cost savings being below budget.

Ms DAVIS: Thank you, Minister. Just to clarify, you are saying reduced numbers of vehicles. So that is reduced fringe benefits tax?

Ms FENTIMAN: There has been a reduction in the fleet size for SES vehicles.

Ms DAVIS: Right. None of those front-line workers?

Ms FENTIMAN: Let me be very clear: there has been no impact on front-line services due to the reprioritisation target of this department.

Ms DAVIS: Thank you, Minister. Can you provide some detail around the savings in costs associated with employee housing, for example? Is it for property assets?

Ms FENTIMAN: Yes, thank you. The funding for the employee housing budget was allocated on 113 houses at an estimated rental of $2,288 per month. Rental costs are set against market rent which, ( in some locations, has reduced due to the mining downturn. The estimated costs for this financial year are $2.8 million against an available budget of $3.8 million.

Ms DAVIS: Thank you, Minister. The second area is around reducing expenditure relating to contractors, consultants, travel and advertising. You have mentioned that no front-line services will be impacted, but given that the department of child safety does engage contractors to fill front-line child safety positions, can you absolutely confirm and ensure that no child in Queensland will be put at risk as a result of these measures?

Ms FENTIMAN: Yes, absolutely.

Ms DAVIS: Minister, I also note in your response to the question on notice and in your opening remarks about the LNP's fiscal repair task-and we all know the fiscal repair task was undertaken because of the dreadful financial mess that we found ourselves in when we came into governmentyour absolute despair about what those measures meant in terms of the budget. Given you were so incensed by that process, could you confirm that through your CBRC budget submission you asked for all of that money back?

Ms FENTIMAN: I thank the member for the question. It is probably useful for me to outline just how severe these cuts were from the LNP's fiscal repair. In my own department we had 1, 105 full-time public servants sacked.

Ms DAVIS: Excuse me, Madam Chair. It was a pretty simple question.

CHAIR: Excuse me, member for Aspley. The minister can answer the question in any way she sees fit. Can you please allow her to finish answering the question.

Ms FENTIMAN: Some 362 community organisations had their funding reduced. Some $60 million in grants were cut across the department. Staff across the Office for Women and the Office for Youth were cut by over two-thirds. Multicultural Affairs Queensland had a number of their staff cut. More than 225 Child Safety staff and 140 Communities staff were lost. This budget, the 2015-16 budget, rebuilds the Office for Women and the Office for Youth. It rebuilds Multicultural Affairs Queensland. We are now reinvesting in strategies to combat domestic and family violence. We are filling gaps left by the previous government to introduce universal parenting support. This budget absolutely goes some way to repairing the LNP's fiscal repair, but I have to say that it was so significant that we are doing what we can to rebuild the community sector. We took our election commitments to the people of Queensland. We stand by each and every one of them. This is a responsible government, having more than offset the cost of our election commitments through a range of measures. Unlike the LNP's fiscal repair, as I have said a number of times already this morning, our reprioritisation target had no impact on front-line services.

Ms DAVIS: Thank you, Minister. In your response you failed to answer the question , which was quite simple: through the CBRC budget submission process did you request all o.f the money back?

Ms FENTIMAN: As the member is aware, I am not at liberty to discuss cabinet-iQ.-copJidencep discussions, but you can see in the budget papers- ens " (;5,o:;IC~\'Yl , tV7~6'? I"'

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2302 Questions Without Notice 15 Jun 2016

That is just one project out of the $400 million Advancing Queensland Health infrastructure projects in this budget. There is a commitment of $230 million for hard infrastructure over five years . Our total infrastructure spend in Health this year will be $1.4 billion-a very significant investment not only in health infrastructure but also in terms of generating jobs across the length and breadth of Queensland.

In the Torres Strait we are redeveloping the Thursday Island Hospital. In Dimbulah, in the electorate of the honourable member for Dalrymple, we will be renovating the primary healthcare clinic. In Atherton we will redevelop the hospital, including a new emergency department and operating theatres.

I am delighted by the commitments made by the Deputy Premier out of the Significant Regional Infrastructure Projects Program: a primary health clinic at Palm Island that has been advocated for by the member for Townsville; a new paediatric ward in Townsville that has been advocated for by the member for Mundingburra, the member for Thuringowa and the member for Townsville; new Step Up Step Down facilities for Queenslanders transitioning back into the community after an acute mental health episode will be built in Gladstone, Bundaberg and Mackay-this is at a t ime when the federal government is about to slash money from transitional care for people with mental illness in Queensland-

Mr Madden: Shame.

Mr DICK: It is a shame. I take the interjection from the member for Ipswich West. On the Sunshine Coast we will safely open the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the Sunshine Coast Health Institute, unlike the members opposite instituted a risky opening of a children's hospital and a risky closing of an adolescent mental health centre.

The Rockhampton Hospital car park project will go out to tender later this year. This was advocated for by the member for Rockhampton and the member for Keppel. There is $12.7 million for an integrated community health centre in Wynnum. That was a project that was championed by the member for Lytton for a long time prior to the election and subsequent to the election.

This is a decent budget that delivers health care for Queenslanders and delivers infrastructure across the length and breadth of Queensland. It will deliver innovation. It will deliver jobs. It will deliver better health care for Queenslanders.

Mr SPEAKER: Before I call the member for Cairns, member for Mount Ommaney, you are warned under standing order 253A for your continual interjections.

Cairns Hospital, Nurse-to-Patient Ratio

Mr PYNE: My question is to the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services. Will the minister confirm that the government's safe nurse-to-patient ratio will apply at Cairns Hospital?

Mr DICK: The short answer is yes. From my recollection it was part of the regulation that was tabled as part of the debate on the safe nurse-to-patient ratio legislation. From my recollection we are rolling this out through medical and surgical wards in up to 28 hospitals across Queensland. If I recall correctly, Cairns is one of those hospitals. Delivering this in our large hospitals is really important as a starting point, I say to the member to Cairns. We will deliver it in our large hospitals to begin with. We are also delivering it in regional hospitals throughout Queensland. We are going to do it in a staged fashion.

The experience with nurse-to-patient ratio implementation in other jurisdictions-for example, in California-was that they implemented it across the health system, in both the public health system and the private health system. What happened was that the large tertiary hospitals drew in staff from across the health system and that, of course, made staffing unstable for smaller hospitals and regional hospitals. We are doing this in a stagea fashio

I will confirm this again for the member for Cairns, but my recollection is that Cairns is one of those hospitals-an important tertiary hospital in the Far North of our state. This is part of the commitment we made as a government at the last election.

We are talking about the budget. We know that the previous government removed 1,800 nurses and midwives. rt\Y"' JP ho_a,9 S::r°'2..k.. mP

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15 Jun 2016 Questions Without Notice 2303

Mr DICK: They did. I take the interjection from the member for Ashgrove and Minister for Education. They cut 1,800 nurses and midwives. This government committed to rebuilding the front line when it came to nurses and midwives.

Mr Springborg interjected.

Mr DICK: If I were the member for Southern Downs, I would not interject on anything.

Mr SPEAKER: Member for Southern Downs, you will have an opportunity to put a question to the minister about the issue that you are talking about-

Mr DICK: No, the member for Southern Downs-

Mr SPEAKER: No, it is not an opportunity for you to debate the issue.

Mr DICK: His legacy is that he cut 1,800 nurses and midwives and closed an adolescent health centre when it was risky. The commission of inquiry will report shortly on his conduct and that of the member for Clayfield when he was treasurer with regard to why they cut funds to the Barratt Adolescent Centre.

Mr SPEAKER: Minister, please ensure that your answer is relevant to the questions being asked.

Mr DICK: The legacy of the member for Southern Downs is clear. I will confirm that again. My understanding is that Cairns is part of that process.

Tourism

Mr CRAWFORD: Will the Minister for Tourism update the House on the Tourism Research Australia data released today and on any trends in Queensland tourism growth?

Ms JONES: It is a great day for Queensland and a great day for tourism in this state. I thank the member for the question, because today I am walking on sunshine and don't it feel good? Do members know why? We are seeing record growth in domestic tourism across this nation.

Opposition members interjected.

Ms JONES: For goodness sake, can members opposite not even see this as good news? Come on, give me something! We are beating NSW. We are beating Victoria. More Australians are choosing to holiday in Queensland than anywhere else and the member for Everton is still miserable!

Ms Trad: We know all about them. We know why you are sad.

Ms JONES: I will take the interjection from the Deputy Premier. We know why the member is sad. Again, by how many votes did he miss out? We know that for all his gloating the member for Clayfield only got there by two votes; but back to the great news for Queensland. We have seen nine per cent growth in domestic tourism, which means more Australians are choosing to holiday in Queensland. The member for Barron River is excited, like me-unlike the member for Everton-because we know that this means jobs for the people of Cairns, the Whitsundays , Mackay, Gladstone, Bundaberg-

Ms Trad: And Western Queensland.

Ms JONES: And Western Queensland. I again take the interjection from the Deputy Premier. The government has made it very clear that we see tourism as one of the growth industries in this state. Unlike the Leader of the Opposition when he was the treasurer cutting funding for tourism, we reinstated funding to ensure that we could grow this valuable sector. Far from knocking down the pi llar, we restored funding, and in the budget this week another $33.5 million was invested in tourism. We know that this means jobs. Unilaterally, in the last 24 hours the tourism industry has said what a great initiative this is.

Mr Ryan: Nine out of 1 O!

Ms JONES: I take that interjection from the member. We know that QTIC said this is nine out of 10. We are very proud that at every single step we are focusing on creating the jobs in the tourism industry. We understand that, by working with industry, we can grow tourism jobs. This is the kind of collaboration we need to advance our economy and to create stability for the future. We will always fight to grow jobs, both here and in the region. It was not only QTIC that referred to what a great job we are doing in regard to tourism.

Mr Nicholls interjected.

Ms JONES: I take the interjection from the member for Clayfield. I do not need self-praise: I have pages and pages of praise from industry.

Announced Priority Capital Program Projects

Cairns Hospital replace roof cladding Cairns Hospital upgrade central cooling plan North Rockhampton Nursing Centre kitchen upgrade Rockhampton Hospital clinical records safety works Barcaldine Hospital mechanical infrastructure uoarade Toowoomba Hospital Electrical Infrastructure Uoarade Bowen Community Health Proserpine Hospital Kitchen upgrade Sarina Hospital and Primary Health Care Centre kitchen upgrade Caboolture hospital uoarade of passenger lifts RBWH Replace Zitron fire indicator panels Cloncurry hospital mechanical uoarade and water treatment plant McKinlay Shire Multi-Purpose Health Service (Julia Creek Hospital) mechanical upgrade and water treatment plant Mount Isa Base Hospital Mechanical and electrical services upgrade Gympie hospital kitchen uoarade Gympie hospital pharmacy storage Gympie hospital replace main ward block emergency generator Nambour hospital Upgrade to helicopter landing site Cunnamulla Hospital kitchen upgrade lnjune Multi-Purpose Health Service kitchen upgrade lnjune Multi-Purpose Health Service upgrade mains and fire safety Roma Hospital Critical service delivery functions Dauan Island Primary Health Care Centre refurbishment Masig (Yorke) Island Primary Health Care Centre refurbishment Poruma (Coconut) Island Primary Health Care Centre refurbishment St Pauls Community Primary Health Care Centre refurbishment Thursday Island Helipad Fire Suppression system rectification works Torres and Cape HHS electrical upgrades Ugar (Stephen) Island Primary Health Care Centre refurbishment Eventide Aged Care Complex, Charters Towers kitchen upgrade Townsville Hospital Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Unit Townsville Hospital Refurbish the pharmacy clean rooms Maryborough Hospital Air conditioning upgrades Maryborough Hospital upgrade electrical switchboards Wide Bay HHS kitchen upgrades at 4 sites Boonah Hospital replacement air conditioning Ipswich Hospital lifts and car park life cycle replacement Ipswich Hospital Integrated Mental Health Unit, High Dependency Unit

Other projects are in the approval process.

Additional information subsequent to the hearing providing

clarification and corrections

• Letter from Director-General, Queensland Health dated 28 July 2016 clarifying response following review of hearing transcript

• Letter from Director-General, Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services correcting response to question eight taken on notice prior to the hearing




No. 08


QUESTION


Can the Minister advise what proportion of the total NDIS funding for Queensland will be taken up by employee expenses?

ANSWER

The Bilateral Agreement between the Commonwealth and Queensland for the transition to an National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) outlines the total NDIS funding for Queensland as follows:

Transition Queensland

$m Commonwealth

$m Total $m 2016–17 136.9 100.2 237.1 2017–18 548.9 409.7 958.6 2018–19 1,543.3 1,163.0 2,706.3 Total 2,229.1 1,672.9 3,902.0

The Heads of Agreement between the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments on the NDIS outlines the total NDIS funding for Queensland at full scheme 2019–20

Full Scheme Queensland

$m Commonwealth

$m Total $m

2,030.0 2,140.0 4,170.0

Total NDIS funding for Queensland over the Budget forward estimates is $8.072 billion.

It is not possible to specify the proportion of this total NDIS funding that may be taken up by employee expenses given this will depend on the number of participants to the Scheme, the packages they receive, the services they may access, rates charged by those services and the total wages paid by the National Disability Insurance Agency and the providers of the services to Queensland participants in the scheme.

In relation to Queensland’s funding contribution identified in the 2016–17 Service Delivery Statements, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services has funded the required cash contribution to the NDIS in 2016–17 of $129.5 million from a combination of additional funds provided to the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (DCCSDS) for the NDIS, growth funds to DCCSDS, supplies and services and contributions from other Queensland Government Departments.

During 2016–17 there will be no employee expenses contributed towards the NDIS.

Documents

2016-2017 Budget Estimates Volume of Additional Information€¦ · 21/07/16 11.4 Ms S Moran, Estimates Team, Cabinet & Parliamentary Services Unit, Office of the Director - General,