Queensland is the most decentralised state in Australia.
It would make sense for the State Government to take this into account when making decisions to ensure our rural and remote communities do not lose out. And yet, surprisingly, there has never been a compact, accord or agreement struck between the state’s rural communities and any Queensland Government, no matter its colour.
That’s right. Never.
I struggle to understand how or why this is the case, especially given the Country Party held the reins in this state for more than three consecutive decades in the latter half of the 20th century. I am reliably told by surviving figures from that era that such a compact wasn't needed, given the make-up and mindset of the state and of the government at the time. Fast forward to today and it is a very different situation.
At best there are only about a dozen truly rural MPs in the 93-seat State Parliament. The majority of remaining electorates are in the southeast corner of the state, where 80 per cent of the population growth has occurred. We have annual public reports on the State of the Environment, Closing the Gap and other critically important issues, yet there is nothing to regularly measure the impact of government policy and government spending on rural Queensland. Hence your Policy Executive’s determination late last year to right that wrong by endorsing the formulation of a Bush Councils Compact, a move then endorsed by you at Annual Conference.
This compact is not a wish list of funding asks. It is a high-level agreement designed to guarantee minimum standards for bush communities. This compact will require the State to actively ensure it has Queensland’s rural communities foremost in its thinking when making decisions. It will ensure the Government considers how every piece of legislation, every Cabinet submission, will impact bush communities.
This compact will ensure the Government recognises the unique challenges and opportunities facing bush councils and facilitates policy development, resource allocation and reporting to ensure these communities are not being left behind. Early advocacy was underway at the beginning of the year before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. We are now back on track and will be reaching out to our members to help us finalise the compact before it is formally put to all political parties for consideration.
To that end, the LGAQ has appointed respected former media executive and State Government policy director Mr Michael Prain on a three-month contract to help us further develop and “socialise” the Bush Councils Compact with all sides of politics. We will be consulting with you, our members, as well as speaking to grower groups and other rural peak bodies.
Billions will not fall from the sky but, with good and consistent advocacy over the next 25 years, together we can lift the liveability of bush communities. Let’s fill a big gap in public policymaking.
And the winners are…
Finally, this week I want to congratulate the two winners of the LGAQ’s Better Communities App planning competition for primary and high school students: Anika from Smithfield State High School and Victor from Oonoonba State School.
Well done.