Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull s full responses to the #goqld Action Plan

Transcription

1 Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull s full responses to the #goqld Action Plan BUILD LIFT INFRASTRUCTURE SPEND Restore the State Government s infrastructure spend in the Budget to the 10-year average of 4.25 per cent of GSP. Mr TurnbulL: The Coalition has committed almost $14 billion in essential road and rail infrastructure in Queensland since coming to Office representing a significant proportion of our total national infrastructure spend. We have made new commitments to Queensland through the Budget including $200 million to upgrade Ipswich Motorway. We will continue to invest in growth and jobs in the State. SET A TARGET FOR MARKET-LED PROPOSALS Fast-track to approval every year four market-led proposals worth more than $100m each. Set clear timeframes for assessment and approvals process. Mr Turnbull: Establishing an infrastructure financing unit to work closely with the private sector on innovative financing solutions. $50 million to accelerate planning and development works on major infrastructure projects to develop business cases and investment options. TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF INFRASTRUCTURE Establish a standing infrastructure authority to oversee the planning and delivery of major projects. To be modelled on the Cross-River Rail delivery authority, but with a broader role and an overview role including ensuring projects are developed in the context of specific precincts. Mr Turnbull: Governments should make greater use of well-regulated market based solutions to make our infrastructure more efficient and improve productivity Infrastructure Australia evaluates major projects including approaches taken on planning and delivery and alignment with state and national priorities. The Coalition when it came to Government strengthened the independence of Infrastructure Australia by making it an independent statutory authority, governed by an independent Board and CEO. OPEN UP LAND FOR IRRIGATION

2 Queensland projects to secure at least 30 per cent of the Federal Government s $2 billion water infrastructure loan facility. Mr Turnbull: Through the expressions of interest process for the feasibility round of the $509.5 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, it is clear that Queensland has the most demand and opportunity for new water infrastructure of any state. While the specific conditions of the facility are yet to be finalised, only state and territory governments will be eligible to apply for loans directly. It is expected that governments may partner with other organisations in the delivery of projects. The loans facility will be demand driven and will complement the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund. The Commonwealth will contribute up to 50 per cent of the cost of a project, including loans and grants. ENSURE FAST-SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIVITY NBN to provide specific rollout dates for all regions and expand the footprint for fixed wireless to relieve pressure on the satellite network. Mr Turnbull: The Coalition has delivered on its pledge to get the NBN roll out back on track and ensure all Australians can access fast, affordable broadband. We are on track to having 1 in 4 premises upgraded by June 30 and 3 in 4 by mid Today close to two million homes and businesses can access the NBN and there are more than 900,000 active users. Our changes will save the project $30 billion and will see the project delivered six to eight years sooner Timely commitments should be given to construct: The Townsville Stadium and Entertainment Precinct Cruise ship terminal for the Gold Coast New river-mouth cruise ship terminal for Brisbane Sunshine Coast Airport upgrade Alternative roads to the Bruce Highway between Caboolture and Caloundra Alternative to the M1 from Beenleigh to Nerang The North West Transport Corridor through northern Brisbane The duplication of the North Coast railway line between Beerburrum and Landsborough

3 Mr Turnbull: Our largest contribution to any project in Australia is allocating $6.7 billion to the Bruce Highway. Queensland, compared with other states, is getting one of the largest shares of spending from the Turnbull Government s record $50 billion infrastructure investment programme. TEACH STEM FOCUS Greater effort devoted to science, technology, engineering and mathematics outcomes in high school, focussing on both student and teacher outcomes. Mr Turnbull: Growing opportunities for students to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) subjects is critical for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Seventy-five per cent of the fastest growing industries require STEM skills. That is why the Turnbull Government s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda is investing in measures that promote STEM from the earliest years (through our support for the Little Scientists and Let s Count programs), through school (supporting ICT summer schools and ICT teachers in disadvantaged schools; targeted computing classes for students in years 5 and 7; and coding and digital literacy across the curriculum), to higher education and research (we are investing $2.3 billion over the next decade in critical research infrastructure to support our world-leading scientists, and increasing links with key economies). Only one in four IT graduates and fewer than one in 10 engineering graduates are women. Women occupy fewer than one in five senior researcher positions in Australian universities and research institutes, and around one quarter of the STEM workforce overall. That is why we are investing $13 million to encourage women to participate in STEM in the early years and pursue STEM careers. Increasing the pipeline of female STEM graduates will help to improve gender-equity in STEM organisations. While Australian universities produce world-class research, Australia consistently ranks last among OECD countries for business research collaboration. That is why we are increasing research funding and refocussing university block grants toward collaboration with industry. The Australian Government s new Innovation Connection program will also invest $18 million in a range of initiatives to increase business-research collaboration, including making matched grants available to support graduate and postgraduate researchers being placed in businesses. The Turnbull Government also recently announced $2 million for an initiative from the Australian Mathematical and Science Institute to embed PhD students across industry to better understand the industry workforce and to be jobready. Through these measures the Australian Government is increasing participation in STEM to ensure that more Australians are equipped with the skills to capitalise on the new opportunities being created by Australia s changing economy. ATTRACT MORE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO QUEENSLAND Develop and implement a five-year strategy to lift Queensland s share of foreign students studying in Australia to 20 per cent by Mr Turnbull: With almost 70,000 international students enrolled in courses with Queensland education providers, international education is a significant opportunity for the Sunshine State. International education is Australia s largest services export in Queensland alone it is worth more than $2.8 billion and creates the equivalent of almost 25,000 full time jobs. These benefits are not confined to the cities of all states

4 and territories Queensland has the highest proportion of its total international student enrolments in regional campuses, with 10% of students studying outside of the greater Brisbane and Gold Coast regions. The Turnbull Government is backing this economic powerhouse industry for Queensland and the rest of the country with a new $12 million National Strategy for International Education The Strategy sets out a 10-year plan for developing Australia s role as a global leader in education, training and research. The National Strategy for International Education 2025 is part of the Turnbull Government s plan for jobs and growth, which includes opening up more export opportunities through trade agreements that are already delivering new jobs and markets for Australian producers, manufacturers and service providers, including schools, universities and training organisations. The Turnbull Government is also making it easier for businesses to attract and retain innovative and entrepreneurial talent. As part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, we are introducing a new Entrepreneurs Visa with a pathway for permanent residency for entrepreneurs with financial backing from a third party. We are also introducing pathways to permanent residency for research postgraduates with STEM and ICT qualifications to retain these valuable skills that are growing Australia s 21 st century economy. As Australia transitions to a knowledge and service-based economy, the Turnbull Government's plan for economic growth will grow our international education sector over the coming decade. TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENGINEERS Introduce a scheme to subsidise possibly via payroll tax exemptions for larger businesses companies that provide placement and trainee jobs for students in engineering and related fields. Mr Turnbull: Growing opportunities for students to study STEM subjects is critical for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The jobs of the future will increasingly rely on STEM skills, with some estimates being as high as 75%. That is why the Turnbull Government s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda is investing in measures that promote and increase participation in STEM from the earliest years (through our support for the Little Scientists and Let s Count programs), through school (supporting ICT summer schools and ICT teachers in disadvantaged schools; targeted computing classes for students in years 5 and 7; and coding and digital literacy across the curriculum), to higher education and research (investing in critical research infrastructure to support Australia s world-leading scientists and increasing links with key economies). While Australian universities produce world-class research, Australia consistently ranks last among OECD countries for business research collaboration. That is why we are increasing research funding and refocussing university block grants toward collaboration with industry. The Australian Government s new Innovation Connection program will also invest $18 million in a range of initiatives to increase business-research collaboration, including making matched grants available to support graduate and postgraduate researchers being placed in businesses. Through these measures the Australian Government is increasing participation in STEM to ensure that more Australians are equipped with the skills to capitalise on the new opportunities being created by Australia s changing economy. RETRAIN OLDER QUEENSLANDERS Fund a targeted program to re-train mature workers in industries identified as growth sectors. Mr Turnbull: The Budget provides over $330 million in targeted spending on new jobs initiatives aimed at employers and young job seekers to support the transition to work. Incentives for employers will also help mature age job seekers back into work.

5 The Intergenerational Report outlines the need to drive economic growth by increasing participation in the workforce. This means we must find ways to help and encourage those outside the workforce to enter or return to work. Since the Government was elected nearly a quarter of a million new jobs have been created. The Government is getting the economic fundamentals right, reducing red tape and building confidence in the economy. We are creating the best conditions to support employers to create jobs and ensure that job seekers have the opportunities they need. Young people in particular tend to have less education, skills and experience. Many young people are still looking to get their foot in the door, whilst others have disengaged from education and work. Action is needed to ensure these young Australians are not at risk of being long-term unemployed, welfare dependent and disconnected from society. This is especially the case for young Australians facing multiple barriers, including mental health concerns. Many older workers also need support to remain in employment longer or to return to work if they choose. The Government has announced the new jobactive employment services which improves services for job seekers and employers and is more focused on results. It will achieve this with a balance of obligations, incentives and assistance to help more job seekers into work. ATTRACT BETTER TARGET CHINESE TOURISTS Focus attention on the second-tier Chinese cities with populations of 5 million to 10 million., with new direct air routes and marketing campaigns. Increase number of days spent in Queensland and average expenditure Mr Turnbull: China remained Queensland's largest source market in terms of visitor expenditure and second largest market by visitor numbers (behind New Zealand). Chinese visitation to Queensland increased 20.8% to 399,000, with the beneficiaries of this growth being Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Tropical North Queensland and the Whitsundays. Expenditure by Chinese visitors to Queensland also grew 50.8% to $956.5 million. The Turnbull Government s Budget commits $12 million over four years to support the implementation of Australia s National Strategy for International Education 2025 backing one of our five key economic super-growth sectors. DECENTRALISE THE PUBLIC SERVICE Government commitment to locate any new public service authorities/units outside the Brisbane CBD such as the Sunshine Coast or regional cities. Mr Turnbull: The Government has a range of measures to strengthen regional economies to create jobs and help local business grow.

6 This can include a consideration, on a case by case basis, of opportunities that present themselves to relocate some public services to regional centres, where it makes sense to. This is a matter is determined on a case by case basis with by relevant agencies. SELL DOUBLE THE MINING SERVICES SECTOR Support the growth of Queensland's mining services industry to double revenue and employment over the next five years Mr Turnbull: As announced in the Budget, the Government will provide $100 million to fund the Exploring for the Future programme. This programme will deliver new pre-competitive geoscience to assist industry in better targeting areas likely to contain the next major oil, gas and mineral deposits. The programme is designed to address Australia s declining share of global exploration expenditure and to maintain a pipeline of resource development in this country. In doing so, the programme will provide us with new insights into the resource potential of much of Australia, of which around 80% remains underexplored. It will also use innovative techniques to provide information on potential resources beneath the surface rocks and at greater depths than has previously been the case. It will be delivered through Geoscience Australia over the next four years. The METSs sector will particularly benefit as the programme draws on private sector expertise in the undertaking of various data acquisition, analysis and delivery projects over the next four years. This in turn will reduce the risk of further exploration and facilitate additional investment. Government provision of pre-competitive information has the potential to have a major multiplier effect, with estimates of returns in excess of $20 for every dollar invested. ESTABLISH TWO VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDS TO COMMERCIALISE IDEAS Develop jointly-owned Chinese-Queensland venture capital funds to commercial R&D in key skill areas such as biotech. Mr Turnbull: The Turnbull Government is backing our world-leading researchers and driving investment in R&D by establishing new venture capital funds.

7 As part of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, a new $250 million Biomedical Translation Fund will support the commercialisation of medical research and make it easier for our scientists and biomedical researchers to access the early stage capital they need to take more research from the lab to hospitals and medical clinics. A new $200 million CSIRO Innovation Fund is also being established to deliver more commercial outcomes from Australian research by making it easier for researchers to access the investment they need build new businesses. Researchers in Australia often find it difficult to attract the early stage funding to turn their research into a commercial reality. Building on the Biomedical Translation Fund, the CSIRO Innovation Fund will make it easier for scientists and researchers from all research disciplines from medicine to agriculture to access the early stage funding they need to test their research, take it to market and grow a business. The Turnbull Government is also providing new incentives for people to invest in venture capital funds. Through changes to early stage venture funds (Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnerships), investors will now be able to access a 10% non-refundable tax-offset and invest more, with the amount able to be invested in these funds doubling to $200 million under the Turnbull Government. These changes are driving more investment in venture capital in Australia and making it easier for our scientists and researchers to access the capital they need to commercialise Australia s world-leading ideas and discoveries. BECOME A WORLD LEADER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY Aggressively meet existing renewable energy targets and consider expanding them with an emphasis on local technology, research and expertise. Mr Turnbull: The Turnbull Coalition Government supports a sensible and measured transition to renewables which does not impose unnecessary costs on Australian families, pensioners and small businesses, and in a way which looks after affected communities. It was the Coalition who reinvigorated the sector after it was left in disarray by the Rudd- Gillard Governments. Since the Coalition Government brought stability and confidence to the sector, more than 700MW of new investments have been announced. The independent Clean Energy Regulator stated in its Annual Statement released on 4 May that Australia was on track to meet the 2020 renewable energy target. Australians should be proud of their record on renewable energy we are the world leaders in solar panels on houses, with 15% having invested in solar double the next highest. More than 2.5 million solar installations are on the roofs of Australian homes and businesses. 500,000 of those have been installed since the Coalition Government was elected in 2013.

8 Just last week Origin Energy and FRV announced a new 100MW solar farm in Queensland. The Turnbull Coalition Government s approach is clear. It will encourage investment in renewable and clean energy projects, which will not only deliver better projects and outcomes but also make a return for taxpayers. EXPORT NODES Set a target for the number of primary produce export flights out of the Wellcamp airport in Toowoomba, developing the Darling Downs region as an export hub. Replicate the private air freight model developed there in other key regional centres. Mr Turnbull: With annual agricultural production of more than $660 million, Wellcamp Airport is set to become a major international air freight hub for the Toowoomba region. Cathay Pacific s recent Boeing 747 flight to Hong Kong had opened the door to direct access to the Asian market. Local producers should be commended for taking advantage of the opportunity provided by one of the world s leading international air cargo carriers. These are exciting times for local farmers and we anticipate endless possibilities for the Toowoomba region and the future has never been brighter. International flights from Wellcamp would give local producers faster access to their key markets. For many it would mean the difference between a next day delivery and having to send produce first to ports like Sydney. Cathay Pacific Airways, Southwest Pacific general manager Nelson Chin said the flight had attracted a great deal of interest from local freight forwarders. It is exciting to see so much highly-sought after produce and equipment on board this special flight, he said. Fast facts: In November, the Toowoomba region supplied 80% of all avocados sold in Australia. Toowoomba region egg producers account for about 85% of Queensland s total egg production. The largest agriculture commodities exported from the Toowoomba region are grains (including sorghum, corn and other cereals) and meat and meat products (including beef, lamb, edible offal, tallow and hides). Produce like lettuce, seedless watermelons and avocados are also currently exported in small quantities. Australia s leading producer of organic free-range chicken is located in the region. Also, one of the leading poultry farmers and egg producers in Australia is near Toowoomba.

9 An average year sees exports of grain and meat from the Toowoomba region as follows: Grain: 13,955 TEU (standard twenty foot shipping container) Meat: 13,000 TEU REVAMP TRADE MISSIONS: Review and refine our overseas trade office presence, with an emphasis on a closer and more proactive engagement with regional Queensland and the SME sector. Mr Turnbull: SMEs are at the heart of the Coalition s effort to boost jobs and growth with new export opportunities. We have increased engagement with Queensland SMEs to support them in making the most of the opportunities from our new free trade agreements with China, Japan and Korea. A national roadshow of free trade agreement seminars was launched on the Gold Coast and in Queensland has so far travelled to Brisbane twice, as well as Rockhampton, Gladstone, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, and Bundaberg. 123 businesses from Queensland joined the Minister for Trade and Investment, Queenslander Steven Ciobo, on the largest ever trade mission to China last month. Eight TradeStart offices across Queensland, delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government, provide support to small and medium sized exporters. Offices are located in: Gold Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. Services include advice on international market entry, cultural tips on doing business overseas, and referrals to specialist legal and business advice. REFORM REMOVE RESTRICTIVE AND ANTI-COMPETITIVE REGULATION Hold a root-and-branch review of outdated regulation that restricts businesses ability to innovate, invest and employ. This would include laws that restrict retail trading hours, liquor trading restrictions, pharmacy regulation, taxi and hire car services (allowing for new entrants such as Uber). Mr Turnbull: Small business has told the Government that a key impediment to growth is unnecessary red tape and regulation. As of March 2015, the Government has announced reforms to generate more than $2.45 billion in annual red tape savings. This includes changes to the entry thresholds for Pay-As-You-Go instalments, benefiting 447,000 small businesses.

10 The Government will reduce red tape within the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) system by expanding the FBT exemption for work-related portable electronic devices. This will help small business employees stay connected in the digital economy. REFORM PENALTY RATE STRUCTURES Streamline the existing regime so that weekend and public holiday penalty rates are broadly aligned, allowing for increased investment in key job-creating sectors such as hospitality and retail. Mr Turnbull: Setting weekend and public holiday penalty rates is a matter for the Fair Work Commission, not Government. The Federal Government s clear and consistent position is that responsibility for setting award wages and conditions, including penalty rates, sits with the independent workplace umpire, the Fair Work Commission, not Government. TIGHTEN AND STREAMLINE THE APPEALS PROCESS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES Overhaul the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to expedite legal challenges and prevent protracted lawfare being waged by activist groups. Mr Turnbull: The Australian Government is delivering a One-Stop Shop for environmental approvals that will accredit state planning systems under national environmental law, to create a single environmental assessment and approval process for nationally protected matters. The policy aims to simplify the approvals process for businesses, lead to swifter decisions and improve Australia's investment climate, while maintaining high environmental standards.