EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 1
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to Page 2 of the SDS, can the Minister advise what additional and renewed infrastructure is being specifically delivered by the Queensland Government to support Homework Centres, and in which specific schools and geographical regions?
ANSWER:
As part of a 2020 election commitment, the Palaszczuk Government is investing $8 million over four years to deliver up to 120 Homework Centres.
The $8 million is to fund additional teacher aide wages as well as extra resources to support operations, including provision of healthy snacks for participating students. In 2021–22, 270 teacher aide hours have been provided to each of the 120 state schools to support Homework Centre implementation.
The Homework Centres have been successful in supporting students and their families, with positive feedback received by participating school principals. Feedback includes alleviating pressure on families, additional support for students and positive impacts on staff and student relationships.
The funding is not intended for minor infrastructure works and participating schools have been able to use existing infrastructure to accommodate Homework Centres on school sites.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 2
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to Page 2 of the SDS, and the Queensland Government’s Student Wellbeing Package, how many General Practitioners are employed in Queensland Schools, listed by school; how many occasions of clinical service have been provided over the last 12 months, and how many General Practitioners are to be employed in the 2022-23 Financial Year?
ANSWER:
As part of the $106.7 million committed over three years for the Student Wellbeing Package, the Palaszczuk Government has committed $11.4 million for the GPs in Schools Pilot (the Pilot). The original commitment was for 20 pilot schools, but given the interest from schools the pilot was expanded with additional funding to include 50 schools across the State. The Pilot is supporting 50 Queensland state schools with secondary-aged students to provide students with free access to a General Practitioner (GP) one day per week on school grounds.
GPs working in schools as part of the Pilot are not employed by the Department of Education. Rather, schools participating in the Pilot enter into local agreements with a GP to deliver a service in their school.
32 schools have an agreement with a GP and commenced providing a service to students in 2021–22, which are shown in the table at Attachment 1. With 32 GPs in Schools now up and running, the Palaszczuk Government has already met and exceeded our original election commitment.
Prior to providing a GP service to students, schools undertook extensive planning and preparation, including:
sourcing a suitable GP with capacity to provide a service in their school as part of the Pilot;
using the $20,000 provided through the Pilot to contribute to the costs of establishing a fit-for-purpose GP clinic on school grounds; and
liaising with students and the broader school community to ensure implementation of the GP service in the school aligns with student and family needs.
The remaining 18 schools are expected to finalise an agreement with a GP and commence providing a GP service to students in 2022–23.
As part of a formal external evaluation of the Pilot commencing in 2022–23, the department will collect data from Pilot schools about the uptake of GP services by students. This will include the number of GP appointments students have attended at school-based GP clinics.
Feedback from Pilot schools already providing a GP service to students is very positive. Many schools report their GP has a full day of student appointments. GPs report seeing students for a wide range of issues, including those related to mental health; sexual and reproductive health; and chronic health conditions.
ATTACHMENT 1
Pilot schools with an agreement with a GP
School name Region
Sarina State High School Central Queensland Harristown State High School Darling Downs South West Murgon State High School Darling Downs South West St George State High School Darling Downs South West Tara Shire State College Darling Downs South West Gordonvale State High School Far North Queensland Ravenshoe P-12 State School Far North Queensland Trinity Bay State High School Far North Queensland Bracken Ridge State High School Metropolitan Bremer State High School Metropolitan Brisbane South State Secondary College Metropolitan Brisbane State High School Metropolitan Everton Park State High School Metropolitan Ipswich State High School Metropolitan Milpera State High School Metropolitan Bundaberg North State High School North Coast Dakabin State High School North Coast Deception Bay State High School North Coast Maryborough State High School North Coast Redcliffe State High School North Coast Heatley Secondary College North Coast Alexandra Hills State High School South East Beaudesert State High School South East Beenleigh State High School South East Benowa State High School South East Helensvale State High School South East Loganlea State High School South East Marsden State High School South East Merrimac State High School South East Park Ridge State High School South East Wellington Point State High School South East Woodridge State High School South East
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 3
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to Page 11 of the SDS and Staffing, will the Minister advise the number of teachers employed in each region for each calendar year, from 2017-2021?
ANSWER:
The table below provides the number of teachers (FTE) for each year and education region, as at 31 March each year.
MOHRI Teacher FTE Quarter 1 – 2017 to 2021 by Region
Region 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Central Office 20.00 36.00 37.10 67.20 75.50 Central Queensland 3,988.44 4,044.21 4,109.25 4,116.64 4,095.40 Darling Downs South West 3,783.23 3,822.18 3,921.80 3,899.54 3,912.86 Far North Queensland 3,118.12 3,193.37 3,285.94 3,271.10 3,274.36 Metropolitan 11,951.12 12,516.71 12,922.23 13,355.39 13,589.04 North Coast 9,257.98 9,479.90 9,700.98 9,770.30 9,759.03 North Queensland 2,915.99 3,008.45 3,029.82 2,995.51 3,011.91 South East 9,336.05 9,624.38 9,883.81 9,934.98 10,031.31 Total Teachers 44,370.93 45,725.20 46,890.93 47,410.66 47,749.41
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 4
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to SDS page 11, Student and Staff Health and Safety, from 1 January 2017, how many reports (including critical incidents and other reports) have involved: a) drug related incidents within Queensland state schools; and b) weapon related incidents within Queensland state schools.
ANSWER:
Staff from the Department of Education work hard to ensure the safety of the more than 575,000 students studying in Queensland state schools.
Over the five-year period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2021, the number of drug related incidents reported in Queensland state schools, including for legal substances such as tobacco, was 20,631. This equates to just over 4120 incidents per year across 1258 schools. It is important to note that the number of incidents does not reflect the number of students engaging in these behaviours as some students will be represented in the data more than once.
Over the five-year period from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2021, the number of weapons related incidents reported in Queensland state schools was 3193. This equates to just over 630 incidents per year.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 5
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to Page 43 of the Capital Statement, will the Minister advise the amount of funding that will be provided for the Independent Schools Program in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026, reported separately by year.
ANSWER:
The Department of Education’s budget includes $12.5 million in 2022–23 and $12.5 million per annum in each of the outyears for the Independent Public Schools program.
Over the 10 years from 2012–13 to 2021–22, $113.68 million has been invested in the initiative, which includes $100.8 million in Queensland Government funding and $12.88 million in Australian Government funding.
The table below demonstrates the funding provided each year from 2012–13 to 2021–22.
Year State
Funding ($m)
Federal Funding
($m) Total ($m)
2012–13 2.60 - 2.60 2013–14 6.70 1.84 8.54 2014–15 7.00 3.68 10.68 2015–16 9.00 3.68 12.68 2016–17 13.00 3.68 16.68 2017–18 12.50 - 12.50 2018–19 12.50 - 12.50 2019–20 12.50 - 12.50 2020–21 12.50 - 12.50 2021–22 12.50 - 12.50 TOTAL 100.80 12.88 113.68
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 6
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to Page 17 of the SDS and user charges and fees, will the Minister advise a) How many right-to-information (RTI) requests have been received by the Department of Education each year since 2015, reported separately by year, b) How many applications were finalised resulting in the release of documents, c) the average time taken to process an RTI application by the Department of Education and d) the average annual cost of a completed RTI application, reported separately by year from 2015-2021?
ANSWER:
The Department of Education collects data for the Right to Information and Information Privacy Annual Report (Annual Report) as required by section 185 of the Right to Information Act 2009 and section 8 of the Right to Information Regulation 2009.
The amount of fees and charges received under the Right to Information Act 2009 for each financial period is included in the Annual Report as required by section 8(j) of the Right to Information Regulation 2009.
The Annual Reports for the financial period 2015 to 2021 can be found on the Queensland Government Right to Information and Information Privacy website at www.rti.qld.gov.au/ accessing-government-information/annual-reports-rti.
The department is currently collating the data for the 2021–22 Annual Report, which is due to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General by 29 July 2022.
The 2021–22 Annual Report will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly in line with usual process.
The department does not collect data that would enable it to calculate the time to process a Right to Information application or cost of a completed Right to Information application and therefore is unable to provide averages.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 7
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
Regarding Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Inspectors, could the Minister advise: a) the number employed as of 1 July 2021 (headcount, not FTE), b) the number employed as of 30 June 2022 (headcount, not FTE), c) the number of resignations during the 2021/22 financial year, d) the number of sick days taken during the 2021/22 financial year, and e) the number of mental health claims (WorkCover) lodged during the 2021/22 financial year.
ANSWER:
a) As at 1 July 2021, the total number of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) Inspectors (headcount) employed was 226.
b) As at 30 June 2022, the total number of WHSQ Inspectors (headcount) was 216.
c) During 2021–22, 14 WHSQ Inspectors resigned.
d) During 2021–22, 2476 sick days were taken by WHSQ Inspectors. This figure includes 18 Inspectors who have taken sick leave for periods between four to 12 weeks. It also includes seven inspectors who have accessed 12 or more weeks of sick leave on the basis of serious and long-term illness. Further, this figure also includes COVID-19 related sick leave. In accordance with the Employment Arrangements in the Event of a Health Pandemic (Directive 01/20), public sector workers must exhaust sick leave accruals prior to accessing Pandemic Leave for themselves or to care for family members with the virus. The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) reported an average of 12.2 days in 2020–211.
e) There were four psychological claims lodged with Workcover Queensland for the financial year 2021–22. This includes two of which have been accepted and two still have the decision pending.
1 Appendix 5: Unscheduled absence | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 8
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to Racing Queensland and Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, will the Minister provide the following for each organisation for the 2021/22 financial year in relation to consultancies (in tabular form): a) The name of the organisation procured to undertake the consultancy; b) The purpose of procuring the consultancy; and c) The dollar value spent on the consultancy?
ANSWER:
Racing Queensland and the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission have provided details of their respective consultancies during 2021–22, as per the tables in Attachment 1.
ATTACHMENT 1
Racing Queensland
Organisation Purpose of the Consultancy Spend ($) Aon Risk Services Australia Professional/Technical 22,500 Australis Asset Advisory Group Finance/Accounting 4,340 BDO Services Pty Ltd Finance/Accounting 63,638 Covey Associates Pty Ltd Professional/Technical 11,140 David Allan Consulting Engineer Pty Ltd Professional/Technical 35,800
Equifax Australasia Credit Ratings Pty Ltd Finance/Accounting 18,934
Gemba Group Professional/Technical 57,500 IER Pty Ltd Professional/Technical 127,126 KPMG Australia Professional/Technical 175,126 KRI Accounting Finance/Accounting 9,900 Mercer Consulting Australia Pty Ltd Human resources management 4,800 MI Associates Pty Ltd Professional/Technical 25,000 Nielsen Sports Pty Ltd Professional/Technical 6,680 Open Door Consulting P/L Communications 60,000 Rowland Pty Ltd Professional/Technical 36,853 We Are Unity Pty Ltd Human resources management 59,940 Total 719,277
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission
Organisation Purpose of the Consultancy Spend ($)
Forensic Accident Investigation Services
Forensic Investigation report – WHS Prosecution matter – Redcliffe Harness incident.
2,474
Workplace Edge
Functional review of corporate services, veterinary services and stewarding, licensing and registration and animal welfare services within QRIC.
91,008
Total 93,482
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 9
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to expenditure by the Department of Education on relief teachers and other temporary education staff: (a) What was the expenditure for the years 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21
and 2021-22 reported separately by year? (b) For 2021-22, what was the expenditure on relief teachers and other temporary education
staff due to staff being suspended without pay because of the COVID-19 vaccine mandates?
ANSWER:
(a) The expenditure for relief teachers and other temporary education staff for the 2015–16 to the 2021–22 financial years is provided in the table below.
Financial Year Type Teachers
1 Public Servants Teacher
Aides Cleaners Total 2,3,4
2015–16 Casual $97.349 M $17.482 M $44.289 M $24.276 M $183.396 M
Temp $558.167 M $177.683 M $155.884 M $7.903 M $899.638 M
2016–17 Casual $101.592 M $18.151 M $45.474 M $24.002 M $189.220 M
Temp $564.659 M $197.949 M $175.959 M $8.238 M $946.805 M
2017–18 Casual $110.524 M $16.840 M $44.493 M $23.786 M $195.643 M
Temp $582.028 M $201.715 M $189.531 M $10.113 M $983.388 M
2018–19 Casual $115.949 M $17.255 M $44.782 M $26.027 M $204.013 M
Temp $608.209 M $196.635 M $187.465 M $11.774 M $1.004 B
2019–20 Casual $113.507 M $17.845 M $48.706 M $32.273 M $212.330 M
Temp $619.546 M $203.245 M $202.807 M $15.734 M $1.041 B
2020–21 Casual $115.229 M $14.617 M $41.258 M $40.548 M $211.653 M
Temp $545.120 M $166.951 M $170.546 M $20.045 M $902.662 M
2021–22 Casual $117.601 M $15.446 M $43.101 M $39.262 M $215.410 M
Temp $541.833 M $134.374 M $132.133 M $24.171 M $832.511 M Notes: 1. Teacher casuals are replacement (relief) teachers (TRS). 2. Both Non-Financial and Financial FTEs have been included. 3. Workers’ Compensation on-costs have not been included, as this is a department wide cost, and cannot be separately
identified. 4. Note that when comparing costs between years, annual Enterprise Bargaining wage increases of 2.5% are reflected in
2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19 and 2019–20 from the anniversary date of the Certified Agreements. A wage freeze occurred in 2020–21. In 2021–22, there were two 2.5% increases—on the Certified Agreements anniversary date and again six months later.
(b) The Department of Education does not keep itemised data about the number of relief teachers and other temporary education staff who were engaged solely for the purpose of backfilling other staff who were suspended due to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 10
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to spending on upgrading regional and rural racetracks to a standard so that they qualify to hold annual race meets, will the Minister advise what funding was provided in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 budgets, reported separately, and the actual expenditure in 2021-22?
ANSWER:
Under the existing government Country Racing Program investment, approved for a further two years until 2022–23, $2.6 million a year is provided for infrastructure grants. Committed infrastructure funding is rolled over to subsequent years.
This is in addition to the $15 million a year provided to support prize money, bonuses, club meeting payments, jockey riding fees, superannuation and WorkCover expenses, making a total of almost $106 million to country racing over six years.
2021–23 Country Racing Program Infrastructure
Funding under CRP Actual* (including RQ spend)
2021–22 $2.6M $3.22M
2022–23 $2.6M Not yet available
* As per CRP Rounds 1-3 Final Report
As at 20 June 2022*, actual expenditure on Country Racing Program infrastructure projects in 2021–22 was $3,222,541 comprising $2,352,329 of Country Racing Program funding and an additional Racing Queensland spend of $870,212.
$1.07 million in committed Country Racing Program funding, from earlier rounds of the infrastructure program, will be rolled over to 2022–23, to facilitate completion of projects.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 11
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 2 of the Department of Education SDS and its reference to new schools, can the Minister advise how much the Building Future Schools Fund will be boosted by this budget and how the fund will continue to deliver the new state schools needed for Queensland’s future?
ANSWER:
The Palaszczuk Government is investing more than $3 billion through the Building Future Schools program to deliver new schools and major expansion projects for students in fast growing communities of Queensland.
As part of the 2022–23 State Budget, the Building Future Schools program has been boosted by an additional $445.264 million over seven years bringing the total investment to $3 billion.
The additional funding will enable future new school site acquisitions and the construction of four new state primary schools in Caboolture, Caloundra, Ripley and Flagstone in 2025 and one new primary school in Bahrs Scrub in 2026.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 12
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 2 of the Department of Education SDS and its reference to the delivery of additional and renewed infrastructure, can the Minister inform the Committee of how much the Palaszczuk Government is investing in renewing Queensland schools and how this investment will see improved education infrastructure right across the state?
ANSWER:
The Palaszczuk Government is committed to improving educational facilities across Queensland, with a $623 million budget boost over five years to ensure Queensland state schools continue to meet the needs of students and teachers. This budget boost includes:
$147.6 million to plan, upgrade and renew school facilities across the State;
$66.2 million to continue the delivery hall projects that were announced as part of the Great Schools Great Future policy;
$181.5 million to provide contemporary learning spaces for specialist curriculum delivery, such as industrial technology and design, science, home economics and arts in schools;
$108.9 million to provide fit-for-purpose learning spaces, amenities and outdoor learning areas across six special schools; and
$43.1 million to upgrade education facilities across 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
In 2022–23, the Department of Education will invest $314.9 million in renewing school infrastructure across Queensland. Funding will be used to improve education infrastructure across the State.
The 2022–23 renewal investment highlights include:
Over $197 million of new funding for facilities renewal, contemporary specialist spaces, special schools and schools in discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
$10 million under the Education for All program for equitable access infrastructure, including ramps, lifts and accessible toilets to ensure students with disability are able to participate in a high-quality education and fully engage in the curriculum alongside their similar-aged peers.
$10 million under the School Subsidy Scheme to contribute to the cost of school projects to enhance learning outcomes for students and the wider community, through projects that are jointly funded between the department and schools/Parents and Citizens’ Associations.
$30.8 million for rectification and reinstatement to mitigate issues impacting on school buildings.
$14.6 million for prioritised nominated projects providing additional funding for renewal and replacement projects for learning spaces and school facilities.
$5.5 million to upgrade and replace physical and electronic security solutions to schools, including security fences and CCTV.
Other renewal programs – approximately $46.7 million for:
Administration and Learning Renewal – to upgrade administration areas and learning spaces;
Amenities – to refurbish or replace amenities blocks or build additional amenities at schools across the State;
Car Park Renewal – to improve staff and visitor car parking; and
Water and Sewerage – to upgrade potable water and sewerage systems.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 13
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 2 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister advise the Committee how the Palaszczuk Government’s Youth Engagement Strategy is supporting students to stay engaged at school and then to make a strong transition to further education and work?
ANSWER:
The Palaszczuk Government is committed to every young Queenslander’s success. It is acknowledged that some young people face multiple barriers and may require additional support.
The Government is investing a further $45.5 million over four years from 2022–23 to deliver the Youth Engagement Strategy, which includes a range of initiatives that are increasing engagement and strengthening outcomes for children and young people. The suite of approaches extend upon the work that Queensland schools do every day – keeping students engaged, re-engaging them if they disconnect, and supporting strong transitions post school.
The Youth Engagement Strategy includes:
A Regional Youth Engagement Service in each region to locate and case manage early school leavers back into education, employment and training. In 2021, the services supported 4641 young people.
Implementation of FlexiSpaces, an approach which uses alternative learning spaces combined with tailored teaching to support and retain young people in their existing mainstream school. There are now 52 schools implementing or planning their FlexiSpace across the State. Data shows that these responses are having a positive impact on student outcomes in terms of their academic achievement and engagement with school.
The Link and Launch program to support young people who have completed Year 12 and are not in study or work to get on an employment or training pathway. Under the program, dedicated Link and Launch officers provide one on one case management for participants, as well as outreach and liaison work. This program is now operating in 30 locations and expanding to 36 locations in 2023. An independent evaluation found that 87.2% of young people were still engaged in education, training or employment 18 months after leaving Link and Launch. The program has assisted 1927 young people from 125 different schools, with 1381 of them already having made a transition as at 30 June 2022.
The Digital Engagement Strategy delivering two websites (We the Differents and Spark their Future) to provide accessible information for young people and their parents.
This investment will ensure these successful initiatives for engaging and re-engaging young people will continue for a further four years.
As part of the Youth Engagement Strategy 2022–2026, the Department of Education will also introduce an innovative new initiative, Student Connect. Commencing in 2022–23, Student Connect will identify the most vulnerable students in each region and establish individualised and joined-up multi-agency approaches to assist them to engage in learning.
The department acknowledges that for some students their journey through formal schooling is not without complexity. The ongoing work of the Youth Engagement Strategy, on top of the supports delivered by schools every day, will ensure that every young person is supported to succeed at school and transition to further study or work.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 14
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 2 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister update the Committee on how the Palaszczuk Government is improving internet access for school staff and students by boosting bandwidth at all Queensland state schools?
ANSWER:
The Palaszczuk Government will deliver faster internet speeds at all 1258 state schools, 40 times greater on average than the previous standard by the end of 2023 and 200 times greater by 2026.
In December 2021, the Department of Education signed a $187 million five-year agreement with Telstra to deliver new and or upgraded broadband connections at every state school in Queensland.
This will ensure teachers and students have access to the latest digital technologies and tools for their classrooms to assist them to get a world-class education.
Around 40 schools will be connected to fibre optic for the first time, and more isolated communities will not be left behind.
As a result of these upgrades, students from even the most remote parts of Queensland will have better access to quality, high-speed connectivity, and will get to enjoy all the opportunities that come with it.
Work commenced at the end of Term 2, 2022. As at 11 July 2022, 147 schools and 16 other departmental locations have been upgraded, with interim upgrades provided to an additional 255 school and other sites. The numbers continue to grow, with more upgrades taking effect daily.
Through the department’s investment in additional broadband capacity, Telstra is also investing $109 million, which will fund the necessary upgrades in more than 370 localities across the State. Telstra will be investing in upgrading their infrastructure such as exchanges and backhaul to support the department achieve its goals.
This creates potential flow on benefits to many local communities across Queensland through the availability of additional telecommunications capacity. While the department is securing the best technology currently available from Telstra, as new technologies emerge that can provide a better service in more remote locations, such as low earth orbit satellites, these can be incorporated into the contract.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 15
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 3 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister advise the Committee how the Palaszczuk Government is supporting female students by expanding the Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative?
ANSWER:
The Palaszczuk Government has committed an additional $13.3 million in 2022–23 to expand the Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative.
This expansion will support students in all Queensland state schools; outdoor and environmental education centres; and student residential facilities to access free sanitary products through installation of a product vending machine to any state school site that requests one.
This is in addition to the $2.5 million committed from 2021–22 over three years to install Dignity Vending Machines at 120 state and non-state schools as part of the original Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative.
As part of the expanded initiative, all Queensland state and non-state schools will continue to have free access to Period Talk. The Period Talk education program, aimed at all students in Years 5 to 8, teaches students about menstruation and the impact of periods.
The expanded Share the Dignity in Queensland Schools initiative ensures that barriers to education arising from a lack of access to sanitary products are removed for all Queensland state school students. Access to free sanitary products at school will likely be particularly beneficial for students whose families are doing it tough, have unstable accommodation or are fleeing domestic and family violence.
Furthermore, providing education about periods will contribute to decreasing shame and stigma surrounding menstruation.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 16
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 7 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister provide an update on developments under the labour hire licensing scheme?
ANSWER:
Queensland’s pioneering Labour Hire Licensing Scheme (the Scheme) has been operating for more than four years. As at 1 July 2022, the scheme regulates 3700 licensed providers, giving legitimate operators the level playing field they asked for by weeding out rogue operators, as well as looking after worker interests.
Queensland’s Labour Hire Licensing Act 2017 (LHL Act) was the first legislation of its kind to be operational in Australia, responding to evidence of serious exploitation of workers and deplorable business practices by labour hire providers.
Since the commencement of the Scheme, the Labour Hire Licensing Compliance Unit (the LHLCU) has taken firm compliance actions in relation to 880 labour hire providers in Queensland. In particular, as at 1 July 2022, 287 labour hire applications have been withdrawn and 64 licences have been refused, 289 licences have been suspended, 95 licences have been cancelled, and 145 licences have been granted with conditions that enable closer monitoring of compliance by that provider.
The LHLCU has also had 19 successful prosecutions for offences, including providing labour hire without a licence, and engaging unlicensed labour hire providers; with a total of $1,125,000 imposed by the courts.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 17
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 7 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister provide an update on what supports are being provided under Queensland workers’ compensation scheme for first responders suffering from PTSD?
ANSWER:
In May 2021, amendments were made to the Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 to provide a streamlined pathway for first responders and eligible employees diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Presumptive laws do not create new or change any existing workers’ compensation entitlements, but instead provide a different pathway for certain claims to be decided. In practice this means first responders and eligible employees diagnosed with PTSD, do not have to go through a lengthy claims determination and investigation process as it is presumed their PTSD is caused by their work.
Of the claims decided for first responders with PTSD between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022, 171 were accepted. This is 57% more claims accepted compared to the previous year and represents a claim acceptance rate of 90%.
This shows the changes made by the Palaszczuk Government have resulted in greater access to workers’ compensation for first responders suffering from PTSD. It also shows these new laws are helping to break down the stigma associated with psychological injury and that first responders are getting the help they need, when they need it.
There is also support available for those first responders who have trauma related injuries other than PTSD. WorkCover Queensland has an administrative policy in place with certain first responder agencies to improve the claims experience of workers with trauma-related psychological injuries.
This allows first responders who develop, for example, depression or anxiety from trauma from the front line to have an expedited claims process, better return to work opportunities, limiting the re-telling of their experiences, and ensures best practice is followed by all parties to a claim.
These are in addition to amendments made in 2019 to better support workers, including first responders, suffering from a work-related psychological injury. These changes included:
amending the definition of a psychological injury to bring it in line with the work relatedness test for physical injuries; and
requiring insurers to provide access to appropriate early intervention treatment and services during the claim determination period, which aims to minimise the impact, severity and duration of psychological injuries.
The Government also administers the Workers’ Psychological Support Service, which is an independent, confidential and free service for Queensland workers suffering a work-related psychological injury. This service connects the worker with an experienced social worker who provides support and guidance and connects them with the community services they need. This might include housing assistance, counselling, financial advice or other services.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 18
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
In relation to page 7 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister advise on how the Palaszczuk Government is responding to the scourge of sexual harassment from a work health and safety perspective?
ANSWER:
Sexual harassment in the workplace is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated. All workers have a right to be safe at work and free from harm, including harm caused by sexual harassment.
The Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring workers have access to a wide range of protections against sexual harassment.
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s landmark Respect@Work Report stated that the right of workers to be free from sexual harassment is a human right, a workplace right and a safety right. Anti-discrimination, industrial relations and work health and safety regulatory schemes all have an important role to play in protecting people from sexual harassment.
The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires a preventative and systematic approach to eliminating or reducing the incidence of sexual harassment at work. For persons conducting a business or undertaking, this means taking proactive steps to eliminate or minimise risks to health and safety from workplace sexual harassment, so far as is reasonably practicable.
The Respect@Work Report recommended that Work Health and Safety Ministers agree to amend the model work health and safety regulations to deal with psychological health, and develop guidelines on sexual harassment.
The national model work health and safety regulations were amended to include a model regulation dealing with psychological health. Queensland is considering introducing similar new regulations on managing psychosocial risks in the workplace. Further, Queensland is proposing to introduce a supporting psychosocial code of practice, which will identify sexual harassment as a psychosocial risk that must be managed at the workplace. Significant consultation has occurred with stakeholders over the past 12 months to inform Queensland’s approach to dealing with work-related psychosocial risks.
The Palaszczuk Government has also made a commitment to investigate the development of a code of practice on sexual harassment in the work health and safety legislative framework. In response, the Office of Industrial Relations has been undertaking regulatory gap analysis to determine the regulatory gaps between the various regulators in this space, and the most appropriate role for the work health and safety regulator in tackling this issue in the workplace. A range of options on how workplace sexual harassment could be more explicitly addressed in the work health and safety regulatory framework is expected to be received shortly.
The Office of Industrial Relations will consult with stakeholders about possible regulatory options in the coming months.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 19
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 2 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister outline how the recent changes to the state’s Point of Consumption Tax on wagering will provide the Queensland racing industry with a more sustainable funding model?
ANSWER:
On 6 June 2022, the Palaszczuk Government announced it is delivering a boost to Queensland’s racing industry through a new sustainable funding model.
The changes include:
a new 5% racing levy added to the Point of Consumption Tax;
broadening the Point of Consumption Tax to include free and bonus bets; and
increasing the proportion of Point of Consumption Tax revenue that goes directly to the racing industry from 35% to 80%.
The announcement builds on the Government’s previous commitments to extend the Country Racing Program by a further $35.2 million over two years, and deliver 35% of the State’s Point of Consumption Tax revenues back to the racing industry for two years.
Previously the Government funded racing through several purpose-specific grants, including infrastructure grants, prizemoney support, the Country Racing Program, the Training Track Subsidy Scheme and the 35% return to racing from Point of Consumption Tax revenue. Now the Government’s commitment to racing will be delivered through the expanded 80% allocation of Point of Consumption Tax revenue.
The racing industry will also continue to benefit from the Racing Infrastructure Fund, which will benefit from a further $50 million contribution from Tabcorp as a result of the Government’s announcement.
Funding the racing industry from Point of Consumption Tax revenues means the racing industry is being funded by racing. When Queenslanders bet on racing, their bets will help fund the racing industry.
Replacing short-term commitments with this long-term revenue stream will give the industry more certainty about its funding and future growth.
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE
2022 ESTIMATES PRE-HEARING
QUESTION ON NOTICE
No. 20
THE EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING COMMITTEE ASKED THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AND MINISTER FOR RACING (HON GRACE GRACE MP)
QUESTION:
With reference to page 9 of the Department of Education SDS, can the Minister highlight the contribution that the Queensland racing industry makes towards the state’s economy and communities?
ANSWER:
The Palaszczuk Government supports the racing industry for both its social and economic contributions to Queensland communities.
Racing Queensland has commissioned IER, a strategic consulting and research firm, to prepare a series of reports on the size and scope of Queensland’s racing industry. IER’s most recent report was delivered in January 2022.
IER reported that in 2020–21, the Queensland racing industry was responsible for generating close to $1.9 billion in value added to the Queensland economy—this represents a 58% increase from 2015–16.
This measure has steadily risen from $1.2 billion in 2015–16, to $1.5 billion in 2017–18 and $1.6 billion in 2018–19.
Since 2015–16, economic growth has been dramatic across the three codes of racing:
Thoroughbreds – rises from $959 million to $1.43 billion (+49%);
Greyhounds – rises from $113 million to $245 million (+116%); and
Harness – rises from $142 million to $184 million (+30%).
Notably, 48% of the 2020–21 contribution to the Queensland economy directly benefited regional communities.
Racing’s economic output was reported to directly sustain 6475 full-time equivalent jobs across the State. With flow-on benefits, that figure rises to 13,581 full-time equivalent jobs.
IER also reported there are more than 43,000 individuals who participate in Queensland’s racing industry, including 8000 volunteers.
Close to 675,300 attendances at race meetings were reported, with more than 73% of those attendances at regional race meetings.