Opinion: Queensland is in a golden decade of opportunity

There are big things in store for our state, and in 2024 my government will work hard to leverage our strengths to ensure we get every bit of benefit from the opportunities around us, writes Premier Steven Miles.

As I have been out visiting those in the Far North hit by a tropical cyclone and floods or this week in the South East impacted by dangerous storms, I’m reminded again just how tough Queenslanders are. We are resilient and we will come through these difficult times, all with a bit of help from each other.

As Queenslanders we roll up our sleeves, pitch in and help when our neighbours are in trouble.

Queenslanders also rightly expect their government to be there during the disaster and there for the recovery. Our Queensland public servants, Energex workers and SES volunteers have been there every day and we will be there for the recovery. We’re not going to cut and run.

That’s my commitment. We know it takes time to rebuild and we can build back better.

And it’s not just natural disasters where you see this strength – though we do hold the unenviable title of the most disaster-prone state in the country – we did it during Covid too.

I see that Queensland spirit every day from the bush to the suburbs and the city.

We’re a state of great opportunity. And of great strengths.

Strengths like our people, who are bold, brave and visionary. We are a smart state of smart people, who take risks and make things.

Queensland is in our golden decade of opportunity.

In 2024 my government will work hard to leverage our state’s strengths to ensure we get every bit of benefit from that opportunity.

I want to us to unite on the opportunity of decarbonisation to see the things we make in our regions sold to the world.

Premier Steven Miles. Picture: Glenn Hunt / The Australian

We will deliver on our Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, made possible by the public ownership of our energy assets. We will legislate a new emissions reduction target of 75 per cent by 2035, and existing targets of 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, and net-zero emissions by 2050.

By legislating this target, we will create certainty for industry and for jobs – particularly in our regions.

By legislating this target, we are making a very clear statement to the world that Queensland is the place to do business if you’re looking to use clean energy to create prosperity.

In 2024 we will establish a delivery authority for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics and conduct a review of the venue’s masterplan.

The mission is simple, make sure the Games work for all of Queensland and delivers for Queenslanders.

My government will have a renewed focus on healthcare for Queenslanders. I will continue to listen to healthcare workers from across the state.

Our satellite hospitals are already taking pressure off our emergency departments. We’ve opened five already and two more are set to open soon. We will commit to opening more satellite hospitals where they are needed.

Queensland’s golden decade of growth means that we need more homes than ever before.

We will do everything we can to work with the federal government, councils and developers to deliver more homes for Queenslanders.

There is nothing more important than putting food on the table and paying the bills.

Free kindy starts in 2024. We’ve frozen rego and used our energy assets to deliver savings to Queenslanders on their energy bills.

We will continue to deliver record cost-of-living measures wherever we can.

We have seen a growing gap between the price that farmers are getting for their produce and what people are paying at the checkout.

I’ll be meeting with supermarkets and farmers to explore together how we can get these prices down.

Keeping Queenslanders safe is a government’s most important obligation. We need to tackle both crime and the causes of crime.

My government will develop local solutions, working with local communities.

2024 is a year of opportunity for Queensland and I will work relentlessly for Queenslanders every day.

I’ll do it, because I believe in creating opportunity for those that come after us, for all Queensland kids, including my three.

Happy New Year, Queensland.

Steven Miles is Premier of Queensland