More public servants to fix bad government, budget papers reveal

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s department will hire dozens more staff to improve policy development in the hope of better responding to the concerns of Queenslanders.

Millions of dollars more will be spent implementing a suite of accountability measures across government following a landmark review.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the state budget was proof her government was “listening to Queenslanders”.Credit: Matt Dennien

Agencies in charge of transparency and integrity will also be given more funding after complaining of increased demand for their services.

The funding to rebuild the government itself is separate to the much-touted crime, health and infrastructure packages in the budget, and emerged as Palaszczuk reiterated Labor was “listening to Queenslanders”.

The budget sets aside $1.5 million over four years, and $378,000 per annum ongoing, on a new Policy Insights Analytical Capability in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

According to the budget papers, the funding will “support a responsive government in developing policy solutions and ensuring better service outcomes for Queensland”.

Treasury officials could not say how many extra staff would be hired for the new function, but the budget papers show total numbers in that area of the department would jump 60 to 279, compared with the previous budget tally.

The department expects to be marked down by its clients this year for policy engagement.

Having set a target of 85 per cent client satisfaction, it expects to achieve only 69 per cent, and under-performed in other areas.

Following the Coaldrake review into culture and accountability in government, additional funding of $6.1 million over four years, and $1.3 million ongoing, will be spent on reforms. That will include proactively releasing more cabinet material.

Another $4.1 million over five years, and $958,000 ongoing from 2027-28, will be spent bolstering the Office of the Queensland Integrity Commissioner following a major review.

The Office of the Information Commissioner will be given an extra $3.1 million over four years, and $828,000 per annum, to deal with “increased demand for services”.

After yet another review, the Crime and Corruption Commission will be given an extra $20.8 million over five years and $3.4 million per annum ongoing.