Premier pushes regional posts
Premier David Crisafulli has urged senior public servants in Queensland to spend more time outside Brisbane.
Speaking at the Irene Longman Oration organised by the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Queensland, Crisafulli said that stronger interactions between metropolitan and regional public servants could enhance the state’s service culture.
The Premier said that the initiative should extend beyond public servants to include ministers.
More than half of the Queensland’s population, approximately 50.7 per cent, resided in rural, regional, and remote areas as of 2021.
Despite this, 64 per cent of the state government workforce in 2023–24 was stationed in these regions, reflecting an effort to balance service delivery across the state.
However, factors such as low population density and challenging geography continue to contribute to a gap in services and skills.
Crisafulli pointed to mobile traineeships as a potential solution, aiming to attract top talent while fostering mobility between urban and regional areas.
He also encouraged collaboration between the public and private sectors
“It breaks down barriers and creates a culture where the public sector and private sector see that if we work together, we can achieve great things,” he said.
The Premier said the proposals are part of the new state government’s plan to address regional inequities while fostering a cohesive and adaptable public service.