Right to Information

The Right to Information Act 2009 came into effect on 1 July 2009, replacing the Freedom of Information Act 1992.

As part of the Right to Information reforms, new legislation has also been created which provides protection for individuals’ privacy. This new legislation is called the Information Privacy Act 2009.

The purpose of the reforms is to make more information available, provide equal access to information across all sectors of the community, and provide appropriate protection for individuals’ privacy.

A key component of these reforms is to make more information available on agency websites. Queensland Treasury has achieved this by developing a new Right to Information section on this website which includes:

• an explanation of Right to Information
• guidance on how to access information
• published information available under Treasury’s publication scheme
• information released in response to Right to Information requests.

Treasury Strategic Plan 2009-14

Queensland Treasury has just released its 2009-14 Strategic Plan. This whole-of-Department strategic plan sets the direction for our activities over the next five years, such as our key priorities, strategies and goals. Of particular focus in this plan is the key role Queensland Treasury has in managing the impacts of the global financial crisis to restore the State’s financial position. How Queensland manages the challenges of the global economic downturn is the driving force behind Treasury’s strategic direction over the coming years.

The Strategic Plan also includes general departmental information, a summary of output business priorities, and capability priorities for the Department.

To find out more, view the Treasury Strategic Plan 2009-14.

2009-10 State Budget

The Queensland Government handed down its State Budget 2009-10 on Tuesday, 16 June 2009.

Key priorities for the 2009-10 Budget include delivering jobs by building infrastructure, improving skills and creating jobs, improving services and returning the Budget to surplus.

The Budget outlines the Government’s commitment to invest $18.2 billion in capital spending during 2009-10. This is a 12.8% increase on 2008-09 and will help to support 127,000 jobs.

View the State Budget 2009-10 website for more information.

New Office of State Revenue website

The Office of State Revenue (OSR) has launched its new website.

 Key features of the new website include:

• client-centric navigation to help users find relevant information
• an advanced search function and searchable databases for forms, rulings and publications to help users find specific content
• an eLearning tool to train clients how to lodge online
• a new single-ruling system called Public Rulings which replaces Revenue Rulings and Practice Directions, and simplifies the rulings system
• a historical library to give clients access to superseded content.

If you use the OSR website, please familiarise yourself with the new features and update any bookmarks you have to the site.

March Queensland Economic Review now available

The March issue of the Queensland Economic Review (QER) is now available on the Office of Economic and Statistical Research website.

The QER is made available to readers online each month. If you wish to regularly receive a copy of the QER by email, please join the distribution list by emailing qer@treasury.qld.gov.au and including ‘QER’ in the subject line.

Each QER contains commentary on a range of State, national and international economic and financial indicators. In this issue read the latest information about:

• labour markets
• dwelling approvals
• retail turnover
• national accounts
• merchandise trade
• financial and domestic indicators.

The QER also contains articles on current economic issues. This month’s FYI article looks at the key aspects of the economic slowdown in Japan and implications for Queensland.

Economic and Fiscal Update

Given the sharp deterioration in economic conditions, it has become necessary for the Government to update the economic and fiscal forecasts for Queensland since the release of the Major Economic Statement in December 2008.

On 20 February 2009, the Treasurer released the Economic and Fiscal Update. This report includes an update of the key fiscal aggregates for the Budget and forward estimates years for the General Government Sector based on currently available data. An update of the Public Non-financial Corporations Sector has not been undertaken at this time.

For more information, view the Economic and Fiscal Update and read the Treasurer’s media statements:

• Global financial crisis wipes out $12 billion of revenue
• Infrastructure program protects jobs, keeps economy growing.

Assistance for Office of State revenue clients affected by the recent floods

The Office of State Revenue (OSR) recognises the impact the recent floods in Queensland may have had on its clients and is prepared to offer assistance so that clients who have been affected by the floods do not have to worry about their tax obligations during this time.

In particular OSR can assist in the following ways:

• providing extensions of time to lodge documents or returns with the office
• providing extensions of time for amounts to be paid without interest being charged
• arranging for debts to be paid in instalments.

For more information, contact the Office of State Revenue.