Premier’s Delivering for Queensland Awards

The Making Queensland Safer Act 2024 has been the flagship reform of the Queensland Government. Delivered within extraordinarily tight timeframes following the State Election, the Act involved navigating complex legal and policy issues and extensive engagement with multiple Ministers to achieve its successful implementation. The legislation introduced tougher laws aimed at restoring consequences for action, including “Adult Crime, Adult Time”, which ensures youth offenders who commit certain serious crimes are liable to the same maximum, minimum and mandatory penalties as adults.

Other key reforms included removing the principle of detention as a last resort, requiring sentencing courts to have primary regard to the impact of the youth's offending on a victim, opening up the Children’s Court and enabling a person's child criminal history to be admitted when they are sentenced as an adult.

These reforms respond to community concerns about youth crime and emphasise community safety and victims’ rights.

In 2025, as Queensland introduced landmark legislative reforms to confront domestic and family violence, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) played a pivotal role in driving the development of transformational legislation and operationalisation. Coercive control is now criminalised, and legislative amendments have strengthened protections for children, formally recognising them as victim-survivors. The QPS has ensured changes to operationalisation readiness efforts, training, tools, and frontline resources are embedded into everyday policing.

Looking ahead, the QPS continues to support the future implementation of Police Protection Directions (PPDs), Electronic Monitoring Devices (EMDs), and expanded use of Video Recorded Evidence-in-Chief (VREC), ensuring these reforms become practical tools for safety and accountability. Through advocacy, training, and system enhancements, the Queensland officers are transforming legislative intent into lived impact, building a more responsive, trauma-informed policing approach that strengthens justice outcomes to ensure these initiatives are embedded and deliver meaningful change.

Community Recovery, within the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety has lead responsibility for human and social recovery, supporting communities impacted by natural disasters. Record-breaking flood conditions severely impacted communities in Far North and North Queensland in late-January and throughout February 2025. This was closely followed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred on 1 March – one of the most significant weather events in Australia's recent history.

This nomination recognises outstanding delivery by the Community Recovery team to strengthen community safety and support, ensuring all Queenslanders feel safe where they live with access to critical services.

The Hospital to Community (H2C) program is a partnership between Gold Coast Health and external providers enabling people with disabilities who are medically ready for discharge to leave hospital safely. It funds up to three months of tailored, community-based support, allowing individuals to return to their homes or transition into specialised disability accommodation while long-term plans are finalised.

H2C is more than a discharge program: it’s about restoring dignity, fostering belonging, and promoting independence. Through individualised and coordinated supports, the program helps people reconnect with their family, friends, support network and communities sooner. In addition to enhancing quality of life, reducing caregiver burden, and preventing avoidable readmissions, H2C has achieved savings of approximately 63 hospital bed days and $141,000 per patient.

The Post-Operative Discharge Support Service (PODSS) is a nurse-led model transforming post-operative care in Queensland. Piloted at Metro North’s Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service in 2023, it now operates in 13 hospitals with more to join. PODSS acts as a critical safety-net, with a primary aim of preventing patients presenting to the Emergency Department after discharge.

The service provides up to 30 days of post-discharge support, over 85% of care delivered via telehealth by specialist surgical nurses, with escalation pathways for early review. PODSS works collaboratively with surgical teams, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), GPs and community providers to keep patients safe at home, including vulnerable groups discharged from city hospitals.

Outcomes include: 30-40% reductions in ED presentations (70% at some sites), 15% fewer readmissions, 40% lower QAS utilisation, 93% patient satisfaction, and more than 30,000 episodes of care.

Financially sustainable, PODSS improves hospital flow and is expanding interstate and internationally.

The Queensland Paediatric Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention (QPRSVP) Program (the program) is a successful evidence-based initiative, delivering free Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) immunisation during pregnancy, and to eligible infants and young children statewide. The program first launched in April 2024 and was expanded by the Crisafulli Government in December 2024 to include access to free RSV vaccine during pregnancy.

The program has significantly transformed paediatric RSV disease risk in Queensland, offering sustained protection to vulnerable infants and young children. Approximately 75,000 Queenslanders have been immunised under the program, resulting in at least 1,000 avoided hospitalisations among infants under six months of age, a 75% reduction.

The program’s impact extends beyond RSV protection, easing pressure on hospitals while providing relief to families. Fewer children require hospital or general practitioner care, parents face less disruption, experience reduced financial stress and improved workforce participation.

Australia’s first dedicated Geriatric Emergency Medicine Unit (GEMU) has been established at Logan Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), transforming emergency care for older patients and delivering better frontline services for Queenslanders. GEMU delivers a pioneering, patient-centred model of care that addresses the complex needs of an ageing population. It sets a new benchmark in specialised, age-appropriate emergency care and ensures older adults receive tailored, multidisciplinary support.

Logan Hospital’s Geriatric Emergency Department Intervention team has also established the Skywalker Volunteer Program, providing compassionate, non-clinical support to older patients during their time in the ED. Older patients often face longer ED stays due to complex health issues and can become overwhelmed by the fast-paced environment.

Skywalker volunteers receive specialised training to provide calming support and companionship to help older patients feel more at ease and ensure they receive the specialised, dignified care they deserve.

Gold Coast University Hospital has established Australia’s first public hospital MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Service, transforming care for patients with severe tremor disorders who previously had no effective treatment. These conditions, including Essential Tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease, leave many unable to eat, write, or work when medications fail.

MRgFUS represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of neurological conditions, enabling sub-millimetre targeting of certain structures in the brain without any need for incisions or general anaesthesia, with patients often regaining essential daily functions on the treatment bed.

With $3.5 million Queensland Government investment, the service was designed as a statewide model using Smart Referrals, telehealth screening, and structured follow-up to ensure equity across metropolitan, regional, and remote communities. By translating frontier technology into the public system, Queensland has delivered world-class innovation that restores independence and dignity to those previously left without options.

In March 2025, Western Queensland experienced one of its most severe weather events to date. This event had far-reaching impacts for our agricultural sector, being a key livestock area and crucial to help grow Queensland's economy to $30 billion in primary industries production by 2030. Torrential rain submerged vast pastoral lands, leaving livestock stranded without access to feed or perishing within floodwater.

The region received 18 months' worth of rain in just four days, with major flood warnings impacting an area twice the size of Victoria. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) led a groundbreaking emergency fodder relief response to support primary producers and their livestock. This full-scale implementation involved 900 helicopter flights distributing 2600 bales of fodder and saved the lives of thousands of livestock.

Through collaboration with partners, DPI navigated complex logistical challenges to deliver critical relief, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to safeguarding Queensland’s agricultural sector.

In February 2025, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Queensland Rail worked in partnership with Translink bus, tram and ferry delivery partners, to implement 50 cent fares permanently on all Translink services statewide, delivering substantial cost-of-living savings for Queenslanders.

The initiative has significantly improved the affordability and simplicity of public transport, encouraging more Queenslanders to choose trains, buses, ferries, and trams across the state. With its success in fostering greater public transport usage and alleviating financial pressure on families, Queensland’s permanent 50 cent fares policy is an Australian first.

It has become a cornerstone of the Queensland Government’s efforts to drive down the cost of living and give Queenslanders a better lifestyle with more affordable public transport.

Welcome aboard Flight QLD2045: Queensland's non-stop service to the state's tourism future. Cruising towards a bold vision: doubling visitor expenditure to $84 billion by 2045 and making Queensland a global tourism leader. This journey started in December 2024 with Destination 2045, shaped by more than 1400 Queenslanders and industry partners.

The path puts ecotourism front and centre, powered by the 45x45 policy and an updated Ecotourism Plan for Queensland’s Protected Areas. All plans are evidence-based, future-ready and designed to deliver lasting benefits to communities and visitors alike. This industry-led opportunity to listen and act involved regional media and stakeholder roadshows, ensuring everyone was aware and supportive of the direction we are heading.

Launched with a $2.5 million advertising campaign in June 2025, this is just the beginning of Queensland’s most exciting tourism journey yet.

The $750 million Pacific Motorway (M1) - Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill Upgrade (EMP2DH) project has been described by industry as ‘the most complex of all M1 motorway packages’ undertaken. The project was delivered in a highly constrained brownfields M1 corridor across four separate packages between 2019 and 2025.

The aim of the EMP2DH project was to provide an integrated and sustainable transport solution to enhance the lifestyle and economic prosperity of Queensland by increasing the capacity of the M1 by addressing previous traffic congestion issues, improving road safety, geometry and reliability, making best use of the existing road network, increasing access to public transport, improving active transport facilities and connectivity.

Originally scheduled for completion by late 2024, the project faced significant weather events and supply chain disruptions. Through collaboration and innovation, the upgrade was completed in September 2025, four months ahead of the extended contractual date for practical completion.

The Residential Activation Fund was announced by the Premier and Deputy Premier on 21 March 2025, supporting the Government’s target to deliver one million homes by 2044. The $2 billion fund accelerates the delivery of trunk and essential infrastructure that is fundamental to getting homes built without delay.

The Fund provides funding towards infrastructure such as new trunk water supply, stormwater drainage, roads, power and telecommunications to fast-track the development of new homes. At least 50% of funding is being invested outside of SEQ. Round 1 prioritised “ready now” developments to fast-track critical housing infrastructure and get more Queenslanders into homes sooner.

The Fund received 178 submissions during Round 1, with almost $1 billion allocated to shovel-ready projects needed for housing developments in both established (consolidation or infill) and new areas (expansion or greenfield). 64 submissions were received from South East Queensland, and 114 from regional, rural and remote Local Government Areas.

The Queensland Government Artificial Intelligence Platform is a state-of-the-art technology framework designed to offer tailored AI solutions to address the unique needs of the Queensland Public Service.

Built with a focus on ethical AI governance, security, and scalability, the platform enables the development of innovative tools for Queensland Government agencies to use. The platform has enabled tools such as QChat and Corella that improve systems, services and outcomes for Queenslanders.

Launched in 2023, the Darling Downs South-West Medical Pathway represents a unique partnership between two health services and two universities dedicated to improving health outcomes for rural and remote Queenslanders. It allows regional, rural and remote students aspiring to become doctors to complete their entire medical training (‘end-of-high school to end-of-vocational training’) locally, delivering profound benefits to both communities and students.

The pathway comprises a Bachelor of Biomedical Science (‘Medicine Pathway’) at The University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba, that articulates into a Doctor of Medicine at UQ Toowoomba and is completed with pre-vocational and vocational training in Darling Downs and South-West hospitals.

With an important focus on First Nations students, the pathway ensures equitable access for aspiring doctors. In the fullness of time, the health services will work with the Specialist Medical Colleges to extend accredited specialist medical training pathways to foster specialist training so that Queenslanders can access healthcare where and when needed.

Yarrilee State School has transformed student wellbeing and student futures, through its groundbreaking Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) Centre, a first-of-its-kind model that places wellbeing at the heart of education. Centralising 19 evidence-based programs in one integrated hub, the Centre delivers universal, targeted and intensive support that removes barriers to learning and unlocks student potential.

Since its launch, proactive help-seeking has increased by over 500% and leadership referrals have dropped by 32%, with behaviour incidents down across every category. The SEW Centre builds resilience, regulation, confidence and connection — re-engaging high-needs learners, calming classrooms and lifting engagement for all 740 students.

Recognised as a state finalist in the 2025 Open Minds Mental Health Awards, this innovative and sector-leading model proves that when wellbeing comes first, achievement and improvement follow — offering a scalable blueprint for innovation, equity and excellence in education statewide.

In the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, the Barron Gorge Hydro team undertook the urgent recovery of the Kuranda Weir, critical to powering the National Electricity Market and Queenslanders. Within just six months, the team successfully reinstated clean generation capacity, while also safeguarding water flows that underpin the region’s tourism and community activities.

Delivered inside the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and alongside the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway, the project required innovation, care for Country, and adaptive engineering. The solution involved an emergency cofferdam, a new reinforced concrete structure, and an integrated rehabilitation program to secure long-term resilience.

Working in partnership with Djabugay Traditional Owners, local contractors, and regulators, the project prioritised cultural values, ecological protection, and local capability. This achievement demonstrates how infrastructure recovery can be both rapid and sustainable, strengthening Queensland’s renewable future while respecting its people and environment.

Powerlink Queensland, in collaboration with Infravision, has revolutionised transmission line construction in Queensland through large-scale deployment of aerial robotic powerline stringing. This initiative was driven by the need for a safer, more efficient alternative to traditional helicopter-based methods following a serious incident in 2019. The project has successfully integrated heavy-lift drones with robotic puller-tensioners and digital monitoring, creating a fully automated aerial stringing system.

This system has become Powerlink's preferred method, reducing safety risks, environmental impact, and project delivery times. The initiative has achieved world-first records, demonstrating technical maturity and positioning Queensland as a leader in advanced robotics for energy infrastructure. The use of this technology is expanding, setting new benchmarks for sustainable infrastructure delivery.

The Cherbourg Water Infrastructure Project was initiated by the Queensland Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV) following serious, ongoing concerns about drinking water quality and supply reliability in the Cherbourg Aboriginal community, one of Queensland’s most disadvantaged and remote regions.

In partnership with Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and Queensland Health, DLGWV engaged independent engineering and technical experts to identify critical issues, investigate risks, assess infrastructure and create a prioritised action plan. The technical findings and recommendations from this work formed the foundation of a funding submission prepared by DLGWV to the National Water Grid Authority (Australian Government), which successfully secured $26 million, co funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments, for urgent infrastructure upgrades.

The project exemplifies the Queensland Government's public service values by delivering what matters to the community through addressing the unreliable supply posing significant risks to community health, wellbeing and everyday life.

Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) transformed the 3-hectare contaminated former Yeronga TAFE site, within the Yeronga Priority Development Area, into a sustainable mixed-use community close to transport and arterial connections. EDQ, as master developer, reconfigured the site and delivered complex enabling works including demolition, site remediation, and infrastructure provision to create development-ready land in a well serviced location.

As the planning authority, EDQ worked with development partners to deliver 339 homes while embedding a range of sustainability features including energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, water conservation and using low-impact materials. EDQ delivered a much-needed new community centre and is working with Retire Australia to construct a Green Walking Spine, connecting residents to the surrounding community.

EDQ’s land development role is largely complete with all homes currently under construction and being delivered by development partners; JGL Properties, Retire Australia and Brisbane Housing Company.

The Post-Operative Discharge Support Service (PODSS) is a nurse-led model transforming post-operative care in Queensland. Piloted at Metro North’s Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service in 2023, it now operates in 13 hospitals with more to join. PODSS acts as a critical safety-net, with a primary aim of preventing patients presenting to the Emergency Department after discharge.

The service provides up to 30 days of post-discharge support, over 85% of care delivered via telehealth by specialist surgical nurses, with escalation pathways for early review. PODSS works collaboratively with surgical teams, Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), GPs and community providers to keep patients safe at home, including vulnerable groups discharged from city hospitals.

Outcomes include: 30-40% reductions in ED presentations (70% at some sites), 15% fewer readmissions, 40% lower QAS utilisation, 93% patient satisfaction, and more than 30,000 episodes of care.

Financially sustainable, PODSS improves hospital flow and is expanding interstate and internationally.