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Engagement with Policy Makers

As part of our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's), we engage with policy makers such as government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to form policies and provide policy advice aligned to SDG themes.

Our involvement with boards, professions and industry associations allows us to purposefully input into national government policy and strategy development aligned to SDG themes to actively identify problems and challenges.

What we did in 2019

Industry Associations

Through our involvement and engagement with industry associations, we impact, provide advice for and inform policies aligned to SDG themes such as SDG4 Quality Education and SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The Regional Universities Network (RUN) is a network of seven universities with headquarters in regional Australia and a shared commitment to playing a transformative role in their regions. Through their educational and research contributions to regional economics, social, cultural and environmental development, the RUN member universities play an important and distinctive role in advancing Australia's national prosperity, productivity and identity.

RUN was established in October 2011 and CQUniversity is one of the foundation members.
For further information visit the RUN website.

SDG 4: Quality Education

CQUniversity is a member of Universities Australia (UA), the peak body for the sector representing 39 member universities. UA provides policy advice, analysis, and media commentary on higher education matters. For more information about UA, view their strategic plan for 2017-2019.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

Andrew Irving, Amie Anastasi, Emma Jackson provide advice on the Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program technical sub-committee in relation to water, sediment and biological monitoring.

SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

CQUniversity is a member of many professional associations, represented by our Academic Leads including Deans or Head of Course for each discipline area. These organisations support Australian education and make submissions to government inquiries and implementing projects that improve the quality of education in Australia.

Boards

CQUniversity has input into policy development aligned to SDG3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG4: Quality Education, SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG14: Life Below Water via membership on a range of industry, professional and government-related boards and associations.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Dr Linda Colley is an Associate Professor in Human Resources/Industrial Relations at CQUniversity and is the Chair of the Work Health and Safety Board. This role works with the Board to provide recommendations on matters relating to work health and safety to the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations. The Work Health and Safety Board is an authority under the Queensland, Work Health and Safety Act and is a Queensland Government entity.

SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

CQUniversity academics fulfil roles on a number of Hospital and Health Service Boards. These Boards provide input into health policy from a local perspective. These boards include:

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) is a ministerial entity, that produces reports used by the Queensland Government to formulate policy and legislation.

Activity in 2019

During her time with CQUniversity as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), Professor Bronwyn Fredericks was a member of QPC in 2017-2019. Professor Fredericks is now employed by the University of Queensland.

SDG 4: Quality Education

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) aims to foster a world-class teaching profession, where teachers are leaders in the learning of school students across Australia.  CQUniversity's Provost,  Professor Helen Huntley, is a Committee member of the Teacher Education Expert Steering Committee (TEESC). TEESC was formed to advise the AITSL Board on matters relating to initial teacher education programs including those that relate to implementation, maintenance and further development of the national approach. Refer to page 72 of the 2018-2019 AITSL Annual Report for more information about the role of TEESC.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

In 2019, Professor John Rolfe was appointed as the Chair of the Independent Science Panel (ISP). The Chair of the Independent Science Panel is responsible for championing the integrated and collaborative approach to research and monitoring.

The role of the ISP is to provide independent scientific advice on the piloting and system testing of the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership (GHHP) endorsed Gladstone Harbour Report Card. This includes:

  • the monitoring program to support the Gladstone Harbour Report Card;
  • overseeing the synthesis work required to ascertain report card grades to ensure the independence of the grades;
  • overseeing the continued development of the Gladstone Harbour Model that will be used by the GHHP to underpin advice to policy, management and regulatory agencies, industry and other stakeholders;
  • monitoring and implementing any improvements that may be needed to increase the efficiency and/or effectiveness of GHHP practices

Government-Created Working Parties

CQUniversity has input into Governmental policy development via membership on government-created working parties. These activities align to SDG themes such as SDG11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 15 Life on Land.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The following Local and National Working Parties address matters aligned to the themes of the United Nations SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities. Members of the CQUniversity team play an active role in these working parties.

LOCAL WORKING PARTIES

Capricorn Enterprise (Narelle Pearse, Board Member)
Advance Cairns (Jodie Duigan-George, Director)
Advance Rockhampton Committee of Rockhampton Regional Council (Kim Harrington, Committee Member)

NATIONAL WORKING PARTIES

Advance Queensland Export Panel (Professor Grant Stanley, Member)

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Qld Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research was set up under an agreement between the Qld Government and the University, with the Centre to deliver research-informed practice which provides training and resources to practitioners in the domestic violence space

SDG 15: Life on Land

The following Local Working Parties address matters aligned to the themes of the United Nations SDG 15 Life on Land. Members of the CQUniversity team play an active role in these working parties.

LOCAL WORKING PARTIES

Reef Catchments (Professor Pierre Viljoen, Board Member)

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The National Cultural Heritage Committee addresses matters aligned to the themes of the United Nations SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities and CQUniversity's Associate Professor Henrietta Marrie is an appointed member of this Committee. The Committee assesses applications for export permits and funding applications from the National Cultural Heritage Account. As part of the 10-person committee, Associate Professor Marrie will also advise the Minister for the Arts about issues related to cultural heritage.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Regional Development Australia is an Australian Government initiative that seeks local input into policy development of Regional Australia. Members of the CQUniversity team actively participate in the following Regional Development Australia Working Parties:

Professor John Rolfe is the project manager on Growing Central Queensland. John presents to the steering committee on the progress of the project, and the progress on agricultural innovation projects which the respective joint organisations fund.

Expert Commentary

As part of our purposeful involvement and engagement with policymakers, CQUniversity researchers and academics provide expert advice and commentary to external stakeholders and organisations on matters relating to the themes of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Explore the examples below of the expert commentary provided by our team.

Karena Menzie-Ballantyne discusses the recent climate strikes taking place and how she believes students are displaying admirable qualities that employers would find valuable.

Donna Lee Brien and Margaret McAllister provide expert commentary on the unrealistic portrayal of nurses’ in popular culture.

Research Related Activity

Our academics and researchers.have undertaken a range of research-related activity in collaboration with government departments. Explore the examples of the policy-focussed research undertaken in 2019.

SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
SDG 14: Life Below Water

Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program (PCIMP)

  • As part of the PCIMP,  CQUniversity is a member of the collaborative made up of industry, government and education specialist monitoring Port Curtis waterways, Gladstone Queensland. The PCIMP data and advice is utilised and considered by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection in the creation of Water Quality Objectives.

Fitzroy Partnership for River Health

Fitzroy Basin Authority

  • CQUniversity has participated in research via the Fitzroy Basin Authority (FPA). The FPA works closely with all levels of government to deliver environmental programs.

Gladstone Healthy Harbour

  • CQUniversity is a partner in the Gladstone Healthy Harbour monitoring organisation which includes Government and Industry stakeholders in the health of the Gladstone Harbour.
SDG 15: Life on Land
  • The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries fund the research position of Professor of Horticulture Science which is held by Professor Philip Brown.
  • The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries worked with CQUniversity to research water quality impacts on sugar cane.