Engagement with Policy Makers

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.

Local & State Working Parties

SSDG 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 (Kim Harrington, Board Member)
Advance Cairns (Jodie Duigan-George, Director)
Advance Rockhampton Committee of Rockhampton Regional Council (Kim Harrington, Committee Member)

National Working Parties

Advance Queensland Expert 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.

Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

CQUniversity has been delivering on commitments under its Indigenous Engagement Strategy including the appointment of a First Nations Employment Coordinator within the Office of People and Culture and establishing a Working Group to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan.

Regional Development Australia working parties

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:

• Regional Development Australia – Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday (Professor Pierre Viljoen, Committee Member)
• Regional Development Australia – Far North Queensland and Torres Strait Inc (Jodie Duignan-George. Committee Member)
• Regional Development Australia – Fitzroy and Central West (John Abbott, Deputy Chair)

QLD Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (QCDFVR)

The Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research receives funding from the Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women to undertake research into domestic violence.

Growing Central Queensland

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.

Climate change

• Steve Turton provides expert advice on weather and climate events and what Australia’s future looks like.

Education

• Ken Purnell, discusses the benefits of staggering school start times.

Business

• Ritesh Chugh discusses effective feedback in the workplace.

Indigenous commentary

• Dr Benjamin Jones discusses Australia's colonial past, the monarchy and Republicans, as well as what 'mateship' means to Australians.
• Jacob Deem and Susan Bird discuss the new research that reveals high support for a First National Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution.

Health

• Olasupo Owoeye had work cited by the Australian Federal Parliament in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill, Citing D Nicol & O Owoeye ‘Using TRIPS Flexibilities to Facilitate Access to Medicines’ (2013) 91(7) Bulletin of the World Health Organization 533-539). The work was cited as one of the academic works calling for some of the changes introduced by the bill.
• Olasupo Owoeye was the lead Consultant/Resource person for African Regional Intellectual Property Organization’ Seminar on using TRIPS Flexibilities for public health (2019).
• Dean J. Miller discusses the impact of LED face masks on sleep.
• Benjamin Veness discussed COVID vaccines for older Australians and ventilation masks for health care workers.
• Kelly Hennessy was interviewed for the discussion on the safety of teeth whitening.

Technology

• Dr Michael Cowling, a senior lecturer in education technology, discusses expiration dates on smart-devices and weighs in on technology and teaching.
• Ritesh Chugh discusses the cost of phone repairs and how to deal with water damage.
• Mahmoud El Khodr discusses international arrivals to Australia and digital passenger declaration systems. 
• Amy Johnson discusses women and closed Facebook groups and the impact on the moderators.
• Dr Michael Cowling and Amy Johnson discussed the question- are phones designed to slow down over time.
• Amanda-Jane George discussed what could happen if machines could be inventors
• Steven Moore discussed space suit technology and limited stock for use

Media and Government

• Emma Turley discussed the UK government’s violence against women strategy
• Donna Lee Brien joined other experts to cast their eyes over the STELLA shortlist of contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and non-fiction which undertakes impressive trapeze acts across genre boundaries.

Sport

• Alex Russell talks about the future of the Melbourne Cup.
• Alexandra McEwan discusses the need for tracking of Greyhounds in the Racing Industry to ensure animal welfare standards and regulatory guidelines are being met.

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.

Collaboration with Government Departments

SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing

• The Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research receives funding from the Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women to undertake research into domestic violence.
• 10 000 Steps is a community health promotion initiative delivered by CQUniversity and funded by the Queensland Health Department.

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

• CQUniversity is a partner in and conducted research into ecosystem health for the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health a collective of government, agriculture, resources, industry bodies.

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.