State News

“Best and brightest” young minds to join Queensland’s home-grown public service

21 November 2023

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli has today outlined a plan for a new Corporate Graduate Program for Queensland’s public service, to rebuild capability from within.

The program is part of the LNP’s announcement to deliver the best home-grown public service in the nation, with a seven-point plan.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said the Corporate Graduate Program would be in addition to existing frontline services grad positions and the LNP was committed to building the skills and capacity of Queensland’s public service from within. 

“Today we can announce a nation-leading program to attract the best and brightest young minds to Queensland’s public sector and with that, bolstering the skills of our public service,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The LNP’s Corporate Graduate Program will deliver a consistent pipeline of high-quality talent into Queensland’s public service, who will then be trained and mentored by our most experienced leaders.

“Our valued existing public service will also be given the opportunity to further their careers, skills and education, to continue their important contribution to our great State.

“For too long capacity of the public service has been eroded by Labor’s obsession with consultancies doing the work of the public service.

“The LNP will reinvest in rebuilding our public service with the skills they need to deliver the services and programs for a modern Queensland.

“Over a two-year rigorous program the best and brightest young minds will receive dedicated on-the-ground training and mentoring from the most experienced public service leaders.

The Corporate Graduate Program will be designed in consultation with TAFE, the vocational sector and universities and consist of four six-month placements across multiple departments, with each placement providing exposure to critical skills required within the public service, including:

  • Policy and strategy
  • Data and digital
  • Project management
  • Financial acumen
  • Legal and ethics

At the end of four placements, including one based in regional Queensland, graduates will receive a nationally-recognised post graduate certificate in public administration and be offered permanent placements within the public service.

Mr Crisafulli said delivering a home-grown public service with the skills needed to deliver for Queensland’s future was his priority.

“We will build the best home-grown public service in the nation from within, to enable us to tackle the challenges Queensland is facing,” he said.

“Where Labor has eroded our public service, we will rebuild.

“This is our priority because Queenslanders deserve better than Labor’s chaos and crisis.

“Only by rebuilding capability from within the public service can we deliver the Right Priorities for Queensland’s future.

“The LNP is committed to making our community safer, delivering easier access to health services, saving you paying for Labor’s failures, securing our housing foundations and working harder for Queenslanders.”