Where does Queensland go after the state election?

Dear ,

We've pulled together a community forum at very short notice to capitalise on what we see as a policy vacuum after the state election. For different reasons both the government and the opposition are lacking a solid agenda, and we aim to help them fill it.

As a general member of the Institute I'd like to invite you to a high level community meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2014 at the Queen's Arms Hotel, James Street, New Farm at 5:30 pm for 6:00 pm.

If you are able to come, please let me know by return email by no later than Friday, February 20. We will have a panel of four speakers who will briefly set out in the first 40 minutes what they see as the issues in their area of expertise. The remaining 50 minutes will consist of general discussion between all participants in the room. We have acceptances as panellists from:

• Professor Tony Makin, Professor of Economics at Griffith University;
• Hon Keith De Lacy, state treasurer in the Goss government and a prominent company director and businessman; and
• Professor Larry Smith from UNE.

Professor Makin will talk about the economy and the government's fiscal position, while Keith De Lacy will speak about business more generally and Professor Smith about education. We will have a fourth speaker who will address healthcare.

We've chosen these areas because, while economics is central to a successful government and health and education are the two biggest expenditure areas. They also contribute important social and economic benefits.

We've also invited members of parliament to be present.

My apologies for the short notice, but there is a small window of opportunity to have an impact on how government, opposition, independents and minor parties look at policy areas before they start ruling out options in the process of governing or holding the government to account. I think there is also broad support for some of the policies of the previous government and it would be a pity if good policies were reversed, just because there has been a change of government.

Equally, with the straight-jacket of new asset sales and no new taxes, both government and opposition will be challenged to implement improvements. It will take some innovation.

We anticipate that the meeting will finish around 7:30 and that some of the participants may want to adjourn to the bar or the dining room to discuss ideas afterwards if they wish. Regards, Graham Young Executive Director Australian Institute for Progress