Launch of the RACQ’s Community Impact Strategy and Community Fund

Representing the Director-General, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Ms Joanna Robinson; President and Chair of the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, Ms Leona Murphy OAM; Managing Director and CEO, Mr David Carter; Chief Executive Community, Ms Mary-Jane Bellotti; Volunteering Queensland President, Ms Linda Lavarch and CEO Ms Jane Hedger; Jamieson Trauma Institute Director, Professor Michael Shuetz; Community Power Agency, Research and Project Coordinator, Dr Anna Berka; RACQ staff, supporters and volunteers; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.  

Thank you, Aunty Robyn for your Acknowledgement of Country this morning. I also acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today, with today also marking National Sorry Day, when we honour the resilience of Stolen Generations survivors and our shared commitment to healing. 

As Governor and proud Patron of the RACQ, I am delighted to join you for the first look at this ambitious public commitment to further invest in Queensland’s future. 

For over 120 years1, the RACQ has been a trusted and reliable presence in our state, assisting its members2 with a range of services, including those well-known ones associated with roadside assistance, insurance and travel.  

The title of the new strategy being unveiled today leaves us in no doubt about its intent: to make a lasting, positive difference to Queensland. And, wow! What a difference this will make. A dedicated $100 million perpetual fund, to be generously matched by RACQ – creating a $200 million commitment to Queensland.   

This new Community Impact Strategy sends a clear signal that the RACQ wants to purposefully help shape the future of Queensland by investing heavily in three key areas: improving road safety, an inclusive transition to renewable energy, and the strengthening social resilience through volunteering.  

From the outset, I would like to acknowledge the RACQ’s Board and executive team for their leadership in developing this strategy, and for adopting the perpetual funding model as a vehicle to safeguard and generate funds to drive these outcomes over the long term, in partnership with stakeholders. 

We know that road safety is of paramount concern in our communities. All of us want to travel to and from work or home safely each day, and we want to know that fellow Queenslanders are safe, too, and that our frontline service workers are spared the trauma of attending accidents.  

I commend the RACQ for its strategic approach to working in partnership with others on a range of initiatives to further promote driver safety and strengthen our road network and transport infrastructure. 

With its eye to the future, the organisation is also committed to accelerating Queenslanders’ transition to renewable energy and clean technology, while reducing the barriers while that might otherwise prevent individuals and communities from sharing in this important shift. 

This includes championing the uptake of electric vehicles to reduce transport emissions,3 expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and promoting the uptake of rooftop solar and household batteries to reduce power costs and a reliance on the grid. Given the vast size and dispersed population of Queensland, this is no small challenge! 

In terms of volunteering, this year is the designated International Year for Volunteering and, as the Patron of Volunteering Queensland, I’m thrilled to see the RACQ’s ongoing commitment to volunteering included in this strategy.  

The far-reaching impact and goodwill generated by our incredible volunteers is a powerful reminder of how critical volunteering is to our state’s prosperity. 

Congratulations again on your deep commitment to Queensland’s future prosperity by establishing this Community Impact Strategy and Community Fund. The outcomes will undoubtedly generate untold amounts of economic, environmental and social benefits for Queensland, and drive positive change across our communities. 

I wish you enormous success with its implementation. Thank you.