Newman pushes for Rio Tinto bauxite mine at Cape York

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has vowed to overhaul laws to allow Rio Tinto to proceed with its $1.4 billion South of Embley bauxite mine at Cape York.

Mr Newman, who also announced a six-month action plan at the Liberal National Party annual convention in Brisbane on Friday, said his government was committed to supporting development of the project, which federal Environment Minister Tony Burke is assessing.

Mr Newman said he did not plan to override federal government laws but was determined to streamline the regulation of mining projects in the state.

He said he wanted to avoid a repeat of the stand-off over GVK/Hancock Coal's $6.4b Alpha Coal project in Central Queensland. The federal government took over assessment of that project.

Following the public spat about the Alpha Coal approvals, the federal and Queensland governments revised their agreement that allowed the state's environmental approvals to be ticked off by federal authorities.

Mr Newman said other key goals for his government in the next six months included the amalgamation of the South East Queensland bulk water entities, a 30-year plan for the state's electricity sector and the start of construction on the $2b Sunshine Coast University Hospital public-private partnership.

He warned that some tough action would be needed in the budget in September to overhaul the state's finances after the commission of audit led by former federal treasurer Peter Costello.

"The audit recommends some very strong medicine, which we must all take to get our state back on track," Mr Newman told the 850 delegates at the convention.

Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls said the government would need to find $4b in savings to return the budget to surplus in 2014-15.

Mr. Newman said he was committed to a long-awaited ministerial code of conduct to set a "higher standard of performance and behaviour for ministers".

The government was criticized during the week after it was revealed that Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg had asked LNP treasurer Barry O'Sullivan to audit two government-owned businesses, GoPrint and GoPlant.

Mr. Newman later admitted it was not an appropriate appointment, but Dr Flegg has survived calls for him to be sacked.

The Premier told reporters on Friday he had admonished Dr Flegg but had not asked him to resign.

Meanwhile, Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott paid tribute to Mr. Newman for having ended 14 years of consecutive Labor rule in Queensland.

Other commitments from the State government over the next six months include a statewide approval process for wind farms, a $9 million voluntary buyback of commercial fishing licenses, and the start of consultations about a 30-year plan for agriculture.