North Queensland's ideal tropical location and being a research centre has it primed for a key role in driving the Smart State's Strategy, Premier Peter Beattie said today.

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Premier & Trade, Peter Beattie
prem...@cabinet.qld.gov.au
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15/11/04

Tomorrow more than 60 of North Queensland's business, research and community leaders are to attend the Smart State Strategy Forum at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

"Queenslanders across the State are being asked to contribute to the future of this important initiative and I am looking forward to this North Queensland event being just as successful," he said.

Professor Peter Andrews, Queensland Chief Scientist, and Mr Mike McAllum, Executive Chairman of the Global Foresight Network, who led the Brisbane Summit on November 5 will be joined by Professor Russell Reichelt, CEO of the CRC Reef Research Centre.

"My commitment to the Smart State agenda is unequivocal.

"It was clear to me when my government was first elected in 1998 that Queensland needed to re-position itself both nationally and internationally.

"Six years on we need to build on our successes and move to the next stage. We must be better planned for the next 10 years. That positioning involves all Queenslanders, no matter where they live." Mr Beattie said.

"In the past six years, the Smart State's exports have grown by 24 per cent and now earn $30 billion a year.

"One in four of the jobs linked to these are in the regions. We are entering a new Smart State era and the regions are crucial.

"I want to know people's views on the Smart State - what it should be and how it should be achieved. I am interested in those views whether they live at Wilston or Winton, Teneriffe or Tambo, Aspley or Atherton" he said.

Professor Peter Andrews agreed with the Premier and said that "It is important that a Forum is held in Townsville because North Queensland has some unique advantages, including its biodiversity, tropical location and world-class research base and Townsville has a really important role to play here,"

"There is a tremendous opportunity for North Queensland scientists and researchers to translate their findings into real outcomes that benefit the local and State economy.

"Also, our expertise in tropical science has application for many of the health and environmental challenges facing, not only north Queensland, but tropical regions around the world."

"Townsville has the potential to become a global hub for tropical research and development in supporting the State's new industries such as biotechnology, but also, through the application of knowledge to strengthen the competitiveness of our existing industries such as agriculture, mining and tourism," he said.

"The potential benefits to Townsville from a clear commitment to innovation will be substantial."

The Queensland's future-building on the Smart State discussion paper provides a blueprint for Queensland's development over the next 10 years. The discussion paper can be accessed online at www.smartstate.qld.gov.au, by emailing smar...@premiers.qld.gov.au, or by contacting the Department of the Premier and Cabinet on (07) 3224 5100.

Ideas can be submitted at www.smartstate.qld.gov.au, forwarding comments via email to smar...@premiers.qld.gov.au or mailing comments to: Smart State Strategy, Policy Division Department of the Premier and Cabinet, PO Box 185, Brisbane Albert Street QLD 4002. Submission must be received by 30 November 2004.

>From 4:30pm on Tuesday 16 November, Professor Peter Andrews, Professor Russell Reichelt and Mr Mike McAllum will be available for a limited time to speak with the media.

Please be at the entrance to the Museum of Tropical Queensland (Flinders Street East). Alternatively, Peter Andrews and Mike McAllum will be available at 9:30am on Wednesday 17 November, at the Townsville Airport.

Media contact: Premier's Office 3224 4500