Redlands urged to get behind Advance Queensland

Redlands entrepreneurs and community leaders will today attend a State Government forum to foster greater collaboration between researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs.

Minister for Science and Innovation Leeanne Enoch will open the event, the ninth in a series of forums to highlight the Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Advanced Queensland initiative.

“We know that local people have great ideas for business opportunities and can develop innovative solutions to issues that affect the community,” Ms Enoch said.    

“These forums are part of the $180 million Advance Queensland initiative to create jobs now and for the future, drive productivity improvements, harness innovation and translate some of our great ideas into real economic outcomes for Queenslanders.

“They aim to encourage ideas and a culture of innovation, and help people to build potentially valuable connections.”

Ms Enoch said an important part of the forum would be a networking session to encourage those attending to share their business or organisation’s experiences and challenges.

“Collaboration to develop innovation solutions can lead to the development of world-leading capabilities,” she said.

“This is backed by evidence that business collaboration and innovation can result in a 70 per cent increase in the likelihood of delivering unique and innovative ideas and products.

“For example, local entrepreneur Elliot Smith through his medical technology business HSK Instruments is helping Mater Hospital physiotherapists change respiratory care for children with chronic conditions like Cystic Fibrosis.

“His mobile-connected monitoring aid, called Pepster, should be on the Australian market in a few months and is a great example of a local solution and wonderful innovation that potentially could be scaled up to achieve success nationally and overseas.”

Mr Smith, co-founder and CEO of HSK Instruments, will be a guest speaker at today’s forum along with Dr Johann De Beer, a pioneer of interactive training using touch screens who founded List Premier Education.

Also speaking at the forum will be Redlands City Councillor Paul Bishop, who said he wanted Redlands entrepreneurs to realise the opportunities and be innovative.

“I hope today’s forum will be very positive and triggers some new projects that will generate benefits for the Redlands community,” he said. 

Ms Enoch said collaboration lay at the very core of Advance Queensland.

“We want people to share what they do, what they want to achieve and consider ways to collaborate,” she said.  

“We are starting an innovation movement and invite the Redlands community and businesses to join in. By collaborating we can consolidate our strengths and find a faster path to success.”

Find out more about Advance Queensland at www.qld.gov.au/advanceqld

Media contact: Kim Lyell 0437 859987