Brisbane summit to put spotlight on innovation as way forward

The Queensland Government will host a major summit in April 2016 that will put a global spotlight on Queensland innovation.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Advance Queensland Innovation and Investment Summit would be hosted in Brisbane on 27-28 April with input from Queenslanders all over the state.

The Premier said the summit was needed to help make new local, national and international connections, which the government recognised as increasingly important in this time of rapid change.

“We have the impacts of globalisation, digitisation and new technologies reshaping economies around the world.

“We need to collectively position Queensland to prosper in this era of rapid global change.

“We will do this through innovation and capturing value from new ideas,” Ms Palaszczuk said.  

”As a government, we have nailed our colours to the innovation mast. We recognise very clearly how innovation is vital for Queensland’s future.

“We also know that working together will help capture the value from our ideas, and position Queensland in a global context.”

The Premier said the government’s commitment to innovation was demonstrated through the $180 million Advance Queensland initiative unveiled in July.

“We have a range of initiatives that are focussed on providing jobs and employment opportunities now – for example, payroll tax rebates for apprentices and trainees, our Skilling Queenslanders for Work program and the government’s $10 billion capital works program for 2015-16 which is supporting 27,500 jobs across the state.

“Our Advance Queensland strategy is on providing the jobs of tomorrow.

“The Innovation and Investment Summit will build on the traction already made through the Advance Queensland program, helping to accelerate our innovation culture and taking Queensland innovation to the world.”

Minister for Science and Innovation Leeanne Enoch said the summit would give Queensland companies, start-ups, researchers and investors a unique opportunity to come together to promote their potential.

“It will give Queenslanders a platform to showcase their talents, be inspired by the latest thinking and technologies, and build new collaborations and partnerships.

“Most importantly, the summit will promote Queensland’s investment opportunities and help investors find their next market-ready deal.”  

Ms Enoch said the summit would also be designed to stimulate new business ideas.

“We want internationally renowned speakers at this summit to tell their stories – leaders in their field at the cutting-edge of innovation and technology.

“Queensland is a state made for innovation and I firmly believe in Queenslanders’ creativity and ingenuity,” Ms Enoch said.

For information about Advance Queensland, visit www.qld.gov.au/advanceqld

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000; Minister Enoch's Office 3719 7270