Budget helps drive innovation jobs growth

More than $8 million over the next two years has been set aside in today’s State Budget to run FibreCo Qld – which was established to deliver faster, more reliable internet to homes and businesses in regional Queensland.

“FibreCo is about providing better internet for regional Queensland and putting downward pressure on prices,” said Innovation Minister Kate Jones.

“This will create jobs in regional Queensland but also help small businesses to grow.

“We recognise that it’s impossible to run a successful small business in some parts of the state without a strong, reliable internet connection. That’s why we’re introducing this Australian first to give Queensland businesses a leg up.”

In total, the Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games has received a funding boost to $224.5 million in the 2019-2020 State Budget – up from $222.8 million in 2018-2019.

Ms Jones said the government would also invest an extra $15 million over seven years to establish a Defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Trusted Autonomous Systems.

“This is about creating a national hub for high-tech drone design and manufacturing right here in Queensland,” she said.

“Through our partnership with Boeing and the Federal Government, we’ll boast one of the world’s most cutting edge design and research facilities for drones.

“This approach will leverage millions of dollars in investment from industry and research partners and will create highly-skilled jobs in Queensland.”

Minister Kate Jones said the funding boost would build on the Government’s now $755 million Advance Queensland initiative to create more jobs and opportunities for Queenslanders.

She said the Advance Queensland initiative was clearly working with beneficiaries reporting an additional $620 million had been leveraged from the private sector.

“Through the Palaszczuk Government’s innovation agenda, we’ve created more than 14,500 jobs since 2015,” she said.

“The LNP didn’t even have an innovation portfolio – cutting millions from the science and technology budget under Campbell Newman and Deb Frecklington.

“We’re investing in innovation to create the jobs of the future in Queensland.”

ENDS

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447