PREMIER ANNOUNCES NEW AGENT GENERAL IN EUROPE
Published Monday, 18 September, 2006 at 02:20 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Premier Peter Beattie today announced that Mr Ken Smith had been appointed as the next Agent General for Queensland & Commissioner Europe.
Mr Beattie said Mr Smith would replace John Dawson when his contract expires at the end of March.
Ken Smith is currently the Director General of the Queensland Department of Education and the Arts (Curriculum vitae attached)
“John has done a terrific job representing Queensland and I am thrilled that Ken has accepted the challenge to follow in his footsteps,” Mr Beattie said.
“He is one of the most experienced public servants in Australia and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position.
“We operate ten Trade and Investment Offices around the world in key overseas export and investment attraction markets for Queensland.
“The role of Commissioner is to help maintain and develop relationships with other governments and businesses and coordinate activities to help promote Queensland and our exports.
“The Europe Office is based in London and is one of our most strategically important offices.”
Mr Beattie said he wanted Ken to build on Queensland’s successful export strategy.
“A thriving export sector is critical to achieving one of our Government’s key Smart State goals of boosting economic development and creating jobs,” he said.
“We are aggressively pursuing export opportunities for Queensland businesses as well as investing in the expansion of our export capacity and capabilities.
“Our hard work is paying dividends.
“In 2004-05 Queensland’s overseas goods exports increased by 31% ($6.24 billion to $26.4 billion) over the previous year.
“This increase was nearly double the national increase of 16% over the same period, making Queensland the fastest growing exporter of overseas goods in Australia.
“I want Ken to build on this success and develop further opportunities for Queensland businesses to export into Europe.”
Mr Beattie said he also wanted Ken to focus on helping tackle the skills shortage.
“The Queensland economy is booming,” Mr Beattie said.
“Under our Government unemployment has dropped to the lowest level since 1978 and young people have the best job prospects in a generation.
“However one of the major challenges we face is finding the right skills to fill the jobs created by this sustained economic prosperity.
“We are helping address this national skills shortage through initiatives such as our $1.1 billion Skills Plan and our recent election commitment to double the number of students undertaking school based apprenticeships and traineeships from 6,200 to 12,400.
“Through his new role as Commissioner I want Ken to actively spearhead our recruitment of overseas professionals to help fill the skills void – particularly in areas such as health and engineering.”
Mr Beattie said prior to the commencement of his duties in London on a three-year contract, Ken would be taken off-line to oversee the Government’s implementation of commitments made under the 100 days policy.
“As part of the election campaign our Government outlined more than 70 initiatives we would undertake within the first 100 days if re-elected,” Mr Beattie said.
“These cover key areas such as health, water and social and community infrastructure.
“I want Ken to work across Government to make sure each and every one of these promises is delivered on time. He will report directly to me on progress.”
Mr Beattie said Ken would also assist the Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in restructuring the department to enhance its capability in policy analysis and whole-of government policy coordination.
“Ken has a big job ahead of him both here and overseas,” he said.
“I am confident the he will perform these tasks capably and play a key part in the further expansion of the Smart State on the world stage.”
14 September 2006
Media inquiries: (07) 3224 4500
Mr Beattie said Mr Smith would replace John Dawson when his contract expires at the end of March.
Ken Smith is currently the Director General of the Queensland Department of Education and the Arts (Curriculum vitae attached)
“John has done a terrific job representing Queensland and I am thrilled that Ken has accepted the challenge to follow in his footsteps,” Mr Beattie said.
“He is one of the most experienced public servants in Australia and will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this position.
“We operate ten Trade and Investment Offices around the world in key overseas export and investment attraction markets for Queensland.
“The role of Commissioner is to help maintain and develop relationships with other governments and businesses and coordinate activities to help promote Queensland and our exports.
“The Europe Office is based in London and is one of our most strategically important offices.”
Mr Beattie said he wanted Ken to build on Queensland’s successful export strategy.
“A thriving export sector is critical to achieving one of our Government’s key Smart State goals of boosting economic development and creating jobs,” he said.
“We are aggressively pursuing export opportunities for Queensland businesses as well as investing in the expansion of our export capacity and capabilities.
“Our hard work is paying dividends.
“In 2004-05 Queensland’s overseas goods exports increased by 31% ($6.24 billion to $26.4 billion) over the previous year.
“This increase was nearly double the national increase of 16% over the same period, making Queensland the fastest growing exporter of overseas goods in Australia.
“I want Ken to build on this success and develop further opportunities for Queensland businesses to export into Europe.”
Mr Beattie said he also wanted Ken to focus on helping tackle the skills shortage.
“The Queensland economy is booming,” Mr Beattie said.
“Under our Government unemployment has dropped to the lowest level since 1978 and young people have the best job prospects in a generation.
“However one of the major challenges we face is finding the right skills to fill the jobs created by this sustained economic prosperity.
“We are helping address this national skills shortage through initiatives such as our $1.1 billion Skills Plan and our recent election commitment to double the number of students undertaking school based apprenticeships and traineeships from 6,200 to 12,400.
“Through his new role as Commissioner I want Ken to actively spearhead our recruitment of overseas professionals to help fill the skills void – particularly in areas such as health and engineering.”
Mr Beattie said prior to the commencement of his duties in London on a three-year contract, Ken would be taken off-line to oversee the Government’s implementation of commitments made under the 100 days policy.
“As part of the election campaign our Government outlined more than 70 initiatives we would undertake within the first 100 days if re-elected,” Mr Beattie said.
“These cover key areas such as health, water and social and community infrastructure.
“I want Ken to work across Government to make sure each and every one of these promises is delivered on time. He will report directly to me on progress.”
Mr Beattie said Ken would also assist the Director-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in restructuring the department to enhance its capability in policy analysis and whole-of government policy coordination.
“Ken has a big job ahead of him both here and overseas,” he said.
“I am confident the he will perform these tasks capably and play a key part in the further expansion of the Smart State on the world stage.”
14 September 2006
Media inquiries: (07) 3224 4500