PREMIER DEPARTS FOR NEW ZEALAND
Published Friday, 27 October, 2006 at 09:55 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Premier Peter Beattie departed today for a two-day trip which he hoped would help boost the strong trade and economic relationship between Queensland and New Zealand.
Mr Beattie said he would visit Auckland and Rotorua holding a number of meetings with key political and business representatives including Prime Minister Helen Clark.
“New Zealand is one of our nearest neighbours in the Asia Pacific region and a valued trading partner,” Mr Beattie said.
“They are our seventh largest export market and our eighth largest source of imports.
“Our Government has worked hard to build a strong relationship and this trip will provide an avenue to explore further opportunities for Queensland business.”
Mr Beattie said he would attend a dinner in Auckland with the Minister for Immigration, Communications, Information Technology and Associate Minister for Economic Development, David Cunliffe.
He said the dinner will also be attended by a range of local business representatives.
“As well as promoting the opportunities available in Queensland I will also be discussing our progress on Smart State initiatives and potential areas of collaboration,” Mr Beattie said.
“In 2003, on my last trade mission to New Zealand, I signed the New Zealand-Queensland Biotechnology Collaboration agreement to develop a formalised biotechnology alliance.
“Subsequently, the New Zealand Government engaged Professor Peter Andrews, currently Queensland’s Chief Scientist, to review New Zealand’s biotechnology capabilities and identify collaborative opportunities with Australia.
“In addition our Department of State Development encourages Queensland firms to develop collaborative opportunities with New Zealand firms and access support from the Australia New Zealand Biotechnology Partnership Fund.
“The New Zealand Government established the NZ$12 million fund to support trans-Tasman joint ventures in biotechnology.
“I intend to promote new developments in the Smart State including the recent openings of Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at QUT and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said he would also hold meetings with a number of businesses keen to explore opportunities in Queensland including Industrial Research Limited – one of New Zealand’s key Crown Research Institutes that undertakes research and development in manufacturing, energy and natural products processing.
The Premier will also visit the Starship Childrens Hospital in Auckland.
“Starship Childrens is the principal paediatric tertiary referral hospital for New Zealand,” Mr Beattie said.
“I am keen to view the work being undertaken at this hospital and its relevance to plans for our own new Queensland Childrens Hospital.
“The Queensland Childrens Hospital will become one of the world’s best, offering general and tertiary services and Starship Childrens has an excellent reputation so I will be interested to see what we can learn to further enhance the services we offer to our patients.
“Specifically New Zealand’s cardiac service for children was previously located in an adult cardio-thoracic hospital and moved to the Starship Childrens Hospital.
“We plan to undertake a similar move shifting paediatric cardiac services from The Prince Charles Hospital to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.”
The Queensland Children’s Hospital will be built on the Mater Hospital campus and will be a Queensland Health hospital managed in conjunction with Mater Health Services.
It will be a 400 bed maximum and built at a cost of approximately $700 Million.
Mr Beattie said he would meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen in Rotorua.
He said he had also accepted an invitation to address the 90th Anniversary New Zealand Labour Party Conference.
“More than 500 delegates from across New Zealand are expected to attend the conference so it be another wonderful opportunity to push our Smart State credentials, economic strength and opportunities for tourism and investment,” Mr Beattie said.
“Meeting with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister will also allow us to explore new ways to strengthen the existing relationship between Queensland and New Zealand.
“I will take the opportunity to let them both know that Brisbane recently secured three Bledisoe Cup tests against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium.
“I will invite them to visit our State for these matches in 2008, 2011 and 2014.
“I don’t think their team will be victorious on the paddock but Queenslanders will still make visitors from their country feel welcome!
27 October, 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Mr Beattie said he would visit Auckland and Rotorua holding a number of meetings with key political and business representatives including Prime Minister Helen Clark.
“New Zealand is one of our nearest neighbours in the Asia Pacific region and a valued trading partner,” Mr Beattie said.
“They are our seventh largest export market and our eighth largest source of imports.
“Our Government has worked hard to build a strong relationship and this trip will provide an avenue to explore further opportunities for Queensland business.”
Mr Beattie said he would attend a dinner in Auckland with the Minister for Immigration, Communications, Information Technology and Associate Minister for Economic Development, David Cunliffe.
He said the dinner will also be attended by a range of local business representatives.
“As well as promoting the opportunities available in Queensland I will also be discussing our progress on Smart State initiatives and potential areas of collaboration,” Mr Beattie said.
“In 2003, on my last trade mission to New Zealand, I signed the New Zealand-Queensland Biotechnology Collaboration agreement to develop a formalised biotechnology alliance.
“Subsequently, the New Zealand Government engaged Professor Peter Andrews, currently Queensland’s Chief Scientist, to review New Zealand’s biotechnology capabilities and identify collaborative opportunities with Australia.
“In addition our Department of State Development encourages Queensland firms to develop collaborative opportunities with New Zealand firms and access support from the Australia New Zealand Biotechnology Partnership Fund.
“The New Zealand Government established the NZ$12 million fund to support trans-Tasman joint ventures in biotechnology.
“I intend to promote new developments in the Smart State including the recent openings of Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation at QUT and the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at the University of Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said he would also hold meetings with a number of businesses keen to explore opportunities in Queensland including Industrial Research Limited – one of New Zealand’s key Crown Research Institutes that undertakes research and development in manufacturing, energy and natural products processing.
The Premier will also visit the Starship Childrens Hospital in Auckland.
“Starship Childrens is the principal paediatric tertiary referral hospital for New Zealand,” Mr Beattie said.
“I am keen to view the work being undertaken at this hospital and its relevance to plans for our own new Queensland Childrens Hospital.
“The Queensland Childrens Hospital will become one of the world’s best, offering general and tertiary services and Starship Childrens has an excellent reputation so I will be interested to see what we can learn to further enhance the services we offer to our patients.
“Specifically New Zealand’s cardiac service for children was previously located in an adult cardio-thoracic hospital and moved to the Starship Childrens Hospital.
“We plan to undertake a similar move shifting paediatric cardiac services from The Prince Charles Hospital to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.”
The Queensland Children’s Hospital will be built on the Mater Hospital campus and will be a Queensland Health hospital managed in conjunction with Mater Health Services.
It will be a 400 bed maximum and built at a cost of approximately $700 Million.
Mr Beattie said he would meet with Prime Minister Helen Clark and Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen in Rotorua.
He said he had also accepted an invitation to address the 90th Anniversary New Zealand Labour Party Conference.
“More than 500 delegates from across New Zealand are expected to attend the conference so it be another wonderful opportunity to push our Smart State credentials, economic strength and opportunities for tourism and investment,” Mr Beattie said.
“Meeting with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister will also allow us to explore new ways to strengthen the existing relationship between Queensland and New Zealand.
“I will take the opportunity to let them both know that Brisbane recently secured three Bledisoe Cup tests against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium.
“I will invite them to visit our State for these matches in 2008, 2011 and 2014.
“I don’t think their team will be victorious on the paddock but Queenslanders will still make visitors from their country feel welcome!
27 October, 2006
Media contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500