Published Thursday, 12 July, 2007 at 12:10 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
REFORMS TO BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SCHEMES TO TARGET GROWTH
Reforms to assistance schemes announced today by State Development Minister John Mickel aim to deliver better results for business, industry and government.
Mr Mickel told a Budget Estimates Committee hearing Queensland’s economy is changing rapidly and that has led to some fresh thinking about the way the Department of State Development assists business and industry.
‘I want to ensure we capitalise on the opportunities change presents by focusing on 21st century industries such as avionics, defence capabilities, the marine sector, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, food sciences and ICT.
‘These sectors offer long-term growth, wider opportunities for Queenslanders, greater economic diversity and strength.
‘When I became the Minister the Department operated 22 financial assistance schemes, some of which have not changed in years despite rapidly changing economic conditions.
‘All have been reviewed and today I announce they will be collapsed into five core sectoral schemes to ensure we are responsive to the changing economy and better meet the needs and goals of government, industry and business. ‘
The five categories approved by State Cabinet will be:
• The Queensland Investment Incentives Scheme
• An innovation program
• Significant Regional Projects Scheme
• A revised Queensland Industry Development Scheme
• And an industry and sectoral projects scheme
Mr Mickel said the changes aimed to encourage innovation, greater productivity, growth in exports, stronger regional economies, new investment and improved business capability.
Mr Mickel also announced a Grants Review Implementation Advisory Group to work with the Department of State Development on the changes
The members of the Group are:
• Dr David Watson, Chair
• David Beddall, Manufacturing Leaders’ Group representative
• Larissa Bright, Small Business Advisory Group representative
• Jason Seed, ICT Ministerial Advisory Group representative
• Professor Sandra Harding, James Cook University
• Michael Cottier, Queensland Investment Corporation
Mr Mickel said there would be a six month transition period with all five core schemes expected to be in place early next year.
Applications for the Leadership and Management Program (LAMP,) Regional Business Development Scheme and Women in Business Coaching (WIBC) close tomorrow.
The Small Business Accelerator Program concluded on 30 June 2007.
Mr Mickel said small business would be eligible to apply for grants under the new schemes.
In addition to that they would continue to have access to a range of services offered by the Department of State Development including:
• Workshops and seminars to improve management, exporting, capital raising and investment ‘pitching’ skills;
• Online business management skills programs, particularly in the area of business planning and diagnostic tools to help understand how well a business is operating;
• One-on-one consultations with State Development Centre officers; and
• The Business Information Service which provides information and referral services to business (via telephone and online).
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
July 12, 2007
Mr Mickel told a Budget Estimates Committee hearing Queensland’s economy is changing rapidly and that has led to some fresh thinking about the way the Department of State Development assists business and industry.
‘I want to ensure we capitalise on the opportunities change presents by focusing on 21st century industries such as avionics, defence capabilities, the marine sector, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, food sciences and ICT.
‘These sectors offer long-term growth, wider opportunities for Queenslanders, greater economic diversity and strength.
‘When I became the Minister the Department operated 22 financial assistance schemes, some of which have not changed in years despite rapidly changing economic conditions.
‘All have been reviewed and today I announce they will be collapsed into five core sectoral schemes to ensure we are responsive to the changing economy and better meet the needs and goals of government, industry and business. ‘
The five categories approved by State Cabinet will be:
• The Queensland Investment Incentives Scheme
• An innovation program
• Significant Regional Projects Scheme
• A revised Queensland Industry Development Scheme
• And an industry and sectoral projects scheme
Mr Mickel said the changes aimed to encourage innovation, greater productivity, growth in exports, stronger regional economies, new investment and improved business capability.
Mr Mickel also announced a Grants Review Implementation Advisory Group to work with the Department of State Development on the changes
The members of the Group are:
• Dr David Watson, Chair
• David Beddall, Manufacturing Leaders’ Group representative
• Larissa Bright, Small Business Advisory Group representative
• Jason Seed, ICT Ministerial Advisory Group representative
• Professor Sandra Harding, James Cook University
• Michael Cottier, Queensland Investment Corporation
Mr Mickel said there would be a six month transition period with all five core schemes expected to be in place early next year.
Applications for the Leadership and Management Program (LAMP,) Regional Business Development Scheme and Women in Business Coaching (WIBC) close tomorrow.
The Small Business Accelerator Program concluded on 30 June 2007.
Mr Mickel said small business would be eligible to apply for grants under the new schemes.
In addition to that they would continue to have access to a range of services offered by the Department of State Development including:
• Workshops and seminars to improve management, exporting, capital raising and investment ‘pitching’ skills;
• Online business management skills programs, particularly in the area of business planning and diagnostic tools to help understand how well a business is operating;
• One-on-one consultations with State Development Centre officers; and
• The Business Information Service which provides information and referral services to business (via telephone and online).
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
July 12, 2007