Published Wednesday, 18 June, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
FORMER PREMIER HONOURED WITH BIO INTERNATIONAL AWARD
SAN DIEGO: Former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie will tonight receive the 2008 Biotechnology Industry Organisation's first-ever International Award for Leadership Excellence.
The award honours individuals who have demonstrated transformative leadership and advanced biotechnology within their community.
Mr Beattie was selected for his strong commitment to the development of the biotechnology industry in Queensland.
The award will be presented to him at the Public Officials’ Reception for the 2008 BIO International Convention.
President and CEO of BIO James C. Greenwood, said Mr Beattie was chosen as the award’s first honouree based on his significant work and contributions to help make Queensland an international biotechnology hub.
"Mr Beattie has demonstrated a strong commitment to the industry and Queensland's growth," Mr Greenwood said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who will be attending the reception, said Mr Beattie had been a key driver in Queensland's success and described him as a biotech enthusiast both on a personal and political level.
“He is a visionary in this area and this is an honour he well and truly deserves,” Ms Bligh said.
After becoming Premier in 1998, Mr Beattie committed the Queensland Government to the Smart State Agenda and the transfer of a “rocks and crops” economy to a knowledge intensive one.
As a result Queensland’s knowledge intensive exports grew by 105.5 percent between 1999- 2000 and 2006- 2007. The Smart State now has around 90 biotech companies, with 10 listed on the stock exchange, and 66 research organisations, employing over 7630 people.
Ms Bligh said the State was now home to many eminent science institutions including the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Mater Medical Research Institute, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Brain Institute, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and the Nanotechnology and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
“This is tremendous credit to Peter. He has put the industry on a sure footing in Queensland and the future for the industry is looking bright,” she said.
On hearing the news Mr Beattie said that he was honoured to receive the award and would like to share the achievement with all of his colleagues in Queensland who had contributed to making the State an important player in the global life sciences community.
"I am thrilled at the exceptional achievements that we have made in Queensland since we established our goal of becoming a centre for biotech excellence," Mr Beattie said.
Ms Bligh said she was taking the lead from where Peter Beattie left off, making her own mark launching the next multi-million dollar phase of Queensland’s successful Smart State strategy.
“Now, as we move into the next phase, I want to provide the springboard to go to the next level. I am trebling our investment in people shifting the focus from bricks to brains.
“Now that we have infrastructure in place, the emphasis will be on people, projects and partnerships,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh is currently in San Diego leading a Queensland biotechnology delegation to BIO 2008, the world’s largest biotechnology convention.
BIO 2008 runs from 17-20 June and attracts about 20,000 international delegates.
18 June, 2008
Media contact: (07) 3224 4500
The award honours individuals who have demonstrated transformative leadership and advanced biotechnology within their community.
Mr Beattie was selected for his strong commitment to the development of the biotechnology industry in Queensland.
The award will be presented to him at the Public Officials’ Reception for the 2008 BIO International Convention.
President and CEO of BIO James C. Greenwood, said Mr Beattie was chosen as the award’s first honouree based on his significant work and contributions to help make Queensland an international biotechnology hub.
"Mr Beattie has demonstrated a strong commitment to the industry and Queensland's growth," Mr Greenwood said.
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, who will be attending the reception, said Mr Beattie had been a key driver in Queensland's success and described him as a biotech enthusiast both on a personal and political level.
“He is a visionary in this area and this is an honour he well and truly deserves,” Ms Bligh said.
After becoming Premier in 1998, Mr Beattie committed the Queensland Government to the Smart State Agenda and the transfer of a “rocks and crops” economy to a knowledge intensive one.
As a result Queensland’s knowledge intensive exports grew by 105.5 percent between 1999- 2000 and 2006- 2007. The Smart State now has around 90 biotech companies, with 10 listed on the stock exchange, and 66 research organisations, employing over 7630 people.
Ms Bligh said the State was now home to many eminent science institutions including the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Mater Medical Research Institute, Eskitis Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Brain Institute, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and the Nanotechnology and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
“This is tremendous credit to Peter. He has put the industry on a sure footing in Queensland and the future for the industry is looking bright,” she said.
On hearing the news Mr Beattie said that he was honoured to receive the award and would like to share the achievement with all of his colleagues in Queensland who had contributed to making the State an important player in the global life sciences community.
"I am thrilled at the exceptional achievements that we have made in Queensland since we established our goal of becoming a centre for biotech excellence," Mr Beattie said.
Ms Bligh said she was taking the lead from where Peter Beattie left off, making her own mark launching the next multi-million dollar phase of Queensland’s successful Smart State strategy.
“Now, as we move into the next phase, I want to provide the springboard to go to the next level. I am trebling our investment in people shifting the focus from bricks to brains.
“Now that we have infrastructure in place, the emphasis will be on people, projects and partnerships,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh is currently in San Diego leading a Queensland biotechnology delegation to BIO 2008, the world’s largest biotechnology convention.
BIO 2008 runs from 17-20 June and attracts about 20,000 international delegates.
18 June, 2008
Media contact: (07) 3224 4500