Published Tuesday, 14 October, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
‘QUEENSLAND THE PLACE TO DO BUSINESS’: BLIGH
Industry leaders at Queensland’s most important infrastructure event today heard the State is still a great place for business in uncertain economic times.
Premier Anna Bligh told the Major Projects Conference that the public and private sectors were continuing to invest in Queensland in record amounts.
“My government has a vision for a strong Queensland built on economic growth, innovative ideas and the infrastructure needed for that growth,” Ms Bligh said.
“Queensland is in great shape with a AAA credit rating, sustained economic growth above the national average, low unemployment and a competitive tax regime.
“Despite those qualities we’re not taking anything for granted with a record $17 billion investment in our current budget on capital works, more than any other state.
“We can’t do it all alone though, and that’s why a forecast $36 billion in investment by the private sector in 2008-09 is so important.
“Only by working together with companies and industries, like those at the conference, can we continue to make gains in productivity, become more innovative in our use of resources and sustain our way of life.”
The conference themed ‘Looking forward. Delivering now’ features a 90-minute interactive forum on financing and innovation with key speakers from industry and government.
Delegates will be updated on projects including Chalco’s Aurukun Bauxite project, the Surat Basin Railway and other energy, water, transport and health projects.
Projects Queensland, a publication detailing projects worth more than $30 million each, will also be released at the conference. This year Projects Queensland outlines around 600 new, existing and just completed projects with a combined value of more than $250 billion.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas, who will close the conference, said $100 billion worth of projects are proposed in Queensland.
“The Coordinator General is currently assessing 37 “significant projects” worth $58 billion and projects worth another $40 billion are being discussed with proponents,” said Mr Lucas.
“Nearly $100 billion of projects is more than the Gross Domestic Product of countries such as Morocco, Croatia and the Slovak Republic and almost as much as New Zealand. “
The conference, now in its sixth year, is held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Premier Anna Bligh told the Major Projects Conference that the public and private sectors were continuing to invest in Queensland in record amounts.
“My government has a vision for a strong Queensland built on economic growth, innovative ideas and the infrastructure needed for that growth,” Ms Bligh said.
“Queensland is in great shape with a AAA credit rating, sustained economic growth above the national average, low unemployment and a competitive tax regime.
“Despite those qualities we’re not taking anything for granted with a record $17 billion investment in our current budget on capital works, more than any other state.
“We can’t do it all alone though, and that’s why a forecast $36 billion in investment by the private sector in 2008-09 is so important.
“Only by working together with companies and industries, like those at the conference, can we continue to make gains in productivity, become more innovative in our use of resources and sustain our way of life.”
The conference themed ‘Looking forward. Delivering now’ features a 90-minute interactive forum on financing and innovation with key speakers from industry and government.
Delegates will be updated on projects including Chalco’s Aurukun Bauxite project, the Surat Basin Railway and other energy, water, transport and health projects.
Projects Queensland, a publication detailing projects worth more than $30 million each, will also be released at the conference. This year Projects Queensland outlines around 600 new, existing and just completed projects with a combined value of more than $250 billion.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas, who will close the conference, said $100 billion worth of projects are proposed in Queensland.
“The Coordinator General is currently assessing 37 “significant projects” worth $58 billion and projects worth another $40 billion are being discussed with proponents,” said Mr Lucas.
“Nearly $100 billion of projects is more than the Gross Domestic Product of countries such as Morocco, Croatia and the Slovak Republic and almost as much as New Zealand. “
The conference, now in its sixth year, is held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500