Published Thursday, 16 October, 2008 at 09:00 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
FORMER PREMIER & GOLD COAST ROCK GROUP TAKE OUT TOP EXPORT GONG
An unprecedented feature of the annual Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards gala presentation tonight (16 October) was the announcement of a tie for the State’s highest honour for contribution to Queensland’s export market.
The Honourable Mike Ahearn AO and exciting young Gold Coast pop group ‘Operator Please’ were rewarded for their very different but extraordinarily successful efforts in raising the profile of Queensland exports.
Ms Bligh said both were deserved winners.
“Operator Please was formed by five Gold Coast students in 2005 and has evolved into a profitable enterprise and Queensland export phenomenon. The band recently returned from a successful and extensive tour of Europe and Japan,” Ms Bligh said.
“I’m told a huge endorsement for Operator Please came from globally recognised celebrity entertainment blogger Perez Hilton who has variously labelled them ‘our favourite new band’ and ‘the next big thing’.
“Operator Please released their latest album Yes Yes Vindictive in the UK on 17 March and has played several overseas music festivals this year including many of the top festivals in the UK, Germany, France and Norway.
“These young Queenslanders have been hugely successful on the world stage and are great Queensland ambassadors,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh said fellow winner, former Premier of Queensland Mike Ahern had been a long-serving advocate of Queensland exports.
“Mr Ahern has been a respected, high-level contributor to the Government’s export agency Trade Queensland since well before it was known by that name,” Ms Bligh said.
“He has also been instrumental in building new export markets and securing agreements with foreign governments and international business organisations.”
Mr Ahearn held the position of Queensland Special Representative to the Middle East, India and Africa from 2000 until 2007 and his pioneering work in these regions fostered strong relationships with senior government and industry representatives. These have led to significant new export sales, tourism and investment in Queensland.
Mr Ahern continues to support the work of Trade Queensland, providing high-level advice and assistance on trade in key international markets and promoting Queensland’s export strengths to a myriad of inbound delegations.
“I congratulate both Mike Ahern and Operator Please on their contribution to Queensland’s exporting success in recent years, and their efforts to raise the State’s profile as an exporter of quality products and services,” Ms Bligh said.
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)
The Honourable Mike Ahearn AO and exciting young Gold Coast pop group ‘Operator Please’ were rewarded for their very different but extraordinarily successful efforts in raising the profile of Queensland exports.
Ms Bligh said both were deserved winners.
“Operator Please was formed by five Gold Coast students in 2005 and has evolved into a profitable enterprise and Queensland export phenomenon. The band recently returned from a successful and extensive tour of Europe and Japan,” Ms Bligh said.
“I’m told a huge endorsement for Operator Please came from globally recognised celebrity entertainment blogger Perez Hilton who has variously labelled them ‘our favourite new band’ and ‘the next big thing’.
“Operator Please released their latest album Yes Yes Vindictive in the UK on 17 March and has played several overseas music festivals this year including many of the top festivals in the UK, Germany, France and Norway.
“These young Queenslanders have been hugely successful on the world stage and are great Queensland ambassadors,” Ms Bligh said.
Ms Bligh said fellow winner, former Premier of Queensland Mike Ahern had been a long-serving advocate of Queensland exports.
“Mr Ahern has been a respected, high-level contributor to the Government’s export agency Trade Queensland since well before it was known by that name,” Ms Bligh said.
“He has also been instrumental in building new export markets and securing agreements with foreign governments and international business organisations.”
Mr Ahearn held the position of Queensland Special Representative to the Middle East, India and Africa from 2000 until 2007 and his pioneering work in these regions fostered strong relationships with senior government and industry representatives. These have led to significant new export sales, tourism and investment in Queensland.
Mr Ahern continues to support the work of Trade Queensland, providing high-level advice and assistance on trade in key international markets and promoting Queensland’s export strengths to a myriad of inbound delegations.
“I congratulate both Mike Ahern and Operator Please on their contribution to Queensland’s exporting success in recent years, and their efforts to raise the State’s profile as an exporter of quality products and services,” Ms Bligh said.
Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)