Innovation Minister calls on LNP opposition to release policies

Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch has called on the Queensland LNP to release their innovation policy.

Ms Enoch said the LNP Opposition had an obligation to Queenslanders to demonstrate how they plan to diversify the state’s economy amidst the backdrop of a rapidly changing global economy.

“Governments around the world have recognised the fact that the world is changing in a way we haven’t seen since the Industrial Revolution,” Ms Enoch said.

“Like us, they understand that if we don’t act now to ensure we diversify the economy in the wake of the resources downturn and ensure Queenslanders are creating new industries, there is a huge risk of being left behind the rest of the world.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to this understanding of the role innovation plays in the shifting economy and I call on the LNP opposition to also commit themselves to a policy that promotes collaboration, develops our best and brightest, supports entrepreneurs and startups and fosters innovation in small businesses and traditional industries right across our state.

“The LNP’s silence on this agenda is deafening and should be greatly concerning to all Queenslanders.

“If we don’t create the right environment to create the knowledge-based jobs of the future, we will be left behind economically – and that will come at a much higher cost to our state.”

Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government’s $405 million whole-of-government Advance Queensland innovation agenda was the right policy for this time of great change in our state.

“Advance Queensland is about turning ideas into commercial, social and environmental outcomes that benefit all Queenslanders,” she said. “It is about making the lives of Queenslanders better.

“Advance Queensland is a comprehensive suite of programs designed to prepare our state for the global knowledge economy and is based on world’s best practice, tailored to Queensland’s specific needs through a rigorous co-design process with local industry experts.

“While Advance Queensland is a long-term plan to diversify our economy, it is already having impacts – with at least 748 jobs supported by my department’s programs alone.

“The LNP’s criticism of Advance Queensland is nothing short of hypocritical given they don’t even have a policy to support Queensland researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators and industry.

“I ask the Shadow Innovation Minister if it is risky to improve the early detection of cerebral palsy in babies?

“Is it risky to provide potentially life-saving support to Queenslanders who have difficulty swallowing or give hope to young Queenslanders living with microtia?

“Because these are exactly the kinds of projects Advance Queensland funding is supporting.

“The Newman/Nicholls government neglected researchers and their “four pillars” economic policy completely ignored both entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“The Shadow Innovation Minister wants to have an each way bet, criticising the Government in Parliament for taking too long to rigorously assess applicants, but also claiming there aren’t enough protections in place for taxpayers.

“Which one is it?”

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201