Queensland exporters dominate national awards

Queensland’s ABI Interiors, Next Level Racing, Medical Rescue and Mort & Co have been named winners at the Australian Export Awards.

Premier and Minister for the Olympics Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the companies.

"Every Queenslander should be proud of the impressive wins by these incredible Queensland companies," the Premier said.

“These awards are well deserved and shows our exporters are world class."

ABI interiors caught the judge’s attention in the e-commerce category for their centralised on-line source of design solutions and high-quality kitchen and bathroom products, with customers in over 45 countries in Asia, Europe and America.

Chanelle Johnston, International Development Manager at ABI Interiors said the national award was a massive achievement, and a chance to reflect on what the company had accomplished internationally.

Next Level Racing was named Creative Industries winner, exporting their racing simulators to elite car racers in more than 53 countries.

Hess Ghah, CEO of Next Level Racing said the national win was both exciting and humbling.

“Our company has been kicking some big export goals and winning the award will serve to reinforce our credentials as we continue to grow our business internationally,” he said.

Medical Rescue took out the Professional Services category for their life saving work as international air ambulance, working across the Asia Pacific.

“It’s an honour to be recognised by peers and the business community for our work over the last 12 years,” Michael Smith, Medical Rescue Director said.

Accepting the award for Regional Exporter Mort & Co said they were happy to be commended on the national stage.

“The markets are tough but we have been able to keep pushing Aussie beef around the world,” Mike Latemore, Mort & Co Meat Sales Manager said.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the result was great recognition of the hard work of Queensland businesses.

“These four Queensland winners show the quality of the goods and services they produce,” the Treasurer said.

“More than that, they highlight the innovation and ingenuity of Queensland business owners and the passion and dedication of their workers.”

According to the ABS, for the 12 months ending September 2022, Queensland contributed more than half (50.6 per cent) of the total increase in national exports – that's more than one in two export dollars recorded nationally over the year.

The value of goods exports from Queensland was higher than the value of goods exports from New South Wales and Victoria combined.

The companies qualified for the national awards after winning the respective categories at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2022 in October.

Michael Smith, Director of Medical Rescue said partnerships are crucial to their success.

“Trade and Investment Queensland has been a key partner in our business growth and has served to support our export ambitions as we grow our business internationally,” he said.

Trade and Investment Queensland is the state government’s world-wide business agency that helps thousands of Queensland businesses export and expand.

The awards were held last night by Austrade in Canberra, where Queensland took out four of the 13 categories.

Victorian infant formula company Bubs Australia was named Exporter of the Year.

For the full list of national winners visit www.exportawards.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: 

Zoe Russell (Premier's office) - 0439 982 347

Geoff Breusch (Treasurer's office) - 0417 272 875