Paul Fennelly describes the addition of the Innovation portfolio to the State Development Department under the Beattie Government. He comments on the machinery of government changes following elections generally, and on the changes specifically to State Development while he was Director General.
Paul Fennelly outlines his department's role in supporting the Research & Development sector and attracting high-technology industries and researchers to Queensland. He comments on the success that university vice-chancellors enjoyed in lobbying the Beattie Government. He states that this 'innovation' agenda was driven by Premier Beattie who enjoyed close links with research industry figures.
Paul Fennelly gives his impressions of the early Beattie government and its relations with industry and the business sector in Queensland. He comments on that government's strong relations with the university sector, and how these as well as its industry links helped to establish the Smart State agenda. He describes how, after three years with the AI Group in Victoria, he returned to enter the Queensland public service.
Peter Andrews revisits the theme of state government involvement in developing the scientific research sector in Queensland. He recalls some of the senior bureaucrats and government Ministers he worked with through his office.
Peter Andrews talks about entrepreneurial leaders at the University of Queensland who promoted and significantly expanded the institution's research strengths.
Peter Andrews details the establishment of the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland. He explains how the state government came to be involved in its foundation and funding.
Peter Coaldrake details the skills and lessons learnt from his time in government. He discusses his involvement in a review of the university sector and his relationship with government and opposition as the Vice Chancellor of QUT.
Jim Soorley describes his impressions of the Beattie Government's Smart State strategy, and how it impacted upon Brisbane and the BCC. He notes the beginnings of government interest in research investment in medical institutes and universities.
Ross Rolfe describes the relationship between government and vice chancellors under the Beattie era, including John Hay at UQ, and Dennis Gibson at QUT, Glyn Davis's links between government and Griffith University, and the role of Ken Fletcher and billionaire philanthropist Chuck Feeney.
