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.
Peter Andrews describes the competitive rivalry between Queensland and Victoria to establish areas of research excellence, and how Premiers Peter Beattie and Steve Bracks respectively pursued this agenda simultaneously. He tells how this rivalry was viewed among the scientific and research communities.
Peter Andrews talks about the successes of the Smart State strategy as well as the platform established for further advances in scientific research. He lists some of the individuals playing key roles in the research sector.
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.
Ross Rolfe reflects on the relationship between premiers and universities, including Peter Beattie and Mike Ahern, and Peter Beattie's ability to convince the media of its importance. He describes the spread of Smart State-ism to other activities including 'clean coal' technologies, gas, coal seam methane, and aviation. He describes the failure in the synchrotron bid and the resulting initiative with Paul Greenfield of the University of Queensland to get federal funding for the AIBN.
