Jim Elder states his belief that Smart State grew out of the state development agenda.

Jim Elder discusses the origins of the Smart State strategy and the origins of State Development as a super department. He discusses the appointment of Ross Rolfe as the Director General of State Development and Trade. He discusses the implications of having economic development in Treasury and the decision to move the commercial arm out of Treasury.

Tom Barton outlines the need to ensure that development and infrastructure spending spreads beyond the south east corner and into regional Queensland.

Rod Welford outlines the Goss Government precedent for the Smart State strategy. He notes that economic growth in the early years of the Beattie Government helped new policy agendas.

Rod Welford discusses Smart State strategy and education. He notes that the strategy was largely aimed at tertiary education, with a key symbol of biotechnology.