Leigh Tabrett recalls the development of the Smart State slogan for Queensland and the concomitant investment in research and higher education during the Goss and Beattie governments, as well as the growing interest in creative industries.
Lesley Clark describes her time as a parliamentary secretary in Health and then in Premier and Cabinet. She discusses the Smart Women, Smart State Strategy. She also discusses some of the local issues she was involved with, such as land zoning and environmental issues. She talks about the difficulties associated with dealing with public disenchantment.
Frank Peach discusses the public service during the Borbidge Government. He explains how he wasn’t made redundant and the surprise this caused some members of the Labor Party. He describes his shift to Corrective Services.
Ken Smith notes the implementation of the Smart State strategy and encouraging a diversified economy and its influence upon senior schooling and education.
Ken Smith reflects on the Smart State strategy of Beattie in light of his work with the Bligh Government. He details the importance of immigration in diversifying the Queensland economy and the influence this had on the vision of governments. He describes different Queensland regional economies that are declining and burgeoning.
John Strano discusses the Smart State by describing what he thought the Smart State was and that it was more than a rocks and crops economy. He also discusses the part he played in making the strategy happen, largely in facilitating investment. He goes on to note the cumbersome processes that crept into his job near the end of his time and the issue of briefing notes.
John Strano describes aviation as a key aspect of the Smart State strategy. He notes the collaboration between QUT, the CSIRO and Smart State funding on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). He describes the aviation companies that were attracted to Queensland but also the work of the government in setting up training facilities and organisations like Aviation Australia. He discusses call centres as an example of a cluster of economic development.
John Strano discusses the role that Treasury played in funding many of the Smart State strategies. He details the policy where two million dollars was offered to investors, as well as the policy on concessions on payroll tax to big projects, which did not have to go through Treasury. The importance of strong political leadership is important, he believes, in getting projects through Treasury.
