Communicating the Smart State
Like the Smart State vision, Smart State communications have developed somewhat organically as the vision and strategy has found traction with several key audiences. Through 1999, the Premier was using the Smart State name in interactions with business, education and the community. The Premier worked to engage the Queensland Government, the Opposition, business and industry and the education sector in the Smart State vision. By 2004 when the Queensland Government embarked on its formal strategy development process, the Smart State was recognised in Queensland and nationally as the Government’s aspiration for the future. It was variously praised and criticised in the local media.
The Queensland Government communicates the Smart State vision and its relevance to Queensland life in a number of ways. It directly markets and communicates the vision through mediums such as:
- the media campaign that accompanied the launch of the Smart State Strategy in 2005
- Catalyst, the magazine-style publication produced by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet which highlights Smart achievements in Queensland
- the Smart State website which provides access to publications produced by Government, as well as a basic outline of the Smart State vision and strategy
- Smart State achievements in media releases and speeches
- Smart State Ambassadors (four have been nominated to date)
- the Government’s Smart Awards for business and industry and Smart State – Smart Women Awards for women in science, engineering and information and communication technologies.
The Queensland Government has also invited community engagement in the Smart State vision as evidenced by:
- Community Cabinets involving the Queensland Cabinet visiting a regional city or town, with Ministers making themselves available to talk directly with citizens
- the consultation process to develop the Smart State Strategy in 2004 which included public submissions (incorporating an e-survey), a summit and forums for business, industry and youth
- Smart Stories which were real-life examples of the application of science and technology gathered from local communities and published on the website (now archived)
- the Smart State Council, an advisory body to the Queensland Government comprising experts from business, education and research sectors.
Last reviewed 2 February 2007
