Strategic partnerships
A long-term objective for Queensland is to build cooperation with governments in Australia and overseas, and between Queensland and overseas institutions and industry, for the benefit of the Smart State.
Tropical science cooperative framework
The Queensland Government signed the Cooperative Framework in Tropical Science, Knowledge and Innovation with the Northern Territory and Western Australian Governments in March 2004. The partnership will harness Australia’s existing and emerging strengths in tropical science and achieve economic, social and environmental outcomes for Australia and developing countries in the tropics. The partners are now working to identify priority projects for the next financial year.
Asia-Pacific Forum on Tropical Health Innovation
In July 2004, Cairns will welcome leaders in government, tropical health industries, the research community, pharmaceutical companies, international development agencies and Indigenous communities to attend the Asia-Pacific Forum on Tropical Health Innovation. It will explore the challenges and best practice solutions in tropical health and showcase Queensland’s world-class tropical science capabilities.
Australia-New Zealand Biotech Alliance
The Australia-New Zealand Biotech Alliance was signed in June 2004. The Alliance, between the six Australian States, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand, commits all member jurisdictions to work closely together to further develop the biotechnology industries in Australia and New Zealand. The Queensland Government is a driving force behind the Alliance.
Queensland - New Zealand Biotechnology Collaboration Agreement
The Queensland – New Zealand Biotechnology Collaboration Agreement strengthens the links between the Queensland and New Zealand biotechnology industries by identifying commercial opportunities where cooperation will lead to the best possible return on the huge investments being made by the two regions.
National Co-operation on ICT
The Queensland Government is an active participant in national initiatives to promote the capability of the State’s ICT industry, principally through the Committee for Marketing ICT of Australia (COMICTA). Chaired by the Commonwealth, with representation from industry associations and all State and Territory Governments, it coordinates a national presence at international ICT tradeshows and events and coordinates key ICT trade missions.
AusBiotech 2004 National Conference and Business Partnering Forum
Queensland is hosting Australia’s premier biotechnology conference, AusBiotech 2004. It is the Australian biotechnology industry association, AusBiotech Ltd’s annual national conference, and will be held in Brisbane from 7-10 November 2004. A special Satellite Meeting with a biodiversity theme will also be held in Cairns on 12 November 2004 followed by research site visits on 13 November 2004.
High calibre national and international speakers have been invited to address the latest trends and issues in the industry. Last year’s Adelaide event attracted 1200 participants, and strong international participation is expected.
Queensland Ethanol Industry Blueprint
The Queensland Ethanol Industry Blueprint, announced by the Premier on 21 June 2004, encourages international collaborations to access and transfer world best practice, proven technologies and innovation to underpin a world class ethanol industry in Queensland.
The Blueprint promotes collaborative ethanol-related research, development and innovation projects to attract industry, national and international funding.
The Queensland Government will:
- support a Brazilian Government ethanol roadshow to Queensland in August 2004
- host an international ethanol conference in early 2005 with key participants from the sugar industry, ethanol products, fuel companies, distributors, vehicle manufacturers, research, finance and agribusiness sectors.
National Land and Water Resources Audit
The Queensland Government is a major partner in the Commonwealth Government’s National Land and Water Resources Audit. This Natural Heritage Trust program provides data, information and nationwide assessments of Australia’s land, water and biological resources to support sustainable development. Partners include all Australian States and Territories, the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the Commonwealth Departments of Environment and Heritage and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and CSIRO Land and Water.
UNESCO’s HELP initiative
Queensland’s Fitzroy Basin has just been successfully nominated as a UNESCO HELP (Hydrology for the Environment, Life and Policy) reference catchment. The HELP initiative is establishing a global network of catchments to improve the links between hydrology and the needs of society. It provides a framework for scientists, resource managers and policy experts to come together to address locally defined water-related issues, producing focussed local results with the benefit of global networks. Queensland partners in the initiative include the Fitzroy Basin Association which is the natural resource management regional group in the catchment, Central Queensland and Griffith Universities, and the Departments of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Primary Industries and Fisheries, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
National and International Conferences
Queensland is well on the way to a knowledge-driven economy. More than 5500 leading scientists from throughout Australia and the world will be attending conferences in Brisbane and regional areas in August and September 2004.
The XXII International Entomology Conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre from 15–21 August with 3000 scientists expected to attend.
Under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science, and jointly with New Zealand, Queensland is hosting an International Horticultural Council meeting representing 50 countries, an Asia-Pacific Conference on Horticulture and the 5th International Strawberry Symposium. All will be held at Coolum, with over 600 scientists attending during late August.
The 4th International Crop Science Conference, incorporating the 5th Asian Crop Science Congress and the 12th Australian Agronomy Conference, will be held in at the Brisbane Convention Centre. It is expected that 1200 scientists will attend these conferences from 26 September to 1 October.
The XXII World Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) will be held in Brisbane in August 2005. This is a global network of forest science organisations representing over 100 countries and it is the first time the World Congress has been held in the southern hemisphere.
The 8th World Congress on Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 1-6 August 2004. Between 1000 and 1200 delegates will attend, including global clinical research organisations and pharmaceutical company R&D divisions. The Queensland Government has invested $40 000 in sponsorship. The Congress is an ideal opportunity to promote Queensland’s world class clinical research facilities and services.
Last reviewed 19 January 2006