Queensland, the Smart State

Brisbane, compared to other capital cities, has a lower proportion of people in this sector than the national average. Moreover, in the skills game the Queensland Government itself has highlighted that this state has a less educated and qualified workforce than those interstate. Indeed, Queensland is losing some of its highly skilled workers to other states because of a lack of opportunities here.

Indeed, the real problem with the whole Smart State strategy is that it is too driven by government, too oriented towards glamour areas like biotechnology and so-called “creative industries” and completely misses the point about how to promote industry innovation, increase uptake of innovative practices and promote competitive advantage.

Sadly, we do not really know whether the “Smart State” is just “good politics” or “good policy”.

There has been no independent review of the policy, nor any dedicated and detailed debate in parliament. There has not even been a review by a parliamentary committee. The private sector should be calling for a full review of the Smart State strategy. We have not arrived at the Smart State's destination because it was ill defined in the first place and like the wizard at the end of the yellow brick road, largely illusory.