PEARCEY QUEENSLAND STATE ENTREPRENEUR AWARD DINNER

I would like to respectfully acknowledge the Turrbal, Jagera and Yugara Peoples, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which this event is taking place, and Elders past and present.

Wonderful to join you tonight.

It’s inspiring to be surrounded by so many ICT trailblazers.

Incredible to think how much the world has changed.

Much has shifted since Dr Trevor Pearcey’s team built one of the very first computers in the 1940s.

And because you are keen to see Queensland become more than just a passenger in the global digital transformation we are witnessing.

The Palaszczuk Labor Government is building a strong economy.

Focussed on supporting the ICT industry and fostering opportunities for entrepreneurs and ICT jobs for Qlders.

Jobs and economy

We have a clear jobs agenda – and it is making a difference.

Unemployment is down.

We’ve had the strongest growth in a decade in 2017-18.

We’re seeing jobs growth.

More than 216,000 Queenslanders benefitting from the ecosystem since January 2015.

At the same time, we’re growing the economy.

Government investment is supporting jobs throughout the state.

We are delivering a $45 billion capital works program over 4 years, supporting 38,000 Queensland jobs every year.

And it’s not just our economy that is growing.

The State recently welcomed the five millionth Queenslander.

Our population is increasing at one of the fastest rates in the country.

At the same time, Queensland is experiencing rapid change as technological innovations continue to transform our lives.

You’ve already heard an impressive list of those innovations by the Award nominees.

e-Ticketing has transformed the way we go to work, travel and see a concert.

CNC machining and robotics have transformed the manufacturing workplace.

Taking over dangerous work activities and requiring the upskilling of workers in digital production, to their benefit.

The concepts in the Industry 4.0 framework have cemented a place for digital technology and ICT workers in manufacturing and other industries.

Major technology innovations in the agricultural space have enabled improvements.

Maintaining soil fertility, more effectively managing water shortage, pests and diseases affecting crops and livestock.

Allowing increasingly rigorous standards for the quality and safety of food.

And more stringent standards for the welfare and safety of those employed in the industry.

Queensland ICT companies – big and small – are a key part of the journey we are making.

I recently announced that Queensland is now recruiting for Australia’s first public sector Chief Customer and Digital Officer. They’ll lead the implementation of a Citizen Services Transformation Plan – which is yet to be released.

And I’m determined to drive more investment in local ICT innovation through our Buy Queensland procurement settings.

The Queensland Government shook things up with Buy Queensland.

It changed the way we approach spending government money by prioritising local benefits for this state.

Prioritising truly local suppliers resulted in some criticism of our approach, which you may have seen in the media.

Despite this, our commitment to ensuring local benefits for Queenslanders did not waver.

The benefits are clear – for genuine, quality, secure, ongoing Queensland jobs, for businesses, and for our economy.

We are unashamedly putting Queensland and Queenslanders first.

End-to-end approach

I’d like to spend a few minutes discussing what can be described as an “end-to-end approach”.

It’s a developing response based on feedback through our regular procurement engagement sessions.

The Palaszczuk Labor Government is committed to supporting the ICT industry.

We’re supporting bright minds just starting out to established business professionals.

We are positioning this state as a place for industry to collaborate with

• entrepreneurs,
• universities,
• businesses
• and government.

Prioritising Qld to turn great ideas into commercial products and jobs creation.

Through the $755 million Advance Queensland initiative, we are supporting programs that drive innovation.

The program has good success in helping raise Queensland’s profile as an attractive investment destination.

We introduced the role of Queensland Chief Entrepreneur to help drive the development of the state’s start-up ecosystem.

We’ve also heard loud and clear that we’ve got to do better on an end-to-end approach.

That’s why we are also focussing on the back end as well.

Buy Qld means you get preference for Qld Government work.

It’s starting to get traction.

I won’t rest until it’s humming.

Draft Queensland ICT Workforce Plan

The Queensland Government’s Draft Queensland ICT Workforce Plan aims to respond to be part of this end-to-end approach.

It has been informed by the Ministerial ICT Advisory Council.

The plan will be a demonstration of the shared commitment industry and government have made to partner together to grow the ICT industry and its workforce.

It outlines five key priority areas to focus on over the next three years:

• Developing Queensland’s ICT Workforce
• Widening the Pipeline – to make ICT a career of choice and promoting re-skilling pathways
• Increasing diversity and inclusion
• Regional ICT workforce development; and
• ICT Leadership - you.

We will be undertaking broad consultation across the state to get this plan right.

And I encourage everyone here tonight to have your say.

Because a strong and agile ICT workforce is crucial to our state’s future success.

My approach is to ensure the pathway to the State’s success is through your success.

So the approach is one of partnership.

Industry

If there's one thing people have said they’ve learned over the past 10 years – it's that digital transformation and innovation requires a collaborative effort and fresh eyes.

Partnership is key, and that’s why industry is so important.

Greater co-operation and collaboration between industry and Government will help identify the future challenges and opportunities in Queensland.

That’s why I established the Ministerial ICT Advisory Council.

The council supports me with advice to address the critical digital challenges for government and identifies opportunities for the state’s ICT industry and workforce.

Council members have confirmed what independent reports have been forecasting for several years – Queensland is facing an ICT skills shortage.

And a skills shortage impacts on more than the traditional ICT Industry.

Half of our ICT workforce employed in industries other than a narrowly defined ICT.

In Queensland, our state is home to 20 per cent of Australia’s population – yet only 13.5 per cent of the national ICT workforce resides here.

This means we will need around 20,000 people, just like you, to take up careers in ICT by 2024.

Importance of entrepreneurs

Can I finish on this.

When we look to Queensland’s future – what is the Government’s inspiration? 

You.

The Queensland Government is seeking to back you in.

Your skills and passion are vital to our state being able to ride the technology wave.

Skills and passion that the Pearcey award alumni have in spades.

Last year’s award winner, Peter Laurie, is eminently successful, but what makes his effort commendable?

He still finds the time to mentor, coach and inspire.

Jenine Beekhuyzen, the 2017 winner, a trailblazer for women.

All the while being an internationally renowned leader in ICT.

Hearing tonight’s nominees, it is clear you are all demonstrating the strong spirit of Queensland’s ICT industry.

To make ICT a career of choice, we need more real world role models – like you – to show the next generation the bright futures they can achieve.

Conclusion

The Queensland Government recognises that ICT is a key enabler for all industries.

I recognise this industry is a key lever to state’s social and economic prosperity.

For our entrepreneurs, your efforts are helping to spark amazing ideas and outcomes, while encouraging more Queenslanders to pursue an ICT career.

We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver better outcomes for Queenslanders.

May I congratulate all of the 2019 Awards nominees and of course the winners.

Thanks to everyone here tonight who is prepared to shake things up and made a difference through the ever-growing fields in ICT.