Morning Tea for Finalists in the 2019 Premier of Queensland Export Awards

Directors-General, Mr Dave Stewart and Ms Rachel Hunter; Deputy Chair of TIQ, Professor Ian O’Connor and fellow Board Members; Ms Linda Apelt, our Agent-General in the United Kingdom; all Trade Commissioners; Deputy CEO of TIQ, Mr Richard Watson; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. It is a great pleasure to welcome to Government House this year’s finalists and winners in the Premier of Queensland Export Awards, and Queensland’s Trade and Investment Commissioners.

For three decades now, the prestigious Premier’s Export Awards have provided recognition of Queensland companies who achieve great success in exporting their goods and services.

For companies in Australia, which has no land borders and is distant from all but a few important markets, export is no ‘walk in the park’.  Our exporters have to work hard just to get across a national border.  

But Queensland companies are up to the challenge, as the group of committed, energetic, innovative and successful companies here today demonstrates. They hail from many different parts of Queensland and from an impressive, indeed extraordinary range of export sectors from circus performances to earthmoving, skincare to aerospace. 

Their hard work and success are important to communities all over the State, creating revenue, jobs, and the many other benefits that accrue from engagement with the international economy.

I also acknowledge with pleasure the TIQ Commissioners here today, whose hard work in our priority markets contributes to the success of Queensland exporters. In those short but intensive periods of international engagement in the interests of Queensland, Kaye and I have greatly appreciated your support and friendship.

Business culture differences, language, and regulatory regimes are but some of the potential challenges for Queensland exporters.

Having Commissioners in these markets who can advise, explain, guide, and make introductions for emerging and even established exporters provides wonderful support for our companies.

I am pleased to affirm that Government House itself makes a modest contribution to the promotion of Queensland products. Wherever possible we proudly serve to our guests, including guests from overseas, food and wine sourced from our State. 

I thank the Premier, TIQ, and the sponsors of the awards for their continuing strong support for Queensland exporters, and congratulate all concerned on reaching the marvellous milestone of the Awards’ 30^th anniversary.

I thank the judging panel for its commitment in making what must always be difficult decisions.

I congratulate all Queensland exporters and, in particular today, every company and organisation that has won an award or made the list of finalists. 

I wish the winners every success at the National Export Awards in December.

Whatever the outcome, our State is always the winner as a result of our exporters’ energy, effort and ingenuity.    

Thank you.