Afternoon Tea in Support of the 2023 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, the Honourable Cameron Dick MP; Assistant Minister for Trade and Investment, Ms Charis Mullen MP; Trade and Investment Queensland CEO, Mr Justin McGowan; finalists and supporters of the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this afternoon.

Graeme and I are delighted once again to host this afternoon tea in support of those so keenly involved in Queensland’s export trade. The achievements of the businesses represented here today are a great source of pride for our State.

It is indeed heartening to hear that Queensland led all other states and territories with a record number of 208 applications for State export awards from 86 businesses.

Today, it is our pleasure to acknowledge and celebrate the 43 Queensland businesses named as finalists across the 15 award categories.

And of course, tomorrow evening at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, the winners will be announced at the Awards Gala, where Queensland’s Top Exporter of the Year will also be named. Best of luck to all of you in your quest for that title!

Hosting the finalists and sponsors of these awards for afternoon tea here at Government House on the day before the gala ceremony has been an important tradition of the awards program for many years now.

It provides a wonderful opportunity to admire the breadth and depth of exporting in the State, and to highlight the valuable contribution you all make.

The list of finalists is drawn from such a wide array of industries - Agribusiness, Food and Beverages, First Nations, Resources and Energy, and Women in International Business - to name just a few.

With Queensland’s export industry valued at $144 billion and supporting one in five jobs in the State, it certainly is an industry on which we rely and one that has produced great outcomes for Queenslanders.

Please enjoy your afternoon tea and be assured that all Queenslanders are proud of your efforts, as am I, and we wish you every success into the future.