Submission to Queensland’s Science and Innovation Strategy

ATSE envisions that the central goal of Queensland’s Science and Innovation Strategy is to develop a distributed innovation system that drives productivity across the whole state. The state has a natural advantage in its primary industries, resources and tourism which can be leveraged to strengthen its economy, expand job opportunities and contribute to  carbon emissions reduction. The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games could be used as a catalyst to enhance, showcase and attract global investment in innovation in sustainability, resilience and regional inclusion.

ATSE makes the following recommendations for Queensland’s Science and Innovation Plan:

Recommendation 1: Recognise quantum technology as a priority emerging technology in the strategy.

Recommendation 2: Use government procurement policies to encourage commercialisation of locally developed innovations, prioritising Queensland’s priority deep technology sectors including health and biotechnology, quantum technology and batteries and critical minerals.

Recommendation 3: Support the development of infrastructure for advanced and digital technologies including regional AI factories in Queensland.

Recommendation 4: Invest in digital and research infrastructure in South East Queensland and regional areas to support collaboration and research translation and commercialisation links state-wide.

Recommendation 5: Strengthen industry collaboration in universities by supporting proven programs such as the IMNIS: Industry Mentoring Network in STEM program.

Recommendation 6: Prioritise elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the application of Traditional Knowledge to innovation.

Recommendation 7: Integrate priority areas such as engineering, digital and AI into school curriculums through delivery or support of proven programs.

Recommendation 8: Address the workforce gap through delivery or support of proven programs that could expand Queensland’s STEM workforce.