QLD Budget weak on tech but promises to ‘foster innovation’
The Queensland Budget was handed down on Monday, and while it was very light on technology, it promised to help reskill people and “foster innovation” within the state.
“There is universal agreement that innovation directly leads to lasting improvements in productivity and competitiveness. Importantly, research and evidence clearly show that the effective diffusion of innovative ideas and approaches, and successful adoption of innovation, is the key to fostering further innovation across the economy,” the Budget papers [PDF] say.
“In the post COVID-19 era, governments and firms are likely to have a renewed focus on opportunities for re-shoring, ie attracting and re-establishing business and activities that had located outside of Queensland and Australia.”
The papers continue by saying the Advance Queensland program, which was announced during the 2015-16 Budget, included a range of programs “targeting the creation of innovation, including a strong focus on startups”.
“Through these initiatives, the government will