All eyes on Queensland as Australia’s next potential tech powerhouse
Collaboration, more jobs and new ways of thinking were some of the themes that surfaced when eighteen of Queensland’s most innovative thinkers got together to discuss the State’s future.
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Queensland’s potential to become Australia’s leading technology powerhouse was the centre of conversation among some of the State’s top industry leaders.
Eighteen bright minds from industry, corporate and government sectors came together at the Queensland Technology Industry Roundtable, hosted by Tech Council of Australia and Suncorp Group, to discuss how to harness the State’s technology capabilities to compete on the world stage and drive a new era of growth.
Suncorp Group Chairman, Christine McLoughlin AM, said events like this were key to driving the State forward.
"We have Queensland’s most innovative minds sitting around the Suncorp table discussing what is possible for the State – that’s exciting,” she said.
Christine McLoughlin AM, Suncorp Chairman
These conversations and connections play an important role in sparking new ideas, opportunities and problem-solving.
Pictured: Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston, Suncorp Group Chairman Christine McLoughlin AM, Tech Council of Australia CEO Kate Pounder, Tech Council of Australia Executive Director Kate Jones and Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur Julia Spicer.
Collaboration, creating more jobs and thinking beyond traditional pathways were some of the themes that surfaced during the event at Suncorp’s HQ, Heritage Lanes in Brisbane on 24 February.
“It’s about leveraging the capabilities we already have and working out what our barriers are so we can fill the gaps,” Ms McLoughlin said.
“By working together, we hope to develop a two-to-four year view of what will enable the State to grow and thrive.”
Representing 14% of the Australian tech sector’s contribution to national GDP, Tech Council of Australia CEO Kate Pounder said the Sunshine State had a significant opportunity to grow its share.
18 bright minds gathered in the Suncorp Heritage Lanes building for the Queensland Technology Industry Roundtable
“The opportunity for Queensland is to take traditional technologies and see how we can evolve the next wave of industry,” she said.
Queensland’s Chief Entrepreneur Julia Spicer agreed and said this wasn’t just an opportunity for technology companies.
“More and more we are going to see the role technology plays in building our economy and employing people – not just technology industries, but all industries,” she said.
“The Roundtable is a chance to be real and speak plainly about what that looks like, what challenges we face, work out what we can do to control them, and get on with it.”
Other technology leaders in attendance included Executive Director of the Tech Council of Australia and former Queensland Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones, Managing Director of Accenture Josh Lamont and Nicole Ireland, General Manager Robotics Australia Group.
