Media Statements Minister for Innovation, Science and the...

Media Statements

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Boost to Queensland’s life sciences industry

The life sciences industry in Queensland has been bolstered for a further four years with the Palaszczuk Government committing $1.86 million to the industry’s peak body.
Speaking at the Life Sciences Industry in Parliament event at Parliament House today, Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said the funding demonstrated the Queensland Government’s continuing support for the life sciences sector.
“Life Sciences Queensland has been integral to the development of a competitive life sciences industry in Queensland,” Ms Enoch said.
“It has a membership base of over 170 research institutes and companies, including some of Queensland’s biotechnology success stories like Anteo Diagnostics and Ellume.
“Our continued partnership, supported through the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland initiative, will help to ensure more positive outcomes from the state’s life sciences industry and, in turn, help create more jobs for Queenslanders.”
Established in 2011 by the Bligh Government, Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) works closely with its members and the broader industry to provide leadership, promote key capabilities to potential strategic partners and investors, and seek new opportunities for life sciences organisations in Queensland.
LSQ Chairman Dr Stuart Hazell said he welcomed the funding from the Queensland Government to support the organisation’s mission to assist its members and to advance life sciences as a key industry sector of the State’s economy.
“The four-year commitment by the state to LSQ will support our work to further strengthen our industry,” he said.
“This funding, supported by the financial commitments of over 170 members, will ensure LSQ has the reach to allow the innovations developed by our members to become known globally, help attract new partners and investment, and ideally develop new jobs in the State,” Dr Hazell said.
“Our government’s Advance Queensland initiative builds on the investments of previous governments, which creates an environment for our industry to grow and prosper. The on-going commitment to the growth of science and innovation in the State is welcome.”
Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201