Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Mienczakowski represented CQU at this week's Brisbane launch of a new Smart Queensland strategy.

The Queensland Government will commit at least $473 million extra to fuel Queensland's rocketing growth in innovation, education, jobs and the economy, under the new Smart Queensland strategy.

Launching the strategy this week at the University of Queensland, Premier Peter Beattie said: "When you mix innovative Queenslanders with committed government leadership and almost half a billion new dollars (over four years), you get rocket fuel for jobs and the economy.

"Smart Queensland is a blueprint for maintaining the momentum of the past seven years.

"In this time our unemployment rate has dropped to the nation's lowest (for the first time in 23 years), our economy has strengthened into Australia's most robust, and our education system has become world-class.

"Queensland has emerged as a hub for excellent research, development, commercialisation and innovation.

"If we continue to innovate in traditional industries and foster emerging industries, Queensland has the power to grow into a global giant in these fields.

"This strategy is a blueprint to make that happen.".

Smart Queensland: Smart State Strategy 2005-1015 includes more than $200 million in funding over the next four years to build new research infrastructure and support innovation.

The Minister for State Development and Innovation, Tony McGrady, said this package is the biggest commitment of new funds in Smart Queensland.

It includes three new funds, for which the government will invite the first round of submissions this year:.

- $128 million Innovation Building Fund.

- $12 million Innovation Skills Fund.

- $60 million Innovation Projects Fund.

As well, the government will:.

- Add $20 million to the fourth and final round of the successful Smart State Research Facilities Fund.

- Establish a new Golden Casket Medical Research Foundation in conjunction with the Golden Casket Lottery Corporation.

Mr Beattie said: "The $473 million does not include the government's commitments to two exciting science precincts: the Boggo Road Ecosciences Precinct and the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains.".

He gave further details of the new sources of funding for Smart State scientists and innovators.

$128m Innovation Building Fund.

This major infrastructure program will establish pioneering research and innovation institutes, facilities, and centres of excellence in Queensland and fund major items of research equipment.

It will stimulate research, development, commercialisation and technology diffusion.

It will build on the successful Smart State Research Facilities Fund, which has committed $130 million to 18 projects in its first three years.

$12m Innovation Skills Fund.

This will attract and retain top researchers and PhD students to Queensland.

It will provide scholarships to promising PhD students, fellowships to researchers in the early stages of their career who are fast gaining an international reputation for excellence, and "iconic" fellowships to senior researchers who are world leaders in their field.

The Innovation Skills Fund will give Queensland researchers more opportunities to stay in Queensland, working along side and matching their skills with the best in the world.

It will also attract leading interstate and international researchers and PhD students to Queensland.

$60m Innovation Projects Fund.

This will support research, development and innovation projects in priority areas including health, agriculture, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

The fund will encourage collaboration between Queensland researchers and their peers in interstate and overseas industry and academe, by providing matching funds.

This approach will attract new investment and skills to Queensland.

Minister McGrady said an extra $20 million for the current and final round of the Smart State Research Facilities Fund will bring the total value of the fund since it began in 2001 to $170 million.

"This fund has already helped establish facilities such as the Centre for Advanced Animal Science, the Australian Tropical Forest Institute, and has encouraged research activities at the Mater Medical Research Institute," Mr McGrady said.

The new Golden Casket Medical Research Foundation is expected to yield about $1.3 million a year for health and medical research, from interest earned on an unclaimed Powerball win.

The Premier said: "This will put someone's windfall to work, potentially easing pain and saving lives.

"It's a fitting use of an unclaimed windfall in the Smart State - where we make our luck," Mr Beattie said.

The money for the three new funds will be committed in the 2005-06 Budget. The extra $20 million has come off the budget bottom line in 2004-05.

Copies of the strategy can be obtained by phoning (07) 3224 5100 or visiting www.smartstate.qld.gov.au .

Photo: DVC Professor Jim Mienczakowski (second row right) at the Smart Queensland launch.