BEATTIE PROMOTES QUEENSLAND’S SMART STATE ACHIEVEMENTS AT ITALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (QLD) LUNCH

Brisbane, 23^rd March 2011 

The Italian Chamber of Commerce recently hosted another very successful corporate business lunch with former Premier of Queensland, the Hon Peter Beattie being the special guest. 

In his address to the 200 senior business people in attendance, Mr Beattie took the opportunity to outline the achievements of the Queensland Smart State Program. 

The Program was initiated and implemented during Mr Beattie’s time as Premier of Queensland and according to Mr Beattie, made possible many scientific and innovative achievements. 

In his address, Mr Beattie made the following points:

• In 1998 when the Queensland’s Smart State vision was initiated knowledge based industries accounted for only a modest part of the economy.
• Even though Queensland produces 50% of Australia’s raw coal, almost one third of Queensland’s economy stems from knowledge intensive industries today.
• Knowledge now accounts for 50% of long term economic growth in advanced industrial countries.
• Between 1998 and 2007 Mr Beattie’s government invested $3.4 billion in science, research and innovation in an integrated formula of infrastructure, human capital, research programmes and industry incentives. To date the investment is now $3.6 billion.
• The Queensland Government announced in May 2010 that it will invest $25 million in a venture capital fund with global biopharmaceutical leader Eli Lilly and Company, and other strategic US partners. The total value of the fund is $US 250 million.
• There was a focus on higher levels of education and training as these are the keystones of a knowledge economy. They also provide better employment prospects, higher paid jobs and increased productivity, generating innovative ideas and improving business success.
• The government’s investment in science, research and innovation saw the state’s biotechnology sector grow four fold in the ten years to 2008.
• The investment in Queensland’s health and medical research facilities led to over 90 companies focused on commercializing IP; skilled jobs being created and drugs and products in clinical development.
• Queensland’s knowledge-intensive exports grew by 105.5% between 1999-2000 and 2006-07.
• Employment in knowledge-intensive industries grew by 41.6% between 1996-97 and 2006-07 compared to total employment growth at 36.6 percent.
• Business expenditure on R&D grew by 161percent between 1997-98 and 2005-06.Queensland’s economic growth strengthened to an above average 5.7 percent in 2006-07, compared with 2.6 percent in the rest of Australia. 

In his remarks during the lunch, ICCI (Qld) President, Comm. Hon Santo Santoro, thanked the following major sponsors for their continuing and strong support:

Euromarque; Singapore Airlines; Rydges Southbank; Ansaldo; 

Vincents Chartered Accountants; Beyond Web Developments

The assistance and support of the following companies was also recognized and applauded:

DolciSapori; Di Bella Coffee; Gerbino's; Dell'Ugo; Merlo Coffee; New Realm Media; 

Italiquore Brands Internationale; CopyCat; Gambaro Restaurant

A custom-made road bike donated by Lombardo Bikes was also auctioned at the lunch by the Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello. Mr Costello’s most diligent auctioneering skills saw the bike auctioned for $1700 with Mr Ian Humphreys from Blake Dawson making the purchase. Al proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane’s Flood Relief Appeal. 

For further information about the chamber and forthcoming events, go to http://www.icci.com.au/

The Hon. Peter Beattie, Comm. The Hon. Santo Santoro

Mariangela Stagnitti, Joe Stagnitti, Davide Gerbino

Diana Amorosi, Robert Amorosi

Tony De Pasquale, Cav Ralph De Pasquale, Mario Alfieri 

Fabio Orlando, Aladino Pozzebon, Dmitri Chafikov, Ekaterina Abrosimova 

Dean Merlo, Mary Merlo, Lora Calvisi, Paul Fiumara 

Father Mauro Conte, Matthew Sorbello, The Hon. Peter Beattie, Alf Sorbello

ICCI Guests

Peter Costello during the auction

Federica Odorisio, Fil D'Arrò 

The Hon. Peter Beattie, Comm. The Hon. Santo Santoro

ICCI guests

The auctioned bike donated by Lombardo Bikes

Peter Costello, Michael Gambaro, Jerry Iacovella

Joe Salomone, Robert Amorosi

Federica Odorisio, Enzo Montalbano

Gavin Johns, Dane McCracken, James Dunne, Paul Fiumara, Enzo Montalbano 

Peter Costello, Federica Odorisio, Cav. Steve Pellegrino

Gary Montagner, Peter Costello 

ICCI guests

Becky White, Douglas Martin, Alf Sorbello

The Hon. Peter Beattie, Comm. The Hon. Santo Santoro

Peter Costello, Comm. The Hon. Santo Santoro

Comm. The Hon. Santo Santoro

Peter Costello, Federica Odorisio

Federica Odorisio, The Hon. Peter Beattie 

The Hon. Dr. David Hamill AM, Federica Odorisio 

Dmitri Chafikov, Ekaterina Abrosimova

Joe Salomone, Michael Gambaro

Michael Gambaro, Max Telese, Andrea Buttà, Daniele Bragagni

Massimo Bortolazzo, Federica Odorisio, Lorenzo Spezzamonte

Lucio Morgante with the Alfa Romeo offered by Mountain Road Racing for fast laps.

Margherita Dal Col with the Alfa Romeo offered by Mountain Road Racing for fast laps. 

Lucio Morgante, Margherita Dal Col, Federica Odorisio, Enzo Montalbano, Daniele Bragagni 

A hand-made Italian bicycle, valued 1,300$ proudly donated by LOMBARDO BIKES will be auctioned during ICCI Qld's Corporate Luncheon with special guest The Hon Peter Beattie on March 21st

The Touring 26 is the latest model among the Vintage line produced by Lombardo Bikes, a family-owned bicycles manufacturer based in South Italy. In common with all Lombardo models this bicycle line is hand-made under strict quality production processes, derived from a long established Italian know-how dated since 1952.

Unlike many of the modern designs, this bicycle is built following an “old style concept” in which the frame is made of steel with lugs, set with a steel fork. The strong vintage character is conferred through a magnificent leather saddle, a saddle’s bag and two lateral Montegrappa© bags exclusively designed for the Lombardo Vintage line, creating a bicycle that moves comfortably in the city and its surroundings while exhibiting perfect road handling in high style.

Thanks to a non-aggressive frame design, a wide handle bar and its robustness, the Touring 26 is not simply beautiful to look at in fact, it is exceptionally comfortable and relaxing to ride with. A lower top tube and 26” wheels make this bicycle the greatest and safest choice for the modern, stylish and dynamic woman with a dedicated taste for class.

The Touring 28 is the exact replication of Touring 26 with the exception of the 28” wheels and its straight top tube, which make the bike a superb riding companion for men who indulge class and elegance. Both Lombardo Touring models are complemented with a dynamo lights set, front and rear, ensuring perfect lighting for evening rides as well as extreme care for the environment thanks to absolute no battery usage. 

            Lombardo Bikes are now available in Australia and New Zealand via Best Quality Imports Pty Ltd, find your nearest dealer at http://bestqualityimports.com.

Corporate Business Luncheon with Special Guest Peter Beattie

Dear Friends and Chamber's supporters, 

It’s on again! Another magnificent networking opportunity in the form of the new regular and highly regarded ICCI (Qld) Corporate Luncheon.

The next luncheon is scheduled for Monday 21^st March 2011.

The special guest is The Hon Peter Beattie, Premier of Queensland from 1998 – 2008, who will address the topic “Is Queensland still the Smart State?”.

The Hon. Beattie will be a very interesting, entertaining and perhaps even controversial speaker, who in his speech will exhibit his usual candid and robust approach to a topic close to his heart. And, of course, his answers to ‘questions without notice’ will bring the ‘house’ down!

  

This function follows the inaugural and very successful corporate event held in February, the Lord Mayor’s Corporate Luncheon. In the wake of success of the charity auction undertaken during this latter, a hand-made Italian bicycle proudly donated by Lombardo Bikes, valued $1300, will be auctioned, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Lord Mayor’s Community Disaster Relief Appeal.

A magnificent Italian-inspired meal  will be offered, accompanied by a selection of fine Italian wines sponsored by Italiquore and delicious desserts sponsored by DolciSapori & Gerbino!

Your personal attendance at the lunch would be appreciated and welcomed.  Please consider booking a table and inviting your friends and business colleagues to join you.

Article on VILLAGE NEWS: Santo's passion puts end to Chamber's darkest days

Click here to enlarge the picture

Article on Lord Mayor's Corporate Business Luncheon on LA FIAMMA, Italian daily newspaper il Australia

Click here to enlarge