Speaking at the second annual Queensland Major Projects Conference Beattie said, “Since the launch of the Local Industry Policy in December 1999, the number of work packages relating to major projects in Queensland has reached 1,583, valued at a total of over A$2.5 billion.”

“Of 708 contracts valued at a total of A$1.6 billion awarded to Australian companies, I am pleased to announce today that 505 contracts worth A$1.2 billion have been won by Queensland firms,” he added, using the example of Tarong Energy which awarded A$185 million out of A$236 million spent on Australian businesses to Queensland companies.

Furthermore, according to the Premier, firms were not only awarding contracts to local companies but were also moving either their head offices into or setting up regional departments in the state.

“SNC-Lavalin, one of the leading engineering and construction firms in the world employing 15,000 people worldwide, recognised the benefits of setting up an office in Queensland to service the Asia Pacific region. Since last November, the company’s Brisbane office has grown from two staff members to nearly 100,” said Beattie.

“That’s a terrific increase and I’m told that the company expects that to continue and they may even reach several hundred staff over the next 18 months. That’s the kind of go-ahead approach that we encourage and support in Queensland,” added Beattie.