State is keen to poach

QUEENSLAND will poach major businesses from the COVID-infected southern states in a bold push to become Australia’s new economic powerhouse.

Skyrocketing COVID-19 cases in Victoria and growing clusters in New South Wales are putting at risk the economic revival of Australia’s two largest economies.

Their desperate battle to manage the heath crisis has opened the door for COVIDfree Queensland to capitalise on its own potential economic windfall.

With the southeast already the home of major sporting codes including the AFL, NRL, Supercars and netball, the focus has shifted to luring shuttered businesses from Victoria and New South Wales to the Sunshine State.

Queensland State Development Minister Kate Jones said her department was in overdrive, working to bring businesses north.

“We’re on a mission to poach big companies that we can ensure will create jobs for Queenslanders,” she said

“Right now we are the home of Australian sport – this is a great boon for our tourism and major events industries.

“And thanks to the way we’ve managed this health crisis, we’re seeing more interest from companies keen to come to Queensland.”

The work is being done through the state’s Advance

Queensland Industry Attraction Fund, which has already attracted 19 major companies and created 1000 jobs in the past few years.

“We’re actively in the marketplace looking for firms that can help us further Queensland’s economic recovery,” Ms Jones said.

It’s not only the virus spread in Victoria and NSW providing unintended benefits to Queensland.

A rising second wave in the US and ongoing cases in Europe are driving many of Queensland’s brightest minds back home.

Chief Entrepreneur Leanne Kemp said there had been an “incredible onshoring of talent, expat talent and start-ups” who were returning people from large global organisations.

With the state’s businesses powering ahead, Ms Kemp said it was the perfect time for sole traders and start-up businesses to innovate.

A Deloitte Access Economics report this month predicted the virus, which has “taken a sledgehammer to Australia’s economy” would hit hardest in Victoria.

Deloitte Access Economics partner Chris Richardson tipped Queensland would be less affected after managing the crisis well.

“Low infection rates enabled the economy to open back up to locals already, with the rest of the nation (except Victorians and selected Sydney hot spots) welcome,” he said.