Leanne Linard MP on LinkedIn: More of Queensland is protected than ever before in the history of our… (2024)

Fantastic to attend the Trusted Autonomous Systems Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre 2024 Symposium.This year focused on a theme of ‘Disruptive and Transformative Innovation’ and it was my absolute pleasure to share a few words on the work our Advance Queensland initiative has contributed to the defence sector, and how critical it is to support and nurture the many budding innovators Queensland has to offer.Innovators like Skyborne Technologies and Cyborg Dynamics Engineering – two recipients of Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas funding – whose project proposal with the University of Queensland to TAS DCRC established Athena AI.The tool they have developed, to autonomously assess and advise unmanned aerial systems operators on live reconnaissance feeds, has even since attracted international attention, for which I absolutely commend their achievements.Just another brilliant example of how Queensland innovators continue to put our state at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.

37

It was a pleasure to be a guest speaker at the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia breakfast event recently.A wonderful opportunity to bring together the key organisations managing waste in Queensland and showcase the good work that is happening in our state, and to highlight the opportunities for the waste and resource recovery sector as we make our transition to a circular economy.Our government is committed to making Queensland a zero-waste society by 2050, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our key organisations across the sector and our local governments to move us toward that goal to better our state for the generations to come.

37

1 Comment

A wonderful opportunity yesterday to meet with Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson and these three impressive Queensland winners of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2023, to hear firsthand the impact of their work. Ms Judith Stutchbury is a teacher at Kalkie State School in Bundaberg, and was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools for her work to inspire and educate her students on the importance of marine conservation. I have had the pleasure of meeting her young Reef Guardians and can absolutely attest to the impact she has had. Professor Glenn King was awarded the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation, for his pioneering discovery of the use of peptides from funnel-web spider venom for sustainable crop protection, and potentially, for human therapeutics - absolutely fascinating work!And last but certainly not least, Associate Professor Lara Herrero was awarded the Prize for New Innovators for her work treating viral infections from mosquitos - translating her groundbreaking research into a world-first drug with potential applications for treating the long term symptoms associated with Ross River virus. What incredible achievements and a clear display of how Queensland is absolutely at the forefront of world-class research and innovation. Congratulations to each of you and thank you for your contributions to our state 👏👏

50

3 Comments

It was a pleasure to speak at last night’s launch of the Protect Beautiful Queensland alliance.This new alliance of key organisations, Pew Charitable Trusts, Queensland Conservation Council, Outdoors Queensland, and the National Parks Association of Queensland Inc., brings their collective knowledge and passion together to work towards their goal of doubling Queensland’s protected areas by 2030 👏👏It’s a passion our Miles Government shares - it was our Premier Steven Miles who announced in 2015 that Queensland Labor is committed to increasing our protected areas to 17% of our state’s land mass. And since elected, we have expanded our protected area estate by 1.23 million hectares and made a record investment of $262.5 million in furthering that expansion. We remain absolutely committed to our goal and we are not about to take our foot off the accelerator. This is an exciting new partnership, of organisations that I look forward to continuing to work alongside to protect Queensland’s pristine environment for generations to come.

44

4 Comments

What a great day at the World Science Festival yesterday! A fascinating opportunity to meet so many Scientists, Engineers and experts in their respective fields - from our DESI soil scientists, coral experts, and aviation engineers from Queenslands best universities and institutes, to robotics battles, and the turtle hatchery at the Queensland Museum- there were so many incredible things to see and learn. We unfortunately weren’t able to visit every booth of course, but I’m sure they were equally as fascinating as those I did get a chance to spend some time with!So proud to be Queensland Science and Innovation Minister and a special treat to have my son, JD - himself, a budding Engineer, along for the day too ☺️Department of Environment, Science and Innovation Queensland Museum World Science Festival The University of Queensland Griffith University CQUniversity QUT (Queensland University of Technology) University of Southern Queensland

48

3 Comments

Always wonderful to catch up with our regional conservation councils and peak conservation bodies at my Ministerial Environment Roundtables each year!This is such a valuable exercise bringing our state’s environment groups together to update them on the work we are progressing as a government, to hear direct their concerns and innovative ideas and solutions, and to articulate how we can best work together to further protect our precious Queensland environment, the most biodiverse state in Australia. Thank you all for coming along and for your invaluable contribution to protecting our environment.

47

1 Comment

Wishing everyone a Happy International Women’s Day today! I wanted to give a warm shoutout to the incredible women in the Environment, Science, and Innovation Department and sectors, who I am so honoured to have the opportunity to meet each and everyday and represent in my role. Scientists like Dr Alexandra Garzon-Garcia who is the Principal Scientist in the Soil, Catchment and Riverine Process team and who shares her love of working in science with the next generation.Or Dr Melinda Laidlaw who is the Science Leader, Species and Herbarium Collections and has collaborated with the Bureau of Meteorology to study climate change impacts on cloud forests in our World Heritage rainforests.Like Dr Teresa Eyre Principal Ecologist at the Queensland Herbarium - winner of the 2023 Australian Ecology Research Award for her work exploring the effects of forestry, grazing, and fodder harvesting practices on biodiversity. Women like Rachel D’Arcy and Mel Shepherd managers in our policy and programs division with oversight of the Reef Assist program, which delivers priority environmental projects and creates regional jobs for Queenslanders in the Great Barrier Reef catchment.Women like Dr Linda Behrendorff a Senior Ranger with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and someone with a wealth of knowledge and experience with K’gari’s dingoes.I would also like to acknowledge our Queensland Chief Scientist, Professor Kerrie Wilson - one of Australia’s leading researchers in the science, strategy and policy of conservation, who will make key contributions to our efforts responding to climate change and its impact on our environment and lifestyle. These are just a handful of the incredible women that make up these important sectors and my wonderful department across Queensland - thank you for what you do, for blazing a trail for women who will come after you and again, happy International Women’s Day 👏👏

67

4 Comments

We’ve just declared the largest single eradication of yellow crazy ants anywhere in the world - 365 hectares in Far North Queensland are now yellow crazy ant free 👏👏Uncontrolled, yellow crazy ants are absolutely devastating to the environment and native vegetation, farming and agriculture, and quality of life - which is why we have jointly funded a $6 million per annum eradication program with the Federal Government. The Wet Tropics Management Authority have done extensive work in conjunction with Traditional Owners to deliver the first eradication inside our precious Wet Tropics World Heritage Area 🌏🫶 It was fantastic meeting the team in person up in Cairns last week to hear first hand how our investment has made such an impact on the health and ecology of the Cairns region and its communities.

39

Today, we introduced a bill to enshrine in law our 75% by 2035 and net zero by 2050 emissions reduction targets. We are acting on climate change - protecting our environment, jobs and lifestyle and leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come. A proud day to stand alongside the Premier, Minister de Brenni, and our conservation, land, renewable energy and energy sectors as we commit to nation-leading targets that are good for families, good for the environment, good for jobs, and good for the economy 👏👏

189

10 Comments