Queensland will lobby to host a future international Quad meeting to leverage relationships with the key Indo-Pacific trading partners.
Premier David Crisafulli, speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce in Australia–Queensland Futures Institute event today, said the annual meeting between the leaders of Australia, the United States, Japan and India was an opportunity to fast-track development in the state.
“Australia is due to host it, and I couldn’t think of a more appropriate place than Queensland to have it. I’m leading a campaign to get it,” Premier Crisafulli said.
On American Independence Day, he told a crowd of 500, who dodged pro-Palestinian protestors to attend the event, hosting the high-level meeting would strengthening the state’s partnerships with those countries and boost economic opportunities.
“The United States is the largest investor in this state, and we need it to continue into the long term, but there is also opportunity with Japan, one of our longest and most trusted partners.”
Premier Crisafulli said in this time of global uncertainty it was also important to engage with “our friends in this part of the world”, like India.
“I’ll be leading my first overseas delegation within the next month to both Japan and India and this will be on the top of that agenda,” he said.
Premier Crisafulli said engagement with India was also important in respect to leveraging the opportunities around the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He said a synergy was possible with LA2028 leading into Brisbane 2032 and possibly India 2036.
“Watch this space,” he said.
In his speech, the Premier acknowledged the uncertainty around United States tariff decisions, but identified opportunities for Queensland, especially around critical minerals.
“Imagine an exemption for our critical minerals at a time when others are competing to get their products into one of our major markets.
“Our critical minerals are the best in the globe. They are mined to the highest environmental standards with the best workers’ safety and the best workers’ rights.
“That’s a point of difference, and that’s an opportunity.”
