Queensland Law Society Media Release

Local Solicitor Heads Business Networking Group

The Premier, Mr Peter Beattie, has announced that Sunshine Coast solicitor Glenn Ferguson of Ferguson Cannon Lawyers and President of the Queensland Law Society will chair a new private top-level sector/Government liaison group, Smart Exporting Queensland (SEQ).

Making the announcement, Mr Beattie said, "What my Government has done is bring together the smartest people in fields such as accounting, law, finance, logistics, marketing and Austrade to support over 30,000 business service providers and their clients in Queensland."

Mr Beattie said SEQ, through its diverse membership of peak professional bodies, "are able to tap into international business networks and identify major opportunities for Queensland companies, to assist our traditional industries to adopt Smart State solutions and to have more knowledge-intensive or 'smart' exports particularly in the global industries like professional services, biotechnology and information technology. We are fortunate to have Mr Ferguson on board with us."

Mr Ferguson said today SEQ was a major initiative to promote Queensland exports and would work closely with the Government to develop strategies to help exporting industries.

Membership included the Law Society, CPA Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants, National Institute of Accountants, Institute of Management Consultants, Engineers Australia, Royal Australian Institute of Architects and major bodies representing air and sea freight carriers, customs brokers, patent and trade mark attorneys and others.

"When it comes to expertise in every aspect of facilitating exports, SEQ is a one-stop shop and we propose to hold forums for Queensland companies in conjunction with the State Government to discuss trends and opportunities. It is an exciting initiative with a huge potential to help not just current exporters but even companies who may not have considered exporting or who are a bit daunted by what is required to do so," Mr Ferguson said.

"I am sure that here on the Sunshine Coast there are many small to medium-sized companies which could benefit from what the SEQ initiative will deliver It is a tremendous honour to have been asked to be the foundation chairman of this important body and I look forward to providing leadership and all SEQ members are very grateful to the Premier for his enthusiastically whole-hearted support for what we are proposing."

Mr Ferguson’s firm, Ferguson Cannon Lawyers of Maroochydore is a finalist in the Services Category for the Premier's Export Awards in Brisbane tonight.

Note to media

The Premier issued a statement on 22 September entitled "Business, Professional Groups Unite for Smart Exporting" which is available on the Queensland Government website or by contacting Mr Steve Rous on 07 3224 4500.