Queensland and the Netherlands: closer than you think

It’s easy to think in cliches when we don’t really know another culture. The Netherlands equals tulips and windmills, Australia equals kangaroos and sunshine.

And, of course, these cliches may hold some truth (Queensland is very sunny and this may be part of the key to a greener future). But it’s when you get beyond cliches and forge closer personal and professional connections that relationships become more rewarding.

I’ve seen this happen with Queensland and the Netherlands, as individuals and organisations have worked together with the goal of creating truly sustainable trade and investment relationships. This was the theme of an address I gave recently at an event hosted by Australian Business in Europe - Netherlands, and I’d like to share some of that address here, along with some other reflections on Queensland-Netherlands connections.

Building personal connections

Good evening ABIE Netherlands. I would like at the outset to acknowledge the ABIE Netherlands President, Jennifer Tucker, a fellow Queenslander. Jennifer is a wonderful friend of Queensland doing much to cement business relations between the state of Queensland and the Netherlands.

I also wish to acknowledge His Excellency Matthew Neuhaus, Australian Ambassador to The Netherlands. I would particularly like to thank you for your support for the Queensland-Netherlands trading relationship. The Governor of Queensland’s warm visit to the Netherlands in November 2019 was an excellent example of this. The engagement at political, cultural and business levels during that visit is really starting to bear fruit.

May I also acknowledge Richard York, the current Chair of Australian Business in Europe, the umbrella organisation of the respective ABIE chapters.

A greener, fairer, more resilient future …

It would be difficult to make this presentation tonight without referencing the indelible impact the worldwide pandemic has had on business, economic and social relations at the community level and globally.

There is much commentary about the importance of all actors working together to build a greener, fairer and more resilient economy. This overarching call to action has had a profound impact on the priorities for my office.

Responding to 5 key megatrends

This overriding sentiment has us taking note of and responding to 5 key mega trends:

·      sustainable energy supply and storage

·      connectivity through a digital economy

·      smart cities

·      more plant-based foods

·      an emphasis on lifestyle, health and wellbeing.

In economic terms, the Queensland Government sees the greatest need and greatest opportunity when building this new economy in energy transition. Therefore, the Government has a Hydrogen Industry Strategy and New Economy Minerals Prospectus.

Opportunities in Queensland’s hydrogen economy

Following the Queensland Governor’s visit to The Hague and his meetings with Ambassador Neuhaus and with Dutch government officials, businesses and major energy companies, my office collaborated with the FME industry association to present Queensland’s Hydrogen Strategy Advisor, Professor Ian Mackinnon, to Dutch stakeholders.

Professor MacKinnon spoke about the exponential growth of renewable hydrogen developments happening in Australia and in particular Queensland. There are strong synergies between the hydrogen policy priorities of the Netherlands Government, ports and industry and the Queensland Government.

I am pleased to report there has been significant interest from Dutch companies in expanding or developing renewable energy projects, including hydrogen, in Queensland. We are also engaged in developing bilateral relations between major ports in the Netherlands and Queensland in preparation for Queensland to eventually be a net exporter of green hydrogen and the Netherlands to be able to secure sufficient green hydrogen to meet future needs.

Queensland’s new economy minerals

My office has now begun a virtual European roadshow to promote Queensland’s ‘new economy’ minerals – the storage part of the sustainable energy story. We will be including The Netherlands in this program later this year.

Take, for example, rare earth elements – much in demand for automotive, defence and medical applications among many others. Queensland has exceptionally large and rich resources.

Building on what we share

I’m happy to say that the Queensland-Netherlands relationship also reaches into areas beyond trade and commerce. Many people are surprised to learn that we share artistic and sporting pursuits, including music, dance, field hockey and swimming to name but a few.

For example, in October 2019, I was delighted that the Governor of Queensland and Mrs de Jersey attended the 40th anniversary of Danserfonds ’79 in the presence of the Royal Family at the Dutch National Opera and Ballet, a company that includes several outstanding Queensland ballet dancers.

And, earlier that year, in May 2019, Far North Queensland’s award-winning Dancenorth’s Attracter opened the annual SPRING Performing Arts Festival in Utrecht.

On the hockey pitch, the Netherlands had Teun de Nooijer in orange and Queensland had Jamie Dwyer in green and gold – two of the world’s best hockey players – for many years.

We support these artistic and sporting pursuits because we know that they are more than a cultural bond: they are significant generators of income for both the Netherlands and Queensland. Moreover, they are a strong foundation for business discussions and partnerships.

As Europe and Australia engage in negotiations for the Europe-Australia Free Trade Agreement, it’s timely to note that shared values and goals around respect, identity and friendship can only help such negotiations proceed more fruitfully.

So - let us continue to work together

While the world we are operating in has changed irrevocably, the lessons we are learning and the collaboration we are seeing across borders does bring hope. In business, I think our purpose has sharpened and our desire to meet pressing global challenges has brought greater focus.

In closing, I hope we can continue our positive dialogue, engagement, and collaboration – and I look forward to seeing our already warm relationship strengthen.