Jones to fight for local drug discoveries, protect Smart State
Senior Queensland Cabinet Minister Kate Jones is negotiating greater support for local drug discoveries that might help fight the pandemic while also trying to keep the state’s innovation and entrepreneurial sector alive during the shutdown.
Emergency departments are facing their toughest test yet amid a growing Covid wave. (AAP Image/Darren England)
Separate research teams from the University of Queensland are working on a potential vaccine for the coronavirus as well as two drugs that might prove an effective treatment for COVID-19.
The potential drug therapies prompted Queensland businessman Clive Palmer to donate $1 million for a clinical trial and rally others to donate to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Foundation Coronavirus Action Fund.
Jones has applauded the researchers and also paid tribute to former Labor premier Peter Beattie, who led a Smart State strategy responsible for building up Queensland’s medical research and biotechnology industry.
With the authority of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Jones is in negotiations with the federal government aimed at supporting the researchers in their efforts.
“I know that the Premier herself will be raising these matters directly with the Prime Minister (Scott Morrison),” Jones told parliament.
“We know that in order to deliver these medical breakthroughs here in Queensland we need to work collaboratively with the federal government and the world-class researchers at the University of Queensland.”
Jones said she would also hold talks with the state’s Chief Entrepreneur, Leanne Kemp, on measures to “support Queensland’s broader innovation sector, local firms, businesses and start-ups, particularly those that are trade exposed, to get through this tough time”.
“We want to ensure that we keep these brains here in Queensland and keep the jobs here in Queensland,” said Jones, the Minister for Innovation and Tourism Development and Cross River Rail.
