Premier Statement: Smart State slogans axed in cost cutting shake up

[ozbob]

Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman
22/07/2012

Smart State slogans axed in cost cutting shake up

The Newman Government has retired the "Queensland the Smart State" and "the Smart State" trademarks as part of its cost cutting shake up.

There are still thousands of car registration plates bearing the identifier to be allocated but otherwise the decision will have little impact on Government business.

In 2003, the Queensland Government developed and trademarked "Queensland the Smart State" and "the Smart State" for use in marketing and communication material.

The then Beattie Government pushed the idea for several years but by September 2008 the trademarks were rarely used.

Premier Campbell Newman said the trademarks for the "Queensland the Smart State" and 'the Smart State" expired on 9 July this year.

A renewal would have cost $5,400 per trademark, and then $18,000 per trademark each month.

"This would have been an unwarranted cost to renew the trademarks which were not often used," he said.

Mr Newman said th e identifier "Queensland the Smart State" was no longer used on Queensland Government marketing and communication material.

"In April, Transport Minister Scott Emerson approved an immediate halt to the manufacturing of motor vehicle number plates with the slogan "Queensland the Smart State," he said.

There are approximately 20,000 existing number plates bearing the slogan "Queensland the Smart State" in stock and they will be exhausted through the Department's current distribution.

Cabinet has legal advice there is no significant risk to the Queensland Government if either identifier is used as a tagline, in written text or within a business area in the future.

An example could be a Smart State Council.

[ENDS] 22 July 2012

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[BrizCommuter]

QLD - The slashed state?

[Stillwater]

So, do we go back to being the 'Sunshine State'?  Or does nothing other than the licence number go on the number plate, in which case we become the nothing state?

[STB]

Wouldn't be surprised if it becomes 'The Can-Do State'.

[huddo45]

When the Smart State number plates first appeared, after much public ridicule Sunshine State plates became optional, and few choose Smart State plates anyway. I suppose they'll all be Sunshine State from now on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_Australia

[BrizCommuter]

QLD - The congestion state?

[somebody]

So, do we go back to being the 'Sunshine State'?  Or does nothing other than the licence number go on the number plate, in which case we become the nothing state?

Sunshine state was perfectly fine.  No need to change it.

[Stillwater]

I asked for Sunshine State plates, rather than the 'smart-arse state' alternative.  I put 'smart state' in the same basket as 'world class transport network'.   

[somebody]

Or the Q400 - a "quiet" turboprop plane.