Taking our best abroad: Queensland exporters dominate national awards

The very best of Australian exporters were on show last week for the Australian Export awards, with Queensland exporters taking out four of the 13 categories.

Nov 29, 2022, updated May 22, 2025
Dr Glenn McKay and Michael Smith from Medical Rescue, David Koch, Brett Williams and Mike Latemore from Mort & Co, Hess Ghah from Next Level Racing and Luli Farrell and Chanelle Johnston from ABI Interiors.
Dr Glenn McKay and Michael Smith from Medical Rescue, David Koch, Brett Williams and Mike Latemore from Mort & Co, Hess Ghah from Next Level Racing and Luli Farrell and Chanelle Johnston from ABI Interiors.

Queensland’s ABI Interiors, Next Level Racing, Medical Rescue and Mort & Co were named among the winners at the Australian Export Awards held in Canberra, after winning their respective categories at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2022 in October and qualifying for the national award.

Premier and Minister for the Olympics Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated the companies for the impressive wins.

“These awards are well deserved and shows our exporters are world class,” she said.

ABI interiors caught the judge’s attention in the e-commerce category for their centralised on-line source of design solutions and high-quality kitchen and bathroom products, with customers in over 45 countries in Asia, Europe and America.

Chanelle Johnston, International Development Manager at ABI Interiors said the national award was a massive achievement, and a chance to reflect on what the company had accomplished internationally.

Next Level Racing was named Creative Industries winner, exporting their racing simulators to elite car racers in more than 53 countries.

Hess Ghah, CEO of Next Level Racing said the national win was both exciting and humbling. 

“Our company has been kicking some big export goals and winning the award will serve to reinforce our credentials as we continue to grow our business internationally,” he said.

Medical Rescue took out the Professional Services category for their life saving work as international air ambulance, working across the Asia Pacific.

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“It’s an honour to be recognised by peers and the business community for our work over the last 12 years,” Michael Smith, Medical Rescue Director said.

Accepting the award for Regional Exporter Mort & Co said they were happy to be commended on the national stage.

“The markets are tough but we have been able to keep pushing Aussie beef around the world,” Mike Latemore, Mort & Co Meat Sales Manager said.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said the result was a great achievement.

“The quality of goods and services produced by the winners is confirmation that our state strives for excellence across a diverse range of industries that not only compete but take the lead internationally,” Mr Dick said.  

According to the ABS, for the 12 months ending September 2022, Queensland contributed more than half (50.6 per cent) of the total increase in national exports – that’s more than one in two export dollars recorded nationally over the year.

The value of goods exports from Queensland was higher than the value of goods exports from New South Wales and Victoria combined.

Michael Smith, Director of Medical Rescue said partnerships are crucial to their success.

“Trade and Investment Queensland has been a key partner in our business growth and has served to support our export ambitions as we grow our business internationally,” he said.

Trade and Investment Queensland is the state government’s world-wide business agency that helps thousands of Queensland businesses export and expand. 

For the full list of national winners visit www.exportawards.gov.au

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