The hegemonic positioning of ‘Smart State’ policy

Abstract

The Australian State of Queensland’s ‘Smart State’ policy is the Government’s response to global conditions that require a new type of worker and citizen for a new knowledge economy. As a result the Government has produced a plethora of documents and papers in every aspect of its operation to progress Queensland as a ‘Smart State’. The role of education in the success of the ‘Smart State’ is clearly outlined in the Queensland Government’s vision statements and policies (Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts 1999). The purpose of this article is to utilise Norman Fairclough’s theories regarding the relationship between discourse and social change, to examine the interdiscursive, linguistic and semiotic strategies used in ‘Smart State’ policy to show how this discourse is emerging into a hegemonic position within the discourses of Queensland education.

Keywords:

• hegemony
• knowledge economy
• Queensland ‘Smart State’
• policy analysis
• education
• critical discourse analysis
• Fairclough

Notes

1. In September 2007, Anna Bligh replaced Peter Beattie as Queensland’s Labor Premier. When ‘Smart State’ initiatives were first introduced, Anna Bligh was Queensland’s Education Minister and was responsible for the many reforms that followed as a result of this policy.

2. Historically, Queensland has relied on a thriving mining (particularly coal) and agricultural industries.