On 30 April 2026, the Queensland Futures Institute (QFI) officially launched the NextGen Finance Network at Queensland Parliament House - a sector-wide initiative designed to build, retain and elevate Queensland's finance talent, and to ensure the next generation of finance leaders can build ambitious careers right here in Queensland.
The Network is an initiative of QFI, delivered through the Queensland Finance Council and shaped by the collective leadership of its six founding member organisations - ANZ, Australian Retirement Trust, Brighter Super, QIC, Queensland Treasury Corporation and Suncorp - together with university partners Queensland University of Technology, The University of Queensland, Griffith University, the University of the Sunshine Coast, the University of Southern Queensland and TAFE Queensland.
The launch was officially performed by the Honourable David Janetzki MP, Treasurer and Minister for Energy and for Home Ownership, following a welcome address from Kate Farrar, QFI President and CEO of Brighter Super.
Key highlights from Kate Farrar, QFI President and CEO of Brighter Super
- A clear evidence base for action. A feasibility study commissioned by the Queensland Finance Council and conducted by QFI found that while 85 per cent of Queensland finance students want to build a career in financial services, only 45 per cent expect to remain in Brisbane over the next decade.
- A rare model of cross-sector collaboration. Six of Queensland's leading financial institutions - many of them direct competitors - have committed time, resources and genuine institutional support to make the Network a reality, signalling the strength of shared purpose behind the initiative.
- System-building, not just program-building. Kate framed the Network as a coordinated, sector-wide graduate program designed to grow capability across the finance sector as a whole - offering cross-firm learning, executive networking, leadership exposure and mentorship, so graduates begin a career rather than merely sampling one.
- An invitation to emerging leaders. Kate encouraged the final-year students and early-career professionals in the room to make the most of being surrounded by senior leaders who hire, mentor and sponsor careers - reminding executives that a short conversation could pay dividends for a young person's career, their organisation, and Queensland.
Key highlights from the Honourable David Janetzki MP, Treasurer
-
A vision for Brisbane as a financial services hub. The Treasurer outlined his ambition for Brisbane to grow as a financial services hub, pointing to major Queensland-based institutions including QIC, Queensland Treasury Corporation and People First Bank - many of which run graduate programs - and recognising the role these organisations play in retaining talent in the State.
- Economics and politics as a shared challenge. Drawing on his background in economics and law, and a decade as General Counsel at what is now People First Bank, the Treasurer described the practice of politics as "the meeting of infinite need with finite resources and how do we best allocate according to that".
- The 2032 Brisbane Games as a generational opportunity. The Treasurer described the Games as "your generation's moment", encouraging emerging professionals to see them as an opportunity to build careers locally and contribute to Queensland's next era.
- A message of resilience for young professionals. The Treasurer encouraged attendees to know themselves and what motivates them, to stay optimistic, and to keep showing up - noting that any career in finance or politics is fundamentally about resilience.
The Treasurer formally launched the NextGen Finance Network and encouraged attendees to build the peer relationships the program is designed to foster. A calendar of invitation only networking events hosted by the founding member organisations is already underway. Click here for more information.