Queensland general issue plates have been maroon on a reflective base since 2002. 
Slogans alternate between a silk screened 'QUEENSLAND - THE SMART STATE' and an embossed 'QUEENSLAND - SUNSHINE STATE'. The choice of slogans came about when the Premier of Queensland wanted to promote his new Smart State image on the number plates and announced there would be no more Sunshine State plates. The public outcry led to a political backdown and the choice. Apparently there are about 4 or 5 pairs of Sunshine State plates issued to every one Smart State pair. Currently plates are being issued in the L's.
The first maroon plates issued were 000-GKK and the first Smart State slogan was on plate set 000-HAA.
In Queensland pre-1921 a system of local authority registration was in use. Owners were required to register the vehicle in whatever area they were going to drive. Pro rata payments were necessary if you visited other shires within the state. A letter was used as a prefix, with each local authority having a separate one. There was a bit of duplication, and the letter prefix wasn't compulsory on the plate. Motorists usually only bothered with it if they were going to travel into other shires.
Slogans alternate between a silk screened 'QUEENSLAND - THE SMART STATE' and an embossed 'QUEENSLAND - SUNSHINE STATE'. The choice of slogans came about when the Premier of Queensland wanted to promote his new Smart State image on the number plates and announced there would be no more Sunshine State plates. The public outcry led to a political backdown and the choice. Apparently there are about 4 or 5 pairs of Sunshine State plates issued to every one Smart State pair. Currently plates are being issued in the L's.
The first maroon plates issued were 000-GKK and the first Smart State slogan was on plate set 000-HAA.
Prior to the maroon on reflective base, a green on reflective base was used. This series was the first reflective type issued in Queensland and commenced in July 1977 at plate 000-NAA. They ran through the N's, O's and P's before restarting at A. The last green on reflective issue was 999-GKJ.
From 1955 up to 1977, plates were white on black in the NAA-000 to PZZ-000 range. This series was non-reflective. Order of issue was N, then P, before finally O plates were released. Earlier plates had a horizontal diamond whereas later ones had a vertical diamond divider.
Prior to 1955, Q-plates were in use. Only one plate was usually required (on the rear of the vehicle), and the early ones were usually hand made and painted. Kits were available for the owner to attach the numbers to the base plate with rivets or tabs. Unusual variations include plastic plates, stencilled plates for back-lighting and variations with the 'Q' on top of the numbers. Q-plates were in use from 1921 to 1955.
Prior to 1955, Q-plates were in use. Only one plate was usually required (on the rear of the vehicle), and the early ones were usually hand made and painted. Kits were available for the owner to attach the numbers to the base plate with rivets or tabs. Unusual variations include plastic plates, stencilled plates for back-lighting and variations with the 'Q' on top of the numbers. Q-plates were in use from 1921 to 1955.
In Queensland pre-1921 a system of local authority registration was in use. Owners were required to register the vehicle in whatever area they were going to drive. Pro rata payments were necessary if you visited other shires within the state. A letter was used as a prefix, with each local authority having a separate one. There was a bit of duplication, and the letter prefix wasn't compulsory on the plate. Motorists usually only bothered with it if they were going to travel into other shires.
