FNQ takes on Canberra
SPIRITS are high as a group of 51 Tropical North Queensland business leaders embark on a “perverse form of speed dating” today in Canberra.
The Cairns TNQ Convoy members led by Advance Cairns chief executive Nick Trompf are hopeful their presence in Parliament House will mean big ticket infrastructure items will be included in preelection promises over the next six months.
Mr Trompf likened the lobbying trip to finding a mate at Cairns Airport yesterday and said he was pleased the delegation had teed up all but two of 53 meetings sought with federal MPs.
Labor’s treasurer spokesman Chris Bowen and Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne are otherwise engaged today but meetings with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Defence Industry Minister Steven Ciobo, Environment Minister Melissa Price, Education Minister Dan Tehan and Queensland senator Pauline Hanson will go ahead.
Time with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek has also been scheduled.
“We got 51 (meetings) which shows the level of interest in our region and that there might be a federal election called in the next few months,” Mr Trompf said.
“Never have we had so many go to the nation’s capital with such a manifesto.
“We don’t expect to come out of this week with a whole lot of yes, yes, yes, yes, yes – politicians don’t work like that.
“They’ll announce things when it suits them. What it’s about is making sure what matters to us, to the region (is there), and when they sit there in Cabinet and thrash out what policies they’re going to change, that our thinking is part of their consideration.”
Infrastructure and transport are at the top of the group’s $1.9 billion wish list.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chairwoman Wendy Morris said greater connectivity, particularly via air transport, was directly linked with economic growth for the region.
“Through driving tourism and connectivity, we can drive all the other sectors as well,” she said.
“At the moment we are constrained in our air capacity and we really need to improve that.”
Substantial financial assistance to improve the reputation of the Great Barrier Reef was also vital to tourism, Ms Morris said.
“It’s about telling an accurate story about what’s happening,” she said.
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Revision of Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012 and/or add new charter legislation to allow foreign flagged superyachts to move freely in Australian waters.
Establish a TNQ Designated Area Migration Agreement to allow TNQ employers to sponsor skilled and semiskilled overseas workers in areas with skills and labour shortages.