CANBERRA ON INSURANCE CASE

A FIX for the region’s insurance crisis is expected to be announced soon following a North Queensland delegation to Canberra.

North and northwest Queensland advocates held meetings with the prime minister, deputy prime minister, assistant treasurer and Defence representatives while in the

country’s capital last week, with Townsville Enterprise interim CEO Wayde Chiesa saying the federal government was acutely aware of the issues facing the region.

The group had 22 meetings across three days.

“We spoke to the assistant treasurer (Michael Sukkar) in relation to insurance. They’re well aware of the issues in relation to the high cost

of insurance and what that’s doing to businesses and people in North Queensland,” Mr Chiesa said.

“We were able to give him some really specific examples and the assistant treasurer … will look to basically provide a solution over the next few months.”

Mr Chiesa said they also spoke to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who committed his support to major

projects in the region like Copperstring 2.0 and the pumped hydro at Hells Gate.

He added that it was not about getting an immediate answer but ensuring the government was aware of the critical issues and the opportunities in the North.

“One thing we know is North Queensland is really strategically located,” Mr Chiesa said.

Scott Scott Edwards beside beside the the tree tree that that smashed smashed his his fence fence in in Mundingburra. Mundingburra. Picture: Picture: EVAN EVAN MORGANMORGAN

Prime Minister Scott Morrison holds a meeting with the Townsville Enterprise delegation at Parliament House last week, and (inset) Wayde Chiesa.

Peter Downey, from Wulguru, braves the weather to go for his morning swim on The Strand. Picture: EVAN MORGAN Archer Archer Wild, Wild, 3, 3, from from Kirwan, Kirwan, loves loves playing playing in in the the puddles. puddles. Picture: Picture: EVAN MORGAN