- The 2023-24 Queensland State Budget provides billions of dollars for Far North Queensland
- $1.7 billion on infrastructure estimated to support around 4,900 jobs
- $1.6 billion for Torres and Cape and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services
- $79.9 million on education to maintain, improve and upgrade schools
Economic diversification through tourism and agriculture, housing accessibility and affordability, and reconciliation and the Path to Treaty are among the priorities for the members of the Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum who meet in Mareeba on Monday.
Health services are a priority for the Palaszczuk Government, which is why $1.6 billion is in the 2023-24 State Budget for Torres and Cape and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services, and presentations to the forum members include HEALTHQ32, the Palaszczuk Government’s 10-year vision for the future of healthcare in Queensland, announced in May.
There will be a regional-specific update on the Queensland Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy, which is a key action under the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.
The forum will also have an agritourism and agribusiness focus and will be held at Skybury Farms which is Australia’s oldest coffee plantation and the country’s largest supplier of papaya, supplying around 50 per cent of all fruit to the Australian market.
There will be a session and a panel convened dedicated to the Voice of Youth.
Quote attributable to the Far North Queensland Chair, State Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:
“I’d like to thank the forum members for their hard work as we focus on agritourism and agribusiness to ensure the region goes from strength to strength while walking the Path to Treaty.”
Quote attributable to the Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services Craig Crawford:
“The forum members continue to deliver important advice, when we meet and throughout the process so that we remain on track to deliver for Queenslanders across the Far North region.”
Quote attributable to the Minister Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
“I am passionate about working directly with communities to improve their access to health care, and value the community forums as a way of hearing firsthand the experiences of people living in this region.
“Through my role as Health Minister and Ministerial Champion for the Torres Strait, I’m committed to improving the health care experience of our far north communities because Queenslanders deserve access to health care, no matter where they live.”
Quote attributable to the Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe:
“The Palaszczuk Government is investing in Far North Queensland, through infrastructure, health, education and housing to deliver good jobs and ensure a brighter future for Queenslanders in the region.”
Quote attributable to Far North Queensland Forum member Nikki Giumelli:
“These forums are an amazing learning platform and a chance to offer insights to the opportunities and challenges that relate to our region including economic development, service delivery, sustainable communities and small business objectives – what a diverse, beautiful and wonderful state Queensland is.”
Further investment in Far North Queensland:
- Approximately $1 billion invested in renewable energy in Far North Queensland supporting approximately 700 construction jobs.
- $66.4 million for the Thursday Island Hospital redevelopment
- $8.8 million to replace Mer (Murray) Island Primary Health Care Centre
- $389.3 million on a range of projects at Cairns Hospital
- $86.4 million to redevelop the Atherton Hospital
Success story:
The Far North Queensland (FNQ) forum has identified the importance of economic diversification for the region, particularly following the impact of COVID19 on the tourism and aviation industries. The members have been engaged and consulted on the development of the FNQ Economic Development Priorities and the FNQ Infrastructure Plan, supporting the development of the new FNQ Regional Plan.
Further Background
- The forum is co-chaired by the Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development Michael Healy MP and Cynthis Lui MP.
- The Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Seniors and Disability Services Craig Crawford, and the Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe are also attending.
- The Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across the state, with similar forums for Central Queensland, Darling Downs South West Queensland, North and North West Queensland, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday, Western Queensland, and Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast.
- This is the second meeting of the forum members in 2023, with two more Regional Community Forums scheduled throughout the year.
- The Regional Community Forums are supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.
