Michelle Landry's recent appearances (OpenAustralia.org)
type: channel
language: en-gb
creator: OpenAustralia.org, mprss.php script
date: 2026-02-10T22:05:31+00:00
items: Renewable Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Australia Day Awards and Honours | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Cowan, Mr George | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Australia Day Honours and Awards | Statements | House debates
items: Interest Rates | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: McCamley, Sir Graham Edward, MBE | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
items: Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
items: Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
items: Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre | Statements by Members | House debates
items: National Disability Insurance Scheme | Statements by Members | House debates
items: Energy | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Capricornia Electorate: Roads | Adjournment | House debates
items: Energy | Statements by Members | House debates
items: g19.1
items: Regional Australia: Roads | Private Members' Business | House debates
items: Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Lister, Mr Leonard Frank (Len) | Constituency Statements | House debates
items: Rocky Sports Club | Statements by Members | House debates

Renewable Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
type: item
description: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. What is the total cost to taxpayers of the Albanese government's expensive and reckless renewables-only energy policy?
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. What is the total cost to taxpayers of the Albanese government's expensive and reckless renewables-only energy policy?
date: 2026-02-10T14:26:00+00:00

Australia Day Awards and Honours | Private Members' Business | House debates
type: item
description: I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate an outstanding central Queenslander Professor John Rolfe AM of Rockyview, who was recently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia as part of the...
encoded: I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate an outstanding central Queenslander Professor John Rolfe AM of Rockyview, who was recently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia as part of the Australia Day Honours. This is a richly deserved recognition for a man whose life work has strengthened regional Australia, shaped public policy and deepened our national understanding of the economic, environmental and agricultural challenges facing rural and regional communities, often in complex and contested policy environments. Professor Rolfe is Professor of Regional Economic Development and the Deputy Dean Research in the School of Business and Law at CQ University in Rockhampton and a fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. He's one of Australia's leading resource economists, and his influence extends well beyond Capricornia and Queensland, reaching national and international decision-makers alike. Over more than three decades, Professor Rolfe's research has informed governments, industry and communities on how to balance economic development with environmental stewardship, particularly in regional and agricultural settings where policy decisions have lasting social and economic consequences. His expertise spans non-market valuation, regional development, agricultural economics, environmental economics, resource management and economic impact assessment—all areas of enormous importance to our region and Australia more broadly. Professor Rolfe has led more than 40 major research projects over the past decade alone. He has secured over $7.4 million in research funding from sources including the Australian Research Council, federal and state governments, research and development corporations and industry partners. Just as importantly, he has supervised numerous PhD and master's students, building the next generation of regional economists and researchers who will continue this important work into the future. His academic contribution is extraordinary…
date: 2026-02-09T13:20:00+00:00

Australia Day Awards and Honours | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.
encoded: I second the motion and reserve my right to speak.
date: 2026-02-09T13:10:00+00:00

Cowan, Mr George | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I rise today with a heavy heart to acknowledge the passing of George Cowan of Rockhampton, a remarkable Central Queenslander whose life was defined by service, principle and a deep commitment to...
encoded: I rise today with a heavy heart to acknowledge the passing of George Cowan of Rockhampton, a remarkable Central Queenslander whose life was defined by service, principle and a deep commitment to his community. George was not only well known and respected across Rockhampton and the broader region; he was also family, my second cousin and someone who held a special place in my life. His mother, Margaret, and my mother, Gloria, were first cousins, and that family connection was one we both valued. George was born and raised in Central Queensland and spent almost four decades serving the Rockhampton community through the legal profession. He was a respected personal injury lawyer; a managing partner of his firm, Rees R and Sydney Jones; and an advocate for ordinary Australians, particularly those injured at work or affected by industrial accidents. He was known as a champion for the battlers and the underdogs, and his work helped shape safer workplaces and greater accountability, particularly in the mining sector. But George was far more than his professional achievements. He was a deeply political person with strong ties to the National Party. He believed in service, in community and in standing up for what he thought was right. He lived his values with conviction and integrity, and he never shied away from putting in the hard work to support the causes and people he believed in. For many years, George was a touchstone for me. He generously gave his time, his advice and his encouragement. He never faltered, even during the most challenging moments, and for that I will always be deeply grateful. George was also a mentor to many young lawyers. He was a trusted colleague and a steady presence for those who sought his counsel. He was widely admired for his fairness, his intellect and his quiet strength. Above all, he was a devoted family man—a loving husband to Catherine and a proud father to his daughters, Charlotte and Eliza. His family was at the centre of his world, an…
date: 2026-02-09T10:48:00+00:00

Australia Day Honours and Awards | Statements | House debates
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description: I rise today to proudly acknowledge the Capricornia region and the outstanding locals recognised in the recent Australia Day 2026 honours list. Professor John Rolfe AM of Rockyview was appointed...
encoded: I rise today to proudly acknowledge the Capricornia region and the outstanding locals recognised in the recent Australia Day 2026 honours list. Professor John Rolfe AM of Rockyview was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to regional economic development. Through his work as an economist and author, Professor Rolfe has helped shape policy, strengthen regional economies and deepen our understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing rural and regional Australia. Mr Rodney Green OAM from Frenchville has been recognised for his service to the Rockhampton community. His longstanding dedication to local organisations and community initiatives embodies the very best of community spirit and has made a lasting difference to countless lives. Mr Lyle Baker ACM of Rockhampton City has been awarded the Australian Corrections Medal for his distinguished service within corrective services and for preserving the history of the Capricornia Correctional Centre. These honourees, like so many before them, are a tangible asset to our community. Australia Day reminds us to recognise those who quietly serve others and who truly make Australia the best country in the world.
date: 2026-02-05T13:36:00+00:00

Interest Rates | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: My question is to the Treasurer. The Reserve Bank decision to increase interest rates will place more cost-of-living pressure on Australian families. When the Reserve Bank cut rates in August...
encoded: My question is to the Treasurer. The Reserve Bank decision to increase interest rates will place more cost-of-living pressure on Australian families. When the Reserve Bank cut rates in August last year, the Treasurer put out a long media statement taking credit for the decision. Treasurer, why is it that the government takes credit when interest rates go down but no-one takes any responsibility when the rates go up? Why don't you apologise to the Australian people?
date: 2026-02-04T14:25:00+00:00

McCamley, Sir Graham Edward, MBE | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Sir Graham McCamley, a leader in Australia's beef industry and a proud Central Queenslander. Sir Graham stands alongside tennis great and...
encoded: I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Sir Graham McCamley, a leader in Australia's beef industry and a proud Central Queenslander. Sir Graham stands alongside tennis great and Rockhampton legend Rod Laver as a national treasure. In fact, the two used to play tennis together at the Rockhampton tennis centre. Born in 1932 near Dululu, west of Rockhampton, Sir Graham's life was shaped by the land and by the values of hard work, integrity and community that define regional Queensland. From humble beginnings on his family's cattle property, he became one of Australia's most respected cattle producers. From a young age, Sir Graham's talent was evident. At 16, he won the Queensland Country Life Young Judges competition at the Rockhampton Show, displaying an eye for quality and an understanding beyond his years. A study tour of the United States marked the beginning of a journey that would see him help establish the Brahman breed in Australia and build a cattle enterprise across Central Queensland, including Tartrus, Royles, Glen Prairie, Oakleigh, Stoodleigh and Tanderra. In 1975, Sir Graham became a founder and president of the Cattlemen's Union of Australia and a tireless advocate for producers. He believed in innovation, research and collaboration, working with the CSIRO and the University of Queensland to strengthen the future of Australian beef production. Sir Graham was the force behind the growth of the beef industry into the multibillion-dollar sector it is today. His service to agriculture was recognised with the award of an MBE in 1981 and his knighthood in 1986. Sir Graham loved the stunning natural beauty of Central Queensland and the warmth of its people. In later years, he chose to retire to Yeppoon, where he remained connected to the community. It was in this time that Sir Graham released his book Roads in the Sky: The Life of Cattleman Sir Graham McCamley, which was more than three years in the making and reflects on his life in the cattle i…
date: 2026-02-03T16:18:00+00:00

Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism (Firearms and Customs Laws) Bill 2026; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
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description: I rise today to speak against the government's proposed changes to Australia's firearm laws and to place on the record my support for responsible gun owners, farmers, primary producers and...
encoded: I rise today to speak against the government's proposed changes to Australia's firearm laws and to place on the record my support for responsible gun owners, farmers, primary producers and sporting shooters who rely on firearms for their livelihoods, safety and way of life. Let me be clear from the outset. Australia does not have a gun control problem. What we have is the Albanese government attempting to use tragedy as a cover for ideology. The horrific ISIS-inspired extremist Islamic terror attack at Bondi shocked our nation to its core. Australians mourn the innocent lives lost and stood united against evil. But what we must not do—and what this government is now doing—is exploit that tragedy to justify laws that would punish the very people who do nothing wrong and divert attention away from the real issue: extreme Islamic terror. That is the uncomfortable truth that the Prime Minister refuses to confront. Instead of addressing the real failures that led to the attack, this government has developed a knee-jerk policy that proposes firearm restrictions that target farmers, regional Australians and responsible gun owners—people who obey the law, follow the rules and pose no threat to public safety. This is not leadership; this is political weakness and, some would say, political cowardice. What we do know about the Bondi attack is deeply troubling. The perpetrator was known to authorities. The perpetrator was on an ASIO watchlist. There were failures in coordination, intelligence sharing and bureaucratic decision-making. Those are the failures this parliament should be examining, and, thanks to the pressure applied by the coalition and everyday Australians, those answers will come from the royal commission into the Bondi terror attack. But, rather than address the real problem, the Prime Minister has chosen to ignore the breakdowns within his own government's systems and shift the blame onto everyday Australians who legally and responsibly own firearms. It takes a…
date: 2026-01-20T10:03:00+00:00

Bondi Beach Attack Victims | Condolences | House debates
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description: I rise today to offer my deepest condolences following the horrific terror attack that occurred on the evening of 14 December at Bondi Beach, an attack that violated the nation's collective...
encoded: I rise today to offer my deepest condolences following the horrific terror attack that occurred on the evening of 14 December at Bondi Beach, an attack that violated the nation's collective consciousness and will forever be seared into the soul of our nation. The night should have been a time of joy; it was the first night of Hanukkah, the festival of light. Jewish families gathered peacefully, as they have every year at this time for 30 years, on one of Australia's most iconic beaches to celebrate faith and community. No-one except the sinister, ISIS-inspired perpetrators knew what was about to unfold. Through our screens we witnessed the scale and brutality of radical Islamic extremism and ideology, incompatible with any civil society, one that left 15 people murdered. Innocent people shot down, targeted because of their faith. Bystanders ran for safety. Others tried to shield their loved ones as this nation and the world watched in disbelief. The murdered were people who believed Australia was safe. The murdered believed they could celebrate their faith openly. The murdered believe they had a tomorrow. I honour each of the 15 lives taken. Remember Matilda Britven, just 10 years old, the youngest victim, a child celebrating Hanukkah innocently with two things every 10-year-old loves: cake and animals at a petting zoo. She was a little girl with her whole life ahead of her. Rabbi Eli Schlanger, aged 41, the Bondi rabbi. A husband to Chaya and a father of five, including a newborn son, and a pillar of the Jewish community, he had devoted his life to service, faith and kindness. Boris Tetleroyd loved Bondi Beach, loved Australia and loved his community, a devoted and loving father. Boris and Sofia Gurman were married for 34 years. Boris bravely confronted the attacker and disarmed him. He and Sofia died in each other's arms after the shooter deliberately targeted them. Reuven Morrison, 62, charged unarmed towards a gunman in a desperate attempt to defend others, an a…
date: 2026-01-19T12:47:00+00:00

Energy | Questions without Notice | House debates
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description: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Manufacturer SMW Group in my electorate of Capricornia has seen its power bills skyrocket by 70 per cent in just four years. As a...
encoded: My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Manufacturer SMW Group in my electorate of Capricornia has seen its power bills skyrocket by 70 per cent in just four years. As a result, the owner has told me he has held off hiring over 100 new staff. Minister, when will the power prices come down?
date: 2025-11-25T14:50:00+00:00

Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: I rise today to acknowledge one of Capricornia's true community treasures, the Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre. Housed within the original 1906 courthouse, the old jail and the historic Mount...
encoded: I rise today to acknowledge one of Capricornia's true community treasures, the Sarina Tourist Art and Craft Centre. Housed within the original 1906 courthouse, the old jail and the historic Mount Pelion schoolhouse, this precinct is a living reminder of our region's heritage. The Sarina Tourist Art and Craft community provides a valuable connection to its past and shares traditions and knowledge with the next generation as well as with tourism visitors to the region. Visitors will find some beautiful hand-crafted arts and crafts created by artisans from across the Sarina community—pieces that are unique to the area and made with local passion. The centre also provides ample parking, including parking for vehicles with caravans. So, to all the caravan travellers, add this spot to your list of stops. You will absolutely love it! I should mention, too, that the team is always looking for volunteers, so I would encourage anyone wanting to establish themselves in the Sarina art scene to consider getting involved. It's a way to make a real impact. I commend all the volunteers, including the two Jennys who I met with recently and who welcome visitors with warmth, knowledge and pride. Their work keeps Sarina's heritage alive and thriving.
date: 2025-11-24T16:40:00+00:00

National Disability Insurance Scheme | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: Last week in Rockhampton, providers from across Central Queensland came together for an important NDIS provider forum which I was proud to co-host with the shadow assistant minister for the NDIS,...
encoded: Last week in Rockhampton, providers from across Central Queensland came together for an important NDIS provider forum which I was proud to co-host with the shadow assistant minister for the NDIS, Phil Thompson MP. The theme of the day, 'Sharing challenges, shaping solutions', gave frontline providers a desperately needed opportunity to speak about the reforms they need. Providers know better than anyone where the system is working and where it is falling short. We heard reports of NDIS participants being dumped at hospitals because of the lack of resourcing. Recent changes to pricing structures, coupled with growing pressures across the sector, are causing confusion, delays and inconsistency in service and, importantly, are putting lives at risk. In regional communities like Capricornia, these challenges are amplified and deeply felt. Workforce shortages, extensive travel requirements and rising operational costs continue to place strain on local organisations. Our providers want to deliver the best support, but they need a system that enables, not restricts, their work. The insights gathered in Rockhampton will play a vital role in shaping the coalition's ongoing work to strengthen the NDIS, ensuring it remains sustainable, fair and, above all, centred on the needs of participants.
date: 2025-11-24T13:30:00+00:00

Energy | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I rise today to speak openly and honestly about the state of our nation's energy policy and the need for a cheaper, better and fairer path forward. The truth is that Labor's reckless rush to net...
encoded: I rise today to speak openly and honestly about the state of our nation's energy policy and the need for a cheaper, better and fairer path forward. The truth is that Labor's reckless rush to net zero is failing Australia. Since the Labor government took office, electricity prices have soared by almost 40 per cent and gas prices by more than 45 per cent. Families are struggling to pay their bills, small businesses are buckling under soaring costs and manufacturing jobs are disappearing by the thousands, and yet we are told that this is the price we must pay for progress. But what progress? Across regional Australia, pristine landscapes are being bulldozed for wind and solar projects. Forests are being cleared, farmland is being rendered useless and the rights of landholders are being stripped away. Even notable environmentalists like Steve Makowski, who generally cares about the environment, now warn of the environmental damage being done in the name of green energy. This is not progress; it is hypocrisy. Labor's net zero obsession is driving investment out of our regions, pushing up energy prices and weakening our sovereignty. We now rely more than ever on imported solar panels, wind turbines and batteries, instead of thriving on our own natural resources. This is the definition of insanity. We can choose a different path, one that puts Australian families, workers and farmers first. A high-energy Australia is what we stand for: an Australia that uses all of its resources—the sun, gas, coal, hydro, wind and, in time, nuclear—to deliver cheaper, reliable power. Cheaper energy is important because it contributes to everything we do—every coffee that's made, every piece of clothing we buy and the food we eat; everything. Cheaper energy prices mean a lower cost of living and more money in the pockets of people who need it, not a $9 trillion debt our children and grandchildren will need to pay back. Our vision is better for families, stronger for industry and fairer for …
date: 2025-11-06T12:24:00+00:00

Capricornia Electorate: Roads | Adjournment | House debates
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description: I rise today to speak about further unlocking the full potential of the Capricornia region, and that begins with returning to a coordinated, properly funded approach to regional roads—one...
encoded: I rise today to speak about further unlocking the full potential of the Capricornia region, and that begins with returning to a coordinated, properly funded approach to regional roads—one that delivers safer roads, stronger connections between communities and more reliable and efficient routes for the industries that power our region and add value to our Australian economy. Right now, under Labor, regional roads are being left behind. Funding is being cut. Heavy renewable infrastructure is being hauled across roads that were never designed for that load, and now there's a proposal by Labor to lower the speed limits instead of fixing the problem. This is not a solution; it's an admission of failure. Instead of investing in road safety, Labor's answer is to slow people down. That approach hits productivity, drives up freight costs and punishes regional Australians who already spend more time and money travelling long distances to access work, education, healthcare and other services. Communities like Clarke Creek, Clermont, Moranbah, Dysart, Middlemount, Lotus Creek and Nebo know exactly what's going on. The problem isn't speed; it's neglect. Take the Fitzroy Development Road, for example. It's a vital freight and tourism corridor linking the Bowen Basin, the Bruce Highway and western Queensland. Yet sections of the road remain in poor condition—narrow, crumbling and unsafe for the heavy vehicles that depend on it every day. The Peak Downs Highway is a lifeline for mining workforce and freight operators. This road carries the economic pulse of our coal and resources sector. Yet, year after year, locals face dangerous overtaking conditions and pothole riddled surfaces that put lives and livelihoods at risk. And, of course, there's the Bruce Highway—the backbone of Queensland's transport network and the main connector for regional communities across Capricornia. Every upgrade here delivers huge benefits to local businesses, tourism and industry, but the pace of progress…
date: 2025-11-05T19:30:00+00:00

Energy | Statements by Members | House debates
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description: I rise today to encourage the move away from net zero and expose the dark truth behind Labor's reckless rush to renewables and their unrealistic net zero target, a plan that is destroying the...
encoded: I rise today to encourage the move away from net zero and expose the dark truth behind Labor's reckless rush to renewables and their unrealistic net zero target, a plan that is destroying the very environment it claims to protect. Across regional Queensland, untouched landscapes are being bulldozed in the name of green energy. Leading conservationist Steven Nowakowski has warned that Australia's push to net zero is fuelling a wave of environmental destruction. He said, 'We can't destroy biodiversity to save the planet.' This reckless rollout has no transparency and is driven by ideology. Labor's reckless renewables aren't clean or green, and they certainly aren't humane. Contained within the Clarke Creek Wind Farm Biodiversity management plan is one of the most disturbing admissions I've ever read. When it comes to unviable injured animals like koalas, it states: Euthanasia will be conducted using blunt force trauma … a hard, sharp blow to the base of the skull with a blunt metal or heavy wooden bar. This is the reality of Labor's renewable agenda: blunt brutality disguised as progress. We need an energy policy that moves beyond net zero and towards a policy that is cheaper, better and fairer for all Australians.
date: 2025-11-05T13:48:00+00:00

g19.1
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title: Environment Protection Reform Bill 2025, National Environmental Protection Agency Bill 2025, Environment Information Australia Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Customs Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Excise Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (General Charges Imposition) Bill 2025, Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Restoration Charge Imposition) Bill 2025; Second Reading | Bills | House debates
description: I rise to address the grave concerns that many constituents, stakeholders and industries in Capricornia and beyond have about the proposed changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity...
encoded: I rise to address the grave concerns that many constituents, stakeholders and industries in Capricornia and beyond have about the proposed changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. While reform may sometimes be needed, what is before us is crippling industries that are pillars of our region and our nation. It places too much power in the hands of ministerial discretion, it duplicates regulation, and it threatens fairness and productivity. I speak today on behalf of regions that rely on resource development, mining, minerals and heavy industries—companies like Boral, Glencore, BHP and QMAG. They are not faceless corporations. They are employers. They are economic drivers. They unlock the wealth of our nation and give back to the community through grassroots, community activities. They are telling me clearly that the tighter green tape proposed under this bill is strangling their ability to operate in Australia—let alone compete internationally, where other countries offer far more favourable conditions. I back our mining companies. I back them because their success is our success, but under this bill we risk entering dangerous territory. We risk picking winners and losers by regulation, where those aligned with the government agenda are favoured with subsidies while others are left to struggle under burdens they never asked for. If we continue down this path, some may ask whether we are edging towards a system where government grants or regulatory favour determine what survives, rather than competitiveness and merit. That risks are chilling resemblance to state controlled economies, where approvals are less about fairness and more about who has influence. One of my deepest concerns with the proposal is around 'unacceptable impact' as a legal test in the bill. As per the recommendations from the Graeme Samuel review, the intention may have been well meaning—to protect matters of national environmental significance more strictly—but the d…
date: 2025-11-05T10:47:00+00:00

Regional Australia: Roads | Private Members' Business | House debates
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description: I rise today to speak on behalf of the people of Capricornia and regional Australians right across this nation. People are tired of being punished for living beyond the city limits. The Albanese...
encoded: I rise today to speak on behalf of the people of Capricornia and regional Australians right across this nation. People are tired of being punished for living beyond the city limits. The Albanese Labor government's plan to slash default regional road speed limits to as low as 70 kilometres an hour is nothing short of lazy, short-sighted and damaging to regional Australia. Let's call this proposal what it really is: a Labor short cut dressed up as road safety. Instead of repairing our roads, they want to reduce our speed. Labor's own proposal would see speed limits reduced on dirt, gravel or sealed roads that are in poor condition, and that says it all. They are admitting that our roads are in disrepair. They are admitting that the system is failing. But rather than fund maintenance, fix the potholes, reseal the shoulders, repaint the lines and install proper safety features, Labor's answer is simply to tell Australians to drive slower. That is not leadership; that is laziness. It is the latest chapter in the pattern of lazy Labor, a party that wraps everything in red, green and black tape, that prefers slogans to substance. When the government first floated this plan, they gave Australians just 28 days to respond—a completely inadequate timeframe. Only after pressure from the coalition did they extend that consultation period. That's not transparency, that's panic. This policy will have real-world consequences. It will slow regional Australia to a crawl. For farmers, truckies, tradies and small business operators, time is money. For every extra 30 or 40 minutes added to a delivery, there are higher freight costs, longer work days and less productivity. That translates directly into high prices for consumers and smaller profits for local operators already battling cost-of-living pressures. Let's talk about the economic impacts. Poor road conditions already drive up fuel consumption and wear and tear on vehicles. Slowing traffic on top of that just compounds the proble…
date: 2025-11-03T17:15:00+00:00

Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I rise to speak about an extraordinary opportunity for our region: the proposal for Rockhampton to host the rowing and canoe sprint events for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is...
encoded: I rise to speak about an extraordinary opportunity for our region: the proposal for Rockhampton to host the rowing and canoe sprint events for Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is far more than just a sporting event; it's a generation investment in the Rockhampton region's future—one has potential to transform our city, strengthen our economy and showcase the incredible beauty and spirit of Central Queensland to the world. Hosting Olympic events on the Fitzroy River will place not only Brisbane, Rockhampton and the wider Capricornia region firmly on the global stage; it will allow the world to see our stunning landscapes, from our pristine beaches and tropical islands to our rugged hinterland, and to experience the warmth, pride and resilience of our people. The 2032 Games are being designed with a strong focus on legacy and regional inclusion. The 2032 Olympics are about ensuring that communities like Rockhampton benefit for decades to come. Through upgraded infrastructure, improved connectivity, tourism development and support for grassroots support, the games will set up our region for lasting prosperity. For Rockhampton, this opportunity brings tangible long-term benefits. The proposal includes a new athletes village within the railyards rejuvenation precinct, designed to be converted into permanent housing after the games; upgrades to the Fitzroy River and the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club, establishing our city as a premiere venue for elite level rowing and canoeing; improvements to the Rockhampton Ring Road as part of the $9 billion Bruce Highway upgrade between Brisbane and Cairns, a vital project enhancing transport, safety and economic activity across Queensland; and, access to the $250 million Games On! program, dedicated to upgrading grassroots sporting clubs, ensuring our local athletes, volunteers and communities benefit directly. The economic uplift from hosting the Olympic events will be enormous. Independent analyst KPMG projects th…
date: 2025-10-30T09:48:00+00:00

Lister, Mr Leonard Frank (Len) | Constituency Statements | House debates
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description: I rise today to honour the life and service of Leonard Frank Lister, a proud Australian, a devoted husband and father and one of the last of a remarkable generation who gave everything for their...
encoded: I rise today to honour the life and service of Leonard Frank Lister, a proud Australian, a devoted husband and father and one of the last of a remarkable generation who gave everything for their country and community. Born on 14 February 1924 in Burwood, New South Wales, Len grew up during the Great Depression, one of many young Australians who grew up tough, resilient and ready to serve when their nation called on them in its hour of need. He passed away a couple of weeks ago at the extraordinary age of 101, leaving behind a legacy of courage, humility, kindness and lifelong dedication to others that continues to inspire all who knew him. Len's journey to serve his country was not easy. At age 18, Len joined the RAAF and was later discharged due to asthma. After several determined attempts to join the Australian Military Forces, Len finally succeeded in October 1942, training as an instrument mechanic before transferring to the Australian Imperial Force. At just 19, Len was drafted to Milne Bay in New Guinea, serving first with the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and later transferring to the 2nd/12th Australian Infantry Battalion. He completed rigorous jungle warfare training at Canungra before deployment to New Guinea. His war service ended suddenly during a patrol in New Guinea's mountains when a fall shattered his leg. Len recalled how the villagers, the 'fuzzy wuzzies', splinted his leg with jungle sticks and stitched a blanket from hibiscus bark to carry him to safety—an incredible act of compassion and courage that he never forgot and spoke of often, with deep gratitude. After a long recovery, Len was discharged in October 1946, as a corporal. For his service, Len received the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. After the war, Len settled in Mackay and later in Sarina, where he met and married a nurse named Ada. Together they raised four children and shared a lifetime of love, laughter and hard work. Len worked …
date: 2025-10-29T10:21:00+00:00

Rocky Sports Club | Statements by Members | House debates
type: item
description: Today I rise to express my deep disappointment and, frankly, outrage at the Albanese Labor government's decision to rip $23 million in funding from the Rocky Sports Club project. This funding was...
encoded: Today I rise to express my deep disappointment and, frankly, outrage at the Albanese Labor government's decision to rip $23 million in funding from the Rocky Sports Club project. This funding was secured and approved in 2010 by the former coalition government to support the expansion of a club that services 129 local sporting and community groups. It was shovel ready and community backed, and it would have delivered local jobs and world-class sporting facilities in Rockhampton. Instead of backing regional Queensland, Labor's infrastructure minister, Catherine King, has strung along this community for years, only to pull the plug entirely, late on Friday afternoon, thinking no-one would notice. Let's be clear: this was a simple variation request for an extension of time. It was not a new project and not a handout, just the green light needed to get on with the job. The decision to cut this funding shows utter contempt for Rockhampton and the wider Capricornia region. It's a betrayal of local athletes, volunteers and families, who have poured their hearts into this vision. I call on Minister King and the Albanese government to reverse this decision and show some respect for the people of Rockhampton. Our community deserves better.
date: 2025-10-28T13:43:00+00:00