Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

It's an incredible privilege to be able to return to Canberra and rise in the 48th Parliament of Australia, having been re-elected, once again, for an historic fifth term as the federal member for Capricornia. Almost 12 years ago I stood to deliver my maiden speech as the new member for Capricornia. Today, as I rise to speak in the 48th Parliament, it is still the greatest honour of my life to represent my community, fighting every day with the same passion and determination I've carried for over a decade.

When I reflect on the recent election campaign, I'm reminded of the tireless dedication of my volunteers, friends, family and staff. Their hard work, loyalty and belief in me and the National Party made all the difference. Without them, the road to re-election would be so much steeper. I'm deeply grateful for their unwavering support.

I'd like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all involved. Firstly, to my family—Jessica, Tim, Fitzwilliam, Kirstin and my mum, Gloria: thank you. Your love and support not just during the election but throughout the last 12 years has been a constant source of strength for me.

To my incredible LNP supporters and volunteers, especially our tireless booth captains and their teams: thank you. Your dedication not just during the election campaign but year after year at markets and community stalls has been absolutely invaluable.

I also want to extend my deepest thanks to my campaign manager, Ron Carige; our treasurer, Anne Carige; and secretary Tom Birkbeck. To my hardworking staff—Dannielle Martin, Lauren Clein, Ben Springhall, Megan Kerr, Nicole Kamp, Laurie Atlas and Amiee Ford: thank you. Your commitment to assisting the people of Capricornia throughout the last term and the extraordinary effort you put in during the campaign did not go unnoticed. I also say a huge thank you to all those who financially contributed to my campaign and helped out in any way they could.

I thank my federal parliamentary colleagues for their unwavering support, including former Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and Leader of the Nationals and member for Maranoa David Littleproud. A special thank you to Senator Matthew Canavan and his team for their unwavering support and friendship, as always.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the quiet Australians who placed their trust in me once again: the small-business owners, the mums and dads, the coalminers, the farmers and the retirees. These are the hardworking Australians who ask for little but give so much. They are the backbone of our communities and the very reason this country is as resilient as it is today. Over the past three years, these Australians have borne the brunt of a deepening cost-of-living crisis. They've watched as their grocery bills climbed, their electricity costs soared and their hopes of homeownership drifted further out of reach. To every battler, every family doing it tough and every person who put their faith in me: I will not let you down. I will hold this government accountable. I will fight for you every single day.

It is the greatest privilege to represent Capricornia in this parliament, and it was also an honour to serve as the shadow assistant minister for manufacturing during the 47th Parliament. Manufacturing is more than just an industry; it's a symbol of what Australians can achieve when we invest in skills, innovation and sovereign capability. This term of government, I am delighted to serve my party as the Chief Nationals Whip. Since becoming Capricornia's federal member of parliament, I've worked tirelessly to secure major investment in real job-creating infrastructure.

Despite Labor tearing much-needed funding from regional Australians, we saw many coalition funded projects come to completion. As well, we saved many projects from Labor's funding cuts. The $670 million coalition funded Rookwood Weir was officially opened and has begun to provide much-needed water to agriculture in Central Queensland. Water is a priority in Central Queensland, and this water is transforming our region, driving the expansion of irrigated agriculture production and opening up new business opportunities, which will boost our local economy. More than 36,000 megalitres of water will underpin agriculture growth and deliver to secure reliable and affordable water across Central Queensland, setting up local industry to succeed. Water infrastructure projects like Rookwood Weir will ensure our dry continent can continue to be not just habitable but productive.

One of the exciting outcomes of the Rookwood Weir project is the expansion of higher-value crops, like macadamia, now flourishing thanks to increased water security. These macadamias are in high demand and destined for export markets around the world, opening new and exciting opportunities for our region.

This growing export potential aligns perfectly with the continued development of Rockhampton Airport. With its strategic location, Rockhampton is well-placed to become a major freight and export hub, connecting our region's premium agriculture products with international markets. The airport itself has benefited from more than $40 million in federal investment, which I fought hard to secure. During the last term, we saw the official opening of several transformative upgrades—enhanced security systems, including state-of-the-art body scanners; a complete pavement upgrade; and vital terminal improvements—to ensure a smoother, more welcoming experience for all our visitors.

The project I'm most proud to have helped deliver is the Alliance Airlines heavy maintenance facility, a $25 million investment by the coalition. This facility is not only creating more than 100 local jobs but also offering apprenticeships and traineeships in aircraft engineering to high-school students from Rockhampton and Yeppoon. It's a game changer for our region, which is building skills, careers and economic opportunities for the next generation.

During the election, I proudly committed $20 million for the next stage of the airport's expansion, including an additional aircraft bay to support the growing number of military training exercises in our region and the first stage of a dedicated freight hub to kickstart Rockhampton's transformation into a true export gateway. Disappointingly, Labor did not match this commitment. They continue to take regional communities for granted and show little interest in supporting long-term growth outside the major cities. Their refusal to invest in this critical infrastructure proves that they don't take regional development seriously.

Major infrastructure projects across the Capricornia electorate continue to drive economic growth and deliver long-term benefits for our region. But time and again we've had to fight tooth and nail to protect them. Last term, alongside local community members and businesses, I stood up to save crucial economy-building projects, none more significant at the $1.9 billion Rockhampton Ring Road and the $14 million Phillips Creek Bridge upgrade nearDysart. Saving the Rockhampton Ring Road from Labor's first budget cuts was no small feat. More than 500 locals rallied to send a clear message to Canberra: regional Queensland will not tolerate vital infrastructure being stripped away. The Start Rockhampton Ring Road team fought with unwavering determination, and, without their advocacy, Labor would have gladly consigned this project to the scrap heap.

Today, stage 1 of the northern and southern sections of the ring road are nearing completion. This project isn't just about busting congestion; it's about keeping our community safe. Every day, around 2,000 heavy vehicles pass through Rockhampton, right past four schools and through 19 sets of traffic lights. The Rockhampton Ring Road will divert this traffic away from our city centre, keeping freight moving and our children safe.

Similarly, I'm pleased to see the $251 million Walkerston Bypass is now completed. This vital project has redirected heavy vehicles away from local schools in the township of Walkerston, which, for years, was impacted by trucks passing dangerously close to school zones. The bypass is delivering safer and more efficient journeys for commuters along the Peak Downs Highway and has significantly improved flood immunity with a new bridge over Bakers Creek and three new overpasses across the local cane railway network.

I also successfully fought to save the Phillips Creek Bridge upgrade from Labor's 90-day infrastructure review, Phillips Creek Bridge is a notoriously dangerous crossing where lives have been lost. This project will provide safer travel for those commuting through the coalfields of Central Queensland, ensuring they return home safely to their families. I'm proud that the $155 million Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road upgrade is now in its final stages. Another coalition funded initiative, this project is expanding the road to four lanes, improving access to private properties and fixing the deadly intersections like Dairy Inn Road and Artillery Road. These upgrades will ease traffic for the 11,600 vehicles that use this road every day and make travel between Rockhampton and Yeppoon safer and more efficient for everyone.

Importantly, we forced Labor's hand on yet another critical project, the beef roads funding. When Labor tried to cut this vital investment from the infrastructure pipeline we fought back and had $40 million reinstated. This win means we're finally seeing the beginning of sealing key freight routes in the beef corridor network, roads that are crucial for our cattle industry, our rural communities and our regional economy.

Connectivity is not just a luxury. It is a necessity, especially for those living in regional, rural and remote parts of our country. When the community of Collinsville began experiencing major mobile coverage issues, I knew immediate action was needed. The existing tower was under immense pressure, struggling to keep up with the growing demand. I met with locals, listened to their concerns firsthand and took those concerns straight back to Canberra. Through community meetings, advocacy and relentless lobbying I fought to ensure that Collinsville got the upgrades it needed. After two years of hard work I was absolutely delighted to see the fight pay off. Earlier this year a new mobile phone base station was officially switched on, providing significantly improved coverage for the Collinsville region. It's a win for safety, a win for business and a win for every resident who now has the connectivity they deserve.

Access to safe, secure and appropriate housing is one of the biggest challenges facing communities across Australia, and Capricornia is no exception. But for people living with disability, the challenge is even greater. Finding homes that not only provide a roof over their head that are designed to support their specific needs is incredibly difficult. That's why I was so proud to bring a vital project to life by securing $1 million in federal funding for Multicap's purpose-built disability housing. What began as a vision on paper is now a reality, with two beautifully designed homes that offer safety, dignity and independence for their residents. These houses are more than just buildings; they're a lifeline for those who too often fall through the cracks of our housing system. Housing security is also critical at the end of life, and I was honoured to deliver $19.6 million in funding for the construction of the Mercy Haven aged care facility in Rockhampton. This state-of-the-art centre is providing high-quality, compassionate care for our senior citizens, ensuring that they can stay close to their families and communities in later years.

Additionally, I was also proud to secure $8 million in federal funding for the Fitzroy Community Hospice, which has now officially opened its doors. This 12-bed facility in Rockhampton is the first regional hospice in Queensland, providing compassionate community based end-of-life care. It delivers holistic support not just for patients but for their families and carers as well, offering dignity, comfort and guidance during life's most difficult moments. I fought hard for this service because everyone, regardless of where they live, deserves access to quality palliative care close to home. The Fitzroy Community Hospice is a testament to what we can achieve when we invest in services that truly matter.

The Capricornia region is one of the best places in Australia to live, work and raise a family, and has been made even better by significant investments I've secured to support its continued growth. Tourism is thriving, and I'm proud to have delivered the funding needed to keep pace with this momentum. One stand-out project is the brand new Keppel Bay Sailing Club, now officially open thanks to a $20 million investment from the coalition. This world-class facility has quickly become a centrepiece for sport and tourism on the Capricorn Coast, creating local jobs, injecting life into our hospitality sector and attracting national and international sailing regattas to our beautiful shoreline. From health care to infrastructure, and from housing to tourism, these investments are building a stronger, safer and more prosperous future for all of Capricornia. I am incredibly proud to have secured a record investment of more than $7 billion for Capricornia—an achievement that reflects years of hard work, persistence and unshakable belief in the potential of our region.

For too long, Capricornia was overlooked by Labor, taken for granted as a safe Labor seat and left behind when it came to serious investment. But that has changed. Capricornia is no longer ignored. It is now recognised as the economic powerhouse it truly is, driving growth through agriculture, resources, defence, manufacturing and tourism. This investment isn't just a number; it's real funding for roads, hospitals, aged care, water security, job creation and essential services that strengthen our communities and build a better future for local families.

Serving as the member for Capricornia has been the honour of my life. As members of parliament, we are entrusted with a profound responsibility: the ability to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of our constituents. Whether it's standing up for residents who need help, improving the essential services families rely on or delivering the infrastructure that drives jobs and opportunity, our role matters. On every one of these fronts, I am incredibly proud of what I've been able to achieve for Capricornia. This is the region where I was raised and where I chose to raise my two daughters. It's more than just an electorate; it is my home, and it's a community I care deeply about. As we begin the 48th Parliament, I remain as determined as ever to fight for Capricornia's future. I will continue working hard every day to deliver for our region and hold the Labor government to account. Capricornia is full of potential, and it is the honour of my life to represent it in this place of democracy. Thank you.

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