Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

The Australian government must acknowledge the important role that Professional Bull Riders Australia plays in the sporting, cultural and economic landscape. Professional Bull Riders Australia has demonstrated substantial growth and impact as the peak organisation for professional bull riding in Australia. Their events attract significant audiences, both live and broadcast, and showcase Australian skills on a national and international stage.

The expansion of Professional Bull Riders Australia events across regional and metropolitan areas delivers meaningful benefits through tourism, local economic activity and increased visibility for our nation's sporting and cultural profile. In addition to its competition framework, Professional Bull Riders Australia has made a strong commitment to youth engagement through its junior academy program, which provides structured pathways for young athletes, skill development and progression to elite competition. This program has already opened new opportunities for young Queenslanders to participate in a unique, demanding sport that promotes resilience, discipline and community connection.

The Australian government must recognise that Professional Bull Riders Australia operates within a structured and professional sporting framework. The organisational aligns with the characteristics of a recognised sport, being a competitive, skill based human activity requiring physical exertion and discipline; organised nationally and internationally, with established athlete pathways; and governed by a professional body with strong oversight and integrity measures and development programs.

On this basis, the Australian government must support the Professional Bull Riders Australia efforts to progress recognition at the national level, including its ambition to be formally listed on the Australian Sports Directory administrated by the Australian Sports Commission. Such recognition would reflect professional bull riding in Australian and strengthen its ability to deliver athlete development, youth engagement, community outreach and international sporting exchange. I am pleased to acknowledge Professional Bull Riders Australia as a significant sporting association delivering substantial benefits to Queensland, Australia. I look forward to seeing the continued growth of Professional Bull Riders Australia and its contribution to sporting, economic and cultural life.

One of the key issues that we have seen of the last few days is the government's new and not-so-well-thought-out environmental bill. Sawmills throughout this country that have been the backbone of employment and have really built this nation now face job losses and uncertainty, all because of a minister who refuses to engage with them.

There is another option. There is another way where the sawmilling industry won't have to lay off thousands of people throughout Queensland and the nation—that is to look at the Queensland government's Future Timber Plan 2050. It has environmental leadership, as Queensland's approach sets a benchmark for balancing timber production with environmental protection. It looks at a sustainable harvesting model. Unlike other states that rely on clear-felling, Queensland uses a selective harvesting model, removing roughly one in 100 trees, which maintains forest health and biodiversity. It looks at industry and environment. It's a win-win.

We also see a long-term vision from the Queensland LNP when it comes to sawmilling. The Future Timber Plan 2050 provides certainty for industry investment and planning. It has real economic sustainability, it is a clear differentiation from other states and it has industry engagement. Industry engagement is key. As the minister wants to do deals with the Greens and doesn't want to sit at the table with the coalition, we are going to see an industry that has built this nation, that has employed thousands of people—

Maybe not in the member for Bruce's electorate, but in regional Australia. The people that do it tough already don't need another handbrake placed on their lives coming into Christmas. Thousands of jobs are on the line. I urge Minister Watt to sit at the table with the sawmillers.

See this speech in context