James Bidgood (Dawson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The only way is up for the economy of Dawson. As member for Dawson I warmly welcome the latest Regional Economic Development Corporation or REDEC report into the economy of the Mackay, Whitsundays and Isaacs regions. This report gives our local economies an A-plus, especially as we have just come out of the worst global financial crisis since the Great Depression. As I said in my first speech, Dawson is truly a powerhouse of the Australian economy. I am also proud to be part of a government that continues to manage the economy so well and that delivers so much for Dawson.

Businesses, workers and families have remained optimistic and worked hard to grow and build our economy, and they deserve to be recognised. Our growth is testament that the economy has responded to our timely and decisive action in responding to the GFC. The report said that, last year, over one million people visited our region, over eight million tonnes of sugar cane was crushed at world record prices and over 104 megatonnes of coal was exported. It also said that our employment figures had boomed and that developments were full steam ahead.

Dawson is a confident region. Dawson is a prosperous region. We look to the future with optimism in Dawson.