Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

[by video link] I'd like to update the House on our investments through the Townsville City Deal. For some time now, the deal partners have been working to identify how to reallocate the $195 million which had been set aside for stage 2 of the Haughton pipeline but which was then rejected by the state Labor government. Recently, we made two announcements which will deliver on the aims of the city deal. The first is $15 million to the Royal Flying Doctor Service for a brand-new base and maintenance hub at Townsville Airport. The second is $40 million going towards transforming Reef HQ into Australia's national centre of excellence for tropical coral reef education, making it a premium tourism destination. Both these projects will have significant positive economic, educational, health and social benefits for our community. They are great examples of listening to the community and working to secure the commitments, and now we'll work hard on delivering.

We've outlined our remaining priorities for the funding, and it's a matter for the deal partners, the Queensland state government and the Townsville City Council to discuss them. Unfortunately, there has been disagreement on some projects, and I'm urging everyone involved to put the community ahead of personal or political preferences. In the meantime, I'd once again urge the state Labor government to get on with the job of building stage 2 of the Haughton pipeline. More than a year on from the rejection of the funding— (Time expired)