Usually I take the opportunity in the adjournment debate to discuss how great the far north is and how everyone should come and visit and check out the Great Barrier Reef or the Daintree, run up to Cape York or maybe, if you've got the time, enjoy the wonder of Zenadth Kes, the Torres Strait. People from this House often come and visit me as well. In fact, last week the Speaker came with his giant flag. In a week when democracy felt a little bit under siege, it was really great to have the Speaker around with the flag, unfurling it in front of hundreds of kids and having them cheer on our national emblem, want to touch it and be excited about a little piece of Canberra that had come to our town of Cairns—the flag that sits proudly above this great house, the flag that we can see as we come to work every morning, the flag that sits proudly on the shoulders of the men and women who serve our nation.

Cairns has a great history of service. In fact, the president of the RSL sub-branch, Nathan Shingles, was just this week received at Yarralumla. He was stoked to meet the Governor-General and was really proud of his time there and proud of his service. He sent me the photos. I was really happy for him.

On service, the far north is increasingly becoming so very strategically important. The 51st Battalion is legendary right across the north. We've got RAAF Scherger and, of course, the expansion at HMAS Cairns, a $250 million investment that's created around 700 jobs and was delivered on time and on budget. But that's just the beginning, because with the completion of HMAS Cairns come at least two Arafura class offshore patrol vessels, bigger, better and with longer range and more lethality—better for protecting our borders, better for our nation and better for our economy. To have two home-ported in the city of Cairns is an economic opportunity we have not had for decades. For too long, we have been so reliant on our tourism industry. Our tourism industry is absolutely second to none, but it is unfair to rely on it all the time. Bringing defence industry to the regions—bringing the defence industry to the far north, to Cairns, such a strategically important place, with the gateway to the South Pacific and to Asia, and with the Pukpuk Treaty being signed—is critically important, not just globally but locally. It's a vote of confidence in the regions.

It's a vote of confidence, more importantly, in our shipbuilding and manufacturing areas. There are 4,000 people currently employed in our shipyards in Cairns, and over COVID they did not lose one single day of work. When the rest of our economy was absolutely on its knees in the far north, these guys found a way to persevere. They look after the boats from the British navy and the French navy. The Americans are starting to think about it. We've got the South Pacific navies coming through. We have the capability. We have the talent. Now that is being recognised not just locally but on a global scale.

There is opportunity in Cairns. We have the marine engineering college. I would encourage anybody who wants to work with their hands to come north. We are going to have the work for you. The opportunities are going to be there, and you will get to build your home and your life in the most beautiful part of the planet. You'll get to play with some of the most advanced boats on the planet. You'll get to get inside, get your hands dirty and do all of the things that you wanted to do growing up. If you thought working on a car was cool, try working on a warship. My goodness! We need sparkies. We need chippies. We need metalworkers. We need everybody. So, if you've got a trade or if you want a trade, come up to Cairns, because we've got the work and we've got the lifestyle. We've got everything that you could possibly imagine. Homes are being built. There are plenty of great schools and universities for your kids. There are TAFEs—anything that you want. Cairns doesn't have to be just a holiday destination anymore. The far north is where the future is going to be. All roads now lead north. So I encourage everybody. Grab a wagon if you need to. Grab a horse. I do not care. Work your way up. You can stop off in Townsville if you like, but make sure you drive those extra four hours. Arrive in the beautiful Far North Queensland, because we have work for you.

In accordance with the resolution agreed to on 27 October 2026, the debate is interrupted.

The House transcript was published up to 20:00. The remainder of the transcript will be published progressively as it is completed.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Lawrence ) took the chair at 09:31.