Good morning everyone.
I acknowledge and pay my respects to the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather today. I extend this respect to all Elders past and present, and to other First Nations Peoples here with us today, and across the wider region.
As we come together today, North Queensland sits in a unique position. An enviable position.
One where Cairns, Townsville, Mount Isa and the Torres Strait, and every community in between, play a major role in Queensland's economic strength.
From mining to agriculture, defence and border security, tourism and trade, our region is at the heart of Queensland's, and the nation's, future prosperity.
That's why the story of the North must be led by those from the North.
Here in Cairns, we live closer to capital of PNG than our own in Canberra – indeed we live closer to Port Moresby than Brisbane. The Pacific Islands aren't just on our doorstep they are integral to understanding our region and our place in theirs.
That's why Northern Australia is amongst the most significant regions of our nation. And our government understands the importance of pursuing a vision for the North that is both economically ambitious and strategically grounded.
This is vision has three core elements:
Firstly, economic diversification and resilience. A more diversified northern economy is stronger, more resilient and less exposed to the shocks of any single sector.
Secondly, national security and sovereign capability.
And thirdly, connectivity and liveability. This vision is one of opportunity, jobs and development.
One where our northern businesses and communities are connected to our Pacific neighbours through roads, seaports and airports, rail, digital infrastructure, and energy grids.
As Assistant Minister for Northern Australia and Pacific Island Affairs, I often reflect on the importance of both regions to each other's success.
Geography is not the only reason North Queensland will play a role in the future of the Pacific. Our community ties, our cultural connection and our people to people links have all made our home a second home for many Pacific neighbours.
Luckily, I don't have go far to demonstrate this. I've had the privilege of attending graduation ceremonies for the crews of Guardian-class Patrol vessels right here in Cairns. Just this week I met PALM workers in Innisfail and heard about the invaluable contribution they make to the local businesses. Tonight I will host Pacific Ministers as they visit Cairns ahead of taking part in Garma, engaging with our First Nations culture that is so connected to their own.
A prosperous North Queensland, in a state that is engaged, resourced and "present" in the Pacific helps Australia shape our region's future. A region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous.
Queensland, particularly Far North Queensland, has its own "Pacific" story.
One that reflects the deep ties that stretch across the ocean to Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and beyond.
Our government sees these relationships as much more than neighbourly goodwill.
It's about genuine respect. And long-term partnership.
Australia is providing targeted support to uplift defence capability and cooperation of Pacific partners through extensive bilateral and regional initiatives, in line with the Government's National Defence Strategy 2026 – which notes that a diverse and robust network of bilateral, regional and multilateral partnerships is essential to navigating a strategic environment characterised by fracture, rivalry and disorder.
Like the Defence Cooperation Program improving regional security with our neighbours in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu through investments in personnel, equipment and infrastructure.
Or the Pacific Maritime Security Program delivering Guardian-class Patrol Boats to Pacific partners, along with training, maintenance and support.
Then there is the Pacific Response Group, which provides specialised military humanitarian and disaster relief support following a disaster, at the request of an affected state.
Australia's support for the PRG stems from commitments made by Pacific Island Forum Leaders to implement collective peace and security initiatives. These supports are reinforced by the signing of our bilateral defence engagements, such as the PNG-Australian Mutual Defence Treaty, known as the Pukpuk Treaty, and the Ocean of Peace Alliance with Fiji.
We will continue to invest in crucial links with our Pacific neighbours because in a world where our world order is increasingly unpredictable, it is in all our best interests to do so.
As we continue to innovate, invest and expand opportunities for north Queensland businesses, we also need to acknowledge the mutually reinforcing relationship between defence and our community.
Defence is not simply a "tenant" in northern Queensland. Defence is a partner in nation building, resilience and long-term prosperity.
Cairns and Townsville are home to deeply meaningful Australian Defence Force presence.
Far North Queensland hosts training grounds, exercises and increasingly the kind of regional engagement and diplomacy that really matters in the current environment.
All of this means there are clear opportunities.
Investment in defence infrastructure—accommodation, airfields and logistics hubs—generates construction jobs today and sustained economic development tomorrow.
I am proud to be part of a Government that is delivering record investments in Defence, including $13-16 billion over the decade for Australia's northern bases right here in Queensland.
In December last year we saw the completion of a new shared user facility to house Navy cadets and support Defence personnel at HMAS Cairns…
As well as the construction of a new 212 metre wharf to support Australia Defence Force vessels, and those of our partners visiting Cairns.
And significant infrastructure investments at RAAF Base Townsville, including an extended runway to support maritime patrol aircraft operating from the North.
And, in a significant step forward, the Cairns Marine Precinct Common User Facility, supported by the Australian and Queensland governments, is moving ahead with expressions of interest from the private sector to co-invest in the facility's delivery and operation.
This will grow our marine and maritime industries, creating shared infrastructure that leads to more jobs, investment and capability.
We've been a strong advocate for this project since day one. Because it's great for the North.
Every dollar spent upgrading infrastructure in North Queensland is a dollar that also flows into local supply chains, local trades, local businesses and local communities.
We want small and medium Queensland businesses—manufacturers, engineering and technology firms, and maritime service providers—putting their hands up for contracts.
We want to see the private and public sectors working hand in hand to support defence enterprise.
It diversifies the local economy. It builds regional resilience. And it gives our young people a serious, well-paid and well-credentialed career path—without needing to leave home.
Also in our best interests is optimising defence enterprise opportunities.
In aviation, our northern airfields and growing air cargo capacity open doors—from maintenance, repair and overhaul services to unmanned systems and future air mobility.
In maritime sustainment, our ports and shipyards are perfectly positioned to serve naval, commercial and Pacific vessels, creating steady, high-value work for local trades and engineering firms.
These are not ideas—they are happening now.
For example, the $250 million HMAS Cairns wharf upgrade.
Here are the stats: More than 770 workers onsite, 13 major subcontractors engaged, with $67.7 million awarded to local businesses within 125 kilometres of Cairns.
And local First Nations-owned organisations have secured almost $800,000 in contracts.
That's real money flowing to the local community.
And it's the kind of public and private partnership that equals jobs and long-term economic development.
Now of course, none of this matters if our young people cannot see themselves, and their future, in it.
Which is why we will expand STEM education and vocational pathways specifically aligned to defence industries as well as advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and logistics careers.
And we'll start in northern schools and TAFEs—not just in Brisbane.
We want a bright student from Ingham or Mareeba to know that a career in engineering, robotics, shipbuilding or defence technology is possible—in their own region.
This also means apprenticeships tied directly to defence major projects.
And it means university cohorts matched to placements with defence-related organisations.
We want to keep our best and brightest here, in the North. Where they can build their futures close to home.
Government can't do all of this without the private sector.
We're committed to partnering with research and academic institutions, including James Cook University and CSIRO, as well as industry.
Together, we will keep turning north Queensland's unique and diverse advantages into applied outcomes.
Across defence, agriculture, mining, technology, renewable energy and advanced materials.
I think you'll agree North Queensland does not need to be rescued or rediscovered. It needs to be backed.
And that's exactly what we are doing.
With infrastructure, investment in defence, genuine Pacific partnerships, training and education pathways.
Backing with the same kind of confidence I see right here in this room today.
Confidence that comes from seeing north Queensland as the centre of regional development and national defence for a very long time to come.
Thank you.