Business stakeholders discuss economic opportunities in Townsville

Published Wednesday, 12 August, 2015 at 12:00 PM

Minister for Disability Services, Minister for Seniors and Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland
The Honourable Coralee O'Rourke

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke today hosted a roundtable with Townsville business leaders, the second in a series of forums focussing on developing North Queensland.

“The message received from North Queenslanders is clear, they want a government that listens and works closely with its stakeholder to grow our region,” Mrs O’Rourke said. 

“These roundtables are the first in a number of measures to address that need, and create real opportunities in North Queensland,” she said. 

“We are looking to business leaders for ideas on how industry can work with government to grow the North.

“A key objective of the roundtables will be identifying up to five projects to champion for North Queensland over the next three years.

“North Queensland’s accounts for 28 per cent of the state’s economy and nearly half of all exports that go through Queensland’s ports. 

“The region has huge economic development opportunities, but we will only maximise them if we work together.”

Minister O’Rourke is also attending the Townsville International Investment Seminar in Townsville today, to introduce Queensland’s two newest trade and investment commissioners for Indonesia, Mr Oka Simanjuntak, and Korea, Mr Daniel Kim.

“We know how important the Asian market is to North Queensland,” she said.

“The growth we’re seeing from our close northern neighbours has the potential to support a million Australian jobs in fields such as health, banking, transport, property, tourism and education.

“We are determined to having a strong local presence throughout Asia, and our trade commissioners will be great ambassadors to promote opportunities in Queensland.”

The Palaszczuk Government will host a major Northern Queensland Economic Summit in Cairns later this year, aimed at increasing Asian investment in North Queensland, following the first business forum which was held in Cairns in July.

North Queensland business forums will also be held in Mackay, Mt Isa and Brisbane.

Media Contact:                                Minister O’Rourke’s office             0408 317 992