Keith Pitt (Hinkler, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to make a brief contribution as the deputy chair. I'd like to thank the secretariat and the travelling delegation and acknowledge the work of the chair and the minister in what are some very remote locations in Australia. At Cocos, in particular, it's absolutely critical that a separate water source is provided. The three lenses that currently exist, two of which are contaminated, are essential—necessary not only for life on the island but for the upgrade, for the additional population that will find its way there and for this very substantial and significant investment in what is a remote territory for this country. The runway is obviously a key defence asset, and it is the only access apart from ship for the people who live on Cocos. In a rather unique turn, there is a golf course that gets suspended every time a plane lands, because it runs along the strip.

I was so very pleased to see at both Cocos and Christmas Island the Australian flag flying proudly at the local official residences. I say to the individuals at Cocos and Christmas: you are part of Australia and you are part of our country. Our eyes are on you, and we are looking to provide support. As a separate aside, even I didn't know how big a contingent was based at Cocos in World War II. For example, there was an entire Spitfire squadron there, with many, many people working there.

Christmas Island itself is unique. As we saw, there are more patches than pipe in the local water supply, and that is a critical investment which we discussed and looked at. I do want to acknowledge those who are working at the CI mine, the phosphate mine. It does deliver the majority of the economy. They are clearly very large users of not only the water supply, other resources and the ports and roads; they do provide a substantial number of jobs. I'd very strongly recommend to those who are looking at the expansion that they consider that favourably. There are just under 3,000 tourists who go to Christmas Island, who of course utilise that infrastructure as well.

In that part of the world, they are the front line of Australia, and I do want to acknowledge the people who live in those remote and far-flung territories for the work that they do. Thanks to the minister for her support and, of course, to the delegation once again.

Debate adjourned.

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