Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to speak today on the privilege of being elected for a third term representing Flynn. I would like to thank my family, friends and supporters for their steadfast assistance through the marathon campaign. I am sure all re-elected MPs would testify to what a marathon it was.

To be elected once is a great honour, but to be elected for the third term is very special to me. Whilst this is my sixth year in the job, I am still hungry to continue my fight for Flynn. The fire has not gone out. The Central Queensland economy is doing it tough at the moment, with job losses in the resources industry. New jobs are needed now more than ever. I am determined to see my election commitment projects completed as soon as possible to help drive the local economies of CQ—projects like the CQ University Gladstone campus upgrades and upgrades to the Capricornia Highway from Emerald to Rockhampton. I also intend to see action on two Queensland roads that are very important to the economic multiplier in road projects—they are the Dawson Development Road from Springsure to Tambo and the Mundubbera to Dalby road, which carries produce from the North Burnett area into the Toowoomba airport. It is produce that can be flown from that area into Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Korea and Japan the very next day. (Time expired)