George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thirty kilometres off the coast of Mackay, there's an island which could offer a lifestyle that many people dream about, but the dream has turned into a nightmare for the 40 or so residents who have sunk their lifesavings into their own homes or holiday homes. About 18 months ago, the Queensland Labor government handed over the long-term lease of the island to a Chinese based company called China Bloom. Their development arm is great on developments.

This is Keswick Island we're talking about. The new Chinese landlords are making life very difficult, even impossible. Residents who access Keswick Island by private planes are barred, as are all commercial flights. An approved helicopter trip will cost about $1,500—it's actually cheaper to fly to Bali. The public boat ramp has also been closed to residents. Beautiful bays on the island now sport signs barring entry. A group of residents are fighting for access, but their pleas to the Palaszczuk Labor government are falling on deaf fears. As one of the residents so bluntly put it: 'The property values have gone from millions to nothing as no bank, in or out of the country, will touch property on the island, and who would want to buy or live here with the culture and belligerence and bullying that is going on.'

I call on the Queensland Labor to act now to correct these terrible injustices. Keswick Island is Queensland. Keswick Island is Australia. Keswick Island is not communist China. Australians should have free and fair access to their own properties on Keswick Island.