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

In 151 days, Central Queensland will host Beef Australia 2021 at Rockhampton Showgrounds from 2 May to 8 May. Starting back in 1988 and happening every three years, this will be the 11th event. With guidance from the safety group on 26 November, Beef Australia was given the tick of approval to go ahead. More than 100,000 people are expected to pass through the gates. Normally this is a big international event, and the money visitors bring will flow throughout the economy.

The industry is on an upward trajectory and the future of the Aussie beef industry is bright. Abattoirs such as Teys Australia in Biloela and Rockhampton and JBS in Rockhampton are part of the fabric, along with live shipments underway at Port Alma. Our beef industry is worth over $11 billion and directly employs more than 190,000 people. It is the backbone of many regional communities, such as those in my electorate of Flynn. I'm looking forward to attending Beef Australia 2021, as it's a major economic driver for our region.