Cameron Caldwell (Fadden, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week, I had the pleasure of opening the 35th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Credit goes to Mulpha Australia, who were supported by the Gold Coast city council and Tourism and Events Queensland, for delivering another iconic event.

In Fadden, we love our waterways and we love boating. It doesn't matter whether you get around on a Nautique ski boat, perhaps a See-Doo jetski or a humble Quintrex tinnie, which, of course, is manufactured in the electorate. Over the four days, nearly 50,000 people turned up to have a look at the show. But it's more than just an event. This is showcasing the marine industry that is so valuable to the Gold Coast economy, and the economy in the northern end of the Gold Coast in particular. The marine precinct at Coomera, in the electorate of Fadden, is home to Riviera—the famous Boat Works—and Gold Coast city marina, both of which host many small businesses.

During the show on the weekend, there were charities involved like Hope Island Rotary, selling some sausages to raise money, and the variety club, selling some $5 sharks, which was good to see. All of this is with an effort to showcase and highlight the importance of the marine economy to the Gold Coast. It's worth nearly $1.2 billion and provides nearly 5,000 jobs. So I'm very proud to have been along to the show to support the marine industry, which is an important pillar of the Gold Coast economy.