Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Sullivan for his question and his longstanding interest in developing regional Queensland. The government is very supportive of seeing the Adani Carmichael coalmine be developed. It will create thousands of jobs in North Queensland, and we are all about trying to support projects that create jobs for hardworking Australians in this country. I want my children to have opportunities in the region. The people that I live near in North Queensland want their children to have opportunities in the region. They want them to have a future and not have to travel hundreds of kilometres away to find jobs and opportunities. They would like them to have a future in their region, and projects like the Adani Carmichael mine can help achieve that.

I and the Premier of Queensland and eight Queensland mayors have travelled to India in the last fortnight to meet the Indian government and the Adani corporate group to discuss their plans for the mine. We have heard reports that the mine is likely to go ahead. Mr Adani himself has been reported as saying that the mine will definitely proceed. There are further decisions to be made by the Adani group, but it will be a good news day for this country when this mine can proceed. It will be the first new coal based open mine in this country for more than 40 years. In my part of the world, opportunities were created by the opening of the Bowen and Surat basins. In other parts of our country, mines have been built and developed in the Hunter Valley. When we open up a new mining resource area it is not just about the individual project that starts it; it is about all the other projects and services that come in behind it. So while this project can create thousands of jobs in and of itself, when we open up a new basin other mines might open in the area. Other services will come to North Queensland and create a vibrant and thriving industry.

May I say too to those who might not support this that it will also create more tourism opportunities on the Great Barrier Reef, because people who live near the Great Barrier Reef tend to holiday at the Great Barrier Reef as well, so more people in North Queensland will be very good for our tourism operators in North Queensland as well.