Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Could I ask the minister how many of these ILUAs that are at risk or that will be regularised by this bill are in my state of Queensland? Attorney, you would appreciate me asking that, as I, like you, am a Queensland representative in this place.

I should just mention that I had the pleasure of meeting with a large number of Indigenous people just last week—I forget when it was; Tuesday, I think—when the Adani corporation came to Townsville and made the official announcement that Townsville would be the headquarters of the Adani project. Of course, that was great news for Townsville, which is currently suffering the highest unemployment, I regret to say, around the country—more than 11 per cent. Youth unemployment is unreasonably and unconscionably high.

This announcement by Adani of anywhere up to 600 new jobs—as I understood them—being created just in the headquarters in Townsville was great news for Townsville. I have to say that I do not always agree with the Labor Mayor of Townsville, but the Labor Mayor of Townsville was totally involved in the announcement and very pleased. The Queensland government was there, represented by the Premier of Queensland—of all people—and some of her ministers, all lauding Adani for establishing their headquarters in Townsville and going ahead with this project that will mean so much to all Queenslanders, particularly Indigenous people. I had the pleasure, at a little function after the announcement, of sitting with a group of Indigenous people. Some of them lawyers—