James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to start off by commending the government and commending Senator Canavan for the work that he has been doing in progressing, pushing and advocating for the agenda for northern Australia. I acknowledge the comments that have just been made by my colleague Senator McMahon in terms of the work that has been happening in the Northern Territory, and I commend and second her comments.

I'll focus a bit more on Queensland. I acknowledge that this week we had FNQROC down, which is an organisation of Far North Queensland mayors. It was very important, because not only are the elected councillors and elected mayors from Far North Queensland, North Queensland and Central Queensland regular visitors down here to Canberra; so too are the senators from the LNP regular visitors to all regions of Queensland. We've got Senator Scarr in the chamber here, who's a strong advocate for regional Queensland, a new senator and someone who has embarked on that magical mystery tour that is being an LNP senator in terms of spending more nights away from home because you're out there listening to the people of Queensland. When you think about Queensland, all of Queensland is probably northern Australia compared to some of the southern states. But in particular, Senator Scarr—