Last week, I attended the inaugural Queensland Resources and Innovation Expo at the Resources Centre of Excellence in Paget, Mackay. The expo, promoted as a platform showcasing cutting-edge technologies, fostering industry collaboration, and driving sustainable advancements in the resource sector, definitely delivered – what a fantastic event it was!
I was incredibly proud to meet so many local innovators and industry experts, all deeply committed to their products and ideas. I also had the privilege of being part of a roundtable with other stakeholders, industry experts and policymakers to discuss mining and exploration. As Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability, I left with plenty of information to take back to Canberra.
What stood out was the strong turnout from both locals and visitors across the country. I saw incredible innovations, like electric skid steers and battery-operated ride-on mowers, as well as robotic technologies from a WA-based company that could be a game changer for industry in the Bowen Basin. These were ideas turned into real businesses by everyday Australians backing themselves.
Yes, there were big players too, but they all started the same way — someone with a dream in a shed. That’s what Australia should be about.
The expo reminded me of what I already knew: Dawson is full of potential.
Our region is not just blessed with rich resources, natural beauty and a great climate. We’re home to some of the world’s smartest innovators, and they’re worth investing in. Paget also happens to be the largest manufacturing hub in the Southern Hemisphere.
Business owners across Dawson tell me their biggest obstacle comes from government. Increased red tape and green tape are drowning our local innovators in getting their ideas off the ground. These people aren’t looking for handouts — they just want less in their way and a government that backs them.
When Labor launched its ‘Future Made in Australia’ policy last year, I thought the government might actually throw Dawson a bone. Instead, it focuses almost entirely on city-based renewables projects. There is nothing in this policy for the manufacturing industry and resource sector in North Queensland that have long underpinned our national economy.
Not investing in the resource sector and manufacturing in North Queensland is not only disappointing for our region, it is ignorant of the risks Australia faces into the future. The more we have to rely on overseas supply chains, the more sovereign risk we expose ourselves to. A truly sovereign Australia needs to make right here on our home turf. We need to invest in our resource sector and manufacturing industry. We need to invest in our people and their innovative ideas. We need to invest in regional Australia – regions like Dawson and people like the ones I met at last week’s expo.
Australia’s future must be made in Australia, and that means regions like ours must be better supported by our federal government.
Dawson is a big part of our national economy and when Parliament resumes next week — and for the first time since before the May election, I might add — I will be reminding the government our region deserves our fair share, better support and less bureaucracy getting in the way.
Buy Australian, promote Australian, and make Australian.
Andrew Willcox MP
Federal Member for Dawson
Shadow Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Sovereign Capability
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
