ABC Capricornia Breakfast interview with Jeremy Jones

JEREMY JONES [HOST]: Well, Senator Anthony Chisholm is in Rockhampton this week. He is the Assistant Minister for Education, Regional Development and Agriculture, and I caught up with him yesterday.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: We’re helping to open the Keppel Bay Sailing Club new headquarters, which- I’ve seen pictures, it looks absolutely fantastic. And I’m sure it will be a great addition to that community, but also provides opportunity as part of a convention centre that will hopefully drive some more business tourism to the area, which will be fantastic. And then we’re announcing some money for the Rockhampton Council to expand more housing opportunities in this area. So I know that there’s high growth, there’s a lot of people who want to move here, so we want to work with councils where possible to ensure that we can free up land for development. Good for jobs, but also good for those people who want to find a place to live as well.

JEREMY JONES: That’s exciting that you’re going to be heading to Keppel Bay. We heard a proposal before that they’ve put in to host the sailing for the 2032 Olympics. As Assistant Regional Development Minister, what do you make of that? Do you- would you like to see the Olympics held regionally?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: I certainly think that we need to ensure that there’s a strong regional footprint. So we know that the substance of the Olympics will be based in South East Queensland, but I’m really passionate about being an Olympics for the whole of the state and the whole of the country as well. So I think that we should encourage, where possible and where practicable, that we have as many events spread around the state as possible so that all Queenslanders can feel part of it.

JEREMY JONES: Is that something the Federal Government would support, to see events outside of Brisbane?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: The way it works so far is that we’ve contributed some financial backing for some of the facilities. That process is being led by the State Government, though, so we’re always willing to discuss proposals that they put forward, but they’re the lead agency on this. But we want to see a successful Olympics. I want to see that from a Queensland point of view. But we think there’s enormous opportunity for how we position the country – Queensland’s going to be a key beneficiary of that.

JEREMY JONES: So exciting. And moving as well, another announcement that we’re set to see about $1 million for the Gladstone Airport Corporation to construct a fit for purpose patient transfer facility. What’s going on there?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Yeah. So the Regional Airport upgrades fund is one that we’ve had running for a while now, and this is the latest round that has supported nine airports across regional Queensland, including Gladstone. What we know is that in regional Australia and regional Queensland, our airports aren’t only convenient – there actually can be a matter of life and death, and they do provide that facility. So part of the money for Gladstone was providing a patient transfer facility. It’s one that sort of is fit for purpose and can help that community. And the upgrades right across the state go to safety and flooding and lighting so that these airports can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

JEREMY JONES: We caught up with Gladstone Airport Corporation CEO Mark Cachia, who was chatting about this last week. This is what he had to say.

[Excerpt]

MARK CACHIA [GLADSTONE AIRPORT CORPORATION CEO]: It’s about a $5 million upgrade of the- you know, including the building of the facility, and upgrading of the apron area. Being in a regional town, finding medical specialists is very difficult. Most of the time, whenever there’s a speciality needed for surgery or treatment and it’s urgent, most patients need to go out in the Air Ambulance and head back to- head to Brisbane to find a specialist. So it’s- look, it’s quite vital for the region.

[End of excerpt]

JEREMY JONES: He certainly says that it is needed there, but mentioned the price tag of $5 million there. Will it be able to go ahead with just $1 million?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Obviously the department will be in discussions with the council about ensuring that we- how we can best support that program. They often have to put in a submission that’s assessed by the department, and they do that on a merits-based approach, so I’m confident that they’ll be able to achieve what they’ve set out to achieve. But there’s always an openness from the Government to ensure that we’re working constructively with councils. And I imagine that story that they’re telling would be a similar one across many parts of regional Queensland.

JEREMY JONES: You’re hearing from Senator Anthony Chisholm, who’s in Rocky this week. He’s the Assistant Minister for Education, Regional Development and Agriculture, and of course, the election coming up. How are you feeling about it for Labor?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: [Laughs] No, I always enjoy election campaigns because they’re an opportunity to get out and about across this great state of Queensland. Being a senator, I’m actually not up for election this time, but certainly will be out supporting the Queensland Labor Senate team and our fantastic candidates like Emily Mawson here in Capricornia, and right up and down the coast as well.

JEREMY JONES: Are you confident?

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Well, I think- you’re never confident in this game, but I feel as though for the last three years we’ve put forward responsible cost of living relief, we’ve delivered on our promises, and we’re offering a vision for the future. And I think that there’s a good contrast between what an Albanese Labor Government stands for, compared to what a Dutton Liberal National Party government would mean with cuts to services. So I think there’s going to be a real contrast at this election campaign, and we’ll be out there prosecuting that case between now and whenever that election date is. Jeremy.

JEREMY JONES: Well, Senator, thanks for joining us this morning.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM: Thank you.