Last week I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of CQUniversity’s School of Mining.
Moments like these, when you see the fruits of your labour finally get to this point, never gets old for me.
I felt a wonderful sense of pride to see another one of the projects I secured funding for come to life and in this case get ready to produce some of Australia’s most highly skilled mining professionals.
When in Government the Coalition invested $30 million for the establishment of a School of Mining and Manufacturing at two of CQUniversity’s campuses. $18.5 million was secured for the Mining School in Rockhampton and a further $11.5 million towards Gladstone’s Manufacturing School.
This is a facility that has been specifically designed for people who want a career in mining. With the completion of this facility there will be a boost to local skills and jobs and elevate Australia’s role in mining and advanced manufacturing.
The funding contributed to the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment and technology, which includes virtual reality, drone operations and 3D printing, to support the delivery of high-quality education, training, and research.
CQUniversity’s School of Mining will attract students to study in Central Queensland but will also provide an opportunity for locals to train and gain specialist skills in innovative technologies without having to leave Central Queensland.
These facilities will also enable Central Queensland mining and manufacturing industry partners to access a highly skilled workforce within the region which will drive future economic growth.
I believe the resources and mining sector is on the cusp of another mining boom, with the global need for minerals and metals beginning to grow once again with the development of new technologies.
It is worth mentioning that in the 2021-22 fiscal year, the Queensland Resources Council reported the resources sector employed 1,918 locals in Capricornia and produced $315 million of gross product.
I also had the pleasure to attend the official opening of Selectability’s Bikeshed initiative in Rockhampton. This was funded thanks primarily to a grant of $1.1 million from the former Coalition Governments Safer Communities fund.
It is a fantastic idea, children and young adults aged 10 to 24 are offered a second-hand bike to strip down, repair and rebuild which they are then able to keep.
The program aims to teach resilience, self-respect and teamwork in an environment that is comfortable and welcoming enough to tackle the challenges in a way that is right for the participant.
Initiatives like Bikeshed have a profound impact on the individuals involved in the program.
One in four Australians experience loneliness and isolation which greatly affects their mental health, and it is services, like the Bikeshed program, which are a valuable tool to assist with improving both physical and mental health. I am delighted to have delivered funding to allow this program to come to life for Central Queensland.
Makes it even more sad, that in Labor’s first Budget last year they cut $50 million from the Safer Communities Fund. This is funding that would have provided valuable security infrastructure such as CCTV, lighting, and fencing, as well as early intervention programs for high-risk youth.
Regional Australia will always be worse off under Labor.
