Bringing the Heat to Canbrerra

by | Sep 18, 2026 | AC news | 0 comments

The weather was cold but the reception warm in Canberra for Advance Cairns’ trip to Parliament.
Our message to Canberra this week was clear – the Far North has what it takes to become a major Defence maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and sustainment hub for Northern Australia.
With more than 4600 marine industry workers, HMAS Cairns, the Cairns Marine Precinct, the emerging Common User Facility, Cairns Airport, education and training expertise, our region has the workforce, infrastructure and strategic location to support Defence and our allies across the Indo-Pacific.
Over two days Advance Cairns CEO Jennifer Spilsbury, Chair Luke Bird and Government Relations Manager Inge Hansen met with various ministers, shadow ministers and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade heads.
There are great things happening in our region and we’re excited for what’s coming. Through great infrastructure investment in our region, we’re looking to sweat the assets and plan for the future.
The Far North is ready. ⚡
Thanks to Leichhardt MP Matt Smith and his team for keeping up this fight and helping us navigate the halls of Parliament!
Keeping you informed
Fighting for the Far North Ahead of the Federal Election

Fighting for the Far North Ahead of the Federal Election

Nov 14, 2024

A delegation of more than 25 business leaders from Tropical North Queensland will head to Parliament House in Canberra next week advocating for key priorities essential to unlocking the region’s potential. The focus areas include infrastructure investment, health,...

Advance Cairns welcomes water security boost

Advance Cairns welcomes water security boost

Jun 11, 2024

Advance Cairns, the leading independent economic development and advocacy organisation for Far North Queensland, today welcomed the funding announced for the Cairns Water Security Stage 1 project, with an additional $87.5 million allocated in the 2024-25 State Budget....

Advance Cairns reacts to Federal Budget: slim-pickings for region

Advance Cairns reacts to Federal Budget: slim-pickings for region

May 15, 2024

Failure to fund Cairns Water Security risks deepening cost-of-living pressures for city’s ratepayers. Advance Cairns today said while the 2024-2025 Federal Budget was big on national initiatives, it was short on specific commitments to Cairns and Far North Queensland....

Latest news