ADJOURNMENT

Senator MULHOLLAND (Queensland) (20:00): If you want to see how Australia's future will look as we transition to net zero, look no further than Central Queensland—specifically, Mackay, Moranbah and the Whitsundays. These Queensland towns are already punching well above their weight in terms of resilience, preparedness, innovation and generally walking the walk and talking the talk when it comes to net zero.

I was in Mackay last month to officially open the Queensland University of Technology's $18 million biocommodities pilot plant, thanks to funding from the Albanese government. This cutting-edge facility bridges the gap between lab research and full-scale manufacturing, and it positions Mackay as a leader in biomanufacturing. It takes sugarcane byproducts and converts them into valuable products such as biofuel, food ingredients and even high-value proteins, like infant milk powder.

The logic is this. We already grow the cane. We already have the infrastructure in the region.

Now we can add value on site locally, rather than shipping off raw product and losing the benefit. It will support the Mackay region's ability to develop and attract future investment in biomanufacturing and it will create regional jobs in high-growth industries. This research facility is co-located beside Mackay's famous Racecourse sugar mill, where the synergies are clear, linking agriculture, manufacturing, research and logistics.

Not only does Racecourse Mill generate its own steam and electricity by burning leftover cane; it also feeds enough power into the local grid to power more than 26,000 local homes in Mackay with clean, green energy. So it is a misnomer from those opposite. No, it's actually a false narrative for them to tell regional Queenslanders that they will be left behind in the transition to net zero by 2050, because, in truth, regional Queensland is already leading the way.

These towns have accepted the science of climate change and are already preparing by making their communities more disaster resilient and futureproofing their industries. Up in Proserpine, I was proud to join Whitsunday mayor Ry Collins at Hamilton Plains to mark the start of a $63 million project on flood immunity for the works on Shute Harbour Road, also funded by the Albanese government.

Our investment will keep communities connected when floodwaters rise, ensuring that the people in Airlie Beach can reach the cyclone shelter and hospital in Proserpine rather than getting cut off and stranded for days, as occurred earlier this year. Out west, in the town of Moranbah, I was delighted to spend time with wonderful local mayor Kelly Vea Vea to see the spirit of innovation in action.

Moranbah might be famous for mining, but this incredible community is also exploring options around industrial carbon capture, carbon feedstocks and the production of green ammonia and low-carbon fertiliser. In fact, the Isaac Regional Council is so innovative that—believe it or not—it is home to the best water in the trans-Tasman. It's better than Tasmania and better than New Zealand.

They won the title of 'best tasting tap water' in 2024 and they'll be hosting this year's finalists at their Christmas carols event on 5 December, so mark your calendars for that date. Another remarkable tiny town in the region is Sarina. It's home to just 6,000 people and yet it is the largest producer of sugar based ethanol in all of Australia.

Wilmar's Sarina distillery has created a perfect circular economy. I was so impressed to see during my visit that they use every single part of the sugarcane to create a food product, a fuel product or a fertiliser product that goes straight back onto local farms, helping to grow next year's sugar crop. This is innovation in action—homegrown, sustainable and world-class.

I take my hat off to the incredible farmers, engineers and innovators in regional Queensland. You are an inspiration. Historically, sugar was one of the most iconic pioneers of the Queensland economy.

Now it is a modern pioneer for a cleaner, greener, smarter future of Australia. Regional Queensland can't be left behind in the transition to net zero, because they're already leading it.