Who should call North Queensland home?

21 APRIL 2017: Decentralising government can bring a lot of benefits if it is managed well so I'm asking North Queenslanders to help identify the best options and then I can lobby for North Queensland to be a beneficiary of the Liberal National Government’s decentralisation push. Relocating a department should be beneficial for both the department itself and the region to which it moves. If we combine the right department and a good plan for location and integration, it will be a win for everyone.I have written to councils, chambers of commerce, and industry bodies in North Queensland to seek input on which departments might be a good fit for the north. In the past, I have suggested the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics could be a great candidate for relocation to North Queensland. But we have a number of key industries in the region, including mining, agriculture, and tourism so there is a wide range of areas that might be appropriate. People on the ground in these industries are dealing with government departments on a regular basis and would have the best handle on what benefits could flow if the department was closer to the action here in North Queensland.Suggestions and comments can be emailed to George.Christensen.MP@aph.gov.au