Cairns can engage with the Pacific to build a strong future, Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill writes

The Cairns region’s proximity to the Pacific and a history of economic and social engagement with Pacific Island communities places the north in a unique position to achieve long-term benefits, writes Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O'Neill. Picture: Brendan Radke

Far North Queensland and the Pacific have a history of economic and cultural

partnership.

Collaborations in tourism, agriculture, and trade foster mutual development and have benefited both regions, enhancing economic resilience, and cultural exchange.

Cairns has an unprecedented opportunity to leverage our position as the gateway to the

Pacific to support local, national, and international interests.

The Pacific is of strategic importance to Australia and our international allies as it offers

a range of opportunities and challenges that impact geopolitical standing, economic interests, security, and diplomatic relationships.

In their first year of Government, Albanese Government Ministers visited every Pacific Islands Forum member to renew Pacific partnerships, listen to Pacific priorities and deliver on collective interests.

This commitment has been followed by significant budget investment, with other international countries including the US similarly investing.

Our proximity to the Pacific and a long history of economic and social engagement with Pacific Island communities place Cairns and the north in a unique position to build capacity and support diplomatic relations to achieve long-term benefits for the region and support Australia’s national interests.

The opportunities for our region to deliver benefits and create local jobs through delivering services are significant, with the Pacific Maritime Training Services $36M contract secured by TAFE QLD a brilliant example.

The marine and aviation sectors deliver hugely important maintenance repair and overhaul services into the Pacific.

There are so many services where our region could deepen service offering and trade, for example, education and training, tourism and hospitality, agribusiness and food exports, renewable energy solutions, ICT and technology services, cultural and creative industries, marine and fisheries, joint infrastructure development, financial and professional services, humanitarian and disaster response.

Another space in which I see an opportunity for real growth and impact is in the health

and allied services spaces.

From training and capacity building, telemedicine and e-health solutions through to health infrastructure development, public health initiatives, and supply chains for pharmaceuticals and medical equipment. And those are just examples.

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce team works closely with our members, all levels of

government and key stakeholders to advocate and create opportunities to create business opportunities and support our local economy.

Whether that be addressing workforce challenges through the Designated Area Migration Scheme and the Regional Jobs Committee, through to taking these challenges and opportunities to our political leaders in Brisbane and Canberra – and everything in between.

The future of Cairns is inextricably linked to the Pacific and small and medium enterprises are key in securing that future.

Our SMEs are deeply rooted in local communities however they are not to be underestimated with their ability to trade on a larger scale.

They can play a pivotal role in bridging cultural gaps and fostering outcomes that deliver benefits for the people of our broader region.

Originally published as Cairns can engage with the Pacific to build a strong future, Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill writes