Reef HQ Townsville rebuild snubbed in federal budget: Claudia Brumme-Smith, Phillip Thompson speak out

North Queensland leaders have labelled last night’s federal budget “an absolute disappointment for North Queensland”, with zero funds earmarked to rebuild Reef HQ and putting a question mark over if it will ever reopen.

New images of the proposed Global Great Barrier Reef Centre of Excellence.

The federal budget has snubbed North and Regional Queensland, Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith says.

“The 2024/25 federal budget is clearly a cost-of-living budget which acknowledges the challenges that families are currently facing,” she said.

“However, the North Queensland community is disappointed that despite all the efforts that have been put into advocating for the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium — publicly and behind closed doors — the future of the aquarium and our Waterfront Development is left unclear.

“Our nation’s greatest natural asset in our $56b Great Barrier Reef has been forgotten in this budget.”

Ms Brumme-Smith said there had been no commitment to the $100m ask for the Federal Government’s own national education centre of the Reef.

CEO of Townsville Enterprise Claudia Brumme-Smith. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“While this is a disappointment for our community, our future generations, and the science and education of the reef – we will not give up on this critical project for North Queensland

and are optimistic the funding will come to fruition in the near future,” she said.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson echoed Ms Brumme-Smith’s frustration, saying “we deserve better”.

“They have made no indication of funding Reef HQ at all in this budget so we don’t know when the children and families of Townsville and around the world will be able to visit Reef HQ again and learn from our marine scientists and see one of the wonders of the world,” Mr Thompson said.

“This government spruiks a $9 billion surplus but couldn’t allocate one dollar for Reef HQ.

“It’s disgraceful and it is disgusting that this government has made a decision that now puts Reef HQ in doubt of ever reopening.

Member for Herbert Phil Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

“(Environment Minister) Tanya Plibersek and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese should be ashamed of themselves because our Reef HQ should be reopening at the end of this year if it wasn’t for their mistake.”

While stopping short of committing funding for the project should the LNP win government in the federal election, Mr Thompson said he was “extremely disappointed” a fully funded project is now under a cloud.

“I’m extremely supportive of Reef HQ, I know how important it is for Townsville and North Queensland and I will always fight for Reef HQ,” he said.

Ms Brumme-Smith was also disappointed in the lack of North Queensland specifics around national commitments in areas like green energy production, housing and Bruce Highway funding.

“Townsville North Queensland is strategically positioned and already a national leader in green energy production, defence and critical minerals. We can see these priorities reflected in the 2024/25 budget, but we are still awaiting detail and immediate funding commitments,” she said.

“While we understand the desire to grow our own talent and workforce locally, with a $33 billion pipeline of projects and 4700 additional jobs in the next six years, migration will be essential for our region.

“It is disappointing to see the government halving the migration caps and limiting the number of international students into our universities. This is yet another blow to regional workforce

shortages.”

The TEL CEO also welcomed the “positive support” for social and affordable housing in the 2024/25 budget including a $1bn commitment for states for road, sewage, energy and water connections to enable developments.

“However, we have not seen any specific priority or focus to support the acute regional housing crisis,” she said.

“This budget has been a blow to North Queenslanders who contribute more than $22bn to the national Gross Domestic Product annually.

“However, we will continue to stand strong with our regional leaders to put the priorities for Townsville North Queensland in the forefront of the Albanese Government.

“We are a strategically important region for this country and our contribution should not be undervalued, North Queensland deserves investment in enabling and community infrastructure.”

Originally published as Reef HQ Townsville rebuild snubbed in federal budget: Claudia Brumme-Smith, Phillip Thompson speak out