Michelle Landry
Capricornia · National Party · Australia
“Labor went to the Australian people before the election and promised one thing, and on budget night they did another. Now, in a dangerous and dishonest deal with the Greens, they have gone even further. Australians were told that there'd be no changes to negative gearing and no changes to capital gains tax.”
“It puts new pressure on housing, on savings, on investment, on small business and on younger Australians who are already struggling to get a foothold. This is not tax reform; this is a toxic tax agenda.”
“I recognise the specialist doctors who have helped make this level of care possible, including Dr Marie Burke, radiation oncologist and medical director for Queensland; Dr Tuan Ha, radiation oncologist for Queensland; and Rockhampton based radiation oncologists Dr Grant Buchanan and Dr Rodrigo Diaz.”
“For patients from Rockhampton, Gladstone, the Capricorn Coast, Emerald and all the communities in between, having radiation therapy available locally has meant less time on the road, less time away from work and family, and more time focused on getting well. GenesisCare Rockhampton has played a vital role in making that possible.”
“I rise today to congratulate GenesisCare Rockhampton on a very special milestone—10 years of caring for cancer patients in Central Queensland and more than 100,000 treatments delivered right here in our region.”
“A decade later it is wonderful to see how much that service has grown, how many local people have been helped and how dedicated the GenesisCare team remains to patients across our region. On a recent visit to the Rockhampton centre I was again struck by the professionalism and compassion of the staff.”
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“Australia is facing a serious fuel supply shock, and it's hitting at the worst possible time. Families in my electorate and right across regional Australia are already under enormous pressure. They are working hard, doing their best to get ahead, but every month it feels like they are falling further behind. Groceries are up, power bills are up, rents and mortgages are up and now fuel, one of the most essential costs in daily life, is becoming harder to access and more expensive. In regional communities, fuel is not an option. It is not a discretionary cost. It is how you get to work. It is how you take your kids to school. It is how small businesses operate. It is how farmers move goods. And it is how communities stay connected. When fuel supply is disrupted and prices rise, it hits everything. It hits the price of food on the shelf.”
“We should be backing these efforts, not undermining them, because, when we support our coal industry, we are supporting Australian jobs, Australian exports and Australia's economic resilience. Central Queensland has long powered this nation and continues to play a vital role in powering the world. Let us use Minerals Week not just as a moment of recognition but as a call to stand firmly behind an industry that delivers so much for so many.”
“What sets our industry apart is not just the resource itself but the people behind it. The coal industry in Central Queensland supports tens of thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. These are not just numbers. These are families, communities and entire towns where livelihoods depend on a strong and stable resources sector. Moreover, the economic benefits extend far beyond regional areas. Royalties from coalmining help fund essential services right across our state schools, hospitals and roads, benefiting every Queenslander. During Minerals Week it's also important to recognise the industry's ongoing commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. Companies are investing in new technologies to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and ensure that mining operations coexist with environmental stewardship.”
“Every hospital built, every bridge constructed, every piece of critical infrastructure relies on the very product our regions proudly supply. While there are many conversations about the future of energy, we must remain grounded in reality. Global demand for coal, especially metallurgical coal, remains strong. Our trading partners continue to rely on it, and Australia is uniquely positioned to provide it responsibly, efficiently and sustainably. The scale of this contribution is clear. In the Fitzroy region alone, the resources sector delivers $1.7 billion in wages, supports nearly 17,000 direct jobs and contributes $3.4 billion in spending across more than 2,500 local businesses and over 500 community organisations. In total, it underpins $10.6 billion in regional economic activity and supports more than 56,000 jobs.”
“I rise today to acknowledge the importance of Minerals Week here in Canberra, a time when we recognise one of the foundational pillars of our national economy and, in particular, the immense contribution of the coal industry to communities like those I represent in Central Queensland. In my electorate, mining isn't an abstract concept; it's a way of life. It's the jobs that put food on the table, the apprenticeships that give our young people a future and the small businesses that thrive because of the strength of our resources sector. Coal in particular remains a cornerstone of that strength. Central Queensland is home to some of the highest quality metallurgical coal in the world, essential for steelmaking, for infrastructure and for development not just here in Australia but across the globe.”
“My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Given the minister's advice today that more than 500 petrol stations are without at least one type of fuel across Australia, can the minister guarantee that Australians planning to travel to the regions to see their families over Easter will be able to fill up their cars to come home? And why won't the minister commit to daily updates of individual service stations that have run out of fuel?”
“She reminds us that a life well lived is filled with wholesome food and, most importantly, a passion for living. Happy 108th birthday, Thelma. You are and always will be truly unforgettable.”
“She was once even named belle of the ball while wearing one of her own beautiful creations. Her life has been defined by grace, humour and a deep love for her family. From school holidays spent splashing in the water at Emu Park with the Presentation nuns to caring for her parents with her sister, Dorothy, in Gladstone, her heart has always been rooted in her community. Thelma lived in Gladstone independently after the death of her sister up until she was 101, when a small stroke made it impossible. She moved to Yeppoon to live with her niece, Helen, and Helen's husband, Rodney, where she enjoyed the sea views and still played the organ, until she moved into an aged-care facility in Yeppoon in 2023. Thelma Eisemann is a treasure to our community and an inspiration to us all.”
“She remembers when talkies, movies with sound, were the most impressive invention on Earth. She recalls the excitement of her family being the first in Emerald to own a television and the pride of owning one of the first Holdens, a 'tonal green' model that she still remembers with a smile. But Thelma was never just a spectator of history; she was a creator. Taught the art of dressmaking by her mother, Elizabeth, she built a life of fierce independence. She became a celebrated seamstress, crafting stunning bridal gowns and ball dresses that were the talk of the region. In a time when women were often defined by their husbands, Thelma chose a different path. She never married, famously saying she enjoyed her independence far too much and was far too busy making her own money to be tied down.”
“I rise today to celebrate a life that is, quite literally, unforgettable. Last week I had the profound honour of joining Thelma Eisemann to celebrate her 108th birthday, a milestone that very few humans ever reach. Surrounded by her family and friends and along with my state colleague Nigel Hutton, the member for Keppel, we didn't just witness a birthday; we witnessed a living map of the last century. The highlight of the morning was a moment I will never forget. Along with the guests, Thelma, with a sparkle still bright in her eyes, quietly sang for us her favourite song, 'Unforgettable'. The Nat King Cole song's lyrics perfectly captured the essence of this incredible woman. Born in Emerald on 4 March 1918, Thelma has lived through sweeping tides of history.”
“Of course, we're making sure that there are more opportunities than ever to sample great Australian beef, because we want every visitor to taste why our product is the envy of the world and we want to well and truly surpass the 37.5 tonnes we served up at the last event. So I invite the Prime Minister; the Premier of Queensland; you, Mr Speaker; and every member of this House to join us in Rockhampton in 2027. Come and see firsthand why the beef industry is the backbone of our regional communities. Central Queensland is ready, our producers are ready and I can guarantee that the steaks will be world class.”
“With 417 days to go, the countdown to Beef2027 has already begun. From 2 to 8 May 2027, Rockhampton will once again host this week-long celebration. Nominations are already open for the 2027 national carcass competition, and the team is busy implementing their new strategic plan. We are going to see a bigger and better Beef TV, with a massive push towards our international beef community, building on the 79,000 global viewers who tuned in to see the action from Rockhampton last time. We're also going to have an even greater focus on tech in agriculture, ensuring our producers have access to the latest innovations and the kinds of industry-leading seminars and tech talks that made the 2024 event such a runaway success.”
“This program runs for 14 months and will ensure the beef community stays strong for decades to come by continuing to mentor our future industry leaders. Our industry is also leading the way in innovation and sustainability. Beef2024 featured 65 industry based seminars and tech talks, proving that our producers are at the cutting edge of global agricultural technology. The success of this event has been recognised nationally, with Beef Australia taking out gold at the Australian Tourism Awards in 2024 in two major categories—major festivals and events, and excellence in food tourism. This is a testament to the hard work of the board, the team and the hundreds of volunteers who make it happen. We aren't resting on our laurels, and the plans for Beef2027 are already taking this event to the next level.”
“These weren't just locals; we had visitors from 39 different countries and over 1,200 international delegates. The economic impact for Central Queensland was massive, with a total direct and incremental expenditure of $102 million, supporting 721 full-time jobs. This is a win for our hotels, our small businesses and our hardworking producers. During that week we served up 37.5 tonnes of beef across 276 ticketed events, including the new M'Eat Street dining precinct. But Beef Australia isn't just about the numbers; it's about the people. It brings together producers, scientists, chefs and exhibitors. It's also about the next generation. I was proud to see over 5,100 school students participate in the 2024 program. Applications for the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program opened last month and close at the end of the week.”
“I rise today to celebrate the incredible success of Beef2024 and to look forward with great anticipation to Beef2027, which will once again put my electorate of Capricornia, and specifically the great city of Rockhampton, under the international spotlight. Beef Australia is more than just an event; it's a world-class organisation dedicated to promoting, advancing and celebrating a sustainable beef industry. What started as a one-off event for the 1988 bicentenary has grown into the premier cattle industry exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere. The numbers from Beef2024 are simply staggering and speak to the vital importance of this industry to our national economy. We saw a record attendance of 125,576 people descend on the beef capital of Australia.”
“They need to stop the excuses, stop blaming panic-buying and start using the powers they have to ensure that cattle in Rockhampton, a charter boat in my electorate or an Ergon energy truck isn't left stranded because the government forgot that regional Australia exists. Capricornia deserves better and Australia deserves a government that takes fuel security seriously.”
“We legislated the Fuel Security Act to give the minister the tools to handle exactly this kind of crisis. The tools are there, but this minister lacks the judgement to use them. He should be demanding transparency from providers right now to find out where the shortages are and to get fuel to our tractors and our trucks. Instead, he offers excuses. We have a part-time energy minister who is more focused on his own ideology than on the fact that the Australian economy runs on diesel. Australians were already struggling with a homegrown cost-of-living crisis before any international conflict escalated. Now, because of this government's addiction to spending and regulating, we are seeing the largest decline in living standards in the developed world. The buck stops with the Prime Minister and the energy minister.”
“We have reports that wholesalers have begun rationing petrol and diesel, cutting off transport companies from bulk supplies and forcing them to buy at a much higher retail price. Regional petrol stations are running dry. The government can't even tell us the state of our own reserves because their publicly reported stockholding data has not been updated since December 2025. If the government was competent enough to begin removing diplomatic staff before the international conflict escalated, why on earth didn't they take steps to secure our fuel supply at home? The coalition understood that fuel security was a national vulnerability, which is why we established a domestic fuel reserve and a minimum stockholding obligation to increase diesel stocks by 40 per cent.”
“I spoke with a business owner in Parkhurst who employs 25 local staff and runs a mechanic repair business. While he managed to secure some fuel over the weekend, his suppliers have told him they cannot guarantee another drop, because they are prioritising service stations. He's now rationing what he has, but he has only two weeks of fuel left and no idea what comes next. This man has been in business for 12 years and he has told me he has never seen anything like this. This is the reality of Labor's Australia—small business owners who have survived for over a decade now facing ruin because the government can't manage a basic commodity like diesel. And why is this happening? Because this government is flying blind.”
“You cannot run a charter on 200 litres of fuel. That is a small business' livelihood being stripped away because this government failed to plan. It gets worse. The backbone of Central Queensland, our cattle industry, is being brought to a standstill. I'm getting calls from desperate farmers. One farmer has 300 head of cattle ready and waiting to go to market, but they can't move them. The trucking company they rely on has a fleet of 40 trucks, but currently only one truck is running because they cannot fuel the rest of the fleet. Think about the impact of that. That cattle farmer is a supplier of Woolworths. This isn't just a regional inconvenience; this is a direct threat to the food security of every Australian. It's not just the primary producers.”
“I rise today to speak for the people of Capricornia who are being absolutely smashed by this government's incompetence and their failure to secure Australia's liquid fuel supply. While the city-centric Labor frontbench sits comfortably in Canberra, families and businesses in regional Queensland are facing the grim reality of fuel rationing and skyrocketing prices that flow through to the cost of everything from groceries to power bills. In my electorate of Capricornia, the situation is reaching a breaking point. I'm hearing from local businesses they are being forced to scale back or shut down because they simply cannot get the diesel they need to operate. I had a charter boat company reach out to me in absolute despair—they have been advised that the fuel purchases are being limited to 200 litres in any 24-hour period.”
“We will relentlessly fight to increase the number of houses being built. Our goal is simple: we want more homes built and more homes owned by Australians so they can have a real stake in our country's future. However, we cannot fix housing without restoring control of our migration program. Since Labor took office, the population has boomed by 1.9 million people, putting immense pressure on our infrastructure. We need an Australians-first approach to homeownership. Our migration settings must match our capacity to house, employ and support people. It is time to restore hope, reward hard work and protect the Australian way of life. Australia is worth fighting for.”
“Australians are currently struggling through a cost-of-living crisis where living standards have gone backwards. We have seen the worst collapse in living standards in the developed world, with real wages falling and families working harder for less. Life is getting harder for the average person. Our plan to fix this starts with access to affordable, reliable energy. We must boost energy supply and unlock more Australian gas to bring down prices for households and businesses. The coalition's plan is keeping all options on the table, including nuclear, to ensure our industry remains competitive. The coal sector is an important part of this equation. Australia must reclaim its industrial independence to safeguard our economic future. When it comes to homeownership, the dream is slipping away for too many.”
“My question is to the Prime Minister. Under Labor, Australia is the only advanced economy where living standards have gone backwards. Today's national accounts show productivity, Australia's economic potential, has flatlined this quarter and collapsed by 4.7 per cent since Labor came to office. After four years of Australians going backwards under Labor, when will the Prime Minister finally accept the buck stops with him?”
“These appropriation bills may be technical in nature, but they reflect a deeper and more troubling pattern. This is a government that believes more spending is always the answer, regardless of the economic or regional consequences. The opposition will not oppose these bills, but we will continue to hold the government to account. Australians deserve fiscal responsibility, measured budgeting and leadership that understands that proper fiscal management, focused on the most important priorities, is not optional in an inflationary environment; it is essential. When Labor spends, Australians pay. It's time for leadership that puts Australians first.”
“Spending is now $160 billion higher than when Labor came to power, equivalent to around $16,000 for every Australian household. All of this is occurring while the Commonwealth is collecting extraordinary levels of revenue. In 2024-25 alone, the government raised $717 billion in receipts—25.9 per cent of GDP, the highest level in 25 years. Revenue is not the problem; spending is. The consequences are being felt through higher interest rates. In February the Reserve Bank raised rates by 25 basis points to 3.85 per cent. Every rate rise hits mortgage holders, renters and small businesses. Young Australians have been locked out of the housing market, families have been forced to delay major life decisions and future generations are being saddled with debt they did not choose.”
“While all of this regional and rural neglect is happening, the Albanese Labor government would win a winter Olympic gold medal for spending; it's the highest spending government outside of a pandemic in 40 years. After nearly four years of Labor, Australians are paying more for everything. Insurance is up 39 per cent, energy is up 38 per cent, rent is up 22 per cent, health costs are up 18 per cent, education is up 17 per cent and food is up 16 per cent. These are not luxuries; these are essentials. What makes this even more concerning is that Australia's inflation rate is now higher than many comparable economies. Government spending is now growing at four times the rate of the growth of the economy. Debt is projected to reach $1.2 trillion. Since coming into office, Labor has added $100 billion to the national debt.”
“Labor's war on agriculture, its attacks on the resources sector and its anti-small-business agenda have made it harder for industries in Capricornia to thrive. Farmers tell me they are struggling with rising costs, with fuel and fertiliser prices at record highs. This is not just a problem for farmers; it's a problem for every Australian who relies on affordable food, secure supply chains and a strong regional economy. Vital roads in my electorate, like the Bruce Highway and the Peak Downs Highway, have been left to crumble due to funding cuts. While lives continue to be lost, Labor continues to claim that regional Australians are better off.”
“Central Queensland has also been dealt another blow with Labor's decision to axe $23 million in funding for the Rocky Sports Club project, funding that was approved by the former coalition government in 2020. This project supports 129 sports clubs and community groups and would have delivered jobs, vital community infrastructure and long-term economic benefits for Rockhampton and the wider region—especially with Rockhampton being a potential Olympic city. Instead, after years of delay and false hopes, Labor walked away from the project entirely. This decision speaks volumes about Labor's priorities. A project that required a simple variation to proceed—a project that would have created jobs and strengthened community participation—was simply discarded. It does not stop there.”
“Seniors who built a life in Clermont should not have to leave in their final years because the Albanese Labor government failed to provide funding for essential infrastructure so they could remain in their community. The coalition fought hard during the Senate inquiry into aged-care reforms to secure hardship provisions, grandfathering arrangements and caps on contributions to protect older Australians. We stood up to ensure dignity and fairness remained at the centre of the system. The wealth of this nation is built from towns like Clermont. The Albanese government must stop taking regional communities for granted. Towns like Clermont deserve better than this government's indifference.”
“It would deliver seniors' accommodation, ease housing pressure for younger families and support the town's recovery following recent floods. It would strengthen the community's long-term sustainability. It is exactly the kind of practical regional project that should be prioritised. I have written to the Prime Minister and I have met with the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. I have put forward the case clearly and constructively. The response has been silence. This government is quick to announce billions in metropolitan infrastructure and inner city projects. But when it comes to core services in regional Queensland—doctors, aged care or housing for seniors—the cupboard is bare.”
“Seniors who have worked their entire lives in this community are now being forced to move away from family, friends and support networks simply because appropriate facilities do not exist locally. Community projections indicate the region will require more than 180 additional aged-care places by 2030 to meet demand. Yet, despite repeated representations, clear evidence of need and a rollout-ready solution, this government has failed to act. Labor even rejected funding for a much-needed seniors' living facility under the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program. At a time when Clermont is crying out for aged-care accommodation and independent living options, this government said no. The Clermont Monash Lodge revitalisation initiative is ready to go.”
“The government must urgently address the very real harm being caused by its poorly executed changes to the NDIS. In regional towns like Clermont, the significant shortfall of aged-care housing marks a critical failure of the Albanese Labor government to support rural Queenslanders. Clermont is far more than a small rural town of 3,000 people. It's a powerhouse for agriculture, mining and tourism. It helps build this nation's prosperity. Clermont is facing a worsening aged-care shortfall, while the Queensland Health-run Montcler facility provides high-care beds, the closure of intermediate- and low-care residential options, including the former Clermont Nursing Home, has created a systematic gap in the provision of aged-care services.”
“In some cases, we are advocating for participants whose medical status means that a loss of support is not merely inconvenient; it is potentially life-threatening. No family should have to go into battle with the system to secure the basic supports that keep their loved ones safe. Sustainable reform of the NDIS is essential. The coalition has always supported measures to ensure the long-term viability of the scheme. Reform must be careful, transparent and guided by genuine consultation, not rushed adjustments that leave vulnerable Australians bearing the risk of unintended consequences. When the NDIS was created, it was built on a promise that Australians living with disability would have certainty, dignity and choice. Under this government, that certainty is eroding. Participants deserve clarity, and families deserve stability.”
“Changes to the NDIS under the Albanese Labor government are having serious and deeply concerning consequences, particularly because of the government's failure to properly understand, anticipate or manage the unintended impacts of its poor decisions. Calls to my office include NDIS cases where participants have had their funding reduced by more than 50 per cent. Essential therapies have been removed, support hours have been slashed and assistive technology has been delayed or denied. Families are being forced to fight simply to maintain the level of care that was previously assessed as reasonable and necessary. Bureaucrats in Canberra are redefining eligibility and supports while participants on the ground are left scrambling to appeal decisions that directly affect their health, safety and quality of life.”
“by leave—One of the most damaging examples is Labor's decision to slash NDIS provider travel reimbursements by half. Under these changes, providers' capacities to travel to clients in regional and remote areas have been severely reduced, regardless of distance. For communities spread across vast geographic areas, like my electorate of Capricornia, this is not a minor budget adjustment. It is a direct threat to access to essential care. In Central Queensland, people with disability often rely on visiting allied health professionals. These changes make it harder, not easier, for providers to service regional communities. It can mean the difference between accessing care like those who live in cities or going without altogether.”
“Labor's policies are directly hurting regional communities, and these appropriation bills once again highlight a troubling pattern of neglect and misplaced priorities that continue to disadvantage Central Queensland. This government's decisions show, once again, a government that is out of touch with the realities faced by Australians living outside the capital cities. One of the most damaging examples is Labor's decision to slash NDIS provider travel reimbursements by half. Under these changes, providers' capacity to travel to clients in regional and remote areas has been severely reduced regardless of distance. For communities spread across vast geographic areas like my electorate of Capricornia, this is not a minor— Debate interrupted.”
“The uncomfortable truth is Australia is running on continual deficits not because revenue is weak but because spending is out of control. Record levels of revenue are being completely outstripped by record levels of spending and record levels of spending growth. This is not restraint, this is not responsible economic management and this is certainly not what Australians were promised. Since Labor's election to power in 2022, my constituents in Capricornia were promised that they would be better off—no-one held back and no-one left behind. Unfortunately for the people of Capricornia, that promise has been broken time and time again. Since Labor came to office, critical infrastructure and community projects in regional Australia have been delayed, defunded or thrown on the scrap heap altogether.”
“Let me be clear from the outset: the coalition recognises that the appropriation bills are the mechanism through which governments fund their policies and keep the machinery of government operating, but the decision not to oppose these bills must never be mistaken for an endorsement of this government's economic management, spending priorities or complete lack of fiscal restraint and disregard for everyday Australians, who will ultimately be left to pick up the Albanese government's tab. Appropriation bills such as these present one of the rare opportunities for this parliament to step back and examine the totality of government operations, spending decisions and fiscal discipline—or, in this case, the glaring absence of it.”
“Today, as we bring these appropriation bills to the chamber—bills that allocate $12.7 billion to keep the government running—we must also confront the dire truth: this is a financial mess of Labor's own making, and ordinary Australians, particularly those in Central Queensland, are being left to deal with the consequences. In total, these appropriation bills seek approval for $12.7 billion in additional appropriations—$9.1 billion for ordinary services, $3.5 billion for non-ordinary services and $9.2 million for the parliamentary departments.”
“We are at a crossroads. Australia is struggling under the weight of the Labor government's reckless economic mismanagement, and nowhere is this more evident than in regional Australia and in my electorate of Capricornia. As I have said repeatedly, it is deeply disappointing that, while the wealth of this nation is generated in the regions, the federal Labor government continues to turn its back on regional Australia and fails to recognise the value and importance that regions bring when government spending decisions are made.”
“Has also served as editor-in-chief of the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics and as president of the Australasian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. Professor John Rolfe's appointment as a member of the Order of Australia recognises a lifetime of service to regional economic development, evidence based policymaking and the pursuit of outcomes that genuinely benefit communities. It's also a reminder of the calibre of expertise that exists in regional Australia and an example of the pathways to leadership that can be achieved by regional communities. Professor Rolfe's success highlights the vital role our universities and researchers play in shaping a stronger, more resilient nation, one grounded in regional strength.”
“These are positions of trust requiring not only technical expertise but judgement, independence and integrity—qualities Professor Rolfe exemplifies consistently and without compromise. Importantly, John Rolfe understands regional Australia not just as an economist but as someone who has lived in it. With a background in agriculture and experience operating a cattle property in Central Queensland, he brings practical insight to his work that resonates deeply with regional communities and strengthens public confidence in evidence based decision-making. Professor Rolfe has also been part of CQUniversity since 1989, serving not only as an academic but also in senior leadership roles, including head of campus, head of school, director of a research centre and deputy dean of research.”
“But Professor Rolfe's impact is not confined to academia. He has played a central role in applying vigorous economic analysis to real-world policy challenges from agricultural productivity and regional development to environmental protection and water quality flowing into the Great Barrier Reef. He was a leader of the 2013 and 2017 Great Barrier Reef science consensus statements and currently chairs the independent science panel for the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership, a role he has held since 2016. He has also served as independent chair of the Gladstone Regional Community Consultative Committee, contributed to the Environmental Economics Research Hub, advised the Australian Council of Learned Academics and was appointed by both the Queensland and Australian governments to the Great Barrier Reef Independent Science Panel.”
“He has secured over $7.4 million in research funding from sources including the Australian Research Council, federal and state governments, research and development corporations and industry partners. Just as importantly, he has supervised numerous PhD and master's students, building the next generation of regional economists and researchers who will continue this important work into the future. His academic contribution is extraordinary. Professor Rolfe has published 115 refereed publications and a further 250 non-refereed articles and reports, with thousands of citations across global research platforms. He has co-edited two internationally significant reference books on non-market valuation and benefit transfer, published in 2006 and 2015, which continue to guide researchers and policymakers worldwide.”
“He's one of Australia's leading resource economists, and his influence extends well beyond Capricornia and Queensland, reaching national and international decision-makers alike. Over more than three decades, Professor Rolfe's research has informed governments, industry and communities on how to balance economic development with environmental stewardship, particularly in regional and agricultural settings where policy decisions have lasting social and economic consequences. His expertise spans non-market valuation, regional development, agricultural economics, environmental economics, resource management and economic impact assessment—all areas of enormous importance to our region and Australia more broadly. Professor Rolfe has led more than 40 major research projects over the past decade alone.”
“I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate an outstanding central Queenslander: Professor John Rolfe AM of Rockyview, who was recently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia as part of the Australia Day Honours. This is a richly deserved recognition for a man whose life work has strengthened regional Australia, shaped public policy and deepened our national understanding of the economic, environmental and agricultural challenges facing rural and regional communities, often in complex and contested policy environments. Professor Rolfe is Professor of Regional Economic Development and the Deputy Dean Research in the School of Business and Law at CQ University in Rockhampton and a fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia.”
“He generously gave his time, his advice and his encouragement. He never faltered, even during the most challenging moments, and for that I will always be deeply grateful. George was also a mentor to many young lawyers. He was a trusted colleague and a steady presence for those who sought his counsel. He was widely admired for his fairness, his intellect and his quiet strength. Above all, he was a devoted family man—a loving husband to Catherine and a proud father to his daughters Charlotte and Eliza. His family was at the centre of his world, and his loss will be profoundly felt by them. The world has lost a genuinely good person—a man of warmth, principle and integrity. George Cowan will be deeply missed by his family, by his friends, by his colleagues and by all who were fortunate enough to know him. May he rest in peace.”
“He was a respected personal injury lawyer; a managing partner of his firm, Rees R & Sydney Jones; and an advocate for ordinary Australians, particularly those injured at work or affected by industrial accidents. He was known as a champion for the battlers and the underdogs, and his work helped shape safer workplaces and greater accountability, particularly in the mining sector. But George was far more than his professional achievements. He was a deeply political person with strong ties to the National Party. He believed in service, in community and in standing up for what he thought was right. He lived his values with conviction and integrity, and he never shied away from putting in the hard work to support the causes and people he believed in. For many years, George was a touchstone for me.”
“I rise today with a heavy heart to acknowledge the passing of George Cowan of Rockhampton, a remarkable Central Queenslander whose life was defined by service, principle and a deep commitment to his community. George was not only well known and respected across Rockhampton and the broader region; he was also family, my second cousin and someone who held a special place in my life. His mother, Margaret, and my mother, Gloria, were first cousins, and that family connection was one we both valued. George was born and raised in Central Queensland and spent almost four decades serving the Rockhampton community through the legal profession.”