This is a time for responsible and progressive governments to hold their nerve. In Australia it has traditionally been Labor governments that have recognised the vital role that government must play in pump priming economies in decline and at risk of going into free fall. The Bligh government's $17 billion infrastructure program has positioned our state to withstand the buffeting that is coming our way.

Public infrastructure projects will secure jobs for thousands of Queenslanders. Queensland's public servants, as well as delivering front-line services, are supporting the delivery of these projects in many ways.

In tropical north Queensland, significant private sector projects in the mining and property sector are in the planning stages or are under construction.

The aviation sector is holding its own, and everyone is hoping that shipbuilding in Cairns will get a major boost if the $300 million contract for three navy destroyers comes our way.

The tourism industry has already clawed back a third of the lost airline seats from western Japan, and new direct services to the Gold Coast and Guam will be providing vital connections to established markets in Japan and will provide new opportunities for domestic travelers and those travelling into North America. The Bligh government's emergency injection last year of $4 million to assist the tourism industry withstand the loss of 100,000 seats from western Japan has helped the industry stay afloat through this most difficult of times.

The construction industry is also vital to the far north's economy, and it is in the construction industry where the current economic conditions can really bite hard. That is why the Bligh government's infrastructure program is so important to Queensland and so important to Cairns and the tropical north.

At the Cairns parliament our government announced an $11.2 million redevelopment of the heritage wharfs to create a new cruise terminal and a $6 million cycleway program, beginning with a dedicated path from the CBD to suburbs in my electorate.

Three hundred new cells are being added to the Lotus Glen Correctional Centre at a cost of $445 million.

New state government offices in Cairns are under construction at a cost of $79.5 million.

Construction of the new $12.6 million Cairns north primary health centre has commenced and will be completed soon, with new facilities for renal dialysis and diabetes patients. The $446 million Cairns Base Hospital redevelopment is proceeding full steam ahead, as is the expansion of the emergency department at a cost of $11.1 million.

Energy needs have not been overlooked with upgrades of high-voltage transmission lines from Tully to Edmonton at a cost of $181 million, and $10.42 million is being spent on the Barron Gorge hydroelectric power station to improve efficiency and reliability and prolong the life of this most important renewable energy generator.

Over the next five years some $773 million is booked for road projects in far-north Queensland. Major safety improvements have been made on the Kuranda Range section of the Kennedy Highway in my electorate, with more to come at a total cost of $2.84 million.

New police and court facilities are planned or underway in far-north Queensland at a total cost of just under $27 million including a $1.3 million upgrade of the Smithfield Police Station in my electorate, which is nearing completion.

A total of $60.5 million is being spent on education and training projects in schools and TAFEs throughout the region including $953,000 at Edge Hill State School and $18.2 million on stage 3 at Redlynch State College, which will be ready for occupation very soon.

With many other government infrastructure projects planned and underway and with every million dollars spent estimated to generate eight jobs, it is thought that over the next financial year some 6,600 jobs will be created in far-north Queensland.

The Bligh government is providing much needed new and upgraded health facilities, schools, police stations, roads and energy infrastructure. These projects will provide a significant buffer against the effects of the global economic crisis. Now is the time to hold our nerve and keep our foot on the accelerator.