Crowd of 20,000 opens Beef Aust
QUEENSLAND Premier Campbell Newman was one of more than 20,000 people to pass through the gates for the opening day of Beef Australia 2012 yesterday.
Beef Australia chairman Geoff Murphy said it was a great start to the triennial beef exposition, held at the Rockhampton Showgrounds.
"It's by far our biggest opening day," Mr Murphy said.
"It's wonderful to put on something that the people of Rockhampton want."
Mr Newman said his presence showed his support for the agricultural industry.
"I'm here because agriculture is very important to this administration," he said.
"People on the land have our full backing."
With Suncorp announcing yesterday they would no longer provide cover to people in Emerald and Roma - two of the towns worst affected by recent years of flooding - Mr Newman reminded people of the LNP's commitment to a Floodplain Security scheme.
"We will work with the Federal Government and local councils to provide $100 million extra for flood protection works across Queensland over the next four years," Mr Newman said.
"We're already planning a combination of levies and diversion channels in Roma ... I'd like to do the same for Emerald."
Mr Newman said he was looking forward to enjoying one of Rockhampton's famous steaks before heading back to Brisbane.
Big ROLL up
Yesterday's highlights:
- 20,000 patrons
- Surprise visit from Campbell Newman
- Commonwealth Bank Big Beef Barbecue with Masterchefs Michael Weldon and Peter Vickery, former cricketer Glenn McGrath and Qld Agriculture Minister John McVeigh
