And it's a pleasure to have our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese in town for what is Australia's largest regional show, here at the Cairns Regional Show. We've had the opportunity to meet some of the show Queens, the show Kings, rural ambassadors and lots of friendly people here in far north Queensland. The Prime Minister's got some big news for us today, so I'll hand over to him and it's great to have you in town.
Well it is fantastic to be back at the Cairns Show. It's not my first Cairns Show, and it is indeed the largest regional show held anywhere in Australia. And on this beautiful day you can feel a really positive vibe around the Show and it's a great opportunity to get out in a completely uncontrolled environment and just to talk with people about issues that they have, or just say g'day and meet people, young and old.
From the youngest kids competing to win a toy, and cuddly one at that, and there's been some cuddly toys won, including here by my friend who I'm about to introduce to you. Who of course not surprisingly, won at shooting hoops. But also to meet people with their vintage cars, to meet people right around this show, including champion show jumpers and others who are coming here.
This of course is also a great contributor to the local economy in this great area of Queensland. But today we've got a really exciting announcement. As people would be aware Warren Entsch has announced his retirement at the next election. I was elected at the same election on the 2nd of March , as Warren Entsch and I do want to pay tribute to him, and to thank him for what he's done as a parliamentarian over a long period of time.
He was a champion of some unpopular issues within his party like marriage equality, and he advocated very strongly for that. And he's someone who I have respect for and has always shown me respect as Prime Minister and as a minister in the former government as well, as well as just a parliamentarian.
