Cairns and Papua New Guinea:From geography to opportunity

For decades we've talked about Cairns' location. It's time to start talking about our role.

One of the discussions I found most encouraging during a recent meeting with Premier David Crisafulli centred on Queensland's relationship with Papua New Guinea and the role Cairns can play in helping to strengthen it.

Queensland's Memorandum of Understanding with Papua New Guinea is the only agreement of its kind held by an Australian state. It reflects a relationship built not only between governments, but through trade, tourism, education, health care, culture and the connections between people. During our meeting, I asked the Premier how Cairns could help deliver on the opportunities reflected in that Memorandum of Understanding.

The Premier challenged Cairns to be proactive in identifying opportunities that strengthen those ties. He reflected on Papua New Guinea's 50th anniversary independence celebrations, which were held in Brisbane, as one example of the sort of opportunities that could be considered for Cairns in the future. It was an encouraging conversation because it recognised that Queensland's relationship with Papua New Guinea will not be built from George Street in Brisbane alone. It will be strengthened in places like Cairns, where the relationships already exist, where business is done, where families are connected and where geography creates opportunity.

Our closest capital city is Port Moresby, not Brisbane. Cairns and Lae have shared a sister city relationship for more than 40 years, and every day those connections continue to grow through business, education, health care, tourism and family. When I visited Papua New Guinea for its 50th anniversary independence celebrations last year, I often heard Cairns affectionately described as "South Moresby". That wasn't a slogan. It was recognition of the close and enduring relationship that already exists between our communities.

This is why I believe the opportunity before us isn't to create something new. It's to recognise what already exists and build on it with purpose. Strengthening our relationship with Papua New Guinea isn't simply about diplomacy. It creates opportunities for local businesses, encourages investment, supports tourism, strengthens aviation and education links, and reinforces Cairns' position as Australia's natural connection to Papua New Guinea and the broader Pacific.

We'll see another example of that relationship later this month when Papua New Guinea's Deputy Prime Minister, John Rosso, visits Cairns as part of our sister city celebrations with Lae. At the same time, work continues on the Papua New Guinea Friendship Garden at the Cairns Botanic Gardens. They are tangible reminders that this relationship isn't something we hope to establish one day. It already exists, and it continues to grow.

For many years we've described Cairns as the Gateway to the Pacific. Geography gave us that opportunity. What happens next will depend on how we choose to embrace it.