Today I am delighted to be spending the day on the Sunshine Coast attending a number of local events and joining the Prime Minister for celebrations for the 90th anniversary of the Nambour RSL.
As well as attending this event I will also be visiting the University of the Sunshine Coast for two events centred on efforts to improve local infrastructure, so important to the regional economy.
I grew up on the Sunshine Coast, and over the past three decades it has changed markedly.
I will be attending the Dedication Service of the Wall of Remembrance for the 90th Anniversary Luncheon of the Nambour RSL.
My late father was the Secretary-Manager of the Nambour RSL for more than a decade and I am enormously proud to be returning to attend the 90th Anniversary celebration.
The Nambour RSL has afforded me the honour of speaking at this event and I will use the opportunity to outline how the RSL is such an integral part of Australia's social fabric.
The RSL is an iconic institution in Australia and it played a large part in shaping me as a young person.
It continues to play a very important role in the lives of many Australians - particularly those who have made great sacrifices to make Australia a safe and strong country.
Queensland is critical to Australia's economic future. The Sunbelt stretch along its coasts and the expanding coastal communities play an increasingly important part in the national economy.
Many thousands of people seeking a new lifestyle, but without letting go of their careers, have made Queensland's Sunbelt one of the fastest growing regions in the country and that carries great opportunities as well as challenges.
Regional centres like the Sunshine Coast - often with very diverse and growing communities - put pressure on infrastructure especially hospitals, schools and TAFEs, universities, and roads.
All of these infrastructure challenges need to be addressed to ensure we create the new, high-skill jobs of the future - and a critical element in this is faster broadband.
It is vital that Australia does not squander the proceeds of the mining boom and instead invests it in the future to create wealth and provide opportunities for our children and grandchildren.
Today I am attending an event to turn the first sods on a 31km trench for a new optic fibre cable running from Palmwoods to Maroochydore via Sippy Downs.
The project is funded by the Rudd Government with Sunshine Coast Regional Council, the University of the Sunshine Coast, Allegro Networks and Mach Technology.
It will improve local bandwidth for the University and small business, including retailers and the tourism sector which are so important to the regional economy, as well as support the growing knowledge economy centred around Sippy Downs.
I will also be opening the new Health and Sport Tower of the University of the Sunshine Coast.