The issue of importing beef into Australia has attracted a lot of media attention and debate over the last week.

The Australian Government has decided to change the policy surrounding beef imports into Australia. Technically speaking, this means changing Australia's policy on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) - commonly known as mad-cow disease.

Climate change has been the major topic of debate with the return to parliament these last two weeks.

Last week's announcement that a deal had been done between the Cairns Airport and Jetstar that will see 300,000 new seats come into Cairns over the next 2½ years is very good news for Cairns. I would like to congratulate Stephen Gregg, his team at the Cairns Airport and the board of Cairns Airport Pty Ltd, and also Bruce Buchanan and his team at Jetstar, for the work that they have done in bringing this deal to fruition. I also congratulate the State Government, who I understand have provided some marketing support.

The recent release of the Cummings Economics report about employment and unemployment in the Far North indicates that a downturn in the local construction industry is the main factor behind region's record high unemployment.

The construction industry is clearly a major driver of our local economy. The report states that the value of building approvals are down 45% in the region, which highlights just how important the government's infrastructure stimulus has been in supporting local jobs and business.

Just over a week ago last Thursday, the monthly employment statistics were released and the region's jobless rate had increased to 11.8%. The next day I was confronted with the front page Cairns Post headline - 12.5% unemployment with a call for help from Kevin Rudd and Anna Bligh.