Crisafulli Headlines Toowoomba Bush Summit

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Queensland Premier David Crisafulli will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Toowoomba Bush Summit, where political and industry leaders from across the state will gather to discuss key issues affecting rural and regional communities. The event will be broadcast live on Sky News Australia on Monday.

The annual summit, a major forum for policy debate and regional engagement, will open with Premier Crisafulli’s address. Following his remarks, he will join The Courier Mail’s Chris Jones for a conversation focused on state priorities and challenges. The summit aims to highlight both opportunities and concerns faced by Queensland’s rural communities as they navigate economic, social, and environmental changes.

A video message from Hancock Prospecting executive chair Gina Rinehart will follow the premier’s address. Rinehart’s contribution underscores the involvement of Australia’s most prominent business leaders in shaping discussions on regional prosperity.

The first of four panels will then take place, addressing connectivity in the regions. Participants include Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki, Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston, Wagners chair Denis Wagner, and Toowoomba Regional Council Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff. Their discussion will examine the importance of infrastructure, financial services, and digital access for regional growth.

The second panel will look ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, focusing on the opportunities and challenges the event may bring to regional Queensland. Infrastructure investment and community benefits are expected to feature heavily in the conversation.

Attention will then shift to energy and resources. Sky News host Laura Jayes will moderate a panel featuring Nationals Senator Matt Canavan, Hancock Energy CEO Stuart Johnston, and Queensland Resources Council CEO Janette Hewson. The discussion will cover energy reliability, resource development, and the push toward net zero policies, which remain a divisive issue for many regional communities reliant on traditional industries.

The final panel will explore liveability, tackling issues such as housing, services, and workforce availability in regional Queensland. The summit will conclude with One Nation leader and Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson sitting down with Laura Jayes for a wide-ranging interview on regional concerns and national policy.

The Toowoomba Bush Summit continues to serve as a platform where government officials, industry leaders, and community representatives exchange perspectives on the future of rural and regional Queensland. By bringing together a diverse range of voices, the summit highlights both the challenges faced by these communities and the strategies being considered to secure their long-term prosperity.