Mr CIOBO (1:49 PM) —The Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city, the fastest growing city for the past 30 years and, contrary to the trend in every other city in Australia, getting younger. The swelling of the younger demographic means there is increasing demand for tertiary study in our city—a cause I have championed since my first day in this parliament. Last Thursday, 12 June, the Minister for Health, Senator the Hon. Kay Patterson, travelled to my electorate to officially announce the allocation of 50 medical school places to Gold Coast City. This was a very important announcement on an issue I have been campaigning on since day one in this chamber. This in-principle support for the development of our new medical school was wonderful news for our city.

I thank Senator Patterson for listening to our strong arguments and for acting in a decisive and expeditious manner, delivering for our region. I also thank Senators Brandis, Mason and Santoro for their support, as well as Margaret May, the member for McPherson. I congratulate Glyn Davis and his committed and wonderful team at Griffith University. I look forward to watching the development and growth of this new facility, and I am sure it will bring many opportunities for Gold Coast residents in the future.