Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade) (4:59 PM) —I would like to refer to a number of topics in my address. The first is the crash of an American B-17C Flying Fortress during the Second World War. That occurred regrettably on 14 June 1943 outside Mackay, my hometown in North Queensland. It remains Australia's worst aviation disaster. There were 41 American GIs aboard the flight to return to Papua New Guinea after R and R in Mackay. Only one of those survived, a corporal by the name of Foye Kenneth Roberts.

However, I would like to place on the record that the people of Mackay have ensured that the loss of those brave soldiers is remembered. In the 1990s, a permanent memorial was established to honour them. The memorial exhibits the Australian and American flags, and a local couple, Bob and Vivienne Deakin, who live near the memorial ensure that those flags are flown daily. Last year, an American GI who lost a coin toss and was not on that fateful flight, Mr Del Sparrowe, crafted a replica of the plane, which was eventually turned into a significant part of the memorial. During a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the crash, the bronze model was mounted above and through the aeroplane propeller. I would also like to acknowledge a local RSL historian, Col Benson, who has organised annual commemorative services in his capacity as chairman of the Bakers Creek Memorial Committee. The largest service, as I have said, was the 60th anniversary that involved local Army, Navy and Air Force cadets, a parade using equipment loaned by Jim Frederickson and the Mackay military museum, and a traditional Aussie breakfast.

There are many quiet achievers in the community of Mackay who work very hard to ensure that the bonzer friendship achieved through the tragedy of this crash is maintained between Australia and the United States. However, Mr Benson's tireless efforts certainly would rank above many others. In recognition of his efforts, he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in 2001 and appointed an honorary colonel of the US 5th Air Force by its commander in 2002. In the following year, Col received a US House of Representatives Certificate of Congressional Recognition for his dedication and work. He also met the chairman of the joint chiefs, General Richard Myers.

It is not just been left to Mr Benson and others. Students have also played a significant role in remembering those who perished in this tragedy. The Dundula State School and Mackay State High School have researched the event. I particularly acknowledge Rae Baldwin from Dundula for her efforts. I also acknowledge the history teacher, Bruce Litte, and the Mackay State High School students. It is significant that, even after such a passage of time, the citizens of Mackay remember those from another country who perished in this tragedy and ensure that their families back in the United States can take some comfort from the fact that the memorial and the memory of those who died are guarded and respected in the city of Mackay.

I now move to another achievement of Mackay. Last weekend, the North Queensland Cowboys played the Newcastle Knights. Regrettably, the Cowboys did not get home on this occasion, but the Mackay Region Area Consultative Committee, with chairman Colin Meng and our CEO Greg Sutherland, who is also the chairman of Mackay rugby league, put in a tremendous effort with the support of many good people around the community to ensure that this very interesting match was played in Mackay. Many thanks to CHR, Rod Cunningham, Mackay Toyota, John Glanville and others who supported this footy game.

Mr Edwards —Tell us about the cricket.

Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY —I will stick to the Cowboys and the Knights if you do not mind. We had over 12,500 visitors at the showground that night, and millions of dollars were brought into Mackay. More important, though, was the joy and interest it brought. I walked around in my Cowboys jersey on Saturday night, and there were evidently lots of families there—there was grandad, dad and the kids. It was a great family night. I was particularly pleased that they also took the opportunity to raise money for charity. Thousands of dollars were raised for local charities, and none was more important than Katrina Auld, who is a local young lady who has contracted a very serious virus and finds herself completely paralysed. Her mum, a single mum, is trying very hard to look after Katrina at home, and it was just great to see the community rallied around, raising money for Katrina and her family. So it was a splendid evening, with a great charity event to support those in Mackay, Katrina included. I want to thank the Mackay Region Area Consultative Committee, which is totally funded by the federal government. They really do outreach and some wonderful things in our local community.

I now move to the world at large and our participation in the World Expo 2005, known commonly as the Aichi expo. Australia, through Prime Minister John Howard, has committed $35 million to see Australia represented at the Aichi expo from 25 March to 25 September 2005. It is a great way of commemorating the importance of our relationship with Japan and, of course, our bilateral arrangements over the last 30 years. The pavilion will showcase our unique lifestyle, our diverse culture and our attractiveness as a business, tourism and education destination. It will draw on not only our history as one of the most ancient continents on earth but also modern Australia as a smart, innovative and forward looking nation. The pavilion's design—and we are presently letting tenders for aspects of the pavilion—will be linked to the expo theme, which is `nature's wisdom'. In fact, visitors will be taken on a uniquely Australian journey, starting millions of years ago and leading through to what will be a data forest, showing contemporary Australia and our achievements in biotechnology, science, environmental resource management and so on. We are going to draw on a pavilion mascot, and there could be nothing better for that than the platypus. They are wonderful little creatures which are very adaptive, although they have not changed a lot in millions of years. I am particularly pleased, because the platypus is the mascot of the Mirani shire, which is adjacent to my city of Mackay.

I am very proud to oversee the expo preparations. I would particularly like to pay tribute to our Australian Commissioner-General for the Aichi expo, Ms Glenda Gauci, a senior diplomat with extensive Japanese experience. Other contributors include Australian business envoy Mr Ian Grigg, who will develop the business program. We already have two major sponsors in Toyota Australia and Qantas. No doubt there will be other companies joining to support our expo participation. We also welcome involvement from the states and territories. In 2005 Victoria and the Aichi prefecture will celebrate the 25th anniversary of their sister state relationship.

A lot of exciting things will happen at Aichi. As I said, we have let some tenders—one is to the Australian Pavilion designer, Think! OTS, a young Melbourne-based production company. There is also Jack Morton Worldwide, who will be taking charge of arts and entertainment. This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Australia not only as we are fondly known overseas—as one of the ancient continents renowned for our unique wildlife and wonderful scenery—but also the modern contemporary Australia with our scientific, engineering and medical achievements. I commend to the House the work that the Australian government is doing in what we trust will be a great success for Australia at the World Expo 2005 in Aichi, Japan.