Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has praised the Western Downs for its economic strength and agricultural diversity on a visit this week to the 59th Bell Show.
After a warm welcome to the show by Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh and Maranoa MP David Littleproud, the Prime Minister emphasised the positive national impact of Australia’s regions.
"The strength of a strong, local community is so important…you are the heart and soul of Australia here, you're driving our economy, you're driving the very heart of the nation here," he said.
"You look at the national accounts and you see the strong performance of agricultural exports and that is due to your hard work producing some of the finest produce in the world."
The Prime Minister also highlighted the region's rich energy resources.
"You've got coal, you've got gas, you've got wind and you've got solar, right across this electorate…you know this region is at the heart of the Australian economy."
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh was equally optimistic.
“It makes me so proud that this region is offering our young people a strong, bright future and our youth are choosing to stay, live and work in the Western Downs," he said.
The Prime Minister also took the time to run his eye over some of the region's best Hereford bulls.
"I was admiring some of the cattle on the way through here and David reckons someone can sell me a bull," the Prime Minister joked.