North Queensland Reacts to Rinehart's Island Idea for Musk

By Liam O'Connell

ABC Tropical North

Topic: Government and Politics

Friday, June 19, 2026, at 11:39 am

The Whitsundays is a group of 74 islands along North Queensland's coast.

In short:

North Queensland business and tourism groups welcome new ideas after Gina Rinehart suggested giving some islands to Elon Musk for satellite launches.

A tourism group says there could be environmental challenges with launching from the islands.

A local aerospace company would like more investment in the Bowen spaceport.

Gina Rinehart's idea of giving Queensland islands to Elon Musk for satellite launches and microchip manufacturing has mixed reactions from local tourism and business groups.

Mrs. Rinehart said 'empty' islands off North Queensland's coast should be offered to Elon Musk for free to build and launch satellites.

The CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Tim Booth, said the idea of giving islands for rocket launches is new and has environmental considerations.

Tim Booth says the region's tourism depends on its natural environment.

New ideas for tourism events come in every day, but this one is unique.

This idea is something new and different.

Uninhabited islands are not useless; they are important for tourism.

The number one reason people visit is the natural beauty of the area.

Gina Rinehart spoke at a National Bush Summit in Townsville with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.

Any rocket launch could attract tourists, says Tim Booth.

Rocket launches can draw many visitors who stay for a while.

The Whitsunday region has experience with rocket launches.

An Australian company, Gilmour Space Technologies, launched its first rocket from Bowen in July 2025.

Gilmour Space Technologies' 'Eris' rocket was launched in Bowen in July 2025.

CEO Adam Gilmour said getting approval to launch rockets in Australia is complex.

The process of launching rockets is long and challenging, like an Olympic hurdle event.

Adam Gilmour says launching from an island would be logistically difficult.

Launching from the mainland is easier than from an island due to transportation issues.

It's easier to launch from the mainland where you can use trucks and cranes.

Mr. Gilmour would welcome more investment in the Bowen Spaceport.

This is a great opportunity for Australia, and he hopes Gina Rinehart can help.

Wind towers are not welcome

Several renewable energy projects have been proposed near Townsville.

Mrs. Rinehart criticized a proposal to build wind towers near Prairie, 340 kilometers southwest of Townsville.

The Prairie Wind Farm project has federal environmental approval and is near the proposed CopperString 2032 powerline.

Instead, she suggested offering Taiwanese microchip manufacturers free land, a tax holiday, an airport, and a port.

Claudia Brumme-Smith says North Queensland should be open to business and ideas.

If the land at Prairie isn't suitable, other options near Townsville should be offered.

The economic development group, Townsville Enterprise, says the wind resources at the site are exceptional.

When energy is abundant and affordable, industries are more likely to settle there.

The group welcomes 'blue-sky thinking' but isn't prescriptive about land use.

The Queensland government will spend $420 million on the CopperString project over the next 12 months.

Gina Rinehart's idea has prompted new thinking, which is what these forums are for.

The Townsville Chamber of Commerce says any chip-manufacturing proposal should undergo a feasibility study.

Silicon chips are fundamental to modern electronics and affect Wall Street share prices.

If the numbers add up, the chamber welcomes investment in manufacturing in North Queensland.

Mrs. Rinehart mentioned Australia as a safer alternative for Taiwanese microchip companies.

It's essential to ensure all stakeholders can share their thoughts on any investment.

Any investment should support locals as much as possible.

Friday, June 19, 2026, at 11:39 am

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