Senator Joyce was today campaigning with Dr Alex Douglas, Nationals' Candidate for Fadden. Senator Joyce said "Dr Douglas would be a huge asset for the National Party in Canberra, and for the Coalition, should he be successful at the election."

Dr Alex Douglas has stated “Re-establishing the dignity of trade is an essential in the future development of our area of the Gold Coast and of our nation.

"The Gold Coast remains one of the greatest magnets for those seeing the opportunities that Queensland presents. The Gold Coast thrives on the entrepreneurial spirit of those who have migrated from other states and those who have been part of the developing area over the past sixty years. To sustain this growth we must have the technical capacity in the trades to continue the construction which is the manifestation of the opportunities and wealth of the area. It is no good being able to purchase a nice new motor vehicle but not being able to find an electrician to fix a light in your house.

Dr Douglas said "We must invest in our trades and, as a priority, push the Gold Coast to the top of the pile for those areas that need technical colleges"

Dr Douglas said that he and Senator Joyce today would be forwarding a letter to the Minister requesting the site adjacent to the Coomera railway station, north of the town centre, proximate to the motorway, as an ideal position for the development of a technical college for the next generation of Gold Coast trades people.

Dr Douglas said “I understand impeccably the demand this area has on health, as an active health professional in the area, and realise there are many areas away from health upon which we also need to focus our attention. Plumbers, carpenters, electricians and refrigeration mechanics are part of an essential suite of tradespeople who make a community effective and prosperous. This is the sort of National party knowledge, at a local level, that I will be utilising in Canberra to get a better deal for Fadden."

Senator Joyce said "We need someone of Dr Douglas’ talent in the Lower House. The Nationals have been very fortunate this year to have people such as Dr Douglas, Dr Paige and Barrister Hajnal Ban complementing the expertise currently delivered by our team of small business people and professionals, such as Engineer De-anne Kelly, to make us the best team in Canberra."