Australia’s Federal Trade Minister Andrew Robb is putting the full-court pressure on the development of the multi-billion-dollar Aquis project, saying it needs to be accelerated “by whatever means.”

Speaking with ABC Australia after meeting with tourism leaders in Cairns, Robb said that approval from the Queensland government needs to be obtained as soon as possible. Robb suggested that shouldn’t be difficult since the project has already cleared approvals from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Robb added that Aquis’ backer Tony Fung‘s ambition of turning the region into a prime tourist destination is starting to take shape.

“He’s making huge investments into convention centers there,” said the trade minister. “It’s going to be of enormous benefit, thousands of jobs and lots of opportunity and it will be a magnet for other investment.”