Campbell Newman has held discussions with the federal government about a quota system channelling new arrivals into cities such as Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton.
He aims to have about half the state's population living outside the southeast by 2043.
Mr Newman says state and federal governments would work with councils to consider ways to prioritise residency applications for people prepared to live in certain areas.
Gail Flocombe, from the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland, spoke to Georgie Moore.
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