Newsroom

April 1, 2025

“The Federal LNP leader has seen the light on a gas reserve policy, so now I’m waiting to see if the LNP in Queensland will follow his lead,” the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger has said.

“The KAP, starting with my father in 2014, have been enormously strong advocates for a gas reserve policy because we know that high gas prices are killing off our industry, and with it our jobs.

“Australian manufacturing, processing, mining, they’re all being crippled by soaring gas prices - all the while we ship the stuff offshore with minimal royalties to show for it,” he said.

Despite exporting similar quantities of gas, Qatar earns over $30 billion in royalties while Australia only receives less than $2 billion.

“How is it that governments in Brisbane and Canberra can sit by, while the gas is pumped onto boats to be used by other countries? The very gas that could save our industry, boost our economy, and save thousands of jobs?” Mr Katter said.

“It is abundantly clear that Queenslanders were sold a con during the passage of the Gas Supply Act 2008, and the subsequent start of gas exports in 2015. It turns out that our Government sold out multinational corporates who are now exporting our natural advantage while paying ‘donuts’ for the privilege.

“The first time I heard the Prime Minister talk about his ‘made in Australia’ policy I thought he may have been fair dinkum, but at the rate we’re going, the only things we’ll be making or building are more import terminals,” he said.

As late as December 2024, the concerns were raised about Phosphate Hill Mine, intrinsically linked to the copper and mining operations in Mount Isa, based on gas availability and pricing.

This is in addition to the 2022 closure of the Gibson Island fertiliser facility, which too would have been saved by a gas reserve policy.

“The LNP government are out and about talking up their efforts in approving new mines and cutting red tape - all good things - but unless we put in the hard yards, and ensure our resources are realised, it will all be for nil,” Mr Katter said. 

“Mount Isa, the third biggest copper mine in Australia is slated for closure, just so the multinational Glencore can bank Queensland’s copper for later.

“The new government has a prime chance now to decide – will they support overseas multinationals or Queensland jobs, and industry, and our ability to make things here?” Mr Katter said.