Newsroom

September 4, 2025

Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto has raised serious concerns over major party submissions to the Queensland Redistribution Commission (QRC), warning of potential impacts on several North Queensland seats.

Submissions to the QRC propose changes that would affect a number of North Queensland electorates. The ALP submission implies an expansion of Townsville and Thuringowa’s northern suburbs without specifically mentioning how this would impact on Hinchinbrook.

Meanwhile, the LNP submission proposes moving Hinchinbrook’s boundary north to cut out all of the suburban Townsville suburbs and take in Mission Beach, Innisfail and parts of the Tablelands, as well as transferring Palm Island into the electorate. The LNP submission also recommends the abolition of the Far North seat of Hill.

In his submission, Mr Dametto said the current boundaries of Hinchinbrook should remain unchanged, as they are well-balanced and provide effective representation to the diverse population from the northern suburbs of Townsville all the way north to Tully.

“By cutting Hinchinbrook off from Townsville, it would leave three government-held seats as the city’s only voice. That means no opposition presence and no one to hold them to account. Regardless of whether those three seats have been held by Labor or the LNP, they are known for their underperformance.

“The submission my office put forward to the QRC highlighted the importance of Hinchinbrook maintaining a connection to Townsville as the North’s capital. Any adjustments necessary to satisfy the statutory enrolment requirements could be made by realigning the northern boundary,” Mr Dametto said.

“The QRC must consider the long-term implications these proposed changes will have on the communities of Hinchinbrook and they must ensure that fair and effective representation outranks political convenience.

“If the major parties get their way, the number of seats in regional areas will be reduced in order to create additional seats in Brisbane.

“That shift would benefit Labor and the LNP, whose values align more closely with inner-city voters than with the needs of regional Queenslanders. The result would be further concentrated representation in the south-east and a reduced voice for North and regional Queensland communities in State Parliament.

“These proposed changes are exactly why it’s time for North Queensland to stand on its own two feet.

“Time and again decisions are made in Brisbane that strip regional Queensland of representation and resources, while the south-east continues to grow in political strength. If we had our own North Queensland state, we wouldn’t have to continually fight to stop our voice being diluted every time the boundaries get redrawn.

“This is something everyone in the North should be concerned about. Members of the public are invited to have their say on potential boundary distributions by making a submission to the QRC. Submissions close on 22 September 2025. To make a submission please follow this link: https://redistribution.ecq.qld.gov.au

The submissions already published, including from Nick Dametto MP, the Katter’s Australian Party, the LNP and ALP, can be found here: https://redistribution.ecq.qld.gov.au/public-consultation/suggestions/suggestions-about-the-redistribution