Newsroom

June 11, 2024

Buried in the documents that showed the Treasurer of Queensland dishing out our taxpayer dollars like confetti, is a handful of welcome news for North West Queensland communities, the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) leader and member for Traeger, Robbie Katter has said.

“Fighting for votes in Brisbane, the major parties have plunged the Queensland budget towards a forecast $3 billion deficit, by bribing Queenslanders with their own money,” Mr Katter has said.

“$1,000 off power bills attempting to con Queenslanders that power isn’t going up thanks to emissions targets and renewable energy, 50c bus tickets for Brisbane commuters, and specifically Brisbane-centric commissioners to boost nightlife, are all measures that show the true colours of the Brisbane ALP and LNP.

“So much the same, that the LNP signed up to the budget before they ever heard it,” the KAP leader said.

In better news at home, after more than a decade of lobbying, the CopperString project to connect Mount Isa to the national electricity grid is showing signs of life.

“We’ve been promised for years now that CopperString would materialise off the pages of reports and plans, and with $712 million to be spent this coming financial year, we may finally see some poles and wires in the ground,” Mr Katter said.

Speaking in Townsville last week before the budget, the member for Traeger called for health care solutions such as renal care in communities.

“It is great to finally see some investment in our crumbling health services, but we know the job isn’t finished yet” the Member for Traeger said.

“Camooweal, Normanton, and Doomadgee have all seen previously announced projects started, and it’s fantastic to see announced that Charters Towers will receive $5 million for the installation of a much-needed CT scanner,” he said.

Sporting clubs across the electorate have also received a boost, with the Cloncurry Shire Grandstand receiving more than $800,000 for a re-fit, and facilities at the Mount Isa Rugby League Club, Mount Isa Amateur Netball Association, and Mount Isa soccer.

“Sporting clubs are the glue that holds our communities together, and it’s great to see them supported,” the member for Traeger said.

Conspicuous by its absence is any mention of critical transport infrastructure upgrades, such as the Gulf crossings and Gilbert River bridge.

“We eagerly await the detail that will invariably rattle out of the complex Transport Department plans, but the fact remains that communities remain cut off for months at a time, and more freight is continuing to flow off the rail onto our maligned road network,” Mr Katter said.

“It is only through fearless representation for our region, advocating for issues like crime, electricity pricing, and the bright future for our mining industry that we can see our region succeed like we know it can.

“KAP are fiercely and proudly from North Queensland, not chasing Brisbane woke-ey voters and throwing the mining royalties from North Queensland around like lollies,” he said.