Newsroom

August 7, 2025

BOB Katter the Federal Member for Kennedy, is hopeful that today’s “innovation and technology” roundtable, will result in some real solutions to the current crisis in Mount Isa and broader issues with metal processing in Australia.

"Minister Ayres is talking the talk. We now need him to walk the walk," said Mr Katter.

"Mount Isa, indeed, Australia's economic future hangs in the balance. Metal processing is the backbone of our economic prosperity, particularly if we are to become more than the world's quarry."

"We must have a national plan for processing our minerals onshore,” Mr Katter stated.

"Government should immediately move legislation to provide for a thriving metal processing industry. "

"This should include ‘Use it or Lose it’ legislation to stop stock traders sitting on our mineral reserves and a ‘Reserve Resource Policy’ to retain our resources for our use at a cheap price."

"Bailing out greedy multinationals should be off the table, but government must take some responsibility to allow companies to not only survive but thrive. "

“If we lose Mount Isa, we lose the backbone of North West Queensland. And make no mistake – talk won’t save it. Only action will,” said Mr Katter.