Newsroom
Katter Calls for Wider Community Support, Welcomes Support for Agriculture
January 6, 2026
Activation of the Personal Hardship Assistance Scheme is urgently needed across a wider range of communities, with the impact of the North West floods beginning to bite, the Katter’s Australian Party Leader, and Member for Traeger has said.
“Today we’ve had a great set of announcements of support for our agriculture sector.” the KAP Leader said.
“At the same time, I’ve had many families contact me seeking assistance to pay for unforeseen accommodation and food costs, while they are stranded away from home and their workplaces.
“Employees remain isolated from their hometowns and local businesses across the North West are being forced to close their doors due to staff being stuck away.
“I’m calling on the Communities Minister and the Disaster Recovery Minister to work with our communities to make sure all bush people across our communities get the support they need,” Mr Katter said.
Mr Katter also acknowledged that the Federal and State Government’s flood support for the agriculture sector will make a timely difference and kick start recovery.
“The support announced today will mean producers can get on with the job of assessing the damage and taking stock of livestock losses, and get cracking on the clean up,” Mr Katter said.
“The funding announced for the Cloncurry Airport is also much needed and welcome, as this will reconnect Cloncurry to the rest of the state, allowing full size aircraft to once again land,” he said.
As the current waters reside, Mr Katter said the true extent of the damage was becoming clearer.
“We know there’s much to be done, and that’s becoming clearer and clearer,” the KAP leader said.
“We’ve got landholders getting up in choppers and assessing the damage, and there’s a solid strip where there’s significant livestock losses and fencing damage.
“Roads are starting to open again as waters recede, and this will hopefully see some families be able to return home and to work again.
“We remain vigilant and conscious however that this is just the beginning of the wet season, and Mother Nature can be a fickle beast.
“I remain in constant contact with emergency services, community leaders, relevant ministers, and industry groups such as AgForce to ensure the necessary assistance reaches those in need,” the Member for Traeger said.