Newsroom

September 3, 2025

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Member for Hill, Shane Knuth, has blasted the LNP’s submission to the Queensland Redistribution Commission (QRC), labelling it a disgraceful attack on North Queenslanders that would strip regional communities of fair representation, while handing even more power to the south-east corner.

“The LNP are showing their true colours.

They are hell bent in reducing seats in North Queensland by wiping Hill off the map, while at the same time increasing the number of seats in the south-east of the state,” Mr Knuth said.

“If this goes ahead, it will create a mega-seat, stretching from the tablelands to Mount Isa, that will be near impossible to service, while funneling extra seats into Brisbane and the south-east.

This isn’t about fairness, it’s about politics, and North Queenslanders are the ones who will pay the price.”

Mr Knuth said this latest stunt bore the hallmarks of a targeted political hit job.

“This is the third time I’ve been in this position as a former member for Charters Towers, then Dalrymple, then Hill and then the member for goodness knows what,” he said.

"I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but this cant happen to an MP three times.

After 21 years representing regional Queensland, it’s hard to see this as anything other than a calculated attempt to get rid of me.”

The Hill electorate includes the Tablelands and the Cassowary Coast, with the Atherton Tablelands alone home to over 27,000 people and expected to grow significantly over the next decade.

According to the Electoral Commission there were 42,146 enrolled in Hill at 4.73% deviation above the average.

"Moving Mirriwinni and Babinda back into Mulgrave makes sense, which is what the KAP have recommended, as it brings the entire Cairns Regional Council area into the one electorate, said Mr Knuth

This would ease pressure on the Hill electorate and bring it closer in line with the state average."

Mr Knuth said the demands on his electorate office have exploded over the last few years and locals are desperate for help with everything from health and housing to agriculture and roads.

"To even consider wiping Hill out when our communities are growing is a disgrace, said Mr Knuth.

North Queenslanders are fed up with this type of grubby political game playing.

If anything we need more seats in North Queensland, not less."

Mr Knuth added he would not be deterred.

“I will fight like hell to retain the seat of Hill, however if the QRC seriously entertains this madness, I wont rule out taking on my 9th election and eying of the electorates of Mulgrave or Cook.

But let me be clear: abolishing Hill will leave thousands across the Tablelands and the Cassowary Coast at the mercy of Brisbane decision-makers who don’t understand or care about regional Queensland.”

Mr Knuth urged locals to fight back against the LNP’s proposal.

“I’m calling on residents of the Tablelands and Cassowary Coast to write to the QRC and the LNP and make it crystal clear: we will not accept this assault on our democracy and our representation."