Newsroom

January 7, 2026

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter MP, has welcomed today’s $38 million flood recovery package announced by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments for North-West Queensland, while warning that short-term relief must not replace long-term flood-proofing and real infrastructure delivery.

“I thank the Prime Minister for coming to the North-West and for acknowledging the scale of what our people are dealing with,” Mr Katter said.

“But let me be clear… This is only a start. What we are seeing time and again is money spent on designs, reviews, and reports, while communities remain cut off and producers are left exposed to the same disasters year after year.” Mr Katter states.

Mr Katter said the funding for primary producer recovery grants, emergency fodder support, and critical repairs to Cloncurry Airport would provide immediate assistance to battered communities.

“The $11.5 million committed to Cloncurry Airport is essential,” Mr Katter said.

"However, we don't want this money wasted on Brisbane-based planning and design,"

“That airport is a lifeline. When roads go under, the airport is how people, freight, medical services, and supplies get in and out. Restoring and strengthening it must be treated as critical infrastructure, not optional spending,”

Mr Katter also noted fodder drops and direct recovery support remains critical and shouldn't be caught up in bureaucratic processes, particularly while producers are still isolated and stock losses continue to be assessed.

“When you’ve got cattle stranded, fences wiped out and families cut off, fodder on the ground matters more than another consultant’s report,” he said.

Mr Katter warned that unless governments shift their focus to proper flood-proofing and major infrastructure, the same devastation will continue to repeat. “We need the Bruce Highway flood- proofed, the Hann Highway finished, and CopperString completed. Not talked about, not redesigned, but built,” Mr Katter said.

“These projects are not luxuries. They are the backbone of recovery, resilience, and economic survival for the North-West.” Mr Katter warns. He said North-West Queensland cannot afford a recovery system that rebuilds communities only to leave them vulnerable to the next flood.

“Every time it rains, our people pay the price while governments pay consultants,” Mr Katter said.

“If we’re serious about recovery, then we must be serious about long-term flood mitigation and nation-building infrastructure, not just short-term patches,”

Mr Katter said he would continue pressing both governments to ensure the North-West receives real, on-the-ground outcomes, not just announcements.

“Our people are tough, but they deserve better than being flooded, forgotten and forced to start again every wet season,” he said.