Newsroom

June 6, 2025

“Line items in a budget don’t build an economy, and they certainly don’t build a powerline, but it’s a good start,” the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Leader and Member for Traeger has said.

“When Powerlink were in charge, all we heard were excuses.  So, when the new government brought the QIC in to sort out the mess, we had a glimmer of hope,” Mr Katter said.

“But we still haven’t seen a single pole in the ground, or a meter of powerline strung!”

The Treasurer has announced the upcoming budget will include $2.4 billion for CopperString.

“It is simply cruel to the communities all along the route, none more than Mount Isa, for government to be talking, talking, talking, yet there’s no real action to be seen,” the KAP Leader said.

“Queensland’s future prosperity – the realisation of the more than $680 billion of resources – hangs in the balance, while this is not completed – let alone started!

“The time for talk is over, and it’s time for real action – real action to give our communities confidence.  To unlock our state’s wealth for our future generations.

“There are large industrial and mining operations awaiting final investment decisions, all hinging on a deliver timeline for CopperString.

“The government has the opportunity now to be a government who instructs departments and isn’t instructed by them.  Will the government be one of foresight for our state, or will we be left in the doldrums as a ‘could have been’ state?

“The prosperity of future generations of Queenslanders hangs in the balance – on simple poles and wires.

“It’s high time that the new government shows that it is indeed different to the Labor government and can deliver real action – not just talk and dollar signs,” Mr Katter said.