Elections aren't won by blokes in suits. They're won on the backs of the people who stand out in the sun and the rain, handing out how-to-vote cards for days on end. So, this victory belongs to them. God bless every one of you. I can't thank you enough. The same goes for my wife Susie, my five children, and even my grandchildren, who have worked tirelessly throughout this campaign to make so much of it happen. I certainly couldn't have done this without them. To my staff, who give their all (and then some) daily for the people of Kennedy... Thank you.

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter MP, has applauded the Hinchinbrook community after the final State Government approvals were granted for the long-awaited Prescribed Tidal Works (Dungeness Breakwater and Dredging) project – marking a significant milestone in the fight to restore marine access to Dungeness and beyond. With the State's final tick of approval and Hinchinbrook Shire Council's endorsement of the Change Application, the project is now primed for shovel-ready status. The works include dredging the Enterprise Channel to allow all-tide marine access, and construction of a rock breakwater to reinstate the former sea wall, which was devastated during major weather events, including Cyclone Yasi. Mr Katter praised Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo and State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto, for their tireless, years-long fight to push the project through the bureaucratic mire. "This is a win for the people of Hinchinbrook. Mayor Jayo and Nick Dametto have fought like hell – like true tiger fighters – to keep this project alive and on the agenda – and now the approvals are finally in hand," Mr Katter said. With an estimated $12 million needed to complete construction, Mr Katter said he would turn his attention to putting the full weight of his office behind securing federal funding should he be re-elected. "The next fight is for federal funding. And I give you my word: if I'm returned to Canberra, I will make this project a priority. I'll take it straight to the Government and demand the $12 million needed to get it done." Mr Katter stressed the importance of the project not just for Hinchinbrook, but for the broader North Queensland marine economy. "Once complete, this project will unlock all-tidal access for recreational and commercial fishing vessels not only into Dungeness, but also to the Palm Island group and the Great Barrier Reef. We've seen what all-weather access can do for small communities at Mission Beach. It has been life-changing for those businesses that use the waterways for their livelihood or lifestyle. "The people of Hinchinbrook deserve nothing less than the same infrastructure." ENDS

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has come out swinging after Queensland's Weapons Licensing bureaucrats effectively shut down long-standing ANZAC Day commemorations by historical re-enactment groups, calling it "soulless, tone-deaf bureaucracy at its absolute worst." Mr Katter was alerted by Robert Finlay—a member of the Australian Living History Federation—that living history groups were being blocked from participating in ANZAC Day and other commemorative events due to shifting interpretations of licensing conditions. "These are not wild gun fanatics or some fringe mob," Mr Katter said. "These are our ex-servicemen, history enthusiasts, and community volunteers—many of them older veterans—who respectfully reenact military scenes to bring our past to life and honour our fallen. "And now, some bureaucrat sitting in a Brisbane office has decided they know better than the Minister, better than our RSLs, and better than common sense—and has told them to stop." The Australian Living History Federation and its member groups have followed the same licensing conditions since 2017, under exemptions MR4 and MR5 of Queensland's weapons licensing framework. These conditions set out the responsibilities for safe, respectful use of blank-fire and replica weapons during public displays. "Let me be very clear," Mr Katter continued, "there's been no change to the Weapons Act. There's no new regulation. No incident. Just an overzealous department deciding ANZAC Day needs to be micromanaged and possibly cancelled, unless these groups jump through a whole new set of invisible hoops." Emails from Mr Finlay show that despite providing all required notices and documentation—including safety guidelines and public liability insurance—the group was told they must now seek full approval for events they are merely participating in, not organising. Even attempts to clarify the matter with the Queensland Police Minister's office were brushed aside by Weapons Licensing, who appear unwilling to budge. "This is bureaucracy gone rogue. And what's worse—it's at the expense of ANZAC Day," Mr Katter said. "We've got crime exploding in regional Queensland and they're worried about a bloke in a slouch hat firing blanks in a tribute parade." "I'll be taking this to Canberra if it isn't resolved. These people are doing this out of respect, out of patriotism, and out of deep love for this country's history. And it's time our public servants showed a bit of the same." ENDS