Bob Katter

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, has written to the Prime Minister calling for Category D grants of up to $75,000 to be urgently approved. "We appreciate the support provided so far, but $25,000 is simply not enough to get our farmers back on their feet," Mr Katter said. "We've seen in past disasters that governments have been willing to go further—why should North Queensland farmers be treated any differently?" Mr Katter pointed to multiple examples where primary producers impacted by disasters received significantly higher levels of assistance: "In 2019, following the Julia Creek flood disaster, farmers were eligible for grants of up to $400,000. "In the 2022-23 wet weather events in the Gulf and mid-west, primary producers in those areas could apply for co-contribution grants of up to $150,000. "In 2021, farmers affected by cyclone Niran in Innisfail received $75,000 'Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants' to help with crop re-establishment and clean-up costs. "In every one of these disasters, governments recognised the scale of the damage and stepped up with proper funding," Mr Katter said. Speaking with industry bodies, including AgForce, QCAR and Canegrowers, and impacted farmers in the disaster epicentre of Ingham, Mr Katter said the damage to cane and cattle farms had been severe, and the current funding levels are inadequate. "Cane farmers have lost their crops, their farm infrastructure is damaged, and many who own harvesters are being locked out of support entirely due to outdated eligibility criteria," he said. "Meanwhile, graziers have seen their cattle drowned or poisoned after eating toxic lantana in the absence of dry feed. Their fences, sheds, and essential infrastructure have been destroyed. These people need real help, not scraps." In his letter, Mr Katter demanded the immediate activation of Category D disaster grants of up to $75,000 to give flood-affected farmers a fair chance at recovery. "Category D funding exists to fill recovery gaps, and right now, there is a gaping hole in support for our primary producers," he said. "We have to give these farmers what they need to rebuild." ENDS

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, is calling for the immediate sacking of the Australia Post CEO, Paul Graham, as his pursuit of profits and removal of LPOs threatens the future of essential postal and banking services in regional and remote Australia. "Paul Graham's arguable obsession with profiteering undermines the foundation of Australia Post. His decision to reduce staffed post offices is devastating communities that rely on these services," Mr Katter said. "We are calling for his immediate removal and a change in direction at Australia Post." Mr Katter's statement comes after the Burke Shire Council stepped in to keep the remote Burketown Post Office open, following the impending retirement of the town's postmistress. Unfortunately this move will see the post office lose the region's only in-person banking facilities. While Mr Katter thanked the Council for preventing the loss of the postal service, he warned this is only a temporary fix. The Burketown LPO serves not only the immediate community but as far west as the Northern Territory border, and is the central hub for mail distribution to Doomadgee, Gregory, and surrounding cattle stations. The LPO is one of many nationwide facing potential closure due to retirements or staffing issues. According to Burke Shire Mayor Ernie Camp, these closures will undermine the ability of remote communities to thrive. "The LPO is an absolute necessity and a vital aspect of the community," Mr Camp explained. "Australia Post did have a meeting with our Council but the government needs to put up their hand to keep it going. With the current proposal from Australia Post, no banking can be done. This is a hindrance to our small community. "Those from my generation can find internet banking difficult, not to mention that connectivity is unreliable, at best, in remote areas. Our community cannot survive without an LPO." Mr Katter agrees. "The nearest post office is hours away, and the nearest banking facility is a seven-hour round trip – Burketown residents will be left absolutely isolated if they lose that service. "We thank the Burke Shire Council for stepping in, but let's be clear – this is just a band-aid fix. We need a long-term solution. We must find a permanent operator, and we need Australia Post to overhaul its approach to regional and remote Australia. "Paul Graham's turned Australia Post into a profit-making enterprise, when it should be a service to Australians," Mr Katter said. "One of the greatest CEOs in recent Australian history, Christine Holgate, understood this – she never closed a single service outlet and fought to keep Australia Post serving all Australians. If Paul Graham's focus is purely financial, then he needs to be removed." To address the systemic issues in Australia Post, Mr Katter is demanding a restructure of the postal system. He supports the calls from Angela Cramp and the LPO Group for the government to provide a subsistence payment of $100,000 to support remote LPOs, similar to how pharmacies are supported. Australia Post was set up as "a service for the public," KAP Leader and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter explained. "Out in the regions we don't have the same level of luxury as the city where there are multiple options for couriers to get people what they want and need. "Closing down post offices, or creating conditions where they close down, is not conducive to that. "Also, there is a great opportunity across Australia for those postal centres, which are already doing a bit of banking activity, to get into lending. "The banking functions can help subsidise the cost of the activities of the post office and keep the whole operation viable." ENDS

MEMBER for Kennedy Bob Katter this week proposed a submission to Treasury regarding mandating cash acceptance to ensure cash remains a universally and legally accepted means of payment throughout Australia. “The most reliable method of payment is cash and we will fight for its survival so we have submitted our argument to the federal treasury demanding protection for cash to be legal tender and accepted without question.” Having consulted with his electorate and further afield, Mr Katter has identified several key issues including limited digital connectivity in regional and remote areas, disaster resilience, economic sovereignty, consumer choice and the vulnerability of some segments of our communities in using technology. “The banks and big business are trying to bully us into doing business their way but we will fight them at every turn to make sure they are being fair and providing the services we need, when we need it,” Mr Katter said. “We need to force banks to better protect people from scams. The best way to do this is to mandate that the banks reimburse people when they have been tricked out of their money and the banks have allowed these transactions to occur. “Digital transactions make it easier for scammers. Banks must step up and offer reimbursements - not step back and strip us of our ability to protect ourselves by using cash,” continued Mr Katter. “Additionally, during natural disasters, some towns in the Kennedy electorate can be without power for weeks; this can mean limited or no mobile phone coverage, internet services, or EFTPOS, so cash is needed to do basic transactions when food and other goods become available. “When digital banking systems fail, physical cash remains the only reliable means of transaction. Without proper planning to ensure the continuity of cash distribution networks, businesses struggle to operate, aid efforts are hampered, and vulnerable populations are left without access to basic necessities.” The submission posed four recommendations: Legislate mandatory cash acceptance, Protect and expand ATM and banking infrastructure in regional Australia, Enhance cash resilience planning in emergencies and against scams, and Support public awareness campaigns. “Cash is a pillar of financial independence, community resilience, and economic fairness, particularly in rural and regional Australia,” Mr Katter said. “The Federal Government must act decisively to enshrine the right to use cash and mandate its acceptance across the economy. We call on the government to take immediate action to protect Australians’ right to choose how they pay and ensure that no one is excluded from the economy due to the imposition of a cashless agenda.” ENDS