Katter calls on government to tap into resources instead of retirees' wallets

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Katter calls on government to tap into resources instead of retirees' wallets

Sep 10, 2024

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has raised concerns about the proposed aged care reforms set to be discussed in Parliament this week.

Mr Katter labelled the reforms “appalling” and reacted with “great anger” that this deal could see wealthier retirees forced to spend more of their savings on their aged care, under a deal to be struck between Labor and the Coalition.

“These people have worked hard and paid taxes all their lives, and still, it doesn’t seem to be enough for the Australian government,” Mr Katter said.

“If you need a few billion dollars, I'll tell you, instead of thieving it out of the pockets of people who are doing it really tough and have worked all their lives to save up money for their old age, how about you stop giving the gas away to the richest nations on earth – for nothing.”

Mr Katter said he was confounded as to why Australia exports its gas at such low prices, only to then buy it back at a premium. He said the same thing happens with Australia’s importation of petrol and diesel which bears significantly higher costs.

“Last time I looked, Australia was getting $600 million a year for its gas exports. For the same amount of gas, Qatar was getting $29 billion. The gas was sold to foreign landlords at 6 cents a unit and now we Australians have to buy our own gas back for $16.60 a unit.”

Mr Katter noted that until 1992, Australia imported virtually no petrol or diesel.

“Let me be specific; we sent $50 billion overseas last year to buy fuel. For context, our entire exports are only $500 billion.

“Politicians over recent years in the ALP/LNP government seem completely devoid of any Christian sense of responsibility to their fellow Australians. Their brain works on one track – ‘How does this better me?’ – whether directly or indirectly.

“We’ve been out meeting the people with state elections coming up. And the word affordability is coming up like a neon light.

“There’s a federal election on earlier next year and I predict there'll be a lot more sitting on the crossbench this time next year.

“So, you may pass it this year, Mr ALP/LNP, but next year, I hope we will be in a position to reverse this decision.

“May the good Lord give people like myself enough time to reverse this dreadful decision.”

—ENDS—

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Sack the Qantas board and executives

By Rachelle Ambrum • 01 Oct, 2024

Kennedy MP Bob Katter is backing Qantas engineers as they strike over pay disputes and has re-stated his long-held view that the un-Australian Qantas board and executives should be immediately sacked. One year on from CEO Alan Joyce’s hasty exit, the culture seems unchanged and much of the old board remains. “So, whilst Alan Joyce may be gone, his ‘spirit’ clearly lives on. ‘Fat cat’ board members and executives lord over employees fighting for fair pay in the shadow of the looming threat of their jobs being outsourced overseas,” lamented Mr Katter. “Whatever Qantas once was – it is now the complete opposite. “The tragedy is that many of the people working with them are people that are still dedicated to their founding aspirations. Qantas was founded to shrink the tyranny of distance for regional residents, and those residents and their staff are now being extorted for profits.” In recent years Qantas has sent 1,500 aeromechanic positions offshore and outsourced cleaning and maintenance services that employ extremely low-paid foreign workers. Meanwhile, they continue to increase and inflate prices. “The major parties have overseen the outsourcing and casualisation of aviation jobs. Continued flight delays and offshoring of jobs and maintenance – this puts a question mark on safety. This is a disaster waiting to happen.” Mr Katter stands in solidarity with the employees and the unions, and believes it’s only fair to increase wages in line with the rising cost of living. “Is Qantas so blasé about this strike because they’re looking for another reason to ship more Australian jobs overseas?” Mr Katter questioned. “Delays are now so consistent and predictable, there’s no doubt in my mind there’s something serious going wrong. The Qantas board is a national disgrace – this constant corporate greed is enough to make you sick. Sack them now.” —ENDS—

Bob Katter

MEMBER FOR KENNEDY