Media Release

01 March 2018: Federal Member for Kennedy Hon Bob Katter slammed the Prime Minister in Question Time today asking when the ALP/LNP will leave the fantasy land of the ‘Sydney Suits’ and realise the ‘Struggle Street’ caused by free market fundamentalist.

The fiery session began with Mr Katter questioning what free trade has done for – or rather done to – Australia. Tensions soared as Mr Katter announced facts to back his claim of how free trade has destroyed Australian jobs, and asked when the ALP/LNP would realise the struggle they’ve imposed on Australians.

“Could you advise what free marketing has done for - or rather to - Australia?
Are you aware that the ALP/LNP free marketing of wool is 68% and a $16b loss, gas – sold offshore for 6c and now onshore we pay $16, that’s a $23b loss, motor vehicle industry another $21b gone, petrol (instead of ethanol) $19b loss, Galilee Coal Railline $12b. That’s just five items equalling a $91b a year loss.

“When will you and the ALP leave the fantasy land of the ‘Sydney Suits’ and realise the ‘Struggle Street’ you’ve imposed on Australians?” Mr Katter asked.

It is not the first time Mr Katter has spoken on free trade this month; he ferociously delivered a message during the first week of Parliament, a video which has now gone “viral” online.

“What are the facts about our free-trade deals? The last one was with the United States. They wanted pharmaceuticals and they wanted phytosanitary quarantine removed. That was what they wanted. According to the Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian newspapers, we wanted dairy, beef and sugar.

“Did they get what they wanted? Yes. They got an open-door policy virtually for pharmaceuticals and for phytosanitary requirements quarantined. We have a board now which consists of half United States and half Australia. We pleaded with them not to allow the prawns in. If you allow prawns in, you will get white spot. Well, we got white spot, citrus canker, Panama disease, black sigatoka and papaya fruit fly. Our phytosanitary requirements are an absolute joke.
“What did the free-trade deal do for us? $91b a year gone,” Mr Katter said.

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