Media Release

KAP Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter is, like many other Australians paying careful attention to the development of Cyclone Debbie expected to cross the coast at Ayr, just south of Mr Katter’s electorate sometime this coming Tuesday. Cyclone Debbie is predicted to be a Category 4 when it crosses the coast.

Mr Katter says he’s contacted the Government at the “highest level” and asked for Casevac helicopters and sought assurances of the Australian Defence Force’s availability to provide assistance post Cyclone Debbie.

Mr Katter said, “We’ve also been in touch with KAP State Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth and we’ve been advised that he’s contacted the responsible State Ministers and I understand he'll be in communication with the Premier early tomorrow morning.

“In floods, there is grave danger from snakes and unfortunately crocs…but in any event, there is a much higher likelihood of nefarious accidents and there can be immense danger inside a damaged house.

“Brave tropical Nth Qld has taken the worst that nature could throw at us but we’re tough and we intend to get through it that again.

“Once again we will stand at our posts, shoulder our arms and face the worst.

“The State Government promised us a cyclone shelter at Cardwell that’s never materialised. There is a thinking ‘oh it won’t happen again’, well this is a few short years later and it is happening again, or close enough to it anyway.”

Mr Katter will be following up the State’s promise for a cyclone shelter this week.

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