Media Release

Today the Federal Government is expected to announce $42.6m for the Hann Highway. KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter and KAP State Member for Mount Isa have had a tip off the Federal Government will today announce the funding. Both Katters have fought long and hard for the Hann Highway and are pleased with the announcement, yet cautious of its timing.

Bob Katter said, “the Hann is one of the most vital connections in Australia and it has been reduced to a bit of politician’s pre-election promises.

“As an election campaign announcement, we don’t have any guarantee that we’re going to get it now.

“And in any event, the LNP had three years in which to do - it if they were in anyways fair-dinkum. The Government is more interested in politics than delivering a result.”

Rob Katter will be following up with the State Government to secure its portion of the funding:

“Finally the Feds come to the table with some money for the Hann Highway. Something my Father and myself have been pushing for over a very long time. Meeting after meeting and countless deputations to Ministers, its wonderful news for a national project that we’ve fought for so long.

“We’ve got a promise of money coming in from the State and now we’ve got the announcement from the Feds.

“Finally we can put some money into a vital artery that will deliver development and cheaper transport costs not only to the areas of North Qld, but throughout all of Australia for having a fast network for all of the produce going from Far North Qld to the rest of Australia. I’ll be following up with the State to deliver a guarantee of its part of the funding.”

Bob Katter has listed the benefits of the Hann Highway.

“Finishing the Hann Highway will provide an inland route linking Cairns to Melbourne, saving approximately 750km off the trip,” Bob Katter said.

“It will ensure that North Queensland’s products from places like Mareeba and the Atherton Tablelands, whether fruit and vegetables or cattle, gets down to the southern markets faster.

“It will be an alternate road to the Coastal (Bruce) Highway when it floods, which happens at least once each year, which will ensure continued access to markets year round.

“It will allow road trains to travel the entire distance without needing to unhook their trailers, drastically reducing cost, maintenance, fuel and fatigue management.

“It will save both in terms of fuel footprint and the increasing cost of congestion, maintenance and upgrade on the Coastal (Bruce) Highway.

Bob Katter has reflected this morning on the community who have been tirelessly working to deliver the Hann Highway:

“We thank all the locals who have been hammering and fighting for this, these are the people that deserve the credit. I’d have to single out Greg Jones, the former Mayor of Flinders Shire Council and the retired Etheridge Mayor, Will Attwood. Trent Twomey and Stewart Smith at Advance Cairns have worked tirelessly for this. As has Russell Lethbridge from the Hann Highway Action Group, Les Carter from the Hughenden Chamber of Commence and Ms. Murphy from the Hughenden Hann Highway Committee”, said Bob Katter.

Should the tip off of the funding announcement today not eventuating, then both Bob Katter and Rob Katter call on the Government to answer the great need as soon as possible and explain to the people of North West Queensland why it is not being funded.

Collective and individual lobbying actions by Bob Katter and Rob Katter:

Consistent media pressure on State and Federal Governments to fund the Hann Highway;

July 2014 – addressing North Queensland community member at Oak Park (near Mt Surprise) to advocate for Hann Highway;

February 2015 - A key KAP policy priorities in the 2015 State ‘Hung Parliament’ negotiations;

March 2015 – Regional Roads Forum in Hughenden – Hann Highway identified as number one priority;

Driving the Hann Highway to inspect the funding need; and

Numerous liaisons with the Hann Highway Action Group, Hughenden Chamber of Commerce and local Councils;

Numerous meetings with respective State and Federal Ministers;

Together with Advance Cairns, Townsville Enterprise and Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone (MITEZ) putting pressure on Government to fund the Hann Highway

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