Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter today asked a Question without Notice to the Prime Minister about the much touted plan for Northern Australia and $5000m Northern Development Fund, which three years later, still hasn’t delivered any funds to North Queensland.

Now, with an election on, the legislation for the $5000m fund was rushed through Parliament today. This, after three years of promises on the North Australia development funding.

“And now ‘panicked pre-election pork barreling’?,” Mr Katter asked the Prime Minister.

Mr Katter in his question to the Prime Minister outlined a number of North Queensland projects waiting for the promised funding.

“North QLD was promised $5 000 million in guaranteed loan and $500m for water:

The Hell’s Gate and Herbert River dams

Galilee railine

Qld Nickel

phosphate canal

Hann Highway.”

Mr Katter went on to state the benefits of investment in these projects to North Queensland.

“It will produce, “if Australian”:

$16, 000 million a year

taxation for retirees, struggling young familys, 150 000 jobs.

“But after 3 years, still not a cent of money committed. And now ‘panicked pre-election pork barreling’?,” Mr Katter asked.

The Prime Minister referred the question to the Minister for Water who went onto name the dam schemes not in North Queensland – the Ord river being developed by a Chinese corporation; Darwin Urban Supply – Port of Darwin is now owned by the Chinese; Rockwood, Eden Bann, Nathan Dam, all in Central Queensland; Mole River and Dungowan in NSW; and Wellington in WA.

In North Queensland the Minister for Water only mentioned two dams.

He mentioned Nullinga Dam which certainly will result ultimately in pumping costs being imposed upon Mareeba Farmers. The new farming areas are negligible, as it is an urban supply scheme to benefit Cairns. No Jobs will be created and the benefit will go to an LNP electorate.

Also mentioned was Urannah Dam, “a wonderful proposal but how do you explain its economies which cannot remotely compare to Hughenden, Herbert River and particularly Hells Gate dam - which his Government and the ALP Government both committed money too” Mr Katter stated.

“I tell you how you explain it - Nullinga and Urannah benefit two LNP electorates”

“I would not hesitate to build Urannah immediately, but it produces 25,000 hectares irrigation land. For the same price you get 120,000 hectares of irrigation with Hells Gate.

“Why would you make that decision? Blatant pork barrelling.

“It cost two National Party leaders their jobs and it seems they never learn. It is tragic the only time they every look at water, is to buy themselves votes. Shame!” Mr Katter said.