Media Release

Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has today called on the Federal Government to extend some of its $5,000 million earmarked for development of North Australia – to save the fledging Yabulu Nickel Refinery in North Townsville.

“The Liberals can find $5,000 million for the development of Northern Australia – well the closure of the Nickel Refinery will be a mortal blow for Northern Australia.

“When it was scheduled for closure last time no one came forward to buy it – but Clive Palmer, whatever else might be said of him, took a great risk and showed great foresight in buying it.

“He made a lot of money out of it, but the mining game is such that you make money and you lose money.

“And the truly worrying thing is that last time there was no other interest in the Nickel Refinery.

“The Government is prepared to spend $5,000 million looking after their rich corporates – that’s seems to be all they’ll ever look after.

“I’m sure they can bring a little bit of that money across to help out the refinery and the people of Townsville,” Mr Katter said.

It has been estimated that anywhere from 800 to 3,000 families could be impacted if the refinery were to close.