Media Release

On the eve of speaking to growers in the affected area of Mareeba, “disappointed” was how Federal Member for Kennedy and KAP Leader Bob Katter today described his view on the Courier Mail’s headline concerning the second reported case of Panama disease tropical race 4 in North Queensland.

“We’re very disappointed in the headline of the Courier Mail, my own personal view is that we can and will eradicate this disease. We’ve been told that we can’t, but we were told that with black sigatoka,” Mr Katter said.

“There needs to be a greater sense of responsibility in media headlines. If you boost sales and lose your immortal soul, I’d say you’ve got a pretty bad deal.

“Quite frankly, there are two small farms where there is an infestation and whilst I don’t want to underplay the serious potential for one of Australia’s major remaining agricultural industries, this sure ain’t yet Armageddon, or ‘banana-geddon’ as the Courier Mail sensationally put it.

“Instead of predicting the demise of yet another Australian industry, media headlines would be far better and more appropriately directed at the Governments that have allowed foreign food stuffs into Australia carrying varying diseases that attack not only our commercial crops, but also our native flora and fauna.

“This disease only attacks a particular plant and I emphasise it is only dangerous to the industry, it is not remotely dangerous to humans.

“That is, unless it precipitates bananas being brought in from overseas that will be harmful for humans.

“And that’s where a lot of the free market fundamentalists in Canberra are headed. They’re dangerous people and there’s no doubt in my mind they’re beating this up in an effort to free up the market for foreign imports.”

Mr Katter said he’d be making a further statement early next week after his visit to Mareeba over the weekend.