Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has asked a question of the Treasurer in Parliament today regarding the lack of focus in this year’s budget.

He highlighted that the real issues for Aussies doing it tough, will not be addressed and the hip pocket will be severely affected by the budget revelations tonight.

Mr Katter’s question raises the issue of rising costs to basic goods and services such as electricity, petrol, housing, food and the Government’s failure to address these issues in the current budget.

Mr Katter asked the Treasurer, “Can he explain why these, the real issues, are not being addressed in this budget?

“Household electricity prices over nine years of corporatisation have soared from $860 to $2100 since 1995."

Mr Katter has fought long and hard in Parliament and is vehemently opposed to the privatisation and corporatisation of the people’s assets.

Mr Katter’s question to the Treasurer comes at a time when the costs of electricity for the average household in Queensland has increased by 150 per cent and coincides with the recent sacking of 450 workers from the privatised Aurizon (formerly QR National) in Redbank and Townsville.

These latest Aurizon job losses follow previously announced job cuts in North Queensland.

“Petrol prices, following the refusal to mandate ethanol, soar 50 per cent above prices in Brazil and America,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter has been a vocal supporter for the ethanol industry and has stated rising fuel costs could be reduced if Australia would mandate ethanol.

Mr Katter also highlighted the rising land and food prices in Australia, whilst farmers continue to get a pittance.

“Whilst with the world’s cheapest land, Australia pays the world’s highest housing prices. With farm incomes falling disastrously, food prices rise and rise,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter introduced into the Parliament the Constitutional Corporations (Farm Gate to Plate) Bill 2011 requiring the grocery retailers to display the average annual farm gate price received by farmers for produce next to the retail price.

“The supermarket giants need to explain to consumers why they are paying so much, when the people that actually grow the food, year in year out, are struggling to make a living,” said Mr Katter.

Mr Katter is pessimistic that tonight’s budget will actually reduce the costs of living for everyday Australians.

QUESTION WITHOUT NOTICE TO TREASURER JOE HOCKEY

“Question to the Treasurer, household electricity prices over nine years of corporatisation have soared from $860 to $2100 since 1995.

Petrol prices, following the refusal to mandate ethanol, soar 50 per cent above prices in Brazil and America.

Whilst with the world’s cheapest land, Australia pays the world’s highest housing prices.

With farm incomes falling disastrously, food prices rise and rise.

Can he explain why these, the real issues, are not being addressed in this budget.”