Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter MP, today condemned the decision of the Queensland State Government not to provide any funding to the Mount Isa City Council through the Royalties for Regions Program.

“Mount Isa injects a massive amount of money into State Government coffers via royalties paid by companies and the State Government has wiped us like a dirty rag.

“The most royalties paid by any mining town in Queensland is Mount Isa, therefore the most royalties should come back to Mount Isa.

“It’s very simply, there is nothing complicated here. If we pay the highest royalties we should get most money back,” said Mr Katter.

Mr Katter leads a chorus of growing outraged opposition, including the State Member for Mount Isa Robert Katter and the former QLD Mines Minister and now Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady, at the Queensland Government’s incredulous decision to snub of the Mount Isa Region of much needed and well-deserved funding.

“Instead of repaying the people and companies of this resource-rich region, they have ignored and insulted us by dismissing our city council's bid for funds for essential infrastructure.

“The State Government thought it was far more important to give millions of dollars to fix a road near Caboolture, hardly a mining centre.

“Meanwhile, the significant pressure on Mount Isa's infrastructure due to mining activity is well documented and deserves support,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter was confounded by Mr Seeney’s attacks on himself and the Mayor for Mount Isa, Tony McGrady in Queensland State Parliament yesterday, when State Member for Mount Isa Robert Katter questioned why the city was overlooked for Royalties for the Regions funding.

“How it is the fault of the Federal Member of Parliament, that Mount Isa didn’t receive anything from the State operated Royalties to Regions Program is well beyond the realm of reason and sanity.

“How can I be held responsible or for that matter the Mayor of Mount Isa be held responsible, for the State Government not giving us grant monies?

“It is obvious that some towns that received money are simply mouth pieces for the LNP and were rewarded for that,” said Mr Katter.

Mr Katter said that he supported and offered his sincere congratulations to the Tablelands Regional Council, Cloncurry Shire Council and McKinlay Shire Council, which will share in approximately $6.6 million for four key projects.