Bob Katter

"I've got to pay credit to the government here," Mr Katter said. "They've moved against going cashless and they've moved against the closure of regional banks. "Though there's probably been more closures in the outer suburbs than the towns and regions. People think this is an issue for the bush, but the outer suburbs have done worse off than us. "So yes, we have to praise the government for this initiative. As well as all those who rose up in righteous anger over the closures – just as they did for the cashless proposals. "But, while this provides temporary relief, it is not enough. We can't keep kicking the can down the road. We need bold action to secure regional banking services for the future." The Katter's Australian Party (KAP) has long advocated for banking services in regional Australia, where communities face significant barriers to accessing essential services. In 2023, the KAP's state and federal MPs successfully pressured one of the big four to reverse regional branch closures. Mr Katter has a long history with the banks, being one of two ministers responsible for the success of the State Bank of Queensland (SBQ) and the Queensland Industry Development Corporation (QIDC). "In Australia, we have this thing called recourse lending. If you go broke, not only have you lost your house and the money you put into it, but for the rest of your life, you will carry that debt on your back, and the banks will hound you until the day you die. But, if it's a peoples' bank, then I am confident that would not occur." The Member for Kennedy has previously called for establishing a true government-owned or postal bank, which would be a reliable option for Australians in regional and remote areas. "This is not just about preventing closures; it's about creating a system that works for everyone, no matter where they live. There are solutions; we just need the political will to make them happen. "Now, we've got to ask ourselves, why are the banks scared of a peoples' owned bank?" KAP Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter welcomed the government's intervention but cautioned it's only one part of the solution. "The Federal Government's assurance the banks will be forced to maintain their bricks and mortar presence in rural and remote communities is welcome, but it's only one piece of the puzzle. What's the use of a bank branch being open in Cloncurry or Normanton if, when people walk in there to get a loan for a home or a business, they have the city-centric bank's lending appetite stacked against them?" Mr Katter said. "By their very nature, private banks lend only on the basis that the risk they absorb will pay off in profits to their shareholders; they have no other motivation or obligation. "A public bank - which we know can be physically facilitated through the Australia Post network that already functions partly as a bank, though not a lender, through its Bank@Post services - would be able to prioritise the Australian people who live in the non-urban places that the private banks pass over time and time again." ENDS

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, is urging state and federal governments to take immediate action to protect North Queensland from the continued devastating impacts of flooding. At a press conference with Anthony Albanese and David Crisafulli, Mr Katter emphasised the urgent need for strategic infrastructure projects to safeguard the region's future and reduce preventable fatalities. "The Prime Minister and Premier are dead right, we keep doing this all the time," Katter said. "Please can we divert the Upper Herbert? If we divert the Upper Herbert, this doesn't happen." Katter highlighted the critical situation, pointing out that half a million people live north of Townsville and are regularly trapped due to road closures along both coastal and inland routes. "People are fighting for food... having to get it flown in. They are scared that they'll have no food on their plates, and some will go hungry during this time. "This is Australia in 2025 and still nothing is getting done."

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, believes that common sense has prevailed as the federal government today announced the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been called in to deliver temporary repairs to the Ollera Creek Bridge - reinstating the now-cut Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham. After calling on the federal government to deploy the ADF to assist with the bridge's restoration and resumption of vital traffic flow, Mr Katter publicly shared his thanks. "We thank the Prime Minister for his urgent intervention to ensure the ADF have been deployed to provide immediate temporary repair of the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek, reconnecting our northern flood-ravaged communities," Mr Katter said. "We are deeply appreciative – after phoning all day yesterday and today – the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, are intervening in this matter," Mr Katter said. Continuing, Mr Katter said, “however, we MUST ensure that any temporary solution allows the passage of heavy vehicles that are essential to get our produce to southern markets and restock our northern communities.” Mr Katter believes it is critical in significant weather events that all authorities work together to fast-track what is often an extensive, arduous recovery process for people who are already going through a nightmare-ish experience. "We hope this will open up the road almost immediately to Ingham – where there's been what has been described as near-rioting as they've tried to ration food out in the supermarkets in Ingham. "There's also some serious worries about the Abergowrie school where some 60 pupils from Cape York are dealing with a serious lack of supplies. "There are many stories like this, proving this bridge needs attention NOW and we are deeply appreciative of the immediate action by the federal government on this problem." Mr Katter confirmed that his staff have been fielding calls from concerned residents (and their family members) as those in outlying communities remain without electricity, running water and food provisions. "My team and I are working hard to assist in managing this continuously evolving situation however we can," Mr Katter said. "If your situation is dire – please – call the SES, and if you're in an emergency, call triple zero. Keep an eye on your neighbours and have grace for each other. "We will continue to work closely with local disaster management groups, Councils, residents and other stakeholders to provide whatever assistance we can." ENDS

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, has spoken to the Prime Minister tonight to inform him of the unprecedented situation in north Queensland following the severe flooding event, with the destruction of the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek Bridge cutting off a critical transport link between Townsville and the northern communities. Mr Katter has also urged Prime Minister Albanese to deploy the Australian Army to assist with the bridge's restoration and ensure traffic flow resumes as soon as possible. "I have spoken to the Prime Minister tonight and advised him of the situation. The Emergency Management Minister, Jenny McAllister, has also been informed. "The army has the resources and capability to ensure that the bridge can be restored to a point where it can take traffic almost immediately," Mr Katter said. "We've asked the Prime Minister to direct the army to step in now—we desperately need their cooperation and help – especially in the immediate situation. We've also requested they activate disaster funding and throw their full weight behind the clean-up and rebuild. "This cut bridge is at a critical location on the Bruce Highway with no suitable alternate routes available, apart from a sub-standard, inland goat track adding hundreds of kilometres to the journey south. Unless immediate action is taken, severe shortages are likely as fresh produce cannot be transported to southern markets, and goods and services cannot be transported north to communities across the Cassowary Coast, Cairns, Atherton Tablelands, Gulf and Cape. "If there are problems, please get in touch with Mayor Ramon Jayo of Hinchinbrook Shire Council, KAP State Member for Hinchinbrook, Nick Dametto, or my office. Nick and Ramon are doing a marvellous job, and I'm sure that Ramon has been assured through Nick that he has a pathway to the Premier, just as I have assured him that he has a pathway to the Prime Minister," Mr Katter said. Mr Katter also called on the Prime Minister to make a statement regarding the cyclone reinsurance pool, ensuring that insurance companies do not exploit the situation. "Insurance agencies need to know they're under the spotlight here, and we are watching them closely. We need to make sure that insurers have been granted access to the cyclone reinsurance pool for the situation in Ingham, ensuring they stand by their commitments. "I spit on the insurance companies—except for Sure Insurance and Allianz, who I am told are doing the right thing. Any attempt to exploit this disaster through unfair pricing will be called out," Mr Katter warned. "I will also be watching Coles and Woolworths very closely to ensure they don't take advantage of North Queenslanders. "Any profiteering—whether by big retailers or insurance companies—will be exposed, and I will make no apologies for ensuring the public knows exactly who is taking advantage of this crisis," he said. Mr Katter has also submitted official correspondence to the Minister for Emergency Management and the Prime Minister requesting their support in the aftermath of the flood event. In his letter, Mr Katter said, "The economic and social consequences of this disruption cannot be overstated. Towns such as Ingham, Cardwell, and Lucinda have suffered extensive damage, including severe beach erosion, road failures requiring immediate remediation, destruction of homes, and the loss of businesses' ability to operate. The clean-up effort will be monumental, and without immediate financial support, these communities will struggle to recover. We urgently request the federal government's full backing in rebuilding and recovery efforts. We call on you to: Activate the Category D Disaster grants. Provide immediate emergency financial relief for families displaced by the disaster. Establish a dedicated federal funding package for businesses that will struggle to operate due to infrastructure failures and flood damage. Prioritise rapid reconstruction of the Bruce Highway at Ollera Creek Bridge to restore vital transport links. Ensure affected towns receive sufficient cash flow to sustain daily commerce and recovery efforts. Allocate federal disaster recovery funding specifically for Ingham, Cardwell, and Lucinda, ensuring these towns are not overlooked in favour of larger regional centres." ENDS

PROUD Australian and Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, yesterday declared his first action in Parliament for 2025 would be the Allegiance to Australia Bill. In the media release [1] , Mr Katter noted a Department of Home Affairs decision to remove Australian flags from all buildings. To clarify, "the Department of Home Affairs issued instructions to remove all Australian flags for the official photos of all senior staff," Mr Katter said. This was the subject of an article in The Australian [2] and raised in a Senate hearing [3] last year. Mr Katter seriously questioned this decision made by a senior bureaucrat. "They are public servants, paid using our taxes, not wanting association with our flag," said Mr Katter. "Seriously, what kind of tax-payer funded government workforce are we allowing?" 

From national supermarkets refusing to stock Australia Day merchandise to government departments banning any display of the flag, Mr Katter said that the nation has been led down a dark path by minority interest groups. "The Department of Home Affairs issued instructions that there will be no Australian flags in any of their buildings," Mr Katter said, referring to actions taken by the federal government department late last year. "Enough is enough, can you believe an Australian government department stifling patriotism? We are Australian. We are allowed to be proud," Katter declared. Mr Katter, who "celebrates Australia Day every day", plans to bring the Allegiance to Australia Bill 2025 to Parliament at the earliest possible opportunity. "We are moving legislation – the Allegiance to Australia Bill. You will take the pledge of allegiance to Australia, or your federal funding will be withdrawn. "Every public servant that gets their money off the Australian people – not by growing a crop or raising a cow – is to pledge allegiance. "If you are not proud and not prepared to have allegiance to this country, then you shouldn't be working for the Australian public service," Katter insisted. 

Katter's Australian Party (KAP) Federal Member Bob Katter has today acknowledged the federal government's efforts in providing an additional $20 million for the On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) but has emphasised that while this initiative is a step in the right direction, it falls far short of addressing the fundamental issues facing farmers in rural and regional Australia. "While I certainly commend Minister Rowland for recognising the importance of connectivity and investing in this ag-tech program, the truth is this is only part of the solution. We need to ensure that all farmers, particularly in remote areas, have access to reliable telecommunications and infrastructure across the board," Mr Katter said. "I've had a constituent case recently where this person lives on an isolated cattle station with no service and no ability to call emergency services. Had this program been operating at the time, and the station had proper service, then perhaps her husband may not have lost his life." Mr Katter also reiterated his longstanding opposition to the privatisation of Telstra, highlighting the continuing challenges it poses for rural Australians. "Telstra should never have been privatised. In a perfect world, reliable phone lines and internet access would be as basic as water and power. Unfortunately, under the privatised system, that's not always the case for farmers in places like Julia Creek or stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria," he said. "Anyone who thinks that when Mary Murgatroyd's phone breaks down in Julia Creek, she'll get it fixed quickly under the current system is kidding themselves. If we're serious about supporting our farmers and rural communities, we need to rethink the privatisation of our telecommunications network. Essential services like telecommunications should never be sold off." Mr Katter said it was essential that Telstra honour its Universal Service Obligation (USO) and the legislation supporting it be amended to guarantee farmers and regional Australians receive the service they deserve. "It is high time we put the USO back at the forefront of telecommunications policy. We need clear and definitive legislation to ensure Telstra is compelled to honour the USO and provide reliable, accessible service for all Australians—no matter how remote they are," Mr Katter said. He pointed out that while programs like the OFCP help improve connectivity for ag-tech solutions, farmers still face significant hurdles in accessing basic services such as reliable phone and internet connections, which are essential not only for business but also for emergencies. "We're seeing real benefits from this program, and I don't want to downplay that. But what's needed alongside it is a government that prioritises the basics—whether it's ensuring we have enough water for irrigation, energy for operations, or phone lines that can stay connected in weather events or a piece of equipment goes down," Mr Katter said. Mr Katter said that he would continue to put pressure on the government to continue improving telecommunications across rural Australia, alongside their work on programs like the OFCP. Applications for Round 3 of the OFCP will open in 2025, with grant funding to be delivered in 2025-26. Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program is also now open. Mr Katter is seeking constituents to advise him of their black spots before February 7. ENDS

KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter has cautiously welcomed the news of the Prairie Wind Farm gaining EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) approval, noting that its progress and alignment with North Queensland’s CopperString 2.0 will carry with it growth and ongoing investment with the mid-west communities. He said that while his primary goal was to keep coal fired power in Australia, he understood the strategic importance this particular project had to CopperString and the Hughenden community. Windlab, the developer behind the Prairie Wind Farm, has told Mr Katter’s office that the EPBC approval was a major milestone for the North Queensland and that situated in the Flinders Shire, project will power one in every six Queensland homes. “It cannot be over emphasised that existing coal fired power stations must be kept in the mix but the Prairie Wind Farm’s location in Hughenden is a better example of how renewable energy projects should be done but we’ve seen plans for wind farms on the coast and in the wet tropics, and it’s nothing short of madness,” he said. “These are areas of incredible natural beauty and biodiversity, and they should not be turned into industrial wastelands. North Queensland has no shortage of remote, wind-rich locations like Hughenden that are far better suited for this kind of development. “The area’s remote location and high, consistent wind speeds make it a far more suitable site for a wind farm. This is exactly the kind of investment that is enabled by CopperString, which will unlock North Queensland’s vast mining and energy resources and position north Queensland as a powerhouse for Australia.” Mr Katter praised the Flinders Shire Council for their advocacy to ensure the Windlab development brings with it the economic and social infrastructure to support the growth of the whole region. “The Council has done a wonderful job working with Windlab to ensure the project fosters growth in the region and we throw our full support behind them in their pursuit to see improvements to road, housing and services in the town as part of the project’s influence.” Mr Katter also said he supported Flinders Shire Council’s push for a Community Benefit Royalty Framework. “This framework will ensure that communities impacted by CopperString and the projects connected to it receive an additional, consistent source of revenue,” Mr Katter said. “It’s vital that local governments and communities are engaged in decision-making processes and that investors understand the importance of sharing the benefits of these developments. This approach will help strengthen the towns and regions that are driving Australia’s energy future.” The CopperString 2.0 project, a 1,100-kilometre transmission line linking Mount Isa to the national electricity grid, will provide the infrastructure needed to harness the region’s renewable energy resources, including wind and solar farms. Mr. Katter reiterated his strong support for the project, which he says will transform the region’s economy. “CopperString is the largest infrastructure spend ever committed to in this state outside of Brisbane, and its successful delivery is essential to providing for the future of all of regional Queensland,” Mr Katter said. “David Crisafulli has promised over and over again he’s building CopperString but Powerlink needs to get moving, the world is waiting for Powerlink. “It will connect these renewable energy projects to the national grid, ensuring reliable and affordable power for our industries and communities. “Hughenden is setting the gold standard, and it’s a model we should follow moving forward, be it energy projects, mining or dams.” ENDS

The Growing Regions and Housing Support grant programs are available to shire councils. The successful grant recipients for Round Two of the Growing Regions Program are: • Boulia Shire Council was awarded $10.42 million for their Shire Community Hub, which replaces outdated and dispersed accommodation with a fit-for-purpose, multipurpose Hub featuring a multimedia library and resource centre, a post office and flexible spaces for visiting officials, commercial leases and cultural displays. Boulia Shire Mayor Eric Britton said, "The approved funding for the Boulia Shire Community Hub will be a gamechanger in council enthusiasm and productivity. It will be the centrepiece of Boulia. We commend the support given to rural and regional Queensland." • Burke Shire Council received $4.1 million for their Burketown Health and Wellbeing Precinct Stage 1 - Splash Park and Playground, including an amenities block. Mayor of Burke Shire Council, Ernie Camp, said, "The kids and community will really benefit from this project. The chlorinated water will really help with mobility health issues as well. Hopefully the pool in stage 2 will be approved as well." • Cloncurry Shire Council received just under $6 million for the Scarr Street Revitalisation Project and CBD upgrade, which will see upgrades and enhancements to footpaths, parking, stormwater, kerb and channel, water and sewer, shade and shelter, landscape and irrigation, as well as artistic works. Mayor Greg Campbell said, "Always great to receive support from the federal government when the community is trying to build critical community infrastructure." • Flinders Shire Council received $1.796 million for the Showgrounds Development, featuring a new multipurpose recreational hall with office spaces, kiosk storage space, and public toilets. Mayor Kate Peddle said, "We are thrilled to receive funding of $1.796 million for Hughenden Showgrounds. This project, which includes a new workshop area, secretary's office, kiosk, and storage area, marks a significant upgrade to our current facilities—a heartfelt thank you to our community's champions. "As the name 'Growing Regions' suggests, we are indeed a region on the rise, thanks in part to innovative projects like the CopperString initiative. This grant allows us to continue this momentum, enriching the lives of our residents by ensuring we are maintaining and improving the facilities that support us. I sincerely thank Minister King and Mr Katter for their support of this project; you have our gratitude. "Our community thrives because of the tireless efforts of our volunteers who provide invaluable social and sporting opportunities. This grant is a testament to their hard work and dedication, ensuring they have the facilities needed to continue their amazing contributions. "This grant is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in the spirit of our community. It symbolises our commitment to supporting the volunteers who make Flinders Shire a vibrant and welcoming place to live." The successful grant recipients for Stream Two of the Housing Support Program are: • Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council received just under $19 million to construct a new sewerage pump station and rising main in Balamba. • Mornington Island Aboriginal Council received $1.8 million to construct road infrastructure to support the dwellings across two lots on Lardil Street, Gununa. • Cassowary Coast Regional Council also received $10.3 million to deliver trunk infrastructure works at Eaton Estate. In response to the grant wins, Mr Katter said small towns thrive off government grants and programs. "These are excellent grants – we really need them to get important community projects off the ground," he said. Mr Katter said the town of Richmond was one example of how the grants could provide significant social benefits to small communities. "A little tiny grant of $5,000 given to Richmond grew into a half-a-million-dollar leading interpretive Mesozoic museum in Kronosaurus Korner," he said. "It's terrific to see places like Hughenden, with a fresh council, fresh leadership, and exciting project opportunities, get such big wins so early into their new term. "So we congratulate all those in Council and in the communities who fought like tigers to get their community projects across the line." ENDS