Read about Katter’s Australian Party’s media mentions and moments from this week, including from radio, newspaper and more.

KAP IN THE MEDIA THIS WEEK

Monday 2^nd July 2018

KAP MEDIA MENTIONS

Govt must accept full culpability, says MP – Herbert River Express

HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto says government policies to address crime are failing and that it is time to find out who was responsible. “Who picks up the pieces?

Katter Rebuked at Inquiry – North West Star

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has had a testy exchange with the federal banking inquiry commissioner in a hearing in Brisbane. Commissioner Kenneth Hayne was taking testimony on Tuesday about how farmers have been treated by financial services firms.

Give women tasers, mace to stop rape, senator says – Geraldton Guardian

A Queensland senator wants to arm Australian women with tasers, pepper spray and mace to defend themselves against would be rapists and murderers. Katter’s Australian Party Senator Fraser Anning moved a motion in the Senate last week calling on the Government to relax import laws for the weapons in response to horrific crimes against women.

Katter Query hits the mark – Sunshine Coast Daily

THEY were words that should have immediately triggered political responses that signalled to Australian voters they had been heard. Instead they lay muted by the confected outrage over wealth, class wars and the alleged politics of envy.

Poppies a Welcome Delivery – Innisfail Advocate

A SPECIAL delivery of 400 knitted poppies made by the Tully branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association warmed hearts in chilly Canberra this week. Kennedy MP Bob Katter handed over their handiwork to the director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson.

Support for Cull – Cairns Post

It’s time to shrink croc population MOST Far North Queenslanders support a cull of crocodiles, but the State Government says such drastic action could give the public a false sense of security and increase the risk of attacks.

Tuesday 3^rd July 2018

Human Lives Main Concern – Cairns Post

A HUMAN being is torn to death in one of the most cruel deaths known to man every seven or eight months in North Queensland. The number of deaths may be three-fold the registered deaths – because crocodiles don’t leave calling cards, people vanish without a trace. The official Katter’s Australian Party policy of the state members is for removal of all crocodiles from population centres. Now, I interpret that as the removal of all crocodiles between Sarina and Palm Cove. We have a number of crocodile farms that are most anxious to secure these crocodiles so we have somewhere for them to go immediately. Some of the big old rogues might have to be dispatched for the bleeding hearts club but crocodiles don’t think too much about dispatching us.

Receivers Confusion – Northern Miner

TRAEGER MP Robbie Katter has called for clarification on the banking Royal Commission after the Federal Treasurer contradicted the commission’s senior counsel. Mr Katter said clarification was needed on whether or not receivers would be captured in the terms of reference.

Katter seeks loans for farmers – Northern Miner

TRAEGER MP Robbie Katter has called for the state government to extend its residential solar loans scheme to provide no-interest loans for graziers to install solar pumps on their watering points. Mr Katter’s call comes after Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged families to apply for the government’s interest free loans to install solar power systems on their properties.

Croc Cull has clear support – Cairns Post

TO cull or not to cull? That is a question we asked our readers: do you support a cull of crocodiles? The response was an unequivocal 77 per cent.

Poppies delivered to Canberra – High Country Herald

Poppies delivered to Canberra This week, KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter delivered a parcel of 400 poppies to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. The handmade poppies were knitted by the Tully branch of the Queensland Country Women’s Association

TELEVISION

Southern Cross Cairns, , Cairns, Nine News Far North Queensland at 18:02

Woree man Errol Copley has reappeared in court. He was fined $500 for illegally catching and towing a crocodile with his ute. Copley and Katter Party’s Dan McCarthy were outside court today. Copley says he wants to use the case to bring attention to crocodile management.

 LETTERS

Remote housing ‘hypocrisy’ – Torres News

IT is very disappointing that the Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch and the Member for Cook Cynthia Lui are making a noise (only) now about the Aboriginal housing.

RADIO

ABC Capricornia, , Rockhampton, 07:30 News at 07:30, ABC Capricornia, , Rockhampton, 06:30 News at 06:30

Member for Traeger Robbie Katter calls on Qld Government to bring more renal dialysis treatment to regional Qld. Kidney Health Australia states the disease disproportionately affects Australians living outside major cities and about 80% of patients in remote areas have to move for treatment. Katter says its hard to determine how many people need treatment in rural aras. He states statistics and figures all say there are only four people in Charters Towers who require dialysis and 30 in Mt Isa, but they do not capture people that have moved away. Darren Amiguet has kidney disease and says he had to move to Rockhampton for treatment. The Qld Government says it is conducting a statewide review of renal dialysis treatment centres in regional Qld and an action plan is expected by the end of the year

Radio 4KZ, , Innisfail, 08:00 Rural Northern News at 08:02

A parcel of 400 poppies were given by Tully branch of the Qld Country Women’s Association to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Bob Katter, KAP leader and Federal Member for Kennedy delivered the parcel.

ABC Far North, , Cairns, 07:30 News at 07:33

According to the Katter’s Australian Party, the residential solo loan scheme could help graziers. The program offers a $4500 interest-free loans for the insulation of three-kilowatt household solar systems. MP Robbie Katter says remote graziers could use the scheme to replace diesel or petrol pumps for their watering points.

 ABC Western Queensland, , Longreach, 07:30 News at 07:32

Member for Traeger Robbie Katter says the extension of the solar loan scheme for off-the-grid graziers can be used to replace diesel or petrol pumps for the water points. Katter believes if will be beneficial for environmentalists, Qld taxpayers, and the producers.

ABC Western Queensland, , Longreach, 06:30 News at 06:31

Member for Traeger Robbie Katter calls for a solar loan scheme extension for graziers to help produce more cattle and revenue for the State. Katter says the Premier is pushing for the interest free loans for Qld to turn to renewable energy.

Wednesday 4^th July 2018

RADIO

4CA AM, , Cairns, John Mackenzie at 10:24

Interview with John Mondora, fishing writer. MacKenzie reports on the Cairn Post’s survey showing that most Far Northerns support a cull of a crocodile, but the State Government says such drastic action could give the public a false sense of security, ultimately increasing the risk of attacks. He says 77% of respondents to the survey are in favour of culling saltwater crocodiles under a Crocodile Management Plan, this is after some saltwater crocodiles were spotted in the freshwater swimming in Babinda and Kuranda. Brett Moller, Division 1 Councillor, says the results of the Post’s survey reflect the growing community angst over the perceived lack croc management in the region. Mondora cites the 77% responded to the survey as the ‘great unwashed’ majority. He says they have seen five crocodiles at a creek ranging from 1.5m to 5m. MacKenzie mentions the response of the State Environment Minister, saying it would give public a sense of security leading to complacency and increase risk of attacks. Mondora says the none of the locals are complacent about the matter

ABC North Queensland, , Townsville, Mornings at 09:35

Interview with Darren Amaguay(*), Dialysis patient by reporter Ollie Wykeham from ABC Western Qld. Toulson says there is currently a push from the Qld Government to provide more dialysis treatment in regional and remote towns. Wykeham says Amaguay has been diagnosed with kidney disease at 15yo and his kidneys failed at 30yo. Wyke adds Amaguay got a donor kidney 10 years ago but it failed in 2016 and he has not been in home since. Wykeham notes the closest renal unit to Amaguay’s hometown of Ilfracombe is nearly 800km in Rockhampton. Amaguay says his wife was told a [dialysis] unit will be put in Longreach and back then he thought it would be sooner but he still does not know how long it will take. Amaguay’s mother says there are lot of people needing the [dialysis] treatment there. Wykeham mentions Linda Picornia(*) who lives in Longreach and is now on 12% kidney function. He says Linda and her husband Neil are being told to move to Rockhampton where they have no family and friends. Neil Picornia says they have been living in Longreach for almost 15 years. Linda Picornia says she was born and grew up in Longreach. Wykeham then mentions Lachlan Millar, the State Member for [Gregory], is with the LNP Opposition. Millar says the cost [of dialysis] is important to consider, but they should consider more ensuring the people of Western Qld have the same medical support that people on the East Coast have. Robbie Katter, Qld Leader for Katter’s Australian Party and Member for Traeger says there needs to be support from the State Government so they can have such services in western areas. Dr David Mudge, Senior kidney specialist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Queensland says dialysis in general is a very expensive treatment and one patient on hemodialysis costs in Qld around $80000 per year. Wykeham says the Minister was contacted but declined comment. He notes in a statement, a Qld Health Spokesperson said decisions about future renal dialysis services will be informed by a statewide review of renal clinical services that is currently ongoing.

ABC North West Qld, , Mt Isa, Breakfast at 09:29

Pre-recorded interview with Rob Katter, Member for Traeger by Russel Varley, reporter, ABC about his call for the extension of the solar loans scheme to graziers. Katter says the Government should extend the scheme for cattle stations and off-the-grid rural properties which will be beneficial for environmentalists, Qld taxpayers, and the producers. He notes this will result in more cattle and revenue for the State. He notes more watering facilities can build the economy with diesel or petrol generator pumps can be replaced with solar which he’s told are less maintenance. Katter states he’s raised the topic many times with the Government and it’s frustrating it’s been announced without expanding to the rural areas. He notes some people are setting up the solar kits themselves. He says it’s probably politically worth a lot more if they keep pumping this up to the houses in Brisbane or the metropolitan areas. Katter states he’s spoken to producers including his friend in Mt Isa who say the solar pumps are less maintenance making the properties more productive while Government gets a win out of more solar energy being used instead of petrol or diesel.

ABC North West Qld, , Mt Isa, Breakfast at 08:33, ABC Capricornia, , Rockhampton, Breakfast at 07:24, ABC Western Queensland, , Longreach, Breakfast at 07:12

Report by Oli Wykeham. Darren Amiguai has been sick for nearly 30 years. He’s been diagnosed with kidney disease at 15. The closest renal unit to his hometown of Ilfracombe is nearly 800km away from Rockhampton. Despite moving two years ago, Amiguai has been unable to put down roots and make a home because the future of treatment for patients from the outback is unclear. The lack of clarity around the dialysis unit in Central Western Qld is frustrating for his mother Anne who makes a 16-hour round trip to Rockhampton once a month. Lindal Pacorney lives in Longreach and is now on 12% kidney function. Lindal and husband Neil are being told they have to move to Rockhampton where they have no family or friends. Lachlan Millar is the State Member for the electorate covering Longreach and he’s with the LNP Opposition. He says isolation is a huge issue for people from the West. State Leader for Katter’s Australian Party and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter says a lack of facilities is an issue for the entire centre of the state. Senior Kidney Specialist and University of Queensland’s Associate Professor of Medicine Dr David Mudge says the unit in the Central West is an unrealistic goal. In a statement, a Qld Health spokesperson said decisions about future renal dialysis services will be informed by a statewide review of renal clinical services that is currently underway.

Thursday 05^th July 2018

KAP MEDIA MENTIONS

Newly minted Katter Party Senator returns to Gladstone – Gladstone Observer

FRASER Anning wasn’t elected to the Australian Parliament in the most conventional manner – but these days few politicians are. The Queensland Senator, who owns a home in Gladstone, held the third spot on the One Nation ticket at the 2016 election.

KAP renews call for croc bill – North Queensland Register

AS THE judge hearing an appeal by police against a $500 fine imposed on Deeral farmer, Errol Copley, last week reserved his decision for one month, Katter’s Australian Party candidate for Leichhardt, Daniel McCarthy, renewed the party’s call for urgent action for community safety. “I sat beside Errol Copley in the Cairns court today, who was defending an appeal in the case of a fine for killing a crocodile. This presents as a ridiculous situation, where the government is…claiming the fine isn’t an adequate deterrent to stop people trying to defend themselves against being killed by a crocodile.” He said the government wanted to use Mr Copley as an example, saying the government had “failed miserably to deal with the explosion of crocodile numbers”.

Katter rebuke at inquiry – North Queensland Register

FEDERAL Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter had a testy exchange with the federal banking inquiry commissioner during its hearing in Brisbane last week. Commissioner Kenneth Hayne was taking testimony on Tuesday about how farmers have been treated by financial services firms.

Pleas for Turnbull on remote Queensland housing – Sydney Morning Herald (Online)

Pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to intervene amid a stalemate over funding for Indigenous housing in outback Queensland.

The $1.2 billion National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH) expired last Saturday despite Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk writing to the prime minister in March with the promise of $1.08 billion for the next 10 years.

A Queensland government spokesperson on Wednesday said they had made repeated approaches to the Turnbull government.

“We know the need in these communities is critical, not only to reduce overcrowding but to generate jobs and stimulate local economies,” the spokesperson said.

The Palaszczuk government allocated $239 million in its budget in June to keep projects running during ongoing negotiations with the Commonwealth, which did not include funding in its May budget.

A delegation of Indigenous mayors from Queensland met with federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion last week in a last-ditch lobbying effort to no avail.

Queensland Housing Minister Mick de Brenni also met with Senator Scullion last week.

“It was restated again at this meeting that the Commonwealth will exit the program for long-term funding for Queensland’s remote Indigenous communities,” the spokesperson said.

Outspoken federal MP Bob Katter and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council mayor Ross Andrews also joined the growing chorus of dissent in a joint press conference on Wednesday.

“Without housing in the community it causes a lot of issues around education, family violence, health, child safety and many other social determinants,” Mr Andrews said.

Atherton Lions welcomes new executive – Mareeba Express

Lions Club of Atherton and Atherton Lioness Club held their combined Changeover dinner on Tuesday 19 June 2018 at the Atherton International Club. Thirty five Lions, Lionesses and guests gathered to celebrate another successful year of fundraising for the local and wider community. Mayor Joe Paronella and Member for Hill, Shane Knuth, both Lions themselves, proposed and replied to the toast to Lions Clubs International.

TELEVISION

WIN Cairns, , Cairns, WIN News at 18:07, WIN Townsville, , Townsville, WIN News at 18:07

The Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Mayor Ross Andrews says the community is facing a homelessness crisis, urging state and federal governments to end the politics and cut a deal to ensure houses are given to those who need it most. The Commonwealth was funding new houses through the National Partnership Alliance and Remote Housing Program, which ended on the weekend. The Federal Government says Qld will receive $400m to continue building homes under a new program until December 2019. Both Andrews and Bob Katter believe accountability could be solved by letting local councils facilitate their housing scheme.

Southern Cross Cairns, , Cairns, Nine News Far North Queensland at 18:07

After an unsuccessful submission at the state level, Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter says he will write to Federal Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg over an ongoing bid to rehome a family of wallabies. It follows the release of distressing vide which shows the trapped marsupials hurling themselves against a chain link fence. Belinda Lees, Agile Wallaby Project, says getting attention at a national level is fantastic. Volunteers hope Katter’s involvement will kick the Federal Government into action. The Member for Barron River and the State Environment Minister were both contacted today but they declined to respond by deadline.

Seven Cairns, , Cairns, Seven Local News at 18:05

The State and Federal Governments are negotiating a last-minute deal to continue construction in Indigenous communities. They are blaming each other after a 10-year funding agreement for a remote housing scheme expired. [Kennedy MP] Bob Katter has slammed the Leichhardt MP, while Warren Entsch denies there’s a crisis.

WIN Cairns, , Cairns, WIN News at 18:04

Bob Katter has broken the silence on a disturbing video, showing Trinity Beach wallabies throwing themselves at a fence after becoming trapped in a Trinity Beach AFL ground. He says the State Government is not doing its job and the Federal Government now needs to intervene. Activist groups have been trying to relocate the Wallabies for some time and all applications have been rejected by the Department of Environment and Science. The department says they take the process very seriously and considers all applications with care.

RADIO

4CA AM, , Cairns, John Mackenzie at 09:46

Interview with Member for Traeger Rob Katter. MacKenzie recalls the article in the Cairns Post about the 77% response of Far North locals to cull crocodiles in the city but the Government says the drastic action would lead the public into believing a false sense of security. He adds, Division 1 Brett Moller said the results from the Post reflects the growing community angst over a perceived lack of crocodile management in the region. He notes another article in the Post today about TTNQ’s chairwoman Wendy Morris saying targeting culling of crocodiles in the Far North should be allowed to protect people. Member for Traeger Rob Katter says the 77% figure is a significant breakthrough for getting any sort of issue and notes he’s still seething about the Minister’s reply about the culling giving a false sense of security. He notes the pressure on the local MPs because they need better management, especially in the most populated areas. He mentions there are currently four members who feel strongly about this issue in the next Parliament. MacKenzie mentions John Mandura(*) used an analogy about a South African Government who wouldn’t respond to calls from residents of Johannesburg about lion’s walking up and down the main street. Katter mentions about businesses in Innisfail closing down because they can’t go underwater. MacKenzie asks if what are their plans for the next election. Katter says they’ve spoken to a couple of their prospects in the Cook Shire but he notes it’s not about winning but to enforce change. MacKenzie notes there was a lot of confusion in crocodile police he discussed with the Shadow Minister before the last election. He says it was Steve Dickson who spoke about the issue instead of One Nation Pauline Hanson where he said he supports their cause. MacKenzie brings up TTNQ’s chairwoman Wendy Morris about wanting better crocodile management because the crocodiles are threatening the tourism industry. Katter commends Morris’ comment about the Government’s position and it’s time to act or else more businesses would close down.

Radio 4KZ, , Innisfail, 08:00 Rural Northern News at 08:02

A decision has been made on the future of new marine facilities at Mission Beach after the approval of the Clump Point Boating Infrastructure Project. The Department of Transport and Main Roads has been given permission by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to upgrade the boating facilities. KAP Member for Hill Shane Knuth says the hard work of the Mission Beach community has finally paid off.

 Friday 06^th July 2018

KAP MEDIA MENTIONS

Katter officially opens Charters Towers office – Northern Miner

A LARGE group gathered to congratulate the Member for Traeger Robbie Katter at the official opening of his Charters Towers office on Monday. Mr Katter was forced to close his second office in Cloncurry and relocate it to Charters Towers earlier this year following drastic electoral boundary changes that came in to force after the 2017 Queensland election.

Calls for unity over organ donation – Northern Miner

THE state’s political leaders have been invited to join together for a press conference to raise awareness around organ and tissue donation. State Leader of the KAP and Member for Traeger Robbie Katter said he had written to the Premier and Leader of the Opposition and the cross benchers to invite them to join him for the special press conference.

Katter plea for organ donors – Cairns Post

TRAEGER MP Robbie Katter has invited the State’s political leaders to unite with him to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. The Katter’s Australian Party politician has asked Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, opposition leader Deb Frecklington and crossbenchers to join him for a press conference about the issue in August.

Bob wrote a prawno – The Australian

On a political-metaphor level, the closest we come in this country to someone being torn to pieces by a crocodile is Bob Katter in a bad mood. Following an ABC Four Corners’ report into the white spot disease devastating the prawn industry, he has gone berserk, delivering a furypowered crustacean dissertation yesterday that is a masterclass in escalation. Step one: “It was a subject of my fury. Anyone who knew anything about it said that if you import the prawns, you will get white spot.” Then this episode of Bob Wrote a Prawno steps up: “I just pray that we see some industry groups get together and sue individually and collectively the ministers, the government and the public servants that have been responsible for the grossest irresponsibility.” But, as Bachman Turner Overdrive sang in 1974, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Stand back in awe as Katter opens a mighty, terrible vortex into the entirety of human history and casts the bums straight into it: “They stand up there with the Byzantine traitor who opened the gate to allow the Ottoman Turks into Constantinople, the greatest city and centre of Christianity in Europe. You are right up there with them.” So, any questions?

Robbie Katter calls out prickly acacia funding issue – Stock & Land (online)

KAP state leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has said understaffing and insufficient government funding is at the heart of Queensland’s worsening prickly acacia problem.

The scourge of the introduced weed has been described as a “cancer in our landscape” that could destroy the productivity of local Mitchell grass downs.

Mr Katter called out the disparity in funding between Natural Resource Management groups across the state after learning only seven people were on hand to address the problem in the north west.

In Parliament Mr Katter asked the Minister for Natural Resources, Energy and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham why Southern Gulf Catchments, which oversees an area of 216,000km2 and tackles the Prickly Acacia problem, was staffed by so few people.

Too little is being done to address this weed crisis – Robbie Katter

In comparison Natural Resource Management group NQ Dry Tropics covers just 126,000km2 (including 12,000km2 of sea) and has a staff of 43.

In his Question on Notice Mr Katter asked if the Minister would acknowledge this disparity and address the funding shortfall that is seriously threatening the sustainability of the Southern Gulf Catchments Natural Resource Management group and some of the critical activities they perform.

In his reply Dr Lynham said the NQ Dry Tropics and Southern Gulf were two of 14 NRM regional bodies across Queensland funded until 2022 in the Natural Resource Investment Program.

“Funding under the program is focused on achieving measurable natural resource outcomes aligned to the priorities within the respective regions,” Dr Lynham said.

“The disparity in total funding may arise from the ability of the regional bodies to attract funding from other sources such as the Commonwealth Government.”

Dr Lynham said it was up to each NRM group to make project applications targeted to the needs of their regions.

Mr Katter said the Government had not addressed the issue.

“I raised this matter out of dire concern that too little is being done to address this weed crisis, which is costing the state’s agricultural industry $4 billion each year,’’ he said.

Prickly acacia is native to the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Pakistan, India and Myanmar.

It was first imported into Australia as a shade and fodder tree.

It now prospers along water courses and out-competes native plants.

It is distributed from the New South Wales border, through Queensland, and across the Northern Territory to Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

The story Robbie Katter calls out prickly acacia funding issue first appeared on North Queensland Register.

Nick Dametto says: ‘sue the government’ over crime failure – Townsville Bulletin/Adelaide Now (Online)

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto says government policies to address crime are failing and that it is time to find out who is responsible.

“Who picks up the pieces? The taxpayer. Right now, every time the legislation fails to protect the community, the taxpayer foots the bill,” the Katter’s Australian Party politician said.

Mr Dametto, speaking to the Herbert River Express after a string of burglaries in Ingham, said that small businesses targeted by criminals were suffering from the cost of stolen items, vandalised properties, wasted time, stress and insurance hikes.

“And when they do claim insurance, there are shortfalls in what the items are actually worth and what they are getting paid out.”

He said there were grounds to investigate whether the government was responsible for the mess.

“I’d love for a lawyer to grab a hold of this and do a class-action lawsuit against the government.”

KAP are pushing for a youth relocation sentencing policy, which would see young offenders sent to remote locations to work on the land and learn life skills.

Don’t come the raw prawn with me! Katter calls out Ag Minister as white spot continues to decimate – Media Releases

It’s the principle of it www.ausparty.org.au Hon Bob Katter MP Federal Leader Member for Kennedy 5 July 2018: KAP Leader and the Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter is absolutely furious that white spot disease (WSD) has been detected again in Queensland supermarket green prawns and is livid that the Federal Government’s so-called ‘tough’ new import restrictions are failing to prevent the highly destructive disease from continuing to make it onto Australian supermarket shelves

PUT POLITICS ASIDE FOR A “DONATION CONVERSATION” – Media Releases

5 July 2018 State Leader of the KAP and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, has invited the State’s political leaders to stand together with him for a special press conference to raise awareness around organ and tissue donation.

RADIO

Zinc 666, , Mt Isa, 06:30 News at 06:36

According to KAP State leader Rob Katter, drought-affected farmers could benefit from solar palms on their watering plants. Katter is keen to see the state extend its industry loans for solar and storage schemes to solar-powered pumps.

Radio 4KZ, , Innisfail, 12:08 Rural Northern News at 12:07

Melting tarmac on the Millaa-Malanda Rd caused inconvenience to motorists. The reseal job last week was ruined by wet weather which caused the bitumen loose and crack. NQ radio and KAP Member for Hill Shane Knuth says his windscreen has also been chipped while expecting the road. Truck drivers were forced to abandon their vehicles by the side of the road and small towns had been isolated while the main road is closed. Knuth says with the Malanda Show on the weekend and the Department of Transport and Main Roads to fix the problem immediately.

ABC Wide Bay, , Bundaberg, Breakfast at 07:15

Pre-recorded interview with Biggenden dairyfarmers Robbie Radel. Dowsett says dairy farmers have been really under pressure for some time now, noting they are struggling to make ends meet in the face of falling farmgate milk prices. He adds some farmers have been forced to leave their land. Dowsett says Radel turned the dire situation into a positive one. Radel shares how he responded. He mentions they are doing Central Queensland Dairy Fresh milk which has three varieties of milk. He notes the response to their milk has been fantastic. He says dairy farmers have been affected by big processors. He adds processors are blaming prices to them. Radel mentions when they had a huge push to boycott dollar-related milk and to buy sustainable brands, the process made their choice to not pass any money along to dairy farmers. He notes its a kick in the guts to farmers and consumers. Radel says the community has been talking about supporting a local product.

KAP MP’S IN THE MEDIA

Bob Katter – Federal Member for Kennedy

• Bob’s big media event of the week was a press conference in Cairns with Mayor Ross Andrews of the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council and KAP Federal candidate for Leichhardt, Daniel McCarthy to address the frustrating lack of progress from the State and Federal Governments regarding the future of funding for Indigenous housing in Queensland.Mayor Andrews told the media crews  that the key to ‘closing the gap’ lies with fixing the housing issue first.  He said, “Without housing in the community it causes a lot of issues around education, family violence, health, child safety and many other social determinants. We have 762 people on the waiting list. We have families that are homeless and we have families that are struggling. We’d estimate 10 to 20 people per house so in a three or four bedroom house, so that’s a big overcrowding issue. “. The National Partnership on Remote Housing (NPRH) program finished in June 2018 – ending a decade long investment made  by the Rudd Government which was dedicated to ‘closing the gap’.Bob wanted to hold a press conference after disappointing negotiations in Canberra that were supposed to result in the Federal Government confirming its commitment to fund future Indigenous housing given the NPRH funding has expired and no money was allocated in May’s Budget. But the outcome of those negotiations resulted in the Government confirming they would be willing to fund an abysmal 50/50 of the costs to build 387 houses and once complete, no further funding would be allocated.

  The Federal Government has been funding Indigenous Housing for at least 40 years. This will be the first time they don’t. This       means less jobs for regions like Cairns. Bob told the press that we will be fighting to restore the program which saw local               councils allocated funding to build their own houses – this was enormously successful and I can’t for the life of me understand       why they stopped. All major media networks covered the story and will hopefully put pressure on the Government to act.

• Media at the Cairns press conference also asked Bob about some disturbing video, showing Trinity Beach wallabies throwing themselves at a fence. They reports included Bob saying the State Government is not doing its job, and the Federal Government now needs to intervene.
  

Nick Dametto – State Member for Hinchinbrook

• Featured twice on Power 100 on Monday and Wednesday to talk about the need for both Federal and State Labor governments to fully fund the proposed $23.3 million Drive It complex west of Townsville.
• Appeared in the Townsville Bulletin about the need for both Federal and State Labor government to fully fund the proposed $23.3 million Drive It complex west of Townsville.
• Spoke up in Wednesday’s Herbert River Express about the need for the State Government to provide engineering assistance to the proposed new Forrest Beach boat ramp and jetty.

Shane Knuth – State Member for Hill

• The Breakfast Show with Glenn Johns 4KZ, July 5th – Discussing the croc issue and egg harvesting as an income generator. The Malanda Millaa Millaa Road and severe damage to vehicles, Mr Knuth has raised the issue with Minister Mark Bailey to prioritise road upgrade tenders to locals who understand our weather conditions, also discussed the wild dog issue in East Palmerston where farmers are losing a significant amount of calves on a regular basis.