Katter calls for decentralisation of govt departments following self-absorbing budget
May 14, 2024
ANALYSING the budget for the 50th time in his career, Kennedy MP Bob Katter says the government’s ministers and their departments have no idea what’s going on outside Canberra, and it shows in the 2024 papers.
As he flicked through the 186-page Budget Paper No. 2 document, Mr Katter said he noted high volumes of spending across a wide spectrum of issues, yet devoid of any succinct detail, as if “the government was trying to cover all bases.”
“Out of a budget worth about $700bn, a good $30bn to $40bn is going back to government departments under the guise of ‘streamlining and developing new processes, or creating reports or improving compliance’,” Mr Katter said.
“I believe the Prime Minister has given orders to his ministers, on what he wants, but they, or their department heads have no idea what’s happening out here. They’re fifth-generation Canberra bureaucrats, a ‘million miles away from North Queensland’.
“So now they’ll be ‘looking into it’ and creating reports, and by the time those reports come back, we’ll have a new government.”
Mr Katter said it was only fair to note this budget lacked vision just as much as previous budgets in the past couple of decades.
“Take Ben Chifley, he gave us telephones, he eradicated tuberculosis, he built the Snowy Mountains and he delivered secondary industry with the Holden motorcar. He did all that in a bit over five years. Now if you put all the Prime Ministers together since I've been here you wouldn't get anything that remotely resembles that.
“There’s money in there for roads, for health, for housing, but it’s all global – there’s no deadlines, details or specifics, we’ll have to vigorously fight for the crumbs – especially in regional Queensland.
“The government outlined it was committing $21bn on infrastructure spend on Queensland, below that it detailed $4bn would go to improve the Southeast transport networks, and then it listed just $467m for the Bruce Hwy corridor.
“Or, we can fight for scraps in the $1bn Roads to Recovery Program.
“If you’re sitting in Brisbane and Canberra making these decisions, you’re a long way away from our crumbling roads.”
Mr Katter said it was evident it was time for the decentralisation of government departments, especially with measures included which would decimate rural Australia.
“They’re hitting us with the ban of live sheep exports, whatever is left of this industry previously destroyed through the deregulation of wool will be gone.
They’re hitting us with the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard – driving up the costs of four-wheel drives which people not just remote towns, but regional cities as well.
“Why isn’t the agriculture department based where the agriculture is? Last time I checked, there aren’t too many crops growing at 18 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra.
“When I was made the mines minister in Queensland, I moved the mines department to North Queensland – where the action was. When I was made First Australians minister, I moved the department to Cairns.”
Mr Katter said he did his best to find the positives in the budget and accepted funding linked to critical minerals under the controversial Future Made in Australia Fund and said he would be vigorously chasing funding for the building of facilities in the greater Townsville region.
Among the funding that interested Mr Katter included:
- $566m over ten years for Geoscience Australia to map Australia’s national groundwater systems and resource endowments to increase industry investment and identify potential discoveries for all critical minerals.
- A Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive from 2027–28 to 2040–41 to support downstream refining and processing of Australia’s 31 critical minerals to improve supply chain resilience, at an estimated cost to the budget of $7.0bn over 11 years from 2023–24 (and an average of $1.5bn per year from 2034–35 to 2040–41)
- $10.2m in 2024–25 for pre-feasibility studies for critical mineral common-user processing facilities in partnership with state and territory governments to enhance Australia’s capacity to process critical minerals, sovereign capability and economic resilience.
- $20.9m over four years from 2024–25 (and $1.2m per year ongoing) to undertake further consultation on incentives to support the production of, and demand for, low carbon liquid fuels.
Some examples of generous departmental funding include:
- $20m over five years for the Department of Agriculture to maintain policy capability and an additional $42m for the department to support it in the rollout of drought related programs.
- $48m over four years to implement further reforms to the Australian Carbon Credit Unit scheme.
- $28.6m over four years to the Inspector-General of Water Compliance to undertake inquiry, oversight and public engagement functions.
- $54.7m over two years to administer, coordinate and promote the Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda.
- $182.7m over eight years from to strengthen approval processes to support the delivery of the Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda.
- $17.5m over ten years to establish a new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence.
- $84.2m over four years to the Department of Education to increase audits of providers in the child care sector.
- $68.6m over five years to increase resourcing for the Digital Services Contact Centre to support people using Workforce Australia Online services.
- $10.6m over four years for the implementation of a reporting solution for the Australian Skills Guarantee.
- $155.6m over two years to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to continue operating and improving the Government’s Digital ID, myGovID, and the system which supports authorised access to a range of government business services.
- $1.2bn over five years for sustainment of, and essential enhancements to, critical aged care digital systems.
- $110.9m over four years to increase the regulatory capability of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
- $21.6m over four years to establish a reshaped National AI Centre (NAIC) and an AI advisory body within the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
- $84.5m over five years to establish a regulator to administer the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, including to capture emissions data.
- $10.0m in 2023–24 for a national communications campaign to raise awareness of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard.
- $399.1m over five years from 2023–24 (and an additional $616.8, from 2028–29 to 2034–35 and $93.4 million per year ongoing) in additional resourcing for the Net Zero Economy Authority (the Authority), the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and the Fair Work Commission to promote orderly and positive economic transformation associated with decarbonisation.
"I plead with every Australian to understand this. I know it's easy to go to the bigger store, and when you think "food", you think "Woolworths and Coles". But it's because you've been brainwashed; you see it on your TV over and over again: morning, noon and night. "But, it's not just one more trading day. It's the beginning of the end for the independent shops that hold our communities together," Katter pleaded. "We will tenaciously oppose and take down the names of anyone that pushes 7-day trade at Gordonvale Woolworths. "Look, I understand. I'm a person who can hardly ever get to the shops 9 to 5 during the week. I come from the Mount Isa and Cloncurry area; I've been a miner working continuous shifts, and I'd deeply appreciate a service like that. "But do I want to live in a society with only one person I can sell food to and buy food from? Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's what we're living in right now." Mr Katter said the duopoly of Coles and Woolworths is rapidly turning Australia into a corporate monopoly state, with suburbs like Gordonvale the latest target. "Let's be clear: this is not about community choice or convenience. It's about wiping out the last little guys still standing. The butcher, the bakery, the fruit stall on the side of the road – all gone, so we can hand more power to the supermarket duopoly. "These supermarket giants can do whatever they like; they can force their staff to work incredible hours, not to mention they own the major political parties. "But they may not have noticed, but the major parties can't even get 33 percent of the vote; people just won't vote for them anymore. "I will personally fight tooth and nail, snake and goanna. It won't be the Marquess of Queensberry Rules here, and if I fail, well, I'll go down fighting. At least I can know that. "Please, we are Australians, and this is un-Australian. This has got to be fought with fire." ENDS
At a press conference in Townsville, Mr Katter announced his discovery of declining life expectancy figures in remote First Australian communities such as Doomadgee in North West Queensland . "I have encountered sickening hypocrisy in my life, and I have kept these figures to myself because I don't want my country to be likened to South Africa, but I can't stay silent any longer. "I am divulging now with great rage that the life expectancy for real fair dinkum blackfellas living on their community has slipped from 54 down to 49 [ 1 ] . For the rest of us, it's about 82. "Every person in Australia should be sickened by this. Sick and tired and fed up. "There's not one single person in Canberra doing anything about it, and they have the absolute hypocrisy of giving themselves a holiday to commemorate our First Australians. "The only place where they voted Yes was Canberra and the place responsible for this sickeningly low life expectancy is Canberra."
Crisis talks, led by Katter's Australian Party Leader Robbie Katter, Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae, with key stakeholders, recognise that the future of the entire region is at risk if Mount Isa is lost as the administrative hub of the North West Critical Minerals Province. "We need to implement 'use it or lose it' policy – meaning Glencore must be forced to sell if they won't operate," Mr Katter explained. "The smelter must stay open and we need to make CopperString happen now. All of these things are linked; they all play a significant role in ensuring Queensland's economic stability and Australia's national sovereignty." Mr Katter said the nation's future was at risk if governments continued to cave to foreign-owned corporations. "There is $680 billion worth of copper in the North West Minerals Province – just sitting there. To put that in context, the 2024-25 projected federal revenue is $711.5 billion. "And the audacity of Glencore to ask for $2 billion – this is not a handout to a foreign corporation – it absolutely cannot be. If Glencore wants government money, then at the very least, there must be a ceding of 50% control – or they get nothing. "Let them close the mine if they want – then the government must, by law, impose rehabilitation and remediation. I've got mates who close mines and get hit with huge bills. But when it comes to big foreign corporations, it seems in Queensland, there's one set of rules for us and another for them. "We will assert our sovereignty, and I'll tell you now – we'll be taking names of those who don't back us on this. Because if you're not fighting for Australia's ownership of its resources, you're not Australian. "We've got to start having some tough conversations in Brisbane and Canberra, and that's really got to happen in the next four to six weeks, or we're going to be in deep trouble. "I want to congratulate Mayor Peta MacRae, the Mount Isa City Council, and Robbie Katter – they're doing everything they can. But we need the rest of the country to wake up." Bob and Robbie Katter are hosting a public 'Future of Mount Isa' meeting on Friday, June 6, at 6.30pm at the Barkly Hotel in Mount Isa. For more information or to register, please call 07 4743 3534 or email Bob.Katter@aph.gov.au. ENDS
"The Port of Darwin must be owned by the Australian people," Mr Katter said. "With an emerging diplomatic rough between China and the US over ownership, it is most extraordinary that the Australian Government appears unwilling, or unable, to see the value and strategic importance of such critical infrastructure. "Why are we not fighting tooth and nail to ensure our most strategic port is not controlled by a foreign corporation? Even if it is our friends, the Americans. "This megalomaniac obsession with globalism and free-marketism has crippled our nation. Until recently, key assets like the Darwin Port were owned by the Australian Government – as they were for all of our history.
"Since the dawn of time, man has been riding horses, and he will continue to do so until the end of time," Mr Katter said. "Our history, not just in Australia but across the world, has been shaped on horseback. You can't understand world history without understanding the role that horses played on the Silk Road – from China to Europe, those horses were the beating heart of civilisation. "Working with horses gives you courage, discipline, and pride – all the things our country desperately needs more of," he said. "Horse riding is the most enjoyable pastime – and it keeps you fit and grounded in the real world, not glued to a screen. "I've never been real keen on trekking. I've done about six or seven hundred kilometres in the army and another eight or nine hundred kilometres along the road to St Francis station in my prospecting days. I've been extremely keen on horses ever since." Kisten Bodkin, President of the Gordonvale Pony Club, said pony clubs are for anyone, even those like Mr Katter whose riding careers have been less than glorious. "Horse riding builds more than just riding skills. We've always said that 'pony club is fun', and that's kind of our motto. Even when you're having a rough time, pony club is fun, and it's truly for everyone. "Working with horses teaches personal responsibility and discipline, and gives a goal for young people to aim for, and we love seeing them excel at their passion. "Even though it's an individual sport, you learn how to socialise with people of all ages and you make lifelong friends. "We've seen ourselves and our children grow up, and while school friendships often drift apart, the pony club friendships just seem to stand the test of time." Zoe Macor, Secretary of the Gordonvale Pony Club, said the club has become a multi-generational legacy in her family. "My kids have grown up in the club and are now instructors here, and my grandchildren are coming up the ranks as well. "It's wonderful seeing our children travel to state and national events. The kids see their instructors riding and competing, and have something to strive for. "With three generations of our family involved in the club, well there's nothing quite like it." Mr Katter encouraged locals to saddle up for a night of entertainment at the Gordonvale Round of the 2025 Great Northern Bullriding Series this Saturday, May 24th, from 7pm. The event will raise funds for grounds and facilities upgrades, ensuring up-and-coming riders have a place to grow their skills for years to come. ENDS
"Yesterday we had one party, the LNP, with no direction. Today we have two parties with no direction," stated Mr Katter. "Australia is in desperate need of an Opposition that can hold the ALP Government to account. Instead what we are receiving is an Opposition in complete disarray." "True to form, neither the Liberals or the Nationals can agree to a position on net zero, nuclear, coal or renewables. Instead they are both blindly going down the path of higher energy prices and severe energy shortages. They have no alternative, no criticism, no set direction." "The Liberals and Nationals have destroyed almost every rural industry that has supported them. They deregulated or opened to the "free" market; sugar, tobacco, maize, peanuts, flowers, grapes, avocados, citrus and many other primary industries." "The newly elected Liberals leader, Sussan Ley, led the charge to ban live-sheep export – overnight destroying the livelihoods of many hard working rural families. Littleproud has got very little to be proud of for not even fighting this in the slightest but rather standing behind wiping the tears from his eyes." "Don't be fooled – cattle will be next. They are no friend to the farmer." "For many years the policy lines between the ALP, LNP, Liberals and Nationals have been blurred, marred by political infighting rather than genuine and meaty debates on the direction that our once great nation is taking." "One thing is true now more than ever, Katter's Australian Party is the true Opposition." ENDS
Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has unleashed a blistering attack on the Chalmers short-sighted tax grab on superannuation that will "rip the guts out of middle Australia" and fundamentally change our attitude to placing our savings in super to fund our retirement. Mr Katter echoed sentiments of many in the financial and agricultural sectors that are calling the plan, to impose steep taxes on unrealised capital gains in super accounts, ludicrous. "Unrealised capital gains" are not an income or tangible money – rather, these gains are "theoretical, paper money". The asset must be sold before the gain is made. "This policy will have a catastrophic effect on anyone that has a farm, house or similar asset that is held by a super fund. If the market value increases, you will get a huge tax bill and, unless you have significant savings elsewhere, you will have to sell the asset to pay this crushing tax bill," Mr Katter explained. "Land appreciation doesn't mean you're rich in cash," he said. "It means your rates go up, your insurance goes up, and now, thanks to this lunacy, your tax goes up too. And for what? For a so-called 'equity measure' that punishes the people who actually invest in this country." Investing in capital appreciating assets is a way the government has encouraged people to set themselves up to protect their future, and now the government is moving the goalposts. "This isn't going to hurt the big corporates. This isn't going to hurt the mega-rich. This is going to break the back of middle Australia." "You keep putting weight on the camel, eventually you'll break the camel's back," Mr Katter said. "We had 276,000 farmers. Then Mr Keating started his deregulation dirty work, and the National Party carried it on. Now we have about 80,000 farmers. Well, you blokes won't stop until we have none." "This story will be repeated for family run businesses and family owned housing investments." Mr Katter is calling for the government to immediately withdraw the policy, warning that failure to do so will accelerate the decline of the nation's farming and small business backbone, and force more Australians off the land, out of business and onto the dole queue. "If the government really wanted to do something helpful for Australians, it should legislate to require a large portion of super investment in Australian manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and other economy-generating projects, not create short-sighted, tax-grabbing policies that will drive investment overseas." ENDS
Elections aren't won by blokes in suits. They're won on the backs of the people who stand out in the sun and the rain, handing out how-to-vote cards for days on end. So, this victory belongs to them. God bless every one of you. I can't thank you enough. The same goes for my wife Susie, my five children, and even my grandchildren, who have worked tirelessly throughout this campaign to make so much of it happen. I certainly couldn't have done this without them. To my staff, who give their all (and then some) daily for the people of Kennedy... Thank you.
KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter MP, has applauded the Hinchinbrook community after the final State Government approvals were granted for the long-awaited Prescribed Tidal Works (Dungeness Breakwater and Dredging) project – marking a significant milestone in the fight to restore marine access to Dungeness and beyond. With the State's final tick of approval and Hinchinbrook Shire Council's endorsement of the Change Application, the project is now primed for shovel-ready status. The works include dredging the Enterprise Channel to allow all-tide marine access, and construction of a rock breakwater to reinstate the former sea wall, which was devastated during major weather events, including Cyclone Yasi. Mr Katter praised Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo and State Member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto, for their tireless, years-long fight to push the project through the bureaucratic mire. "This is a win for the people of Hinchinbrook. Mayor Jayo and Nick Dametto have fought like hell – like true tiger fighters – to keep this project alive and on the agenda – and now the approvals are finally in hand," Mr Katter said. With an estimated $12 million needed to complete construction, Mr Katter said he would turn his attention to putting the full weight of his office behind securing federal funding should he be re-elected. "The next fight is for federal funding. And I give you my word: if I'm returned to Canberra, I will make this project a priority. I'll take it straight to the Government and demand the $12 million needed to get it done." Mr Katter stressed the importance of the project not just for Hinchinbrook, but for the broader North Queensland marine economy. "Once complete, this project will unlock all-tidal access for recreational and commercial fishing vessels not only into Dungeness, but also to the Palm Island group and the Great Barrier Reef. We've seen what all-weather access can do for small communities at Mission Beach. It has been life-changing for those businesses that use the waterways for their livelihood or lifestyle. "The people of Hinchinbrook deserve nothing less than the same infrastructure." ENDS
FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has come out swinging after Queensland's Weapons Licensing bureaucrats effectively shut down long-standing ANZAC Day commemorations by historical re-enactment groups, calling it "soulless, tone-deaf bureaucracy at its absolute worst." Mr Katter was alerted by Robert Finlay—a member of the Australian Living History Federation—that living history groups were being blocked from participating in ANZAC Day and other commemorative events due to shifting interpretations of licensing conditions. "These are not wild gun fanatics or some fringe mob," Mr Katter said. "These are our ex-servicemen, history enthusiasts, and community volunteers—many of them older veterans—who respectfully reenact military scenes to bring our past to life and honour our fallen. "And now, some bureaucrat sitting in a Brisbane office has decided they know better than the Minister, better than our RSLs, and better than common sense—and has told them to stop." The Australian Living History Federation and its member groups have followed the same licensing conditions since 2017, under exemptions MR4 and MR5 of Queensland's weapons licensing framework. These conditions set out the responsibilities for safe, respectful use of blank-fire and replica weapons during public displays. "Let me be very clear," Mr Katter continued, "there's been no change to the Weapons Act. There's no new regulation. No incident. Just an overzealous department deciding ANZAC Day needs to be micromanaged and possibly cancelled, unless these groups jump through a whole new set of invisible hoops." Emails from Mr Finlay show that despite providing all required notices and documentation—including safety guidelines and public liability insurance—the group was told they must now seek full approval for events they are merely participating in, not organising. Even attempts to clarify the matter with the Queensland Police Minister's office were brushed aside by Weapons Licensing, who appear unwilling to budge. "This is bureaucracy gone rogue. And what's worse—it's at the expense of ANZAC Day," Mr Katter said. "We've got crime exploding in regional Queensland and they're worried about a bloke in a slouch hat firing blanks in a tribute parade." "I'll be taking this to Canberra if it isn't resolved. These people are doing this out of respect, out of patriotism, and out of deep love for this country's history. And it's time our public servants showed a bit of the same." ENDS
