Katter calls on PM to deploy army, fast-track disaster relief
February 2, 2025
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
Electorate Bob (red tie and jeans) in Ingham’s annual Kindy Quiz Night? or Parli Bob (waistcoat and maroon scarf) in Airlie Beach’s Halloween Party? We love a good Bob pic!
Today the Federal Government has given an extra $10 million to finalise works at Cloncurry Airport following significant flood damage in late 2025 and early 2026. Huge congratulations must go to Mayor Greg Campbell, Cloncurry Council and all those who have fought hard to achieve this outcome. The proposed works will ensure the long-term operation of this vital transport hub to continue to support aeromedical services, business travel, tourism and mining operations.
If all government cars were hybrids. If our sugar and grain was converted to ethanol. If our oil was refined in Australia. WE WOULD BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN FUEL. This would save EVERY Australian taxpayer $40,000 a year, create hundreds of jobs and resurrect our sugar and grain industries. The answers are there… government just needs to act! To watch the full episode on Spotify, click here .
I couldn’t sleep last night.. praying for my good and long term friend Helen. Helen brings sparkle, enlightenment and joy to the centre of the crossbench. My thoughts are also with your family, friends and staff at this extremely difficult time. May Jesus keep you all in his blessings. Bob Katter
Last weeks parliamentary debate raised some key concerns about the state and direction of the country. Bob’s take is detailed in his latest podcast and includes: Carbon Credits (Integrity and Transparency) Legislation – hidden under the guise of ‘transparency’ and ‘integrity’ this legislation WIDELY EXPANDS Native Title consent requirements, openly acknowledging that it will essentially kill off nearly all small/medium size mining and infrastructure projects with extended project delays and costs. Customs (Illicit Tabacco) Legislation – stronger enforcement and penalties is useless against organized crime unless we also stop demand by narrowing the VAST gap between legal and illegal tobacco products and take away the economic incentives fueling the black market. Backpackers vs Student Visas - meetings at the highest level arguing that backpackers are here for a good time not a long time, they must be from certain countries and under the age of 30, they spend monies earnt and go home. Student visa holders have NO country restrictions and NO age limits, family dependents are also allowed and about 90% stay with the hope of migrating. Protect Aussie produce – continuing the fight to stop fresh food imports from countries with slave labour wages and child labour in the supply chain - a game changer for the banana, pineapple and other tropical fruit industries.
Not so long ago a flight to Tel Aviv experienced an attempted terrorist attack. The heroic actions of those on the plane averted what very nearly was a great tragedy with the almost certain deaths of all 180 occupants in the plane. As the background of the would be terrorist is being investigated serious allegations have been made that he was radicalised IN AUSTRALIA whilst he was an INTERNATIONAL STUDENT!!! Where are the rallies in the street? Where is the outrage in the media? Where are the strong political statements of condemnation ? Where is the swift action against those radicalising people in Australia? ARE WE GOING TO PRETEND THAT THIS WON’T EVER HAPPEN IN AUSTRALIA?
Australian rural industries will keep shutting down if we keep on allowing government to: Import fruit and vegetables; Require our farmers to compete against imports from countries with slave labour wages; and Impose more and more red, green and ‘supermarket imposed’ tape on our produce. We already import nearly all of our pork and seafood… once thriving Australian industries - SHUTDOWN. STOP THIS MADNESS. Protect Australian jobs, consumers and farmers.
Always a great time with Shane Knuth MP and some local legends!
We export our oil for $8,000 million and import it back as petrol for $62,000 million. While overseas refineries get rich from our oil we are getting poorer and poorer as a nation. The impact to our economy is colossal!!! And must be stopped. BRING BACK OUR OIL REFINERIES.
Bob: “Back in my day, we used an automatic gate opener.” Wendi: “I have one. The gate just automatically opened for me.”
