Katter gives dept a good kick
February 27, 2025
FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has called on the Department of Infrastructure to make haste and determine the outcome of the Queensland Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP) grants and declare the successful applicants before the federal election is called and before caretaker mode is enforced.
“Grant recipients have been revealed in other states but not for Queensland,” Mr Katter said.
“And if it goes into caretaker before those grants are awarded, it’ll be at least six months before anyone knows if they’re successful, but worse still, the whole grant program could be thrown out if there is a change of government. It is just not good enough that they are taking this long.
“We have applicants like Cloncurry Shire Council who have spent countless hours collating information for their airport upgrade application only to be told the guidelines have changed at the eleventh hour and they should consider re-submitting.
“Changing the rules halfway through a game is far from ideal, especially if the delay causes Queensland applicants to miss out on this vital funding because an election is called and government business grinds to a halt,” Mr Katter said.
“The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts need to fast track assessments and get their recommendations to the Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister who makes the final decision.”
Cloncurry Shire Mayor Greg Campbell said, “The airport is the gateway for FIFO staff at the Ernest Henry Mine, Dugald River, Eloise, Great Australian Mine (GAM) and Rocklands.
“It will also be the main access for workers on the CopperString project and for the new Eva Mine,” Mr Campbell said.
The rPPP grants offer regional councils and other organisations between $5M and $50M to improve local infrastructure and cover project costs of construction materials, leasing equipment, project labour and administrative overheads and aim to foster partner relationships between governments and community to deliver multi-purpose regional precincts tailored to local needs.
With a project completion date of March 31, 2027, the grants can be utilised to deliver projects involving creating or expanding regional infrastructure neighbourhoods, commercial hubs or recreational areas.
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.”
