Katter requests flood support to include power outage impacts and agriculture losses
February 28, 2025
KENNEDY MP Bob Katter has called on the prime minister to urgently address the financial hardships faced by farmers and small business owners in the wake of recent natural disasters, particularly the severe flooding and power outages that have crippled communities across Northern Queensland.
In his latest correspondence to the prime minister, Mr Katter has requested to extend financial assistance to the agricultural sector and small businesses suffering from these devastating events.
Increased Freight Costs and Agricultural Losses
Mr Katter said that farmers, particularly those from the Tablelands, Cassowary Coast and Hinchinbrook regions, have suffered immense losses due to road closures that halted access to major fruit-growing areas for nearly three weeks.
“The inability to transport produce to markets, coupled with increased freight costs once access was restored, has placed a substantial financial burden on local farmers, particularly banana and avocado producers.
“Some agricultural businesses didn’t experience direct property damage and are now ineligible for these flood relief grants, but these farmers faced significant losses due to the disruption of their operations.”
Support for Small Businesses Facing Losses
Small business owners across the north, many of whom lost weeks of revenue due to road closures and power outages, also feel the strain.
Mr Katter said that many of these businesses were ineligible for funding because their premises were not directly inundated by floodwaters. However, the loss of power—rendering refrigeration and other essential operations impossible—has caused significant stock losses, impacting their ability to continue trading.
In particular, the Forrest Beach Supermarket, which lost over $9,000 in perishables, has shared its struggles with Mr Katter. The supermarket and other small businesses in the region could not claim compensation due to power-related damages despite suffering significant financial losses. Additionally, small businesses that have struggled to maintain their workforce through the disaster urgently need wage subsidies to support their employees during this recovery period.
Even news outlets across the north were impacted by road closures. The Mareeba Express (Mareeba Shire) and the North West Weekly (Mount Isa City Council) lost thousands of dollars in income; unable to send their papers to print.
Mr Katter said he was calling on the prime minister to broaden the eligibility criteria for small businesses to include compensation for power-related stock losses and to introduce wage subsidies for those businesses that have gone above and beyond to keep their staff employed during the prolonged flooding event.
“Farmers and small business owners in my electorate have been hit hard by this disaster, and they need the government to step up and provide the support they deserve,” said Mr Katter.
“These businesses, many of which are the backbone of our community, are suffering not only from the direct impacts of the disaster but from years of inaction on infrastructure upgrades and disaster preparedness. I urge the prime minister to ensure that these industries receive the financial assistance they need to rebuild and recover.”
Mr Katter has provided the prime minister with additional documentation from local agricultural groups and small business owners to further highlight the extent of the financial hardship caused by the recent disasters.
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.”
