Katter responds to opposition budget reply
March 28, 2025
FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has welcomed key elements of the opposition's budget reply speech, particularly the commitment to a reserve resource policy (RRP)—a policy Katter has championed for over 15 years.
The policy works to ensure a percentage of Australia's natural resources, in this case, gas, are reserved for domestic use before being exported. It is designed to safeguard Australia's energy security, lower domestic prices, and prioritise Australian industry.
While acknowledging the opposition's move towards protecting the nation's natural wealth, Mr Katter also praised the Albanese government's commitment to regional infrastructure.
"We praise the prime minister for committing to the great inland highway, and we thank the opposition leader for the RRP, which we've been screaming for—for more than 20 years," Mr Katter said.
"We ask questions in parliament, and these questions stay in their memory bank," Mr Katter said. "The opportunity has arisen for him [Dutton] to act upon those questions.
"I hope it is more than me preaching for RRP, but I'm not sure if I've ever heard anyone else preaching for it," Mr Katter remarked.
For nearly two decades, Mr Katter has been a sustained and lone voice in the parliament pushing for a reserve resource policy after being part of the inner-power group in the Queensland Bjelke-Petersen government, which implemented a similar policy and saw Queensland's development proposer and household electricity bills remain stable.
"Queensland's (former) reserve resource policy meant most of the state's electricity was coming from the world's biggest power stations and had zero input costs – the coal was free, taken by law, by the government under the RRP," Mr Katter explained.
With Australia paying up to $16 a unit for its gas, while countries like the United States paid about $6 a unit, Mr Katter said the nation "could not compete" in manufacturing – a key influence in rising cost-of-living pressures.
"Gas prices threaten the entire existence of industry in Australia. With the grim outlook for coal and all mineral processing – Australia is looking down the barrel of 200,000 jobs vanishing and, within three years, a plateau of the iron ore industry.
"The outlook is as barren as the middle of the Simpson Desert.
"And until now, governments (past and present) would rather export our resources, sell off our assets and let foreign companies prosper, rather than implement a reserve resource policy and retain our assets; which would reduce the ever increasing costs of living," said Mr Katter.
"But let's see if the LNP are serious about this or not, or if it is just another 'polly promise' on election eve."
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.”
