Katter supports Mount Isa Council decision on rodeo funding allocation
December 20, 2024
FEDERAL Member for Kennedy Bob Katter says he stands by Mount Isa City Council's decision to allocate $1 million in funds to support the future of the Mount Isa Rodeo.
This week, the state government announced a $2 million funding commitment to the Council as part of the Mount Isa Transition Fund – an initiative to support the region's economy beyond the impending closure of the Glencore copper mine.
Council pledged half of those funds to the Mount Isa Rodeo's administrators while keeping the rest for other "key economic development activities".
Rodeo administrators have since caused some controversy, saying all $2 million should be allocated to the rodeo, when in reality, Council has a responsibility to the entire community as the copper mine's closure draws near.
Mr Katter does not believe locals will be convinced, saying rodeo administrators should appreciate that Council and the state government have stepped in when they didn't have to.
"Having a rodeo, the most local of activities, run by people who live thousands of kilometres away, just never made sense to me," Mr Katter said.
"You know, if you went to Mareeba, Ingham, or Cloncurry and said a government body or an external entity should take over the rodeo, they'd think you were off your head.
"That $2 million in funding is to rebuild the future of Mount Isa, not just to rescue a board that ran the rodeo into the ground."
Mr Katter said that KAP leader and state member for Traeger Robbie Katter has effectively worked with all parties to ensure a future for the southern hemisphere's largest rodeo.
"I'm 100% behind the Council and Robbie on this matter," Mr Katter said.
"When you've got local, state and federal government agreeing on something, that's saying something worth paying attention to.
"These administrators need to stop riding the coattails of Mount Isa's struggles and start thinking about the community.
"It seems their priority is getting the bills paid, and not necessarily the future of an event that is prosperous and unifying for the community," Mr Katter said.
"I always thought it was bizarre that nobody from Mount Isa was running the rodeo.
"So, I don't know what went wrong with the rodeo, but someone way back has got a lot to answer for - a lot to answer for."
ENDS
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