The Case for NQ Statehood: A Historic Fight for Independence
When it comes to State of Origin, Queenslanders unite. But in the Sunshine State, there has always been underlying discontent about how Brisbane governs.
This disconnection has sparked a renewed push for North Queensland to break away from the South East and form its own state.
A State Divided: The North-South Divide
Queensland's state capital, Brisbane, is located far from much of the population, which is concentrated in the coastal regions of the South East.
This geographic and political distance has long fostered feelings of alienation and resentment among North Queenslanders, who often feel sidelined by a government that seems more concerned with the needs of the South.
The divide between North and South Queensland is not a new phenomenon.
In 1970, historian Professor Geoffrey Bolton explored this disconnection in his book "A Thousand Miles Away", a title that resonates with many in the North who have long felt neglected by a distant government.
One of the central grievances of those advocating for secession is the belief that wealth generated in the North is being siphoned off to Brisbane rather than reinvested in the areas where it originates.
In 2009, prominent historian Geoffrey Blainey reignited the statehood debate, describing it as "absurd" that North Queensland had not yet been granted the opportunity to govern itself.
Bob Katter: The Voice of North Queensland
One of the most vocal proponents of North Queensland's independence has been KAP Federal Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter.
Known for his passionate advocacy of the region, Katter argues that North Queensland has been economically "massacred" by policies favouring South East Queensland.
"It's the tyranny of the majority in South East Queensland — the winner takes all," Mr Katter explained.
Katter's belief in the necessity of a separate state stems from a conviction that breaking up Queensland would lead to more effective governance, with the potential for economic benefits for the North.
He has been a tireless campaigner for secession, regularly calling for a referendum on the issue.
"North Queensland has been neglected for too long, and the only way to rectify that is to give the region the chance to determine its own path.
"We will never get ahead when decisions are made 2000 km away."
While Katter acknowledges that a split would not come easily, particularly from the southern part of the state, he remains determined to push the cause for North Queensland statehood.
ENDS
