In November KAP held their Annual General Meeting in Townsville. The AGM gives KAP an opportunity to share our successes of the year with our members.

Robbie Katter delivered his annual report and reflected on the previous parliament, as well as the state of the current parliament. He said it was a proud time for the state MPs.  In the last parliament it was only Shane and Robbie, and they successfully secured two private members bills – The Sugar Marketing Bill and the Taxi Bill. The key wins they had included securing an 80m drought assistance package, and securing the first Ethanol Mandate in QLD’s history. They negotiated to get compulsory preferential voting – which ultimately resulted in Nick Dametto’s election and they also managed a commitment for Qld’s country horseracing to stop facing cut-backs. Finally, they blocked tree clearing laws, which unfortunately got through in this current term of parliament.

In the 2017 State Election, in Shane’s new seat he received 70% of the vote, Robbie 80% and Nick Dametto 60%, after preferences. This year the momentum and hard work continues. They have re-introduced the Vegetation Management Bill, Safer Waterways Bill and the Fair Milk Mark Bill.  They have also introduced a Pub Licence Fee Bill which the committee is currently backing, the Debt Reconstruction Development Bank Bill, the Blue Card Bill for Indigenous communities and also the He said/she said bill to fight against gender neutral language.

Robbie also spoke about the removal of KAP resource staff and the effect that it has had on the party. He said the decision to cut staff was a direct attempt by the Premier to try and stop KAP’s momentum which has both the Major Parties concerned. He pointed out the hypocrisy that the premier currently has $26 billion in resource staff, the LNP has $23 billion and KAP has none, however KAP managed to introduce 6 bills this parliament in comparison to LNP’s one. Now, there are rumours that the Palaszczuk’s Labor government will outlaw donations from pro-shooters groups, as a direct attack on KAP’s donor base.

Bob also spoke of the major achievement for North Queensland in securing a $180m commitment for the Hughenden Irrigation Project, $54m for Hell’s Gates Stage 1 – Big Rocks Weir and funding for the Market Gardens in Indigenous communities. Bob has been fighting for water security for over 30 years and said after years of seeing nothing happening, finally we are seeing some change.

Bob also highlighted the plight of Qld Taxi drivers and explained how the action by the Queensland Government has seen the value of Qld taxi licences almost completely eroded and 25 per cent of revenue from ridesharing given to a foreign multinational rather than the Qld economy. There are currently 700 plaintiffs, with numbers quickly growing, who have suffered a combined loss of an estimated billion dollars. As a result 15,000 to 20,0000 full-time drivers will be thrown into casualised labour with no real liveable income. A statement of claim has been completed and will be filed in the Queensland Supreme Court by early 2019.

Bob also mentioned our two endorsed candidates for the 2019 Federal Election, Daniel McCarthy for Leichhardt and Nanette Radeck for Herbert.  He highlighted the importance of volunteers and members and explained how the party wouldn’t operate without them. 

KAP has had a busy and successful year, and we look forward to our continued success in 2019.

Our time is now!

Shane Paulger
KAP President