The North West Star acknowledged that in Friday’s editorial.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli is calling on his LNP Queensland government to extend existing  environmental  legislation so Glencore can continue copper smelter and refining operations in Mount Isa and Townsville.

Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady  was  in Townsville on Saturday for extended discussions with Mr Crisafulli.  

Principally, there are four “M” players in this, and this is great because genuine collective brain-storming can prove a game-changer that secures the future of this city.

The M4 are Mount Isa Mines, the Mayor, the Minister and the MP. Each has had a hand in getting things to the stage where it now sits. 

Throw MITEZ into the picture and the concept of unity ticks all the boxes.

But any perceived and potential strength of M4 plus one should not be allowed to become its weakness by grandstanding on the part of anyone.

MIM would not do so out of company policy and corporate common sense, MITEZ might prefer a sidebar role so that leaves us the Minister, the Mayor and the MP.

A state election is due by June next  year and that is where the pitfalls present themselves.

Sitting State MP Robbie Katter is not a bluster personality. He gets more done than many people might realise in his self-effacing way. 

So one hopes that he, Simon Tayler (ALP state candidate) and John Wharton (LNP state candidate) don’t turn this issue into a political bunfight.

Cr McGrady, for his part, is on record as saying he won’t be playing politics.

Unity will underpin whatever success we set out to achieve.