ROB Katter’s crucial role in deciding the minor government was the “Pièce de résistance” for the electorate and the KAP.
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The State Member for Mount Isa has a list of priorities for the major parties if they want his support.
The top three are; do not lease assets, remove environmental barriers to encourage the four-year extension of the Mount Isa Mines’ copper smelter, and keep Queensland’s existing uranium laws.
The State Member for Mount Isa said he was still undecided which major party he will support but he would choose the one that agrees with the most of his priorities.
Various media reports stating he and Nicklin’s independent state member Peter Wellington would support an ALP minor government were “misrepresentations”.
Mr Katter said he had been in “preliminary meetings” with key LNP representatives and planned to meet with ALP’s on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Leasing or sale of assets would be a “deal breaker”.
But LNP representatives have agreed not to lease assets and this was “a huge win” for cross benchers who signed an accord in case a hung parliament was to happen, Mr Katter said.
A KAP meeting was held Tuesday afternoon to discuss the party’s position
Mr Katter said he would make his decision as soon as he could but it would be based on the outcomes for the electorate.
“We’re highly conscious of the fact Queensland wants this resolved as soon as possible.”
Mr Katter said the major parties former statements they would not negotiate with crossbenchers proved to be untrue.
“Before the election I said that was rubbish.
“I don’t want to be a know-it-all or a told-you-so, but I told you so.
“All bets are off.”
If there was a hung parliament then the negotiations would benefit the Mount Isa electorate.
“This is the best opportunity the electorate is going to have for a long time,” Mr Katter said.
“It’s a great opportunity for Mount Isa to get some real leverage and [investment] in regions west of the great divide.”
If there was not a hung parliament, Mr Katter was confident he could still get Private Members’ Bills through.
A spokeswoman from Mr Wellington’s office said on Tuesday afternoon the independent state member has not decided to vote for either major party.
“He will sit with all parties before he has made up his mind,” the spokeswoman said, but added he already had preliminary discussions with LNP and ALP.
Mr Wellington was quoted by AAP as saying “there’s no way in the world I’d want to be part of a team or support [Deputy Premier] Jeff Seeney or [Attorney-General] Jarrod Bleijie or those style of ministers to continue what we’ve seen in the last three years.”
