BOB Katter is frustrated by lack of commitment in the federal budget on specifics that will help industry in Kennedy electorate.
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One of the big disappointments was the absence of the sealing of the Hann Highway, the federal member said.
“I was shocked on budget night, I searched for it and was certain it would be a budgeted item,” Mr Katter said, adding that there had been many local lobbyists including outgoing Hughenden mayor Greg Jones who had worked hard on advocating for the sealing of the highway.
“If we do not see action on the Hann Highway in the next three years...then there will be hell to pay.”
Mr Katter suspected that the sealing of the Hann Highway would be a pre-election promise made by LNP politicians.
“It’s not a budgeted item so it’s not locked in cement,” he said.
Mr Katter also noted lack of specifics detailed regarding the allocated $5 billion set aside for the development of Northern Australian.
“Three years ago they promised the Northern Australia development fund...we haven’t got a job out of it, haven’t got a cent out of it,” he said.
The Minister for Northern Australia, Queensland Senator Matthew Canavan, said Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility will begin in July. The facility will be headquartered in Cairns and will be use to deliver the $5 billion previously allocated to northern Australia infrastructure.
$43.8 million has been budgeted over five years to establish the facility.
“It will play an important part in providing basic infrastructure across northern Australia for new investment, creating more jobs,” Mr Canavan said.
He announced that a board has been appointed that will make investment decisions for the facility. There are seven on the board. Four of them are Queensland based.
The board is chaired by Sharon Warburton (WA), and is joined by Barry Coulter (NT), Justin Mannolini (WA), Khory McCormick (QLD), Sally Pitkin (QLD), Bill Shannon (QLD), and Karla Way-McPhail (QLD).
