THE Kennedy electorate’s campaign trail for both major parties turns to Mount Isa. And it’s flaring up more than it has in previous weeks as is obvious with visiting politicians from the two major parties and a looming debate rumoured to be held next week.
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Former deputy prime minister Anthony Albanese spoke with a humble sized audience in the Irish Club’s Piano Bar on Wednesday night. Education and roads was the ALP’s key focus in this electorate.
Murray Watt, likely a Queensland senator-elect, also spoke on the night and made it clear to the ALP supporters that Katter country used to be claimed by the major party.
“This could very well be the one we get it back into Labor hands,” he said. It’s an interesting claim. ALP candidate Norm Jacobsen has been declared approximately a year but will still need to expand his presence. And so will the LNP candidate Jonathan Pavetto.
If people vote for who they know then it’s going to be difficult for either two to match against Bob Katter. Surely they knew it, to stand against Bob Katter again. Mr Jacobsen recently acknowledged it as addressed in today’s page one article.
A huge criticism against Bob Katter was accusations he failed to capitalise during the hung parliament following the 2010 election. Now, that was a strong claim and potentially why it was such a close margin between himself and Noeline Ikin in the 2013 election.
It would seem quite likely that Ms Ikin would have won the seat of Kennedy for LNP if she contested again. Even if she had a far less recognisable image than her political rival, she had the momentum and respect, and came across as someone who knew when to be tough and stick to her guns, and when to be gentle. Her campaign manager also had been Senator James McGrath – a self-titled “faceless man” who not only has the ear of the Prime Minister, but one who has the reputation of winning elections for politicians. Maybe this showed determination from LNP to uproot the loud Akubra wearing maverick from the halls of Parliament. But Ms Ikin had to pull out due to health issues, and now it remains to be seen if Mr Katter is threatened.
