THE LNP’s proposal on how the state’s four new seats should be distributed is a “spit in the face” for the Mount Isa electorate.
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There were 41 proposals to the Queensland Redistribution Commission, suggesting how the electorate sizes can be changed to account for the intended increase of seats from 89 to 93.
The LNP’s proposal suggests extending the state’s largest electorate even further by including Moranbah, Collinsville, and Charters Towers.
The electorate is held by Katter’s Australian Party member Rob Katter. The LNP proposes to abolish the other seat held by a KAP member.
Shane Knuth’s seat of Dalrymple is proposed to be removed and replaced with the new seat of Ramsay – which takes in the districts of Condamine, Toowoomba South and Southern Downs.
Mr Katter said the LNP’s proposal for the Mount Isa electorate was not in the best interests of regional Queensland residents.
“They (LNP) want to make it larger and more challenging to the electorate than what it is,” Mr Katter said.
“I can’t help but think it’s a blatant move to try and get rid of the KAP.
“It will be futile, but it just demonstrates they are willing to sacrifice bad outcomes in rural areas. They don’t care they damage representation in rural areas as long as they can beat their political enemies.”
LNP state director Michael O’Dwyer signed the proposal. It explained that the proposed change was designed to better align communities with transport and communication linkages, and major centres by considering “east-west orientation”.
The ALP proposal suggested removing southern parts of the electorate including Birdsville and allocating it to other seats instead. Mr Katter said that it was not as bad a proposal as the LNP’s, as south west locations such as Birdsville and Bedourie have more in common with other communities in other electorates to their east than to Mount Isa.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt described the LNP proposal as a “politically cynical move”.
“It’s so brazen and biased that it’s shameless. By contract, the ALP’s submission makes considered recommendations based on population projections and the need for seats to reflect that growth.”
Mr Pitt said he believed the Electoral Commission of Queensland will make an independent decision when considering all proposals. Mr Katter said he expected a decision by next April.
