Political grandstanding by local member
I am amazed at what our politicians come up with in their quest for popularity and media space.
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I have been following the debate on the decision of the Federal Government to purchase land in the Shoalwater Bay area to be used by the Singapore Army for training purposes.
Some of the landowners in question were reluctant to sell their land to the Federal Government.
We had the usual political grandstanding and then the Federal Government decided not to compulsorily purchase the land in question.
Our local member of state parliament Robbie Katter, came out after the matter had been resolved.
Mr Katter was demanding financial compensation for those landowners because of the “trauma” they had been through while the debate was taking place.
Did Mr Katter want financial compensation for those Glencore employees who worked in the Copper Smelter who had concerns about the Smelter closing down……. NO
Did Mr Katter want financial compensation for those home owners as they have seen the drop in house prices in Mount Isa as a result of the downturn in our Industry……… NO
Did Mr Katter want financial compensation for those people who have lost on the Stock Market as a result of the drop in share prices………… I didn’t hear from him.
I think I am getting the message through.
I am sick of picking up the North West Star and having to read every other day about Mr Katter and his silly comments.
Come on Mr Editor make him earn his place in your paper.
A good example was in one of last week’s editions of the Star when we had to see a massive photo of Mr Katter.
He was not even mentioned in the story but there was a photo of him.
Please, we do expect better of a paper which has served this district well for so many years.
Kendall Santillan
Mount Isa
“Mr Editor’s” note: The “massive photo” story you refer to is the Lead Pathways Study which Mr Katter has an important role as chair of the local Living With Lead Alliance. He is amply quoted in our online version but was cut from print for space reasons.
Not a fan of religion
I was born in Scotland in 1956.
My father was an agnostic 17 year old.
Then he impregnated my 18 year old mother.
Although they had got legally married, the Catholic Church screamed at my mother calling her a whore and I was a bastard.
Guess why I think religion sucks?
George Harley
Mount Isa
Anniversary of bombing of Darwin
On Sunday February 19 it was 75 years to the day since the Seconbd World War War II reached the shores of Australia.
February 19, 1942 was the day Darwin was bombed.
More than 240 people died, ships were sunk and buildings destroyed as Darwin was attacked.
Over the coming months, other towns across Australia’s north were bombed, including Katherine, Broome, Townsville, Wyndham, Exmouth, Derby, Horn Island and Cairns.
In total there were 97 air attacks on northern Australia, including 64 on Darwin.
Military personnel and civilians showed great courage and resilience during the attacks and we continue to honour the men and women who fought and died.
Dan Tehan
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
