In a week of big news last week, the biggest and possibly the most profound was the proposed changes by the Queensland Redistribution Commission on behalf of the Electoral Commission Queensland to change the boundaries of Queensland electorates for the state parliament (there is a separate exercise looking at federal boundaries).
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Mount Isa is directly impacted by the changes.
The most obvious change is a new name “Traeger” promoting the work of Alfred Traeger who developed the pedal radio that would become instrumental in the work of John Flynn and his nascent flying doctor service.
While disappointing to lose the name recognition of “Mount Isa” in parliament I don’t have a huge problem with the new name and there is definitely a strong local link.
Of more concern are the boundary changes to the electorate, held by KAP’s Robbie Katter.
The electorate will be greatly expanded to the east to take in the 68,000 square kilometres of the Charters Towers Regional Council.
Charters Towers would effectively become the eastern hub of the electorate diluting the impact of Mount Isa and the north west.
The electorate is losing some areas.
The shires of Winton and Diamantina both go to the seat of Gregory, immediately to the south and an LNP stronghold held by Lachlan Millar.
That decision makes more sense given those shires look probably more to Longreach than Mount Isa as a regional hub.
A knock-on consequence of Charters Towers coming into Traeger is the abolition of Dalrymple, held by second KAP member Shane Knuth.
Mr Knuth has indicated he may stand for the new seat of Hill but given it is outside his Charters’ stronghold, it is likely to be a struggle.
KAP’s position in Traeger has been strengthened but it is difficult to see them picking up a second seat in the next election, assuming it is called after the boundary changes come into effect.
Objections and comments to the proposal are now invited until March 27. DB
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.
