State MP Rob Katter questions the validity of an online Fairfax Media poll which asks readers if they support seven day trading in Mount Isa.
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The poll contained a ‘yes or no’ response which did not educate the reader on either the benefits or consequences of the issue, Mr Katter said.
Within two days the poll had above 1000 votes, placing it in the top five most voted online polls conducted by The North West Star.
On Thursday night 77.35 per cent of voters wanted Mount Isa’s Coles and Woolworths to allow Sunday trading. 16.08 per cent of voters did not want it. Almost six per cent remained neutral because they saw benefits and negatives for each case. There was half a percentage that said they did not care (six votes).
Voting was limited to each IP address to once a week but was not restricted by location. Therefore, 2.94 per cent of votes came from America, and one vote each came from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
983 votes came from Australia but not necessarily from voters currently living in North West Queensland.
“It is a pretty limited poll because you have not fully informed voters of what are the pros and cons,” Mr Katter when shown the poll results at Hughenden Airport on Wednesday evening – a day after it had been published.
“Unless you illustrate what the cons are, including destroying a lot of the small independent retailers in town and what the city landscape looks like...(then) everyone is not thinking that long term to shop it.
“That would be a concern and I do not like the look of Mount Isa in the future without the smaller convenience stores.”
Mr Katter took issue with comments by Mount Isa resident Brett Peterson, who was part of an online petition supporting Sunday trading. Mr Peterson said that Katter’s Australian Party represented Mount Isa and should consider this when taking a stance on Sunday trading.
The State MP said, “of course I represent Mount Isa. I want the best for Mount Isa but we have got to be mature about the debate.”
“More convenience with our shopping is not the sum total of the issue.”
The online petition had 271 petitioners as of Thursday night. It had been made about the same time as the online poll.
This creator of the petition, Mel Tribolet, said she understood concern for smaller independent stores.
“However, I know I for one as many others will continue to support these stores for the same items they buy from their corner store today.
“We need to step forward and create a city that promotes a lifestyle that is attractive to the majority of Australia and this will help liveability, investment and development in the city’s future.”