State KAP Leader Robbie Katter has welcomed the news One Nation have claimed victory in the seat of Mirani.
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Mr Katter said neither major party had achieved a mandate to govern in regional Queensland following the state election as the crossbench continues to grow.
“Congratulations to Stephen Andrew, I’m sure he will represent his electorate (Mirani) well,’’ Mr Katter said.
“We’ve got a lot of common ground, so I’m looking forward to working with him.
“The major parties are losing touch with regional Queensland as they continue to chase inner-city votes.’’
Mr Katter said Labor and the LNP secured less than a third of the primary vote in regional Queensland and this was a reflection of voter frustration with politicians unwilling to make tough decisions and invest outside the south east.
“The major parties are paying the price for policy neglect,’’ he said.
“Both Labor and the LNP claim they ‘fighting for the regions’ but they only seem to throw us the scraps - a study here, a little bit of funding there. We are yet to see either side deliver significant reforms or investment that will advance regional Queensland.’’
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Mr Katter said Labor and the LNP have turned their back on regional Queenslanders.
“Labor demonstrated they will pursue an extreme environmental agenda unless they’re kept in check by a crossbench with some influence,’’ he said.
“The LNP turned their back on regional Queenslanders when they supported Labor’s changes to the National Firearms Agreement and endorsed the $5.4 billion in funding for Cross River Rail.’’
Mr Andrew joins the cross-bench as Rockhampton independent Margaret Strelow concedes she is likely to lose to Labor.
The KAP has picked up Traeger (Robbie Katter) and Hill and also hopes to win Hinchinbrook in a tight three-way contest with the LNP and One Nation.
Labor appears on track to win 47 seats which is enough for a bare majority.