Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he had not visited Mount Isa because he was waiting for someone to invite him. 

Speaking to The North West Star in Boulia last week, Mr Turnbull said now the newspaper had extended the invitation, he looked forward to coming to Mount Isa and was honoured to be asked.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter said he would give the prime minister’s position the respect it deserved if people wanted Mr Turnbull to visit Mount Isa.

“If I asked the Prime Minister to go to Mount Isa, he would probably book a trip to Timbuktu,” Mr Katter said. 

“As far as I’m concerned - Blackall and Charleville can have him.

“If people wish for us to request for him to come to Mount Isa then we are most certainly prepared to do that and I don’t deny him the right to be campaigning in the giant agricultural areas because there is no doubt that the government’s stocks are lower than they have ever been in rural Australia,” he said.

Many residents believe the prime minister was purposefully snubbing Mr Katter by not visiting Mount Isa. 

Mount Isa is the largest town in Western Queensland and is arguably the powerhouse of the Queensland and Australian economy.