Cheap and reliable power could be across North Queensland sooner than we think.
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The well-known CopperString project looks to be one step closer with North Queensland Sustainable Resources Corridor Regional Reference Group Chairman Tony McGrady and Deputy Chairman John O'Brien facing up to a select committee on the Effectiveness of the Australian Government's Northern Australia agenda.
The Senate inquiry took place on Thursday October 10 in Mount Isa where the issues surrounding North Queensland's power were discussed and the possible solution that CopperString brings.
Mr McGrady said people have the view that, if one side of politics says one thing, the other says something different. In this case, that is not the case.
"The current federal government or the one that was in office before the election have given us financial support and they've given all the support they can," Mr McGrady said.
"Prior to the last federal election, we had Jim Chalmers, who's now the shadow Treasurer, and Chris Bowen, and a series of other people come here and give a commitment that whatever the federal government would do to assist us they would do exactly the same.
"So we've got total support from both sides of politics on the federal level.
"We had all the members of parliament from Mount Isa to the area-ALP, LNP and Katter Party and across the board we received total support. So every time we go near politicians-and not just the politicians themselves but the ministerial staff are very much on side."
Mr McGrady said to get that sort of support in politics, there must be something right with the proposal.
"We came here today to present our case and to ask you to give whatever assistance you can in your recommendations, but at the end of the day we have both sides of politics and even the crossbenchers supporting this project," Mr McGrady said.
When asked what was stopping it Mr McGrady said nothing was getting in the way.
"It's a matter of time. But what we're in the process of doing now is telling the story of the benefits that CopperString will bring," he said.
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