A week out from the budget federal member for Kennedy Bob Katter has issued the Federal Government his "wish list" of critical northern projects.
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Mr Katter's number one item is progressing the Hughenden Irrigation Scheme.
The work the Hughenden Irrigation Corporation has put into addressing the state driven bureaucracy has been outstanding and this model is well on its way to being the templated micro-irrigation scheme that will roll out across the mid-west towns on the Flinders River, boosting their populations," Mr Katter said.
Mr Katter said micro-irrigation schemes would help boost cattle numbers.
"Currently there are five million head of cattle in the north with a turn off rate of 800,000 annually. With irrigation at Normanton and alike we will double the cattle numbers and turn off rates, generating an additional $4-$5 billion to the cattle economy annually," he said.
Mr Katter also warned the Federal Government that with the resignation of John McVeigh, the Member for Groom, his vote and influence has increased significantly.
"I remind the Government that I have wielded great power in the Parliament in the past and there hasn't been a comfortable majority in years so I would look at this wish list very closely," he said.
Second on Mr Katter's wish list is CopperString. the transmission line from Mount Isa to Townsville.
"CopperString needs to proceed and produce 800-1000 jobs during construction. I call on the Treasurer to review past budgets dating back to 2010 where all but PM Turnbull have allocated a $330m contingent underwriting to the transmission line. The Treasurer needs to reinstate this to help the country make money not just spend money."
Mr Katter also wanted more spending on roads, Hells Gates Dam and market gardens for Indigenous communities.
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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.
