The end of the year and the Christmas and New Year festivities are often a time for one to reflect on the 12 months just gone.
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As with every year, 2020 has brought its challenges - this time we, along with the rest of the world, have been thrust into the unknown with the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent shutdowns that a year ago would have been impossible for us to imagine.
Here we are, navigating our changed and changing world whilst still battling the everyday issues we are up against out here in remote and regional Queensland.
For the most part, Queensland and Australia have so far fared extremely well and we can only hope with diligence this will continue until we find a way to return to some sort of normality.
It has been a very busy year from me on the road and in the air and while I always enjoy my time traversing the state, there is nothing quite like being home in the Isa.
This is particularly the case for me now, and moving forward, as earlier this year my wife Daisy and I welcomed our first child - our daughter Peaches.
There are some joys that only a child can bring to one's life and I am very much looking forward to spending our first Christmas together as a family and my first as a dad.
Many of the issues being faced by the Mount Isa community will continue into 2021, with the air fares issue, FIFO workers continuing to fill local jobs, difficulties in attracting skilled workers and youth crime remaining huge problems.
There have been some real positives in our region this year, especially with regards to the extension of the copper smelter's operations and also the growing demand within the local real estate market.
We have also had some great news with CopperString 2.0 progressing and finally attracting some real State Government support.
Unfortunately with politics though, you cannot rest until the ribbon is officially cut so I am ready to have a battle on my hands with this - and various other issues - at any time.
I am sure everyone has had their share of rough times this year but take this festive period as a chance to have a break, unwind and be with those you love.
Have a very Merry Christmas and I will see you in the New Year.
- KAP Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter.
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