Bob Katter has dismissed Coalition claims a reinsurance pool to tackle high insurance prices in the north is likely to happen, saying "we will believe it when we see it."
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The Member for Kennedy said insurance premiums were exploding in North Queensland and said Warren Entsch's call for a reinsurance pool this week came five years on from "single-handedly destroying the traction made on the issue back then".
"If he had acted five years ago after our meetings which attracted more than 3000 people, we'd have this issue fixed," Mr Katter said.
"Five years ago, we had built up tremendous pressure upon the Government and he (Mr Entsch) dissipated it completely. He told us he had it all under control and had an inquiry that did absolutely nothing. We lost all of our momentum and pressure and after five years he's coming back in to try and claim the credit and yet he has no leverage and no power."
Mr Katter said that if the reinsurance pool was approved, it would be because of the leverage of outgoing Dawson member George Christensen and the strength of the crossbench.
"We are in the very strong position and clearly George Christensen is in a very strong position given they know he is prepared to cross the floor," he said.
Mr Katter said Allianz Insurance had said publicly that they will provide insurance for North Queenslanders at an acceptable rate so long as they can access a reinsurance pool.
"I have had lengthy discussions with Allianz and I think they are fair dinkum," he said.
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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.
