We will face the crisis with aggression and unity – KAP

Charters Towers Debt Summit August 31, 2015

With less than a week until the Charters Towers Rural Crisis Summit, Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth said he has felt a groundswell of interest.

” Since we announced that a summit would be taking place I have been fielding calls from graziers and small business owners in drought effected areas all over the state,” Mr Knuth said

“The amount of people who are getting involved in this is encouraging, the rural crisis really is the issue of our time.

Mr Knuth who will be chairman on the day with KAP member for Mount Isa Rob Katter said while the speakers at the summit will help bring context, it is a priority locals are given the opportunity to speak.

“The summit is important but the action that follows after is essential,” Mr Knuth said.

“The resolutions devised and agreed upon at the summit will form a blue print for action in rural Queensland.”

Member for Mt Isa Rob Katter who held a similar summit in Winton last year said the rural crisis committee which has since become the backbone for rural advocacy in the area.

“Less than a year on the committee has been instrumental in applying strong pressures to the government in face to face meetings, but we aren’t done yet,” Mr Katter said.

“There needs to be a stronger and more direct connection with between the cattle producers, business owners and the policy makers, we are trying to facilitate this.”

KAP Federal member for Kennedy Bob Katter who will also be part of the day has widely encouraged people from all walks of life to join to help find a solution.

Mr Katter said the current high price of cattle due to the lack of stock available isn’t a consolation for struggling farmers because they themselves have no cattle to sell.

“There are answers here, and we have got to go to those answers with aggression and unity,” he said.

“Wandering around blaming political parties quite frankly isn’t going to get us anywhere, there is a big system of power there and we must assail it on the political front, the economic front and through social media.”

Mr Katter drew reference to the story of Charlie Phillott (speaking at the summit) who’s story written by David Pascoe, went viral and became the most shared post in Australian History.

“The people of Australia are behind us, but we have got to know clearly what we want,” Mr Katter said.

“We must fight for survival.”

AGENDA

Final Agenda Charters Towers Rural Crisis Summit

Chaired by Shane Knuth and Robbie Katter

9.30- CUPPA

9:50 – Take your seats for the morning

10:00- Opening Address and Welcome Shane Knuth MP Member for Dalrymple

10:10- Andrew Jensen chairman Charter Towers Rural Crisis Committee, Committee work and goals for the day/ House keeping

10:15- Charlie Phillott face of the crisis/ Winton

10:20 – Bill Byrne MP, Minister for Agriculture Queensland Government

10.35 – Open Questions to Minister Byrne