Katters Australia Party is spreading its wings over Cairns at the request of a group of keen supporters who on Saturday formed a branch with the intention of contesting the next federal and state elections.
State leader Robbie Katter, the Member for Mt Isa spoke to the gathering of small business operators and residents at the Shangri La hotel urging them to back the party in state and federal parliament.
“We have had some significant wins in parliament over the past year, particularly with freeing up sugar marketing and introducing a bill to regulate ride sharing company, Uber,” Mr Katter said.
“We have backed the dredging of the port and have listened very carefully to Cairns business operators and the general community about Labor’s proposed lock out law changes.
“Shane Knuth(Member for Dalrymple) and I are quite agreeable to help the community but we can’t be effective if people don’t support us, and I won’t be around for ever because I might not want to spend the rest of my life in parliament.
“I am concerned that government tenders don’t always go to local firms and we will be doing something about the economic loss to Cairns and other struggling towns when government unnecessarily gives away your jobs.”
A committee was elected and will advertise when the next meeting is called.
Chairman Keith Campbell said he was delighted to be elected to head the fledgling party.
“I have been following Bob Katter for five years and he has been a great advocate for regional development and giving ordinary workers a fair go,” Mr Campbell told the elated group.
Cairns businessman Victor Perazza was elected as Secretary.
Keith Campbell can be contacted on 0448-603-022