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Greens try to shout down Cairns croc meeting
The final round of crocodile management consultation meetings held in Cairns on Monday heard the Green rent-a-crowd of 20 hecklers and self- appointed crocodile experts howl down any sensible argument about removing dangerous reptiles from populated areas.
Local residents in favour of removing crocodiles were told by Katters Australia Party Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth the reptiles would be removed or as a last resort, culled along the coastline between Mossman and Mackay.
Cairns Crocodile meeting chairman Cr Brett Olds and KAP Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth were often shouted down by vocal Greens.
Tourist numbers had been impacted and visitors no longer felt safe visiting the Far North, he said.
The sensible element of older Cairns residents, one of them a fourth generation settler, backed their reduction in numbers and removal of all reptiles from Cairns waterways.
He said there were no crocodiles in most rivers and creeks or Cairns Inlet 50 years ago.
“Everywhere was safe to swim and my kids were always in a local creek swimming on weekends,” he said.
“Once we could put up to 100 skiers in the water, now we can’t go near the ocean.
“There are young people getting into trouble because they have nothing to do and nowhere to go yet once they were in the rivers and creeks burning up energy.
“Even the life savers fear for their lives if they go into the water at beaches.
“Now I fear for my 17 grandchildren if they go anywhere near water and we cannot swim in the Mulgrave River or Lake Placid anymore.”
Another resident warned how kayaks paddled by kids along the Mulgrave River resembled a crocodile to large males and there were incidents where crocs had menaced kayaks and canoes.
“They have lost their fear of man and something has to be done,” he said.
Self-proclaimed crocodile expert Greg Watson said people should be trained to keep away from water and savage crocs should be left alone in Cairns waterways.
Resident David White said lots of people came to the area to see crocs in the wild and there was a large tourist industry depending on it.
“The population is recovering from almost extinction, but I don’t want to see anyone hurt so we have to handle this logically and with science.
“There were two surveys where 75 per cent of people were against culling. We have to do more about controlling people in crocodile habitats.”
Mr Knuth assured the meeting there were no plans to remove or cull crocodiles from the Daintree River.
KAP candidate for the seat of Cook, Gordon Rasmussen said he believed consensus could be reached between those opposing croc removal from urban waterways and those who wanted them removed. Cook takes in all of Cape York and is home to tens of thousands of estuarine crocodiles
KAP candidate for Cook, Gordon Rasmussen said any safari hunting plans for indigenous communities would be in controlled areas north of Laura.
“We do not want crocodiles in Mossman, Port Douglas or Mareeba rivers and creeks and they must be removed, and I am sure we can find a consensus between those here opposed to and in favour of the legislation,” Mr Rasmussen said.
It appeared the Greens mob were showing more interest in attacking Bob Katter than engaging in any sensible solution with meeting chairman Cairns Councillor Brett Olds and speaker Shane Knuth.
Performing for the ABC, Win TV, Channel 7 and other reporters, an agitated deckhand from the Daintree engaged Mr Katter with an ‘in-your-face’ screaming effort but the seasoned politician of 50 years didn’t take the bait.
Daintree deckhand Damian Duffi tries to engage Bob Katter with an in-your-face screaming match performing for television cameras
Mr Katter walked away, further enraging the agitated deckie, Damian Duffi, by telling him he was “bored” with his illogical tirade.
The motley collection of about 20 vocal Greens, according to one supporter of the KAP plan, were mustered in a call on Facebook that morning, to “get as many as we can to the Katter crocodile meeting.”
“If this is the best they can do then we know we have the support of the majority of locals, not transient visitors from interstate,” Mr Katter said.
“”The three other meetings we held had many more attend than this meeting, and those people were 100 per cent in favour of removing the crocodiles.”
“The bill will be presented sometime this month,” Mr Knuth said.
Croc cull public meeting
To download the flyers click on your selection
phone: 40915861 – email: dairymple@parliament.qld.gov.au
KAP slams Govt croc management review in wake of latest attack, calls for real action
KAP Shane Knuth and Rob Katter – “We do not need a review – we know what the problem is and we demand action.”
The KAP has condemned reports this afternoon that the State Government will review new crocodile management plans following an attack on a snorkeller on Lizard Island yesterday.
The man was treated for minor cuts and abrasions to his head after the reptile, estimated to be up to two metres long, attacked him near Watson Creek Inlet.
ABC reported Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the incident was concerning and that maybe stricter measures were needed, although she’s ruled out culling.
KAP State Member for Dalrymple Shane Knuth said a review was the last thing Queenslanders needed.
“The time for talk is well and truly over; we need real action in the form of a controlled cull now to put a stop to the attacks, which seem to be multiplying by the day,” he said.
“We do not need a review – we know what the problem is and we demand action.”
State Member for Mt Isa Robbie Katter said the latest attack was the final straw.
“Human safety is paramount and the Government has now run out of chances to evade action; we need to activate a controlled cull as soon as possible,” he said.
The latest development comes just hours after reports of a beheaded crocodile near Innisfail, revealing locals may be taking steps to control crocodiles themselves because the Government is failing to act.
“People are saying this was bound to happen and it will continue if the Government doesn’t do something,” Mr Knuth said.
Following a well-supported consultation tour around north Queensland, the KAP will table legislation next month to allow for a controlled cull in populated areas across Queensland.
Under the legislation, Mr Knuth said crocodiles could be culled or relocated to a crocodile farm, and safari hunting and egg collection initiatives could be set up to create jobs for Indigenous rangers.
Katter’s bank bill opposed by Liberals and Nationals; Christensen to cross floor
The Liberals and Nationals are trying every devious trick in the book to stop this banking inquiry bill from getting passed in federal parliament. Renegade LNP Member for Dawson in Central Queensland, George Christensen, confirmed today he will cross the floor to support Bob Katter who has led the charge against the unlawful and unethical conduct of banks. Every small businessman and farmer in Australia will benefit from this inquiry.
The People of Australia’s Commission of Inquiry (Banking and Financial Services) Bill 2017
The bill provides for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry. The Bill invests the People of Australia’s’ Commission of Inquiry with the full powers of a Royal Commission as laid out in the Royal Commissions Act 1902. The Commission of Inquiry will inquire into unethical, unlawful and improper conduct in the banking, financial services and related sectors.
LNP Federal Member George Christensen will cross the floor of parliament to support Katter’s bill for a bank Commission of Inquiry
Bob Katter presents his bank bill today
The purpose of the Bill is to fully expose and shine the light of public scrutiny on the unethical and unlawful conduct/practices in the banking and financial services industries and to put forward recommendations for reform.
Particular concern has been raised in relation to the conduct of service providers in the banking, superannuation, insurance and other financial services sectors.
Responding to numerous media reports, whistleblower disclosures and cases raised with Members of Parliament and Senators, there have been 37 reviews and inquiries into banking and financial services since 2010. However, none of these past reviews/inquiries have had the level of powers of a Royal Commission. These past reviews/inquiries have often not been independent, have been politicised and have had limited scopes of inquiry. This has led to little, or no, reform to the sector, nor justice for the victims. Nor has this led to the spotlighting of the malpractices, shortcomings and injustices of current financial practices.
The Commission of Inquiry will have the full powers of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 plus additional powers related to protecting whistleblowers. The Commission of Inquiry will report to the Parliament, as opposed to a Royal Commission which reports to the Executive arm of Government.
Read the documents:
ONE NATION WA ELECTION FALL OUT
Katter calls for minor parties to come together & don’t forget the Culleton factor
KAP Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter watched Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party’s performance in the Western Australia (WA) election closely. It is Mr Katter’s little party, the KAP – who stand to gain or lose the most from One Nation’s performance in the looming Qld election.
Mr Katter said, “Anyone in Qld who thinks One Nation is dead in the water is badly misreading the situation. The LNP is toxic in WA, but the difference in Qld is, so is the ALP (as well as the LNP).
“The disaster of One Nation giving all their preferences to Liberals, and voting with them all the time in Canberra… (This brought down Tony Windsor who was always voting with the ALP), One Nation is beginning to look like a LNP lamb in wolf’s ‘Third Force’ clothing, the Hanson Party must realise the reason people vote for them is because they’re not one of the majors.
“But when in Canberra, One Nation has taken a stand on the following (and these were all burning issues):
“Came out against a banking Royal Commission,
“Came out in support for the sale of Kidman to Shanghai Cred (whoever their partners are is irrelevant),
“Voted for the Bash up the Workers Legislation (ABCC),
“Voted for the Bash up the Farmers and Tourist Operators legislation (the Backpackers Tax).
“Not only does this portray One Nation as an LNP supporter, but it portrays them as LNP.
“But if you look like a duck and quack like a duck, then you will get shot like a duck.
“We would like One Nation not to duck, but listen to calm, reasoned and experienced counsel. This is the kind of counsel we always reply upon.
“Also, people have underestimated the reaction to throwing WA Senator Rodney Culleton out of the Senate. Cool heads would have seen the disastrous ramifications of this.
“We shall be urging all of the Third Force parties in Australia, whatever their strengths and weaknesses, to come together.
“All the little parties have one strength in common; they were not the ones who exported our industries and jobs overseas and imported workers into Australia to take what’s left of our jobs. That was (believe it or not) mostly the ALP, and most certainly the LNP.
“It will be a great tragedy for this nation if the Xenophons and Lambies, the KAPs and all the other non-major parties do not have a coming together.
“Our strengths are in our differences but one thing we all have in common is we tenaciously oppose the extremism of the Free Market ideologues and their privatisation, de-regulation and globalisation.
“To the people of QLD, don’t worry about WA; you’ve made a decision to leave the majors and as the Johnathan Thurston and his NQ Cowboys say — stay in the fight!”
Queensland Brown Shirt armada drags farmer off to jail
Queensland living up to its reputation as a police state
Banking Royal Commission must start now
Warwick Yates principal of Ferrier Hodgson invasion team leader
The corrupt legal system and Netherlands-based Rabobank have skinned another scalp, this time a farming family living near Prarie, 400 klm west of Townsville.
Seven carloads of armed police and two carloads of receivers arrived at the Bradshaw cattle property Laurelvale near Prarie on February 1 at the behest of dodgy receivers Ferrier Hodgson who then took possession of the property allegedly due to non-payment of a loan.
Accompanying the intimidating police armada was a locksmith from Thuringowa Locksmiths and Locksmiths Services near Townsville, Will Caldwell and Warwick Yates (pictured) from receivers Ferrier Hodgson Brisbane and Gadens Lawyers solicitor Scott Couper of Brisbane.
Neil Bradshaw marched off by the enforcers
Neil Bradshaw, 29, the son of Lloyd and Noeline Bradshaw was arrested at Laurelvale Station and dragged off by two burly police officers then taken 200 klm to Charters Towers police station.
He was charged with obstructing police and assault. Neil says he did not at any time intentionally assault police.
Bail conditions set by the attending sergeant prevent Neil from going back to his home on the property.
He said the police told him they were there to protect the bailiff and arrived in such force because like every rural property the Bradshaws had firearms in their possession.
As can be found on most family run properties, Neil owns cattle running on the station and machinery which he believes will be stolen by the receivers.
“My cattle are not mortgaged and nor is the machinery, but I won’t get them back from this lot. I have been told they are mustering my cattle right now,” Mr Bradshaw said.
Seven police vehicle armada and and army of enforcers arriving
“Both properties are in drought declared shires although we have had good rain it will take us years to recover from the worst drought in history.
“We produce hay but instead of selling it we kept our own cattle alive for three years and if we didn’t do this Rabobank would have had no stock to sell at all.
“We were offered $700,000 for Laurelvale in the middle of a drought but its real value is $2.2 million and our debt is supposed to be $5 million because Rabobank has pushed it up with all their charges with the receivers.
“If we sold Laurelvale with 850 head we could pay them out but they wouldn’t accept our offer and they said they don’t want it because they can’t get the true value.”
In similar circumstances to scores of other fire sales the banks and receivers enforce unreasonable demands to make debt reductions and generally forbid moving stock to other properties with good feed.
In one case at Charters Towers in 2015 receivers Korda Mentha allowed at least 500 head of cattle to perish because the owners were not allowed to shift the cattle to agistment and the receivers had provided no money to feed them.
In this case Mr Bradshaw said Rabobank demanded the family pay the entire debt “straight away.”
“They are trying to get their hands on Ballabay Station(Pentland) too, so my parents have worked for a lifetime for nothing,” he said.
Member for Dalrymnple Shane Knuth of Katters Australia Party has been following the case and is critical of the legal system that allows such travesties to occur.
“These people have committed no crime and contributed so much to their community over many years,” Mr Knuth said.
“They have been heavily involved in Landcare and supporting the beef industry. It is not their fault they copped five years of drought and a government enforced live cattle export ban.
“It will take them up to five years to recover from this drought.
“This episode demonstrates a clear demand for a Royal Commission into banking.
Enforcers at the gate
CATTLE BRANDS NOT MORTGAGED
Cattle producers and agents are warned not to buy or deal with cattle with the following brands, which are not mortgaged to Rabobank and belong to Neil Bradshaw:
9G2 (script) UE9 (script)
Described as Brahman cross cows and calves; greys and reds; heifers and steers greys and reds some with Bazadais cross.
These cattle are listed on Personal Property Securities Register and legally cannot be sold without the owner’s permission. Neil Bradshaw has a registered interest and has a superior claim to that of the receivers, according to legal advice.
ADF land grab looks for less greener pastures
21 December 2016: In what media reports are labelling an “early win” for the 23 graziers in the Charters Towers area who were potentially going to have their properties forcibly aquired, the Defence Department will look into alternative sites for the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Singapore Army training deal.
KAP Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, who resides in Charters Towers, has thanked the Senior Ministers he met with on the issue earlier in the month.
Mr Katter said, “We want to put on public record our appreciation to Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.
“Just a short while after I met with them and the day after tens of dozens of graziers and members of the greater Charters Towers community rallied with KAP Member for Dalrymple, Shane Knuth and I at the Dalrymple sale yards last week, the Defence Department has announced it will look at two alternatives for its $2.2 billion Singapore training site.
“If no other part of the Government is working, Minister Pyne’s and Minister Cormann’s areas are — and we appreciate them for that.”
The Defence Department has confirmed that is will conduct a feasibility study into the viability of using two alternative sites – Pentland and Greenvale.
Mr Katter said, “The battle isn’t over yet, we need to keep fighting until the ADF commit to an alternative site.
“But I have complete faith in the tenacity and the unity of the affected graziers and Charters Towers community – to not roll over, to not accept their fate and to keep fighting! And Shaney and I will be with you all the way!”
Liberals and most Nationals hate guns and gun owners
The self-proclaimed defender of country people, Nationals Queensland senator Matt Canavan abstained from voting in the senate yesterday to overturn a Liberal ban on the controversial Adler lever action shotgun.
Canavan typically exudes the cultural malady rampant in the National Party today. The party is reeling after Liberal Attorney General George Brandis was overheard describing the Queensland Nationals as “very, very mediocre.”
Canavan and his ‘chair polishing’ colleague Senator Ian Macdonald both defended their lacklustre performances.
As One Nation surges in the polls since the Federal election the Nationals are aghast particularly after they lost the NSW seat of Orange in a recent by-election by 50 votes to the Shooters Party. The Nationals have held the seat for 70 years.
Comments last week by former LNP Premier Campbell Newman that after the next election the State would be run by a coalition of the LNP, One Nation and Katter members has rattled the State Opposition leaving leader Tim Nicholls to defend his perceived, poor performance.
Speaking on ABC Radio Tuesday morning Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce backed the Liberal ban on Adler shotguns, albeit defending the right of several Nationals senators to cross the floor in an attempt to overturn it.
Hanson rift with Katter unreasonable
Backroom moves to overcome Pauline Hanson’s unreasonable rift with Member for Kennedy Bob Katter continue as most commentators believe One Nation will win few Queensland seats without Katter preferences.
Katter says he has done nothing to upset Hanson and would like to form a partnership with One Nation to select seats which either party could win.
Hanson has yet to realise her party’s seemingly unassailable position in Queensland has only occurred because Katter has paved the way for her over the past decade with his relentless campaign against the mainstream parties.
Katters continued stance against the nanny state, over- regulation, firearm bans, runaway crocodile populations, unregulated banks, foreign ownership, 457 visas and support for dam building and numerous other infrastructure policies burning in the public mind has given the high profile Hanson the impetus to rise in the polls.
Hanson says she is running her own ship but she should consult with her memory as to why One Nation imploded 18 years ago.
She should heed the sensible advice given by her “adopted son” and advisor, James Ashby and back off from the vilification of her allies.
This great Australian died by the hands of politicians in government. His quest to reclaim peoples rights to stop mining on farming land has now 80,000 fighters and growing by the hour.
