ID :
186531
Sun, 06/05/2011 - 13:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/186531
The shortlink copeid
Qld first for Katter's new political party
Maverick MP Bob Katter has launched a new political party he says will be a force to be reckoned with at the next federal and Queensland polls.
The colourful federal independent, who on Friday had lodged registration papers for Katter's Australian Party, on Sunday called for candidates, volunteers and donations to get his party off the ground.
Mr Katter said he had no choice, believing that the group of independents in Canberra - who decided the balance of power after last year's election and delivered a hung parliament - had achieved nothing.
"In the last election the people of Australia said, `We're not going to vote for you any longer, we've had enough'," he said.
But voters had only got more of the same, he said.
Mr Katter said he would appeal to both city and country voters under his new banner, but would unashamedly represent agriculture.
Among his policies are:
- Repeal a carbon tax, if in place;
- Legislate to limit Woolworth and Coles to 22.5 per cent market share each;
- Deregulate industries like dairy;
- Make ethanol mandatory to reduce petrol prices;
- Significantly increase customs duty on products coming into Australia; and
- Relax recreational fishing rules.
Mr Katter said he would concentrate on winning seats in the upcoming Queensland election, due in early 2012, before contesting the next federal poll.
He asked for men and women who believed in something and would stand up for their constituents over the party machine to throw their hats in the ring.
"For those people that have been out there in a comfortable cocoon of big-party endorsement, well, happy days are at an end my friends," he said as a warning to the major parties.
"You're going to have to stand up and represent your people or you're going to lose your seat.
"We're coming after you."
But Mr Katter would not speculate on what kind of success he hoped for, instead referring to the achievements of One Nation in its heyday.
"If you'd told me when One Nation kicked off that they'd get 11 seats (at the 1998 Queensland election) I would have thought you were mad, you know," he said.
Mr Katter would not reveal candidates-in-waiting, saying he had to wait for the registration to be completed first.
He also called on politicians to jump ship and join him, although he said he was unsure he would want Queensland LNP politicians who had let the party machine dictate their leader.
Queensland LNP leader Campbell Newman said he doubted any of his team would want to switch, although he said he hadn't broached the issue with MPs.
But Mr Newman would not be drawn on whether Mr Katter would erode his vote.
"I'll leave that to the political commentators," he told reporters on Sunday.
"People need to understand that if they dabble with independents or minor parties they'll see (Premier) Anna Bligh get back in potentially.
"If you want change ... then you need to vote for the LNP team."
Treasurer Wayne Swan said he believes the new party would attack National and Liberal support in regional areas.
"I think the formation of his party is more of a reflection on the weakness on the Liberal and National parties in Queensland who have failed to stand up for regional areas," Mr Swan told reporters in Brisbane.
The colourful federal independent, who on Friday had lodged registration papers for Katter's Australian Party, on Sunday called for candidates, volunteers and donations to get his party off the ground.
Mr Katter said he had no choice, believing that the group of independents in Canberra - who decided the balance of power after last year's election and delivered a hung parliament - had achieved nothing.
"In the last election the people of Australia said, `We're not going to vote for you any longer, we've had enough'," he said.
But voters had only got more of the same, he said.
Mr Katter said he would appeal to both city and country voters under his new banner, but would unashamedly represent agriculture.
Among his policies are:
- Repeal a carbon tax, if in place;
- Legislate to limit Woolworth and Coles to 22.5 per cent market share each;
- Deregulate industries like dairy;
- Make ethanol mandatory to reduce petrol prices;
- Significantly increase customs duty on products coming into Australia; and
- Relax recreational fishing rules.
Mr Katter said he would concentrate on winning seats in the upcoming Queensland election, due in early 2012, before contesting the next federal poll.
He asked for men and women who believed in something and would stand up for their constituents over the party machine to throw their hats in the ring.
"For those people that have been out there in a comfortable cocoon of big-party endorsement, well, happy days are at an end my friends," he said as a warning to the major parties.
"You're going to have to stand up and represent your people or you're going to lose your seat.
"We're coming after you."
But Mr Katter would not speculate on what kind of success he hoped for, instead referring to the achievements of One Nation in its heyday.
"If you'd told me when One Nation kicked off that they'd get 11 seats (at the 1998 Queensland election) I would have thought you were mad, you know," he said.
Mr Katter would not reveal candidates-in-waiting, saying he had to wait for the registration to be completed first.
He also called on politicians to jump ship and join him, although he said he was unsure he would want Queensland LNP politicians who had let the party machine dictate their leader.
Queensland LNP leader Campbell Newman said he doubted any of his team would want to switch, although he said he hadn't broached the issue with MPs.
But Mr Newman would not be drawn on whether Mr Katter would erode his vote.
"I'll leave that to the political commentators," he told reporters on Sunday.
"People need to understand that if they dabble with independents or minor parties they'll see (Premier) Anna Bligh get back in potentially.
"If you want change ... then you need to vote for the LNP team."
Treasurer Wayne Swan said he believes the new party would attack National and Liberal support in regional areas.
"I think the formation of his party is more of a reflection on the weakness on the Liberal and National parties in Queensland who have failed to stand up for regional areas," Mr Swan told reporters in Brisbane.
