Cage Fight: North Queensland, it’s time for your own state

HAVE YOUR SAY: North Queensland, it’s time for the region to secede and become a stand-alone state. | Our bare-knuckle brawlers are back for another round of political fisticuffs. Join the CAGE FIGHT debate now!

OUR bare-knuckle brawlers John McCarthy and Des Houghton are back for another week of political fisticuffs. This week: North Queensland, is it time for the region to secede and become a stand-alone state? Join the Cage Fight debate from 6am.

Add your comments below, and then step back and watch the fireworks.

North Queensland, it’s time for your own state.

John McCarthy says:

NOT just because you won a grand final or that you need a new stadium, but because you have your own identity separate from the south and only a dedicated Government will be able to drive the north to reach its potential.

Why anyone thought Brisbane could have any affinity with Townsville and Cairns and Mt Isa remains one of those bizarre federation mysteries like the idea of having New Zealand as an Australian state.

We may as well try to govern Melbourne or Papua New Guinea.

Economically, it would be tough and potentially impacting both north and south, but the Federal Government’s push to develop Northern Australia means the time has come for some serious debate on how the north should be able to go its own way.

But if it does happen please don’t make Bob Katter your premier.

Premier Bob Katter?

In other issues, politicians on all sides are wrapped in a donation scandal that just won’t go away.

The New Hope allegations, union donations and cash for access just continue to dog whoever is in power and strike at the heart of democracy.

Imagine how foreign companies see this system of paying thousands to go to a function and have access to a minister or premier?

It so ripe for corruption that it screams out for reform.

And how about Campbell Newman coming back as an office holder with the LNP? Wouldn’t Labor love to see his name back in the headlines?

Admit it Campbell. You had your moment, now move on.

John McCarthy

Why anyone thought Brisbane could have any affinity with Townsville and Cairns and Mt Isa remains one of those bizarre federation mysteries.

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Des Houghton says: I’M getting a little tired of North Queenslanders boasting about winning a football game. Far too much hubris for such a narrow win in my opinion.

But that’s North Queensland all over; trying to pump up its tyres at every chance it gets.

I suppose they will now be demanding statehood after the Cowboy’s unconvincing Grand Final win.

If North Queenslanders wants to cut loose let them, I say.

The metropolitan area has been subsidising the Deep North for too long.

Ron Aitken of Townsville in the July 9, 1984 edition of The Sunday Mail.

North Queenslanders have been living in La La Land for too long.

Statehood would require Townsville to find $1.6 billion for a new hospital or $3 billion for new schools in a mining downturn. Good luck with that. Statehood would demand Townsville be responsible for NQ sugar cane farmers polluting the Great Barrier Reef with fertiliser run-off.

Let the new capital of Townsville be responsible for retraining those ill-tempered cassowaries with a silly helmet and claws capable of eviscerating a hapless tourist.

We’ll be discussing North Queensland’s bid for statehood on Cage Fight this morning.

And we will also be examining other issues including homegrown terrorism and secret union donations to the Labor Party.

Have your say.

The new state capital of Townsville? Picture: Roslyn Budd / buddphotography.com.au