Dametto’s reprimand at Labor as KAP considers its preference leanings

KAP is set for a preferences meeting this week, but deputy leader Nick Dametto cheekily quipped that Labor would need a time machine to win the minor party’s first preferences. See why.

KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto warns that Labor would need a time machine to go back a decade to fix the damage caused by youth crime, as he weighs up which major party to preference over the other. It could be strategically adjusted to different electorates to increase individual candidates’ chances. Picture: Chris Burns.

Katters Australian Party’s deputy leader Nick Dametto said Labor would need to find a functional time machine and travel back a decade if it desired the minor party’s first preferences.

KAP’s leaders have kept their cards close to the chest about their preferred major party during the election campaign, but the way Mr Dametto speaks, it is more likely to lean towards LNP unless a special deal was done.

And such a deal speculated by One Nation representatives has angrily been denied by KAP leader Robbie Katter, who said making a deal with any party so early in the campaign was “just stupid”.

“Every election, we have been happy to do a first preference swap on our how to vote card with One Nation, and KAP intend to take the high road this time,” Mr Katter said.

But preferences could be broken down into individual electorates as the party was more focused on winning as many of the 10 seats they were in the running for.

The party is understood to be making a decision on preferences in a meeting held this week, after the state government was placed in caretaker mode.

And because preferences were important to a party’s perception, Mr Dametto indicated that it may not be possible to side with Labor in certain seats where the government had alienated the voters.

“What would Labor do to get our preferences?

KAP leader Robbie Katter has denied any deals being done, and said to do so early before the election was stupid. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“They’d have to figure out where their continuum transfunctioner is to put that back into the time machine, go back about 10 years and fix the crime problem.

“That’s probably what they’d have to do, so good luck on doing that.”

KAP wanted to use preferences to win as many of the 10 seats they were in the running for.

“We definitely want to distinguish that with our voters, and the point I’m trying to make is I can’t give you that answer until the party has decided on that,” Mr Dametto said.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles speaks in Townsville last week, which he was determined to fight for. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“If I was to give you that answer right now before the party had voted on it through the federal management committee, I’d be doing the party a disservice, but I can say for the first time, there is real discussions within the KAP of preferencing against the Labor Party in certain seats where they cannot be … rewarded by having us as a point of neutrality going into the state election.”

Mr Dametto said Townsville was in the “hot seat” as parties scrambled for control of Queensland’s largest regional city.

While announcing funding for the JTYouGotThis program, Premier Steven Miles said Townsville was a “critical part” of his election strategy, and he was not tempted to give up on the north and focus campaign resources on South East Queensland.

“We’ve always worked with KAP, after Labor they are the strongest regional party,” Mr Miles said.

“The LNP is the party of the Gold and Sunshine Coast, they Labor Party is the party for all of Queensland, and Katters are what remains of the National Party.

“And we continue to work with them, we agree with them on a lot of things, we disagree on a few things and we’ll continue to do that.”

But Mr Miles could not support a bid by Mr Dametto to support a State of North Queensland, saying “the answer isn’t to break Queensland up”.

Originally published as Dametto’s reprimand at Labor as KAP considers its preference leanings