Katter wants to bring Christensen into the fold after Net Zero decision

The door has been left open for outgoing Dawson MP George Christensen to prevent his electorate from being “destroyed by the net-zero 2050 policy”.

KENNEDY MP Bob Katter is calling on outgoing Member for Dawson, George Christensen, to rethink leaving politics.

The outspoken National MP revealed he would not recontest his Mackay-based seat back in April 2021.

At the time he said he had only ever intended to “serve three terms” after first being elected at the 2010 election and only contested the last election to ensure the Coalition held the seat and kept out a “Green-tinged Labor government”.

But Mr Katter says there is now an even bigger threat to Mr Christensen's electorate and North Queensland.

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter teaming up to spruik the need for a “clean” coal-fired power station to be built at Collinsville. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

Mr Katter said the recent decision by the Federal Coalition to agree to net zero by 2050 would be disastrous for the economy and jobs.

He said the major industries in his electorate (cattle, cane and coal) are under existential threat from the Liberal, National and Labor parties’ decision to back net-zero emissions.

Mr Katter says he will be seeking immediate discussions with the Member for Dawson.

“George felt very strongly that he had a moral responsibility which stopped him from ratting on his current party,” Mr Katter said.

“Now there is a conflict.

“If he stays there or exits the political arena altogether, he will be ratting on his people.

“The coal, cattle and cane jobs that make up nearly the entire economy of his electorate are set to be destroyed by the net-zero 2050 policy.”

When asked if Mr Katter would welcome Mr Christensen to the Katter Party he said, “Of course I would”.

“We work together well. We are good friends and see the world in a similar way including our Christianity,” he said.

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter have teamed up to spruik the need for a clean coal-fired power station to be built at Collinsville. PICTURE: MATT TAYLOR.

He said that if both he and Mr Christensen were elected at the next federal election it would restore power to North Queensland.

“We would be in a powerful position to give the North a strong voice in Canberra,” Mr Katter said.

When contacted Mr Christensen played down Mr Katter’s approach.

“Bob’s very passionate about these things and so am I,” Mr Christensen said in a statement.

“I will continue to oppose a net zero target as an LNP member while I remain in parliament because I believe it will be detrimental to my electorate.

“As for my future, the decision I made in April has not changed.”

Originally published as Katter wants to bring Christensen into the fold after Net Zero decision