Brisbane 2032 Olympic meeting in Cairns overshadowed by Katter’s Australian Party protest

A minor party candidate has called out the “breadcrumbs” the region receives in infrastructure funding with southeast Queensland set to receive billions in the lead up to the Olympics.

Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and two of his Far North Queensland candidates for the state election have held a mini protest outside of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, furious that the Queensland Government is spending billions in South East Queensland for the 2032 Olympics Games, while regional Queensland will recieve a fraction of the funding. Katter Australian Party candidate for Cook Duane Amos, Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP candidate for Mulgrave Steve Lesina timed their mini protest to coincide with a Brisbane 2032 organising committee meeting at CPAC. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Far North minor party candidate has called out the “breadcrumbs” the region receives in infrastructure funding with southeast Queensland set to receive billions in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics.

Members of the Katter’s Australian Party attempted to hold up a Cairns meeting of the Brisbane Olympic Games board with local councillors, the Premier and other dignitaries also in attendance.

Kennedy MP Bob Katter had been invited to the meeting at CPAC on Thursday evening, but opted to stand along Sheridan St with party candidates for Mulgrave Steven Lesina and Cook’s Duane Amos, waving placards with notes claiming a disparity in spending between Brisbane and North Queensland.

Mr Amos said the protest was about questioning how funds would be shared across the state, as well as interstate for the co-host cities of Sydney and Melbourne.

Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and two of his Far North Queensland candidates for the state election have held a mini protest outside of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, furious that the Queensland Government is spending billions in South East Queensland for the 2032 Olympics Games, while regional Queensland will recieve a fraction of the funding. Katter Australian Party candidate for Mulgrave Steve Lesina, Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP candidate for Cook Duane Amos timed their mini protest to coincide with a Brisbane 2032 organising committee meeting at CPAC. Picture: Brendan Radke

“When you’ve got so many host cities, how much do we actually believe is going to be in Cairns and Far North, when you’ve 10 other cities around the country,” Mr Amos said.

“Meanwhile we’ve got failing infrastructure in the Far North, no water security and we’ve got a fickle economy based on tourism; it’s gonna need more than an Olympic games to sure up the economics of this area.”

The protesters had attracted members of the public to their chant, but the small gathering didn’t upset the meeting, with Mr Amos claiming dignitaries used sly entrance tactics.

“Once they saw we were out here, they did the backdoor entry because they don’t like difficult conversations.”

The conservative party’s candidate for Mulgrave Steven Lesina was adamant KAP “didn’t want to get rid money for locals” when questioned about incoming funds for the $91m Barlow Park upgrade.

Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and two of his Far North Queensland candidates for the state election have held a mini protest outside of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, furious that the Queensland Government is spending billions in South East Queensland for the 2032 Olympics Games, while regional Queensland will recieve a fraction of the funding. Katter Australian Party candidate for Cook Duane Amos, Member for Kennedy Bob Katter and KAP candidate for Mulgrave Steve Lesina timed their mini protest to coincide with a Brisbane 2032 organising committee meeting at CPAC. Picture: Brendan Radke

“For us it’s breadcrumbs, breadcrumbs that are from a loaf of bread that Brisbane are getting, and sharing the crumbs around,” he said.

“It’s another ‘Band-Aid’ approach to keep the regions happy.”

A spokeswoman for Premier said they did not see the Katter’s at the CPAC entrance, but Mr Miles had found a reason to agree with the veteran federal MP.

“Bob Katter has one thing right – we don’t need a new gold-plated $3bn stadium in Brisbane, like David Crisafulli and the LNP want,” Mr Miles said.

“The Games are going to be great for our state, especially Cairns where people travel from all over the world will travel to see the Reef, rainforest and to watch a game at the fantastic upgraded Barlow Park.”

Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Olympic meeting in Cairns overshadowed by Katter’s Australian Party protest