Kennedy MP Bob Katter and Leichhardt MP Matt Smith lead the Far North into the 48th Parliament in Canberra
The Far North’s two federal members of parliament have shared their visions, goals and apprehensions for the term ahead. This is what to expect from our elected reps for the next three years.
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Opposing political views won’t stop the Far North’s two federal members from working together where possible for the best interests of the region.
Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, approaching 51 years in politics, has already reached out to rookie Leichhardt MP, Matt Smith, eager to show the former Cairns Taipans centre the ropes during his first term in the House of Representatives.
Together, the duo strutted into parliament this week representing two of the nation’s largest and most diverse electorates, eager for their fair share.
The pair shared with Arun Singh Mann their goals and visions for the 48th term of parliament earlier this week.
What are you looking forward to the most about this term of parliament?
Katter: Offering real opposition. While the Liberals and Nationals are jockeying for positions on the front bench, Australia is being led down a path of self-destruction by a government seemingly hellbent on placating our enemies whilst alienating our allies. I’m looking forward to working with a couple of like-minded crossbenchers that aspire to make Australia an even greater nation.
Smith: The biggest and best thing is the opportunity to make a difference in my community. It is a big responsibility, but I am excited about the potential to make people’s lives in the Far North and Australia better. To actually have the levers available to be able to advocate at this level to find problems and try to help fix them. I have been in the Far North for 20 years, I am so proud to say that I have made it my home and am thrilled to be able to stand before the nation and represent where I and the people I love live.
What are you looking forward to the least about this term of parliament?
Katter: The frustrating lack of action by both sides of parliament on real issues facing Australian households. Millions of dollars are being spent on bureaucratic pleasure palaces and events, tokenistic ‘feel-good’ indulgences and international whims while middle Australia is struggling to put food on the table. Parliament has been overtaken by ‘net zero’, ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’. All good words until you scratch the surface and see that they are just code for ‘higher energy prices’, ‘more bureaucrats’ and ‘more regulations’.
Smith: You would be shocked to learn that I don’t like planes very much. Just dimensionally speaking they aren’t very comfortable. It is essentially a FIFO job, so I will miss time with family. I arrived late to my daughter’s formal because of plane delays. The choices I have made in my working life up until now, generally, had me returning home most days. Up here though, people working away, people working unusual shifts, it is something that a lot of families in Leichhardt must navigate, so I am by no means alone in having to deal with those challenges.
What issues will you raise in parliament?
Katter: The government must address the issues that are stopping Australia from being the world’s economic powerhouse that it can and should be. The Omnibus (multi-issue) Bill we have prepared identifies the key legislative changes that are needed to generate great wealth and prosperity that Australia needs to rise above the navel-gazing, ego-centric governments we have experienced over recent years. I once walked with giants, I want to again.
Smith: I want to use my first speech to really highlight the potential of the region economically, environmentally and culturally. I really do believe that we are on the edge of really setting the region up for a great future. I am really keen to try to get the focus of the nation onto our region. Be it defence, critical minerals, tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing, we have all these avenues of opportunity. The Far North has much to be proud of and much to be excited about. I want to tell our story.
What are three goals you’ll be setting yourself to achieve in the next three years?
Katter: Returning government to the public service that it once was and should be. I fear that bureaucrats are no longer delivering a public service. Instead, they overregulate, control and put significant additional cost, both time and money, on family run businesses and the great freedoms and fun we used to once enjoy in Australia.
We must immediately stop adding to the bureaucracy and only replace those front-line bureaucrats that deliver a necessary public service. This alone will put well over $6000 a year into household budgets. We must reform the supermarket giants and provide a maximum 100 per cent mark-up on fresh produce. This will put another $5000 a year into household budgets.
We must introduce a federal reserve resource policy to provide Australians with cheap and reliable energy, invest in low-emissions coal-fired power and provide ethanol to fuel our cars with cheap, renewable fuel. With these three measures alone, Australian households could be given an additional $16,000 each year.
Smith: Firstly, I want to further develop my relationship with the community so that they know that they can come to me with issues and that they will be met with empathy, respect and we will do our utmost to help. We need to keep working to help ease the pressure on housing and cost of living and help create new economic opportunities right across the region
What legislation would you like to see passed as soon as possible?
Katter: Australians are really struggling at the moment under the burden of increasing costs. Immediate and decisive action is needed to address cost of living pressures. The Omnibus (multi-issue) Bill I will be introducing details a legislative program that sets Australia back onto a track of wealth and prosperity, instead of continuing down the current path of self-destruction. If government was to take on even half the measures proposed in this Bill, millions would be returned to the pockets of Australian families, and we would once again be able to enjoy the great wealth, prosperity and lifestyle that our great country offers. We don’t need handouts. We need a strong and capable government to introduce real reform that will lead to a path of prosperity.
Smith: The HECS reduction is the first cab off the rank that will make a huge difference to more than 17,000 people in our region alone, allowing them to have more money in their pocket. The Prime Minister has identified this as a year of delivery so I expect there will be a great deal of work done early.
Which issues specific to your electorate do you think you’ll spend the most energy on during this term?
Katter: Electricity, dams, roads, communications and health care are just some of the key issues that are facing Kennedy. For too long our money has been given to pleasure projects in Brisbane and hasn’t been spent on Kennedy where the wealth generation has been.
Smith: Housing, addressing the causes and impacts of climate change and improving economic opportunities are really where I am looking to focus and to me the three things are intrinsically linked. The transition to renewable energy is potentially massive for the region and that obviously is a net positive for action on climate change. Many of our communities are already feeling the impacts of climate change so positioning the Far North as a leader in this field makes sense. Greater economic investment will also lead to more opportunities for housing. Already we are building 490 new homes in Woree and earlier this year multiple councils in Leichhardt received funding for trunk infrastructure, we delivered the Cairns Water Security project to future proof the inevitable expansion of Cairns. I am also seeking to be a voice for change in addressing the high level of domestic violence. The statistics coming out of the Far North are very sobering reading and it is something that we must do better on.
How do you plan on dealing with the Canberra weather?
Katter: By wearing my Cowboys scarf, Akubra hat, merino wool suit and RM Williams boots, whilst holding a ramekin of tea with a generous spoonful of condensed milk.
Smith: With great difficulty.
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