KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto blasts LNP over “misleading” crime ads, sparking political showdown

The KAP deputy leader has launched another fierce attack on the LNP, accusing them of ‘grossly misleading’ voters with a political ad claiming the Katters can’t be trusted on crime.

Natasha Emeck

@tashemeck

2 min read

October 16, 2024 - 3:00AM

Townsville Bulletin

Nick Dametto slams LNP leader David Crisafulli, accusing him of misleading voters with political ads in a heated political battle over law and order in North Queensland.

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KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto has launched another fierce attack on the LNP, accusing them of ‘grossly misleading’ voters with a political ad claiming the Katters can’t be trusted on crime.

In recent days, residents across North Queensland have been bombarded with TV ads urging them not to place their trust in KAP when it comes to crime policy.

The LNP’s ad campaign points to KAP members Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth, accusing them of being soft on crime after being absent from a crucial 2016 vote that the LNP claims played a key role in “watering down” youth justice laws.

The ads have sparked a heated war of words between the two political parties, with the LNP arguing that KAP cannot be relied upon to implement strong crime laws.

However, Mr Dametto, the Member for Hinchinbrook and a fierce proponent of tougher crime laws, including the contentious “Castle Law,” didn’t hold back in his fiery response.

He accused the LNP for distorting the truth and dragging up past events to suit their agenda.

“The ads that appear to be run by the LNP are grossly misleading and don’t paint the full picture, including their own voting history on youth crime,” Mr Dametto said.

Robbie Katter, Shane Knuth and Nick Dametto from the Katter’s Australian Party during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: NewsWire / Dan Peled

“I was not a Member of Parliament in 2016, so it is hard to comment on something I was not a party to. Ever since being elected I have only ever pushed for stronger youth crime laws across Queensland including relocation sentencing, mandatory minimum sentencing, removal of detention as a last resort and adult crime, adult time.”

The MP also slammed the LNP’s focus on past events, arguing that the real issue is their failure to deliver stronger crime policies in the current term.

LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie says the Katters can’t be trusted on crime. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“The LNP want to talk about stuff from 8 years ago, whereas we can talk about their failures in just this last term alone. It is they who have a very recent record of voting against tougher youth justice laws,” he said.

He went on to highlight how KAP drafted legislation earlier this term to remove “detention as a last resort” from the Youth Justice Act after breach of bail was reinstated as an offence, but the proposal was voted down by both LNP and Labor.

“Later we introduced another amendment about mandatory minimum sentencing, and the LNP supported Labor to vote that down as well,” he said.

“The KAP have put up some of the toughest crime laws in Queensland including Castle Law, which both the LNP and Labor allowed the clock to run out on. We’ll be reintroducing this law next term and want to know where the LNP sit on the fundamental right to defend yourself and your property by whatever means necessary.”

Mr Dametto’s remarks come days after he took a jab at LNP leader David Crisafulli over how-to-vote cards distributed in Ingham, escalating the rivalry between the two parties.

Despite the KAP’s strong pushback, the LNP has doubled down on its messaging.

LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie continued to criticise KAP, pointing to their candidate for Mundingburra Michael Pugh’s criminal past.

“The Katters can’t be trusted on crime, one of their candidates is a criminal who invaded a home with a weapon to collect a drug debt,” Mr Bleijie said.