Katter announces Gold Coast candidate who wants to open land up for feral hunting

The Katter Party’s latest candidate for the Gold Coast region has revealed a plan to tackle feral animals in the hinterland. Here’s what he wants to see happen

THE KATTER Party’s latest candidate for the Gold Coast region says he wants to open up national parks to feral hunters.

Beaudesert man Matt Tomlinson, who will today be announced as a candidate for the Gold Coast seat of Wright, said he would support moves to allow hunting of feral game in national parks by accredited shooters similar to that already in place in NSW.

It would support resource management, and help protect the environment under-resourced parks he said.

Matt Tomlinson KAP candidate for the seat of Wright in the upcoming Federal election.

The idea is one of the many reasons Mr Tomlinson, a stockman and former Beaudesert State High School Captain, has entered into politics.

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“I made the decision to run, because I was disappointed with the direction politics has been taking,” he said.

It comes in the lead up to the Federal election set to be held in May.

Left-leaning Australian lobby group GetUp! has revealed it will target Gold Coast Federal MP Steven Ciobo in a campaign against what it calls “hard right” members of the LNP.

GetUp! accuses Ciobo of being key figure in the messy LNP coalition leadership coup which eventually resulted in Scott Morrison taking over as Prime Minister from Malcolm Turnbull.

Matt Tomlinson, a Beaudesert local and KAP Candidate for Wright.

Minister Ciobo has a 14.6 per cent margin in Moncrieff.

Mr Tomlinson was not worried about similar campaigns as he did not consider himself or KAP to be hard right.

“That is the common misconception, Bob Katter is known for being a maverick and is taken out of context,” Mr Tomlinson said.

“They are from the land, and taking every opportunity to make a difference and not feather their own nest.

“If Bob was in it for himself he would have retired by now, instead he keeps working.”

Katter's Australian Party Queensland MP's Shane Knuth (left), Robbie Katter (centre) and Nick Dametto (right) at Queensland Parliament House in Brisbane. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Mr Tomlinson, a polo player said he would be focusing on infrastructure and creating more jobs for the area.

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“We are so close to Brisbane and the Gold Coast we often get forgotten in-between,” he said.

The former horse trainer said he was also eager to push for jobs and better management of natural resources.

“People love a rural lifestyle but we need to make sure we are getting our fair share coming back into the region.

“I want to see more investment in the area and more support for our community.”

He had been sure to double-check his citizenship to avoid making the mistakes of other MPs.

“Born in the Beaudesert hospital I have doubled checked,” he laughed.

KAP state leader Robbie Katter would not rule out running candidates in other Gold Coast seats.

The current Member for Wright, Scott Buchholz (LNP) said he welcomed any candidate to put their hand up.

“However only the Coalition Government has the commitment and the ability to deliver for Wright, keep our economy strong, and keep all Australians safe, secure and together.”